Overrated-underrated: Porter, Warren on opposite ends
Pete Prisco May 31, 2007
By Pete Prisco
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
A certain magazine known for a cover jinx put Joey Porter on its cover last year and called him the NFL's meanest man. Agree or disagree its got a little bit of everything for everyone...
This would have been a better description: The NFL's most overrated player.
Porter signed a five-year, $32 million deal with the Miami Dolphins this spring as an unrestricted free agent. The Dolphins think he can be a pass-rush force, adding to an already talented defense.
Many personnel people and coaches I talked to think they're getting something else, which is a player who has more bark than bite.
Porter had seven sacks last season, but six of those came in three games, two in each of those games. That means in the other 11 games he played -- he missed two for injuries -- he had one sack.
"What's even more alarming about that," said an AFC personnel director, "is that he played a 3-4 outside linebacker. Those players are expected to get double-digits sacks at the least."
Porter turned 30 in March, which is even more reason for concern. Add it all up, and it's why he's the pick as my most overrated player in the NFL, which is something I've picked each of the past four years.
This isn't to pile on Porter, who was fined $1,000 this week for his role in a fight with Cincinnati Bengals tackle Levi Jones in a Las Vegas casino. Porter could still face sanctions from the league for that incident.
The flip side of an overrated player is the league's most underrated player.
So who's that lucky player?
It's New England defensive end Ty Warren. In his fourth season in 2006, Warren had 7½ sacks and 84 tackles. It was his breakout season, and one that some said should have landed him in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl.
The problem is that Warren plays opposite Richard Seymour, who is one of the best defensive linemen in the league. Seymour gets most of the attention, which is why Warren doesn't.
But keep an eye on Warren this season. He might be ready to join Seymour in Hawaii.
Here are the underrated and overrated players for each of the league's 32 teams.
Arizona Cardinals
Overrated: RB Edgerrin James.
Yes, he played behind a bad line last year when he struggled. But that's not the whole reason for his 3.2 average.
Underrated: LB Gerald Hayes.
Now that Adrian Wilson has finally gone to the Pro Bowl, it's Hayes who gets the slot here. He was a force in the middle as a 4-3 middle linebacker, and should be just as good in the Cardinals' 3-4 defense.
Atlanta Falcons
Overrated: QB Michael Vick.
Until he becomes a better pocket passer, he's always going to be in this spot. It can still happen for him, but it takes work. This is a huge year for him on the field -- if he stays there.
Underrated: DT Grady Jackson.
Say all you want about his weight -- and he sure is big -- but he knows how to clog things up against the run. He does have to get healthy again.
Baltimore Ravens
Overrated: RB Willis McGahee.
Blame the Bills line all you want, but this guy just hasn't performed like a star back.
Underrated: NT Kelly Gregg.
He is a short keg-like body in the middle of the defense who helps keep the linebackers clean to flow to the football. He does the dirty work inside.
Buffalo Bills
Overrated: RT Langston Walker.
It's hard to find one on this young team, but since they paid him money as a free agent he's the pick.
Underrated: LT Jason Peters.
He's close to being a Pro Bowl player. This converted tight end has a ton of potential.
Carolina Panthers
Overrated: MLB Dan Morgan.
The tools are there, but he can't stay on the field. That puts him in this category.
Underrated: QB David Carr.
He will take over as the team's starting quarterback at some point and show the Houston Texans they made a big mistake.
Chicago Bears
Overrated: S Adam Archuleta.
He's never been effective as a cover player. He's basically a glorified linebacker. Watch teams attack him in pass coverage.
Underrated: DT Tank Johnson.
Off-the-field problems aside, Johnson is a heck of a player when he's on the field. The Bears need him in the worst way.
Cincinnati Bengals
Overrated: CB Deltha O'Neal.
He went to the Pro Bowl in 2005, but didn't come close to getting there a year ago. He could be pushed for his starting job now.
Underrated: DE Robert Geathers.
He is a situational pass rusher with speed off the corner. That's why the Bengals made re-signing him a priority.
Cleveland Browns
Overrated: OLB Willie McGinest.
He doesn't have much left and that started to show up last season after the Browns paid him big money as a free agent.
Underrated: S Sean Jones.
He emerged as a top-notch safety last season, showing why the Browns drafted him in the second round in 2004. He had 111 tackles and five interceptions.
Dallas Cowboys
Overrated: QB Tony Romo.
It's way too early to put him as a top 10 quarterback, which some have done. He sure didn't look like it at the end of last season.
Underrated: CB Terence Newman.
His not going to the Pro Bowl last year was a crime. He is a top-notch cover corner.
Denver Broncos
Overrated: DT Gerard Warren.
In fairness to Warren, he played with dislocated toes last season. But he still didn't play like he did in 2005. Of course, John Lynch could fill this spot every year.
Underrated: LG Ben Hamilton.
He has taken over as the team's best offensive lineman. He's a tough, physical player whose best football is still ahead of him.
Detroit Lions
Overrated: G Damien Woody. He hasn't played well since signing with the Lions as a free agent and now he might go to the bench.
Underrated: QB Jon Kitna.
Maybe he's not the long-term answer, but he got the job done last season for Mike Martz. He knows where to go with the football.
Green Bay Packers
Overrated: TE Bubba Franks.
His career has gone down the toilet in a hurry. This former first-round pick is now fighting for a job.
Underrated: DE Cullen Jenkins.
His emergence as a defensive end will allow the Packers to make Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila a situational pass rusher.
Houston Texans
Overrated: RB Ahman Green.
In his last 34 starts, Green has nine rushes of 20 yards or more. In 2003, he had 15 alone. The Texans paid him way too much money at his age.
Underrated: CB Dunta Robinson.
His silky smooth cover skills get lost because the defense has struggled at times.
Indianapolis Colts
Overrated: DT Anthony McFarland.
It was tough finding an overrated player on this team, but McFarland might be it. He did nothing during the regular season, but did show up in the playoffs. Maybe that says something about why he's here.
Underrated: TE Dallas Clark.
His versatility is so key to the Colts offense. He can flex out like a receiver and create match-up problems.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Overrated: DE Paul Spicer.
The team talks up his effort, but what does he really do? He needs to be replaced.
Underrated: DT John Henderson.
For whatever reason, he doesn't get the due he deserves. Maybe it's because he plays next to Marcus Stroud.
Kansas City Chiefs
Overrated: CB Ty Law. He's living off the past. He has slowed down and it shows. Even in the Chiefs' Cover-2 defense, that shows up.
Underrated: DE Jared Allen.
If he can stay clear of off-the-field problems, he will cash in big next year as a free agent.
Miami Dolphins
Overrated: LB Joey Porter.
And it isn't even close. Why they paid him all that money is a great mystery.
Underrated: S Yeremiah Bell.
When he was inserted into the starting lineup in the sixth game last season, the defense became better. He's a good, solid tackler.
Minnesota Vikings
Overrated: LT Bryant McKinnie.
He gives up too many sacks. He's never lived up to the hype as a first-round pick.
Underrated: LB E.J. Henderson.
He had his best season last year and now moves back from the outside to the middle. He struggled as a middle backer earlier in his career, but he's better suited for it now.
New England Patriots
Overrated: LB Tedy Bruschi.
He has slowed down, and that showed up in a big way in the playoff loss to the Colts. He doesn't have it anymore, and is living on his reputation.
Underrated: DE Ty Warren.
Keep a close eye on him. His Pro Bowl time is coming.
New Orleans Saints
Overrated: CB Mike McKenzie.
When he wants to be good, he's good. But he has too many lapses to be an elite player.
Underrated: G Jahri Evans.
As a rookie, he didn't give up a sack. That's high marks for a young lineman.
New York Giants
Overrated: CB Sam Madison.
Once upon a time he was a great man cover corner. You'd never know it now.
Underrated: DT Fred Robbins.
He started all 16 games, getting 62 tackles and 5½ sacks. He's a good, steady player who doesn't get much due.
New York Jets
Overrated: QB Chad Pennington. Can he be a Super Bowl quarterback? I doubt it. He threw 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He's just okay.
Underrated: S Kerry Rhodes.
Much like Adrian Wilson of the Cardinals, his time in the spotlight will eventually come. He's too good a player for that not to happen.
Oakland Raiders
Overrated: RB Dominic Rhodes.
Yes, he had a nice Super Bowl. And he did nicely splitting time with Joseph Addai. But that's all he is, a spot player.
Underrated: CB Nnamdi Asomugha.
This kid has developed into one of the best cover corners in the league. He was a Pro Bowl snub last year.
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Philadelphia Eagles
Overrated: MLB Jeremiah Trotter.
He doesn't get to the football, and it shows in the run defense. His best days are long behind him.
Underrated: C Jamaal Jackson.
Playing on the best line in the league, he doesn't get the Pro Bowl attention. But it could come this year,
Pittsburgh Steelers
Overrated: G Alan Faneca.
He's a nice run blocker, but he struggles in pass protection. The Steelers will make the wise move not paying him a new deal.
Underrated: DE Brett Keisel.
He always seems to be around the quarterback. This year, the Steelers plan to use some special defenses where he will line up as rover.
St. Louis Rams
Overrated: TE Randy McMichael.
He's OK, but he's not nearly as good as his reputation. Miami wouldn't have let him go if he was.
Underrated: CB Fakhir Brown.
Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett had him in New Orleans and wanted him in St. Louis. Brown is a much better corner than he's given credit for being.
San Diego Chargers
Overrated: QB Philip Rivers.
This being nitpicky because I really like Rivers. But I've seen him ranked as a top five quarterback already. That's a bit quick. He can get there this season, but not yet. There aren't a lot of candidates on the Chargers for this spot.
Underrated: DE Igor Olshansky.
He tends to get overlooked on a line with Jamal Williams and Luis Castillo, but he's right up there with them.
San Francisco 49ers
Overrated: WR Darrell Jackson.
If they think he's going to cure their receiver problems, they are wrong. He's not better than Antonio Bryant, the guy they let go. Jackson drops a lot of passes.
Underrated: LB Brandon Moore.
He had 6½ sacks last year, four games with 10 or more tackles, including the last three, and yet you'd be hard-pressed for people on the East Coast to know his name. He's a heck of a player.
Seattle Seahawks
Overrated: WR Deion Branch.
He's a nice player, but he wasn't worth what the Seahawks traded and paid to get him. Is he really a No. 1 receiver?
Underrated: WR D.J. Hackett.
He got a chance to play last season because of injuries, starting five games, and showed some nice skills. He caught 45 passes and had four touchdown catches, the same as Branch, who started 13 games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overrated: QB Jeff Garcia.
He played well for the Eagles last year, but is he really any better than Chris Simms? We'll find out. I doubt it.
Underrated: DE Greg Spires.
He doesn't get the attention Simeon Rice gets, but he is one of those effort guys all defenses need.
Tennessee Titans
Overrated: QB Vince Young (LOVE IT!!!)
Is it crazy to put a second-year player in this spot? Maybe. But he isn't close to being the quarterback some say he is. He can't pass the football consistently yet, but most would make you think otherwise. Give him time.
Underrated: LT Michael Roos.
He isn't Pro Bowl caliber yet, but this young player has a chance to be a nice starting player for a long time.
Washington Redskins
Overrated: WR Antwaan Randle El.
Is he anything more than a good No. 3 receiver? The Redskins paid him way too much money.
Underrated: DT Kedric Golston.
He won a job last year and played well inside as a rookie. He has a chance to develop into a quality defensive tackle. He might never be a Pro Bowl player, but he will be a consistent starter.
