Over / Under Again

The other half of the league


NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Overrated: S Roy Williams --- I love the guy, but he is terrible in coverage. I still believe he has the talent in him, but he could be on his last chance. He is a monster hitter, and his future could be at LB.
Underrated: LB Bradie James --- James has led the team in tackles for a bunch of years now, and is a steady force in the middle. Should excel even more with better play from the line, and the fact that offences have to pay attention to Zach Thomas as well.


New York Giants
Overrated: QB Eli Manning --- I, for one, am not quite convinced. Sure, he led the storybook Giants to the Super Bowl, but he hasn't played consistant yet during his career. Watch out this year for a Super slumping Eli.
Underrated: OT/OG David Diehl --- The most versatile lineman on the team has played everywhere for them the past few years. He moved to left tackle last year, and while he struggled a bit, played very well on the whole.


Philadelphia Eagles
Overrated: CB Asante Samuel --- Something tells me Samuel will struggle in this defence. He comes from a lot of zone coverages in New England to more man coverage in Philly. It might be a tough transition, and he has a lot to live up to after signing a hefty free agent contract.
Underrated: LB Omar Gaither --- Gaither stepped in for the departed Jeremiah Trotter and didn't miss a beat. Became a very consistant tackler, with 102. Should only get better as he moves to the outside, where he can use his speed better.

Washington Redskins
Overrated: Where to begin? I'll go with WR Santana Moss, who apart from one year has been a huge disappointment in Washington. The nod could also go to Antwan Randle El, Jason Campbell or Clinton Portis. You get the idea.
Underrated: FS Reed Doughty --- Filled in nicely after the tragic death of Sean Taylor, notching 53 tackles. Needs to develop his ball-hawking skills more, but could excel and start for many years opposite LaRon Landry.

NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Overrated: DT Tommie Harris --- Yes, he is amoung the best in the league when healthy, but he has a bunch of injury problems over the last two seasons. He needs to get back to full strength and excel this year.
Underrated: LB Hunter Hillenmeyer --- Overshadowed by Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, Hillenmeyer quietly notched 78 tackles last year. He has been a great LB for the Bears, and may need to journey elsewhere to step out of the shadows to those two All-Pro.

Detroit Lions
Overrated: QB Jon Kitna --- Sorry Lions fans, but seriously...Kitna has been a huge disappointment. He is a turnover machine, and has become a statue in the pocket. Yes, he has put up good yardage totals, but that was the product of Mike Martz's system.
Underrated: RB Tatum Bell --- Didn't get his chance last year, and will be the starter this year. Has great speed and when paired with another back, will put up big yards. The Lions want to run the ball more this year, and Bell will be a huge factor.

Green Bay Packers
Overrated: CB Al Harris --- Is starting to show signs of age, and took way too many penalties last year. Still is an effective corner, but he won't be going to any more Pro Bowls unless he stops the penalties and reverts to his former self.
Underrated: TE Donald Lee --- Came into his own last year after becoming the starter. Caught 48 passes for 575 yards and 6 touchdowns. The only question is: was the because of Brett Favre, or can Lee have the same success with Aaron Rodgers?

Minnesota Vikings
Overrated: RB Adrian Peterson --- This would get hate mail if anyone read my blog. Peterson was amazing last year...at times. He blew chunks down the stretch when teams figured him out. The Vikes need to ge thier passing game going or AP could struggle even more this year.
Underrated: LB E.J. Henderson --- Has been a tackling machine for the Vikes, and brought up his sack total to 4.5 last year. Has been a huge part in the Vikings having the best rushing defence in the NFL the past two years.

NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Overrated: RB Michael Turner --- "Burner" has a lot to prove this year, as he will be the featured back for the first time in his career. He has the skills to be successful, but could struggle if the Falcons don't create some room by throwing the ball.
Underrated: WR Roddy White --- Could be emerging as a great WR after seeming like a bust early in his career. White exploded for 1202 yards and 6 TDs last year despite poor QB play. He has the size and speed to be successful, and could step into the upper echelon this year.

Carolina Panthers
Overrated: DE Julius Peppers --- He will be back this year, but only because it is a contract year for him. Peppers seems to take plays off, and becomes ineffective when he is double-teamed. He needs to improve his strength to better himself, but will get a ginormous paycheck.
Underrated: LB Jon Beason --- Came in to replace the injured Dan Morgan, and never looked back. 140 tackles later, we have another great young LB. Beason has amazing speed for an LB, and could become one of the best in the NFL.

New Orleans Saints
Overrated: RB Reggie Bush --- Yuck. He has averaged a puny 3.7 yards per carry in his career after wowing us at USC. Has great speed and is a solid receiver out of the backfield. He needs to gain some weight, or make a move to WR. Draft bust in the making.
Underrated: FB Mike Karney --- Despite Bush's struggles, Karney has become one of the better FBs in the league. A fierce run blocker, he has also become a decent weapon out of the backfield. Expect him to keep plowing the way for a bunch of years.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overrated: LB Cato June --- Came over from Indy expecting to do great things, but only notched 68 tackles. Needs to improve, as they expect him to be the eventual replacement for Derrick Brooks. Was one of many Colts players who disappointed in their new homes.
Underrated: S Jermaine Phillips --- Continues to fly under the radar despite his great performance. Phillips posted 83 tackles and 4 INTs, which would get others to the Pro Bowl. If he continues to dominate, there could be Pro Bowls in his future.

NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Overrated: DE/OLB Chike Okeafor --- Missed all of last season with an injury, and needs to show the promise he once had. Okeafor could be a force at OLB in the 3-4 defence, but needs to stay healthy. Has good speed and should be used as a pass rusher.
Underrated: CB Rod Hood --- Came into his own during his first year as a starter, posting 57 tackles and 5 INTs. Could be a staple in this defence for years if he improves at making contact at the line. A bit on the small side, he makes up for it with his speed.

San Francisco 49ers
Overrated: WR Issac Bruce --- Shouldn't be much more than a second or third receiver at this point of his career, Bruce will be expected to lead this team's WRs. Should have stayed and retired in St Louis, but Bruce was greedy and left. Could be a huge mistake.
Underrated: WR Arnaz Battle --- Has been very solid the last few years, and how does the team reward him: make him third string. Battle is even underrated on his own team...jeez. Has good speed and size, and may need to go elsewhere to show off his talent.

Seattle Seahawks
Overrated: WR Dieon Branch --- Has been a colossal disappointment since being brought over from New England. Has been prone to injuries, and hasn't shown the skills he had earlier in his career. Has decent speed and size, and needs to bounce back to keep his job.
Underrated: S Deon Grant --- Was brought in to provide a steady force at safety, and he did just that. Posted 77 tackles and 3 INTs and became a leader on this defence. Paired nicely with Brian Russell, and this secondary should be dangerous again this year.

St Louis Rams
Overrated: WR Drew Bennett --- Now the number two WR, and he shouldn't be. Bennett lacks good speed, but has decent size. Will have to improve dramatically to hold off rookie WR Donnie Avery, who has the speed to spread the field.
Underrated: LB Will Witherspoon --- This guy gets now credit. He has posted over 100 tackles in three of the past four seasons, and has yet to make a Pro Bowl. Witherspoon has great speed, and is the prototype "Mike" LB in the cover-2 scheme.

There are too many teams....just kidding. But there you go, the most over and under rated players in the game.