Detroit Lions: The Most Overrated and Underrated Players at Each Position

Detroit Lions fans know what it's like to be undervalued on a national scale.

Calvin Johnson and Jason Hanson missed the Pro Bowl in 2008, Louis Delmas didn't get a single Defensive Rookie of the Year vote in 2009 and the "Process of the Catch" wasn't even an important enough call to warrant an offseason rules review.

That's okay, because the NFL rarely turns its head to Detroit except to chuckle or spit. The fanbase is used to that. It has made Lions fans stronger as a unit (and is going to cause a lot of animosity toward the inevitable bandwagon fans).

Another thing Lions fans are good at is overrating their own. Maybe all fans are good at that, but Lions fans are no better.

But who do we appreciate a little too much? And who do we give a little too much grief (or worse, no attention at all)?

Before you click forward, let me straighten one thing out: underrated and overrated are relative terms.

Underrated does not equate to "snubbed Hall of Famer," it just means they're not quite given the recognition they deserve, whatever that may be.

Overrated doesn't mean "no good," it just means their legacy is blown up a little for one reason or another.

The point is this isn't "one extreme or the other." Somebody can be overrated but still good. Some of the players I'm listing here as "overrated" I listed two days ago as among the best players in Lions history.

So put the safety on those flamethrowers and read on.

Most Underrated QB: Scott Mitchell

I don't think anybody in Detroit has fond memories of Scott Mitchell, and that's kind of the point.

The former backup to Dan Marino only led the Lions in passing for three years, but he made the playoffs in two of those years, and 1995 was arguably the greatest statistical season for a quarterback in Lions history.

Did playing in front of the greatest running back in NFL history heavily influence that? Sure. When you have a back that teams can't stop with 12 guys in the box, it tends to open up the passing game.

But you know what? Bobby Layne played in front of Doak Walker, who has the collegiate award for best running back named after him, and he had a bunch of All-Pro linemen in front of him—you don't hear anybody trying to tear him down because he had help around him. I'm not buying that argument.

Don't get me wrong, Mitchell isn't an all-time great, but he deserves just a little more credit than he gets. How many Lions quarterbacks have been to the playoffs more than twice, under any circumstances?

Most Overrated QB: Greg Landry

I can't say anything bad about Greg Landry. The man was a Lions quarterback for longer than anyone in the modern era. But his name always comes up when we start talking about getting a quarterback to the Pro Bowl, and that sort of inflates his legacy.

Yes, Landry made a Pro Bowl. Yes, he's one of the best quarterbacks in Lions history. And all told, his legacy as a Lion is likely much greater than that of Scott Mitchell (like I said, these are relative descriptions).

But Landry was good, not great. He made a Pro Bowl, but he made one Pro Bowl, and he threw for 1,072 yards that year. He played for the Lions for 11 years, made one Pro Bowl, one playoff appearance and never passed for more than 2,300 yards.

You know who else made a Pro Bowl? David Garrard. Let's not overblow the value of being a Pro Bowl quarterback, that's all I'm saying.

Most Underrated RB: Billy Sims

It seems that people who remember Billy Sims know how great he was. Some of you have gone out of your way to tell me so (you know who you are).

The problem is the history books aren't kind to Sims, because he didn't play long enough to make a lasting mark and whatever impressive single-season numbers he posted (like most rushing yards in a season in franchise history) have since been shattered by the better known No. 20 running back.

Even I fell into that, to an extent. Sims is easy to overlook because his career spanned only four-and-a-half years, but for that time, he was one of the best running backs the Lions had ever seen.

Most Overrated RB: Mel Farr

Mel Farr was pretty good for a while. He won Rookie of the Year, made a couple of Pro Bowls and spent his entire career in Detroit.

He rushed for a career 3,072 yards (exactly five more career yards than Kevin Jones) over his seven-year career.

The fact that Mel Farr became a local celebrity as a successful businessman (Mel Farr's Ford dealership was once one of the largest in America) in Detroit after his playing days doesn't mean he was any better than "pretty good" in a Lions uniform.

Most Underrated WR: Johnnie Morton

This spot was going to go to the likes of Gail Cogdill or even Brett Perriman, as I didn't really think Johnnie Morton was underrated. I thought everyone respected him as much as I did.

But I put him on a couple "Best of" lists and people in the comments box are trying to give his spot away.

Clearly, more credit is due here, people.

Some argue that Morton only posted great numbers because he had Barry Sanders and Herman Moore taking the pressure off, and anybody could have succeeded in those circumstances.

It doesn't matter who could have thrived; Morton did thrive. It's not like you can say he was a beneficiary of a Hall of Fame quarterback.

Morton was a playmaker, and it doesn't matter if he was a playmaker at No. 2. If anything, his numbers are impressive because he was a No. 2 guy.

Do you think just because Moore was drawing double-teams nobody was left on the field to cover Morton? He still had to beat a defender to make a play, and that's not something you can take for granted.

Calvin Johnson is one of the first receivers ever to draw consistent triple-teams, particularly in 2008 and 2009. And who stepped up to take the pressure off and pick up the slack when Johnson was being smothered by the defense?

Nobody.

Guys nobody remembers were catching a pass a game and finishing the season with 250 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Morton was going for consistent 1,000-yard seasons as a second option.

If I told you that the Lions could get a receiver who would have 1,000 yards receiving for each of the next three years across from Calvin Johnson, would you turn your nose up at him?

Exactly. Give some respect where respect is due.

Most Overrated WR: Roy Williams

After a couple of hilariously unsuccessful seasons in Dallas, maybe a little of the luster has come off the Roy Williams shine.

Williams is often considered the only successful draft pick during Matt Millen's 2003-2005 first-round receiver blitz. Of course, that's comparing him to Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, so it's a hard point to argue.

But that's part of the problem. Williams looks better by comparison, because he gets compared to a pair of horrific busts (yes, Mike Williams has resurfaced with the Seattle Seahawks, but that still doesn't help the Lions).

Williams really had one good season in Detroit, when he caught for over 1,300 yards in 2006. That was also the only season he played in 16 games or had over 850 receiving yards.

On the bright side, Williams' worst season with the Lions is still better than his best season with the Dallas Cowboys, so he was a good trade at least.

Most Underrated TE: Casey Fitzsimmons

Maybe this is a sentimental pick. I'm sure there are other TEs in Lions history that don't get the recognition they deserve, but I'm taking this spot to honor Casey Fitzsimmons, one of the only true utilityman players in the modern era of the NFL.

Fitzsimmons was a guy who did whatever the Lions needed from him.

Tight end? Sure. Fullback? Throw him in there. Special teams? All day. Emergency offensive lineman? Give him some reps.

Ultimately, Fitzsimmons won't be remembered for his mark on the record books, but he was perhaps one of the most blue-collar guys the team has ever seen, and he deserves some recognition for it.

Most Overrated TE: David Sloan

David Sloan made a Pro Bowl and amassed just over 2,000 receiving yards in seven years with the Lions. He averaged about 20 catches and two touchdowns a year.

I'll pass. Thanks.

But I will say that Sloan never fumbled the ball in his nine-year NFL career. Not one time. That's pretty impressive, even for a guy with fewer than a couple dozen touches each year.

Most Underrated OL: Jeff Backus

I imagine some of you just checked out of this slideshow completely.

That's exactly why I'm right.

It's not that Jeff Backus is the second coming of Lou Creekmur. He's not even the second coming of Lomas Brown.

It's just that Backus has been a scapegoat for the Lions for about the last five years straight, and he doesn't deserve it. The fact that Backus has made it through more coaches, OCs and GMs than you can count on both hands, and none of them made any move to cut or replace him? That should tell you something.

At his worst, Backus is average. But every time he fails to completely bottle up every defender on the line, everyone thinks he's Aaron Gibson.

Soon enough, Backus will either be gone or retired, and you might even find that the Lions were better off with Backus than they are with his replacement. If that happens, come back here and read this again.

Most Overrated OL: Alex Wojciechowicz

I might get into trouble with this one if I don't break down why I'm listing a Hall of Fame player as overrated.

Alex Wojciechowicz was an absolutely fantastic football player, and there's no taking that away from him. He's in the Hall of Fame, and that's the ultimate referendum on his worthiness as a player.

Still, Wojciechowicz was a two-way player and is remembered for two things: playing linebacker and his stance over the ball.

Obviously, Wojciechowicz was an adequate blocker, or he wouldn't have been in at the position for as long as he was. But it seems to me his actual measurable skills at offensive line were overshadowed by his defensive skills, and that's why he gets listed as an overrated offensive lineman only.

Most Underrated DL: Roger Brown

I'm still stunned at how little I hear about Roger Brown. This guy sacked Bart Starr five times in a single Thanksgiving game.

The reason Brown doesn't get much recognition is probably because he played with Alex Karras, who draws more attention in every way.

Karras was, of course, a better defender, but he was better in the way Ndamukong Suh might be better than Nick Fairley. 

Everyone was pretty good on that line, but because Karras was the marquee name on the "Fearsome Foursome," Brown tends to get overshadowed, even with some pretty impressive individual numbers.

Most Overrated DL: Luther Elliss

Luther Elliss was an awfully likable guy, and I don't mean to pile on the guy when he's having hard times, but he just wasn't that good overall, despite his proximity to star Robert Porcher.

The man known in Detroit as "Pass Rushing Luther" probably earned that nickname over his second and third seasons, when he notched a combined 15 sacks, because he only totaled 12 sacks his final six years as a Lion.

Granted, Elliss made the Pro Bowl in two of those years, so it's not like he wasn't doing anything right. Still, I'm not sure how a guy who averaged fewer than three sacks a season over his career gets the name "Pass Rushing Luther."

Most Underrated LB: Stephen Boyd

Like Billy Sims, Stephen Boyd's legacy would be much greater if his body had been able to take the rigors of NFL play.

Boyd retired just as he was entering his prime, so he never got to be considered among the all-time greats.

He did, however, seamlessly replace a guy who is among the Lions' all-time greats. Chris Spielman left for Buffalo, Boyd took his spot and there was hardly a bump.

Boyd took over as leading tackler for the Lions, and was a perennial Pro Bowler before chronic injuries cut his career short.

Most Overrated LB: Ernie Sims

I can't think of a whole lot of linebackers that Lions fans speak highly of other than the ones who deserve it.

But Ernie Sims really seemed like he was going to be beastly for a while, didn't he? He had that great sideline-to-sideline speed, and that...

Actually, what else did Ernie Sims have that people miss so much? Wasn't he just one of the fastest guys to overrun the play?

I get that people miss Sims because the linebacker positions have been in a state of such uncertainty since Sims was traded. But the Philadelphia Eagles didn't even find him worthy of restricted free-agent tender, so maybe it was best that the Lions got rid of him while he had some residual value?

Most Underrated CB: Jim David

You don't hear Jim David's name come up that often when talking about great Lions players, and that's probably for the same reason you don't hear Roger Brown's.

Brown played with Alex Karras. David played with Jack Christiansen.

David was famous in his own right as a little guy who could deliver a big hit. Perhaps more importantly, he was a solid cover man who won three NFL championships with the Lions.

Not only that, but he may very well be the greatest 22nd-round pick ever to play football.

Anybody want to do the research on that one?

Most Overrated CB: Dre' Bly

I'm a fan of Dre' Bly. He played great for the Lions.

But even if you call Bly the best cornerback of the last decade for the Lions, who are you comparing him to? Ramzee Robinson?

Look, Bly is a risk-taking cornerback. He thrives on the big play. Sometimes it goes for him and sometimes it goes against him. Sometimes he jumps a route and gets a big pick. Sometimes he gets too aggressive and gets torched.

The only thing consistent about Bly is his inconsistency, and even though he's flashy, he's not anywhere close to the best Detroit has seen. And he's certainly not the answer in 2011.

Most Underrated S: Yale Lary

How can a Hall of Fame player be underrated, you ask?

Well, obviously he's not underrated by everybody, but when was the last time Lions fans talked about Yale Lary the same way they do about the likes of Sanders, Schmidt and Layne?

They don't, and that's a shame.

Lary was every bit as good as any of those guys, and he played special teams.

I'm not even talking about return units. The guy was a return specialist and a punter, as well as a safety, and he excelled at all three. You just don't get that kind of versatility out of players these days.

Most Overrated S: Bennie Blades

Bennie Blades, in addition to having one of the coolest names ever, was a fine football player.

He racked up some fine tackle stats, and he was a good player in the Lions secondary for a long time, but let's remember, the Lions took Blades third overall in 1988. Third!

For that, they got nine years out of Blades, good for 12 interceptions, nine forced fumbles and one trip to the Pro Bowl.

Not bad for a safety, but you expect better from someone drafted so high.

Most Underrated Special Teams Player: Jim Arnold

Do you actually know who Jim Arnold is?

Most punters tend to get lost in the shuffle when it comes to recognition. After all, the punter is the one player you least want to see on the field at all times.

But for a guy who gives the ball away for a living, Arnold at least did it well. His 39.6-yard net punting average in 1987 is an NFL record still today.

Arnold is also the franchise's only player to make the Pro Bowl twice (in back-to-back years, 1988 and 1989) as a primary punter.

Most Overrated Special Teams Player: Eddie Murray

To harken back to the very first slide of this piece, overrated does not mean bad. It's hard to argue against the fact the "Steady" Eddie Murray is the second-best kicker in Detroit Lions history.

But many don't know just how much of a distant second he is. I have personally gotten a couple of "If Jason Hanson is on this list, why not Eddie Murray?" questions on recent articles.

With all due respect to Murray, that is utter blasphemy.

The only thing that ties Murray to Hanson is the fact that they were both kickers with the Lions for a long time. Beyond that, anyone who tries to compare the two kickers side by side simply doesn't understand how special Hanson is.

Aside from the fact that Hanson might have double the length of Murray's tenure in Detroit by the end of his career (Murray was a Lion for 12 years, Hanson is entering his 20th season), Hanson has done things that no other kicker in history has (see 50-yard field goals). He is still playing at a high level into his 40s, and should be a Hall of Famer when all is said and done.

Hanson also needs roughly two more seasons (for which he is already under contract) to be the highest-scoring American-born player in NFL history, and third all time.

Murray? He was good. Really, really good. He had multiple Pro Bowler and All-Pro selections.

But Hanson is a living legend. I don't have a problem with any praise lavished on a very deserving Eddie Murray, but he's no Jason Hanson.