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.