ESPN Mosley: Prisco's NFCE Overrated/Underrated Players

[WoodysGirl]

Is Brandon Jacobs overrated?

May, 31, 2010 May 31
9:00
AM ET


By Matt Mosley

Jacobs

In case you missed it Thursday, CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco is out with his annual overrated/underrated list. Turns out that New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs headlines the "overrated" list.
"Even after 1,000-yard seasons in 2007 and 2008, I thought he was a bit overrated," Prisco writes of Jacobs. "People became enamored with his size since he is huge for a back at 6-feet-4 and 265 pounds. But I think his size hurts him. He doesn't make tacklers miss. If there is no hole, he isn't cutting to find one. He runs straight ahead and upright, not my style of back.
Jacobs gained 3.7 yards per rush last season and wound up with 835 yards. He seemed to tiptoe into the line. His touchdown total dropped from 15 to six. Some of it might have been the result of a knee issue that required scoping after the season, but I think the Giants offense is significantly better when Ahmad Bradshaw, all 5-9 of him, is in the backfield."


Now let's take a peek at the underrated/overrated players for each team in the Beast, according to Prisco:

Cowboys

Overrated: C Andre Gurode. He went to the Pro Bowl last season, but didn't play to that level. He struggled at times, in fact.

Underrated: G Kyle Kosier. He was the Cowboys' best lineman in 2009, outshining Leonard Davis, the team's other guard who went to the Pro Bowl.

My take: I don't think Gurode's the most overrated player on the team, although he is coming off a down season by his standards. Surely Roy Williams has to be the most overrated player based on his paycheck. Kosier's an excellent pick for most underrated. He was arguably the best player on the offensive line last season -- and no one knew it.

Eagles

Overrated: CB Asante Samuel. He is a gambler who can make a big play, but give up some as well. And he doesn't tackle at all.

Underrated: WR Jason Avant. He is a steady No. 3 receiver who knows how to make plays on third down. He has great hands, rarely dropping a pass.

My take: Both good choices. But Samuel's a game-changer with all the interceptions he makes. Most teams would still love to have him. Avant may be the best third receiver in the league right now. He'd start for a lot of teams.

Giants

Overrated: Jacobs. He talks a big game, but he was a disappointment.

Underrated: CB Terrell Thomas. The Giants had injuries at the position and Thomas stepped in and played really well. He should keep his job this season, even with Corey Webster and Aaron Ross healthy again.

My take: Chris Snee is one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the league. But Thomas is a good choice based on his play last season. He was steady while the rest of the secondary faltered. And yes, I'd move him past Webster soon.

Commanders

Overrated: S LaRon Landry. He really struggled last season as a tackler. He missed a ton of them. He also isn't great in coverage. They missed on this high first-round pick.

Underrated: S Reed Doughty. He played really well last season, and the new coaching staff is said to be high on him. He played better than Landry, that's for sure.

My take: Based on his salary, I think Albert Haynesworth should be ahead of Landry. And I'd go with Andre Carter as my underrated choice.

 

[Doomsday101]

Andre Gurode most over rated until he gets injured and you find how important he is to the offense.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Andre Gurode most over rated until he gets injured and you find how important he is to the offense.

Yep. It looks like he couldn't think of anybody so he just said Gurode.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

an upgrade at the center position would have made a huge difference in this OL's performance last season... Gurode misses way too many assignments and a perpetually lost center is not a good thing.

 

[Idgit]

There's a difference between overpaid and overrated, Mosely. RW is hardly overrated after two seasons in Dallas.

 

[Idgit]

Andre Gurode most over rated until he gets injured and you find how important he is to the offense.

Yep. It looks like he couldn't think of anybody so he just said Gurode.

I think Gurode was an astute choice. He's a good player, and we'd definitely miss him hugely since we've got absolutely nothing behind him, but he's considered an elite center and didn't produce at anything close to an elite level last year.

Maybe he was dealing with nagging injuries, as has been suggested. I hope so.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think Gurode was an astute choice. He's a good player, and we'd definitely miss him hugely since we've got absolutely nothing behind him, but he's considered an elite center and didn't produce at anything close to an elite level last year.

Maybe he was dealing with nagging injuries, as has been suggested. I hope so.

I agree he did not play as well as he did the year before. I did see improvement in his shotgun snaps this past season vs the year before but I think his play at the line was not as good.

As for Mosley or any of these panty waste writers calling players under rated? I suggest these writers are over rated many never played the game and yet sit behind a desk and call out others based on what their vast knowledge of playing the game.

In my view Gurode is a good player who did not have as good of a season as the season before but over rated I don't think so.

 

[RS12]

Gurode and Davis are both over rated IMO. Both struggle in space.

 

[Idgit]

I agree he did not play as well as he did the year before. I did see improvement in his shotgun snaps this past season vs the year before but I think his play at the line was not as good.

As for Mosley or any of these panty waste writers calling players under rated? I suggest these writers are over rated many never played the game and yet sit behind a desk and call out others based on what their vast knowledge of playing the game.

In my view Gurode is a good player who did not have as good of a season as the season before but over rated I don't think so.

I think we're basically agreeing, and this otherwise boils down to a semantic argument about what 'overrated' really means. I like Gurode, too, and think he's a good player. But I do think there is, and should be, more pressure on Gurode and Davis this season to perform at a level that's consistent with their reputations and contracts.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think we're basically agreeing, and this otherwise boils down to a semantic argument about what 'overrated' really means. I like Gurode, too, and think he's a good player. But I do think there is, and should be, more pressure on Gurode and Davis this season to perform at a level that's consistent with their reputations and contracts.

I think he is a good player who did not play as well last season as he did the year before yet did show improvement in his snaps. I don't see him as over rated or under rated and I don't think looking at 1 season over a career defines a player.

Personally I think we have a pretty decent center and I would hope that we look in the near future to find a guy who will replace him one day but for now I'm comfortable with Gurode manning the center spot

I think guys in the media have way to much time on their hands and look to write these stupid articles like over rated or under rated and my favorite the power ranking as if this is the NCAA. I have to say I really miss true reporting instead we get this garbage on a reg basis

 

[speedkilz88]

I thought Prisco's picks were good. I don't think Mosley understands the overrated/underrated concept.

* Everyone is down on Roy at this point, contract doesn't mean jack.

*I like Avant but in no way is he the best 3rd wr in the league.

*Chris Snee is a great player, best OL on the giants. Nobody is underrating that guy. 2x probowl/2x allpro 2008/2009.

*Haynesworth was overrated last year. This year everyone is down on him.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Gurode and Davis are both over rated IMO. Both struggle in space.

This!

 

[Four]

gurode could go down and if the cowboys actually had a viable backup center(lol, we had one in proctor) the line would be okay to fine.

this season though, we need him.

gurode doesn't make the oline go, Kosier and the tackles do. Gurode doesn't even make the line calls.

he is definately over-rated. Good player though.

we need to draft a super smart center and groom him into the position. unless we already did.

 

[TheCount]

Really. Avant is a better 3rd Receiver than Crayton? Interesting.

Haynesworth isn't overrated either.

 

[Alexander]

I thought that was a spot on article from Prisco. Especially about Kosier, who everyone imagines is a weak link yet year after year, he is our most consistent lineman.

 

[Longboysfan]

I do not get the Haynesworth line.

Hey Danny Boy signed the deal.......

Haynesworth would have had to be on the field by himself to get the cash according to that statement.

 

[Idgit]

I thought that was a spot on article from Prisco. Especially about Kosier, who everyone imagines is a weak link yet year after year, he is our most consistent lineman.

Tired of beating that drum, myself, but I was wondering if that tidbit would receive any commentary in this thread. He really is an underrated player.

 

[JBond]

Andre Gurode most over rated until he gets injured and you find how important he is to the offense.

Yep. It looks like he couldn't think of anybody so he just said Gurode.

Gurode did not have his best season. I expect him to rebound. It looked worse that it was by the poor play of Big. It was clear Big was completely lost in the Vikings game.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Gurode did not have his best season. I expect him to rebound. It looked worse that it was by the poor play of Big. It was clear Big was completely lost in the Vikings game.

more that just that game....I am convinced Jerry went after Bigg and paid him what he did because he thought he could slide Bigg outside when one of his tackles retired OR in a pinch. Other than his first year in Dallas....I would argue Bigg has been a bust. I have said it before and it bears repeating...never have I seen a guy that big and powerful make contact with a player and the player stays on his feet while Bigg is on the ground. Listenting to Nate Newton one day on the radio the mystery was revealed...Bigg lunges to much....CONSTANTLY trying for the kill shot. He needs to take another step a 2 and DRIVE his man...not lunge at him.

 

[Alexander]

Tired of beating that drum, myself, but I was wondering if that tidbit would receive any commentary in this thread. He really is an underrated player.

That is the problem sometimes with fans. People often don't appreciate consistency. The player does not have to be the best at their craft. But when they are consistent and dependable, that is well worth it.