Anthony Sherman Named AFC Special Teams Player Of The Week

Fresh off a contract extension last week, Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman cashed in this week with an award.

The NFL announced Sherman as the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after recovering a fumble in Sunday’s win over the Buffalo Bills. The recovery was critical the in the Chiefs chances as it set up the game winning touchdown from Alex Smith two plays later. Sherman was also credited with three special teams tackles.

Sherman should probably give a nod to Albert Wilson, who knocked the ball out of Leodis McKelvin’s hands. Wilson hasn’t done much offensively for the Chiefs, participating in only seven snaps on offense, but he’s more than justified his spot on the roster by forcing the fumble on McKelvin.

All of that said, Sherman is one of the most under appreciated players in football. He’s a throwback fullback who does a lot for the Chiefs in power running situations and, obviously, on special teams. His role on special teams is only going to become more critical now that Cyrus Gray is out for the season with a torn ACL. Much of the reason why KC get’s the kind of returns the do in kick and punt returns are because of things Gray and Sherman do on special teams. Hopefully the Chiefs won’t lose too much with Gray out.

One final note, Sherman is the last remaining piece of the Tony Gonzalez era. Gonzalez was traded to Atlanta for a second round pick, a pick that eventually turned into Javier Arenas. Arenas was traded last year to the Arizona Cardinals for Sherman, who is now a far more accomplished player than Arenas ever was. Kudos to John Dorsey for that move.