It’s easy to pick out the stars in the NFL’s atmosphere. How hard is it to realize that Tom Brady and Randy Moss are the catalysts in New England’s romp? Or that Brett Favre’s resurgence has helped propel the Packers to the top of the NFC North? The Giants? Is there anybody in that locker room who doesn’t try to be a star or write a book? (Hey, wait a minute, guess I’m guilty of that too.)
But while the Pats, Bucs, Packers, Giants and others have obvious stars who have catapulted their clubs in 2007, there are many very-far-below-the-radar types who have been just as important to their teams’ success.
You won’t see them in the stat column or the highlight film on Sunday nights, but they have quietly done their jobs and helped win games. Below are a handful of such names and while we know there are so many more we’ve overlooked, at least we’ll give a few some love.
Patriots TE Kyle Brady — The Patriots have more stars than a night on the red carpet for the Emmys. Tom Brady, Moss, Maroney, Harrison, Seau, Bruschi, Samuels. Heck, even the O-line had commercial fame. But according to those who watch film for a living, the veteran tight end Brady has been vicious in the running game. So much so that even players from other teams are taking notice.
“I was watching them on film and I’m telling you the guy who’s getting no credit out there but is killing people is Kyle Brady,” said one fellow tight end. “He’s been killing people in the run. He’s always been a good run blocker but I’ve never seen him maul defenders like this. They keep running behind him, too, like he’s a tackle. I don’t blame them.”
Sunday’s games:
Monday’s game:
More NFL:
Photo galleries:
The Patriots are No. 1 in time of possession, No. 1 in red-zone TDs, 41.9 percent of their offensive drives end up in scores and they are down to their third halfback. Are you kidding me!?! You’ll hear about Brady, but never the name Kyle in front of it. I guarantee you defensive ends and linebackers remember who he is now.
Hall of Famer and Fox NFL Sunday analyst Howie Long spent much of this week dissecting the Patriots offense for a piece to air on Sunday comparing New England’s attack to the greatest in NFL history.
“It’s rare you can find a tight end who is fully committed to blocking people,” Long said. “This guy is the most dominant run-blocking tight end in the game right now. Nobody knows about you when you’re a blocking tight end. But he’s a full-grown man playing that position.
“The addition of Brady, who in essence is another tackle, and the way they use him is just like all the other Patriots — he totally understands what his role is.”
His role is to maul.
Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips — To say he’s been playing out of his mind would be an understatement. While guys like Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks and even Cato June get the pub, Phillips has been nothing short of a playmaker, especially when the Bucs defense needs it most. Don’t take our word for it — let’s go to the guy credited with inventing the defense Phillips is shining in this year.
“I’ve really been impressed with Jermaine Phillips,” said Colts coach Tony Dungy. “He’s making some things happen. They play him awfully deep. He’s 12 or 13 yards deep and he’s still making tackles and knocking balls loose. That’s the biggest difference I’ve seen with their defense this year. He’s really solidified their safety spot.”
“The one person who deserves the credit is him. He puts in the work,” said Bucs defensive backs coach Raheem Brock. “He’s making plays that he missed last year, and he’s not giving up the plays that he gave up last year. Now he’s focused. He’s locked in.”
Giants offensive line — Wasn’t this supposed to be the weak link to this team this year? Not only has Dave Diehl, Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee and Co. not been the weak link, they’ve been quiet heroes in the Giants’ sudden resurgence. Eli Manning has been virtually pressure-free and has it really mattered who’s playing running back? The team’s ground game has carved up yards whether they’ve had Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward or Reuben Droughns handling the rock.
Eli to Burress has been one of the league’s most prolific tandems in 2007, but they wouldn’t be nearly as productive if the blocking wall up front had so much as a crack in it. So far, it hasn’t. It’s hard to get any attention in the Big Apple with all the stars and personalities in the Giants locker room. Despite how well this unit has played, they still won’t get attention and it’s probably just the way they like it.
Packers DT Johnny Jolly — The Packers spent a first-round pick on Justin Harrell to bolster their line, but it’s been this sixth-round pick from two years ago who has quietly shined. Making his ascent into the Packers starting lineup even more compelling is the fact that he unexpectedly lost his sister right before camp and the investigation into her untimely death remains open. Yet despite his hardship, Jolly has beaten out last year’s starter and Harrell for the nod.
“He’s been very active for (the Packers),” said one personnel man. “He’s been a big presence in the offensive backfield, he gets his hands up in the passing lanes and he’s knocked some critical balls down. He’s been tough, very tough.”
Washington LB Rocky McIntosh — The Redskins defense under Gregg Williams has returned to form as a feared, aggressive unit. McIntosh has “great ball skills and has great closing speed so he’s been very disruptive,” according to one NFC personnel executive. But McIntosh is also the guy who in essence killed the Lance Briggs-to-Washington trade. The Bears insisted they throw him in the deal and the Redskins wisely balked. Good move on their end. Despite all the first-rounders and highly paid free agents they have on that side of the ball, McIntosh has been one of their best defenders by far.
Steelers LT Marvel Smith — Not as under-the-radar as the rest of the people on our list, Smith is still pretty anonymous when it comes to finding reasons for the Steelers’ solid start. While their defense, Big Ben and Willie Parker get most of the credit, head coach Mike Tomlin says it’s the unassuming guys like Smith who make this team tick.
“You hear about guys being high maintenance or low maintenance? This guy is NO maintenance,” said Tomlin. “I don’t think he’s been beaten for a sack yet and he’s gone against some tough rushers. You never have to worry about someone getting to Ben on that side or the run breaking down. He’s as solid as I’ve been around.”
The Steelers defense has been stellar, but Pittsburgh has been able to run the ball successfully with Parker and Najeh Davenport, and Big Ben has had ample time in the pocket. While Alan Faneca is the true All-Pro of that line, guys like Smith quietly push a team to that next level.
Titans tackles Dave Stewart and Michael Roos — The Titans have given up eight sacks but three of those were in garbage time. They’ve pounded the ball on the ground and given up in essence five sacks despite having a QB who can do just about anything after the snap. With all the attention paid to Vince Young, it’s hard for anyone else to get noticed in Nashville, especially linemen.
“They’re both young, up-and-coming tackles in this league,” said Titans coach Jeff Fisher. “They have both handled very good rushers so far. You have to run the football with a young quarterback. With Vince having won nine out of his last 11 starts you have to credit his teammates around him and those tackles have been exceptional.”
Packers GM Ted Thompson — I know he’s not a player, but talk about a guy who has completely flown under the radar despite running one of the NFL’s most heralded teams.
Source: feeds.feedburner.com
