Overrated.
This is a word thrown out in
sports all the time.
Fans love to argue about how
this player and that player are
praised way too much.
If fans want to argue,
“The Paolantonio Report:
The Most Overrated and
Underrated Players, Teams,
Coaches, and Moments in
NFL History” by Sal Paolantonio
is the book for them.
Paolantonio, an award-winning
sports writer who now works for
ESPN, has thrown down the
gauntlet on some revered players.
Once you read the first chapter,
which is “The Most Underrated
Moment in NFL History,”
arguments must break out.
Adam Vinatieri’s field goal in the
infamous “Tuck Rule” game is the
most underrated moment ever.
Seriously.
A kicker gets the nod for this
moment? It was an extremely
difficult kick in blizzard-like
conditions but come on, kickers
aren’t really football players, just
oversized soccer players.
This moment was underrated so
it really isn’t worth too much rage,
but the next one probably has people
in New York fuming.
The most overrated quarterback
of all time is none other than Hall
of Famer Joe Namath.
“I think we’ll win it. I’ll guarantee
it.”
According to Paolantonio that
famous quote is the only reason
“Broadway Joe” ever even got
close to the hallowed halls.
He argues that Namath’s play on
the field and his overall stats make
him an average quarterback at best.
“Namath lost 31 more games
than he won and threw 47 more
interceptions than touchdowns.”
Good point, but Paolantonio
better watch his back when he’s
in New York City.
The second most overrated
quarterback will have the same
effect on cheese-heads.
Brett Favre.
Favre is an all-time great, but he
is one of the biggest gunslingers of
all time too.
This year he passed George
Blanda for the most interceptions
ever.
This is significant because
Blanda played for 26 years, and
Favre hasn’t.
Also, Favre is one of the few
players to ever be applauded for
being clumsy with the football;
usually someone who throws that
many interceptions won’t get the
opportunity to throw more.
Favre has won many games for
the Packers, but he has lost many
too, by throwing up some wounded
ducks.
Opposing defensive coordinators
routinely tell their players,
when game-planning for Favre,
that he will throw at least two
to three dumb passes a game.
Now for the Eagles.
The former Eagles beat writer
has gone after a beloved coach and
a legendary play in this city.
First, the one and only Buddy
Ryan.
Philly fans love Ryan because he
was ornery and had a defense with
such stars as Reggie White, Clyde
Simmons, Seth Joyner and Andre
Waters.
Paolantonio, though, has a good
point: Ryan never won a playoff
game as the Eagles’ coach.
Well, most fans would say it was
because of the offense that was
Randall Cunningham and a bunch
of misfits, but who built that terrible
offense?
Buddy Ryan.
This man could’ve drafted a
decent offensive lineman and some
good skill players, but instead he
neglected that side of the ball.
Oh, and his great defense never
was great while he was here, never
ranking higher than 10th.
They only became great in 1991,
leading the league in most
categories, after he was fired.
Now the great moment that was
overrated, Chuck Bednarik
knocking out Frank Gifford.
The image of “Concrete Charlie”
standing over a lifeless Gifford is
burned into the minds of all Eagles’
fans.
Paolantonio says that since the
hit took place in New York and was
on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it
is Bednarik’s legacy.
He says Bednarik should be
remembered as the great player he
was and if he is remembered for
any single moment it should be “his
last significant play in an Eagles
uniform.”
That moment is Bednarik
tackling Packers running back Jim
Taylor on the 9-yard line as time
expired to win the 1960 NFL
Championship.
Paolantonio’s views and
opinions may draw the ire of football
fans but that’s the point. He
backs up his opinions fairly well,
and he makes you think.