Most Overrated NFL Players of All Time by Team
Don’t you just love it that sports media are so quick to hype athletes as the biggest and the best. Then as soon as they go south, we pile on like kids in a mosh pit? Yeah, us, too.
So as a public service, we're honored to share some of our favorite overrated players in NFL history broken down by team. Remember ... we did this for you.
Arizona Cardinals: David Boston, Wide Receiver
NFL career: 1999-2003, 2005 (6 seasons)
Years with Cardinals: 1999-2002 (4 seasons)
Other teams: San Diego Chargers (2003), Miami Dolphins (2005)
Statistics/16 games: 67.2 pass receptions/14.9 pass yards per reception/5.3 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: Much was expected of David Boston as the No. 8 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, but he discovered he couldn't get by on talent alone. Other than one Pro Bowl season, he was just another player.
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Atlanta Falcons: Deion Sanders, Cornerback-Punt Returner
NFL career: 1989-2000, 2004-05 (14 seasons)
Years with Falcons: 1989-93 (5 seasons)
Other teams: San Francisco 49ers (1994), Dallas Cowboys (1995-99), Washigton Redskins (2000), Baltimore Ravens (2004-05)
Statistics/16 games: 4.5 interceptions/1.1 fumble recoveries/1.9 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: 2 (1994, 1995)
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Bottom line: We’ll give you that "Prime Time" was exceptional in man coverage and on punt returns, but his brand was more about style than substance.
He loathed contact and was a major liability against the run. Everybody else played tackle football. He played two-hand touch.
Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis, Linebacker
NFL career: 1996-2012, all with Ravens (17 seasons)
Statistics/16 games: 2.9 sacks/2.2 interceptions/1.4 fumble recoveries/0.2 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: 2 (2000, 2012)
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Bottom line: From the moment he performed that bizarre pregame ritual of his, Lewis made the game all about him.
We saw so much of this narcissist on and off the field, his true value as a player became grossly overinflated. Three more words — obstruction of justice.
Buffalo Bills: Drew Bledsoe, Quarterback
NFL career: 1993-2006 (14 seasons)
Years with Bills: 2002-04 (3 seasons)
Other teams: New England Patriots (1993-2001), Dallas Cowboys (2005-06)
Statistics/16 games: .572 pass complete percentage/3,679.3 pass yards/20.7 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: The No. 1 pick of the 1993 draft could make this list with multiple teams. We chose Buffalo, which was downright giddy when he arrived from the Patriots in return for a first-round draft pick.
The Bills were one victory away from a 2004 playoff berth, only to have the big tease drop the ball in the fourth quarter. Literally.
Indeed, his career can be summed up in one word ... fummm-bulllll! Only six players lost their grip more times (123) in league history.
Carolina Panthers: DeShaun Foster, Running Back
NFL career: 2003-08 (6 seasons)
Years with Panthers: 2003-07 (5 seasons)
Other teams: San Francisco 49ers (2008)
Statistics: 951.7 yards from scrimmage/4.4 yards per touch/3.2 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: The front office wonks had their choice of this UCLA product or Clinton Portis in Round 2 of the 2002 draft. Oops.
It wasn’t until DeShaun Foster's fourth season that the big tease became a full-time starter, at which time he was offered a three-year, $14.5 million contract.
He played only 16 more games with the team and never rushed for as many as 900 yards in a season.
Chicago Bears: William Perry, Defensive Line
NFL career: 1985-94 (10 seasons)
Years with Bears: 1985-93 (9 seasons)
Other teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1993-94)
Statistics/16 games: 3.4 sacks/0.6 fumble recoveries/0.3 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1985)
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Bottom line: When this Mike Ditka creation had his number called at the 2-foot line against the rival Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, a Bears legend was soon to be born.
The overweight lug went on to have two above-average seasons on defense over a nine-season career.
Rarely has any athlete done so little to be remembered so fondly.
Cincinnati Bengals: Ickey Woods, Running Back
NFL career: 1988-91, all with Cincinnati Bengals (4 seasons)
Statistics/16 games: 659.5 rush yards/4.6 yards per rush/11.7 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: This rookie was all the rage with 1,265 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns even if "The Ickey Shuffle" was among the lamest end zone dances ever.
Then he got fat while his production went on a diet — 657 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns combined in the next three seasons.
Icky pooh!
Cleveland Browns, Braylon Edwards, Wide Receiver
NFL career: 2005-12 (8 seasons)
Years with Browns: 2005-09 (5 seasons)
Other teams: New York Jets (2009-10, 2012), San Francisco 49ers (2011), Seattle Seahawks (2012)
Statistics/16 games: 51.3 pass receptions/15.4 yards per reception/5.7 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: He was the third pick of the 2004 draft ahead of DeMarcus Ware, Derrick Johnson and Aaron Rodgers among other first-rounders.
But except for a monstrous 2007 season, Braylon Edwars was nothing special.
Hey, that’s what happens when an Ohio team picks a Michigan man.
Dallas Cowboys, Herschel Walker, Running Back-Kickoff Returner
NFL career: 1986-1997 (12 seasons)
Years with Cowboys: 1986-89, 1996-97 (6 seasons)
Teams: Minnesota Vikings (1990-91), Philadelphia Eagles (1992-94), New York Giants (1995)
Statistics/16 games: 1,119.5 yards from scrimmage/5.3 yards per touch/7.2 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: The former Heisman Trophy winner wasn’t a dud exactly. He also wasn’t the Big Man On Campus that dominated in college.
Three wasted USFL seasons and a shortsighted position change that left him and Tony Dorsett in the same backfield complicated matters.
Think the Cowboys knew something when they traded him for five players and six draft picks shortly after his one big season?
Denver Broncos: Bill Romanowski, Linebacker
NFL career: 1988-2003 (16 seasons)
Years with Broncos: 1996-2001 (6 seasons)
Other teams: San Francisco 49ers (1988-93), Philadelphia Eagles (1994-95), Oakland Raiders (2002-03)
Statistics: *2.6 sacks/1.2 interceptions/1.2 fumble recoveries/0.1 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: 4 (1988, 1989, 1997, 1998)
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Bottom line: Most NFL linebackers are legit tough. Then there are wannabes like Romo, the geeked-up, attention-starved dirtbag with the mobility of a fire hydrant.
His short list of Broncos lowlights: a helmet to the jaw (Kerry Collins), spittle in the face (J.J. Stokes) and a football throw to the crotch (Bryan Cox).
Detroit Lions: Charles Rogers, Wide Receiver
NFL career: 2003-05, all with Detroit Lions (3 seasons)
Statistics/16 games: 38.4 pass receptions/12.2 yards per reception/4.3 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: The front office was intent to find a target for young quarterback Joey Harrington at the second pick in the 2003 draft. Fair enough. Except that it passed on future star Andre Johnson and Anquan Boldin (one round later) to take the local Michigan State product and reigning Biletnikoff Award winner instead.
Charles Rogers broke his clavicle twice, violated the league substance abuse policy three times and was out of the league after a 15-game career.
That’s how a franchise can go six decades without a championship parade, girls and boys.
Green Bay Packers: John Kuhn, Fullback
NFL career: (2006-17) 12 seasons
Years with Packers: 2007-15 (nine seasons)
Other teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (2006), New Orleans Saints (2016-17)
Statistics/16 games: 63.4 rush yards/3.0 yards per rush/2.7 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2010)
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Bottom line: Can an underdog become such a big fan/media favorite that he’s actually overrated? Well, kids, you’re lookin’ at one.
Packers backers were so wild about this human crash dummy, you would have thought Jim Taylor made a comeback. The NFL Network even had him at No. 92 on its list of top 100 players in the 2012 season.
Let’s appreciate the greatest player in Shippensburg U. history for what he really was — a valuable grunt who was a grunt nonetheless.
Houston Texans: Amobi Okoye, Defensive Tackle
NFL career: 2007-12, 2014 (7 seasons)
Years with Texans: 2007-10 (4 seasons)
Other teams: Chicago Bears (2011-12), Dallas Cowboys (2014)
Statistics/16 seasons: 2.9 sacks/0.4 fumble recoveries
Super Bowl titles: None
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dBottom line: On the heels of a 6-10 season, the Texans could have gone in any number of ways with the 10th pick of the talented 2007 draft.
They decided on the Louisville product over Patrick Willis, Marshawn Lynch and Darrelle Revis and lived to regret it.
Amobi Okoye was a four-year starter but rarely a difference-maker before his release.
Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning, Quarterback
NFL career: 1998-2010, 2012-15 (16 seasons)
Years with Colts: 1998-2010 (13 seasons)
Other teams: Denver Broncos (2012-15)
Statistics/16 games: .653 completion percentage/4,327.2 pass yards/32.4 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: 2 (2006, 2015)
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Bottom line: Honestly, we didn’t pick "The Sheriff" to make you swear at your computer.
Or because his little brother is a whiny brat. Or because of his mediocre 14-13 postseason record. Or because Tom Brady is his daddy. Or because only 51 percent of his regular-season games were outdoors. Or because 1.6 percent of his touchdowns passes were less than 3 yards. Or because he yelled "Omaha!" again and again at the line of scrimmage.
No, the guy is here because of all those cornball commercials that he has made us sit through over the years. Yeah, that put him waaay over the top.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Marcedes Lewis, Tight End
NFL career: 2006-present (14 seasons)
Years with Jaguars: 2006-17 (12 seasons)
Other teams: Green Bay Packers (2018-present)
Statistics/16 games: 32.0 pass receptions/12.0 yards per pass reception/2.7 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: The front office chiefs selected this tight end late in Round 1 of the 2006 draft. You had us after first round.
After one Pro Bowl season, he signed a five-year, $35 million contract ($17 mil guaranteed), then became little more than an afterthought in the offense.
Repeat after us: Never, ever draft a tight end in Round 1.
Kansas City Chiefs: Pick a Hall of Famer
Years: 1966-71
Regular-season record: 60-20-4
Postseason record: 4-3
Super Bowl titles: 1969
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Bottom line: In its heyday, this team won three division titles and one Super Bowl over six seasons. Sorry, that resume doesn’t merit eight Hall of Famers.
We’ll give you Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Len Dawson, Willie Lanier and Johnny Robinson. And Jim Tyrer, who somehow got left out.
But we won’t give you Curley Culp, Emmitt Thomas and Jan Stenerud, each of whom was All-Pro only once in his career. Very good, yes, but all-time great? Don’t think so.
Los Angeles Rams: Pat Haden, Quarterback
NFL career: 1976-81, all with Los Angeles Rams (6 seasons)
Statistics/16 games: .536 pass completion percentage/2,288.2 pass yards/12.8 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: If the Rams had gotten any consistency at the quarterback position in the mid-to-late 1970s, they might have won multiple Super Bowl titles. The defense was that good.
So we spun the Wheel of Misfortune, and it landed on this USC product, who was largely responsible for the biggest postseason gag job of all. That came in 1977, when the Rhodes Scholar threw three interceptions in a 14-7 loss in the so-called Mud Bowl. At home. Against an over-the-hill Minnesota Vikings team that the Rams had obliterated 35-3 earlier in the season.
And a backup quarterback named Bob Lee, for crysakes.
Miami Dolphins: Mercury Morris, Running Back-Kick Returner
NFL career: 1969-1976 (8 seasons)
Years with Dolphins: 1969-75 (7 seasons)
Other teams: San Diego Chargers (1976)
Statistics/16 games: 668.0 rush yards, 5.1 yards per rush, 5.7 rush touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: 2 (1972, 1973)
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Bottom line: Eugene Morris was a member of the unbeaten 1972 Dolphins team as he likes to remind us blahdity blah blah.
That’s a lot of noise out of a self-promoter who spent much of his career as a glorified kick returner and rushed for all of 68 yards in three Super Bowl appearances.
Worst yet, Jim Kiick’s caddy fumbled almost as often as he whined about his role in the offense. Which is to say, all ... the ... time.
Minnesota Vikings: The Purple People Eaters
Years: 1967-77 (11 seasons)
Super Bowl statistics/four games: 323.5 total yards/2.0 sacks/0.75 turnovers/23.8 points
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: We won’t pin the tail solely on Carl Eller, Jim Marshall and Alan Page for all those Super busts, but as the most celebrated team members, they deserve the most blame.
A common theme was their complete and utter inability to stop the run. Dude, the Chiefs, Dolphins, Steelers and Raiders ran over them like a buffalo stampede — 215.5 yards on 51 attempts per game.
The truth is, Page and Marshall were woefully undersized, Eller was one-dimensional, and as a group, their nickname was largely undeserved.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady, Quarterback
NFL career: 2000-present, all with New England Patriots (20 seasons)
Statistics/16 games: .641 pass completion percentage/4,203.2 pass yards/30.6 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: 7 (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020)
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Bottom line: Stop right there! Before you move to another site, hear us out here. We readily admit that Tom Boy is the GOTM (Greatest Of The Millennium). Or the GOTNFL (Greatest Of The No-Touch Football League), if you prefer. But he’s not the GOAT.
See, the current game of pitch-and-catch is much different than in the days of the no-chuck rules. It’s a completely different game than the pre-expansion NFL, when quarterbacks were abused regularly while league/ television honchos didn’t much care.
Physically, Tom Brady wouldn’t have lasted long enough to be the GOAT back then.
New Orleans Saints: Aaron Brooks, Quarterback
NFL career: 2000-06 (7 seasons)
Years with Saints: 2000-05 (6 seasons)
Other teams: Oakland Raiders (2006)
Statistics/16 games: .565 pass completion percentage/3,485.8 pass yards/21.2 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: A lot was expected after the rookie quarterback guided N'awlins to its first-ever playoff victory.
But given ample opportunities, the Virginia product could do no better than a 35-42 record over the next five seasons.
He moved on after Drew Brees arrived, then lost all eight of his starts with a bad Raiders team in one last go-around.
New York Giants: Ron Dayne, Running Back
NFL career: 2000-02, 2004-07 (7 seasons)
Years with Giants: 2000-02, 2004 (4 seasons)
Other teams: Denver Broncos (2005), Houston Texans (2006-07)
Statistics/16 games: 620.3 rush yards/3.8 yards per rush/4.7 rush touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: Remember this Heisman Trophy winner and Tiki Barber in the same backfield? "Thunder and Lightning," they were called. Well, the duo morphed into "Blunder and Lightning" in no time.
After two so-so seasons, the once-great Dayne ran more like an overweight Cocker Spaniel the rest of his career.
He never rushed for as many as 800 yards in his Gotham career.
New York Titans-Jets: Blair Thomas, Running Back
NFL career: 1990-1995 (6 seasons)
Years with Jets: 1990-93 (4 seasons)
Other teams: Dallas Cowboys (1994), New England Patriots (1994), Carolina Panthers (1995)
Statistics/16 games: 687.25 yards from scrimmage/4.6 yards per touch/2.25 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: Jets general manager Dick Steinberg was so committed to the Heisman Trophy runner-up that he bypassed Cortez Kennedy and Junior Seau at the second overall pick. Oh, and somebody named Emmitt Smith, too.
After a trio of so-so seasons, Blair Thomas was slowed by a hamstring injury and lost the starter job to seventh-rounder Johnny Johnson in the process.
Thomas departed as a free agent and yet another failed Jets early-round draft pick.
Oakland/L.A./Las Vegas Raiders: Robert Gallery, Offensive Line
NFL career: 2004-11 (8 seasons)
Years with Raiders: 2004-10 (7 seasons)
Teams: Seattle Seahawks (2011)
Statistics/career: 104 games/one fumble recovery
Super Bowl titles: None
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Botton line: The Raiduhs chose the reigning Outland Trophy winner with the No. 2 pick of the 2004 draft in hopes that he would have Bob Brown-like presence at right tackle. Ahead of first-rounders Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers, Sean Taylor, DeAngelo Hall, Ben Roethlisberger.
After Gallery was abused for 10.5 sacks in only 13 games two years later, the brains of the operation moved him inside, an admission that they had made a really big mistake.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Le’Veon Bell, Running Back
NFL career: 2013-17, 2019-present (6 seasons)
Years with Steelers: 2013-17 (5 seasons)
Other teams: New York Jets (2019-present)
Statistics/16 games: 1,999.3 yards from scrimmage/5.1 yards per touch, 10.4 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: He’s versatile, no doubt, but we're not a fan of his jive-and-juke style. Give us a straight punch to the gut, Jerome Bettis style, especially in the red zone.
Plus, LeVeon Bell can’t be trusted in big games. Jets coach Adam Gase was right to question why the front office would invest a guaranteed $25 million in him.
Philadelphia Eagles: Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback
NFL career: 2003-13 (11 seasons)
Years with Eagles: 2011-12 (2 seasons)
Other teams: Oakland Raiders (2003-10), San Francisco 49ers (2013)
Statistics/16 games: 1.5 interceptions/0.1 fumble recoveries/0.1 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: This first-rounder wasn’t always overrated. In a span of five seasons, he was a legit Pro Bowler three times and should have been one another time.
After he picked off six balls in the 2006 season, opponents seldom threw his way. Then, he turned 30 years old. (Sound siren here.)
The Iggles offered him $25 million in guaranteed money, only to discover that he was past his athletic prime, not to mention a bad fit for their system.
San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers: Ryan Leaf, Quarterback
NFL career: 1998, 2000-01 (3 seasons)
Years with Chargers: 1998, 2000 (2 seasons)
Other teams: Dallas Cowboys (2001)
Statistics/16 games: .484 pass completion percentage/2,346.2 pass yards/9.0 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: You can call him a bust. We’ll call him that and raise you one — an all-time overrated bust.
Remember, there was a serious debate about who should be the first pick of the 1998 draft: Peyton Manning or the reigning Pac 10 Offensive Player of the Year?
Not only did the Washington State product turn out to be a lousy NFL quarterback but an arrogant, obnoxious bum as well. (Consult YouTube, kids.)
San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback
NFL career: 2011-16, all with San Francisco 49ers (6 seasons)
Statistics/16 games: .598 pass completion percentage/2,845 pass yards/16.7 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: We're aware of his one Super Bowl season, but once defenses made a commitment to keep in him the pocket, his limited vision and erratic arm were exposed.
Until I met him, I had no idea what an aloof jerk he was in the locker room. Even practice days felt like root canal surgery with him around.
Would be a hoot to watch this guy play heroball in the Canadian Football League, though.
Seattle Seahawks: Jerramy Stevens, Tight End
NFL career: 2002-10 (9 seasons)
Years with Seahawks: 2002-06 (5 seasons)
Other teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007-10)
Statistics/16 games: 45.1 pass receptions/11.0 yards per pass reception/2.9 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: The name of Shaun Alexander appears on these lists often, but we won’t go there. A workhorse back doesn’t produce five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons only because of the guys in front of him.
We’ll take Jerramy Stevens, who dropped one more ball than he caught (three) in a Super Bowl XL loss.
Bet this first-round pick is one that the Hawks would like back.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dexter Jackson, Safety
NFL career: 1999-2008 (10 seasons)
Years with Buccaneers: 1999-2002, 2004-05 (6 seasons)
Other teams: Arizona Cardinals (2003), Cincinnati Bengals (2006-08)
Statistics/16 games: 2.3 interceptions/0.7 fumble recoveries/0.0 touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2002)
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Bottom line: Talk about right place, right time.
The two-year starter was mistakenly named Super Bowl XXXVII Most Valuable Player in his free-agent season — teammates Derrick Brooks, Simeon Rice and Dwight Smith deserved it more — after which the Cardinals took the bait.
He left town with a five-year, $14 million contract, not a bad haul for the worst Super Bowl MVP ever, only to return one season later.
Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota and Vince Young, Quartebacks
Marcus Mariota
NFL carer: 2015-present, all with Tennessee Titans (5 seasons)
Statistics: .629 pass completion percentage/3,402.1 pass yards/19.6 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
Vince Young
NFL career: 2006-11 (6 seasons)
Years with Titans: 2006-10 (5 seasons)
Other teams: Philadelphia Eagles (2011)
Statistics: .579 pass completion percentage/2,390.4 pass yards/12.3 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: Here’s two quarterbacks for the price of one. Marcus Mariota was a Heisman Trophy winner, Young was one by default (shame on you, Reggie Bush). Mariota was drafted second overall, Young was drafted third, both by lousy organizations.
Both possessed crazy athleticism. Both were erratic pocket passers and injury prone. Both were expected to take their teams to the next level and beyond.
And both fell short of expectations from here to Nashville.
Washington Redskins: Albert Haynesworth, Defensive Tackle
NFL career: 2002-11 (10 seasons)
Years with Redskins: 2009-10 (2 seasons)
Other teams: Tennessee Titans (2002-08), New England Patriots (2011), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2011)
Statistics/16 games: 4.0 sacks/0.7 fumble recoveries
Super Bowl titles: None
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Bottom line: Few players are worth a seven-year, $100 million deal, let alone a veteran linemen who’s more prone to get fat and sassy after his big payday. Yet that’s what the front office geniuses offered him on the heels of consecutive All-Pro seasons.
Problem was, Albert Haynesworth planned to pocket the money, go through the motions, be released then re-signed again.
Sure enough, he was out the door only 20 games later. Thanks for coming, big guy.