Who's the most underrated Eagle?
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Who's the most underrated Eagle?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Even in a regular offseason, June is a month for lists around the NFL.
There were a couple that came out while I was on vacation that I haven't been able to comment on yet. They focus on the most overrated and underrated players in the league.
Let's start with John Clayton's list on ESPN.com. The Eagles are the only club to notch three players on his All-Underrated Team: LeSean McCoy, Brent Celek and Nate Allen.
Can't say I really agree. The best case of the three is probably for McCoy. He broke out in his first year as a full-time starter, averaging 5.2 yards per carry, fourth in the NFL among backs that had at least 100 carries.
McCoy totaled 1,672 rushing and receiving yards and led all running backs with 78 catches, but didn't make the Pro Bowl. He's only done it for one year, but it's fair to say that McCoy didn't get the league-wide accolades of some of his peers in 2010.
The Celek selection is puzzling. His numbers fell from 76 catches, 971 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2009 to 42 catches, 511 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. Granted, part of the dropoff had to do with Celek being used more as a blocker. Pro Football Focus took a look at this recently and found that Celek was kept in to pass block 127 times last season, fifth-most among tight ends.
Celek was targeted 78 times in 2010, compared to 112 in 2009 so he clearly had fewer opportunities to catch the ball. He was also tied for the seventh-most drops in the league with eight, according to STATS.com. In other words, I think he was probably rated properly by most in 2010.
As for Allen, he started off great, but then had some ups and downs. Don't get me wrong. I think he showed a lot of potential, but it's tough for me to put him on an underrated list after just 13 games in the league.
So who is the most underrated Eagle? My vote goes to defensive tackle Antonio Dixon. He was probably their third-best defensive player in 2010 behind Asante Samuel and Trent Cole, yet Dixon hasn't received a lot of recognition. If he builds on last season in 2011, I think that will change.
Meanwhile, Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com named an overrated and underrated player from each team, and the overrated selection might surprise you. He had Samuel:
I say it every year here: Good player, not great. Big-time gambler. He makes plays, but he also gives up a bunch.
The numbers say otherwise. Back in March, Football Outsiders noted that Samuel ranked first among cornerbacks with a 3.2 yards per pass average on 36 targets. Tough to call that overrated.
Choosing an overrated Eagle is difficult though, especially since the defense is filled with late-round picks and undrafted free agents. If I had to pick one, it might be Stewart Bradley - not only because of the injury issues, but because he didn't play at a consistently high level even when he was healthy.
This is a good one for you all to chime in. Who's the most underrated and overrated Eagle?
You can follow Moving the Chains on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.
Underrated: Maclin— stikolaboloni- Overrated: Peters (Stu Bradley close second)— stikolaboloni
- Overrated: Mike Vick.
Underrated: Todd Herrenmans.— Clt Philly Fan - Dixon-underrated.
Stew Bradley-Overrated.— citysims - Hey Sheil, how about cutting Stew a break....he looked like he came back too soon....let's see what he does this year...if he's going to be great he needs to show it now.— garyshaffer
- under rated: d. jackson
over rated: k. kolb— garyshaffer - Sheil is by far my favorite on this site. I also agree with his ratings. Dixon waaay under rated only to be matched by the Spadaro led Bradley cheerleaders, who has not shown anything to warrant his status as a good linebacker— yourdaddy!
- Folks that say Jason Peters is overrated don't have a clue about o-line play.— gritseater
- Good call on Ernie Simms. He was god-awful last year.— gritseater
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- To me, Jason Avant is not only the most underrated Eagle, but underrated in the league as well. A receiver who enjoys the playing the slot, has great hands, can take hits all day, and can provide a little yardage after the catch where most slot receivers are content to make the catch and hit the ground.— Kevin O.
- By a mile....Jerome Harrison is the most under rated Eagle....I think he is the most Under rated RB in the NFL....DID YOU KNOW
1) In his College and NFL career when-ever he has had 20 or more carries he has rushed for over 100 yards...(I know he missed by 1 yard in the Dallas game last year but lets not be annal He was running with our #2s and #3s against their #1 defense)
2) In College he holds the Pac 10 Record for most consecutive Games rushing for over 100 yards...16
3) He has the 3rd Best Rushing Game in NFL History.
4) He rushed for 1900 yards his Senior year in college...(note he was a Jr. college Transfer in his Junior and didn't start until toward the end of his 1st Year at WSU...Then he went over a 100 yards in every game he played from then on...
5) With limited playing time he had 2 100 yard games with us last year.
He catches the ball well out of the backfield, has the speed to take it to the house...Runs well inside and outside...has tremendous acceleration when he gets a crease....
I REALLY HOPE WE SIGN HIM NEXT YEAR HE IS AN IDEAL RUNNING MATE WITH SHADY...AND LORD KNOWS SHADY MAY NOT LAST LONG IF HE KEEPS PISSING OFF DEFENSIVE LINEMEN AROUND HE LEAGUE...SO WE NEED A QUALITY RB AS A Stable mate....
The guy has been overlooked by everyone because of his size...just as many very good backs in the past have been overlooked....But Every single time he has been given an opportunity to perform...HE HAS
There is a lot of great UTube footage on him at WSU, the Browns and here...
Jerome Harrison is a loyal as a Hound Dog...I think he would like to stay with us if we treat him fairly, which we have certainly done so far....the only exception would be if someone else offered him good money and promised him the starting role...
— Bigmike 34 - Overrated- D Jackson
Underrated- Avant...obviously not ss good as Jackson butn ot getting his due.— dapmman
Follow
Sheil on Twitter. And become
a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds
coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.
