Ryan was Jim Brown's quarterback and then Leroy Kelly's quarterback. Jeff Saturday had to translate Peyton Manning's spur-of-the-moment audibles into protection schemes a split second before the snap. Roberston is the guy getting head-butted in the sternum and knocked backward by Campbell before the running back's jersey gets torn off. Many superstars surfaced at this time but perhaps none bigger than Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers who led them to 3 straight titles at the beginning of the decade. Wagner has set himself apart over the last decade and may already have earned a spot in the Hall of Fame as an eight-time NFL All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion. He also doesn't play in the shadow of a legend. McDole was a starting defensive end for two of history's legendary defenses: the AFL champion Buffalo Bills of 1964 and '65 and Washington's "Over-the-Hill Gang" of the early 1970s. 2. Bottom line: In his 15th and final season, the 36-year-old Ken Riley had eight interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns, one of the most incredible performances by an old man ever. He came back from an ACL tear to record six interceptions with three returned for touchdowns while playing for the Oakland Raiders in 2000. For more great NFL players, check out Stadium Talk. They didnt do anything that Tobin Rote hadnt done a long time ago. Then it was off to Carolina, where he earned an All-Pro selection for leading the Panthers to the NFC Championship Game as a second-year expansion team during his age-37 season. Football Most Underrated College Football Players of All Time By Tony Adame, updated on January 24, 2023 J. Pat Carter / AP Photo It's easy to remember the names of Heisman Trophy winners. Lets hear some "un-der-ra-ted!" But Anderson was an extraordinary talent. Dryer was one the most underrated defensive players in NFL history. Born: Nov. 22, 1965 (San Diego, California), Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1988-94), New Orleans Saints (1995-97), Oakland Raiders (1998-2001), Career highlights: Three-time NFL All-Pro (1989, 1991, 1993), six-time Pro Bowl (1989, 1991-95), PFWA All-Rookie Team (1988), Eagles 75th Anniversary Team. Michael Redd 6. Born: May 7, 1964 (Little Rock, Arkansas), Teams: San Diego Chargers (1986-95), St. Louis Rams (1996-97), Kansas City Chiefs (1998-99), Career highlights: Three-time NFL All-Pro (1990, 1992, 1994), six-time Pro Bowl (1989, 1990, 1992-95), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1986). He finally won a Super Bowl ring as a backup for the Buccaneers. Hadl played quarterback, halfback, defensive back and punter for the University of Kansas. Died: June 7, 2020 (age 72, Bartow, Florida), Career highlights: Three-time NFL All-Pro (1975, 1976, 1983), Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor. The 5-foot-9 running back played 16 seasons and finished his career No. He's not the kind of player a wise organization sheds to cut expenses. The 49ers are installing a new system and reshaping their roster. He was an Owl for the last five seasons. Mostly Schlereth and sidekick Tom Nalen, who were masters of zone-blocking schemes, a major reason why Davis is in the Hall of Fame today. So whaddya say, fans? We're not totally sure why Walls hasn't received more consideration for the Hall of Fame. April 5, 2023 9:13 am ET. Once an arbitrary number of players from a historic team get enshrined, the committee moves on in search of underappreciated players from other franchises. A lot of that comes from the absolutely horrid teams he played for to bookend his career the New York Jets for six seasons to begin with and the Arizona Cardinals for two seasons to end with. WebHere are the best NFL players of all time. Zach Unlike many of Marshall's teammates, however, he wasnt an obnoxious self-promoter, which partly explained his absence from the NFC Pro Bowl roster that season. For this position, Im giving you my Top 20 " NFL Draft Report on Instagram: "Next up in the prospect rankings, the WR position. Dillon is just scratching the surface of his incredible potential in Matt LaFleurs offense. Free shipping for many products! Teams: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Pro Bowl appearances: Four (1979, 1980, 1986, 1987). There's a statue outside of Lambeau Field commemorating the Lambeau Leap, perhaps the most recognizable and beloved (except to Packers opponents) end-zone celebration in the NFL. Super Bowl championships: 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979. On Oct. 21, 1973 Dryer took down Packers quarterback Scott Hunter in the end zone, and then on Green Bays next possession, he took down Hunters backup Jim Del Gaizo for his second safety in the game. Bowman is a four-time All-Pro and tremendous all-purpose linebacker who emerged as a stalwart leader for teams that otherwise might have packed it in before Labor Day. The whole story is kind of amazing considering he started his college career at the University of Cincinnati as a running back. If not for Schlereth's many health problems that included 29 surgeries, 15 on his left knee alone, he would have been a perennial Pro Bowl selection. Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Super Bowl championships: Two (1979, 1990). That's not something to hold against a player. But his stats hold up with some of the very best running backs who ever played the game. Born: July 20, 1945 (Greenwood, South Carolina), Died: Nov. 19, 2020 (age 75, Atlanta, Georgia), Teams: Miami Dolphins (1970-75), Washington Redskins (1976-78), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1973, 1974), Super Bowl MVP (1973), five-time NFL All-Pro (1971-75), five-time Pro Bowl (1971-75). If Isiah Robertson is famous at all, it's for being "posterized" by Earl Campbell in one of the most famous NFL Films highlights of all time. WebOwens had 784 of his 1,006 career catches in the decade and was one of only four players to record more than 100 TDs in the 2000s. Two 10-interception seasons, with 57 career interceptions. MVP-caliber seasons (1,528 yards, 90 receptions, 16 total touchdowns in 2006) early in his career gave way to annual 1,100-1,200 yard, low-touchdown grinds as the Greatest Show Rams retired one by one and the team fell to 2-14 and 1-15. Johnny Robinson's credentials make you want to drive to Canton, kick down the Hall of Fame's door and clear a spot for his bust yourself. He was an Owl for the last five seasons. Mason had seven seasons of at least 70 pass receptions, 1,000 yards and five touchdowns. NFL career: Cleveland Browns (2005-12), New York Jets (2013), Indianapolis Colts (2014) Bottom Line: Josh Cribbs. Both players were Pro Bowlers the previous year. If Mel Blount, Mike Haynes and teammate Lemar Parrish hadnt been in the same conference, Riley would have made more a few more Pro Bowl trips. While Boldin was routinely overshadowed by Fitzgerald, Boldin was a record setter in his own right starting from his very first game. Bottom line: Marv Levy is best known for his time as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, where he won four consecutive AFC championships and lost in the Super Bowl each time. Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Pro Bowl appearances: Three (1997, 2000, 2005). He picked off a dozen passes in his career two of them at 38 years of age an absurd number for a 6-foot-4, 265-pound lineman. Not Fred Dean. They were the Yale football of the NFL, their glory years moldering in history books. Forrest is a leader for FAU. The AFL was an eight- to 10-team league, so All-Pro selections were easier to come by. He also was a three-time NFL All-Pro. David Garrard. Turned out he was skilled and driven enough to be a champion. Then again, the fourth-round draft pick had no choice. Bottom line: Wilber Marshall was the most athletic and versatile linebacker with the legendary 1985 Bears defense he often replaced the celebrated Mike Singletary in pass situations. No matter. WebIn 161 career NFL games, Cunningham was a highlight machine. Player B was a one-time MVP who played in two Pro Bowl games. One of the greatest defenders in the history of a storied franchise, Young is just another victim of bad timing when it comes to getting the reputation he deserves. With Warfield hurt nearly all of that season, Ryan helped make a Pro Bowler out of receiver/punter Gary Collins. Much of the Saints' offensive success in Evans' prime years is rightfully credited to Brees. Hes second in NFL history for receptions and receiving yards for a tight end and holds NFL records for most receptions in one half and most games with 15-plus receptions. The USFL may not have been the NFL in terms of quality, but being the Luke Kuechly of a league that featured Herschel Walker, Jim Kelly and Steve Young should count for something. His stardom was spread among three teams, robbing him of local hero status (or Hall of Fame momentum) in any one city. He intercepted 34 passes for the Eagles and 54 in his career. Efficient? NaVorro Bowman trade rumors surfaced in early spring, only to be quickly squelched by new 49ers general manager John Lynch. His franchises just kept ending up on the wrong side of history. Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1981-89), New York Giants (1990-92), Cleveland Browns (1992-93), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1990), three-time NFL All-Pro (1982, 1983, 1985), four-time Pro Bowl (1981-83, 1985), PFWA All-Rookie Team (1981). These men did so much but received so little credit in return. Of course, the Titans have picked in this slot once in that span, with the 2017 pick of wide receiver Taywan Taylor out of Western The Top 10 Most Improved Players of the 2023 NBA Season Headlines. Alongside Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson, Swilling wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. WebTop 10 most underrated NFL players: Justin Tucker, Keenan Allen deserve more recognition. Know who created those wide-open spaces? Super Bowl championships: Four (1981, 1984, 1988, 1989). One of the most durable players in NFL history, Witten didnt miss a game over his last 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys but lands on the underrated list because of his lack of postseason success. He won 65 percent of his NFL starts. When Da Bears bean counters refused to pay up two years later, Marshall was the odd man out again. A 1984 Steve Atwater. Six All-Pro selections. Anderson is no Hall of Famerthe middle of his career is a morass of ordinary-at-best seasonsbut he was a pioneer and an innovator. For years, the team couldn't even harken back to its glory days properly, as Smith's Pride of the Jaguars induction was delayed until he was sober and no longer under house arrest. Some options that the Chiefs could seek to grab during the 2023 NFL draft include the following: TCU WR Derius Davis. Hence, the Campbell video. Five seasons the AFL was an Owl for the last five seasons be a champion selections were to. 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