Carolina Panthers: All-time underrated, overrated players- NFL.COM

[jasonluckydog]

I didnt see this posted found this interesting, I didnt post all the players need to click the link  

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000209732/article/carolina-panthers-alltime-underrated-overrated-players

 

 

This is the ALL time list

 

 

underated

 

 

Michael Bates -- WR, 1996-00
When great kick returners in the history of the game are discussed, Bates' name rarely comes up. But for five seasons, he was as good as anyone has ever been. The speedster's career kickoff return average was 24.4 yards, better than Devin Hester, Deion Sanders, Dante Hall and Brian Mitchell. Bates' average during his five seasons in Carolina -- after he signed as an unheralded free agent in 1996 -- was even better, at 25.7 yards with five touchdowns. A bronze medalist in the 200 meters at the 1992 Olympics, Bates was a speed merchant to be sure, but he brought more to the table. The north-to-south return man had a gift for deftly dodging or simply shedding would-be tacklers while taking the most direct route from A to B. And Bates didn't stop there, ranking third in team history with 60 special teams tackles. Bates was a Pro Bowler in each of his five seasons in Carolina and was named kick returner for the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. But these days, he seems forgotten outside of the Carolinas.

 

 

Charles Johnson -- DE, 2007-present
When Julius Peppers signed with the Chicago Bears prior to the 2010 season, many wondered where the Panthers would turn for a consistent pass rusher. They quickly found the answer in Johnson, even if many football fans well aware of Peppers' track record still haven't taken notice. Johnson has racked up 33 sacks over the last three seasons, the sixth-most in the NFL. That's more sacks than Clay Matthews, more than Mario Williams, more than, well, Peppers. And Johnson isn't a one-trick pony. He's disruptive in the run game as well, having even played a few snaps at defensive tackle. He forced seven fumbles in 2012, second-most in the NFL. Perhaps fans should have seen this coming when Johnson totaled 10 sacks while backing up Peppers in '08 and '09. Another year like 2012 - when he paired with Greg Hardy to rank as one of just two defensive end duos to record double-digit sacks - and surely he'll be hard for fans to ignore. You can bet opposing offenses already know him.

 

Muhsin Muhammad -- WR, 1996-04, 2008-09
The Panthers' version of "Moooose" posted remarkable numbers in 2004 and got all due acclaim for it, earning All-Pro status after catching 93 passes for 1,405 yards and 16 touchdowns. Beyond that season, however, Muhammad often was viewed nationally as just another receiver. His numbers say otherwise. Muhammad, who retired following the 2009 season, is in rarer air than many realize. He ranks 17th in NFL history with 860 career receptions. He ranks 24th all-time with 11,438 receiving yards. His 85-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVIII remains the longest reception in the history of the game. Muhammad was huge in 2004 and also enjoyed two other seasons with 90-plus catches and 1,100-plus yards. He led the NFC in receptions in 1999 and 2000, but he amassed such impressive, often-overlooked career numbers through consistency: After totaling 52 catches in a limited role over his first two seasons, Muhammad caught at least 50 passes in each of his final nine seasons with the Panthers.

 

 

other players

 

Hoover

Gamble

 

 

overrated

 

 

Steve Beuerlein -- QB, 1996-00
OK, the Panthers have not been blessed with the best quarterback situation dating back to the franchise's roller-coaster ride with Kerry Collins in the mid-90s. Jeff Lewis, Jimmy Clausen, Rodney Peete, Chris Weinke, David Carr and the AARP-eligible version of Vinny Testaverde have all started multiple games for the Panthers. This leads us to Steve andPanthers fans' misplaced notion that Beuerlien is one of the best quarterbacks in team history. In 1999, Beuerlein threw for 4,436 yards with 36 touchdowns to 15 interceptions, but failed to lead the Panthersto the playoffs. In fact, that team never was better than .500 and suffered an embarrassing loss to a bad Steelers team in Week 16 when a win likely would have sealed a playoff berth. A franchise quarterback needs to make the playoffs, and the Panthers never finished with a winning record in their three seasons with Beuerlien under center. Sorry, Steve, but your most memorable moment as a quarterback is a game-winning touchdown run against the Packers.

 

 

Dan Morgan -- LB, 2001-07
Blame injuries for this one. And yes, injuries should factor into this list. Staying healthy is a talent, and Morgan was one of the most brittle linebackers in the NFL during his seven-year career. Drafted No. 11 overall in 2001, Morgan never played a full season for the Panthers. He missed five games his rookie season and missed at least three games every year in the NFL. But each offseason there seemed to be a story about how this would be the year Morgan stayed on the field and become the linebacker the Panthers drafted him to be. The Charlotte Observer did a story about Morgan using a hyperbaric chamber during training camp to help with his recovery process. Morgan then proceeded to play in one game that season. Oops.

 

other players

 

Rod Smart

Deshaun Foster

Ricky Manning Jr

 

more at the link

 

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000209732/article/carolina-panthers-alltime-underrated-overrated-players

 

 

I disagree more with the overrated then the underrated he was spot on

 

 

 

 

[ckad79]

Michael Bates -- WR, 1996-00

When great kick returners in the history of the game are discussed, Bates' name rarely comes up. But for five seasons, he was as good as anyone has ever been. The speedster's career kickoff return average was 24.4 yards, better than Devin Hester, Deion Sanders, Dante Hall and Brian Mitchell. Bates' average during his five seasons in Carolina -- after he signed as an unheralded free agent in 1996 -- was even better, at 25.7 yards with five touchdowns. A bronze medalist in the 200 meters at the 1992 Olympics, Bates was a speed merchant to be sure, but he brought more to the table. The north-to-south return man had a gift for deftly dodging or simply shedding would-be tacklers while taking the most direct route from A to B. And Bates didn't stop there, ranking third in team history with 60 special teams tackles. Bates was a Pro Bowler in each of his five seasons in Carolina and was named kick returner for the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. But these days, he seems forgotten outside of the Carolinas.

 

I think of a lot of guys from that 1996 team that have sort of faded away, including Anthony Johnson.

 

I also forgot that Bates was in the Olympics. Thought some people might find this cool...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lrs5YDvd_E

 

** last video does make me feel old ** :)

[JccOldTime23]

I disagree with Beuerlein. People forget that 1999 season we had possibly the worst defense in the league. Hard to put together a winning season if you can't stop the other team. Also I want to see Nick Goings on the underrated list.