Maybe Aaron Smith isn't so underrated

by CarlWeathersMustache on Jun 30, 2009 3:37 PM EDT Comment 9 comments

Football Outsiders released a tease of their Top 25 Underrated Players of the decade list:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/fo-espn-feature-columns/2009/ei-25-most-overratedunderrated-players-decade

Aaron Smith was number 4, behind Derrick Mason, Matt Lepsis, and Adrian Wilson. Personally, I tend to agree with the Mason pick because you always hear how the Ravens need receivers yet Mason continually comes up big for them, especially against one of the best defenses in the NFL (the Steelers, of course).

In any case, this is more acknowledgement of Aaron Smith's "underratedness." Of course, we continually hear comments from gameday announcers and fellow players about how Smith is great and underrated. Which makes me think: the only way in which Smith is underrated is in number of Pro Bowls. Everyone seems to acknowledge he is one of, if not the best, 3-4 end in the league. But he doesn't get sacks, so he doesn't get votes from a lot of fans (especially fans of the casual variety), and doesn't get Pro Bowls. Of course, no Pro Bowls and few sacks means no ESPN press, but that matters little to people like A. Smith. Other than Pro Bowl tallies, Aaron Smith garners the respect of one of the best in the game at his position. Maybe he is just "underdecorated", as opposed to "underrated?"

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underrated

except on BTSC ;)

by tkired on Jun 30, 2009 6:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

3- 4 DE is least appreciated position in football

It’s not just Smith, it’s a number of players around the league who get very little publicity for playing DE in a 3-4. One of the few exceptions is Richard Seymour, a five-time Pro Bowler who was a high-profile first-round draft pick, has made a lot of money and has ridden the Patriots PR gravy train most of the decade. Ask 100 NFL fans who has more sacks in the last five years, Smith or Seymour, and 99 of them would probably say Seymour. It’s actually a trick question because it’s a tie at 22.5 sacks. Smith has 42 career sacks, Seymour 39 in one less season as a starter. Smith has more tackles than Seymour the last five years and has been a key part of a better run defense, so who is actually the better and more valuable player to his team? We all saw what happened when Smith went down late in the 07 season. Over the last eight years the Steelers have paid Smith about half what the Patriots have paid Seymour, and received a similar level of performance. Smith is also likely to play his full career in Pittsburgh while the Patriots will probably have to get rid of Seymour unless he takes a huge paycut. Smith is one of the most valuable players on the team in every respect: on the field, in the locker room and within the salary cap. It would be nice if all this publicity about being underrated resulted in the national media and most fans finally understanding just how good, and how important, he really is.

by steeler.lifer on Jun 30, 2009 11:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

3- 4 DE is least appreciated position in football

Word. There’s just no way for those guys to get known by a majority of the football population. Coaches, announcers, and football junkies can get really into 3-4 DEs, but fans never will. There’s nothing to watch besides great foot, handwork, and smarts, so most people don’t bother. All the belichick votes in the world aren’t going to help him make the pro-bowl if the fans don’t vote, and the pro-bowl doesn’t have a distinction between 3-4 DEs and 4-3 DEs.

The only managing Ben does is that he manages to win games. - chewiesteeler

by steelguy99 on Jul 1, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seymour

Is not as good as Ty Warren imo. He is not required to consistently two gap like Smith and Warren and does not consistently disrupt with penetration. He’s a slight upgrade over Brett Keisel. A typical “name” player who’s reputation is based on a high draft pick and a couple good years early in his career.

by SteelerFan Ben on Jul 1, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep, your title says it all. Any and every 3-4 DE worth anything is underrated. The fact that Smith is one of the best, if not the best, current 3-4 DE just makes him the most underrated right now.

by Bezekira on Jul 1, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The front seven are judged mostly by sack total. It’s a testament to how pass-happy the league is, and how QB centered we are.

The best DE’s are the edge rushers, teh best DT’s are guys that play a rush position and record sacks. NFL network listed their best 10 DT’s, it was Rod Woodson, and his list had Haymesworth as the only DT that wasn’t a pass rusher. It was sad.

by Phantaskippy on Jul 1, 2009 12:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Best Part of Smith's "Under-ratedness"

Is that he seems to want to keep it that way. He’s a unique guy in the world of look-at-me professional sports.

On a side note, Smith had a very rough childhood – alcoholic/very abusive father. Makes his success in life all the more impressive. A tip of the cap to you, Mr. Smith.

by Weegie on Jul 1, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Or... Ready for this...

He is underrated, still. Perhaps the fourth most underrated player in the league as this list states he is. This isn’t the list of best players, d linemen, even defensive ends. Its underrated players. Meaning, in most people’s eyes, he is just as underrated as we all know he is. Love this guy, we’d never be where we are without him.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jul 1, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs