No.10 - Scott Gomez
New York Rangers, NHL
When the New Jersey Devils come up in hockey conversations, the first topic of discussion is usually about goaltender Martin Brodeur. Subsequent topics include General Manager Lou Lamoriello, the coaching staff and the defensive system.
Needless to say, Scott Gomez didn’t receive a ton of attention while averaging about 64 points per season in his seven years with the team. Nonetheless, Gomez was always considered an underrated center despite being one of the league’s best -- even though he didn’t get the acclaim.
Since the New York Rangers signed him to a seven-year $51.5 million contract in 2008, Scott Gomez has moved into the overpaid and overrated group. Gomez has been a marginal difference-maker in New York, at times not even anchoring the top line.
Needless to say, Scott Gomez didn’t receive a ton of attention while averaging about 64 points per season in his seven years with the team. Nonetheless, Gomez was always considered an underrated center despite being one of the league’s best -- even though he didn’t get the acclaim.
Since the New York Rangers signed him to a seven-year $51.5 million contract in 2008, Scott Gomez has moved into the overpaid and overrated group. Gomez has been a marginal difference-maker in New York, at times not even anchoring the top line.
No.9 - Michael Beasley
Miami Heat, NBA
Michael Beasley was supposed to be a surefire, can’t-miss NBA prospect. The Miami Heat haven’t missed, it’s just that the franchise hit on what looks more like Troy Murphy than Carmelo Anthony.
The most disconcerting part of his rookie season has been that of all the prospects in the 2008 NBA Draft, Beasley was considered the one to be the most NBA-ready.
So far, Beasley has been a pedestrian contributor. After being an absolute monster on the glass in college, Michael Beasely is averaging just over five rebounds a game -- and that’s on a team that could desperately use his rebounding prowess.
Beasley isn’t a bust, but considering Mario Chalmers has been the most impressive rookie on the Heat so far, he doesn’t look like he’ll be the superstar everyone expected.
The most disconcerting part of his rookie season has been that of all the prospects in the 2008 NBA Draft, Beasley was considered the one to be the most NBA-ready.
So far, Beasley has been a pedestrian contributor. After being an absolute monster on the glass in college, Michael Beasely is averaging just over five rebounds a game -- and that’s on a team that could desperately use his rebounding prowess.
Beasley isn’t a bust, but considering Mario Chalmers has been the most impressive rookie on the Heat so far, he doesn’t look like he’ll be the superstar everyone expected.
No.8 - Reggie Bush
New Orleans Saints, NFL
Since he’s been overrated for so long, it’s hard to remember a time when Reggie Bush was underrated, but early on in his NFL career he was. On draft day, the Houston Texans were tabbed as morons for passing on the guy who was supposed to rewrite NFL rushing records.
As the New Orleans Saints got its hands on him, Reggie Bush was still underrated on some levels as the team figured out how to use him and incorporate him into the game plan.
Now, he falls into the category of underrated athletes who’ve become overrated. Reggie Bush is a good player, but unfortunately he won’t meet the hype simply because he’s a ‘tweener; he can’t run the ball 20 times per game between the tackles, and he’s not big enough to be a wide receiver.
Unfortunately, most teams don’t build their franchise around a very expensive return man who is mostly effective as a receiver out of the backfield, who is also injury prone.
As the New Orleans Saints got its hands on him, Reggie Bush was still underrated on some levels as the team figured out how to use him and incorporate him into the game plan.
Now, he falls into the category of underrated athletes who’ve become overrated. Reggie Bush is a good player, but unfortunately he won’t meet the hype simply because he’s a ‘tweener; he can’t run the ball 20 times per game between the tackles, and he’s not big enough to be a wide receiver.
Unfortunately, most teams don’t build their franchise around a very expensive return man who is mostly effective as a receiver out of the backfield, who is also injury prone.
No.7 - Yao Ming
Houston Rockets, NBA
Yao Ming is good for nearly a double-double every time he steps onto the court, but considering the hype that surrounded the Chinese center when he was drafted first overall in the 2002 NBA Draft, he has failed to meet expectations. He was underrated in his early years while people waited on the Rockets to emerge as that sexy sleeper in the West, but now that he hasn’t developed into a dominant player and the Rockets haven’t evolved much, they’ve both become overrated.
Yao Ming is good for about two billion All-Star votes every year, but in reality he’s just a good center -- not an All-Star.
When it comes to bodying up the other big men in the NBA, Yao has proved to be softer than Charmin bathroom tissue. Although Tracy McGrady gets a bad rap for failing to take the Houston Rockets beyond the first round of the playoffs, Yao equally deserves much of the credit for that.
Yao Ming is good for about two billion All-Star votes every year, but in reality he’s just a good center -- not an All-Star.
When it comes to bodying up the other big men in the NBA, Yao has proved to be softer than Charmin bathroom tissue. Although Tracy McGrady gets a bad rap for failing to take the Houston Rockets beyond the first round of the playoffs, Yao equally deserves much of the credit for that.
No.6 - T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Seattle Seahawks, NFL
A few years ago, T.J. Houshmandzadeh was that long-named wide receiver that Carson Palmer threw to when Chad Johnson was double-covered. Now T.J. Houshmandzadeh is demanding the ball and signing contracts for Randy Moss-type money.
Although he used to be an underrated wideout and one of the league’s best No. 2 receivers, Houshmandzadeh has stepped out of Ocho Cinco’s shadow and is now overrated as he packs his bags for Seattle.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old benefited playing for the Bengals, who were frequently behind in games. In a West Coast offense in Seattle, he’s not likely to be topping 90 receptions or making the Pro Bowl anymore.
Although he used to be an underrated wideout and one of the league’s best No. 2 receivers, Houshmandzadeh has stepped out of Ocho Cinco’s shadow and is now overrated as he packs his bags for Seattle.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old benefited playing for the Bengals, who were frequently behind in games. In a West Coast offense in Seattle, he’s not likely to be topping 90 receptions or making the Pro Bowl anymore.
No.5 - Martin Havlat
Chicago Blackhawks, NHL
Earlier on in his career, Martin Havlat was itching to get away from the Ottawa Senators so that he could be a top-line forward and get more of the spotlight. In 2006, he got his chance as the Chicago Blackhawks traded for him and then signed him to a three-year $18 million contract.
Many people, including the Blackhawks, felt he was underrated and potentially a hidden gem with franchise potential. Early on in his first year, he briefly led the league in scoring, but that’s been about it for Havlat. Since then, he’s been injury prone and disappointing for the Blackhawks.
He’s back to his familiar role of being a second-line scorer, once again in the shadow of better players.
Many people, including the Blackhawks, felt he was underrated and potentially a hidden gem with franchise potential. Early on in his first year, he briefly led the league in scoring, but that’s been about it for Havlat. Since then, he’s been injury prone and disappointing for the Blackhawks.
He’s back to his familiar role of being a second-line scorer, once again in the shadow of better players.
No.4 - Tony Romo
Dallas Cowboys, NFL
When Drew Bledsoe was an option as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo was one of the most underrated players in the league.
Now that he’s starting full-time, dating Texan blodes and still making Bledsoe-like gaffes in critical moments, Romo has moved into the overrated category.
While some quarterbacks have excuses to fall back on, such as shoddy protection, or the lack of a running game or limited weapons in the passing game, Tony Romo has enough riches to give Mike Martz a wet dream.
Tony Romo was underrated when he came out of nowhere, but now that he’s failing to bring the Cowboys to the Promised Land -- he’s moved into the overrated category.
Now that he’s starting full-time, dating Texan blodes and still making Bledsoe-like gaffes in critical moments, Romo has moved into the overrated category.
While some quarterbacks have excuses to fall back on, such as shoddy protection, or the lack of a running game or limited weapons in the passing game, Tony Romo has enough riches to give Mike Martz a wet dream.
Tony Romo was underrated when he came out of nowhere, but now that he’s failing to bring the Cowboys to the Promised Land -- he’s moved into the overrated category.
No.3 - Novak Djokovic
Tennis
Heading into the 2008 tennis season, Novak Djokovic was an up-and-coming sleeper on the ATP Tour. After a couple deep runs in three of the four 2007 Grand Slams, there were some whispers that Djokovic had the talent to compete with the elite company of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Novak Djokovic broke through with a win at the 2008 Australian Open, but he hasn’t been in the same class as Federer or Nadal since.
He lacks composure, he gets frustrated quickly and he doesn’t have the poise that the greats do. Furthermore, the imitations of the other pro tennis players that used to be funny are now played out and the trash-talking that he used to do for mind games now comes off as insecurity on his part.
Novak Djokovic broke through with a win at the 2008 Australian Open, but he hasn’t been in the same class as Federer or Nadal since.
He lacks composure, he gets frustrated quickly and he doesn’t have the poise that the greats do. Furthermore, the imitations of the other pro tennis players that used to be funny are now played out and the trash-talking that he used to do for mind games now comes off as insecurity on his part.
No.2 - Vernon Wells
Toronto Blue Jays, MLB
There was a time when Vernon Wells was expected to become one of the best five-tool players in baseball and one of the premier outfielders in the game.
Like that Mad TV skit, we now have lowered expectations.
Vernon Wells used to be an underrated player when his contract was manageable and when he was a productive hitter hidden in the batting lineup behind Carlos Delgado.
However, as the $18 million man who is the “franchise” player of the Toronto Blue Jays, Vernon Wells has failed to be a difference maker. He’s making significantly more money than players like Alberto Pujols, or even his teammate and true franchise player Roy Halladay, but unlike the other two stars, he’s overrated.
Like that Mad TV skit, we now have lowered expectations.
Vernon Wells used to be an underrated player when his contract was manageable and when he was a productive hitter hidden in the batting lineup behind Carlos Delgado.
However, as the $18 million man who is the “franchise” player of the Toronto Blue Jays, Vernon Wells has failed to be a difference maker. He’s making significantly more money than players like Alberto Pujols, or even his teammate and true franchise player Roy Halladay, but unlike the other two stars, he’s overrated.
No.1 - Matt Cassel
Kansas City Chiefs, NFL
It feels like just yesterday that the only thing we knew about Matt Cassel was that he hadn’t started a football game since high school. Now he’s going to make $14.59 million in 2009 thanks to a franchise tag and the Kansas City Chiefs believe that he’s going to be a franchise quarterback.
If there ever was a definition for underrated to overrated athlete, Matt Cassel’s face would be in the illustrated dictionary.
Cassel could turn out to be a good player, but there’s an even bigger chance that he’s the next Scott Mitchell. Bill Belichick has a history of coaching players up and making them perform better than their norm and it’s suspicious that Belichick would give him away for only a second-round pick.
If there ever was a definition for underrated to overrated athlete, Matt Cassel’s face would be in the illustrated dictionary.
Cassel could turn out to be a good player, but there’s an even bigger chance that he’s the next Scott Mitchell. Bill Belichick has a history of coaching players up and making them perform better than their norm and it’s suspicious that Belichick would give him away for only a second-round pick.
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