NFL Unsung Heroes Through Week 3

Mainstream media outlets focus on the heroes in sports. When a team is winning, especially in the NFL, the spotlight is immediately placed upon the face-of-the-franchise.

Guys like Drew Brees, Jay Cutler, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are receiving the bulk of attention for their respective teams hot starts. Don’t get me wrong; these men are integral parts of their team’s current and future success.

But lost in all of this are almost forgotten entities to the national media. Key players that have been equally important and whose impact is appreciated in the locker-room and the community are overshadowed by big name teammates receiving all the attention.

Lets take a look at the men lurking in the shadows, orchestrating brilliant performances behind-the-scenes week after week. These are my unsung heroes of the young NFL season.

Disclaimer: These players are listed in no specific order of importance or impact, but rather the order in which I could think of them. 

Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears

This acknowledgment is for the entire offensive supporting cast for the Bears. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall have been great together since their early days in Denver. Last season was no exception. Marshall was second in the league with 118 receptions and was the center point of the Chicago offense. And while some will say that was the biggest strength of the offense, many more will be quick to point out that was the team’s biggest weakness. Too often was the Bears offense stagnant; failing to move the ball consistently when the Cutler to Marshall connection was taken away. The defense has and always will be a dominant, turnover-forcing machine. But they could only bail the offense out so many times. The team won 10 games last season, but was left out of the playoffs. This season, the team seems to have a different approach. Head Coach and offensive guru Marc Trestman understands the importance of balance. Matt Forte is healthy and more involved in the offense. More importantly, the addition of Tight End Martellus Bennett and the maturation of second-year Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffery provide Cutler with two big, reliable targets. Brandon Marshall still leads the team in receptions up to this point, but the balance Bennett and Jeffery provide has allowed the offense to sustain long, point-producing drives. If this pattern continues for the Bears, they should improve upon their 10 wins from a season ago.

Daryl Smith, Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens defense was a question mark for the team entering this season for the first time in more than a decade. The acquisition of Elvis Dumervil was the big story, but the signing of Middle Linebacker Daryl Smith was equally, if not more, important. The all-time leading tackler for the Jaguars franchise, Smith moved to Baltimore to help fill the void left by Ray Lewis and Dannelle Ellerbe. Smith has done just that. Labeled by coach John Harbaugh as “the most underrated player of the last decade,” Smith has taken control as the man-in-the-middle for the Baltimore defense. The Ravens can’t and don’t expect Smith to be the next Ray Lewis, but he’s doing a great job assuring teammates and fans alike that they are in good hands.

Giovanni Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals 

Like the Ravens, the Bengals sit atop the AFC North at 2-1. Considered as many to be the favorites in the division, Cincinnati has done nothing to dispel that notion. Everyone was introduced to Geno Atkins and the Bengals relentless pass-rush last year, and we’ve seen Andy Dalton and A.J. Green turn into a dynamic quarterback-wide receiver duo. The missing ingredient last season, and many before, was the lack of explosive plays from the running back position. Enter Bernard. I’ve had my eye on this kid ever since a Tar Heel-crazed friend of mine anointed him as a Heisman Trophy candidate entering his final season. Naturally, I thought he was crazy. But after watching the Gio at North Carolina, during Hard Knocks and throughout the beginning of this young NFL season, the talent Bernard possesses cannot be ignored. The first three games have seen Bernard and incumbent BenJarvus Green-Ellis essentially split time in the backfield. Working the rookie into the NFL game is a smart move by the Bengals. Having said that, the sooner Cincinnati can move Bernard to the featured back role, the sooner they become a more explosive offense. Green-Ellis is a great mentor and ground-and-pound back, but Bernard should assume the starring role in the backfield. Soon.

Brian Hartline, Miami Dolphins 

The addition of speedster Mike Wallace had Dolphins fans excited. A young team ready to take the next step, Wallace was the dynamic playmaker missing from a season ago. He has looked good, and so has the offense. But the key component on this offense has been fellow receiver Brian Hartline. He has been the consistent pass-catcher alongside the explosive Wallace. Hartline has 19 receptions on 29 targets, turning those catches into 238 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His consistent play has allowed the Dolphin’s offense to take chances downfield and to establish a ground game. While neither has showed up consistently on the field for the Dolphins, the presence of Hartline allows the offense to take those chances. The running game needs to improve, but with Hartline serving as a security blanket for Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the team has time to get that worked out.

The Entire Saints Defense 

The return of Head Coach Sean Payton was the big story heading into this season for New Orleans. After struggling last year without him, Payton has restored the calming confidence this team has played with during his tenure. Drew Brees and the offense are rolling yet again, but the bigger story is the quick turnaround from the defensive unit. Ranked last in almost every statistical category last year, new Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan has his unit playing well. Extremely well. Throughout their first three games this season, the Saints defense has held each opponent to 17 points or less. Considering that was a feat the team accomplished in only three games a season ago, the defensive unit should earn as much praise as anyone. Scoring points has never been a problem for the Saints, but stopping teams from scoring was a big one last year. If the defense can continue to keep opponents out of the endzone, the team’s goal of reclaiming the NFC South title will become a reality.