J.J. Watt tears it up on defense.
Peyton Manning and Tom Brady tear up defenses.
Same old same old in the NFL, you say? Then you aren’t paying much attention.
Across the NFL, while many superstars are doing their thing, a wide range of obscure players are having a major impact.
Not just on the offensive line, where anonymity is a given, but even at high-profile positions such as linebacker and running back. Step up and take a bow Justin Forsett, Chris Borland and Connor Barwin.
Grab some applause Mike Adams, Brandon Marshall (the Denver linebacker version) and Mohamed Sanu.
Soak in some praise all of you blockers for the Cowboys and Chiefs. You’ve earned it.
From Barwin’s versatility in Philadelphia to Borland’s rapid ascent in his rookie year in San Francisco, there are “Who Dats” in lineups across the NFL playing important roles.
“I think Connor has a great feel for just the game,” Eagles coach Chip Kelly says of the six-year veteran having the best season of his career.
“I think he’s a very, very intelligent player, but he’s also got some overlap. He was a great basketball player (at Cincinnati). I think he’s got an understanding, got a real good sports mind, he understands how things develop and how things are going ... to stay a step ahead in terms of where it’s going to go.”
Where Barwin has gone is to the top of the NFC sacks ledger with 10 1-2, trailing only Chiefs LB Justin Houston’s 12 for the league lead. Barwin’s performance is a big reason why the Eagles are tied with Dallas atop the NFC East at 7-3.
With DeMeco Ryans hurt, Barwin has really turned up his game. In a 45-21 victory against Carolina, he sacked Cam Newton 3 1/2 times.
“I think I’m a better player than I was last year,” Barwin says.
Impossible to argue with that.
Same for Forsett, who has plugged a huge hole in Baltimore. The Ravens lost Ray Rice, of course, first to suspension before they released him. Bernard Pierce did not pick up the slack, but Forsett sure did.
In fact, he’s already outdone Rice’s production from 2013 with 721 yards rushing, has scored five touchdowns, and his 5.4-yard rushing average is tops among running backs.
All that from a guy who is with his fifth team in his seventh season.
“I feel like the sky’s the limit,” Forsett says. “We still can improve in some areas. I know I can improve in some areas. I just want to push this thing as far as I can go.”
