Number 5 – Matt Schaub
Originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, Schaub would end up being traded to the Houston Texans for two second round draft picks and the teams would swap their first round picks. After two injury prone seasons at the Texans, Schaub finally managed to complete a full sixteen game season and would end up getting voted to the pro bowl.
In 2009 when he was voted to the pro bowl, Schaub passed for 4,770 yards (6th highest total in NFL history), the following year Schaub passed for 4,370 yards! Only five quarterbacks have thrown for 4,300+ yards in two straight years and this feat puts Schaub in amongst names such as Warren Moon and Dan Fouts (both hall of famers) as well as current players Drew Brees and Peyton Manning (two future hall of famers)
It’s not just the pundits who underrate this guy, in the preseason top 100 players (voted for by the players) Schaub didn’t even make the list but Vonta Leach did...that’s right, according to the players Leach, who’s a fullback, is a better player than Schaub and more valuable to his team than Schaub.
Even with the loss of Andre Johnson to injury, Schaub still has the Texans top of their division and still he gets none of the love!
Number 4 – Eric Decker
Even though he’s a second year player, Decker deserves a lot more praise than he receives. He didn’t feature that much in the Broncos offence last year due to injury, but Decker was still effective in the special teams game, recording 7 tackles and averaging 25.2 yards per return.
This season Decker has stepped up and despite playing opposite defacto number one receiver Brandon Lloyd (until he was traded), it was Decker who leads the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns. When Lloyd was traded away these stats were over looked and everyone was saying “how can the Broncos win without any good receivers?” Decker is answering that question.
Regardless the quarterback Denver decide to start, Decker is still producing and should start to receive more credit. His 90 yard punt return for a touchdown will also help in drawing attention to his talents.
Number 3 – Kevin Boss
If I asked you who had the longest play in superbowl 42, I imagine it would take you a while before you said Kevin Boss. Thrown into the starting position during his rookie season due to an injury to Jeremy Shockey, Boss has been a good security blanket for Eli Manning ever since.
During his four years at the Giants, Boss’s average yards per reception have increased and the amount of touchdowns he has scored has stayed consistent since his second year (6, 5 and 5 respectively).
Unfortunately with the league now being pass dominated he doesn’t get mentioned when discussing the top 5-10 tight ends even though he is one of the best blocking and receiving tight ends in the game.
Clearly the Giants decided that they could cope without him and decided not to renew his contract over the summer, Boss would end up at the Oakland Raiders who needed a tight end after the loss of Zach Miller.
Also Boss’s average yards per reception are still increasing even though he is at a new team.
Number 2 – Jarret Johnson
I think everyone except Ravens fans will be currently saying “Jarret who?”It’s not difficult for Johnson to avoid the limelight playing for a Ravens defence that has players such as Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed and Haloti Ngata tearing opponents apart.
Johnson has been at the Ravens since 2003 and played both defensive end and outside line backer. The amazing thing about this guy is that he is the all time leader for consecutive starts for the Ravens, passing Pete Boulware’s record by starting a divisional round match up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Johnson is one of those players who gives 100% every time he plays, someone who triesto beat the will out of his opposition each game. Although he’s a hybrid DE/OLB, Johnson still has the ability to rush the passer, shut down the run game and also drop back into coverage.
If he was on any other defence, he’d be much more well known.
Number 1 – Casey Wiegmann
I didn’t know who he was either. Wiegmann who has played for the Bears, Jets, Broncos and most notably the Kansas City Chiefs should be a household name by now, but as is the life of an offensive lineman, he is not.
Since 2001 Wiegmann has started every game he’s played, so over the last decade he hasn’t missed a start, that’s 167 starts not including playoffs. If his teams managed to average 60 snaps a game he would have snapped the ball an estimated 10020 straight without getting injured.
During that time Wiegmann has been part of an offensive line that has blocked the way for a 1,000 yards running backs six times, three times with Priest Holmes, twice with Larry Johnson and most recently with Jamaal Charles. A centre is normally regarded as the leader of the offensive line and in this case Wiegmann has been an ever present leader for his team.
Great list guys - especially agree with Boss and Johnson.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'd say Wez Welker, which is sure to surprise you, but think about it.
Sure he's well known; sure he's valued, but valued enough? I don't think so...
Also think Eddie Royal is underrated. He's been great for the Broncos - including his 88 yd return last week - and is definitely one of the brightest sparks there at the moment (as well as Tebow of course) ;).
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