Unsung Heroes

[Mol3m4n]

It may be too early to count eggs, but I believe the chicken is coming home to roost. I think a few players need to be honored for helping us get to 8-0. And perhaps time for some crow? 

1. Michael Oher

Where did you go Gettlemanjack? Many people were critical of Oher before the season began. Hell, it carried well over into week 2. However, Oher has proven his doubters wrong. Although he may not be a top end tackle in the league (some would argue that he wasn't even average), I have to give the man credit for being a SIGNIFICANT upgrade over Byron Bell. I'm not scared every play, and in fact, Oher didn't give up a single pressure last week.

2. Kony Ealy

Sure, he has spells in which he disappears, but Ealy has made progressions to be an every down defensive end. For every play where he doesn't even seem like he's in the game, Ealy comes through with a shining moment. Examples are his tackle of Russell Wilson and domination of Bulaga. I'm very excited for Ealy's future.

3. Roman Harper

I know, I know. Harper still sucks in coverage. Harper, to me, is the worst starter on this defense. However, Harper has made a great improvement from last year and is quietly having great games. I'm willing to suck up my pride and give the recognition Roman deserves. Perhaps his best quality is the leadership he provides to the secondary. 

Honorable Mention: Philly Brown

Brown received a pallet load of flack during preseason. I just gave one word for his haters. 0 drops in the regular season. 

Do you guys have any other unsung heroes? 

[ErgentSeth]

David Mayo. Dude's been a beast with the special teams unit. 

[Adb6368]

It's probably a good sign when your worst defensive starter makes game saving pass deflections, constantly comes up to stop the run, and is always the first one on the field after a made extra point or field goal to greet the hogmollies jogging off.

I'm not disagreeing with you at all he is probably our worst offensive starter. But being the worst student accepted into Harvard is still an accomplishment.

[arbnranger]

Nice post. 

What I've been impressed with is that it seems every week someone steps up and makes a play when we need it. 

Big blocks, huge third down stops and hard fought first downs seem to happen every game when we need them.... From different players. 

[nctarheel0619]

Mike Tolbert, the man had a 40 yard scamper against the Colts.  Against the Eagles, he had two TD's at the Goal Line when needed.  Not to mention, he plays on Special Teams too. 

[Clicheking]

I have to agree on Oher and eat a little crow. I was critical of the signing in the off season, and hyper critical of him after reports of him being worked over by Frank Alexander in camp. He's been a significant upgrade of Bell. I like my crow medium rare.

[morgan55]

Joe webb

[!stUp]

12 minutes ago, morgan55 said:

Joe webb

The "swiss army knife" of our team.

[KB_fan]

JJ Jensen is probably the true unsung hero..., along with the other Special Teamers who go out and make plays with virtually no one noticing or writing.  It's great that we've got guys like Webb, Bersin, Teddy Willliams, Colin Jones, etc. who are just willing to do what's needed.

AJ Klein also still gets a huge vote of appreciation and respect from me too the way he capably filled in for Luke during his absence and now takes a back seat again to the starters.

Not wanting to change the topic... bur trying to think of unsung heros made me look again more closely at our roster for the first time in a few weeks.

Here's a list of all the players who have started for us this year (sorted by number of starts, highest to lowest)

A few of these guys don't have overwhelming stats (Dickson, Bersin, Jones, Velasco) but there is NOT 1 that I feel concerned about or wish we could get off our roster.  What a change from last year. 

Then you look at the others who have played so far this year:

Apart from Brockel who is now on IR, and possibly Norwood who is still an unknown, is there any guy there that we think is taking up space?  Some, like Simonson, it's much too early to really assess. 

To be honest, one of the only guys on the roster who has disappointed me a bit has been my "own" Panther adoptee Fozzy.  He's not had a really exicting year so far.  Hoping the 2nd half he will make some big plays.

Anyway, it's amazing what an 8-0 record will do.  There's so little bickering or complaining about bad players and who's not pulling their weight.  But I think it's not ONLY winning that's made the change, but the fact that these really HAVE been team wins.  It's quite hard to find a guy who's played who hasn't tangibly contributed in an important way in at least one of our wins.  Dave Gettleman has done a fantastic job with the roster.  What you do with the bottom of the roster really DOES show up in the win column!

[Peppers90 NC]

Klein filled in great for Luke, but having been noticed, he may not qualify for "unsung"

 

Joe Webb certainly would, though.

[EightyNine]

Jerricho Clutchery

[GRWatcher]

Teddy Williams

He's a special teams ace who was getting more than his share of penalties early in the season. But not lately & that is a big improvement game to game. He's working hard to get better. He also is the one that goes in when Norman or any other CB has to come out for a play or two. 

[CRA]

Easily Jonathan Stewart.

dude does some big time dirty work.  people overlook him b/c his runs don't wow...but he is huge in this O.  

We aren't getting lots of 3rd and longs all day b/c he goes forward.  

We are the #1 rush team and we don't have great run blocking.  Cam and Stew are taking a beating.  

Take Stew out and we are a different O IMO.  Same can be said for others but dude never gets love 

[shaqattaq]

Coleman, Cotchery and Tolbert have all been said, but I agree with all 3 (in addition to Ealy, Oher, and Harper). I think Ginn needs to be mentioned. Sure he drops some passes, but we kinda expected that from him. He's had to step up and play as  1 receiver, which is a lot more than he was brought in for. He was supposed to return punts, and be a situational receiver. With KB goin down in training camp and Funchess taking time to develop, Ginn has stepped up his game more than any other receiver to fill that huge void. He's done this while being constantly ridiculed; Cam is winning in spite of having to throw to Ginn is often brought up by the media.