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Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy led the NFL in solo tackles last season.
(Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com)
DeAndre Levy is well known by opposing coaches and offensive coordinators, but the thrill-seeking Detroit Lions linebacker's name still doesn't resonate the way you might expect with many fans and players.
Despite another stellar season, which saw him lead the NFL in solo tackles, Levy was once again snubbed for the Pro Bowl. He also dropped seven spots in the "NFL's Top 100 Players of 2015" list, voted on by his peers.
New Orleans Saints tight end Ben Watson perfectly sums up Levy's anonymity.
"In Tampa, yeah." Watson said when asked about Levy still flying under the radar.
Watson had one reception for three yards when the Saints came to Ford Field last year. Levy made 11 tackles in the 24-23 victory.
In total, Levy made 151 stops last season, including a career-best 16 behind the line of scrimmage. He also recorded a personal-best 2.5 sacks.
Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett, who has seen Levy four times in the past two years as part of the NFC North rivalry, had plenty of positive things to say about Lions linebacker.
"DeAndre Levy is one of the most underrated players in the league," Bennett said. "He's one of the best defensive players in the NFL.
"He's a fast guy," Bennett continued. "He's not a big linebacker, so he's able to cover tight ends. When you push off, he likes to grab your arms, so you can't get too much of a push-off. You really have to set him up throughout the whole game. It's like a chess match against him."
The NFL Network segment also showed a clip of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on the sideline, bewildered by Levy's play.
"Those two guys, (Ndamukong) Suh and Levy, they're just everywhere," Brady says to a coach. "They cover a lot of ground, you know?"
Levy is the fourth Lions player to appear on the list this offseason, joining wide receiver Golden Tate, safety Glover Quin and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.
Players 1-60 have not been announced, but it's likely wide receiver Calvin Johnson will make an appearance, despite a injury-plagued season that limited his statistical output.
Johnson was No. 2 last year.
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