Book Review--Red Grange & Chicago Bears 1925-1926 Barnstorming Tour: 100th Anniversary Scrapbook

By John Turney

Eternal Flame: Grange's Barnstorming Odyssey Ignites a Century of Gridiron Glory

Historians Chris Willis and Darin L. Hayes—authors of eight and five prior volumes on early pro football, respectively—have crafted a masterful scrapbook that doesn't just tell the tale of the NFL's inaugural superstar, Red Grange, and his legendary barnstorming blitz; it resurrects it back to life.

The work entitled "Red Grange & Chicago Bears: 1925-1926 Barnstorming Tour–100th Anniversary Scrapbook" and it is outstanding, with excellent writing, visuals, and perhaps most importantly: Unwavering accuracy. Willis and Hayes see to that. 

In the pantheon of American sports icons, few burn as brightly or endure as steadfastly as Harold "Red" Grange, the humble halfback from Wheaton, Illinois, whose audacious leap to the pros catapulted the fledgling league from obscurity to national frenzy. Some, including Willis, believe that Grange was the NFL's first superstar and took the professional grid game to a higher level, much like Babe Ruth did for baseball.

This 2025 centennial tribute doesn't merely recount history; it resurrects it with the roar of sold-out stadiums, blending vivid biography, cultural snapshot, and financial forensics into an appreciative letter to the game's scrappy, Roaring '20s dawn, the Wild West days, if you will.

At its heart, the book chronicles Grange's whirlwind odyssey: a 22-year-old phenom, fresh off a Heisman-caliber senior season at the University of Illinois, signs with George Halas's Bears and launches a 19-game, cross-country gauntlet spanning two blistering months. 

From the frozen mud of Cubs Park to the sun-baked expanse of the L.A. Coliseum (drawing a record 75,000), the "Galloping Ghost"—Grantland Rice's poetic coinage after Grange's five-TD evisceration of Michigan in 1924—hauled the nascent NFL into the spotlight. Hayes and Willis frame this not as rote athletics but as the blueprint for modern celebrity: early college exit, agent wrangling, endorsement windfalls, Hollywood flirtations, and a rookie payday eclipsing era norms.

What catapults this scrapbook beyond nostalgia is its archival alchemy. Sourcing from private troves—Sternaman family ledgers, Coolley's contracts, even Pyle's curt telegrams—the authors dismantle myths with surgical precision. 

The book explains how Grange wasn't a solo act; he boasted three managers (the flamboyant promoter C.C. "Cash and Carry" Pyle; "Doc" Coolley, his college confidant; and theater maven Byron Moore), a bombshell substantiated by a full facsimile of their six-page 1925 "power of attorney" pact. The initial cut: Grange at 40%, Pyle 25%, Coolley and Moore 17.5% each—until post-tour haggling shrank the latter pair's share, ending in a "divorce" where Pyle shelled out $25,000 to buy them out. 

Gate stubs (e.g., $49,669 from Grange's Thanksgiving pro debut) and expense tallies morph the narrative into a ledger of greed, exposing how Pyle's avarice (eight games in ten days) nearly felled his golden goose with the breakneck speed tour, one in which Grange did get injured.

The chronicle races through the tour's triptych—frenetic East (injury-riddled), sunny South (sparsely attended), triumphant West—with per-game vignettes fusing play-by-plays, crowd fervor, and epochal vignettes. 

Rain-lashed Shibe Park swells to 35,000 in Philadelphia; Miami's half-built Coral Gables draws a mere 8,000 sweat-soaked souls. Yet Hayes and Willis infuse humanity amid the havoc: Grange's boyish blush at the White House with Calvin Coolidge, his raccoon-coat bravado, or the Bears' equine escapades in California. (Read the book for details)

Celebrities abound—Babe Ruth dispensing fame's hard truths; Douglas Fairbanks mid-huddle—evoking an era when Grange eclipsed Dempsey and Ruth as a media leviathan. Yes, he was that popular.

The authors' prose crackles with wry understatement—"Pyle's motto: 'Let's get the money, boys'"—debunking some exaggerations, such as: the tour didn't "save" the NFL (post-Grange dips proved that), but it validated pro football's star-powered viability, luring All-Americans like Ernie Nevers into the fray.

Visually, this volume treasure trove, full of things I love: Facsimile tickets, reproductions of game program covers, yellowed clippings (e.g., Rice's "Galloping Ghost" poem), team photos, and even a 1926 "divorce" contract adds tactile heft. One standout: a telegram from Pyle to Coolley, curtly settling scores. It's a hoarder's delight, being one myself, I'd know.

More than a biography, the book doubles as a legacy and review of Grange's accomplishments later in life—as coach, broadcaster, charter Hall of Famer, and pension crusader—prefigures today's polymaths. 

The emotional apex: a 1985 missive from Halas anointing him the "Eternal Flame of Professional Football," a sobriquet that underscores the thesis: enduring greatness lies not in stats but in unassuming grace. 

Willis and Hayes don't merely commemorate; they rekindle the pulse—the Polo Grounds' 70,000-strong thunder, press-box clatter, a Wheaton iceman forging football's inaugural icon. Grange feared oblivion, but this luminous scrapbook will ensure the Ghost gallops into the consciences of younger NFL fans. 

As far as structure, it's basically logical and chronological, with each chapter covering one of the 19 games of the tour, going from Chicago to St. Louis, then the northeast -- Philly, the Big Apple, D.C., etc. Then the what is now called "Rust Belt" cities, followed by dates in Florida and the Big Easy. And finally, the major West Coast cities from San Diego north to Seattle. For me, that makes it particularly enjoyable. 

At under 200 brisk pages, including an exhaustive bibliography, it is a page-turner for NFL diehards, Illinois faithful, Bears fans, or Roaring '20s romantics, all for about $20.

I give it 5/5 stars: A gridiron gospel of grit, gall, and grandeur—fire up the grill, pop a cold one, and hear the roar of fedora-clad gents and Panama-hatted swells, flappers draped on their arms, cheering the Ghost's eternal gallop.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "No Matter What You Do, It's Gonna Grab Ahold On You"

By TJ Troup 

John Brodie

There are weeks when writing this column feels more inspired than others, and this is one of those weeks. When you get to write about your favorite rivalry in all of sports, in this case the Rams vs. 49ers, Yippee! Gonna start with the passing of Bob Trumpy. Purchased his book at a flea market for a dollar, and found his insightful and at times comedic book a joy to read. 

His formative years in high school in both track & field and basketball to being teammates with Butkus at Illinois, to being drafted by the expansion Bengals in '68 and the success he had with different quarterbacks under the guidance of Bill Walsh. Enjoyed him as an analyst on broadcasts since he really understood the game and would not shy away with his cryptic comments. RIP Bob! 

Since the Bengals were mentioned, for a moment lets take a look at the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals and more specifically the direction they are headed? I would relish it if any of you could share your thoughts on whether you believe this porous defense will allow more than 500 points this year. 

Watching the Bears rally? Well that's the word I'll use, and win in the Queen City on Sunday was amazing. How so, you ask? Everyone who has ever played defensive back can share stories about pursuit and tackling in a game; and most importantly, tackles made and tackles missed. 

Stone & Battle complete abject failure on the winning touchdown pass to Loveland will be replayed many times. Out of position? Poor tackling? Wrong pursuit angle? or d) all of the above. Which takes me back to Mike Brown and Bengal management, as Mike Brown was 15 years old when the Browns won the title in 1950, and 40 when the Bengals with Trumpy earned a playoff berth in 1975. Will Joe Burrow seek a trade? 

Dick Nolan, 49ers' coach

The San Francisco 49ers, under the direction of Dick Nolan, made progress in 1968 in the Coastal Division, and after seven games in 1969, have won only one game. Kermit Alexander earned a Pro Bowl berth in 1968 and paired with Jimmy Johnson at left corner the Niners should be able to play rock-solid pass defense, but with Alexander injured, second-year man Johnny Woitt starts the November 9th game in the Coliseum against the undefeated Rams. Since Randolph & Phillips, the two starting safeties lack speed, the Niners trade excellent guard Howard Mudd to the Bears for Roosevelt Taylor (another George Allen favorite who was in "Dooley's Dog House". 

Taylor will start late in the season and earn the Len Eshmont award in 1970, but that is a story for another time. Back to November 9th. First offensive play for the Rams, Wendell Tucker is wide open, and I mean wide damn open and scores on a 93-yard play from Roman Gabriel. San Francisco, led by veteran "gun slinger" John Brodie, takes the Niners on a nine-play 79-yard drive to score as Brodie reads right linebacker Jim Purnell's blitz and delivers a pass to a wide-open Ken Willard. Merlin Olsen blocks the extra point attempt. 

The Rams advance 89 yards in just six plays to score on a 35-yard pass from Gabriel to Les Josephson on a circle route and increase the lead to 14-6 (key play was Gabriel to Snow for 57 yards). Niners can't move and punt, and here come the white & blue clad Rams down the field with the Los Angeles running game pounding away for 42 yards, and on 4th and five from the San Francisco seven, Gossett kicks a 15-yard field goal. Second and seven at his own twenty-seven and Brodie finds rookie Gene Washington open and rifles a pass to him, which gains 52 yards. 

Gene Washington

When the drive stalls, Gavric splits the uprights from 32 yards. Rams 17--49ers 9. Gabriel again moves the Rams on a sustained march to Niner twenty-three and on 4th and sixteen, Gossett drills home a 39-yard field goal. Brodie will not be deterred today, even against a defense as strong as the Rams. San Francisco is finally stopped at the Los Angeles seventeen-yard line when David "Deacon" Jones deflects Brodie's pass and veteran strong safety Richie Petitbon intercepts. 

Richie Petitbon

There is no further scoring in the first half, and as the teams head to their respective locker rooms in the Coliseum, the Rams lead 20 to 9. San Francisco has gained just 27 yard rushing in the first half (Rams gained 55), but the key to this game is going to be which quarterback can be the best "gunslinger" as Gabriel gained 209 passing, and Brodie 190 with the strong offensive line of the Niners protecting the veteran passer so well, nary a sack by the Ram pass rush. 

San Francisco goes three and out first possession of the 3rd quarter, but so do the Rams. Second down and three to go when Brodie's errant pass is pilfered by Eddie Meador, and the veteran All-Pro safety weaves, twists and fights his way into the end zone to up the ante to 27-9. No doubt the Niners are finished. No team can come back against a George Allen defense down by 18, right? Oh, John Brodie can? 

Here come the Niners advancing 80 yards in eight plays. Tight end Bob Windsor gains 30 before Petitbon can knock him out of bounds. Willard scores from the three going off right tackle. Rams 27-- 49ers 16. Late in the quarter, Los Angeles begins another touchdown march which culminates on an 8 yard strike to Snow who easily beat Johnny Woitt's coverage on a square-in. Rams 34-49ers 16. 

Brodie has the hot hand today and twice in the 4th quarter led the Niners into the end zone with short touchdown tosses to Windsor & running back Bill Tucker. Los Angeles 34 San Francisco 30. Can the Niners get the ball back for Brodies one more time, and pull off the road upset at the hands of the undefeated Rams? 

The league MVP in 1969 will be Roman Gabriel, and offensive coordinator Ted Marchibroda has schooled Gabe into using his backs as receivers and on 1st and ten from his own seventeen, he flips to Tommy Mason in the right flat (on the NFL Films weekly highlight show, the "old pro), and he dashes and weaves 55 yards to the 49er twenty-eight-yard line before a hustling Dave Wilcox hauls him down. Gabriel on a rollout right (one of his most productive plays), runs 9 yards for the final touchdown of the game. Brodie's final drive ends with him being sacked by Olsen & Brown on 4th down at his own twenty-seven. 

Three times at this point in the rivalry, the Rams scored at least 41 points against the 49ers and in all three games, a Ram had returned at least one interception for a touchdown. The compelling drama between these two teams, no matter the record, is spelled out in that going into this game, the Rams had won 12, the Niners had 11 with one tie, the last 24 times they had played. To this day, when these two teams lock horns, there is an impact on the standings. Hopefully, this will happen this Sunday the 9th of November, 2025!

Bet you can guess who will be watching the game.

Packers Come Up Short in Low-Possession Game

 By Eric Goska

Even St. Vince couldn't help the Packers against the Panthers.
(photos by Eric Goska)

Possessions were at a premium Sunday at Lambeau Field.

In a game that boasted fewer drives than any other in the stadium’s history, Carolina outlasted Green Bay 16-13. Ryan Fitzgerald’s 49-yard field goal as time expired proved the difference.

A 13.5 point favorite, the Packers were expected to make quick work of the Panthers. Instead, they seized up in the red zone, settling for field goals or worse when more was needed.

Green Bay registered only one touchdown in its five trips beyond Carolina’s 20-yard line. That success came late as Josh Jacobs crashed into the end zone from a yard out to knot the score at 13-13 with two minutes, 32 seconds remaining.

The Panthers countered by using eight plays and the remaining clock to set up Fitzgerald’s game-winning field goal.

Early in the game, Fox color analyst Greg Olsen offered his take on what Carolina needed to do to win.

“I think the best way to stop this Green Bay offense right now with the way they’re humming is just let Jordan Love and company stand on the sidelines.”

Though Love and the Packers won the time of possession battle by 20 seconds, they, like the Panthers, only mounted seven drives. Each was of utmost importance.

Twice, Green Bay squandered possessions with turnovers. Savion Williams lost a fumble at the Carolina 16 midway through the first quarter and Love threw an interception into traffic midway through the third.

Twice, the Packers came up empty on fourth down. Brandon McManus missed a 43-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter and Love failed to connect with Romeo Doubs from the Panthers 13 early in the fourth quarter.

Carolina also failed to come away with points on four of its advances. But the Panthers fared better in the red zone with Rico Dowdle registering rushing touchdowns on two of its three trips there.

Coming out of halftime, Olsen said this of Carolina.

“The Panthers did exactly what we said they should do, right? They want to make this a low-possession game, kind of muddy it up, make it ugly, because it’s probably your best chance of hanging in there and being competitive down the stretch.”

Low-possession game indeed. The 14 combined drives by Green Bay and Carolina set the record for the fewest in any regular-season game at Lambeau Field.

This type of game is becoming more common. Fewer turnovers, better field position following kickoffs, high-percentage passing attacks, and more fourth-down conversions have paved the way for longer, more time-consuming drives.

The number of games in which the Packers have had fewer than 10 possessions has gone up from 38 between 1975 and 2010 to 43 in the last 15 years. Green Bay is 25-18 in such games since 2011.

The Packers’ next opponent, Philadelphia, knows how to limit the competition. It has held four opponents to fewer than 10 possessions this season while notching victories over the Cowboys, Chiefs, Vikings and Giants.

Dispossessed
Fewest offensive possessions by Green Bay and its opponent in a regular-season game at Lambeau Field.
No.        Date (possessions by team)              Result
14           Nov. 2, 2025 (GB 7, Panthers 7)               GB lost, 13-16

15           Nov. 1, 2020 (GB 8, Vikings 7)                  GB lost, 22-28
15           Dec. 3, 2023 (GB 7, Chiefs 8)                    GB won, 27-19
16           Sept. 10, 1989 (GB 8, Buccaneers 8)       GB lost, 21-23
16           Oct. 5, 2003 (GB 8, Seahawks 8)             GB won, 35-13

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Finish What You Start"

By TJ Troup 

Myles Garrett

Every week during the season, there are players that are valiant in their performance, though the team they play for loses. Myles Garrett's 5 sacks last Sunday sure will make him a key figure in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year, and of course, we know that there has never been a player from a losing team win that award. Right? Oh, there was a player? 

Many of you have probably watched film of Richard Marvin Butkus, and maybe even some footage from both 1969 and 1970, when the Bears won 7 and lost 21 over those two seasons. Dickie Boy (my nickname for him) was the Defensive Player of the Year, voted by NEA. 

Thus, Mr. Garrett has a chance. At this point in my life, there is not a player that would want me as his agent, yet would have advised Mr. Garrett to leave Cleveland and to either Detroit or San Francisco and be treated like royalty under a dedicated coaching staff, and thus have a chance to eventually play for the "Silver Trophy". 

Is there any doubt that so far this season, the surprise team is the Indianapolis Colts. This coming Sunday, the Colts journey to Pittsburgh for a key game (aren't they all key games at this point for contending teams?), and if the Colts achieve victory, they will join the Colts teams of the past that have also won on November 2nd. Bet all you folks can guess where I am going with this saga? So, let's journey back to earlier days in Colt history. 

We will start in 1958 when the BALTIMORE Colts are at home against a woeful Packers team led by Scooter McLean. Half-time and Colts are ahead 28-0, and with the motivated depth on this very special team, they also score 28 in the second half in the 56-0 whitewash. 

How strong was the depth on this Baltimore team, you ask? Johnny Hightops is injured and George Shaw has a strong game. Anytime Raymond Berry & Lenny Moore combine for only 4 catches and 90 yards, the thought would be the Colts struggled to move the ball and score? Not on this Sunday.

Possibly, Green Bay should look at new leadership for the Packers. There is an offensive coach in New York doing a super job; maybe he would be interested? November 2nd, 1969 the Colts are struggling at 3-4, but hammer the 'Skins under Lombardi 41-17 and finish with a winning record. 

November 2nd, 1975, will be the focal point of this saga, as to this day the Baltimore Colts of 1975 remain one of the best comeback stories ever in league history. Enter Ted Marchibroda as the new head coach, and though they start 1-4, this team of talent, camaraderie and outstanding creative leadership by Marchibroda will win the East and earn a playoff berth. I was in the Coliseum to watch this Colt team battle the Rams for four quarters before succumbing. It was one helluva game to watch. 

Over the years have been very fortunate to "talk" to former coaches and players, and at a Hall of Fame function had the honor to talk with coach Marchibroda. He was humble, yet he shared his vision of what that Colt team could do. We discussed his impressive background, and of course, his thoughts on defensive & offensive strategy, especially how Lydell Mitchell was his "weapon" in advancing the ball. The title of this saga is a quote from him during that season of destiny. 

One of the key improvements in the Baltimore defense was the play of middle linebacker Jim Cheyunski. During an in-depth phone conversation with Cheyunski, we discussed his role and of course, the performance of the "Sack Pack". 

How he stabilized the linebacking corps and helped with the coverage concepts utilized by a very improved pass defense. Ranking dead last in '74 with a defensive passer rating of 85.3(league average was 64.2) to 7th in 1975 with a mark of 56.9 (league average was 65.8). Was sure an enjoyable talk with Cheyunski, filled with fascinating stories. 

There have been so many excellent NFL Films season highlight films done by a talented group of producers, yet the '75 Colt film stands out since Steve Sabol did not hand the ball off to a producer, he directed the film (he was a life-time Baltimore Colt fan), and on one of my visits to "Films" we talked about those Colt teams from that era. 

November 2nd, 2003 the Colts defeated Miami 23-17 to improve to 7-1 and that team advanced to the AFC title game. November 2nd, 2008, the Colts defeated the Patriots 18-15 to even the slate at 4-4, and they proceeded to win out to finish 12-4 under Tony Dungy. So, will November 2nd, 2025, be another victory day for a Colt team that so far this year has demonstrated they can and will win games?

Aaron Rodgers Comes Up Short in Pittsburgh

 By Eric Goska

Sunday in Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers became the 24th ex-Packer
to throw a pass against his former team.
(photo by Chip Manthey)

Aaron Rodgers matched wits with his previous employer in prime time and came away empty-handed. The league’s elder statesman – he’ll turn 42 in December – played every offensive snap as his Steelers succumbed to the visiting Packers 35-25 at Acrisure Stadium.

The game, an intriguing matchup when the schedule was released, took on an added dimension when Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh in June. Sunday night, the four-time NFL MVP who spent 18 seasons with the Packers added his name to the list of those who played both for and against the Green and Gold.

Suiting up against Green Bay after having played there occurs more often than one might think. Excluding 1939 and 1951, at least one ex-Packer has returned to play against his former team every season since 1922.

Emmett Keefe was the first. The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder opened at left guard for the Packers against the Chicago Staleys on Nov. 27, 1921. Ten months later, he started at the same position for the Rock Island Independents when they hosted Green Bay on Oct. 1, 1922.

Keefe, a lineman in the early days of pro football, went largely unnoticed. Rodgers, a quarterback headed for Canton, cannot escape the spotlight.

Brett Favre warms up before facing the Vikings in 2007.
(photo by Eric Goska)

In Pittsburgh, Rodgers became the first Packers quarterback since Brett Favre in 2010 to compete against his old team. He is one of 24 players to have played for and then returned to throw a pass against the Green and Gold.

One small aside, before we continue. For this article, we are considering only those who played in at least one regular-season game for the Packers. So players such as Rick Mirer (active but did not play in 1998) or Aaron Brooks (active but did not play in 1999) do not qualify.

So, with that out of the way, how did Rodgers’ performance stack up? It was a tale of two halves, one in which he was forced to carry the offensive load in the final two quarters.

Rodgers compiled a passer rating of 101.5 by completing 24 of 36 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with nine different receivers with his favorite target, D.J. Metcalf, hauling in five for 55 yards.

In the first half, Rodgers could pick and choose when to throw as Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell churned out 81 yards rushing on 15 carries (5.4 average). The veteran quarterback completed 11 of 15 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown (113.8 rating).

But as Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense found their footing – Green Bay scored on five of its six second-half possessions – Rodgers was forced to pass more frequently. His ground game all but gone (3 carries for 12 yards), Rodgers fired 21 passes, completing 13 for 117 yards and a score (92.8 rating).

The bulk (70) of Rodgers’ second-half yardage came in the final four minutes after the Packers had gone up 35-19. Rodgers zipped a 21-yard scoring pass to Roman Wilson, but Green Bay drained the final two minutes, seven seconds to close out the game.

Rodgers and the Steelers converted only one of 10 third downs, missing their last nine in a row. On six of those occasions, Pittsburgh needed 10 or more yards to gain a fresh set of downs.

In launching 36 throws, Rodgers became the 13th former Packer to throw at least 15 passes in a game against his former team. In coming up short, the California native failed to join Mike Tomczak (1992), Ty Detmer (1997) and Brett Favre (twice in 2009) as quarterbacks who returned to defeat the Packers.

Extra Point
Red Smith was the first ex-Packer to throw a pass against his old team. On Nov. 22, 1931, Smith failed to connect with Hap Moran late in the third quarter of a 14-10 loss to Green Bay in the Polo Grounds.

Extra Point
Twenty-four ex-Packers returned to throw at least one pass against their former team: Red Smith (1), Bo Molenda (1), Cy Casper (4), Swede Johnston (1), Harry Mattos (3), Frank Balasz (1), Arnie Herber (6), Bobby Thomason (42), Babe Parilli (3), Tobin Rote (85), Lamar McHan (40), John Roach (10), Dennis Claridge (11), Don Horn (33), Scott Hunter (39), Mike Tomczak (21), Mark Brunell (118), Ty Detmer (43), Don Majkowski (32), Craig Hentrich (1), Matt Hasselbeck (120), Terry Glenn (1), Brett Favre (126) and Aaron Rodgers (36).

High-Yield Returns
Former Packers quarterbacks who compiled a passer rating of 100 or more points against the Packers in a regular-season game (minimum 20 pass attempts)

Date                   Quarterback     Rating   Team            Result
Oct. 5, 2009        Brett Favre            135.3       Vikings          GB lost, 23-30
Nov. 1, 2009       Brett Favre            128.6       Vikings          GB lost, 26-38
Oct. 5, 1958        Tobin Rote            102.5        Lions             GB tied, 13-13
Oct. 26, 2025     Aaron Rodgers     101.5        Steelers         GB won, 35-25

Thirty-four Seniors Players Survived the Cut from 52

By John Turney 

Today, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the names of 34 players eligible to advance to the finalist round of nine. These 34 semifinalists were selected from an initial list of 52 candidates that had already passed scrutiny by the screening committee. That committee started with a preliminary pool of 162 nominees and eliminated 110 of them—a challenging process to be sure.

Next, the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will choose nine players from this group of 34 to become finalists. The committee will then select three of those nine names to present to the full Board of Selectors for final approval in January.

Here are the 19 offense, 14 defensive, and one special teamer on the list of 34—

QUARTERBACKS (3): Ken Anderson, Charlie Conerly, Roman Gabriel.

Anderson will be the favorite, but there is a fair question about him and the two other signal callers:  Were they consistently great? Anderson had a slow patch in the years that should have been his peak. Gabriel took five seasons to secure a starting job. 

Conerly was part of a platoon system with the Giants, where he shared quarterback duties with his backup, Don Heinrich, starting many games to "probe: the defense with Conerly closing games after Heinrich had a series or two (or more).

Maybe none of those caveats are disqualifying, but when you have nine votes and others didn't have any question marks, it's hard to justify a quarterback just because it's the most important position on the field. 

RUNNING BACKS (4): Roger Craig, Chuck Foreman, Cecil Isbell, Paul “Tank” Younger.

Isbell was more of a passer than "running back" which is a misnomer. Isbell was an old-school tailback who made his bones throwing to Don Hutson.

Craig and Foreman are similar players, but excellent runners and elite receivers for their position. Craig was the first 1,000-1000 player, running for 1,000 and receiving for 1,000. It's notable. But was he as consistent as Foreman was from 1973-78? Craig was part of the championships; Foreman was not, but that's probably the biggest separator. 

Tank Younger was a fine fullback and an elite linebacker. In the first half of his career, he played more defense than offense, then the second half, it was the opposite. He was only a top-10 rusher twice in his career. He has to be looked at as a two-way player. The question is whether he was a Hall-of-Fame-level back/linebacker.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS (7): Isaac Curtis, Lavvie Dilweg, Henry Ellard, Harold Jackson, Stanley Morgan, Art Powell, Otis Taylor.

Lavvie Dilweg played in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He's one of the overlooked players in history. It's hard to know how the rest of the committee will vote, but he will be on my list of nine.

The six other wide receivers are hard to separate. They span eras, and therefore, you have to look at their numbers closely. Length of season and the level of league passing matter, meaning that post-1978 receiving numbers were more common, and the game was opening up. So, pre-1978 players have to be looked at as elite even if they may have had good seasons with 800 yards, for example.

Then, you have to look at early AFL tendencies. Unlike the NFL, the new league was pass-happy, and it is criticized that the defensive players were not up to snuff, compared to the NFL. They were casoffs. They were old, hurt, or just not that good, or so the claim goes. 

The six recent wide receivers ... you list them in the order of who you think is Hall-worthy. Would you list Art Powell first? Otis Taylor? The more recent Stanley Morgan? Do you ask where Del Shofner is?

You see the problem.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (5): Joe Jacoby, Mike Kenn, Bob Kuechenberg, Jim Tyrer, Al Wistert.

All are Hall-of-Famers in my book. The one who was All-Pro most and who was a two-way player is Al Wistert. He blocked for the runner who set the NFL career rushing record, he played on elite offenses and defenses. George Allen called Wistert one of the best early pass rushers. And he played on two championship teams. What more can a lineman do?

Jim Tyrer was advanced from the seniors committee to the full committee last year and was not inducted. His off-field actions prevented (a murder/suicide) his induction is the conventional wisdom. Even though Tyrer's wife's family has forgiven him, truly thinking he was suffering from what is now called C.T.E., the brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Is it true? I don't know. The only thing certain is "Hall resume" is worthy of induction. It just may never happen because of the off-field issues that surround him. 

Mike Kenn is at or near all the leaderboards for tackles in terms of years played, games played and games started. His longevity is off the charts. He was an All-Pro in 1980 and also in 1991, eleven years apart. He played for elite running teams early in his career and for a Run-and-Shoot style late in his career and was good at both. He was a "blue" player most of the years in between as well. 

Then there is Joe Jacoby, a vital part of the Washington line, the "Hogs" that won three titles. Jacoby was an elite left tackle and then moved to right tackle for the betterment of the team. He also moved to play guard for the same reasons. 

The only guard of this group is Bob Kuechenberg, who got left behind when his interior linemates -- Larry Little and Jim Langer got their gold jackets. He was a prototype player that several Hall-of-Fame guards modeled their game after his. He may have been the best trap blocker of all time.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (2): L.C. Greenwood, Jim Marshall.

Greenwood was a six-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro and owns four Super Bowl rings. He played on what is accepted as one of the top few defenses of all time -- The Steel Curtain.

Then you have Jim Marshall, who had around 130 sacks, played 20 years and never missed a game. But he was never a first-team All-Pro and two Pro Bowls. So he lacks the "alls" if you will

LINEBACKERS (6): Carl Banks, Maxie Baughan, Larry Grantham, Lee Roy Jordan, Clay Matthews Jr., Tommy Nobis.

Larry Grantham and Maxie Baughan were similar, right outside linebackers in a 4-3 defense.

The middle linebackers are hard to separate. Neither was a first-team All-Pro all that often, but would often get Pro Bowl invites. Jordan was able to play for a great team; Nobis was not. Of the two, who would you put in the Hall, that is, if you could only put one of them in?

Like with the wide receivers, who do you think gets the nod in your mind -- if you could only pick one to advance? What if others went with the other guy? Who would be right?

Some recent-ish players are also interesting. Clay Matthews Jr. and Carl Banks. Their case largely hinges on the eye test. Their coaches and the writers who cover them say these players (who lacked a lot of "alls") lost out on some of those because maybe rushbackers. Sackmeisters at the outside linebacker position hogged the honors. 

Both played the run, played the pass, and could rush the passer when asked. 

DEFENSIVE BACKS (6): Dick Anderson, Bobby Boyd, Albert Lewis, Eddie Meador, Lemar Parrish, Everson Walls.

It is good to see Lemar Parrish advance this far; he was the best cornerbacks of the 1970s. He was elite at coverage and quarterbacks avoided him. Always felt underpaid in Cincinnati and that landed him in Washington, where he continued his Pro Bowl-level play.

Albert Lewis was a technical marvel. He did things other corners couldn't do. He was a film-freak watching (then) videotapes of everyone so he'd have the advantage come Sundays. He's also the best punt blocker of all time.

Rams safety Eddie Meador was a fine cornerback, then became an All-Pro safety. He was a good tackler, good at coverage and on special teams, he was one of the best holders of all time. He could take a snap for a first down or even a touchdown.

Bobby Boyd was an interception machine. He was in a perfect system (a mostly cover-3 scheme), and quarterbacks would challenge him, and he'd make them pay. 

In some ways, Everson Walls is similar to Boyd in that they were not physically imposing. Walls was thought to be slow for his position, so they'd challenge him and he'd pick the pass off. 

Strong safety Dick Anderson was a Defensive Player of the Year in 1973 and had a number of other honors, but was felled by an injury and didn't have a long career. The question for him is whether the "Gale Sayers exception" should apply to him. That exception basically goes, if a player was so great that Hall of Fame induction was a sure thing, then an injury should not count against him.

That has been used a lot lately, so players with 7- or 8-year careers are getting gold Jackets. Is Anderson on the same level as, say, Ken Easley, who got in under that theory?

SPECIAL TEAMS (1): Steve Tasker.

Can a guy who excelled only on special teams be Hall-worthy? Good question. Tasker was able to benefit because during his career PFWA/PFW added a special teamer to their All-Pro team. Earlier players didn't have an opportunity to make an All-Pro team because no one had one back in the day.

Denico Autry's Impactful Return Puts Him in Rare Air

 by Nick Webster

After months sidelined by a knee injury, Denico Autry made his 2025 season debut in Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks—and boy, did he deliver, even in limited play. In a game the Texans ultimately dropped 27-19, Autry stepped up as one of the league's most versatile and opportunistic players. 

Reactivated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list just hours before kickoff, he suited up as a reserve behind starters Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. But Autry brings a completely different style to the Texans’ D-line: a power-first, run-stuffing presence who outweighs Hunter by 20 pounds and Anderson by a whopping 40 pounds, giving Houston a heavy-hitting change-of-pace option in key situations.

In limited action—just 10 defensive snaps—Autry wasted no time making his mark: two tackles, including a sack on Seahawks QB Geno Smith that almost resulted in a Safety that would have brought the game back into reach.

That alone would have been a fantastic welcome-back party. But the real fireworks came on special teams. Late in the second quarter, with Seattle lining up for a 53-yard field goal attempt by kicker Jason Myers, Autry exploded up the middle. He timed his leap perfectly, deflecting the ball off course to keep the Texans' deficit from ballooning to two scores. 

This was no ordinary swat—it's the 12th blocked kick of Autry's career, catapulting him to a tie for 11th place on the unofficial all-time list. He's now knotted up with four players, two of them gridiron legends and a couple of underrated performers: Hall of Famer Dick "Night Train" Lane, 49ers icon and Hall of Famer Leo Nomellini, six-time Pro Bowler Erich Barnes, and an interior force for the Cardinals Bob Rowe—all at 12 apiece. 

That puts Autry three clear of the No. 2 active player, Arizona Cardinals DE Calais Campbell, who sits at nine. In an era where 50+ yard Field Goals are routine and protections are airtight, Autry's knack for disrupting kicks stands out.

Of course, on those historical rankings; for some of these older players, like Leo the Lion and The Night Train, the full statistical record isn't always clear. Pre-merger NFL Gamebooks didn't track blocks with today's precision - and aren't even available for every game of their careers, so there could be uncovered gems waiting in dusty archives or film reels. That said, Autry's tally is rock-solid in the modern era, and it underscores what makes him such an anomaly.

Think about it—since 2000, only two players have more kicks blocked than Autry's dozen: former Browns and Lions DT Shaun Rogers with 17 (a beast who used his 350-pound frame to bull-rush interiors) and Hall of Fame legend Julius Peppers with 13 (the freakish athlete who blocked basketballs in College before blocking kicks in the NFL). 

Everyone else? Crickets. 

Autry's special-teams acumen is a dying breed and it's the kind of blue-collar edge that can make a big difference in tight games.  Autry's return couldn't come at a better time for the Texans who need every edge they can get after a 2-4 start.