NFC East's Most Underrated Players
from nick_longaphy@hotmail.com's SportingBlog
Busy, busy, busy. In the second of eight entries, here we go in the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys - Jason Witten - Wow, how do you pick a guy who has been to the probowl? I think that Witten falls into the category of one of the most underrated players in the game. Every year the TEs honoured with big contracts and probowl births are those with gaudy recieving yards. When did we stop rooting for the guy who sticks his hand in the mud and knocks a guy on his (expletive), despite being undersized (compared to DEs). If there is one player who constantly give his all in every aspect he is asked to be involved in it is Jason Witten. He might not ever be classified as a superstar, but he plays with everything he has and might be the most well rounded TE in the entire NFL. This is a player the Cowboys are lucky to have on the field, and in the locker room as a positive influence on Anthony Fasano, who has the same potential.
New York Giants - Antonio Pierce - Not mentioned amongst the NFLs great linebackers, Pierce has overcome alot during his short tenure with the Giants. Seemingly, as the only steadying force on a linebacker unit that has been dismantled by injury each of the past two years. He has missed only three games in two seasons with the G-Men (2005) but has compiled 236 tackles, 16 passed defended, and 3 ints. With promising Kawika Mitchell and the recently repositioned Mathias Kiwanuka as possible linemates this season (Reggie Torbor will also give a strong account) Pierce will have a chance to really standout on the Giants defence and make a run as a starting probowl position. His success will also be important to a defence that could see alot of action depending on the progression of the offence.
Philidelphia Eagles - Ian Scott - I was very surprised that this player did not draw more interest in free agency, while playing at a position where every team needs additional depth. It is unusual to pick a player that has not played a game for the Eagles yet but he brings so much to the table that he just can't be ignored. If you need a run stopper, Ian Scott can do it. If you need a big body to occupy two blockers, Ian Scott can do it. If you need someone to cause havoc behind the line, despite his lack of speed, Ian Scott can do it. As a starter, from the bench, in a rotation, all this guy has done since being drafted out of Florida is find a way on to the field, despite the competition. The Eagles have a great interior to their D-line, but I know that Scott will get into the game and prove his worth.
Washington Redskins - Jon Jansen - I have never felt more for a player than when Jansen tore his Achilles in the first preseason game of 2005, leaving the Skins with a huge hole on their line and in their locker room. It was equally moving to see him bounce back without missing a beat. Not counting the lost 2005, Jansen has missed only one game in seven seasons, starting every game he has played for the Skins since he was drafted in 1999. His is a solid tackle who plays very well against three very different defences in the ultra-competitive NFC East. Each team has very little dropoff from their LDE to RDE, and Jansen seems to be facing probowlers for half of his games every season. He has great ability to anchor against big ends and the speed to redirect them when they try to beat him outside. Regardless of the RB or QB, Jansen has provided solid run and pass blocking for each position.
Busy, busy, busy. In the second of eight entries, here we go in the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys - Jason Witten - Wow, how do you pick a guy who has been to the probowl? I think that Witten falls into the category of one of the most underrated players in the game. Every year the TEs honoured with big contracts and probowl births are those with gaudy recieving yards. When did we stop rooting for the guy who sticks his hand in the mud and knocks a guy on his (expletive), despite being undersized (compared to DEs). If there is one player who constantly give his all in every aspect he is asked to be involved in it is Jason Witten. He might not ever be classified as a superstar, but he plays with everything he has and might be the most well rounded TE in the entire NFL. This is a player the Cowboys are lucky to have on the field, and in the locker room as a positive influence on Anthony Fasano, who has the same potential.
New York Giants - Antonio Pierce - Not mentioned amongst the NFLs great linebackers, Pierce has overcome alot during his short tenure with the Giants. Seemingly, as the only steadying force on a linebacker unit that has been dismantled by injury each of the past two years. He has missed only three games in two seasons with the G-Men (2005) but has compiled 236 tackles, 16 passed defended, and 3 ints. With promising Kawika Mitchell and the recently repositioned Mathias Kiwanuka as possible linemates this season (Reggie Torbor will also give a strong account) Pierce will have a chance to really standout on the Giants defence and make a run as a starting probowl position. His success will also be important to a defence that could see alot of action depending on the progression of the offence.
Philidelphia Eagles - Ian Scott - I was very surprised that this player did not draw more interest in free agency, while playing at a position where every team needs additional depth. It is unusual to pick a player that has not played a game for the Eagles yet but he brings so much to the table that he just can't be ignored. If you need a run stopper, Ian Scott can do it. If you need a big body to occupy two blockers, Ian Scott can do it. If you need someone to cause havoc behind the line, despite his lack of speed, Ian Scott can do it. As a starter, from the bench, in a rotation, all this guy has done since being drafted out of Florida is find a way on to the field, despite the competition. The Eagles have a great interior to their D-line, but I know that Scott will get into the game and prove his worth.
Washington Redskins - Jon Jansen - I have never felt more for a player than when Jansen tore his Achilles in the first preseason game of 2005, leaving the Skins with a huge hole on their line and in their locker room. It was equally moving to see him bounce back without missing a beat. Not counting the lost 2005, Jansen has missed only one game in seven seasons, starting every game he has played for the Skins since he was drafted in 1999. His is a solid tackle who plays very well against three very different defences in the ultra-competitive NFC East. Each team has very little dropoff from their LDE to RDE, and Jansen seems to be facing probowlers for half of his games every season. He has great ability to anchor against big ends and the speed to redirect them when they try to beat him outside. Regardless of the RB or QB, Jansen has provided solid run and pass blocking for each position.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:42 PM
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