Who do you consider to be the most overrated player(s) at their position in NFL history?

[hondo in seattle]

3 hours ago, Mickey said:

Bob Griese.  An okay system QB on a great team with great coaching.

 

Even as a fellow Purdue alum, I agree Griese was not a great QB.  But, despite his perfect season, I never hear him mentioned as one. 

 

Hard to say he's overrated when most people don't rate or remember him hardly at all.  

[Coastie]

2 hours ago, Logic said:

This. Take him off that Steelers team with the Steel Curtain carrying him to the Super Bowl every year. Put him on any run of the mill team from those years. Give him the same exact stats otherwise. He wouldn't make the Hall of Fame.

51% Career completion percentage. 212 TDs, 210 INTs. Yes, I realize it was a totally different era in terms of QB stats and expectations. Don't care. Bradshaw was lucky to be the quarterback/care taker on a team with a Hall of Fame defense and head coach.

Totally overrated, and a total blowhard to boot.

Ken Anderson is the proof of what you say. Their careers overlapped so no concerns about eras, Anderson completed 59% of his passes for 197 touchdowns and 160 interceptions and he is not in.

[hondo in seattle]

27 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

You ever see Namath play? 
 

he absolutely threw one of the best footballs off all time … threw for 4000 yards in 1967 

 

It literally took the bills like 50 years before we had somebody throw for 4000 yards

 

Emmit Smith led the league in rushing four times… Yards per game three times

 

TDs 3 times , average once… yards from scrimmage twice 

 

No matter what way you put it those are absolutely Hall of Fame numbers.. He doesn’t have to be your favorite but he absolutely dominated

 

 

I'm just not a huge Emmit fan.  I watched him play and never thought he was nearly as talented as Gale Sayers, OJ, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders or some of the other elite backs of my lifetime.

 

Yes, he was good.  He also benefited from a good supporting cast.  That, and his longevity, made him the top rusher of all time.  

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

22 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Bettis never Led the league in rushing ,touchdowns or average… Or yards from scrimmage… 3.9 career 

 

Smith led the league in rushing four times, Three times touchdown leader, Average leader, Two-time yards from scrimmage leader

 

Even behind a great line those are asinine numbers.. Do I think Thurman was a better all around back? Yes 

 

But emmit has first ballad HoF numbers too … he was far more than really good

hey, that’s why we are debating this! 
 

I would argue that Smith’s success was directly related to his stud oline (not to mention a pretty powerful passing game).  Bettis played behind some decent lines, but nothing like the cowboys. And he spent his prime with Mike Tomzak and Kordell as his QB’s. 

[Logic]

5 minutes ago, Coastie said:

Ken Anderson is the proof of what you say. Their careers overlapped so no concerns about eras, Anderson completed 59% of his passes for 197 touchdowns and 160 interceptions and he is not in.

Thanks. Exactly the example I was thinking of.

Anderson also had 4 Pro Bowls and 1 All-Pro to Bradshaw's 3 Pro Bowls and 1 All-Pro.

It all comes down to record and championships. Bradshaw was 107-51 in his career, with 4 titles. Anderson was 91-81 in his career, with 0 titles.

If you believe that "QB wins" are a thing, then Bradshaw's HOF selection makes sense. If you believe, as I do, that "QB wins" are not a thing, then Bradshaw's inclusion and Anderson's omission make absolutely no sense.

[TheWeatherMan]

After todays news I vote Kyler Murray.  

[Buffalo716]

Just now, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

hey, that’s why we are debating this! 
 

I would argue that Smith’s success was directly related to his stud oline (not to mention a pretty powerful passing game).  Bettis played behind some decent lines, but nothing like the cowboys. And he spent his prime with Mike Tomzak and Kordell as his QB’s. 

Emmit Smith isn’t the first or last running back to run behind a amazing line 

 

Having an amazing Line doesn’t Make you the four time rushing leader, Or two time yards from scrimmage leader, or 3 time TD champ 

 

Yeah an amazing line can get you started but you need real talent to finish it… The hogs of the Redskins had an amazing line for a long time too… They didn’t have anybody lead the league in rushing or touchdowns or average… let alone 4 times

7 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

I'm just not a huge Emmit fan.  I watched him play and never thought he was nearly as talented as Gale Sayers, OJ, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders or some of the other elite backs of my lifetime.

 

Yes, he was good.  He also benefited from a good supporting cast.  That, and his longevity, made him the top rusher of all time.  

Again I don’t think we’re debating if he’s the best running back of all time… I think most would say he’s not

 

But his accolades and statistics and yes even talent clearly have him at a Hall of Fame level… even if he isn’t top 5

[corta765]

55 minutes ago, TheWeatherMan said:

After todays news I vote Kyler Murray.  

 

It is funny after the Bills Cardinals game and hail mary I thought he was a true rising star. The subsequent end of that season and last year I think he is very talented but I think he is capped at what he will do. Seems like a lite version of Lamar whose size will eventually catch up to him.

[Old Coot]

Brian Bosworth -- The Boz -- at LB

 

Ryan Leaf at QB

 

[Coach Tuesday]

Duke Williams

[BIGFOOTspaceman]

2 hours ago, Max Fischer said:

 

My fault, I didn't realize you were just a troll. 

 

 

Lol.... Ok

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

1 hour ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

hey, that’s why we are debating this! 
 

I would argue that Smith’s success was directly related to his stud oline (not to mention a pretty powerful passing game).  Bettis played behind some decent lines, but nothing like the cowboys. And he spent his prime with Mike Tomzak and Kordell as his QB’s. 

 

He's never really in the conversation as the best running back ever - but man... the guy gets trashed because his team was good.  I guess its a brady thing too.  

 

Patient runner, elite contact balance, tough as hell, and just a tackle breaking machine.  He wasn't juking guys out of their shoes, but he cut through a LOT of tackles in his career.

[BIGFOOTspaceman]

2 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

Bettis never Led the league in rushing ,touchdowns or average… Or yards from scrimmage… 3.9 career 

 

Smith led the league in rushing four times, Three times touchdown leader, Average leader, Two-time yards from scrimmage leader

 

Even behind a great line those are asinine numbers.. Do I think Thurman was a better all around back? Yes 

 

But emmit has first ballad HoF numbers too … he was far more than really good

All this is irrelevant..... Read this whole thread, you'll soon realize Bo Jackson is the GOAT RB. 😂

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, BIGFOOTspaceman said:

All this is irrelevant..... Read this whole thread, you'll soon realize Bo Jackson is the GOAT RB. 😂

Bo Jackson definitely is undeniably talented 

 

he was a 4-5 tool baseball player too…

 

his health on the other hand never let him reach his potential … greatest to never be maybe

[stuvian]

Boomer Esiason was way over rated. 

[Mickey]

2 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Even as a fellow Purdue alum, I agree Griese was not a great QB.  But, despite his perfect season, I never hear him mentioned as one. 

 

Hard to say he's overrated when most people don't rate or remember him hardly at all.  

 

I don't know.  1977 UPI AFC Player of the year, 2 x first team all pro,  6 pro bowls, NCAA Hall of Fame, won 2 out of 3 Super Bowls, only undefeated season in NFL history and an NFL Hall of Famer and NFL starter for 13 years.  Seems like he was pretty highly rated. I grew up listening to what a great leader this guy was.

[Bad Things]

RB - Terrell Davis

 

I lived in Colorado during the 90's and watched a lot of Broncos football.

Yeah, he was a good back, but he was blessed by being able to run behind an incredible offensive line.  Anyone could have gained yardage behind those guys.

[Reks Ryan]

Dan Marino.  Excellent passer.  But horrible field general.  

[LeGOATski]

39 minutes ago, Bad Things said:

RB - Terrell Davis

 

I lived in Colorado during the 90's and watched a lot of Broncos football.

Yeah, he was a good back, but he was blessed by being able to run behind an incredible offensive line.  Anyone could have gained yardage behind those guys.

He just happened to be there at the evolution of the zone running scheme under Shanahan, right? I agree that helped a lot.

[BigDingus]

17 hours ago, JayBaller10 said:

Emmitt Smith. He had the luxury of running behind the most physical and athletic OL the NFL had to offer for years.

 

His overall numbers might be "overrated" by some, but he was still 100% worthy of being a first ballot HOFer. He definitely was a great back in his prime, even if not the best.

 

Barry Sanders will always be the best RB I've ever seen, & he would've cruised past all those rushing records had he stuck around.

[BigDingus]

7 hours ago, aristocrat said:

 

I'm not saying Brady is bad I'm saying he's overrated. 

 

I completely disagree on this one. I don't think it's possible, regardless of situation, to overrate ANY QB that went on to win 7 x Super Bowls & play in 10... all during the Free Agency Era where it kept being said dynasties like that would never happen again.

 

Brady as an individual has more rings than any franchise in their entire history. The NFL is hard as hell to be successful in, a LOT has to go right, & you have to be damn good to even win 1 x Super Bowl.

 

Combine that with the fact he's now about to be 45 & still putting up 5,000+ yard seasons? There have been old QB's that won SB's, there have been old QB's that have had good seasons, but to be THAT old & have CONSISTENT success on such a high level? Nobody else compares.

 

The only thing I hate is that the Bills didn't get to be the ones to knock him off his perch. Maybe this year can still be that year. I hate Brady, but I want revenge, not him just leaving.

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

Albert Einstein…until that ankle injury forced him into science…he was nothing special on the field.

[BigDingus]

Ok, so since I criticized other takes, here's my (admittedly bad) take:

 

The entire 85' Bears, or more specifically, the Defense...

 

I'm not saying they weren't great, but they're so fondly remembered because 1) Chicago market, 2) personalities, 3) peak 80's music video & 4) they won the SB.

 

Based on actual statistics, there are several defenses ahead of them like the '76 Steelers, 2000 Ravens, or even the '91 Eagles. There's even articles breaking down the offenses each defense faced & their potency, which again place others ahead of them. But if you were to stumble upon any article just ranking "Best Defenses in NFL History," I guarantee the '85 Bears will be ranked #1 almost every time.

 

Again, they were all-time great, but they've been elevated to near myth & legend status. Even the best of the best can be elevated to a point that reaches "overrated."

[Rigby]

Not sure how controversial, but I will also put forth Lynn Swann.

[clayboy54]

My old school vote goes to Merlin Olson. He was a very smart guy, surrounded by incredible talent. The fearsome foursome was great because Deacon Jones was the DL GOAT of his time. Rosie Greer and Lamar Lundy we’re pretty darned great in their own right. Olson was solid, but was the weak link on that line. He certainly was not the key guy people remember him as.

 

My modern era pick has to be Russell Wilson. We will see how he does in Denver. If he single-handedly takes that team to the promised land, I will gladly admit my mistake. However, up to this point he hasn’t consistently lived up to half the accolades he constantly receives. As we can all proudly say, he ain’t no Josh Allen.

[billsfan714]

Franco Harris RB Steelers, guy never ran tough and ran out of bounds at any sign of contact.

[bobobonators]

9 hours ago, Lieutenant Aldo Raine said:

 

They probably wouldn't hence why I think he could be considered overrated.  Someone who is very talented in the system they run, but also limited in their ability based on the system they run.  It's no secret, if you can contain Lamar in the pocket, limit his ability to shred you on the run, and get ahead on the scoreboard you have good odds to beat Jackson and the Ravens.  

If it was that simple and his abilities were that limited, the Ravens would go 5-11/6-11 with him every season. They dont. Im not sure what NFL games you’re watching. You don’t win an MVP by accident. And you don’t win as many games as he has at QB with the limitations you describe. Not in today’s NFL. Clearly you’re a bit biased. 

[bobobonators]

My votes:

 

QB:  Terry Bradshaw. Geno Smith might have squeaked out 1 SB on those teams…

 

RB:  Like others, Emmitt Smith. Nothing about him was great. Nothing. He was the Phillip Rivers of the RB world, except he had great players around him. 
 

WR:  OBJ. Its hard for me to put a WR here that played prior to the current video game era of football. It wouldn’t be fair, so I won’t. On the other hand, OBJ is living off of a couple phenomenal catches and cool looking hair. He’s always a topic of pregame convos. Lots of mystique. Little substance. 

Edited July 21, 2022 by bobobonators

[Lieutenant Aldo Raine]

1 hour ago, bobobonators said:

If it was that simple and his abilities were that limited, the Ravens would go 5-11/6-11 with him every season. They dont. Im not sure what NFL games you’re watching. You don’t win an MVP by accident. And you don’t win as many games as he has at QB with the limitations you describe. Not in today’s NFL. Clearly you’re a bit biased. 

 

Clearly, I am not.  Did I say he sucks no!  Overrated does not mean they suck, just means I perceive his value is a bit overinflated.  And yes, his talent appears limited when he has to throw from the pocket, specifically to the outside.  My point is he thrives in the system he is in, and yet we have seen when teams have been able to keep him contained, he is not as effective. While he wins in the regular season; post season - not so much.  Clearly, you're a bit biased and thinks he can make every throw and would dominate in any system he is in.  

[Southern_Bills]

So many could be nominated here it's unreal.

[the_D]

Ricky Williams 

 

Poor Ditka 

 

Edited July 22, 2022 by the_D

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

There are so many just with the QB position alone. 
 

off the top of my head 

 

T Tebow

K Orton

J Cutler

 

Overinflated 

Tyrod Taylor

Lamar Jackson

Tua T

 

[Brand J]

3 hours ago, BigDingus said:

 

His overall numbers might be "overrated" by some, but he was still 100% worthy of being a first ballot HOFer. He definitely was a great back in his prime, even if not the best.

 

Barry Sanders will always be the best RB I've ever seen, & he would've cruised past all those rushing records had he stuck around.

Yeah I didn’t mean that Emmitt wasn’t a very good RB, but I said he was most overrated at his position because at one point the discussion was “who was the greatest RB of all time? Emmitt or Barry?” He’s mentioned among the greats and he wouldn’t even be in my top 5 (Sanders, Brown, Payton, Simpson, Sayers). Top 10? Not sure, but that’s a more debate worthy discussion where he could duke it out with A Peterson, T Thomas, M Faulk, E Dickerson, L Tomlinson, B Jackson, and E Campbell.

[Buffalo03]

I never seen him play because I was born in 86 but just based on stats, how about Lynn Swann? I understand the Steelers teams he played for and how good those teams were but he never had more the 61 catches in a season, only had 336 career catches in 9 seasons and only 5400 career receiving yards and somehow he is in the HOF? Again, maybe someone that watched him play could shed some light onto what kind of player he actually was but seems overrated to me

[Ethan in Cleveland]

QB - Namath and Griese 

WR - Lynn Swann

RB - Curtis Martin 

LB - Willie McGinest

DL - Howie Long, Cortez Kennedy

DB - Ty Law

 

[streetkings01]

Fred Jackson. Average RB with a cool underdog story that Bills fan can relate to.

[GunnerBill]

9 hours ago, Lieutenant Aldo Raine said:

 

Clearly, I am not.  Did I say he sucks no!  Overrated does not mean they suck, just means I perceive his value is a bit overinflated.  And yes, his talent appears limited when he has to throw from the pocket, specifically to the outside.  My point is he thrives in the system he is in, and yet we have seen when teams have been able to keep him contained, he is not as effective. While he wins in the regular season; post season - not so much.  Clearly, you're a bit biased and thinks he can make every throw and would dominate in any system he is in.  

 

I don't know why anyone would judge Lamar Jackson by a standard that doesn't apply to him - i.e. a conventional drop back offense. Especially when nobody, so far as I am aware, has ever made the argument that Lamar would excel in that kind of scheme. Do you do the same with other players? Do you say "well Tre White would not be as effective playing in Bill Belichick's defense that asks its corners to play primarily man and uses more cover 1 and cover 0, so he is a bit overrated"? Or "Derek Henry has never caught more than 19 passes in a season and isn't really a shifty runner so wouldn't be as effective as a complimentary piece in a pass first offense like the Bills so he is a bit overrated"? 

 

Or is it only Lamar to whom we must apply the standard of "how good would they be at doing something that nobody is asking them to do?"

 

6 hours ago, streetkings01 said:

Fred Jackson. Average RB with a cool underdog story that Bills fan can relate to.

 

I don't think Fred Jackson is overrated. I think he, and Fitz actually, are beloved by Bills fans to a level that outstrips their talent.... but I think fans can differentiate between their love for a player and that player's actual abilities. 

Edited July 22, 2022 by GunnerBill

[BritBill]

Jamal Adams

[Whites Bay]

Not a player, but a coach.

 

George Siefert.  He should have just hung it up after San Francisco, and headed straight for Canton.  But he made a detour at Carolina...

[billrooter]

21 hours ago, billybrew1 said:

A Buffalo Bill?

 

Phil Hanson. Maybe he was very good at tying up blockers but Bruce Smith needed more from that position, the NT position and biscuit’s position the whole peak of his career. Bruce was basically alone as an impact player till Bryce Paup got here. Hanson as a blocker tyer upper probably wasn’t as good as Fred Smerlas. Blocker tyer uppers have to be really something, imho, to make the wall…. Ted Washington? Yes. Phil Hanson? No….. he ruins the integrity of the whole wall, imho….

Billy the fat, stouter guys on the defensive line are generally a defensive tackle or nose tackle as in the case of both Ted and Fred. Sometimes the long skinnier guys are a defensive end as in the case of Hansen.