Top ten underrated Bears since 85. I agree this may seem a little random but here was my motivation. Darnell Mooney may be the most underrated player in the NFL today, and I don’t know if there is enough to write an entire article on that. It made me start thinking of other underrated Bears however, and I chose 85 because that’s the year I was born, and my knowledge on the team before then is very good, but not good enough. I don’t know enough about players like Doug Buffone, or Ed O’Bradovich who would deserve to be on the all-time underrated list. As bad as the Bears were in the 90s those were the teams I grew up with and fell in love with. The 2000’s I finally got to see some winning teams. Here are my 10 top underrated Bears of those years outside of Mooney.
10. Marcus Robinson
Robinson was the Bears top receiver for about a four year span including 1999. That season he was a Pro-bowl snub catching 84 passes for 1,400 yards and nine TD’s. I always thought of him as a baby Randy Moss making a lot of spectacular catches on Cade Mcnown ducks.
9. James “big cat” Williams
This 6-7 monster was a staple at right tackle for years. In 1994 he missed one game. He would play the next eight seasons with out missing another and made the Pro-bowl in 2001.
8. Erik Kramer
Kramer was a solid quarterback plagued by injuries his entire career, and finally pushed out the door in 1999 for Cade Mcnown. In 1995 Kramer had one of the best passing seasons in Bears history. Throwing 29 TD’s and for nearly 3000 yards. He was one of the top five quarterbacks in the league that year, and was robbed of the Pro-bowl.
7. Anthony Thomas
The “A-train” had a great rookie year for the Bears in 01 rushing for 1,183 yards. Two seasons later he would rush for over 1,000 yards again in just 13 games. However the Bears were quick to get rid of Thomas and he wasn’t around long.
6. Curtis Conway
A number one pick out of USC never had a huge year but was always solid. Known for making some circus catches, Conway had over 1000 yards receiving three times and 12 td’s in 1995.
5. Alex Brown
Brown was never piled up big sack numbers his season high being six and he it did four times, but he was great against the run. He also did is part on a defense known for creating turnovers with 17 career forced fumbles.
4. Thomas Jones
For a three year period Jones was a great back for the Bears and a big reason they made it to the Superbowl in 06. Twice he rushed for over 1000 yards with 1,335 yards and the next season 1,210. The Bears would draft Cedric Benson pushing Jones out the door.
3. Mike Brown
I don’t think people realize how good Brown was. Making just one Pro-bowl in his career Brown is one of smartest players I have ever seen. In 2001 in back to back games he picked of deflected passes in overtime and took them to the house for game winners. Something that will never be done again. In 2006 he missed the Superbowl due to injury and the Bears felt his absence.
.2. Donnell woolford
Probably the best corner in Bears history not named Charles Tillman. Woolford only made one Pro-bowl but was constantly among league leaders in interceptions in the 90’s. Having several seasons with five or more and 36 for his career. Even more impressive Woolford was only 5’9.
1. Neil Anderson
Playing on a franchise full of great running backs Anderson tends to be the forgotten one. Making four Pro-bowls Anderson had the daunting task of Taking over for Payton. He had three seasons over 1000 yards and made the Pro-bowl one year as a special teamer.
