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[diehardlionfan]

The Pettigrew thread got me thinking about how fans view the different Lions and their opinions about the individuals. I am curious how fans view the current roster.

Hopefully this doesn't turn into a bicker fest. Lets just simply list the players we feel are over or underrated.

Underrated

1. Brandon Pettigrew. A first round pick that has been a lightening rod for criticism from fans who didn't agree with his draft position. He is a traditional TE being compared to WR's that play the TE position. He has improved every year.

2. Nate Burleson. One of the team veterans. He is a vocal leader. Takes most snaps from the slot and doesn't give up. He fights when contacted and doesn't give up.

3. Jeff Bachus. What can be said about the Iron Man. In the face of yearly criticism from the fans Backus continues to be a starter even with the addition of a first round LT.

4. Cory Williams. Arguably the best DT on the team. A consistent performer who plays in the shadow of Ndamukong Suh.

5. Sammie Lee Hill. A late round gem. His development has been a fantastic surprise. Hopefully the Lions can get the General Lee signed to an extension.

Overrated

1. Mathew Stafford. A first overall pick who has struggled through injuries his first two seasons. His third season was fantastic however he is off to a rough start this year. The problems we witnessed in Staffords first two seasons have resurfaced in year four. His accuracy and mechanics have been questionable and he hasn't protected the ball well, at times. He is a good QB but has a ways to go before he could be considered elite which many fans in the Lions forum already feel he is.

2. Louis Delmas. After a respectable rookie season he hasn't shown any improvement. A poor tackler that doesn't wrap up and seems to be continually injured.

3. Ndamukong Suh. The highly touted DT had a great rookie season but regressed in his sophomore year. Has the potential to be dominant but has to show discipline and develop for rushing techniques.

4. Cliff Avril. Cliff who? Had an effective season rushing the passer but seems invisible this year. His battle with management for a long term contract with significant guarantee's may be affecting his performance. So far his performance indicates management was correct.

5. Nick Fairley. Not much to say about him except when are we going to see the real Nick Fairley.

6. Titus Young. Big things were expected from him this season. So far the only thing he has demonstrated is some flashy uniform changes.
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Sig by Smack

Team Stylish

[Lionsfanforever]

Going by this season.

Underrated:
Nate Burleson
Sammie Lee Hill
DeAndre Levy

Overrated:
Cliff Avril
Titus Young

[flyguy1609]

Under Rated:
Lo Jack,
DeAndre Levy
Rob Sims,

Over Rated,
T. Young
Avril

[stylish313]

Overrated:
Brandon Pettigrew- Most penalized offensive postion player in the entire league, and is touted as a terrific blocker when he actually grades out as a mediocre run-blocking TE. The softest 6'6"- 265 lb NFL player that I know of.

Matthew Stafford- Even I have fallen for the trap. He's still plagued by inaccuracy issues, and is entirely too skittish when it comes to getting Calvin the ball early every damn game.

Defensive Line- It's about time to quit talking about the Lion's DL as one of the tops in the NFL. I watch teams get more pressure rushing 3, than we do rushing 4 every snap. Our DTs have been pressuring QBs, with minimal results though. It's quite obvious that our DEs are mediocre at best, and were clearly the most overrated unit on our team.

Jim Schwartz- The Lion's have appeared disjointed every game thus far, and our offense has not played to it's strengths. It appears the coaching staff is having an identity crisis offensively, and our STs have been inexcusably bad. The blame ultimately lies with Jim IMO.

Underrated:
Offensive Line- This unit has been superb. Aside from a couple mishaps, they've protected Stafford immaculatly, and proved capable of blocking effectively for Leshoure in his first start. So far in this brief season, this unit is our best and brightest light.

Nate Burleson- Leader, competitor, dependable. Many thought him to be disposable, but he's much too important to the chemistry and functionality of this team. Nate's going nowhere anytime soon.

I'd say Titus is overrated, but we've been all over him since game 1. I, like many overrated him going into the season, but his actions during TC and so far this season have eliminated all of the anticipation I once had for him.

On the opposite side of the Titus spectrum is Chris Houston. I'd deem him underrated, but I feel we all realize how talented and important Houston is. He just keeps reminding us every game he plays.
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Oh no, we suck again
- Calvin's out

[TL-TwoWinsAway]

I'd say that DeAndre Levy is ridiculously underrated, and Gosder Cherilus is also underrated. (He gets the Pettigrew treatment, only more extreme.)

I'm going to put Cliff Avril, Ndamukong Suh and Willie Young in the overrated category.
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Team Stylish

"May my enemies live long so they can see me progress."

[stylish313]

I like to give credit where credit is due, and Levy is definitely performing well so far this season. But last season his impact was minimal, and he was easily the worst of that starting LB unit. I don't believe underrated applies in his case, since his career has been so inconsistent.
_________________
Oh no, we suck again
- Calvin's out

[TL-TwoWinsAway]

[Locke]

Overrated:
Kyle Vandenbosch - The guy has dropped off considerably. There really is no excuse for the guy. I believe when we replace him our defense will improve.
Cliff Avril - I don't see how this guy is worth big money. He plays next to Suh going against right tackles and just isn't producing pre holdout.
Chris Houston - I think he is a good player, however he isn't a number 1 corner in the NFL. If he was our number 2 with a true legit number 1 on the other side of the field he would be solid. It's like the Dallas game last year where they were going after him with Laurent Robinson.
Martin Mayhew - I am probably going to get killed for this. Let me make my case. I'm going to break his era in two halves. 2009-10 and 2011-12. First two drafts were very good, starters across the board. However these last two drafts have a lot of questionmarks. We've spent a lot of resources on players who aren't contributing at this moment. I know injuries happen. I just feel that our team is flawed in the back end to a point where we cannot be a legitimate contender and it is his job to put NFL quality starters out there.

Underrated:
Sammie Lee Hill - He will be a solid starting tackle for somebody one day.
Rob Sims - This guy might be our best offensive lineman, and I never hear his name mentioned for good play.
Calvin Johnson - I think he is still underrated. This guy put maybe 5 wins on the Lions record last year almost single handedly, I think he gets respect in the league but I think he has -by far- the biggest impact on this team's success.

[TL-TwoWinsAway]

[RyanFuller003]

I don't think Pettigrew is underrated. Unfairly criticized maybe, but I don't think anyone here is calling him the worst TE in the league at this point . . . they're saying he's average, which he is. While he did realize a dramatic improvement from year 1 to year 2, I really haven't seen much improvement out of him since then. His numbers were up a little last year versus 2010, but I think that's largely because we threw so much in 2011.

I'd throw Willie Young onto the list of overrated players. People act as if he'd come in and immediately replace Cliff Avril with no dropoff whatsoever, but Young has done next to nothing in the NFL outside of preseason.

I think most of us overrated Titus going into the season, but right now I think he's in danger of being underrated. He's frustrated us with some big mistakes, but he is still capable of being a playmaker. I think his struggles early on this year owe largely to Stafford's struggles with his accuracy.

[TL-TwoWinsAway]

[Locke]

[Lionsfanforever]

[TL-TwoWinsAway]

[Locke]