 |
Dolphins QB
Jay Fiedler
|
Nobody calls them studs or stars. Nobody describes them as being great athletes or
future stars. Nobody raves about how good they could become with a little experience. But
nobody calls them coach killers either.
Instead, they are referred to as achievers, overachievers and blue-collar workers and
are often talked about or described like this:
"We are always looking for better."
"Limited athlete, but ..."
"Just somehow manages to get it done."
"Limited athlete with limited potential."
"A ‘JAG,’ as in ‘just a guy.’ "
They rarely, if ever, get Pro Bowl consideration, and more often than not, teams go
into the offseason looking to replace them. But they rarely do. These are the
overachievers and survivors of the NFL. Words like "warrior,"
"competitor" and "winner" are music to these players’ ears. What
follows is a team of players who can best be described as lunch-pail guys named Joe. They
are basically no-names who give their all, take pride in their work and find a way to get
it done.
QB Jay Fiedler / Dolphins
For years, he was told he was not good enough or had marginal NFL ability and should go
into the real world and put his Ivy League education to good use. Instead, he went from
carrying a clipboard in Philadelphia for a couple of years, to getting cut by the Eagles
and Bengals, to playing in NFL Europe, to carrying a clipboard in Minnesota, to a backup
role in Jacksonville, to a starter in Miami. Fiedler is no Dan Marino, but if he avoids
interceptions, he can be a competent NFL quarterback because of his great intangibles and
toughness. Scoutspeak: "I never felt he had enough ability, but he
is proving me wrong, and you can win with the guy if he just does not throw a lot of
interceptions. Tough, gutty, smart kid who is not afraid to run with the ball. Average
passer."
FB Sam Gash / Ravens
All he does is block like a third guard and collect postseason playoff checks. Scoutspeak:
"He does the dirty work and makes other people better."
RB Lamar Smith / Dolphins
Tough, slashing runner who will not dazzle you with his moves but will wear you down
with his power and perseverance. Needs carries to be effective. Best — as in most
effective but not most gifted — Dolphins runner since Delvin Williams. Scoutspeak:
"The light just seemed to finally click on for him when he landed in Miami. Do you
realize that if the Saints (who let Smith go) knew what they had, they would not have
spent all those picks to get Ricky Williams?"
TE Howard Cross / Giants
He has lasted over a decade because he is a physical, blocking tight end who is
relentless and can handle a defensive end. Scoutspeak: "When he came
into the league, he was a 5.1-in-the-40 (yard dash) type of guy, and now you need a
sundial to time him (over 40 yards), and all he does is block. But he is pretty damn good
at it, and he is a real tough guy and a warrior."
WR Ricky Proehl / Rams
While the other guys (in St. Louis) make the big plays, Proehl operates inside and gets
pounded but also makes clutch, third-down catches. Scoutspeak: "A
real tough guy who catches inside and blocks. He does not flinch."
WR Chris Walsh / Vikings
A terrific special-teams player and clutch third-down-type catcher. Unlike Randy Moss,
Walsh always gives 110 percent. Scoutspeak: "If Randy Moss had Chris
Walsh’s heart and head, he would be the greatest football player ever."
WR Brandon Stokley / Ravens
Emerged as a starter late last year. Faster than he looks and tough and willing to do
the dirty work. Scoutspeak: "He ain’t pretty, but he is pretty
fast and does all the little things. Stokley is a Chevy, and Travis Taylor is a Mercedes,
but Stokley was starting most of the time, because of his heart, not his feet."
C Barret Robbins / Raiders
Nobody realized how good he was or how much he meant to the Raiders until he got hurt
this year. Scoutspeak: "I graded him as their least talented but
most effective offensive lineman last year. Plays more athletic than he looks and does a
nice job of helping out his linemates. He is like the first baseman who digs a lot of
throws out of the ground that saves the others from errors."
OG Adam Timmerman / Rams
When he came over from the Packers, he added a toughness and tenacity to the Rams’
line that it lacked before he arrived. Scoutspeak: "A bulldog type.
Taught guys like Orlando Pace what was needed to win in this league."
OG Kevin Donnalley / Panthers
Too old and slow and not very nimble, but he is a real tough guy who adds a degree of
meanness and tenacity. Scoutspeak: "He does what it takes. Has a
little Conrad Dobler in him. Before he got there, they had a soft line. Smart, tough and
nasty."
OT Jason Fabini / Jets
Lacks a left tackle’s feet and is a very average athlete, but he gets his guy out
of the way and keeps him off the quarterback. Scoutspeak: "Nobody
will outwork the kid, and he has a really good feel for the game."
OT Ryan Tucker / Rams
"Not the athlete former starter Fred Miller was, but he plays hurt, plays hard and
has the toughness and tenacity Miller lacked. Scoutspeak: "He does
what it takes and gets it done."
DE Phil Hansen / Bills
A team-oriented guy who gives 110 percent and does just what is asked of him. Scoutspeak:
"He is now on his last legs, but he gave 110 percent for over a decade and was a very
effective player."
DE Bobby Hamilton / Patriots
Lacks talent but still has been a productive player on run downs. Scoutspeak:
"He plays really hard and has a feel for the game."
DT Jason Fisk / Titans
A really smart player who ties up blockers so Randall Godfrey and the other Titans
linebackers can make plays. He’s a better inside rusher than you would think. Scoutspeak:
"The unsung hero of the Titans’ defense. Does the dirty work."
DT John Parrella / Chargers
A self-made player who was originally cut by the Bills. Does not look pretty but gets
it done. Scoutspeak: "Nobody will outwork or out-tough him. He
always gives you an honest day’s work."
LB Marvcus Patton / Chiefs
A longtime starter who never had the ability to be a starter. Everyone wants to replace
him every year, but the team that let him go (Redskins) regretted it, and the Chiefs
can’t seem to get him out of their lineup. Scoutspeak: "He is
not very big and not very fast, and he is stiff. But he still is an effective run-down
guy."
LB Greg Biekert / Raiders
A run-down type of player with terrific instincts who anticipates well, which helps him
compensate for his lack of speed. Scoutspeak: "You always want
someone bigger, better and faster, but it seems like he has been starting forever, and
they win with him starting."
LB Tedy Bruschi / Patriots
An undersized college defensive end who always has given 110 percent. Bruschi does not
have all the traits you want in a linebacker, but he is still the Patriots’ most
effective linebacker because of how well Bill Belichick uses him and schemes around what
he can and can’t do. Scoutspeak: "I never felt he would be more
than a role player, but Belichick has done a marvelous job of hiding his limitations and
getting the most out of him."
CB Antoine Winfield / Bills
He was always considered too small, but he is both mentally and physically tough as
nails and has good cover skills. Scoutspeak: "As feisty as they come
and one of the toughest run-support corners around."
CB Otis Smith / Patriots
He never had much talent, but he makes himself useful. Smart, savvy veteran with
leadership qualities. Scoutspeak: "His intangibles keep him in the
league. He shows the young guys how to do it right."
S Sammy Knight / Saints
One reason he was moved to linebacker in college was his lack of speed, yet he has
turned into a very effective safety and the Saints’ best defensive back. Knight is a
playmaker and tough guy. Scoutspeak: "He beats you with anticipation
and toughness."
S Chad Cota / Colts
Lacks speed and cover skills but is a hard-nosed player with great anticipation. Scoutspeak:
"You always plan to replace him with a better athlete and then keep him in the lineup
because he gives you your best chance to win." |
