I think both are overrated in the big scheme of things. Both have over inflated egos in relation to their abilities. At least Froch will fight anyone, though, so I have more time for him. People can say what they want, but if Joe desperately wanted to fight the best Yanks he could have done it. I don't remember him calling anyone out at the time.
Eubank/Benn era? No. Modern era? Yes. Prime Reid, Woodhall, Brewer and Mitchell could all have beaten Bute or Bika, and them as well as prime Lacy could have beaten Steiglitz, Abraham, Balzsay, Magee, Sartison and Berrio. This era flatters to decieve. There are only three stand out fighters in this current era and one of them is a relic of Calzaghe's era. This era has had quite a few weak belt holder as well, as listed above. The only reason I can see that people claim this era is so stronger than Calzaghe's one is because the Super Six gave it a higher profile, but, objectively speaking, I cant see the case for any of the current Super Middleweights except Ward, Froch and Kessler being stronger than the last lot.