Quote
from Bucky Brooks,
TOP FIVE: Most underrated players in 2021: [
www.nfl.com]
If you have not listened to the most recent "Flying Coach" podcast with Peter Schrager and Sean McVay, you are missing out on a great conversation between a couple of quarterback gurus, as Kyle Shanahan joined his NFC West counterpart's show to discuss all things football.
One of the most interesting discussions centered on Matthew Stafford, who, of course, just relocated from the Lions to McVay's Rams this offseason. Although the former No. 1 overall pick is regularly lauded for his arm talent, Shanahan and McVay both believe the veteran deserves more credit for his overall ability and accomplishments as a player.
"Stafford's the man," Shanahan said on the pod. "I studied him hard coming out of college, and you always play against him, so you know how good he is. But to know he might be available and to spend two weeks really watching him, Sean, yeah, he's better than I realized. He was the man. He's actually underrated to me. I know how good of a guy you got. I know how good he is at play-action. I know how smart he is. Not only does he just have a big arm, but he's got touch, he knows where to go with the ball."
Wow! You rarely hear a coach rave about an opposing player like that unless there is a tremendous amount of respect. The effusive praise coming from Shanahan not only prompted me to re-examine Stafford's game, but it sent me on a mission to find other players who deserve more recognition for their play between the lines.
Given some time to survey the league and poll a few folks on which players are really underrated in our game, I've come up with a list of the five most underrated players in the league today:
Rank 1
Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams · QBThe veteran quarterback has always been regarded as one of the most naturally talented passers in the league, but few observers rank Stafford as a top-five quarterback. Despite posting impressive numbers for a downtrodden franchise -- including 38 game-winning drives and 31 fourth-quarterback comebacks during his Detroit tenure -- No. 9 has not received much recognition as a premier player at the position. That should change with Stafford teaming up with Sean McVay to direct an offense with explosive scoring potential due to the structure and personnel. Given more weapons and a creative play-caller, the one-time Pro Bowler could finally earn MVP talk from the football world.
