Over / Under

I could be talking about one of two things, so let me clarify. Today I will take a look at the overrated and underrated players for each team.

AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Overrated: DE Chris Kelsay --- Kelsay signed a juicy contract extension before last year and was expected to be a pass rusher. In only achieving 2.5 sacks, he was a major let down. Kelsay needs to beef up the sack total this season.
Underrated: LB Angelo Crowell --- Might be the most underrated player in the league. Crowell stepped in last year and started all 16 games for the Bills. He notched 126 tackles, which led the team, and brought stability to a defence that was riddled with injuries.


Miami Dolphins
Overrated: LB Channing Crowder --- Hasn't really lived up to what the team thought he could be coming out of college. Crowder only had 78 tackles, but could get more with Zach Thomas gone. Needs to step up or Bill Parcells will ship him out.
Underrated: CB Will Allen --- Still one of the best speedsters at the cornerback position. Allen has been solid for the Dolphins, averaging 59 tackles and one INT per season. Can be pushed around by bigger guys, but has great recovery speed to make the plays.


New England Patriots
Overrated: OT Matt Light --- Has been a rock on the left side, but shows lapses in pass coverage. Has been a Pro Bowler the past couple years, and doesn't necessarily deserve the praise. Gets owned by speed rushers, and is slow to pick up the blitz.
Underrated: CB Ellis Hobbs --- Steps into the spotlight that used to belong to Asante Samuel, Hobbs must now prove he has what it takes. Has good cover skills, but really excels in the return game. That versatility makes him very valuable.


New York Jets
Overrated: WR Laverneous Coles --- After appearing to be an elite receiver from 2002-2004, Coles has fell off the map, only notching one 1000 yard season in his past four. This could eb due to QB issues wherever he goes, but Coles has to step it up and earn his lofty money he wants.
Underrated: LB David Harris --- Quietly piled up 127 tackles last year in relief of Jonathan Vilma. Harris inherits the starting role this year, and he could be even better.


AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Overrated: DE Trevor Pryce --- He was brought in to be a pass rushing force, but only tallied two sacks. However, injuries cost him to miss 11 games. He needs to return to form in 2008, and give the Ravens the Pryce that dominated early in his career.
Underrated: WR Derrick Mason --- Blessed with amazing hands, Mason quietly caught a career-high 103 passes last year, despite the lack of QB consistancy. Mason appears to be like wine, as he is getting better with age. He is expected to remain the starter, and should continue to excel.


Cincinnati Bengals
Overrated: WR Chad Johnson --- Sorry Ocho, but you have got to get back to bringing it on the field, not off it. Has turned from Superstar to T.O. in the last couple years. Still blessed with exceptional talent, Johnson has to prove he can back up the talk.
Underrated: RB Kenny Watson --- May not be able to start full-time, Watson played much better than starter Rudi Johnson, and could see more carries this year. Has decent speed, and got through the hole well. Will remain, at very least, a great back up.


Cleveland Browns
Overrated: DT Shaun Rogers --- Doesn't anyone else see a problem with this guy? My theory on Shaun is: if he loses 40-50 pounds, he becomes an elite talent. Now, he may be better now that he is playing NT in a 3-4 defence, but only time will tell.\
Underrated: QB Derek Anderson --- Get rid of the shocked look. Anderson has the size (6'6) and the arm strength to get much, much better. And now that he has that first big year under his belt, he can focus on cutting back the INTs and getting the Browns to the playoffs.


Pittsburgh Steelers
Overrated: S Troy Polamalu --- For a guy that averaged 87 tackles the previous three seasons, his 58 last year were a major disappointment. He also lost his ball-hawking ability, as he didn't grab one INT.
Underrated: DE Aaron Smith --- Will always be underrated, but excels as an end in the 3-4 defence, and always has. Is a great run stuffer, which makes up for his dismal pass rushing. Will be tough to replace in the future.

AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Overrated: RB Ahman Green --- Green was the big free agent signing last year, but missed 10 games due to injury. Even when he was active, Green only averaged 2.7 yards per carry. Now the Texans have a crowded backfield, and Green needs to step up.
Underrated: LB DeMeco Ryans --- Quick...name the five best LBs in the league. Most think, Lewis, Urlacher, Ware, Briggs, Willis, but no one mentions Ryans. He has quietly racked up 283 tackles in his first two years, and has taken big steps toward being the best in the league.

Indianapolis Colts
Overrated: DE Dwight Freeney --- Has tapered off a lot since he was dominant a few years ago. Is not the speed rusher he once was, and has always lacked the power needed to be an every down lineman. But, the potential is still there, but he needs to go out and earn his money.
Underrated: LB Gary Brackett --- Has become a force in the Tampa-2 defence, using his speed to move from sideline-to-sideline. Has recorded over 100 tackles three years in a row, and has provided stability in the middle.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Overrated: DE Reggie Hayward --- Hayward has to feel the pressure from two new rookies, Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves, and needs to step it up. Once a dominant pass rusher, injuries have taken their toll on his career. This needs to be a bounce-back year for him.
Underrated: RB Fred Taylor --- Never mentioned amoung the elite backs in the league, but has put up an average of 4.7 yards per carry in his career. Bothered by injuries earlier in his career, he has bounced back with two straight full seasons without injury.

Tennessee Titans
Overrated: QB Vince Young --- Jeez, where to start. Other than the fact that he wins games, there has been nothing good about Young. He still possesses a strong arm, but his accuracy needs a lot of work. A lot could be placed on his lack of solid receivers, but he still needs to improve.
Underrated: CB Cortland Finnegan --- Finnegan played exceptionally well as a starter last year, notching 95 tackles. Needs to improve his ball-hawking ability to become an elite corner, but is improving.

AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Overrated: S John Lynch --- Once the best safety in the league, Lynch has become a glorified linebacker. Still packs a massive wallup as a tackler, but his cover skills have become a huge liability.
Underrated: WR Brandon Marshall --- Despite his offseason incident, Marshall should still take steps toward becoming an elite NFL receiver. Marshall has good size and speed, and is building a great rapport with Jay Cutler.

Kansas City Chiefs
Overrated: RB Larry Johnson --- It might be the end for LJ, or it could be the beginning of his prime. Surrounded by controversy for much of his career, Johnson needs to succeed this year or it could be his last in Kansas City.
Underrated: WR Dwayne Bowe --- Burst onto the scene as a rookie, but still is an unknown. If he has another huge year, he could be placed amoung the NFLs elite. Has good size, and can manuever his body in mid-air to make acrobatic catches. Has a bright future.

Oakland Raiders
Overrated: QB JaMarcus Russell --- Might be too early to call him a bust, but Russell may be well on his way. He has been rumoured to weigh almost 300 lbs, and that will take away his mobility. He does, however, have a strong arm and could benefit from a full training camp.
Underrated: CB Nnamdi Ashomugha --- Played in the Pro Bowl last year, but is still fairly unknown when it comes to elite CBs. Will benefit from the addition of DeAngelo Hall, and could increase his interception total even more this season.

San Diego Chargers
Overrated: CB Antonio Cromartie --- Cromartie had a great rookie season, but he now has to fulfill the lofty expectations that come with it. Teams will start to throw away from him, and that could lower his numbers.
Underrated: LB Matt Wilhem --- Took over the starting role for the departed Donnie Edwards last year, and notched 97 tackles. Wilhem also had good ball-hawking skills, shown by his three INTs, and has the speed to roam from sideline-to-sideline.

Jeez, that took a while...more next time.\
PS: Criminal Counter: 8 --- Former Dolphins QB/WR Marcus Vick was arrested for a DUI, and eluding the police. And yes, this is the brother of Michael Vick, who is still in jail following the dog fighting deal.