List 'Em: Top 5 Most Underrated/Under-Appreciated Cowboys

[TheCount]

Go ahead, list 'em in order of under-appreciatedness/underratedness (those are words, right?).

Only 1 rule, they have to have been on the roster in 2010, but you don't have to base your reasoning on just their play in 2010.


Mine:

1. Bradie James - Bradie does a lot of the dirty work in the middle of our defense. Supremely consistent and deserves to have made at least one Pro Bowl already.

2. Kyle Koiser - Getting up there in years, but has been a very solid performer for us for a very long time. I wish he weren't a FA.

3. Andre Gurode - Gurode has been called every name under the sun on these forums, but he's been to 5 straight Pro Bowls. Must be doing something right.

4. Anthony Spencer - I think he does what he's asked to do. He's not a freakish athlete, but I feel like he's still got lots of upside and he plays the run very well. His coverage skills has also improved. I wish he were more aggressive though.

5. Marcus Spears - By this point, a lot of people have started to come full circle on Spears. He's not as good a player as you'd expect given where he was drafted, but when he plays with fire, he's a very good.

 

[Stautner]

Go ahead, list 'em in order of under-appreciatedness/underratedness (those are words, right?).

Only 1 rule, they have to have been on the roster in 2010, but you don't have to base your reasoning on just their play in 2010.


Mine:

1. Bradie James - Bradie does a lot of the dirty work in the middle of our defense. Supremely consistent and deserves to have made at least one Pro Bowl already.

2. Kyle Koiser - Getting up there in years, but has been a very solid performer for us for a very long time. I wish he weren't a FA.

3. Andre Gurode - Gurode has been called every name under the sun on these forums, but he's been to 5 straight Pro Bowls. Must be doing something right.

4. Anthony Spencer - I think he does what he's asked to do. He's not a freakish athlete, but I feel like he's still got lots of upside and he plays the run very well. His coverage skills has also improved. I wish he were more aggressive though.

5. Marcus Spears - By this point, a lot of people have started to come full circle on Spears. He's not as good a player as you'd expect given where he was drafted, but when he plays with fire, he's a very good.

I buy this list except for Spencer. I do not think he does what he is asked to do because I feel he is asked to be a pass rushing compliment to Ware and he does not do that well.

 

[Jongb35]

1. Kyle Kosier
2. Victor Butler
3. Gerald Sensabaugh
4. Martellus Bennett
5. Tony Romo

Many of you will disagree with Bennett, but he is the best blocker on the team (relative to his position), in my opinion. He allows the Cowboys to do a lot of different things on offense. Kosier has always been underrated, and Sensabaugh had a heck of a 2010 season for someone who fans believe is a well below-average player. Most of you appreciate Romo, but less informed fans do not. I think Butler is a better pass-rusher than Spencer, and his run defense was much improved last season. I think he can approach eight sacks with Rob Ryan in town.

 

[burmafrd]

you have got to put our Long snapper there as well. I am trying to think if he has ever had even one bad snap.

 

[Hagman]

you have got to put our Long snapper there as well. I am trying to think if he has ever had even one bad snap.

I second Ladouceur. You never notice he's there, which is a good quality in a snapper. I remember some of the exciting snaps before we signed him.

Also, while most people recognize McBriar as a good punter, just how good he is I think goes unrecognized. He gets my vote as the best Cowboys punter ever.

 

[CCBoy]

I second Ladouceur. You never notice he's there, which is a good quality in a snapper. I remember some of the exciting snaps before we signed him.

Also, while most people recognize McBriar as a good punter, just how good he is I think goes unrecognized. He gets my vote as the best Cowboys punter ever.

Good view there...

 

[xwalker]

1. Josh Brent - He played a lot of snaps as a rookie. He plays with more power than any other DL on the team.

2. Gurode - Very powerful for a center which is especially needed against the big 3-4 nose tackles.

3. Scandrick - Playing the slot is really difficult, especially when your safeties are bad and your linebackers are not good in coverage.

4. Spencer - In Wade Phillip's defense, his primary responsibilities were defending the run and coverage. Rushing the passer was his 3rd priority.

5. Spears - Didn't live up to 1st round status; however, he is better than Igor.

 

[LucaBrasi]

James
Spears
Ladouceur
Scandrick
Kosier

 

[ZeroClub]

Go ahead, list 'em in order of under-appreciatedness/underratedness (those are words, right?).

Only 1 rule, they have to have been on the roster in 2010, but you don't have to base your reasoning on just their play in 2010.


Mine:

1. Bradie James - Bradie does a lot of the dirty work in the middle of our defense. Supremely consistent and deserves to have made at least one Pro Bowl already.

2. Kyle Koiser - Getting up there in years, but has been a very solid performer for us for a very long time. I wish he weren't a FA.

3. Andre Gurode - Gurode has been called every name under the sun on these forums, but he's been to 5 straight Pro Bowls. Must be doing something right.

4. Anthony Spencer - I think he does what he's asked to do. He's not a freakish athlete, but I feel like he's still got lots of upside and he plays the run very well. His coverage skills has also improved. I wish he were more aggressive though.

5. Marcus Spears - By this point, a lot of people have started to come full circle on Spears. He's not as good a player as you'd expect given where he was drafted, but when he plays with fire, he's a very good.

I think that's a good list.

IMO, Kosier isn't so under appreciated. I think most serious Cowboys fans appreciate Kosier as a reliable and important part of the OL.

I'd be tempted to put MartyB on the list. Bennett draws a lot of criticism due to his lack of catches, but he is a fine blocking TE and gets a lot of snaps.

 

[Stautner]

James
Spears
Ladouceur
Scandrick
Kosier

I've tried to find an alternative to plug in for Scandrick, and I really can't.

I thought about Choice, but there is such a wide range of thought on him. Many underappreciate him (including Garrett?), but many overrate him as well.

 

[CCBoy]

I think that's a good list.

IMO, Kosier isn't so under appreciated. I think most serious Cowboys fans appreciate Kosier as a reliable and important part of the OL.

I'd be tempted to put MartyB on the list. Bennett draws a lot of criticism due to his lack of catches, but he is a fine blocking TE and gets a lot of snaps.

Zero, great point on Matellus Bennett. I think the contributions that both he and Roy Williams make in the blocking skills is way underappreciated by the general fan.

After watching John Phillips in the Charity Basketball Game this past week, John will be readded to this aspect as well, once play is resumed.

 

[Stash]

I lifted a few of yours with which I completely agree (hope you don't mind!)

Mine:

1. Bradie James - Bradie does a lot of the dirty work in the middle of our defense. Supremely consistent and deserves to have made at least one Pro Bowl already.

2. Kyle Koiser - Getting up there in years, but has been a very solid performer for us for a very long time. I hope he's re-signed.

3. Tashard Choice - A punching bad now that the team has drafted DeMarco Murray, but I think all this guy has done is be a very good running back when called upon. I think Dallas' dysfunctional plan at running back has more to do with struggles than lack of player ability does.

4. Stephen Bowen - I think he needs to be high on the list of free agents this team needs to keep. I think we're likely to lose Spears and I would let Hatcher walk. I think keeping Bowen long-term would be a very good thing.

5. Marcus Spears - By this point, a lot of people have started to come full circle on Spears. He's not as good a player as you'd expect given where he was drafted, but when he plays with fire, he's a very good.

I would add that before injury, he was playing well last year. And his being a good soldier about his salary issues is big for me too.

 

[CCBoy]

I lifted a few of yours with which I completely agree (hope you don't mind!)

Mine:

1. Bradie James - Bradie does a lot of the dirty work in the middle of our defense. Supremely consistent and deserves to have made at least one Pro Bowl already.

2. Kyle Koiser - Getting up there in years, but has been a very solid performer for us for a very long time. I hope he's re-signed.

3. Tashard Choice - A punching bad now that the team has drafted DeMarco Murray, but I think all this guy has done is be a very good running back when called upon. I think Dallas' dysfunctional plan at running back has more to do with struggles than lack of player ability does.

4. Stephen Bowen - I think he needs to be high on the list of free agents this team needs to keep. I think we're likely to lose Spears and I would let Hatcher walk. I think keeping Bowen long-term would be a very good thing.

5. Marcus Spears - By this point, a lot of people have started to come full circle on Spears. He's not as good a player as you'd expect given where he was drafted, but when he plays with fire, he's a very good.

I would add that before injury, he was playing well last year. And his being a good soldier about his salary issues is big for me too.

Hey, that's a good list, Stash....and I do like the addition of Marcus Spears. I feel that he and Stephen Bowen, backed by Igor Olshansky and Sean Lissimore could be a pretty strong defensive end rotation.

 

[Stash]

Hey, that's a good list, Stash....and I do like the addition of Marcus Spears. I feel that he and Stephen Bowen, backed by Igor Olshansky and Sean Lissimore could be a pretty strong defensive end rotation.

If his 'market' isn't too high, I'd love to bring Spears back.

I appreciated him a lot more after last year than I did before.

 

[Doomsday101]

I second Ladouceur. You never notice he's there, which is a good quality in a snapper. I remember some of the exciting snaps before we signed him.

Also, while most people recognize McBriar as a good punter, just how good he is I think goes unrecognized. He gets my vote as the best Cowboys punter ever.

No one ever talks about the long snapper until he sails one over the punters head. L.P. LaDouceur has done the job he was brought here to do. I have been very pleased with him

 

[JBS]

1) Romo - by far the most underrated player on the team
2) James
3) Spears
4) Bowen
5) Mcbriar - not underrated but we take him for granted

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

1. Kyle Kosier
2. Victor Butler
3. Gerald Sensabaugh
4. Martellus Bennett
5. Tony Romo

Many of you will disagree with Bennett, but he is the best blocker on the team (relative to his position), in my opinion. He allows the Cowboys to do a lot of different things on offense. Kosier has always been underrated, and Sensabaugh had a heck of a 2010 season for someone who fans believe is a well below-average player. Most of you appreciate Romo, but less informed fans do not. I think Butler is a better pass-rusher than Spencer, and his run defense was much improved last season. I think he can approach eight sacks with Rob Ryan in town.

I respect your opinion, but yet, No. 4 seems so inexplicable . . . .

 

[TwoDeep3]

1. Kyle Kosier
2. Victor Butler
3. Gerald Sensabaugh
4. Martellus Bennett
5. Tony Romo

Many of you will disagree with Bennett, but he is the best blocker on the team (relative to his position), in my opinion. He allows the Cowboys to do a lot of different things on offense. Kosier has always been underrated, and Sensabaugh had a heck of a 2010 season for someone who fans believe is a well below-average player. Most of you appreciate Romo, but less informed fans do not. I think Butler is a better pass-rusher than Spencer, and his run defense was much improved last season. I think he can approach eight sacks with Rob Ryan in town.

Geez, only three posts in before Romo makes the list.

How can he make this list since the entire board save for a couple of people worship this guy?

 

[CCBoy]

Geez, only three posts in before Romo makes the list.

How can he make this list since the entire board save for a couple of people worship this guy?

Jim Bob of the Waltons...is that you? C'mon, Tony Romo can be appreciated merely upon being a hardship to riches storyline.

 

[JBS]

Geez, only three posts in before Romo makes the list.

How can he make this list since the entire board save for a couple of people worship this guy?

Just because he is appreciated here doesnt mean he isn't underrated league wide