Nalen Tagged as Most Underrated Player in NFL

[Liquid Courage]

Didn't see this posted anywhere, but the folks at Cold, Hard Football Facts.com nominated Nails as the most underrated player in the NFL. :strong:

While these guys got on my crap list for their review of the best QBs in history (which was laughable), they at least came through in recognizing Nails for what he is - the anchor of an historically great offensive line.

Let's hope he gets healthy soon . . . .

http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Article.php?Page=2367

1. Tom Nalen, C, Denver
Super Bowl rings? Two. Pro Bowls? Five. Nalen hasn’t allowed a sack since 2005, and has been the man for a Broncos team that has allowed the third-fewest sacks (395) in the NFL since 1995. In 2002, when he was in his prime, the Broncos had scored 26.1 PPG and were 5-2. Then Nalen went down with an injury. In his absence, they went 4-5 and averaged 20.9 PPG.

Nalen has been the rock of the great Denver lines for more than a decade – when Terrell Davis was dominating the league, he was doing it behind Nalen. Yet he’ll struggle to make the Hall of Fame. (Speaking of struggling, the Broncos will be doing it without him this Monday night; he’s got a knee injury). His obscurity isn’t helped by his position (low man on the OL totem pole), low draft status (7th round) and silence (he’s a Bronco lineman, for God’s sake, and they never talk, period).

But if you happen to be in Denver and see a 6-foot-3, 286 pound white man in his late 30s walking past you on the street, limping slightly and probably looking the other way, take some time to consider: I just walked past the most underrated player in the NFL.

[Kaylore]

About time.

[MO<1>]

Agree. Nalen should be All-World and a future Hall of Famer. That is just the rewards of being a hated Bronco by the rest of the NFL fans.

[montrose]

Unfortunately, Tom's stand-off nature with the media will likely cost him the HOF.

[Liquid Courage]

Totally agree. Of all my years of following the Broncos and going to events to meet the players and such, two players always stood out: Nails and Al Wilson. Not because they are cordial, quick whitted or even down to earth . . . . but because they are intense, dominating figures that give you the feeling that they are staring through your eyes to the back of your skull. They are warriors and throw-backs, and I wish we had a LOT more of those types on our team.

Which, incidentally, is why I have been so please with Clady's demeanor with the press . . . . he just might inject a bit of that nastiness that we so desperately need with Nails out.

[Rock Chalk]

I dont know. Zipperhead hates to love Nalen and while he will make remarks about the guy every year on his all-pro team, Nalen is almost always his center. Despite Zipperheads hatred of all things west of the mississippi, he does recognize Nalen as the best center of his era.

I think he will make a case for him in the HoF. Just a gut feeling.

[kmonty]

Nalen should be a Hall of Famer, hands down.

The center position in general is totally underrated. Look at the Chargers and Colts yesterday - both missing their starting centers, both getting upset big time.

[bronco militia]

it's too bad no one cares about www.coldhardfootballfacts.com

[RaiderH8r]

Nails is all world and underappreciated by folks who generally know dick about football. Dermonti Dawson, awesome. Jeff Saturday, no slouch. Mike Webster, he can play on my Y-League team (don't bother pointing out he's dead, I know, I'm making a point). The list goes on, but the center anchors the line, makes the calls and farts on the QB when he gets too big for his britches. They're an invaluable cog in the wheels of offensive productivity. Nails is arguably at the top of that list.