The Paolantonio Report: The Most Overrated and Underrated Players, Teams, Coaches, and Moments in NFL History

This is a fun read and a great debate-starter for any follower of the NFL. A fan of Paolantonio and other NFL reporters who never played the game professionally (Chris Mortensen, John Clayton), a sports radio host myself (Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons) and lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, I discovered another glaring error. On page #251 (and again on page #252) while labeling Marv Levy as "The Most Overrated Hall of Famer of All Time"; Sal insists that Barry Switzer beat Levy and the Buffalo Bills in SB XXVIII. Not true. Switzer coached in only one Super Bowl (SB XXX, a 27-17 win over Pittsburgh). Jimmy Johnson was still the Cowboys head coach when they defeated the Bills in SB XXVIII.

The Paolantonio Report is a must for any fan of the game. How many people can claim the '85 Bears, Joe Namath, and Brett Favre are overrated and get away with it? Sal Paolantonio has revolutionized the way we look at NFL history. If you love football and talking the game with your friends, this is a must read. As a football fan, I couldn't put the book down to see who would be next on the most overrated or underrated.

This book is engrossing and challenging. It is very, very well done. I have read The Paolantonio Report twice -- the second time to carefully weigh the evidence. There is alot to debate, and I am ready to start (though I would have to check my emotions and get my facts organized as Sal Paolantonio's positions are persuasive; and are backed up by alot of research and sound analysis). The real special pleasure of this book is how it gives credit to many overlooked and important NFL players and moments. Good players and key moments are highlighted based on merit. (Postscript: In the chapter for underrated Super Bowl teams, the authors should have included the Denver Broncos from Super Bowl XXXII. Recall: the Broncos were huge -- HUGE -- underdogs. Recall: the Broncos won, and dramatically so.)

There are no sacred cows in this book. Sal Paolantonio takes on football icons like Brett Favre and Sam Huff. The best thing about the book is that it takes on the silliness that is the Football Hall of Fame selection process. Sal points out at least a half a dozen HOF "no brainers" that somehow the sports writers have overlooked. This is a must read for any NFL fan. No one will agree with all these picks, but you will have hours of fun debating it with friends and family.