For sports bettors, particularly those who are fairly new to the game, one of the most poisonous influences on your bankroll is “hype”. Hype from a slobbering media, desperate to build up icons, desperate to not do any more work than they need to and desperate to not offend anyone. Listening to the media pundits can be a dangerous activity for sports bettors, as they attribute qualities to impact players that they either have never deserved, or no longer deserve at this point in their career.

This constant misrepresentation can play havoc with handicapping. Always be aware of it, and fight it at every turn. With that theme in mind, I decided to list a few QBs who I believe to be overrated, and when they’re involved, make sure you do your own homework.

Here are a list of five of the most overrated QBs in the game:

5) Chad Pennington – When healthy, Pennington is talked about as a Top 10 QB, paid like a top five QB, and treated like an elite pivot, which quite simply, he’s not. He’s a good quarterback, but not as good as he’s been billed. Injuries have been a problem, but those aside, Pennington can lay claim to three and a half months of really strong play since taking over as a starter back in 2002 (with a big playoff win at home over Peyton Manning and the Colts). Aside from those three months he’s bounced between being a very average QB, or on the injured reserve list (where he currently is).

4) Donovan McNabb – He’s a good quarterback, he’s just not a great one, as the hype would have you believe. He’s had one of the best defenses in the league giving him amazing support, a good supporting cast, and a very good coach and system to work in, yet the results haven’t borne out the status McNabb is given. There are far too many Sundays that McNabb is just ordinary. Far too many downs where his O-line gives him five or six seconds to toss the ball and despite average defensive coverage, he doesn’t make the play. Like last weekend, defense and special teams bailed this Philly team out more than McNabb.

3) Drew Bledsoe – Okay, I realize he’s not thought of as a great QB any longer, but Bledsoe has to be on this list based on possible being the most overrated QB of my generation. Think of this – In the late 90’s, Bledsoe was the highest paid player in the history of the game (before being passed by Brett Favre). He has never thrown more than 28 TD passes in a season, never won a Super Bowl (although the Patriots won with him on the bench and went on to two more), and has never been a league MVP. He’s got a career winning percentage at the .500 mark (93-90, including playoffs), with most of those wins coming vs. inferior teams. Bledsoe racked up his wins and stats against bad teams, but struggled to beat good teams. That’s been the story of his career.

2) Michael Vick – All Vick fans relax, he is one of the most exciting players in the league. But it’s hard to argue that he isn’t overrated, based on the hype around him. So far this year he only has a 55% completion mark (and barely six yards per completion) and ranks in the bottom third of the league in passer rating (behind Josh McNown and just ahead of Anthony Wright). Two weeks ago backup QB Matt Schaub threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns, filling in for Vick, demonstrating that this offense can be better. On his return, Vick’s numbers were 11-for-23 for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception. When he grows into a better pocket passer, the overrated tag will likely be gone.

1) Brett Favre – Yes, he’s a warrior, with a Super Bowl ring and three MVP awards, but these days (and the last few years) Brett throws more bad balls than anyone. And he virtually never gets called on it, as the media treats him as untouchable. Favre can throw three interceptions with nary a negative comment. Then he completes a 25-yarder after being flushed out of the pocket and you’ll have to listen to saccharin soaked statements, effusing his greatness. He’s a true first ballot Hall-Of-Famer, but he’s been a mediocre pivot for this last stretch of his career.

NFL Play(s)

This week I’ve got a couple of plays – starting with the “over” in the Tampa Bay/San Fran matchup. The Bucs should be able to put some points on the board vs. this troubled 49er team, as both the Niner offense and defense are responsible for opponents’ scores. I like the 37, and with San Fran chipping in a few scores, as I expect them to try and make things happen offensively, which should pay off with points (again, both for them and against them), this has a great shot at getting over the relatively low number.

I also like New England laying 7 (-125 buying the hook if I have to). I think they come off the bye with a statement game on Sunday night, getting the win and back into the race as they head for the second half. Defensively, they can handle the Bill O, and when they have the ball, they should be able to keep drives moving.