The Answer Part II

I was very pleased to find that the answer to the most overrated player in the NFL was guessed by Brad. Bob Sanders is the least accomplished player that gets the star treatment and is considered one of the best at his position. He is an AP D player of the year, a 2 time pro bowler, and widely considered the most important piece to the Colts defense. But there are many things wrong with the assumption that Bob Sanders is even good, let alone great.

1. He doesn't play: In 5 seasons Sanders has played a total of 45 games, or an average of 9 per season. That's barely over half a season for his career. What other player is so beloved for getting hurt all the time?

2. His stats actually suck: Look at his numbers, they just aren't good. Even if you were to calculate his performance playing for 5 full seasons, his numbers would be mediocre at best. He would average: 1.24 sacks, 1.78 INTs, .71 FF, 77.16 solo tackles and 25.6 assists (Remember, this is actually giving him more credit than he deserves, his actual stats are even less per season, but assuming he played all 16 games, this is what he would look like). Those are not Pro Bowl, 1st team All-Pro, or even top end starter numbers. His stats reflect more of a bad LB than a good safety. By comparison, Ed Reed has done much better for a few more Pro Bowl and All-Pro appearances, but no AP D player of the year awards. His stat line, without giving him extra stats for his career 6 missed games, per season reads: .71 sacks, 6.14 INTs, .86 FF, 48.86 solo tackles and 9.86 assists. That is what a great safety should look like. Not to mention the 11 to 1 lead in TDs scored.

3. He isn't the playoff warrior he appears: In 9 career playoff appearances he has managed 2 INTs and 1 FF. All of those came during the Colts Super Bowl run of 2006. Other than that he averages around 10 combined tackles and a pass defensed per game. His legendary rebirth during that Super Bowl run "invigorated" the Colts run D, but really was nothing more than just him being better than his backup by enough, but relying on Matt Giordano and Dexter Reid for most of the year usually isn't a good thing. Any half decent safety would have improved their D.

What irks me the most is that Scouts Inc. on ESPN has Sanders rated as their best safety, over the likes of Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, and Adrian Wilson, when really he's a glorified Roy Willaims. They rave about his instincts and matchup skills with tight ends, but neglect to mention anything about wide receivers. He can fill run gaps, but throws his body so violently that he can't stay on the field. His main asset is his speed, which is great, but really doesn't help him cover taller players. Bob Sanders needs to be kept out of the pantheon of great safeties and restored to his rightful place amongst the masses.

Most Overrated Football Player

So after my most popular post about the most underrated baseball player, I've decided to unveil my most overrated football player. Of course you'll have to wait a week again, but it will be well worth it. Now again let me set the ground rules here. This player is someone who gets all sorts of air time from TV analysts and pundits, but the talk doesn't match up with the numbers. Now I understand that stats aren't the most important thing in the world in football, but they do make a difference. I will give one hint this time to help funnel the discussion in the right direction. The most overrated player in the NFL is a defensive player. Good luck!

Pujols: Man or Myth?

So since the All Star Game is being played in St. Louis, the past week has been dedicated to the hero worship of Albert Pujols. Listening to all of this begs the question, is Albert Pujols the greatest right-handed hitter of all time? Let's take a look:

Pujols leads all right-handed hitters in OPS and slugging %, and comes in 3rd in OB%, and is still in the prime of his career. Everyone points out that he's hit 30 HRs in each of his first 9 seasons, and has never topped 100 Ks in an era where 200 is usually within reach for power hitters. He seems to be humble, and plays the game with passion and intensity. He is a student of the game, and runs the bases well, and has a gold glove to his credit. There's not much he can't do. So is he the greatest right-handed hitter ever? No.

So if it isn't Pujols, it must be asked, who is it? The answer may be surprising. He hasn't played in the lifetime of anyone who is reading this blog, and most people probably wouldn't name him in their first 10 guesses, but Rogers Hornsby was the greatest right-handed hitter of all time. He played 6 of his 23 seasons in the dead ball era (most of his last seasons were short and unimportant, so really it's more like 6 of 18 in the dead ball era) and still finds himself near the top of almost every major statistical category. His career is littered with years that he led the league in numerous different categories, and was twice a triple crown winner (1922 and 1925). Hornsby was never a home run machine like Babe Ruth, and didn't steal bases like Lou Brock, but his all around game and especially his hitting prowess have yet to be matched by a righty. Not to mention, steroids didn't exist during his day, and even though I truly believe Pujols is clean, the suspicion is always present nowadays.