Is Chiefs’ Tamba Hali Overrated?

October 07, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Ravens won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Blasphemy!

How dare I suggest that our boy Tamba Hali, one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL, is overrated.

NFL Network has been airing their annual Top 100 countdown this offseason. There five Kansas City Chiefs on the list, the last of which was Jamaal Charles, who came in at No. 20. Joining Charles was ILB Derrick Johnson, WR, Dwayne Bowe and CB Brandon Flowers.

Missing from the list, was Hali.

Tamba not making the list this year doesn’t mean he is overrated but I do think it is possible that as Chiefs fans, we overrate Hali just a little bit. Nobody is saying he isn’t good but perhaps we are letting past performance dictate our current opinion?

For the record, I am not sure that is the case. I think that Hali’s stellar 2010 campaign meant that he was bound to face more double-teams in 2011 and 2012. Factor in that the Chiefs were pretty bad the last couple of years and you have a pass rusher that is rarely in the position where the Chiefs are playing with a lead.

As for Justin Houston, I think he is going to be a huge star but I also think that he has benefitted somewhat from playing opposite Hali.

Sadly, Tamba isn’t going to be around forever. He will turn 30 this season and at some point his skills are going to start to diminish.

What do you think, Addicts? Are we overrating Tamba Hali or has his failure to duplicate his 2010 season just a result of factors beyond his control?