It's a fans nature to have a hard time selecting an overrated player while having many players jump to mind for the underrated list. Try not to knee jerk react to Prisco's selection until thinking about them, especially the overrated selection.
NFL's Most Underrated: 32 teams, 32 players who deserve more props - CBSSports.com
Andrew Norwell G / Carolina Panthers: Trai Turner, the other guard, gets a lot of attention and rightfully so. He is a heck of a player. But Norwell, in his second season as a starter in 2015, isn't far behind. He plays with a nasty streak. There is a play from last season against Seattle where he got three blocks on one long run. Carolina has to be thrilled with their guards.
While I could add a couple more names to this list I do like this selection. Here's a short clip we loved of Norwell pulling on a four yard Panthers rushing TD off of RG.
That's how you finish a block!
Now the less palatable 'overrated' selection:
NFL's Most Overrated: 32 teams, 32 players who are more name than game - CBSSports.com
Jonathan Stewart, RB / Carolina Panthers: Yes, he played well in two playoff games, but during the regular season he had just two 100-yard games and he averaged 4.1 per rush. That's not close to being good enough on a run-first team. He's not nearly as good as his reputation and injuries have hurt his production.
There is no denying he averaged 4.1 yards per carry last season. We also expected him to rack up at least a 1,000 yards rushing and more than 6 TDs as the Panthers #1 RB. We've been waiting to see what he could do as the feature back for many seasons and so I agree it was somewhat of a disappointment. But Stewart brings value in many other ways.
He's as tough a runner as there is. He breaks tackles (#2 in NFL with 55) and is an elusive runner which when combined with his size and power creates a unique blend. Just ask the Redskins Chris Culliver:
Culliver certainly isn't the only would be tackler to be on the nasty end of a Stewart stiff arm. We've seen countless over the seasons. Here's a 44 yard scamper on a read option versus the Falcons:
He's really become deadly on the read option with Newton. I would venture he's the perfect RB for the Panthers offense. He first has the power to run inside but also just enough speed to cut it back outside and outrun LBs and safeties. Thirdly he's good at pass blocking in the backfield when Newton keeps the ball.
So while I can't deny the stats, my beef is with Prisco's wording. It's not that Stewart's fallen short of his reputation. He is still as tough and elusive as ever, when healthy. It's just that injuries have cut into his opportunities, that and the platoon situation with DeAngelo Williams for the first 7 seasons of his career.
It's something we will have to worry about again this season. Don't let Stewart's age worry you though. Usually running backs closing in on 30 are on the down slope of their career. Stewart actually don't have much tread on his tires for a 29 year old, averaging only a 160 carries a season in his career. No it will be his injury history that does eventually gets to him but I think he still has at least a few more quality seasons left in the tank. For that I certainly wouldn't call him underrated.
What are your thoughts on these two selections, Panthers fans? Who would you select instead?
Rec the suggestions you think would be better.