Listing the 4 Most Overhyped Players in the NFL
By Baily Deeter
In the NFL, there are a lot of players who receive undeserved attention.
For example, the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans both finished the 2012 season 6-10. However, the Jets were the center of attention all year, and not many people were talking about the Titans. There were a lot of players on the Jets, like Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez, who had the spotlight shining on them all year, even if it wasn’t for the right reasons.
Who are some of the most overhyped players in the NFL? Here are the four most overhyped players in the NFL.
Tim Tebow and the New York Jets
December 9, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) warms up before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets at EverBank Field. The Jets defeated the Jaguars 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
If this surprises you, you haven’t been paying any attention to any media outlets.
Tebow barely took any snaps in 2012, but the former Broncos quarterback was heavily followed throughout the year. Sanchez and Tebow were the butt of tons of jokes about the team, and no one could stop talking about the Jets. They weren’t a good team, but Tebow and the New York media market combined to bring lots of attention to the team.
The Jets are an interesting team to watch, but they are definitely overhyped. Rex Ryan’s remarks and the quarterback carousel didn’t help the team production-wise, as the Jets won just six games. However, if the Jets were shooting for attention, they definitely achieved their goal. Even though Tebow is unlikely to return, as long as Ryan and Sanchez are in the Big Apple and as long as the team is in New York, it will be the center of attention.
And it’s likely not going to be for the right reasons.
Tony Romo
Tony Romo is a lot better than people say, but he does receive a lot of unnecessary attention.
Romo, who posted the NFL’s 10th-best passer rating in 2012, has been taunted for his late-season failures. From bobbling a snap in the 2007 NFL playoffs to coming up short in Week 17 countless times, things haven’t gone Romo’s way in big situations. Because of that and the publicity generated by Jerry Jones and “America’s Team,” Romo has received lots of unwanted attention.
Dallas has a spectacular aerial attack, and Romo was extremely close to throwing for 5,000 yards in 2012 (he averaged well over 300 yards passing per game). However, his failures in the clutch will continue to haunt him until he can lead the Cowboys to playoff success. Romo doesn’t deserve the absurd hate he gets, and he’s definitely overhyped for, well, no good reason.
However, unfortunately for Romo, he’s still overhyped.
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski is an extremely talented player, but he does receive a lot of unnecessary attention.
Gronkowski, who is known for partying, has been the center of attention due to his antics. After New England’s heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants, Gronkowski went out and partied. He’s been in the spotlight a lot lately, even though he has missed a lot of time due to injuries and hasn’t been able to do much for the Patriots.
The tight end is a rare talent, but that hasn’t been the source of his attention lately. I love seeing great plays from the tight end on ESPN, and it’s always great to hear about a great performance from Gronkowski. However, he does receive a bit too much attention from the media. While someone with a personality like his is expected to be in the spotlight too much, it’s a bit excessive with Gronkowski.
Colin Kaepernick
First of all, let me clear something up: Colin Kaepernick is not overrated.
Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Kaepernick is an incredible player, and he’s going to take the San Francisco 49ers far in the future. However, he does garner a lot of attention. Kaepernick is very similar to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in a lot of ways, as both are young, athletic quarterbacks who reside in the NFC West.
But there’s one huge difference between the two prodigies. Wilson isn’t talked about a ton by the national media, while no one can stop blabbering about Kaepernick.
I expect the 49ers to win plenty of games and championships with Kaepernick, and I expect him to have a great career. When he does something like running for 181 yards in a playoff game, he deserves an abundance of attention. When he makes an appearance at a voluntary workout, he doesn’t deserve attention.
And as long as Kaepernick is in the NFL, that’s how he will receive attention.