Former NFL GM names three most underrated players of all-time

03 May 2023 , 19:52

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Former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum has named the three most underrated players in league history

The NFL does a fantastic job in honouring it's former superstars - something that English sports could probably learn from.

With the Pro Football Hall of Fame, 371 players are currently enshrined - given a gold jacket and having a gold bust of themselves placed in the Hall of Fame building in Canton, Ohio.

Like many franchises across all their major sports, NFL teams have their own 'Ring of Honour' with the great players from the past having their names hung inside the stadium and in some cases their number retired. But with only a select few players entered into the Hall of Fame each year, many of legendary players are sometimes sadly forgotten as history goes on.

Former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins general manager Mike Tannenbaum, a man who has been around the game for over 30 years, has looked back at three players who he believes deserves more shine - naming them the three most underrated players in the history of the NFL.

Carl Banks

New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells celebrates with Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks after the Super Bowl XXV

An outside linebacker who spent the majority of his career with the New York Giants, Banks was a tremendously athletic pass-rusher who helped his team win two Super Bowls.

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But in playing alongside the greatest defensive player of all-time, Lawrence Taylor, his greatness was out-shadowed. Tannenbaum said: "He played opposite Lawrence Taylor for most of his career and he could set the edge, rush the passer and cover.

"He did a lot of things in a quite but effective way and he was really strong."

Steve Largent

Seen as the greatest ever Seattle Seahawk, Largent was an undersized, slow and largely unathletic wide receiver.

Where Largent won was with his understanding of the game, his ability to shake his defenders with his pristine route-running and his incredibly safe pair of hands catching the ball.

Steve Largent

He held a number of NFL records after retiring, and later became a US House of Representative for Oklahoma - where he also ran for governor - losing out by less than 1%.

Tannenbaum said: "He was a great receiver for Seattle. He played in a different era so his stats don't really measure up, but he had 100 touchdowns. He was a great route runner and was incredible clutch.

Daryl 'Moose' Johnston

Dallas Cowboys running backs Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston celebrate

A three-time Super Bowl winner on one of the greatest teams of all-time, Daryl Johnston played the thankless position of full-back for the Dallas Cowboys.

Essentially acting as the man clearing the way for the running back and quarterback, Johnston was a battering ram who was essentially an additional offensive lineman himself - while also being a capable rusher - scoring 22 touchdowns in his career.

Tannenbaum commented: "When you think about those great Cowboy teams with Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, it was Daryl Johnson that did a lot of the dirty work - he could pass protect, he could catch and lead the way for Smith."

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