Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: Nick Mangold, Laveranues Coles, Kerry Rhodes, All-Underrated Team
06/20 — Dave Gladow's 22-player All-Underrated Team went up on nfl.com in the last two days, and Gladow does well by the New York Jets.
WR Laveranues Coles, he writes, "never seems to get the credit he deserves. He gets it here."
Nick Mangold "stepped right in for the departed Kevin Mawae at center and the team didn't miss a beat" and "was as solid as a rock."
And Gladow agrees with many NFL fans, not just wearers of the Green & White, in saying that S Kerry Rhodes "stepped his game up to an all-pro level" and is "one of the league's bright young stars."
You can check out all 22 here, those players the author thinks "had great seasons in 2006 and yet are still flying under the radar headed into 2007." Well, under some radars.
And I'd also like to hear from you. Send me a comment on nfl.com's selections and on which Jets you think are most underrated as we hurtle toward Training Camp '07.
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (50)Ira Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 1:05pm ET"Rhodes is a no brainer. Mangold is a Pro Bowl player for years to come. He put too many 1st year players on the list. Furrey {ex-Jet and Dragon} well deserved. D-Rob you could add to this list. He doesn't get enough credit. Add Cotchery also."
Dwight Stone Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 1:14pm ET"Just want you to know I live in Bucharest, Romania, and am following this site for all your interesting articles.I think if the O.L. hlds this year we can have a big year.I think the "D" is ready.Thanks much Dwight"
Ira Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 1:21pm ET"Randy, Furrey has to be the best story on this list. As you know he walked out of Jets camp in 2002 because he was a Chrebet clone. Martz brings him in and then converts him to a safety after trying WR 1st. Then Martz brings him to the Lions as a WR and he has a breakout year. Great player."
Jetsfan#15 Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 1:31pm ET"These definitely are underrated players, but some were forgotten. Like Jonathan Vilma Shaun Ellis, and our offensive leader Chad Pennington. I'd say this whole organization is underrated. The coaching staff lead by Eric and our owners are doing an exceling job."
Jaro Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 1:34pm ET"Lots of underrated players on the Jets, but those are definitely the three that are ridiculously underrated. Kerry Rhodes not making the Pro-Bowl was an abomination, and hopefully people will soon see how good this guy really is."
billvv Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 2:35pm ET"Only two teams, Bills and Raiders, had even two players noted. Jets had three. Gives you some idea HOW underrated the Jets are!"
Brandon Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 3:26pm ET"QB- Billy Volek RB- Michael Pittman and Ladell Betts FB Dan Kreider TE Chris Cooley & Eric Johnson WR- Donald Driver, Laverneus Coles DE Aaron Schobel, Robert Mathis DT Ty Warren Kelly Gregg LB DJ Williams,Kawika Mitchell,Kirk Morrison CB Deshea Townsend Nnamdi Asimugha S Kerry Rhodes, Sean Jones"
Kyle Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 3:37pm ET"I still cant believe that Chad was on the overrated side of a similar argument about a week ago. But I have to agree with the three mentioned in this article. Kerry Rhodes is going to be a stud in this league for a while if he stays healthy. We need to wrap him up quick. Jets under the radar!!"
Ira Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 4:18pm ET"Ben Graham is also another underrated player. He was 12th in overall punting but 6th overall in the fewest amount of punts that were returned. He punted 72 times and only 28 were returned. Randy, another player that goes under the radar is Dearth who you wrote about earlier on your stat chart."
RJ Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 4:34pm ET"These 3 are not underrated. Everyone agrees: Rhodes played well and was snubbed by not being picked for the probowl; Mangold for a 1st year player, played very good; Coles, hey he's not an elite WR so he doesn't get that kinda attention. Chad is for sure underrated and this year will show it."
Chris Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 5:02pm ET"Chad Pennington is also underrated, he brough led his team to a 10-6 record his first season back from injury. If thats not amazing, what is? "
Thomas Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 5:15pm ET"I totally agree with 2 of them Rhoades and Coles and very underatted, but i dont feel Mangold was underatted. People talked more about Mangold last year then did D'Brick. I feel the other lineman Brandon Moore is very underatted he is hardly ever penalized and he has been a solid rock"
Vinny Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 7:27pm ET"Brian Thomas had 50 plus tackles and over 8 sacks. COles to me is an elite WR. He plays injured and goes over the middle"
paul Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 7:35pm ET"chris baker is very underrated. the jets have a weapon they should utilize more often. throw him the @#$% ball ! instead of looking for another tightend every year. he can be one of the best, if given a bigger role. great hands."
PM Leibel Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 7:57pm ET"I think the jets are underrated as a whole unit. 3 years ago they were one misseed fieldgoal away from playing the Patriots in the Conference championships. The next year they had some significant injuries, Changed coaches last year and rebounded with a playoff berth and a 10-6 record. "
Taiwan Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 8:15pm ET"I totally agree with Coles, Mangold, and Rhodes being underrated. But Baker, Maccairens, Crotchery, Dyson, Barton, and especially Chad are plenty more jets that are underrated and not got the respect from the veiwers and the league. This could be superbowl caliber team this year. "
Royal Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 10:22pm ET"The whole team is underrated.You never see them on espn .No matter how good they do it will always be like that.But people will have no choice this season but to notice them .Thier gunna be on point."
Marco Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 11:46pm ET"I agree with the list, but the thing is, the whole team is underrated. On the NFL network, i always see stories about teams like the chargers, titans, and the cowboys, but in reality, the jets played better than some of the teams that are talked about alot. So in reality, the whole team is underated"
Peter Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 12:35am ET"Nugent had a great season and never seems to get mentioned. I also agree that Bryan Thomas had a great year switching from DE to OLB, but a player needs to have more than one solid year to be considered underrated especially a former first round pick."
Pranit Sethi Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 6:46am ET"The jets really need to get it together soon (obviously best if its 2007). Too many years with *just* playoff spots. I know thats good, but is it good enough. Go to go the distance, my man Chad. Want to be a championship QB or no? (the window is closing) "
Ira Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 7:08am ET"Eric Coleman is another player that is underrrated. He was 2nd on the team with 101 tackles and had that big INT in the win against the Pats in New England. Even though E. Smith will push him for playing time this year Coleman and Rhodes make up a very good safety combo."
mike Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 8:14am ET"UMMMM what aout brad smith he saw limited action and played great and he made alot of tackles on special teams hes one day might be the jets best WR"
Matt Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 9:49am ET"What about Jericho Cotchery and his acrobatics??!!?? He's flying so far under the radar that he's not even mentioned on the underated list w/ Coles. In my opinion he's part of the reason for Coles success. In fact, I think they are one of the top 10 recieving tandems in the NFL!!!!"
Ira Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 10:44am ET"Coles and Cotchery were #5 with 173 catches. #1 Holt and Jackson 183 #2 Harrison and Wayne 181 #3 Furrey and Williams 180 #4 TJ and Johnson 177 Coles and Cotchery are amoung the best for sure."
troy Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 11:37am ET"have to agree with the players listed,rhodes is a top 2 or 3 saftey already,cotchery should have gotten the underates nod,coles be doing it for awile,the person missing i thought was the little man who helped carry the O into the playoffs 2nd day pick leon washington with him no playoff what a steal"
Jim Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 1:40pm ET"I'm sick of the Jets getting no respect. They made it to the playoffs with a team in the "rebuilding" process yet barely get mentioned on any NFL talkshows or highlight reels. Bravo to Mr.Gladow to giving some respect to at least a few Jets. I hope the Jets can scoop up a few more "underrated" players."
Maciek Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 3:27pm ET"All I can say is that give Cotchery one more year to settle in and then him and Coles will be in the top three duo for catches and recieving yards. Last year Mangold and Rhodes should have been in the pro bowl and I mean should."
sai Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 3:28pm ET"i think that Coles is a pro bowl receiver and Chad Pennington really played like a pro-bowler and i think we need more respect around the league we need to be talked about more and we need to go to a championship game! and i also think that kerry rhodes is the next ed reed! J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS"
Eric Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 4:50pm ET"Both SS's Coleman and Smith are underrated, paticularly, Coleman. Rarely do I hear anything about him. He's very solid."
zach ezman Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 5:21pm ET"What..no one gives credit to the new coach..Mangini!.... we have a mastermind for a coach and he is slowly setting his pawns for a checkmate ( superbowl ring) THE GREEN WILL HAVE A RING"
manny Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 5:48pm ET"I think that victor Hobson is an underated player as well. He has been a solid player for the jets ever since he became a jet and even in the 3-4 defense he was one of the bright spots and had a pretty good season. In a couple of years this guy will be in the probowl."
Ira Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 7:11pm ET"The Pats for sure won't take Cotchery for granted. In the 3 games he played against them last year he had 16 catches -292 yds-3 TD's. Belichick will not sleep well thinking about stopping him."
gerry Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 7:25pm ET"what and no comments on chad who has taking us to the playoofs more than any other qb in as such a short time"
BK Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 8:20pm ET"ss eric coleman is never hurt, penalized or mentioned, he's solid and a stand up great guy always wins the award for it, chris baker is also under used and will have a break out year, also underated. those three they named, chad and i think moore is pretty good gaurd"
mike Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 11:38pm ET"The green and white will be a solid 12 and 4 team next year becausetheir caoch is a ginus and they can realy suprise allot of teams because all of their weapons. Chad is gonna have a break out year and thomas will score around 15 touchdowns because our line will be solid. J E T S jets jets jets!!!"
Pat Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 11:49pm ET"Kerry really deserved to be on this list. As far as I'm concerned he was robbed of a trip to the Pro-Bowl by John Lynch who had a good year but got the nod more on reputation. He's truly a valuable member to the Jets."
Andrew Jones Said:
Fri, June 22, 2007 - 12:30am ET"What about the entire team!!! Everybody has the pats winning it all this upcoming season. Meanwhile the Green and White have many good players, great coaches and the best fans on the planet. They will fly under the radar again this year and smack the pats in the mouth and win the division."
pat maio Said:
Fri, June 22, 2007 - 8:21am ET"Look for Bryan Thomas to have a breakout year. Physically he's ideal for the 3-4 defense plus he's got speed for a big man. My prediction: pro bowl in the near future."
Mike from albany Said:
Fri, June 22, 2007 - 8:44am ET"I think Ken O'Brien is really underrated, we have a real future with that guy."
john Said:
Fri, June 22, 2007 - 2:12pm ET"the whole team would be considered underrated this year, but one player in particular goes extremely unnoticed...Dearth...And thats how you want him..One of the best in the league if not the best LS..can you remember any missed snaps...I didn't think so."
RJ Said:
Sun, June 24, 2007 - 9:44pm ET"I think Jets fans blind homerism to their team is underrated... :)"
matt Said:
Mon, June 25, 2007 - 6:44pm ET"The entire Jets team is underrated...How often does someone from the Jets appear on T.V? At all? RARELY. I can say 9-7 to 11-5 this year. Mangenius and the draft improved defense will rediscover a long lost Jets team yearning to shine deep in the playoffs. J E T S JETS JETS JETS."
MS Anet Said:
Wed, June 27, 2007 - 3:51pm ET"Jets offense underated always especially TE Chris Baker under used as a receiver. ownes his man blocking. He should be considered premire tight end. Coles should have another great season go J E T S"
Joe Holland Jr Said:
Thu, June 28, 2007 - 2:08pm ET"Yeah i hope you all listen to this. I predict that the N.E. Patszees dont even make the playoffs this year because the JETS, will not only beat them this year . But will embarress them at home. And go on to win the A.F.C. east and will represent the AFC in the Super Bowel and win that also. "
nana Said:
Thu, July 26, 2007 - 7:38pm ET"mccareins underrated never get a chance to play they use him as a decoy"
vegas sal Said:
Sun, July 29, 2007 - 4:10pm ET"defense needs to step up-this attacking O with JONES MAKING LEON, CHAD,COLES,COTCH,BAKER ,SMITH better meaning more points and more freedom-CHAD -changing plays at line of scrimmage. Pressure is on the defense line,linebackers and coaches."
Bryan Said:
Mon, July 30, 2007 - 4:43am ET"BAKER! You guys really need to wake up. That man is a playmaker who needs more chances. Rhodes Warrior is the most under-rated talented young stars in the league. That's gonna change very soon, you can't ignore that kind of talent. Then again they ignored Curtis Martin..."
jaedge71 Said:
Thu, August 2, 2007 - 10:57am ET"Just stay healthy, and the whole team will be noticed as underrated. The Jets are finally on the brink of becoming a championship team. Get injured and we've got yet another " Jets " season. "
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Marker Said:
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 12:35pm ET"Shaun Ellis. Having been tried at so many spots in so many defenses, Ellis is the forgotten man. This year I think we'll see just how solid he is. Honorable mention to DRob. Continually knocked as "ill-suited to NT" all he did was clog the interior the second half of last year"
Offensive Comment?