tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49589970614374620032024-03-18T18:21:09.353-06:00Pro Football JournalDedicated to reporting mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional football.
Follow us on Twitter: @NFL_Journal -
Email:
profootballjournal@gmail.com
John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.comBlogger2169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-72805806299631569792024-03-16T20:27:00.000-06:002024-03-16T20:27:13.535-06:00Neil Smith—Does He Have a Shot at Hall of Fame?<div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>By John Turney <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYMbnyDnUzTnV_6ZOkvJoywjgD8z9VtIjlSgrkLiHBFQ54X5OoDJCYXHZHfxjyEUxZafjy3hyphenhypheno1RfZmHKuYcUazJ91LspnetBleAo9BIEcOq6nQfBwDMjNOLL5EOLAw68fKSyefSNSBM70PtNmBQfyrj2DIyYCynuyyW8-42PeA95W3jtCDj8wWzzu1u1/s419/2024-03-14_12-34-55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="299" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYMbnyDnUzTnV_6ZOkvJoywjgD8z9VtIjlSgrkLiHBFQ54X5OoDJCYXHZHfxjyEUxZafjy3hyphenhypheno1RfZmHKuYcUazJ91LspnetBleAo9BIEcOq6nQfBwDMjNOLL5EOLAw68fKSyefSNSBM70PtNmBQfyrj2DIyYCynuyyW8-42PeA95W3jtCDj8wWzzu1u1/s320/2024-03-14_12-34-55.jpg" width="228" /></a></div></i></b></div><div>Quick question: How is it that a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro who was on the 1990s' all-decade team, has over 100 career sacks and twice drew votes for Defensive Player of the Year has zero support from the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame's board of selectors?</div><div><br /></div><div>When you have an answer, contact former defensive end <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitNe00.htm">Neil Smith</a>. He's the former All-Pro I'm talking about. </div><div><br /></div><div>Smith has never been one of Canton's 25 annual semifinalists, even though many of his all-decade teammates have ... and that must change and change immediately. Because if Smith fails to advance in the Class of 2025, his modern-era eligibility expires ... and you know what that means: He's regulated to the seniors' "swamp" -- a pool of Hall-of-Fame worthy individuals so deep that it includes over 50 all-decade performers never discussed as finalists.</div><div><br /></div><div>If that happens, and it seems likely, we have to ask: What's the problem? Why hasn't Neil Smith ever advanced? </div><div><br /></div><div>Frankly, it's hard to say. He's something of an oddity in that he wasn't just a one-dimensional pass-rushing defensive end. He was an accomplished pass rusher who was also a great run-stopping defensive end.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just ask him.</div><div><br /></div><div>"I was a dominant run stopper coming from the Big Eight at one time," the former Kansas City and Denver star said. "(So I learned) how to play the strong side … and, then, when plays come to me, take care of them. And when plays are away from me, chase them down.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or ask his former coach, the late Marty Schottenheimer.</div><div><br /></div><div>"He does an excellent job against the run," he once said. "He has natural leverage and body strength and performs quite well against the run."</div><div><br /></div><div>But it didn't end there, he could get after the passer, too. Again, we call Neil Smith to testify on his behalf.</div><div><br /></div><div>"When the pass rush came," he said, "I had to never leave the field, and then go hunt and get sacks. So a complete player is really what you’re looking for, and I had everything that a complete player needs as far as trying to get in."</div><div><br /></div><div>The numbers support his argument.</div><div><br /></div><div>While it's true that in the eight years he teamed with Hall-of-Famer Derrick Thomas in Kansas City, it was Thomas who had more sacks (98-83), it's also true that, according to the Chiefs' coaches, Smith had more pressures. In those eight seasons Thomas led the club in sacks four times, Smith three and they tied once. But Smith led in pressures six times and Thomas twice.</div><div><br /></div><div>No, he didn't have the explosive first two steps that Thomas did. Of course, neither did anyone else. But Smith was as successful. From 1992-95 --- the first four seasons after the Chiefs switched to a 4-3 defense -- he was second in the NFL with 53 sacks (including a league-high 15 in 1993). Only Chargers' defensive end Leslie O'Neal had more with 54.</div><div><br /></div><div>Furthermore, during his time in the NFL, only eight players recorded more sacks ... and six of them are in the Hall of Fame.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember also that Smith did that with style, often punctuating his sacks with a "home-run swing" and a Band-Aid on his nose -- something he at first wore because of a broken nose but that later became his trademark. But it wasn't his style that scouts noticed; it was his athleticism and productivity.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Great reach and good slither," said one. "He can turn his body to separate from blockers." Said another: "He can race to the corner and burst off a block into the pocket. He plays with leverage and comes down hard and quick on inside runs."</div><div><br /></div><div>By great reach, they meant his 7-foot 1½-inch wingspan. By "burst," they meant his 4.59 40-yard dash time. Yes, Neil Smith was a physical freak, doing all that at 260 pounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, new economics in the NFL caused a change in Smith's career. With a still-new salary cap, the Chiefs couldn't afford both Thomas and Smith. They had to make a decision to keep one, and in 1997 they chose Thomas. That meant Smith's next stop was Denver where his new coach Mike Shanahan said, "For the last decade I was on the other side . . . designing game plans directed toward Neil."</div><div><br /></div><div>Smith snagged a pair of Super Bowl rings with the Broncos while producing 19 sacks in three seasons. He also went to his final Pro Bowl there.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what is Neil Smith's legacy?</div><div><br /></div><div>Hall-of-Fame voters thought enough of him to put him on the 1990's all-decade team, along with three pass rushers you may know -- Reggie White, Bruce Smith and Chris Doleman.</div><div><br /></div><div>So he was in good company.</div><div><br /></div><div>But in addition to the sacks, pressures and glowing comments by coaches and scouts, Smith left a record equal or superior to defensive ends with Gold Jackets. His six Pro Bowls are more than Richard Dent, Fred Dean and Charles Haley and as many as Carl Eller, Jason Taylor, Lee Roy Selmon and Claude Humphrey. He was also a consensus All-Pro as many times as Charles Haley and Fred Dean and more times than Elvin Bethea and Ed Sprinkle. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not only that, but he has the added credential of changing the game -- an often nebulous criterion you read when supporters promote someone for the Hall. Some of them are true, but often the claim is dubious.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Smith, it's legit. </div><div><br /></div><div>When he played, a defender could move prior to the snap, but an offensive lineman could not. So, Smith figured he'd take advantage by twitching or making a movement to cause the tackle in front of him to flinch ... resulting in a five-yard motion penalty. At least it was until 1998 when the NFL enacted "Neil Smith Rule," prohibiting a defender from making a sudden motion to draw an opposing lineman offside.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, it's a penalty on the defender.</div><div><br /></div><div>Should Neil Smith be inducted? That's up to voters. But that's not the question here. Someone who was all-decade, All-Pro once, second-team All-Pro three times and All-AFC four times ... voted to six Pro Bowls ... produced over 100 career sacks and forced 31 fumbles ... at the very least should be discussed once before he's sent to the seniors category.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, the time is now, and the clock is ticking.</div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-74674200937140877562024-03-14T12:32:00.004-06:002024-03-14T12:32:27.644-06:00Book Review: The NFL's 60-Minute Men: All-Time Greats of the Two-Way Player Era, 1920-1945<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>By John Turney</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3ZRYuleqxBEyy0uGTApclirROXmcRjCtoMOoL4OdCNcHZ678qfQ2Vgo2IpzatgWs762tN6U_8fS_0IeeJlyUKFM-sfuP1U0i605auohcmvfx1pwPBlIO-E53CXeY7OKeosz0LAsYqiwAR1RaH_l6Mvm6DfMNhJBRUnZ9SWXUpPPxeSRHIAZsoluOfs1x/s394/2024-03-14_12-31-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3ZRYuleqxBEyy0uGTApclirROXmcRjCtoMOoL4OdCNcHZ678qfQ2Vgo2IpzatgWs762tN6U_8fS_0IeeJlyUKFM-sfuP1U0i605auohcmvfx1pwPBlIO-E53CXeY7OKeosz0LAsYqiwAR1RaH_l6Mvm6DfMNhJBRUnZ9SWXUpPPxeSRHIAZsoluOfs1x/s320/2024-03-14_12-31-25.jpg" width="224" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">A new book by Chris Willis drops on Friday, and I know what you're thinking: Who's Chris Willis? Good question. He's one of the foremost pro football historians, as well as the head archivist and producer at <i>NFL Films</i> and someone who won an Emmy for his work on <i>HBO's</i> "Hard Knox" series.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div>In short, he's a pro football encyclopedia ... and memo to Hall-of-Fame voters: His new book is proof.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's entitled <a href="https://www.amazon.com/NFLs-60-Minute-Men-All-Time-1920-1945/dp/1476691320/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=6gwke&content-id=amzn1.sym.cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_p=cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_r=144-9222303-5934751&pd_rd_wg=FI6vK&pd_rd_r=0828cc58-c7b0-4d9e-87fd-ac5166ec14d7&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk">"The NFL's 60-Minute Men: All-Time Greats of the Two-Way Player Era, 1920-1945,"</a> and it's a foray into the best players in the first two-and-a-half decades of the National Football League. Included are biographies of Willis' top 45 players from that era, with names you know -- such as Dutch Clark, Red Grange, Bronko Nagursk and Don Hutson -- and some you may not, like Joe Kopcha, Charley Brock and Father Lumpkin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Willis ranks them from top to bottom and makes the case for each, with the help of interviews he did or collected from other works, as well as all-time teams picked by the players themselves ... and let me explain: If, for instance, Curly Lambeau or Mel Hein picked teams, they could ... and often would .. be part of Willis' analyses. He also uses quotes, available statistics, All-Pro teams and other criteria to come to his conclusions.</div><div><br /></div><div>To describe it as comprehensive would be an understatement. </div><div><br /></div><div>In addition, Willis reviews each season from 1920-37 and picks a "Retro-MVP," someone who should've been the MVP in, say, 1922 or 1927, and re-evaluates league winners from 1938-45 -- the years prior to the creation of the official NFL Most Valuable Player award.</div><div><br /></div><div>All of his choices are supported by impeccable research (the list of sources, end notes, bibliography and index are 21 pages alone), and maybe you agree with them; maybe you don't. But you can't say Willis didn't do his homework.</div><div><br /></div><div>He did. And then some.</div><div><br /></div><div>For Hall-of-Fame voters, especially those on the seniors' committee, the final chapter is noteworthy. That's because Willis picks his All-Time two-way team -- both a first-and second-team -- which could serve as a resource for future debates on pre-World War II stars. Because of his access to old films, Willis is in a unique position to make his picks have special gravitas.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best of all, the book is entertaining, with most of the chapters having photos to accompany the text. It's an educational experience where you're guided through an era too often forgotten, but it doesn't read like a textbook. You're introduced to the players, discover what drew them to the pro game and hear what their peers thought of them and why history should remember them.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's one reason I recommend it. The other is the author: Chris Willis is so noteworthy that the Pro Football Hall of Fame picked him for the "blue-ribbon panel" that chose its Centennial Class of 2020. Furthermore, he's the author of eight previous books, with biographies of Dutch Clark, Grange, Nagurski and Joe Carr among his pre-World War II (and even pre-NFL) subjects. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess what I'm saying is that, if you care about NFL history, you should read his latest work. I strongly believe it becomes one of the iconic volumes on the great two-way players of the early days of the NFL -- ones with nicknames like "Dutch," "Tuffy," "Ace," "Whizzer," "Slingin' Sammy" and "Blood" and who played in leather helmets on dirt and rock fields.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, of course, who played both ways.</div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-91430965184329794822024-03-10T16:00:00.002-06:002024-03-10T16:21:13.327-06:00The Tale of Three Defensive Backs<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">by Jeffrey J. Miller</span></i></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmqr5QpwGFV_kahXd0HdmbXQBr4iv7cusnwfM7GdUr4SF2aTlC7oAhc5MzF4UgmRtn-WLzCLspIB5lvbmWszcYe6E5ei0y8J8Yp_LvN9OnsquxlXiEUdffGemh7FsMnKMncaE3-uqrYdfglK98O0BV8kla6tqlFhLow0PCCwwt1eIijKjDHrU4vfybUa9/s311/Helmet%20Bills%201960-61.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="311" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmqr5QpwGFV_kahXd0HdmbXQBr4iv7cusnwfM7GdUr4SF2aTlC7oAhc5MzF4UgmRtn-WLzCLspIB5lvbmWszcYe6E5ei0y8J8Yp_LvN9OnsquxlXiEUdffGemh7FsMnKMncaE3-uqrYdfglK98O0BV8kla6tqlFhLow0PCCwwt1eIijKjDHrU4vfybUa9/s1600/Helmet%20Bills%201960-61.bmp" width="311" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: justify;">We here at the
<i>Pro Football Journal</i> take great pleasure in occasionally presenting subject
matter that is—as our description states--truly “esoteric.” </span><span style="text-align: justify;">My colleagues (John, Coach, Nick, Chris and
Eric) have an uncanny knack for providing fascinating stories with information you,
gentle reader, will not find anywhere else.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am proud to be included among these exceptional historians and do my
best to keep pace with their prodigious and informative output.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyl5p1rFyAicf0FE4_JcEiHwpK9MyZwrlVOnuyYmJFzcLnafekGm0WExJN0NmsYBY_hV2sOJcG76_EOJ-Y0P9XUtNcwaPe_zbikT1hWzvjF1ziRy5Ap-kRbEzufHG7sc0Y0qer1Rpc82Wv7pLt7jQ9qq9xA1kPRhPX0th9sLA-mctpkDn7fFdRewhNQy-d/s300/Logo%20Bills%201960-61%20.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="300" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyl5p1rFyAicf0FE4_JcEiHwpK9MyZwrlVOnuyYmJFzcLnafekGm0WExJN0NmsYBY_hV2sOJcG76_EOJ-Y0P9XUtNcwaPe_zbikT1hWzvjF1ziRy5Ap-kRbEzufHG7sc0Y0qer1Rpc82Wv7pLt7jQ9qq9xA1kPRhPX0th9sLA-mctpkDn7fFdRewhNQy-d/s1600/Logo%20Bills%201960-61%20.bmp" width="300" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, in the interest of esoterica, I would like to talk about a happening that I believe occurred only
once in the history of the National Football League. During the years 1972 through 1980, three men
served as the Buffalo Bills’ defensive backfield coach: Billy Atkins, Richie
McCabe and Jim Wagstaff. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What is unusual
about this is the fact that all three of these men were teammates on the
Buffalo Bills during the team’s first two years as members of the American
Football League and, even more interestingly, were all members of the same
position group (defensive back). </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexaXGcJMmmM9wQ9m1YoR6Idd2GwuFxtbrG5hkQ00F5df8yj_V6LFukXB01fYnInfBlCUOTMIiKhL4I81d10N4euKxb1jh0tHnF9yWTQI-DLNYtBzcD7n4veIZ20FZPlEhEHF6OKRMF8QtFxwDbWbCtvXG1vfTWO15sOSAXO9WmjuzawVKry3YW9Xtw1uU/s635/Buffalo%20Bill%20DBs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="635" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexaXGcJMmmM9wQ9m1YoR6Idd2GwuFxtbrG5hkQ00F5df8yj_V6LFukXB01fYnInfBlCUOTMIiKhL4I81d10N4euKxb1jh0tHnF9yWTQI-DLNYtBzcD7n4veIZ20FZPlEhEHF6OKRMF8QtFxwDbWbCtvXG1vfTWO15sOSAXO9WmjuzawVKry3YW9Xtw1uU/w640-h304/Buffalo%20Bill%20DBs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Jim Wagstaff - Billy Atkins - Richie McCabe</div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span>When the Buffalo Bills joined
the upstart American Football League in 1959, owner Ralph C. Wilson hired
Buster Ramsey, to be the team’s first head coach. Bringing with him a reputation as a defensive
guru, it is not surprising that Ramsey prioritized that side of the ball when
piecing his roster together. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>He was able
to do so by bringing in a group of defensive backs whose resumes included experience
on NFL rosters, including Atkins (San Francisco), McCabe (Pittsburgh Steelers
and Washington Redskins), Wagstaff (Chicago Cardinals) and </span><span>Billy Kinard (Cleveland Browns and Green Bay
Packers). As a result, the Bills
finished a solid third in overall defense in 1960. </span></div></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87uyUdWFIXtGlDPpGq05wcPYfvGRDaS8OLCAcLkmYs6iSLj8HsujnpIpN9nFIdR5gFfs8kYVpy-Qfe5VBYvV4cQ9stin8LboPr3YrCuTBWoTRvV3PWmp6Ij9jC-dBYNG62EzA-OYPZtHLG_yQ8dpAk0DwzUyxmZSDbCu2ijC1BTtwuZv27sH5TV30bqCJ/s369/1233628_626675084032429_1072896914_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87uyUdWFIXtGlDPpGq05wcPYfvGRDaS8OLCAcLkmYs6iSLj8HsujnpIpN9nFIdR5gFfs8kYVpy-Qfe5VBYvV4cQ9stin8LboPr3YrCuTBWoTRvV3PWmp6Ij9jC-dBYNG62EzA-OYPZtHLG_yQ8dpAk0DwzUyxmZSDbCu2ijC1BTtwuZv27sH5TV30bqCJ/s320/1233628_626675084032429_1072896914_n.jpg" width="230" /></a></div></span><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our story picks up in 1972, when
Lou Saban hired Billy Atkins to tutor the Bills defensive secondary. Atkins
had been a classic multi-threat performer at Auburn University where he played
fullback, linebacker and punter. He led
the Tigers to a National Championship in 1957 and was rewarded with the team’s
Most Valuable Player award. He was drafted
by San Francisco in the 5</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13.3333px;">th</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> round in 1958 and played two seasons
with the 49ers before signing on as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills of the
new American Football League in 1960. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Atkins never missed a start in two years with the Bills, and by his
second year was recognized as one of the league’s best defensive backs. After playing much of the 1960 season as a corner, Atkins was moved to free safety in 1961 and led the AFL with 10 interceptions,
earning First-Team All-AFL honors for his efforts. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Despite his stellar defensive play and
leading the loop in punting both years, Ace was traded to the New York Titans in
1963. He retired from active duty after
the 1964 season and spent six years as the head coach at Troy State University
where he led the Trojans to an overall record of 44-16-2, including an NAIA
championship in 1968.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">After Lou Saban returned as head coach of the Bills in 1972, he turned to Atkins
to oversee the defensive backfield.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The
Bills had been a laughingstock for several seasons, but it wasn’t long before
their fortunes were turning as they improved from 4-10 in 1972 to 9-5 in 1973
and again in 1974 when they reached the post-season for the first time since 1966.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi9VJoOsCaS-KyYis9HSI_Jba3U8LHyeg5LAVD0hzSERovLewY4bFxcOPMU3fS32DEGDQmwKtQg2mF-SQdLjMhSZqDMX284GSPwZ7-k-V1SUScCXMELFf6j8pZY75p37Y-RBoCFc09vFQvxwWlpgpIg5xv_yZdIHzMmEmjovpgej2LOhWpbAS3ni3KOPg/s386/1_99074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi9VJoOsCaS-KyYis9HSI_Jba3U8LHyeg5LAVD0hzSERovLewY4bFxcOPMU3fS32DEGDQmwKtQg2mF-SQdLjMhSZqDMX284GSPwZ7-k-V1SUScCXMELFf6j8pZY75p37Y-RBoCFc09vFQvxwWlpgpIg5xv_yZdIHzMmEmjovpgej2LOhWpbAS3ni3KOPg/s320/1_99074.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">When Atkins left Saban’s staff in January 1976 to become the defensive backfield coach with the San Francisco 49ers, Saban tapped Richie McCabe to fill the void.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This would actually be McCabe’s third stint with the Bills, having also been a member of Joe Collier’s coaching staff 1966-68.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Like Atkins, McCabe had been a member of the Bills’ inaugural squad, signing as a free agent with club after spending parts of four NFL seasons between the Pittsburgh Steelers (who had drafted him in the 22<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">nd</span></span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> round in 1955) and the Washington Redskins.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">After a standout campaign in 1960 in which he was selected All-AFL by the Associated Press, McCabe’s career came to a screeching halt with a devastating knee injury in 1961.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">New Head Coach Jim Ringo, who had taken over for Saban midway through the
disastrous 1976 campaign, promoted McCabe to the dual posts of Defensive
Coordinator/Defensive Backfield Coach in February 1977.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">That season proved a dismal failure as the
Bills finished 3-11 and owner Ralph Wilson hired highly touted Chuck Knox away
from the Los Angeles Rams as the team’s new head coach.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Ringo’s entire staff, McCabe included, was
let go as Knox sought to bring in his own guys.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpoo_OGsOZdUObSflWbDk5hsVeHCf2hlRT9DqFNeSrajXCUbtOQfyJPq43IXmq938QIooZ6CXTArVdmaHIoLGxu1c3z5NGXJAYut3UL8um-_aEf70oyKHRVcmYmuWU2ahF6Aq_riQ5qheeMPTe65MkM5cKIamTL8RDrB-q9VxCiE5cDBGJoNJCJ06UVig/s369/920804_569943636372241_2049740876_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpoo_OGsOZdUObSflWbDk5hsVeHCf2hlRT9DqFNeSrajXCUbtOQfyJPq43IXmq938QIooZ6CXTArVdmaHIoLGxu1c3z5NGXJAYut3UL8um-_aEf70oyKHRVcmYmuWU2ahF6Aq_riQ5qheeMPTe65MkM5cKIamTL8RDrB-q9VxCiE5cDBGJoNJCJ06UVig/s320/920804_569943636372241_2049740876_o.jpg" width="226" /></a></div></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">Which brings us to Jim Wagstaff. Wagstaff had been coaching the secondary under Knox for five seasons. He was invited to join his good friend in Buffalo, making him the third straight
former member of the original Buffalo Bills’ defensive backfield to man the
position.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">Wagstaff was a standout
defensive performer at Idaho State prior to being drafted by the Detroit Lions
in the 21<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">st</span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> round in 1958.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">Wagstaff
failed to make the Lions’ lineup and spent the 1959 season with the Chicago Cardinals
before casting his lot with the AFL Bills in 1960.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">He was named Second-Team All-AFL after pilfering
six enemy passes that first year.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">He
missed just a single game in his two seasons with the Bills.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">After coaching at the high school and college levels for the next several
years, Wagstaff was hired by Chuck Knox as the Rams’ secondary coach
in 1973.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">Under Wags’ guidance, the Rams
led the league in interceptions in 1976 and the team won five straight division
titles.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">In his first year as the Bills’
DB helmsman, the Bills yielded a league-best 104.0 yards per game.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">Wagstaff spent three seasons tutoring the
Bills’ defensive backs (1978-80), the last of which saw the Bills return to the
playoffs for the first time since 1974.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;">He left the team in February 1981 to become the defensive secondary
coach with the San Diego Chargers.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-indent: 0.5in;"> (Note: The streak of succession ended when Knox hired Ralph Hawkins as Jim Wagstaff's replacement. Though Hawkins was not a former Bills player, he had served the team before as a defensive assistant during the John Rauch administration, 1969-70). </span></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So there we have it. This is believed to be the only time in NFL
history that three men from the same team and position group subsequently served
that team in the same post in succession.
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
Jeffrey J. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00551237416018364311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-28131916667918485662024-03-07T15:34:00.001-07:002024-03-07T15:34:07.904-07:00The 1980-2000-ish Non-HOF team<div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>By John Turney <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWrYIStKfMTP7L1mnZDhdB0ptf9D6OCxG2CtNAVJWqaJNYJRIC0Ami4QPW-_H0oQReEneWIIkMzn8uGApQcDCaGYYsMkySW9sWXPc4o9-eNZg3GlT2dElrq2bxwCL2EXsRnQKmbdUEdbMaZmAZGtr1IfLWDmnSAx6USJ7o5R58FtuBDsM_m1bhKHjGg-0W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="298" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWrYIStKfMTP7L1mnZDhdB0ptf9D6OCxG2CtNAVJWqaJNYJRIC0Ami4QPW-_H0oQReEneWIIkMzn8uGApQcDCaGYYsMkySW9sWXPc4o9-eNZg3GlT2dElrq2bxwCL2EXsRnQKmbdUEdbMaZmAZGtr1IfLWDmnSAx6USJ7o5R58FtuBDsM_m1bhKHjGg-0W" width="249" /></a></div></i></b></div><div>After picking my all-star teams from three eras (1920-40, 1940-60 and 1960-80) of elite players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I'm ready for my last installment.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm ready for 1980-2000.</div><div><br /></div><div>But before we get started, full disclosure: I'm not going to be too particular about some overlap, meaning there might be someone who played in the late 1970s or early 2000s. Also, there are some players who still have modern-era eligibility, albeit short. The vast majority, however, are in the senior category.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that we have that out of the way, let's see who they are.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">OFFENSE</span></div><div>CENTER</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HilgJa00.htm">Jay Hilgenberg</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HullKe00.htm">Kent Hull</a></div><div><br /></div><div>A consistent All-Pro and Pro Bowler, Jay Hilgenberg might be the most decorated center not in the Hall of Fame. After being all-league in the USFL, Kent Hull became the anchor for the offensive lines that blocked for Buffalo's Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas. </div><div><br /></div><div>GUARDS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WisnSt00.htm">Steve Wisniewski</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CrosRa00.htm">Randy Cross</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FralBi00.htm">Bill Fralic</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NewtNa00.htm">Nate Newton</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Wisniewski has two more shots to have his case heard by the Hall's board of selectors, but he's yet to be a semifinalist ... which is perplexing. He was All-Pro in 1990 (<i>PFWA</i>), 1991 (<i>AP</i>, <i>PFWA</i>, <i>NEA</i>, <i>TSN</i>), 1992 (<i>AP</i>, <i>PFWA</i>, <i>NEA</i>, <i>TSN</i>), 1993 (<i>PFWA</i>, <i>TSN</i>), and 1994 (<i>TSN</i>). Plus, he was second-team All-Pro in 1995, 1996 and 2000. He was all-decade for the 1990s and an eight-time invitee to Hawaii.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cross's career reached back to the 1970s, but his individual honors were in the 1980s. He was the most decorated of the offensive linemen in the 49ers' dynasty.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the first half of his career, Bill Fralic's career included three All-Pro selections (1986-88), but there were virtually no "alls" in the second. Nevertheless, it was enough to make the 1980s' all-decade second team. </div><div><br /></div><div>Big Nate Newton gets lost among Cowboys' linemen and some post-career legal trouble, but he has solid credentials for a Hall-of-Fame discussion.</div><div><br /></div><div>TACKLES</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KennMi00.htm">Mike Kenn</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JacoJo00.htm">Joe Jacoby</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowLo00.htm">Lomas Brown</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WebbRi00.htm">Richmond Webb</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Though he started 17 years in the NFL, the Falcons' Mike Kenn has had little Hall-of-Fame consideration ... and maybe that's because of Atlanta's lack of success. Granted, he played on good teams early, and he played on them late in his career. But in the middle -- a long middle -- the Falcons weren't close to being a contender. </div><div><br /></div><div>But that shouldn't disguise the fact that Kenn was the best pass blocker at left tackle not named Anthony Munoz during his time in the NFL.</div><div><br /></div><div>The top "Hog", Joe Jacoby gained serious consideration for the Hall in 2016 when he was as top-ten finalist. But he failed to break through the next two years before disappearing into the deep end of the senior pool. Jacoby unselfishly moved from left to right tackle in 1989 to accommodate Jim Lachey -- a move, apparently, that some voters considered a demotion. But it wasn't, according to coach Joe Gibbs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lomas Brown's 18-year career creeps into the Hall's modern era. Like Wisniewski and Kenn. he's never been a finalist, but his seven Pro Bowls suggest he should be. The same is true for Richmond Webb, a seven-time Pro Bowler and all-decade choice.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Hall's board of selectors can remedy the Brown and Webb situations by pushing them as finalists before their eligibility expires in 2027. At least then their cases will have been heard.</div><div><br /></div><div>TIGHT END</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChriTo00.htm">Todd Christensen</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BavaMa00.htm">Mark Bavaro</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Christensen was the most productive tight end of this era on a per-game basis and was All-Pro, Pro Bowl and a key part of the 1983 Raiders' team.</div><div><br /></div><div>When tight ends were getting more and more involved in the passing game (think Kellen Winslow, Ozzie Newsome and Christensen), Bavaro was a throwback tight end akin to Mike Ditka, John Mackey or Dave Casper -- players asked to block defensive ends and linebackers to make running games effective.</div><div><br /></div><div>QUARTERBACK.</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EsiaBo00.htm">Boomer Esiason</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CunnRa00.htm">Randall Cunningham</a></div><div><br /></div><div>What? Boomer Esiason? </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, it's like this: Among non-Hall quarterbacks, Eaiason threw for the most yards and touchdowns in this 20-year period. He also was an MVP, won an NFL passing title and has one AFC championship victory to his credit.</div><div><br /></div><div>So where was his shot as a finalist? It wasn't. It never happened.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there's Randall Cunningham, a player ahead of his time. He was the <i>PFWA</i> MVP in 1990 and the <i>NEA</i> MVP in 1998. Plus, three times he was runner-up in the <i>AP</i> MVP voting.</div><div><br /></div><div>RUNNING BACKS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CraiRo00.htm">Roger Craig</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattRi00.htm">Ricky Watters</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GeorEd00.htm">Eddie George</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndeOt00.htm">Ottis Anderson</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Craig took rushing and receiving by a running back to a new level in 1988 when he had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and was the league's Offensive Player of the Year. He was the 49ers' top running back when they won three Super Bowls from 1984-89.</div><div><br /></div><div>Among non-Hall-of-Fame backs from 1980-2000, Ricky Watters ran for the most yards, had the second-most rushing touchdowns and went to the most Pro Bowls.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eddie George has been a modern-era semifinalist twice in the last three years, so he's beginning to gain support. His career extended to 2004, tied for the latest of any of the players I picked, which means he has five years of modern-era eligibility left. But I'm not sure that's enough to get him into the room with voters. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ottis Anderson had two careers: one as an elite Pro Bowl running back and the other as a late-career pounder who was the MVP in the 1990 Giants' Super Bowl win.</div><div><br /></div><div>WIDE RECEIVERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SharSt00.htm">Sterling Sharpe</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MorgSt00.htm">Stanley Morgan</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EllaHe00.htm">Henry Ellard</a> and <a href="Herman Moore">Herman Moore</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Things are beginning to move for Sharpe after his short career was ended by a neck injury, mostly because of recent inductions of players in similar situations (think Terrell Davis, Tony Boselli and Patrick Willis). Reportedly, he was among the final six senior finalists for the Class of 2023 and is one of the favorites for next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Morgan began his Patriots' career as the ultimate deep threat, averaging 22.5 yards a catch in his first six seasons before becoming more involved in the short-and-intermediate passing game.</div><div><br /></div><div>At first, Henry Ellard was an elite punt returner. Then he developed into an elite wide receiver and ended his career with 13,777 receiving yards. Herman Moore, meanwhile, was a three-time consensus All-Pro -- the same number as Sterling Sharpe. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wes Chandler Mark Clayton, Irving Fryar and others could have been picked. They all had strong aspects to their cases. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">DEFENSE</span></div><div>ENDS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GastMa00.htm">Mark Gastineau</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitNe00.htm">Neil Smith</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/ONeaLe00.htm">Leslie O'Neal</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BakeAl00.htm">Bubba Baker</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The induction of Dwight Freeney opens the door for elite pass rushers were weren't particularly accomplished vs. the run -- which means it opens the door for the Jets' Gastineau.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the early 1980s, he had huge sack seasons and was a three-time consensus All-Pro. But he was controversial because of off-the-field behavior and because some teammates and opponents criticized him for not playing the run. </div><div><br /></div><div>True or not, all that hurt his Hall chances.</div><div><br /></div><div>People need to remember how good Neil Smith was. As a strong-side end, he was counted on to stop the run, which he did. But he also had over 100 career sacks. Furthermore, in the eight years he teamed with Hall-of-Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas, he had more pressures and even led the NFL in sacks in 1993.</div><div><br /></div><div>Leslie O'Neal was such a tactician with his pass-rush moves that he made it an art. He also turned them into 132-1/2 career sacks, or as many as Lawrence Taylor. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you count unofficial sacks -- those prior to 1982 -- Al "Bubba" Baker totaled 131 -- including 23 as a rookie -- and would've twice led the NFL.</div><div><br /></div><div>TACKLES</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmerFr00.htm">Fred Smerlas</a> (nose) and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PerrMi00.htm">Michael Dean Perry</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BaumBo00.htm">Bob Baumhower</a> (nose) and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChilRa00.htm">Ray Childress</a></div><div><br /></div><div>As a pure 3-4 nose tackle, Smerlas was elite, going to five Pro Bowls (no pure nose tackle had more) and playing 14 years. </div><div><br /></div><div>Michael Dean Perry, the Fridge's (William Perry) younger brother, was usually on All-Pro teams that had some form or players/coaches and executives involved. He was someone who, along with sacks, made scores of tackles in the backfield. In fact, recent reviews of NFL gamebooks show he had more tackles for loss than his career total of sacks (61).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that short careers aren't a hindrance, five-time Pro Bowler Bob Baumhower, one of the main "Bs" in the Killer B defense, should be considered. So should the Oilers' Childress, who ended his career as an elite 4-3 defensive tackle. He was explosive off the ball and a complete player. From 1988-93 he received at least some sort of "all" -- either All-Pro, second-team All-Pro or the Pro Bowl.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another underrated player is Henry Thomas. As someone who played mostly a shade technique over center, he was an effective pass rusher (93-1/2 sacks) and stout vs. the run. And, like Perry, he compiled a surfeit of tackles for loss. He deserves an honorable mention.</div><div><br /></div><div>MIDDLE/INSIDE LINEBACKER</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeckKa00.htm">Karl Mecklenburg</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NickHa00.htm">Hardy Nickerson</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The "Albino Rhino," Mecklenburg was more of a hybrid inside linebacker. On passing situations, he'd usually move from inside linebacker to defensive end or tackle ... and he was reliable no matter where he was positioned. He was a three-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nickerson was a more traditional middle/inside linebacker. He played 15 seasons and was All-Pro twice, second-team All-Pro twice and second-team all-decade in the 1990s.</div><div><br /></div><div>OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MattCl00.htm">Clay Matthews</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MarsWi00.htm">Wilber Marshall</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BennCo00.htm">Cornelius Bennett</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JoynSe00.htm">Seth Joyner</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Browns' longtime great Clay Matthews was a near-miss in 2021, his only year as a finalist, making the Hall's top ten. But that was the end of the line as a modern-era candidate. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wilber Marshall is one of several linebackers from this era with decorated careers but who, because they weren't edge rushers, had paltry sack totals. Unfortunately, it was pass-rushing outside linebackers whom Hall voters favored. But Marshall was someone who could get over 100 tackles, five sacks and five interceptions in the same season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cornelius Bennett began his career as the "rush-type" 'backer but transitioned into an off-the-ball 'backer and an all-decade choice. Like Marshall, Joyner was an outside linebacker who could cover as well as a safety and blitz effectively. In fact, he played a little bit of safety in his time.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 1991 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Swilling ended his career with 107-1/2 sacks and was a four-time first-or-second-team All-Pro. One problem: the Saints' famed Dome Patrol linebacker already has two Hall of Famers in Rickey Jackson and Sam Mills. It's hard to see voters putting in a third, but I'll give him an honorable mention.</div><div><br /></div><div>Matt Blair was caught between eras, but his elite seasons were in the late-1970s and early-1980s. So I put him here as an honorable mention, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>CORNERBACKS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WrigLo00.htm">Louis Wright </a>and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LewiAl00.htm">Albert Lewis</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WallEv00.htm">Everson Walls</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleEr00.htm">Eric Allen</a></div><div><br /></div><div>A strong-side corner who could cover, play the run and hit, the Broncos' Louis Wright had elite seasons in the late-1970s and a career that extended well into the 1980s. That's the good. The bad? He couldn't catch. He dropped countless interceptions, one reason why he played defense instead of offense. Nevertheless, he was good enough to be a four-time All-Pro (twice consensus), a five-time Pro Bowler and a second-team slot on the 1970's all-decade team.</div><div><br /></div><div>Albert Lewis did all that ... and then some. He's the best pure punt blocker ever. A 2023 Hall-of-Fame finalist in his final year of eligibility, he had enough support to reach the final 10. Then, after bowing out, he reappeared seven months later as a senior semifinalist -- a testament to how much voters thought of him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everson Walls and Eric Allen both were ballhawks, with the two among the interception leaders at any position in this era. Walls had three NFL interception titles, while Allen had one season with four pick-sixes and another with three.</div><div><br /></div><div>Walls was a finalist in 2018 but didn't survive the first cut. Allen was a finalist this year and also didn't make it from 15 to 10. However, he's not finished. He has two years of eligibility left as a modern-era candidate.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Seahawks' Dave Brown's career reaches back to the 1970s, but his 62 interceptions must be noted for this reason: It was 65 career interceptions that carried Ken Riley into the Hall of Fame last year, and Brown is only three behind. So I've made him an honorable mention.</div><div><br /></div><div>SAFETIES</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CromNo00.htm">Nolan Cromwell</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McDoTi00.htm">Tim McDonald</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CherDe00.htm">Deron Cherry</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobiEu00.htm">Eugene Robinson</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Three All-Pros and a 1980<i> UPI </i>Defensive Player of the Year combined with any eye test puts Cromwell at the top of his era's non-Hall-of-Fame safeties -- with McDonald, who had some sort of "all" eight consecutive years, including six Pro Bowls</div><div><br /></div><div>I know Robinson wasn't honored much, but he picked off more passes than any safety not in Canton in this 20-year period. Additionally, there are a handful of safeties I like that could have been chosen, including Carnell Lake, Gary Fencik, Joey Browner and maybe Dennis Smith.</div><div><br /></div><div>KICKERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/lowernic01.htm">Nick Lowery</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/andergar02.htm">Gary Anderson</a></div><div><br /></div><div>If in-context kicking metrics mattered, Lowery would be in the Hall. He was as far ahead of his peers as Justin Tucker is now. In last week's article, we mentioned the analytics work done by Rupert Patrick and Chase Stuart on this subject, and they confirm Lowery's value.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gary Anderson was also a kicker far more accurate than his peers, according to both Patrick and Stuart. But the missed field goal in the 1998 NFC championship game (his only miss that season) has dogged him. He was a reliable clutch kicker, but people remember the biggest (and rare) miss in a must-make situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>PUNTERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobyRe20.htm">Reggie Roby</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LandSe20.htm">Sean Landeta</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I picked Reggie Roby over Sean Landeta, and, yes, Landeta beat Roby out for first-team on the 1980's all-decade team. But it probably should have been Roby on the first team. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Dolphins' watch-wearing boomer had a better net average, better hang time, better in almost all of the the punting metrics. Just better overall.</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, if I were picking the top punters of the era, Landeta may not even be second in terms of net and avoiding negative plays -- i.e., limiting returns and touchdowns. But you have to recognize his place on the second unit of the 1990's all-decade team.</div><div><br /></div><div>RETURNERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrayMe00.htm">Mel Gray</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MitcBr00.htm">Brian Mitchell</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mel Gray took six kicks and three punts back for scores. Plus, he was a consensus All-Pro three times, the NFL's leading kicker returner twice and its leading punt returner twice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Going by career totals, Brian Mitchell has more yards in combined returns than anyone in league history as well as 13 total returns for touchdowns. However, his peak was not as high as Gray's, so he's my second-team choice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eric Metcalf gets an honorable mention here. He's right on the heels of both Gray and Mitchell in terms of scores, averages and postseason honors.</div><div><br /></div><div>SPECIAL TEAMS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaskSt00.htm">Steve Tasker</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BaueHa00.htm">Hank Bauer</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tasker has had Hall-of-Fame support (he was a nine-time semifinalist) and rightfully so. If you were to go with a special teams ace, he'd be the leading candidate. But now his chances for election seem low because of his failure to become a modern-era finalist. If he didn't make it then, why would he be a finalist as a senior?</div><div><br /></div><div>The Chargers' Bauer was such an effective kick-cover guy that he set a record that will never be broken: In 1981 he made 52 special-teams tackles. But he didn't block kicks, and he played just six seasons. </div><div><br /></div><div>A player who made almost as many game-changing plays (blocked kicks, forced and recovered fumbles) was Michael Bates. He also had the added value of being an excellent kickoff returner.</div><div><br /></div><div>One more note: Don't sleep on someone named Ivory Sully. Almost no one knows about him, but his big-play total rivals both Tasker and Bates.</div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-46819420890285694252024-03-04T13:15:00.003-07:002024-03-04T13:15:41.800-07:00Top Seasons By Rams Receivers <div style="text-align: left;"><b><i> By John Turney <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZqdpFt9FPJlRmSrHXPyPz0seLZgrKPz_VzsNiyfS1x_ImEX2GRTxfa_nWpxEPit-rSks9xz7SJRN03wr2HExpQzokzxXMi8FeHtu9VnggMVZOY4Faql4Zt0c5YMBy5vXW2lD8xv4vGJdvTC28WQJaxgGjgvb5YIm07_7hWTDvJ8HKPQbreqJfgrDVLUZj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="217" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZqdpFt9FPJlRmSrHXPyPz0seLZgrKPz_VzsNiyfS1x_ImEX2GRTxfa_nWpxEPit-rSks9xz7SJRN03wr2HExpQzokzxXMi8FeHtu9VnggMVZOY4Faql4Zt0c5YMBy5vXW2lD8xv4vGJdvTC28WQJaxgGjgvb5YIm07_7hWTDvJ8HKPQbreqJfgrDVLUZj=w263-h79" width="263" /></a></div></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">It didn't matter where the Rams were located. Cleveland? St. Louis? L.A.? It didn't matter. They always seemed to have some of the league's best running backs, with Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Steven Jackson, Todd Gurley, Lawrence McCutcheon and Dick Bass among them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div>But they had an equally accomplished cast of receivers, too, and they starred on offenses that were so productive they had their own nicknames ... like the "Point a Minute" and "Greatest Show on Turf." But who among those receivers had the best single seasons?</div><div><br /></div><div>You're about to find out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not the best careers mind you. This is not an all-time Rams' team. It's a career-year team, taking the best season by all receivers who wore Rams' jerseys -- whether they played a couple of years or their entire careers with the franchise -- and ranking the top 20.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's how they stack up.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2bVVW0vCEbsn195IGfn7rL_r7-QYnQ5MY1QZTzd4ArNHh9lOYKIIcKMqF0AwNp87TPlJ5W-6_hpkvq1EMT3lIfKY_RnozFygT49wDW8PORw2VrKyWYSx4hzoRmu9xTx3_mm7x_BqC42jsOoW4-3W7mUye0tTm89ignEOBa3SfS1Qrn1EQXr4CPvyb870/s268/2024-03-03_23-07-19.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="182" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2bVVW0vCEbsn195IGfn7rL_r7-QYnQ5MY1QZTzd4ArNHh9lOYKIIcKMqF0AwNp87TPlJ5W-6_hpkvq1EMT3lIfKY_RnozFygT49wDW8PORw2VrKyWYSx4hzoRmu9xTx3_mm7x_BqC42jsOoW4-3W7mUye0tTm89ignEOBa3SfS1Qrn1EQXr4CPvyb870/w237-h350/2024-03-03_23-07-19.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Eddie Kennison</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>20. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KennEd00.htm">Eddie Kennison</a>, 1996—In the 1996 NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams passed on Syracuse wide receiver Marvin Harrison and selected Kennison, a 4.4 speedster out of LSU. The Rams' brain trust thought Harrison was too much the same "type" of receiver as Isaac Bruce.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that was a bad thing ... how?</div><div><br /></div><div>Nevertheless, Kennison did have a good rookie season, with 54 receptions, 924 receiving yards (17.1 avg.) and nine touchdown receptions. He also gets bonus points for being an excellent punt returner, taking two to the house.</div><div><br /></div><div>He was All-Rookie, fourth in the NFL Offensive Rookie-of-the Year voting and pulled down two NFC Player of the Week awards -- one for special teams (Week 11) and one for offense in Week 16 when he caught five passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kennison never panned out as a Ram but had some decent seasons in Kansas City under Dick Vermeil.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bet they wished they'd grabbed Harrison. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfe30ZVTkNJlM1Xg60bisHJhWEZ_e4pMULpTpA_HybLZD9MuwSxgLkwMoqjNVqsoqVxvoaEJkRIo_Zy8O9S0QDVMXYFHLoFjNRL74GhM7X2c2sX6P3sPVXek1rSosdY-Orgd5ROOtSKRyPG59jfmrLc_5sKBjxGGjErDVmn-XBG2RUpd0Xh9MBoDBmB5l/s443/2024-03-03_22-45-16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="439" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfe30ZVTkNJlM1Xg60bisHJhWEZ_e4pMULpTpA_HybLZD9MuwSxgLkwMoqjNVqsoqVxvoaEJkRIo_Zy8O9S0QDVMXYFHLoFjNRL74GhM7X2c2sX6P3sPVXek1rSosdY-Orgd5ROOtSKRyPG59jfmrLc_5sKBjxGGjErDVmn-XBG2RUpd0Xh9MBoDBmB5l/s320/2024-03-03_22-45-16.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ron Jessie</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div>19. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JessRo00.htm">Ron Jessie</a>, 1976—More of an eye-test guy than many of those on this list. Yes, in 1976 he was voted to his only Pro Bowl, but it wasn't the quantity of his 34 catches; it was the quality -- many of which were circus grabs. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>He averaged 22.9 (third in the NFL) yards a catch and, as the receiver playing opposite Harold Jackson on the NFC's top-scoring offense, posed a challenge for defenses.</div><div><br /></div><div>His top game was in the season's fourth game, in Miami, and Jessie caught seven passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-28 victory over the Dolphins. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGNFTLJSeRKPtXcB73vrbH7BpZbovoq2L0P_VuY28De5NcJuRtBtbyP5f-Y-RvYTf8xonVms0kibh6IXXaC-ZrvgHN3-XVzESnfZFDNjfsDwCF0PH46M534ServdCBPAXTCCJug4k8Kp-o716AwMhgDLJL_ZTiOzuIa3CFZ8rW1A3YjYvoWQzvhalhI9D/s577/2024-03-03_22-51-14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="395" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGNFTLJSeRKPtXcB73vrbH7BpZbovoq2L0P_VuY28De5NcJuRtBtbyP5f-Y-RvYTf8xonVms0kibh6IXXaC-ZrvgHN3-XVzESnfZFDNjfsDwCF0PH46M534ServdCBPAXTCCJug4k8Kp-o716AwMhgDLJL_ZTiOzuIa3CFZ8rW1A3YjYvoWQzvhalhI9D/s320/2024-03-03_22-51-14.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Bernie Casey</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div>18. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CaseBe00.htm">Bernie Casey</a>, 1967—The Rams turned the corner in 1966 after a string of consecutive losing seasons. Then, in 1967 they made a charge, winning the NFL Coastal Divison and reaching the playoffs game for the first time since 1955.</div><div><br /></div><div>Casey was a part of that.</div><div><br /></div><div>George Allen acquired Casey in the offseason from the Falcons for running back Tom Moore (Casey has been shipped to Atlanta as part of a multi-player trade that landed quarterback Steve Spurrier) and the future Hollywood actor responded with 53 catches for 871 and eight touchdowns. He also received the only Pro Bowl invite of his career.</div><div><br /></div><div>Casey caught a touchdown pass in late-season games vs. the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Colts -- victories that sealed the division title -- and was the only Rams' player to score in their 28-7 loss to Green Bay in the opening round of the playoffs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW-015pxQ_61GTSO6WsSPc55Zmb6wQA2CXFjFjeBml5tWSt8ZV_lj0I_USzDmaw3C9ylg9BCXu4tqZfDFaW6P8CbpeDgrmbwNSLC_UMo12syvpNb5UyJ5vWzlURDE6Rg2UAGXOE380nAKKbZDgyiwy4Sk0EoAAFvNfun2Da2-_SA-FM55qWlFq_JgiLD3/s588/2024-03-03_22-49-38.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="403" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW-015pxQ_61GTSO6WsSPc55Zmb6wQA2CXFjFjeBml5tWSt8ZV_lj0I_USzDmaw3C9ylg9BCXu4tqZfDFaW6P8CbpeDgrmbwNSLC_UMo12syvpNb5UyJ5vWzlURDE6Rg2UAGXOE380nAKKbZDgyiwy4Sk0EoAAFvNfun2Da2-_SA-FM55qWlFq_JgiLD3/s320/2024-03-03_22-49-38.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Jim Phillips</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>17. J<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PhilJi00.htm">im "Red" Phillips</a>, 1961—Phillips was a first-team All-Pro in his career year and a Pro Bowler who became the fourth receiver in Rams' history to lead the NFL in receptions. He had 78, and his 1,092 receiving yards were third-most in the NFL.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Rams were bad (4-10), but "Red" was good.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNzFEOBJf3nsVyYaHKcBxaiaGknG0aLNnDJan6n-D3NP7SWVPZadlR7rcqxqJFXY3VoQ74oOt3DyZtkEYXslQpsJLuqqiFtq_5Ze-OTakBz3FrYhjEFoOtgwRuoUomDEZf0BSRduzKCmrDVc2pNAIQK-CQMM5xHuxUVk-qDyYkJf13c6tLSK3DnV-GlPy/s701/2024-03-03_22-49-04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="701" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNzFEOBJf3nsVyYaHKcBxaiaGknG0aLNnDJan6n-D3NP7SWVPZadlR7rcqxqJFXY3VoQ74oOt3DyZtkEYXslQpsJLuqqiFtq_5Ze-OTakBz3FrYhjEFoOtgwRuoUomDEZf0BSRduzKCmrDVc2pNAIQK-CQMM5xHuxUVk-qDyYkJf13c6tLSK3DnV-GlPy/s320/2024-03-03_22-49-04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Tommy McDonald</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>16. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McDoTo00.htm">Tommy McDonald</a>, 1965—The Hall-of-Famer became the Rams' flanker after spending 1964 in Dallas and was so good that he finished second in voting for NFL Comeback Player of the Year.</div><div><br /></div><div>The effusive and maskless McDonald caught 67 passes for 1,036 and nine touchdowns. He was third in the NFL in receiving yardage and sixth in touchdown catches. It was his last great season and he was rewarded with his final Pro Bowl.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPNnZOJXqsYyhj_Noh5JbEdaFW9FrDVxZS4NAeXgtsJQB9-UI4oTcr0MFsKClwtBtSkEIU5VlVfVimPnKiHDJGQEPHKfTks_N9IPKEh6Noc0BVXWgak6ad18fo3sxfM8cIxGPUxFFxD9Ko00jsRy05VUs43d07PG0vLcNA4KsPp6-aODrYAhJjgvqVXEQ/s321/2024-03-03_22-49-58.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPNnZOJXqsYyhj_Noh5JbEdaFW9FrDVxZS4NAeXgtsJQB9-UI4oTcr0MFsKClwtBtSkEIU5VlVfVimPnKiHDJGQEPHKfTks_N9IPKEh6Noc0BVXWgak6ad18fo3sxfM8cIxGPUxFFxD9Ko00jsRy05VUs43d07PG0vLcNA4KsPp6-aODrYAhJjgvqVXEQ/s320/2024-03-03_22-49-58.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Bucky Pope</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>15. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PopeBu00.htm">Bucky Pope</a>, 1964—The "Catawba Claw" as he was known (one of Steve Sabol's favorite nicknames) wasn't particularly fast, but he did have sneaky speed. And that, coupled with a basketball player's height (he was 6-foot-5), allowed him to go deep on NFL defensive backs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Though he caught only 25 passes for the season, 10 went for touchdowns -- enough to tie for the NFL lead. Even more noteworthy, however, with 25 receptions he averaged 31.4 yards. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thirty-one point four. </div><div><br /></div><div>He didn't have enough catches to qualify for the league lead (the minimum was 28), but, if you look at all NFL players with 25 or more receptions in a season, his yards-per-catch figure is tops in NFL</div><div> history.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-9RDq3JkZtjV8R2OYLzwsxVrtooonpclTpIIazQ9V8zwrmTyv-jRdjLXl_MYDkko_m_AlRzZTbb6VnxRPL30Zjsrfou2Q9lHpAgcvtyx4GUKLsxI3Kri9HCa-HpoGUwrudaYrZNDhNCq0Ur9_zsT_eHE_72AIx1qVI1ZtYuAVHjq4puKH3xzjqi9Zmwo/s365/2024-03-03_23-08-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="365" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-9RDq3JkZtjV8R2OYLzwsxVrtooonpclTpIIazQ9V8zwrmTyv-jRdjLXl_MYDkko_m_AlRzZTbb6VnxRPL30Zjsrfou2Q9lHpAgcvtyx4GUKLsxI3Kri9HCa-HpoGUwrudaYrZNDhNCq0Ur9_zsT_eHE_72AIx1qVI1ZtYuAVHjq4puKH3xzjqi9Zmwo/s320/2024-03-03_23-08-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Robert Woods</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>14. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodRo02.htm">Robert Woods</a>, 2018—"Bobby Trees" had good numbers (86-1,219-14.2-6), but that's not what made him a great player; it was how vital he was to Sean McVay's offense with his blocking and motion. </div><div><br /></div><div>His skill set allowed the Rams to say in "11 personnel" (three wide receivers) a majority of the time, though they could still run effectively because of how well receivers could block.</div><div><br /></div><div>Woods was the best at that.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtMON7DgH0uXrgpE_omE-oHJwc8Lrjs3sk01iGgXCSU2PPtsUosFU3NQbIJZEYlhhiuv3vPbcK-4rcmdY7S46k_y5_nPKxdmem9J1fe5VTpRWf8xUcjuTzq-Zngq2JTC0AWEm8CYj1dQlr57c_mciKuttowZy9BC_TJ5DCXpE0E1cyo3Hl8VWfGjbjEww/s370/2024-03-03_22-44-33.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="370" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtMON7DgH0uXrgpE_omE-oHJwc8Lrjs3sk01iGgXCSU2PPtsUosFU3NQbIJZEYlhhiuv3vPbcK-4rcmdY7S46k_y5_nPKxdmem9J1fe5VTpRWf8xUcjuTzq-Zngq2JTC0AWEm8CYj1dQlr57c_mciKuttowZy9BC_TJ5DCXpE0E1cyo3Hl8VWfGjbjEww/w368-h269/2024-03-03_22-44-33.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Jack Snow</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>13. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SnowJa00.htm">Jack Snow</a>, 1967—This was a difficult decision. Snow was a consistent player who didn't put up huge numbers but was always a solid split end.</div><div><br /></div><div>His top year statistically was 1970 when he caught 51 passes for 859 yards and seven touchdowns. I know, that doesn't sound like much, but in a 17-game season it prorates to over 1,000 yards.</div><div><br /></div><div>But 1970 is not the pick. I'm going with 1967, his Pro Bowl year. </div><div><br /></div><div>And not because of the Pro Bowl (which was his only one) but because of his league-leading 26.3 yards per catch. Plus, 1967 was the season of his highlight-reel snag when he grabbed the back half of the ball in Baltimore.</div><div><br /></div><div>It wasn't the only one that year. He had another one like it in Detroit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Snow was Roman Gabriel's deep threat in 1967, delivering on his claim never to have been caught from behind.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxVmLRkO4X5Fx2hkGHQlIfjeuG0kreTdGh3bP4h7hDdmtK2XWChrz_eIEzJP2KsSUxHOylG1B-zTQS4_giYPE8eY7IzW4qkNon0LjDNBWankG6EKZX4SkpFJra_JDxKvVcNbLt8bvGMggr0uWvMbKmtRr6pgj1987ENa_zhztB1Ph2cmOZrqHjKzVxkgY/s467/2024-03-03_22-48-08.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="467" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxVmLRkO4X5Fx2hkGHQlIfjeuG0kreTdGh3bP4h7hDdmtK2XWChrz_eIEzJP2KsSUxHOylG1B-zTQS4_giYPE8eY7IzW4qkNon0LjDNBWankG6EKZX4SkpFJra_JDxKvVcNbLt8bvGMggr0uWvMbKmtRr6pgj1987ENa_zhztB1Ph2cmOZrqHjKzVxkgY/s320/2024-03-03_22-48-08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Flipper Anderson</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>12. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndeFl00.htm">Flipper Anderson</a>, 1989—While we are on a yards-per-catch roll, there's Flipper's 1989 season when he averaged a league-leading 26.0 yards on 44 receptions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, a lot of his 1,146 receiving yards were built on his record-setting 336 yards receiving vs. New Orleans. But if you throw out that game, he still averaged 27.9 yards a catch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Flipper could get deep. He led the NFL in yards per catch the next year and finished his career with a 20.1-yard average.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGvoooO-p9MXAEnGtmvrRtWe9OKoSsgSg4W8RRHobRRPwz1Cm8Hz3puqkMAbKjviik00UBsqlSTJXWFckUg6YI7xhXKg67gw2znVsS14R9mZwo_PnvYKe7v0h7hdRwpO20VnkYyL5tRQu_tOp14utFpvQwF3nTHLKex3V-HOqU3h0OFejgsgcXhtetcFF/s453/2024-03-03_22-56-06.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="453" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGvoooO-p9MXAEnGtmvrRtWe9OKoSsgSg4W8RRHobRRPwz1Cm8Hz3puqkMAbKjviik00UBsqlSTJXWFckUg6YI7xhXKg67gw2znVsS14R9mZwo_PnvYKe7v0h7hdRwpO20VnkYyL5tRQu_tOp14utFpvQwF3nTHLKex3V-HOqU3h0OFejgsgcXhtetcFF/s320/2024-03-03_22-56-06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Del Shofner</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>11. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShofDe00.htm">Del Shofner</a>, 1958—After spending a year as a defensive back, Shofner was moved to receiver and ended up leading the NFL with 1,097 receiving yards. He did it on 51 catches and averaged 21.9 yards per catch (Sensing a yards-per-catch theme among here? The Rams have had some of the best deep-receiving seasons on the books).</div><div><br /></div><div>The tall, slender Shofner was also a consensus All-Pro and Pro Bowler -- the first of five such seasons in his career before leg injuries slowed him in the mid-1960s.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ***********************************************************</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVAuaOUmNLU-RcorPSo2W0GqX3WScqou90AB7wPy8FqqxWli7gfCYju-rlzsixietl5vqmu-vgt7Djy_mqH-OfTj8TfIT3bXottrNS2NbAcK5o7Mh966cax1kXOeqtqRRa4wwnIKfgzptRVuMqVWIf-F9LSISWRCwJr1QFTTG5cc_0SXStACPEnXkUR9A/s400/2024-03-03_23-02-04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="277" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVAuaOUmNLU-RcorPSo2W0GqX3WScqou90AB7wPy8FqqxWli7gfCYju-rlzsixietl5vqmu-vgt7Djy_mqH-OfTj8TfIT3bXottrNS2NbAcK5o7Mh966cax1kXOeqtqRRa4wwnIKfgzptRVuMqVWIf-F9LSISWRCwJr1QFTTG5cc_0SXStACPEnXkUR9A/s320/2024-03-03_23-02-04.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Puka Nacua</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>10. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NacuPu00.htm">Puka Nacua</a>, 2023. The rookie out of BYU worked his way into the Top Ten last season with 105 catches and 1,486 yards receiving. At first, he filled in for an injured Cooper Kupp. But after Kupp returned, the rookie was still a focus of the Rams' passing game.</div><div><br /></div><div>He broke a litany of long-standing records, was named a second-team All-Pro and was voted to the Pro Bowl. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJWzY7u1mEWPFzCc_3Y3P3ebfMDCSJce9xwi8nQUPjIjqGehh78t63vPvBAHFuAHoyYG2H5DIEz1kT4uLIEx0UOtLnkYGNSYx5_XIwXrfjcz1q7ep1WjR56aMQ_HyvRLcW-XAb_a6EwV2q2XufCcK_IffG46PtYNt4E1v-J5y50qre0vh2sxqyKXD21_x/s580/2024-03-03_22-53-24.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="580" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJWzY7u1mEWPFzCc_3Y3P3ebfMDCSJce9xwi8nQUPjIjqGehh78t63vPvBAHFuAHoyYG2H5DIEz1kT4uLIEx0UOtLnkYGNSYx5_XIwXrfjcz1q7ep1WjR56aMQ_HyvRLcW-XAb_a6EwV2q2XufCcK_IffG46PtYNt4E1v-J5y50qre0vh2sxqyKXD21_x/s320/2024-03-03_22-53-24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Tom Fears</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>9. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FearTo00.htm">Tom Fears</a>, 1950—The Hall-of-Fame end set an NFL single-season record for receptions with 84, breaking one he set the previous season. In the season final against the Packers Fears set the NFL record for receptions in a game with 18 -- a record that stood until 2000 when Terrell Owens broke it.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Along with his receptions, Fears' 1,116 receiving yards also led the NFL. Accordingly, he was a consensus All-Pro and was also named to the Pro Bowl, which was reinstated after a seven-year absence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BcgU-m-t147jDDMmp6KOJfjUYIZ-f_xSKcPbiCuNYC9fz6lAPumKqugcvFxO0VvjAqeuQB2bCt9R3QDovGSPPRhSsAyV1C4k86r1HdhiXzF2C1FepsdIFMXCOcQJbGGMbHGWyXuk-NDZcNhmHrO1IZC2_xGpZnDh6Lvpe15WPQfUWePY6Yh_OKaJxLA9/s409/2024-03-03_22-48-34.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="402" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BcgU-m-t147jDDMmp6KOJfjUYIZ-f_xSKcPbiCuNYC9fz6lAPumKqugcvFxO0VvjAqeuQB2bCt9R3QDovGSPPRhSsAyV1C4k86r1HdhiXzF2C1FepsdIFMXCOcQJbGGMbHGWyXuk-NDZcNhmHrO1IZC2_xGpZnDh6Lvpe15WPQfUWePY6Yh_OKaJxLA9/s320/2024-03-03_22-48-34.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Henry Ellard</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div>8. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EllaHe00.htm">Henry Ellard</a>, 1988—Ellard had been an All-Pro as a punt returner in 1984, but in this, his career year of 1988, he led the league in receiving yards (1,414) and was named an All-Pro. He also produced a career-high 86 receptions and 10 receiving touchdowns.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv3uvwFflQCUlX4vqPcPYqIFdC2mmSgT1ijOCwhIeuSC7c2Ht0qQb4MwOZs23cPZZ3rdj3-RFGaGdNhRRjRtC6a4l1gf_ICNuM84NtJx4B98eBL8dNnvKPIKL8vpTZ9ys_WEKb65hlLdEp1TPqZw2FrDSABD-d2utkTfbSwBtVVDo5_s3_HVzq3gvqOSp/s474/2024-03-04_9-31-52.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="474" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv3uvwFflQCUlX4vqPcPYqIFdC2mmSgT1ijOCwhIeuSC7c2Ht0qQb4MwOZs23cPZZ3rdj3-RFGaGdNhRRjRtC6a4l1gf_ICNuM84NtJx4B98eBL8dNnvKPIKL8vpTZ9ys_WEKb65hlLdEp1TPqZw2FrDSABD-d2utkTfbSwBtVVDo5_s3_HVzq3gvqOSp/w329-h266/2024-03-04_9-31-52.jpg" width="329" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Bob Boyd</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>7. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BoydBo00.htm">Bob Boyd</a>, 1954—He's not a familiar name, but Bob Boyd deserves to be seventh on this list.</div><div><br /></div><div>An NCAA sprint champion and part of the 1954 Rams' three-receiver offense, he had the best season of the three -- which is noteworthy considering the other two were Hall-of-Famers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Boyd is another Ram who led the NFL in receiving yards (did I say they could throw the rock?) and his 22.9 yards per catch were second in the NFL. All told, he had 53 catches for 1,212 yards and six touchdowns. And he did it in a 12-game season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Boyd was rewarded as a consensus All-Pro and went to the only Pro Bowl of his career.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrYB4mYyxg6DFC0UtRqMXUBV46a_rkYzZ4MLOHdVdsLZmE-DzfTX_MHcbW6DFQhp0IHBb6DeoqdgTPzjGoYpi6Xj8gTHsZYxSd396mY4PklMwOPZRl8Q36XKkpRX5O_dBUwBv0AOUTNjgrsaapYOW6cjjItynrAQi2vIapW6Bc3L788mZUUxcqRzvLkdi/s565/2024-03-03_22-47-09.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="455" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrYB4mYyxg6DFC0UtRqMXUBV46a_rkYzZ4MLOHdVdsLZmE-DzfTX_MHcbW6DFQhp0IHBb6DeoqdgTPzjGoYpi6Xj8gTHsZYxSd396mY4PklMwOPZRl8Q36XKkpRX5O_dBUwBv0AOUTNjgrsaapYOW6cjjItynrAQi2vIapW6Bc3L788mZUUxcqRzvLkdi/s320/2024-03-03_22-47-09.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Torry Holt</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>6. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HoltTo00.htm">Torry Holt</a>, 2003—A league-leading 117 receptions, career-high 1,696 yards and 12 TDs made Holt a consensus All-Pro and Pro Bowler. However, 2003 was not an automatic choice. </div><div><br /></div><div>I looked hard at 2000. </div><div><br /></div><div>That year he averaged a league-best 19.9 yards per catch on 82 receptions and put up 1,635 receiving yards. Trust me, there aren't many seasons where someone averages almost 20 yards on that many receptions. In fact, among pro players with 80 or more catches in a single season, only one player averaged more yards per reception -- Charley Hennigan of the 1961 Houston Oilers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ultimately, though, I went with 2003 when he was the NFL Alumni Wide Receiver of the Year.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrPNaDlAURVyEj4G1mXJZrRWPOgoT72xi7J8wZ1Q0AQPJi3fmRhpbkaRra1CTO6A3naNP6mfq9ETa-vN6lktBaNCn_JRDAomceW3ELGZbE2iePXGXDg-BHb7T_ZEiY0t5jD8GDea5RB12lScczIMDATcvh0qObMNLsCUBCSkFvEWGiKLXFjnOOLfk4_hA/s439/2024-03-03_22-43-32.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="369" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrPNaDlAURVyEj4G1mXJZrRWPOgoT72xi7J8wZ1Q0AQPJi3fmRhpbkaRra1CTO6A3naNP6mfq9ETa-vN6lktBaNCn_JRDAomceW3ELGZbE2iePXGXDg-BHb7T_ZEiY0t5jD8GDea5RB12lScczIMDATcvh0qObMNLsCUBCSkFvEWGiKLXFjnOOLfk4_hA/s320/2024-03-03_22-43-32.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Harold Jackson</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>5. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackHa00.htm">Harold Jackson</a>, 1973—The diminutive Jackson (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) didn't post monster numbers. He couldn't. That's because his coach, "Ground" Chuck Knox, liked to pound the ball -- with the Rams leading the NFL in rushing attempts and yards.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, when they did throw, Harold Jackson was the target.</div><div><br /></div><div>Though he didn't have prodigious numbers for the season, he did in Week Five against the Dallas Cowboys when he was the NFL Offensive Player of the Week. On that October afternoon, he caught seven passes for 238 yards and four TDs. </div><div><br /></div><div>That game ended Charlie Waters' career as a cornerback. Waters was assigned to Jackson most of the day and couldn't keep up with him. So he was moved back to his natural position of safety.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1973, Jackson was a consensus All-Pro, Pro Bowler and even won some votes for AP Offensive Player of the Year. Granted, he only caught 40 passes, but 13 went for touchdowns and he averaged 21.9 yards per catch.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPN9tSeUyeTcUigqDQwYprjl-7BPyJY_yhD-sCSmRiMyeryyCXBLxfdjKG1QdQ4_zyfrBXbGSPmuKcC0-Or5cNkhXS8EMQVLoV3i-jp3Xh2uQ4qTgdqonAj84eyz6CNozta7hsPEoJjmYyHZU5qmD6NdDXlE_Gdi7MTxmpkBGDzmID0eQeck1ZTpxM_6a/s540/2024-03-03_22-46-29.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="377" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPN9tSeUyeTcUigqDQwYprjl-7BPyJY_yhD-sCSmRiMyeryyCXBLxfdjKG1QdQ4_zyfrBXbGSPmuKcC0-Or5cNkhXS8EMQVLoV3i-jp3Xh2uQ4qTgdqonAj84eyz6CNozta7hsPEoJjmYyHZU5qmD6NdDXlE_Gdi7MTxmpkBGDzmID0eQeck1ZTpxM_6a/s320/2024-03-03_22-46-29.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Isaac Bruce</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>4. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrucIs00.htm">Isaac Bruce</a>, 1995—Ike got almost no "alls" in 1995 -- his highest honor was second-team All-NFC -- but he deserved better. He put up record-breaking numbers that season, setting Rams' marks for receptions (119) and yards (1,781), with 13 of his catches going for TDs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bruce was the NFC Offensive Player in Week 7, but his best game was the season finale when he caught 15 passes for 210 yards.</div><div><br /></div><div>He had other years considered as career seasons, especially 1999 and 2000, but 1995 -- when he played without an elite receiver like Torry Holt and didn't have an MVP-caliber quarterback like Kurt Warner -- is my pick.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAjU7iozRba6JEBkz2cSobeGm2Yw4ALX0O8he36xt66-Qc8SiMHmat23VvNiKDd5doX7-uOKG8HhWT_YehD7G5c5TMWm7u2g3_GPD-Sm4K9RN7ACN8HG7J0LxeRWQG0Kc_ZvUyES4GRYwLweH57hmbEjtnOKLfD12t0IktZi_N2V8fT5zNNdaTqQ3NcoX/s524/2024-03-03_22-41-47.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="524" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAjU7iozRba6JEBkz2cSobeGm2Yw4ALX0O8he36xt66-Qc8SiMHmat23VvNiKDd5doX7-uOKG8HhWT_YehD7G5c5TMWm7u2g3_GPD-Sm4K9RN7ACN8HG7J0LxeRWQG0Kc_ZvUyES4GRYwLweH57hmbEjtnOKLfD12t0IktZi_N2V8fT5zNNdaTqQ3NcoX/w409-h225/2024-03-03_22-41-47.jpg" width="409" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Jim Benton</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>3. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BentJi00.htm">Jim Benton</a>, 1945—Benton was rookie MVP Bob Waterfield's main target when the Cleveland Rams won the NFL title in 1945. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound two-way end caught 45 passes including eight for touchdowns, for a league-leading 1,067 yards and a whopping average of 23.7 yards a catch. </div><div><br /></div><div>In a November game in Detroit, Benton set the NFL record for yards receiving in a game with 303 on ten catches one being a touchdown in a 28-21 win over the Lions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then he caught nine more balls for 125 yards and a touchdown in the championship game as Cleveland defeated Washington 15-14.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was no Pro Bowl in that era, but Benton was a consensus first-team All-Pro and supplanted Don Hutson as the best end in the NFL ... at least for that year.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're wondering why someone with just over 1,000 yards receiving is third on my list, I look at it this way: If you prorate his performance over 17 games -- the current length of an NFL season -- Benton would have gone over 2,000 yards.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enough said.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5sL_36EWCBqV5myIpSslVs2owkr8XJ86BBfPoAW5N1iWf92q1ohVqpRxTERLXPOX3Yf7HXeYSdnV5fEEy8HzUQLA0351XRgekZHEkY_X7D4UU52x6evY4-G7N0XWu_LG0P0TQbVow4VESEgSjIlOd9WApprBwojtA5x_-hITOJda6EByMX3kgAqvjEB7/s404/2024-03-03_22-52-06.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="404" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5sL_36EWCBqV5myIpSslVs2owkr8XJ86BBfPoAW5N1iWf92q1ohVqpRxTERLXPOX3Yf7HXeYSdnV5fEEy8HzUQLA0351XRgekZHEkY_X7D4UU52x6evY4-G7N0XWu_LG0P0TQbVow4VESEgSjIlOd9WApprBwojtA5x_-hITOJda6EByMX3kgAqvjEB7/s320/2024-03-03_22-52-06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Cooper Kupp</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>2. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KuppCo00.htm">Cooper Kupp</a>, 2021—Kupp was a receiving Triple Crown winner in his career year, leading the NFL in receiving, yards and touchdowns. But that's just the beginning. He was a consensus All-Pro, a Pro Bowler the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and twice the NFC Offensive Player of the Month.</div><div><br /></div><div>Furthermore, he set franchise records with 145 catches and 1,947 receiving yards (each second-best in NFL history) and caught 16 touchdown passes. Not bad for someone who ran a 4.62 at the 2017 NFL scouting combine. </div><div><br /></div><div>The grandson of 1969 Pro Bowl guard Jake Kupp, Cooper kept it up in the postseason, as well, with 33 catches for 478 yards and six touchdowns. He was also named the Super Bowl LVI MVP after catching the game-winning pass in a 23-20 win over the Bengals.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was an amazing year-long performance, but it was not the best in Rams' history. There's one slightly better.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************************************</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzkKWyjz0cWOhGVDDjuWs13jbWUC5eqSBYVOCiHKlnfDOhwTosTddGs5OMbUNoR4ZD1iwJjb7pNFaq2qBMOoO2gSKYVpGNEVDDENZk6zoRjMrTih9bLUu9x8L1T9vLq9hRWY8-aXAVbP31vln7GlSJv3Au1r1UpQg073Qfk2kqc4d8hkpjrdPg134DwG6/s480/2024-03-03_22-53-58.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="392" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzkKWyjz0cWOhGVDDjuWs13jbWUC5eqSBYVOCiHKlnfDOhwTosTddGs5OMbUNoR4ZD1iwJjb7pNFaq2qBMOoO2gSKYVpGNEVDDENZk6zoRjMrTih9bLUu9x8L1T9vLq9hRWY8-aXAVbP31vln7GlSJv3Au1r1UpQg073Qfk2kqc4d8hkpjrdPg134DwG6/s320/2024-03-03_22-53-58.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div>1. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HirsEl00.htm">Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch</a>—"Crazylegs" may have had the best year of any receiver ever in 1951. In a 12-game season, he hauled in 66 passes for 1,495 yards (a 22.7 average) and 17 touchdowns, including a long of 91 yards.</div><div><br /></div><div>All of those marks led the league, and, yes, you read that right</div><div><br /></div><div>There have been receivers to achieve a receiving Triple Crown (see Cooper Kupp, above), but what about one who produced a quadruple crown? Add in yards per catch, and Hirsch did it. Or maybe a quintuple crown? Throw in the longest reception of the year, and Hirsch did that, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ten of Hirsch's receptions were for over 40 yards, and six were for 70 yards or more. What's more, only two of his 17 touchdowns were fewer than 19 yards. Plus, 17 TDs tied the NFL mark held by Hall-of-Fame legend Don Hutson, with Hirsch averaging 48.1 yards on each.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hutson averaged roughly half of that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Still not convinced? </div><div><br /></div><div>Calculate what his season totals would have been in a 17-game season: 94 receptions, 2,118 yards (still the same 22.7 YPC) and 24 touchdown receptions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those are scary numbers.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't like that -- prorating numbers for games he did not play -- fair enough. Then take Cooper Kupp's season and convert it to the 12-game season Hirsch played in 1951. Then his 2021 totals would translate to 102 receptions, 1,374 yards and 11 touchdowns.</div><div><br /></div><div>A very good season, but nothing like the huge year he had in 17 games.</div><div><br /></div><div>When evaluating great seasons, I believe that you must consider the era and length of the year for a fair comparison. So I'm not suggesting that Hirsch could do now what he did then. But as someone who likes history, the point is to compare the rarity and greatness of seasons in particular eras -- as well as how they withstand the test of time.</div><div><br /></div><div>And when you do, I think you'll agree that Crazylegs had the best-ever season by a Rams' receiver -- one that rivals the top seasons of Don Hutson, Jerry Rice or anyone else you care to name.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1951, Crazylegs Hirsch put up crazy numbers. </div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-1122983738091497102024-03-02T15:35:00.004-07:002024-03-03T14:04:36.062-07:00Top Players in the 1960-ish to 1980-ish Era Not Yet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>By John Turney <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0j3kUS38pf5ae4huWCkSHDFJJnptFNF0cRU82xwuXczIQ9jpOJuLaiquFiMFDiTnW_U30AUEQz18eJDuEBVes9xiSxjol1ucuKlW7fYO3g1gdVcgMaaW9PKMO8GleBuFtmBJu4CFXoOY6u47-RchdLNMhllRcUZqzZrhznILFML6OGDcHx7GsNJuSz7_P" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="282" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0j3kUS38pf5ae4huWCkSHDFJJnptFNF0cRU82xwuXczIQ9jpOJuLaiquFiMFDiTnW_U30AUEQz18eJDuEBVes9xiSxjol1ucuKlW7fYO3g1gdVcgMaaW9PKMO8GleBuFtmBJu4CFXoOY6u47-RchdLNMhllRcUZqzZrhznILFML6OGDcHx7GsNJuSz7_P" width="239" /></a></div></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">After picking teams of Hall-of-Fame worthy players not enshrined from the NFL's first 40 years (1920-40 and 1940-60), I'm ready to take the next step. I'm picking my third two-decade team of Hall-of-Fame outsiders, and it's the toughest exercise yet.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div>That's because it covers roughly a 20-year period, 1960-80, that spans an era with a new league (the American Football League) and expanding rosters. So what? So that limited spots in each class of the newly created Pro Football Hall of Fame, with an inevitable result: A lot of qualified candidates were omitted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, now it's time to address them, and I will.</div><div><br /></div><div>As before, I'm not fussy about a player's career fitting exactly in the time frame of 1960-1980. If someone played a few years before 1960 ... or his career extended into the 1980s ... I'm not concerned. They can be included if the majority of their pro football experience was in the 1960s and 1970s.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want, we can call it the "1960-ish-to-1980-ish" team.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, no, not all the players listed are definitively Hall-of-Fame worthy. Some position groups are stronger than others. But as you will see, there are plenty of deserving candidates who check boxes that voters traditionally value -- All-Pro honors, statistics, rings, intangibles and the "eye test."</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition, I factored in conversations I've had over the years with writers like Paul Zimmerman, John Steadman and Will McDonough, plus people like the late Mike Giddings, Sr., of Proscout, Inc., as well as interviews with former NFL players, many of whom are in the Hall of Fame..</div><div><br /></div><div>Ready? Me, too. Let's get started.</div><div><br /></div><div>OFFENSE</div><div><br /></div><div>CENTER</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HausLe00.htm">Len Hauss</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VanNJe00.htm">Jeff Van Note</a></div><div><br /></div><div>No, Hauss was never the best center in pro football during his career. That was usually someone like Jim Otto, Mick Tingelhoff or Jim Langer. But few remember Hauss' consistency. While he may not have been the best, he was always in the top five.</div><div><br /></div><div>By what measure? In his 14 seasons, he was first-or second-team All-Pro, first-or-second-team All-Conference and/or a Pro Bowl selection 11 times. Granted, his highest honor was first-team on the player's All-Pro team (<i>NEA</i>), but he was second on the<i> AP </i>or <i>PFWA</i> team a handful of seasons.</div><div><br /></div><div>He never missed a game and started his final 194 -- impressive for a guy who was 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Van Note's 18-year career spanned 1969-86, so his career bleeds into the next decade the most of anyone here. But he belongs in this era even though, like Hauss, he was never the best in the league. But he often was in the upper tier.</div><div><br /></div><div>GUARDS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KuecBo00.htm">Bob Kuechenberg</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhitEd00.htm">Ed White</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilkDo00.htm">Doug Wilkerson</a>, <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BuddEd00.htm">Ed Budde</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SweeWa00.htm">Walt Sweeney</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is the loaded position for this period.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's start with Jim Ray Smith. His career overlaps the 1950s, but he best fits here and is vastly underrated. Though many ardent football fans would have a tough time identifying him, Smith was a four-time All-Pro (three consensus) for some very good Cleveland Browns teams. He's an honorable mention. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can throw John Niland into the mix, too, as an honorable mention. He was a six-time Pro Bowler for some great Cowboys' teams. Two AFL guards -- Walt Sweeney and Ed Budde -- could fit here, as well. They went to a combined 16 AFL All-Star Games/Pro Bowls. But I put them on my second-team.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there's Doug Wilkerson, the longtime Chargers' stalwart. He could pull, move people in front of him and was a great pass protector. He played for a poor team in the 1970s and didn't get much recognition until the Air Coryell Chargers. Had "Baby Huey" (a nickname given him because of his unnatural strength) played for a contender, he'd have been a 10-time Pro Bowler.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was difficult leaving Wilkerson out of the top two, but, in the end, I ranked him third-best of this group.</div><div><br /></div><div>So the two picks are Bob Kuechenberg and Ed White. Their careers extended into the 1980s, but they're most closely tied to what I am calling the NFL's third vicennial. Neither player brought home a surfeit of "alls," though they had some. What they had, however, was the respect of their peers. "Kooch" was the prototype for Hall-of-Famers John Hannah and Joe DeLamielleure, with the two identifying him as the model for how to play guard in the NFL.</div><div><br /></div><div>White was the classic strongman, often participating in made-for-TV strength competitions and NFLPA arm wrestling contests. Plus. he was versatile. Both he and Kuechenberg could ... and did ... move to offensive tackle when asked to fill in for injured players.</div><div><br /></div><div>TACKLES.</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KunzGe00.htm">George Kunz</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TyreJi00.htm">Jim Tyrer</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WashRu00.htm">Russ Washington</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SchaDi00.htm">Dick Schafrath</a></div><div><br /></div><div>George Kunz is the top tackle not in Canton from this era. He was elite for a team that was anything but -- the Atlanta Falcons -- then was traded to the Colts where he was part of their 1975-77 resurgence before injuries took their toll.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other tackle is an odd and tragic case. Chiefs' tackle Jim Tyrer is not in the Hall of Fame because of a 1980 murder/suicide when he took his own life and that of his wife. Their deaths shocked an NFL world decades removed from understanding CTE and its connection to severe depression.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tyrer's children and his wife's parents have since forgiven him, but the seniors committee has not. Nevertheless, if we're talking about his resume ... and only his resume ... it's beyond reproach.</div><div><br /></div><div>Russ Washington was a 6-foot-7, 300-plus-pounder overshadowed by Kunz and Hall-of-Fame tackles of the 1970s. But he was the biggest and possibly most athletic individual among all of them. At least, he was according to Jack Youngblood.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dick Schafrath was a Browns' left tackle, a three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler who blocked for the immortal Jim Brown.</div><div><br /></div><div>TIGHT END</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/ArbaFr00.htm">Fred Arbanas</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FranRu00.htm">Russ Francis</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hard to find one. You pick.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps converted outside receiver Pete Retzlaff? Maybe. Or how about Russ Francis? He's the one who could play. OK. But does his career spill too far into the 1980s to qualify? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure, either, but Fred Arbanas is my pick. He was among one of the best-ever blockers at his position and was the tight end on the All-Time AFL team. So I'll go with him.</div><div><br /></div><div>After looking at guys like Riley Odoms, Raymond Chester and others, the runner-up is Francis based on what he did in the 1970s. I'd love to see him play today, as he'd be a cross between Travis Kelce and George Kittle.</div><div><br /></div><div>QUARTERBACK.</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndeKe00.htm">Ken Anderson</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KempJa00.htm">Jack Kemp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>There were a few candidates, but. in the end, Ken Anderson edges Jack Kemp, Roman Gabriel and John Brodie. His career bled into the 1980s, but I think of him as a 1970s' player ... even though his MVP season was 1981.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kemp did not have great passing stats, but he has two AFL championship rings. And Gabriel and Brodie? They get honorable mentions. They had good stats, and each had an NFL MVP to their credit. But, in the final analysis, winning is an important measure for a quarterback, and Kemp got it done. Others did not.</div><div><br /></div><div>RUNNING BACKS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/ForeCh00.htm">Chuck Foreman</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowLa01.htm">Larry Brown</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HaynAb00.htm">Abner Haynes</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MitcLy00.htm">Lydell Mitchell</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Larry Brown was an MVP and ran tough, carrying Washington to the 1972 NFC title. The Vikings' Chuck Foreman and his spin move were terrific, but his five Pro Bowls are what get your attention. They're tied for the most of any back from this era not in Canton. </div><div><br /></div><div>Foreman was often in the mix as the NFL or NFC Player-of-the-Year Award. He was a 1,000-yard rushing back who consistently challenged for the league lead in pass receptions and was one of the first backs to become a bigger part of pro football's passing game.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 1960 AFL Player of the Year, Abner Haynes, was one of the top players in the younger league for its first five years. I paired him with Lydell Mitchell, who played mostly for the Colts, as my second-team choice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of all the running backs from 1960-80 not in the Hall of Fame, Mitchell has the most rushing yards and the most yards from scrimmage. Also, among non-HOF running backs, he caught the most passes. I bet you didn't know that.</div><div><br /></div><div>WIDE RECEIVERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShofDe00.htm">Del Shofner</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackHa00.htm">Harold Jackson</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PoweAr00.htm">Art Powell</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylOt00.htm">Otis Taylor</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Del Shofner's career began in the late 1950s, but his top years were in the 1960s. The tall, slender Texan was a five-time consensus All-Pro, more than all but Jerry Rice, Don Hutson, and Lance Alworth.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, who should line up opposite Shofner? Otis Taylor? Art Powell? Lionel Taylor? How about Harold Jackson?</div><div><br /></div><div>You've read that he led the NFL in the 1970s in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions, but you can expand that "peak" to include one year of the 1960s and two years of the 1980s -- 1969-81. In those 13 seasons, the diminutive Jackson led the NFL in those same three categories -- catches, yards, scores -- and was fifth in yards per catch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not many receivers from his era were that productive in all major categories for that long a period.</div><div><br /></div><div>Art Powell, the Hall-of-Fame senior finalist voted down for the Hall's Class of 2024, and Otis Taylor are my second-teamers.</div><div><br /></div><div>DEFENSE</div><div>ENDS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackRi00.htm">Rich Jackson</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FaisEa00.htm">Earl Faison</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GreeL.00.htm">L.C. Greenwood</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KatcJi00.htm">Jim Katcavage</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Another deep position with two who had short careers with high peaks -- Rich Jackson and Earl Faison -- and two who excelled on great teams -- L.C. Greenwood of the 1970s' Steelers and Jim Katcavage, who was part of the Sam Huff-led Giants.</div><div><br /></div><div>My picks are with the high-peak guys, Jackson and Faison.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jackson was a favorite of Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman, who in 1991 first wrote about his Hall-worthiness in <i>Sports Illustrated</i>, the year Zimmerman joined the Hall's board of selectors. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Tombstone" Jackson's knock was not his skills. Those were legendary; it was his lack of longevity -- playing just seven seasons but healthy for only 4-1/2. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like Tombstone, Earl "Tree" Faison had a short career. With Jackson, damaged knees failed him; with Faison, it was an injured back that ended his career. He was a four-time All-AFL player in six seasons, and, though regarded as one of the strongest players in pro football, he ran a 4.8 40.</div><div><br /></div><div>Greenwood was a second-team all-decade choice of the 1970s and a six-time Pro Bowler. His sack total was not as high as some of his contemporaries, but he passed the eye test. Whenever you saw him, he was pressuring quarterbacks. Plus, he played his best in the biggest games, turning in two of the greatest performances by any defensive end in a Super Bowl in IX and X.</div><div><br /></div><div>Katcavage had some monster years in the early 1960s. </div><div><br /></div><div>TACKLES</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SestTo00.htm">Tom Sestak</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowRo03.htm">Roger Brown</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrooLa00.htm">Larry Brooks</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaddEr00.htm">Ernie Ladd</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Like Jackson and Faison, Tom Sestak is another AFl defensive lineman who had a short career but a super-high peak.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Bills' star was somewhat of a cross between Bob Lilly and Merlin Olsen -- bigger and probably stronger than Lilly and quicker than Olsen -- but his seven-year career excluded him from any realistic chance for the Hall. That's not true today, but Sestak's name was long out of consideration when others with short careers (Ken Easley, Terrell Davis and Tony Boselli) were enshrined.</div><div><br /></div><div>Roger Brown was dominant at times, and, at 300-ish pounds, was one of the biggest defensive tackles of the era with great quickness. He went to six Pro Bowls, and recent research shows he produced double-digit sacks four times.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other second-team tackle on my team is the L.A. Rams' Larry Brooks, who received some sort of "all" every year from 1974-80 except one. That was 1975 when he missed half the season with a knee injury.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ernie Ladd is next in line. When "The Big Cat" turned it on, he was elite. He teamed with Faison on the Chargers defensive line -- dubbed "The Fearsome Foursome" before that moniker stuck with the Los Angeles Rams.</div><div><br /></div><div>The problem with Ladd was that he didn't always "turn it on". At 6-feet-9 inches and over 300 pounds (listed at 290, but he was closer to 315 or more), he could've been one of the best ever.</div><div><br /></div><div>MIDDLE LINEBACKER</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NobiTo00.htm">Tommy Nobis</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BergBi00.htm">Bill Bergey</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tommy Nobis beat his brains out for a lot of years in Atlanta and won little thanks for his troubles. Nevertheless, he's been close to Hall election more than once as a senior and still has a shot.</div><div><br /></div><div>He's followed by Bill Bergey who was a play-making machine. He ended his career with 27 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd be remiss if I didn't name Lee Roy Jordan as an honorable-mention choice. His career total of 32 interceptions is impressive for a middle linebacker.</div><div><br /></div><div>OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BaugMa00.htm">Maxie Baughan</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GranLa00.htm">Larry Grantham</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StraMi01.htm">Mike Stratton</a> and<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FortJo00.htm"> Joe Fortunato</a></div><div><br /></div><div>First and foremost is Maxie Baughan. He was a smart player who was a nine-time Pro Bowler and earned a NFL championship ring as a rookie.</div><div><br /></div><div>The AFL's answer to Baughan is Larry Grantham. The man simply made big plays -- with tackles for losses, interceptions, fumble recoveries and quarterback sacks. He was either first-or-second-team All-AFL or chosen to the AFL All-Star Game in every year of the AFL's existence. Plus, he was on the AFL's All-Time team (second-team).</div><div><br /></div><div>Mike Stratton and Joe Fortunato also have solid cases. Stratton was a top AFL linebacker for years and joined Grantham on the AFL's second All-Time team. Fortunato's career began in the mid-1950s, so he straddles eras. But he has plenty of All-Pro creds, with most of them coming in the 1960s.</div><div><br /></div><div>CORNERBACKS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/ParrLe00.htm">Lemar Parrish</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodAb00.htm">Abe Woodson</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrayDa00.htm">Dave Grayson</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FiscPa00.htm">Pat Fischer</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lemar Parrish went to seven Pro Bowls as a cornerback (and one as a returner) and was rated so highly by George Allen that opponents avoided him. The other pick is Abe Woodson who was similar to Parrish. A great cover guy who could return kicks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dave Grayson and Pat Fischer are next. Grayson was also an elite safety in addition to being an All-AFL corner. Fischer played 17 years and picked off 56 passes.</div><div><br /></div><div>SAFETIES</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeadEd00.htm">Eddie Meador</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PattJi00.htm">Jimmy Patton</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ScotJa01.htm">Jake Scott</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndeDi00.htm">Dick Anderson</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Rams' Eddie Meador finally is getting some support from the seniors committee and might be in line as one of its three finalists in 2025. Good. He should be. Meanwhile, Jimmy Patton is largely forgotten, but he shouldn't be. He was a five-time All-Pro with the N.Y. Giants. If you count just AP All-Pro teams, only Jack Christiansen (six) and Johnny Robinson (six) had more. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then there's this: Patton had as many as Ronnie Lott, Ed Reed and Larry Wilson. Think about that for a minute. All three were first-ballot choices.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Dolphins' safety duo of Dick Anderson (1973 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year) and Jake Scott are the second-team choices. They were ballhawks and excellent tacklers.</div><div><br /></div><div>KICKERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BakkJi20.htm">Jim Bakken</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/yepregar01.htm">Garo Yepremian</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The late Rupert Patrick, a member of the Pro Football Researchers Association, wrote a book entitled, "A Statistical History of Pro Football", and in it, he developed a metric that allowed for the comparison of kickers across eras. The website Pro Football Perspective did something similar, and both identified -- more or less-- the same kickers as standing out statistically above their peers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Using those analytics, plus the postseason honors of relevant kickers, I settled on the Cardinals' Jim Bakken as my first-team kicker over Garo Yepremian. Bakken has the additional credential as a clutch kicker, especially in the mid-1970s when the "Cardiac Cards" were squeaking out comeback victories.</div><div><br /></div><div>PUNTERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GreeBo20.htm">Bobby Joe Green</a></div><div>Second-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsJe20.htm">Jerrel Wilson</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bobby Joe Green and Jerrel Wilson are two of the best punters in this era, but, contrary to conventional wisdom, my pick is Green.</div><div><br /></div><div>"But Wilson was an All-time AFL!" I can hear you say. "He led the AFL or NFL in punting five times. How is he second to Bobby Joe Green?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's how: Green's net punting average was higher. The difference between his gross average and net average was smaller (often a key metric), and he had fewer punts blocked and fewer returned for touchdowns.</div><div><br /></div><div>No, not all blocked kicks or returns are the punter's fault, but when you dig into the subject you find that some consistently were better at avoiding those super-negative plays than others. So that, combined with a higher net, means that Green was the better strategic punter.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know, Wilson excelled when the Chiefs were a good team. But much of Green's career occurred after the Bears tailed off so dramatically that they became one of the worst teams in the league. So, it makes sense that he didn't gain the notoriety of the Chiefs' strong-legged thumper.</div><div><br /></div><div>RETURNERS</div><div>First-team—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnBi01.htm">Billy "White Shoes" Johnson</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UpchRi00.htm">Rick Upchurch</a></div><div>Second-team—none</div><div><br /></div><div>There's no way to separate Billy "White Shoes" Johnson or Rick Upchurch. You can look at their stats, their film, their all-decade selections or All-Pros/Pro Bowls.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a tie. </div><div><br /></div><div>Look closely, and you should find (as I did) that their cases cannot be divorced. So they're not. There are two first-team returners, with no one on the second team.</div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-44347918110110409002024-02-26T16:29:00.004-07:002024-02-26T17:40:52.249-07:00The 1974 NFL Olympics<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i> By John Turney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhATOh8gRJeOigb7QjtWFPOOGct1JqvWxNtErAQt4QxOFFzpzYbuiuCPHQf4mGebE7yy1Ojdgke6p6Uf5m8F7fty-roImWFszacmvHspk-ibgQd6TYlEuDbUuFEEl5B51s3n83M7NPlkc6uWVqcnKLiS4NiyyTKLqDWvJ3-zSHAr8qWj2okv055pBM18lku" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhATOh8gRJeOigb7QjtWFPOOGct1JqvWxNtErAQt4QxOFFzpzYbuiuCPHQf4mGebE7yy1Ojdgke6p6Uf5m8F7fty-roImWFszacmvHspk-ibgQd6TYlEuDbUuFEEl5B51s3n83M7NPlkc6uWVqcnKLiS4NiyyTKLqDWvJ3-zSHAr8qWj2okv055pBM18lku=s16000" /></a></div></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Those who watched televised NFL games in the 1970s or read publications covering pro football would hear commentary on how great an athlete Oakland Raiders punter <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuyxRa20.htm">Ray Guy</a> was. He was known to be someone who was more than an average punter, he could play quarterback and was said to have been able to play safety—just an all-around football player who could do a lot more than punt. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He was also a multi-sport athlete playing basketball, baseball and track in high school and continued playing baseball in college.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Part of that legend might be from his participation in the so-called NFL Olympia.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What was that?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In March of 1974, around 50 NFL Players participated in Olymics-type events for charity at the Orange Bowl in Miami to benefit Variety Children's Hospital. It got some media attention—it was covered by CBS (for the CBS Sports Spectacular) and articles appeared in quite a few newspapers so it was not an obscure event, though it may appear so now.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, according to press reports after paying prize money to the players no money was left over for the charity. Less than 4,000 tickets were sold.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, good try.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ray Guy won the most cash at $9,000. Alan Page was second, winning $7,000. According to the papers just under $119,000 total was paid to the participating players.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not only did Guy win the punting competition but he also won the pentathlon event which was composed of five events—punt, pass, field goal, 50-yard scoring and broken field running. The final two events were not defined in the articles but the broken field running—based on photos—was some sort of nonlinear running course.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is a clipping of the results.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BYKsndjwLEVqozUpjDggDRG2-c619U7uxa5KXW_kValQA3CB6IkIlbX1mLZJlj3S_xkqkwjlqWBIWmBUyu4AhkpUeX0mTCXO0ZA1RGRNPQE7fg5AQgxWMF9wlXH7b9zMTWQd7FRUzX9SQxPtQhA7_Zir44aM4X8BuziaLwPiafjSlyJZZQ-Xisne43OP/s798/2024-02-26_10-37-31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BYKsndjwLEVqozUpjDggDRG2-c619U7uxa5KXW_kValQA3CB6IkIlbX1mLZJlj3S_xkqkwjlqWBIWmBUyu4AhkpUeX0mTCXO0ZA1RGRNPQE7fg5AQgxWMF9wlXH7b9zMTWQd7FRUzX9SQxPtQhA7_Zir44aM4X8BuziaLwPiafjSlyJZZQ-Xisne43OP/s16000/2024-02-26_10-37-31.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-66394753858232978272024-02-23T13:49:00.005-07:002024-02-23T13:49:33.837-07:002023 Allmost All-Pro<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i> By John Turney </i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuHhA77BbAnAN42m1_ndpHAo4auD655KgWLVZhBHuLr0bYiHyX9Is3H69rLcKfeG0QBqZaSi18kkjznAw1i6iAxynKBmZJRNeyNz6yTgOf-cV8wqIL3XyRoXjZDOACaoUWdsb9sNejXIv97la0jAN8bufzZgRKzcenHR8PKomIn28cHiTrqFlvgcVfxujJ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="424" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuHhA77BbAnAN42m1_ndpHAo4auD655KgWLVZhBHuLr0bYiHyX9Is3H69rLcKfeG0QBqZaSi18kkjznAw1i6iAxynKBmZJRNeyNz6yTgOf-cV8wqIL3XyRoXjZDOACaoUWdsb9sNejXIv97la0jAN8bufzZgRKzcenHR8PKomIn28cHiTrqFlvgcVfxujJ=w458-h196" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Vinny DiTrani (l) and Larry Weisman (r)</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">For the fourth straight year, as an homage we've picked an "Allmost All-Joe Team".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />What's that?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>In a relatively new concept, the <i>Bergen (N.J.) Record's</i> Vinny DiTrani in 1970 picked a quasi-All-Star team to, as he wrote then, "give a little recognition to men who, for one reason or another, missed out on the real honors" ... and by "real honors," he meant Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams. </div><div><br /></div><div>He called it the "Allmost All-Pro Team" -- yes with two l's -- and he continued the tradition for just over 40 years. It may have been the first of the common "snubbed" articles we see every year, and it was followed in 1992 by a similar concept initiated by NFL writer Larry Weisman of <i>USA Today</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>His team, as he put it, was composed of "(a) few players who got lost in the shuffle this season. They're just a bunch of 'guys named Joe' who did their jobs without getting accolades or who labored in the shadows of more publicized teammates." He called it the "All-Joe Team," and he selected it for 22 seasons. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today, as an homage to DiTrani and Weisman, we've chosen a team of non-Pro Bowlers and non-All-Pros who deserve recognition for their work last season, and I've combined the names of their teams -- the Allmost All-Pro and the All-Joe into the "Allmost All-Joe Team" -- again with two l's.</div><div><br /></div><div>Neither writer was picky about the size of his squads, declining to limit their choices to 22 or 25 players. If, for instance, Wesiman wanted three tight ends, he'd pick three. If he wanted two quarterbacks, he'd choose two. </div><div><br /></div><div>We'll do the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here, then, is our 2023 Allmost All-Joe Team—</div><div><br /></div><div>OFFENSE</div><div><br /></div><div>C—Mitch Morse, Bills.</div><div><br /></div><div>A poor man's Jason Kelce. Like Kelce, he's one of the few NFL centers that can get outside and lead block. Morse did go to a Pro Bowl in 2022, but that's his only one in nine NFL seasons. He was just as good this year but didn't get the nod.</div><div><br /></div><div>Welcome to the Allmost All-Joe. </div><div><br /></div><div>G—Trey Smith, Chiefs; Sam Cosmi, Commanders; Kevin Dotson, Rams and Robert Hunt, Dolphins.</div><div><br /></div><div>All four are big-time players who can displace defensive linemen. All four are bullies. </div><div><br /></div><div>Trey Smith has yet another ring, while Cosmi battled in many a lost cause in the Nation's Capital. Early in the season, the Steelers traded Dotson to the Rams where their new gap-blocking scheme suited him. Now, he's a free agent looking to cash in big on his season. Hunt was dogged by a hamstring injury this year that prevented him from getting All-Pro notice. </div><div><br /></div><div>All are perfect fits for this squad ... great years but not well known.</div><div><br /></div><div>T—Rashawn Slater, Chargers; Rob Havenstein, Rams.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both tackles played well. Slater came back from a 2022 ruptured left biceps tendon injury and looked to be back to his 2021 Pro Bowl level. Havenstein's career has ranged from average to pretty darn good, and this year it was the latter. He may never make a Pro Bowl as a right tackle, but he's what Weisman had in mind when he created "All-Joe".</div><div><br /></div><div>TE—Jake Ferguson, Cowboys.</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, Ferguson did go to the Pro Bowl as a Super Bowl replacement for the 49ers' George Kittle. However, that only happened because first-alternate T.J. Hockenson was hurt. So Ferguson filled in for him. Nevertheless, he's staying on the Allmost All-Joe team as the tight end.</div><div><br /></div><div>WR—D.J. Moore, Bears; George Pickens, Steelers and Garrett Wilson, Jets.</div><div><br /></div><div>Moore had the best numbers of this group with 96 receptions, 1,364 receiving yards and eight scores, but this is an era when those numbers won't guarantee a Pro Bowl invite. Also, he did all that with a quarterback still finding his way. So, by grading on a curve, Moore's year looks better than the raw numbers. </div><div><br /></div><div>The same logic applies to Pickens and Wilson. </div><div><br /></div><div>Both played on offenses that struggled (to put it kindly), yet Pickett still led the NFL in yards per catch (18.1) with 1,140 yards on 63 receptions. Somehow, Wilson caught 95 passes for over 1,000 yards with a Jets' team that went through four quarterbacks. </div><div><br /></div><div>True, 1,000 yards receiving in a 17-game season is not a big deal -- nor should it be -- but when you couple it with who and how the ball was being thrown, in this case it was a big deal. </div><div><br /></div><div>Get these men star quarterbacks, and you'll see big numbers.</div><div><br /></div><div>QB—Jordan Love, Packers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Love had a helluva season -- 35 total touchdowns, over 4,000 yards passing, a litany of comeback wins -- everything you want a quarterback to do. But it wasn't until his Packers smoked the Cowboys in the playoffs that people really took notice. Talk about a legacy position -- Starr, Favre, Rodgers and now maybe Love. </div><div><br /></div><div>FB—Keith Smith, Falcons.</div><div><br /></div><div>Smith is always solid, no matter whom he's blocking for in Hotlanta. But he can never beat out the 49ers' Kyle Juszczyk for a Pro Bowl nod. </div><div><br /></div><div>RB—Travis Etienne, Jaguars.</div><div><br /></div><div>Compared to last year, the blocking in 2023 seemed off in Jacksonville. The line seemed to struggle, and, as a result, Etienne didn't have as many explosive plays. So he had to grind it out more. However, he was used more in the Jaguars' passing game and topped his 2022 total in yards from scrimmage.</div><div><br /></div><div>DEFENSE</div><div><br /></div><div>DE—Zach Sieler, Dolphins (3-4); Jonathan Greenard, Texans (4-3).</div><div><br /></div><div>If you compare future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer J.J. Watt's 2022 numbers to Sieler's 2023 numbers -- just the numbers -- you'd be surprised how close they are. </div><div><br /></div><div>No, no one is comparing his skill set with Watt's, but if a big-name player had the kind of year Sieler did his praises would have been sung nationwide. The problem is that he's not a big name, and he plays a pretty much of a grunt position of 4i/5-technique -- meaning he just does the dirty work without much acclaim. </div><div><br /></div><div>All that can be done is to give him a spot on the Allmost All-Joe Team. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even though Greenard missed a pair of games, 2023 was the healthiest he's been in his NFL career ... and he responded with his best season by producing 12-1/2 sacks and playing mentor to Defensive Rookie-of-the-Year Will Anderson. Those two should be a solid pair of bookends for DeMeco Ryans' defense for a few years -- if the Texans can keep both. </div><div><br /></div><div>DT—Ed Oliver, Bills; Kobie Turner, Rams and Alim McNeill, Lions (nose).</div><div><br /></div><div>Oliver set career highs in tackles (51), sacks (9-1/2), tackles for loss (14) and quarterback hits (16). Meanwhile, All-Rookie Kobie Turner played multiple roles for the Rams. He backed up Bobby Brown III at nose tackle, starting for him when Brown was hurt, and was the shade tackle next to Aaron Donald in the Rams' nickel defense. </div><div><br /></div><div>The two of them worked so well together in games and stunts that Turner tied Donald's club record for sacks by a rookie.</div><div><br /></div><div>McNeill was hurt late in the year but played hard all year defending the run and putting pressure on quarterbacks from his nose-tackle position.</div><div><br /></div><div>LB—Jahlani Tavai, Patriots; T.J. Edwards, Bears and Bradley Chubb, Dolphins (edge).</div><div><br /></div><div>The Patriots were bad, but their defense wasn't ... and one of the reasons was Tavai's play at linebacker. He was solid all year, as was Edwards for the Bears.</div><div><br /></div><div>Chubb had a bad knee injury in Week 17 but still had a fine season with 73 tackles and 11 sacks. Plus, he tied for the league lead with six forced fumbles. His loss was felt by the Dolphins in the playoffs.</div><div><br /></div><div>CB—Derek Stingley Jr., Texans; Darious Williams, Jaguars and Ja’Quan McMillian, Broncos (slot).</div><div><br /></div><div>It wouldn't be a surprise if Stingley is a Pro Bowler next year; he's a rising star. Williams, on the other hand, is already there. His play this year was reminiscent of 2020 when he had an elite season.</div><div><br /></div><div>McMillian began to play one week after the Broncos' 70-20 loss to Miami (he'd only played six snaps before that) and made an immediate impact. From his slot position, he pressured the quarterback, made tackles for loss, forced fumbles and just made things happen to improve what had been a lackluster defense. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, he was beaten for a few touchdowns -- he still has a ways to go -- but he should be one to watch for years to come. He's a playmaker.</div><div><br /></div><div>S—Tashaun Gipson Sr., 49ers; Xavier McKinney, Giants.</div><div><br /></div><div>Throughout 12 seasons, Gipson has always been steady. But he had his role change this year when Talanoa Hufanga was sidelined, and he responded with a great season -- one worthy of the Pro Bowl. But on a team of stars, someone is going to get missed ... and Gipson was that someone.</div><div><br /></div><div>McKinney just seemed to make plays for an underwhelming Giants' team, with 116 tackles, three interceptions, a forced a fumble and two fumble recoveries. On a good team, he'd be a star.</div><div><br /></div><div>SPECIAL TEAMS</div><div><br /></div><div>K—Cameron Dicker, Chargers.</div><div><br /></div><div>The NFL has a stat called "FG plus or minus" that measures a kicker's accuracy compared to the league rate at each distance. Yes, it's an analytic, but it's a good one ... and Dicker was second in the NFL. He had a very good year.</div><div><br /></div><div>P—Cameron Johnston, Texans.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fourth in the NFL net punting, with a 30:3 Inside-the-20-to-touchback ratio and the league's third-best NYOA (Net Yards over Average -- a good metric to measure a punter's efficiency), Johnson won just two All-Pro votes and wasn't even a Pro Bowl alternate. </div><div><br /></div><div>He deserved better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Returner—Xavier Gipson, New York Jets.</div><div><br /></div><div>Solid in both kick and punt returns, taking one punt to the house.</div><div><br /></div><div>ST—Ameer Abdullah, Raiders.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 30-year-old backup running back set a career-high in special teams tackles. He's found a place in the NFL ... on third down as a receiver and on special teams. </div></div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-84605621719555684712024-02-20T22:13:00.002-07:002024-02-20T22:13:42.130-07:00Should Steve Spagnuolo Receive A 2024 PFWA Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award?<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>By John Turney <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin6YVjv_yrwR9FvQGHUAI5BZCNhnZtai1mTZGhHCGq92cdNcdl6ovowoGfh8R8YU8n2S2Yf7gfHhPIqTGIz1h9LuqeFGGZPPV-4V8cnQmJHKL_s6yR35z8hj5AVBT9wvuwNAPrKzA6jqR48R_Wmf7bDZv3wOqkN6ejGCfkChKrCYsldJ0Pr7It_uZDten8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="242" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin6YVjv_yrwR9FvQGHUAI5BZCNhnZtai1mTZGhHCGq92cdNcdl6ovowoGfh8R8YU8n2S2Yf7gfHhPIqTGIz1h9LuqeFGGZPPV-4V8cnQmJHKL_s6yR35z8hj5AVBT9wvuwNAPrKzA6jqR48R_Wmf7bDZv3wOqkN6ejGCfkChKrCYsldJ0Pr7It_uZDten8" width="215" /></a></div></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">A decade ago, the <i>Pro Football Writers of America</i> (<i>PFWA</i>) created a lifetime achievement honor for NFL assistant coaches and named it the Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award, after the long-time NFL writer for the New York Post. In the past nine years, 23 assistants have won the award, and another dozen have been finalists. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div>They're names you would know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Winners include Dick LeBeau (also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in part for his success as an NFL assistant), Bud Carson, Bill Arnsparger Jim Johnson, Fritz Shurmur, Emmitt Thomas, Bobby Turner, Monte Kiffin and Wade Phillips. Basically a who's who of the assistant coaching world.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, one name that's never been among the finalists is Kansas City Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and that should change. In fact, current events dictate he goes to the head of the list now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why? Easy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Spagnuolo's defense was the key reason the Chiefs won this year's Super Bowl, unlike what happened in Kansas City's Super Bowl LVII win over the Eagles the season before. In that game, MVP Patrick Mahomes and the offense did the heavy lifting during the regular-season and in the NFL championship game. But this time the 64-year-old "Spags" walked off the field knowing his defense delivered all year, in the playoffs and in the ultimate game.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's because his defense in 2023 was among the best in the NFL (2nd in fewest points allowed, 2nd in fewest yards allowed and 7th in DVOA) and his pressure concepts thwarted the Dolphins, Bills and Ravens in the AFC playoffs and allowed the Chiefs a comeback win in Super Bowl LVIII.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Big Game, he upped his blitzing by 10 percentage points and doubled his usage of man-to-man coverage from about 20 to 40 percent (both per Pro Football Focus). Plus, he prevented the elite 49ers' offense from getting in rhythm in key moments, forcing it to settle for field goals rather than touchdowns. </div><div><br /></div><div>Result: The 49ers produced just 22 points in five quarters, a significant drop from their yearly average of 29 points per game.</div><div><br /></div><div>No Spags, no ring.</div><div><br /></div><div>That hearkens back to 2007 when his Giants' defense beat up the then-undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII by allowing the record-setting offense just 14 points. In that game, the Giants sacked MVP Tom Brady five times, notable because he hadn't been sacked four times in a game all season, and countless pressures in addition to the sacks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Any one of a few Giants' defenders, including Justin Tuck, could have been the Super Bowl MVP. It was a game plan for the ages, spoiling what would have been a perfect season for Brady and Patriots' coach Bill Belichick. And you just know they wanted that perfecto.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, it didn't happen, in large part, due to Spagnuolo.</div><div><br /></div><div>What was said then about Tuck as a possible MVP could've been said earlier this month for Chiefs' defensive tackle Chris Jones. While the 49ers were trying to defend free-running corners or linebackers, they forgot to block Jones -- and it cost them. It was an unblocked Jones who forced quarterback Brock Purdy into a hurried incompletion on a critical third-and-4 in overtime that led to a field goal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Credit to Jones, just like it was credit to Tuck. And credit to Spaguolo. MVP performances by quarterbacks Eli Manning and Mahomes aside, defense won Super Bowls XLII and LVIII. And isn't that what makes a legacy for an assistant coach ... what makes him worthy of a career achievement award ... coaching up big in the biggest of games?</div><div><br /></div><div>With his latest victory, Spagnuolo became the first coordinator -- offensive or defensive -- to earn four Super Bowl rings, breaking a tie with defensive coordinators Richie Petitbon (Washington) and Romeo Crennel (New England) and two assistants who coached the other side of the ball -- Charlies Weis and Josh McDaniels for the Patriots.</div><div><br /></div><div>A year ago, Spagnuolo was the first to coordinate Super Bowl victories for two NFL franchises when he tied those four coaches with three coordinating rings. Now he stands alone, and the Chiefs' brain trust recognizes it. Less than a week after Super Bowl LVIII, it signed Spagnuolo to a contract extension.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now it's time for the <i>PFWA</i> to respond.</div><div><br /></div><div>To become a Paul Zimmerman Award winner, an assistant coach can be active or retired. Two of last year's winners, Don “Wink” Martindale and John Mitchell, were active at the time, though Mitchell retired after the season. The third winner, Bobb McKittrick, passed away in 2000.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've advocated for several finalists who have yet to be named recipients, namely Floyd Peters and Jim Hanifan. But with the PFWA naming as many as four assistant coaches in one season, there's room for Spaguolo to be included.</div><div><br /></div><div>We won't know who the winners are for a few months, but this is one case where "recentism" -- paying closer attention to recent events than ones in the past -- may be warranted. While I understand that recentism clouds judgment and can work against deserving players and coaches (see the Pro Football Hall of Fame), there can be ... and are ... exceptions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Steve Spagnuolo is one of them.</div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-13932453072900488822024-02-19T21:51:00.001-07:002024-02-19T21:51:12.265-07:00The Hall-of-Fame Class of 2025 Will Have Stiff Competition It Seems<div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>By John Turney <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPn3dYSn3b2mGELL5J2yeejhFqX6p-fjtX8DN9R1lxUOeDnhMVS-RFpR7yfcn7sowTJ0w3Q0VVlMoOvK_pHH_slNnjJ6-PtvhJhF2eFVcflm6KTOmal07epDVbOl6-8vlRmUh0uwEUgZmC3F7iU23rNsqs9IvkTGzWOQGfAf_p3afw8k35rQl0oMGtRMoB" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="1787" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPn3dYSn3b2mGELL5J2yeejhFqX6p-fjtX8DN9R1lxUOeDnhMVS-RFpR7yfcn7sowTJ0w3Q0VVlMoOvK_pHH_slNnjJ6-PtvhJhF2eFVcflm6KTOmal07epDVbOl6-8vlRmUh0uwEUgZmC3F7iU23rNsqs9IvkTGzWOQGfAf_p3afw8k35rQl0oMGtRMoB=w230-h315" width="230" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GateAn00.htm">Antonio Gates</a></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></i></b></div><div>When the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame's Class of 2024 was announced last week, there were some surprises, disappointments and perhaps a snub or two. Nothing new there. So relax. We get to do it all over again in 51 weeks. That's when the Class of 2025 is elected, and we opine about next year's surprises, disappointments and snubs.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>But who will they be?</div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously, it's impossible to know, but you can always try to predict ... which I intend to do here, but only with the modern-era candidates. I'll leave out the coach/contributor and senior candidates for now.</div><div><br /></div><div>A good place to start is the finalists who survived this year's reduction cut from 15 to 10. They often are elected the following year, and, with this year's group, there's a strong possibility that at least a few -- if not more -- wind up enshrined in 2025.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those five are tight end Antonio Gates, safety Darren Woodson, tackle Willie Anderson, receiver Torry Holt and defensive end Jared Allen. Then there are notable first-time eligible players like quarterback Eli Manning, linebacker Luke Kuechly, guard Marshall Yanda, running back Marshawn Lynch and edge rusher Terrell Suggs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of the five holdovers, you'd think Gates would be the leading candidate. I do. With more touchdown catches (116) than all but six receivers in NFL history, it was surprising he wasn't included in this year's class. But his eight Pro Bowls and tight-end record for touchdown receptions mean he won't wait long.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pencil him in for next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>After that, however, it gets complicated. Really complicated.</div><div><br /></div><div>Former Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly will be the most decorated in terms of the "alls" -- he was a Pro Bowler every season but his rookie campaign, as well as a consensus All-Pro five times and the 2013 AP Defensive Player of the Year. But he also had his career cut short after eight seasons due to repeated concussions. So he lacks the longevity voters like in their first-ballot inductees.</div><div><br /></div><div>His resume is similar to that of another linebacker, the 49ers' Patrick Willis, who was just elected after becoming eligible in 2020. Will Keuchly wait that long? Probably not. But he's not a lock to be chosen in his first try, either. </div><div><br /></div><div>Former Giants' quarterback Eli Manning will bring a serious, prolonged and, in all likelihood, impassioned discussion to the Hall-of-Fame vote. It will be the classic debate of how important "quarterback rings" are vs. career credentials. Manning's two Super Bowl wins over Tom Brady are his calling card for election (he was the game's MVP both times), but his passing statistics and honors (MVPs, All-Pros, Pro Bowls) aren't as numerous as other quarterbacks of his era. </div><div><br /></div><div>He was a four-time Pro Bowler but never an All-Pro.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually, he'll get his bust in Canton. But I'd bet a lot of money it doesn't happen next year. The debate almost surely will be long and possibly contentious.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's a lot of substance to guard Marshall Yanda's case, but he'd not only have to leapfrog Jahri Evans, the longtime Saints' guard who was a finalist this year but other finalists at positions not overlooked as often as guard to reach the Hall right away.</div><div><br /></div><div>That just won't happen.</div><div><br /></div><div>He could make the Final 15, but he doesn't have the case needed to be a first-ballot guard. The next one will be the Cowboys' Zack Martin, five years after he retires.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next?</div><div><br /></div><div>Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch will have supporters, as will pass rusher Terrell Suggs, but there are players at their respective positions ahead of them in the queue. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, back to this year's Top Ten.</div><div><br /></div><div>Andre Johnson broke the wide-receiver logjam, so it would seem that Torry Holt ... and perhaps Reggie Wayne ... would move up. Because he was a Top Ten finalist and Wayne was not, Holt seems to have more momentum -- as of now. He's been in the Top Ten the past two years, so he's a logical guess.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mark him down after Gates.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like Holt, Jared Allen has been in the Top Ten the past two years, too. So, based on that, I think he'd be a reasonable pick for next year's Class.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's three. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, two more. But who? </div><div><br /></div><div>Darren Woodson and Willie Anderson? Or one, plus Kuechly? Or Wayne, who was in the Top Ten in 2023 but missed this year? Maybe someone else, like running back Fred Taylor? As I said, there are a lot of accomplished players in the mix for next year. All have strong cases, but each also has a box or two that isn't checked ... and that should make decisions exceptionally hard for voters.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not for me. My final two picks are Willie Anderson and Darren Woodson, making it a clean sweep of this year's Top Ten.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I think Kuechly was elite -- among the best ever at his position -- it seems likely he may have to wait a year to get his Gold Jacket, with the logic something like this: "Patrick Willis had to wait. Why is Kuechly's case significantly stronger?" I could just as easily be wrong, and he wins his Hall pass right away, but I don't think so. </div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see, it's going to be a deep group of candidates next year, and good luck to voters sorting them out. They're going to need it.</div></div><div><br /></div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-8063968075022452942024-02-15T14:14:00.001-07:002024-02-15T14:14:06.509-07:00Will the Hall's Doors Open to Specialists, Pass-rush, Returners and Others?<div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>By John Turney<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihAlygV3-Z8k-zKEJrEwSaoDf1IOzjC-b7oLlXKTKBbSYn5gurmF1M6v4uYXv-zEsvTp8CSlSBPEdJ6hCLR7Ssp09J7chmhrAjWXO4abE4MDWkvgt6AjPwRsBl0zRmy8EnInwysVsI8crLprNbQyj_HYC-HRvfgm5iFoyhqRs7PmzmX9vLSAHgJkLC7jIL" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="1179" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihAlygV3-Z8k-zKEJrEwSaoDf1IOzjC-b7oLlXKTKBbSYn5gurmF1M6v4uYXv-zEsvTp8CSlSBPEdJ6hCLR7Ssp09J7chmhrAjWXO4abE4MDWkvgt6AjPwRsBl0zRmy8EnInwysVsI8crLprNbQyj_HYC-HRvfgm5iFoyhqRs7PmzmX9vLSAHgJkLC7jIL=w725-h219" width="725" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BacoCo00.htm">Coy Bacon</a></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Defensive end <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00.htm">Dwight Freeney</a> and return specialist <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HestDe99.htm">Devin Hester</a> are two of the seven members of a Hall-of-Fame Class of 2024 that tilts heavily to one side of the ball.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's defense.</div><div><br /></div><div>Look who joins them: Defensive tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMiSt00.htm">Steve McMichael</a>, linebackers <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillPa98.htm">Patrick Willis</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GradRa00.htm">Randy Gradishar</a> and defensive ends <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeppJu99.htm">Julius Peppers</a> and Freeney. That means that wide receiver Andre Johnson is the only offensive finalist who will be enshrined in August. </div><div><br /></div><div>But it's not Johnson or the others who interest me. It's Hester and Freeney, and here's why: Their elections raise the possibility of other one-dimensional players reaching Canton ... with the key word there being "possibility." If nothing else, their elections offer others hope where there was little before.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Hester, that's easy to explain. He's the first return specialist ... period ... to be inducted. Until now, there were only three specialists enshrined in Canton. Two were kickers (Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen) and one was a punter (Ray Guy). But now that Hester's in, other dominant returners may get a shot, too, with Billy "White Shoes" Johnson and Rick Upchurch the most obvious. </div><div><br /></div><div>Both made all-decade teams in the 1970s and 1980s. Both were also All-Pro and Pro Bowlers multiple times, as well as league leaders in punt returns, and both are still high on all-time lists for punt return yards, touchdowns and yards per return. Plus, there were two return specialists named to the NFL's 100th anniversary team. Hester was one. Johnson was the other.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before Hester, he and Upchurch were often considered 1A and 1B among all-time punt returners. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like Hester, Johnson and Upchuch also started occasionally at wide receiver (Hester played some defensive back, as well), but they are Hall-worthy because they could take punts and kicks to the house better than others in their era. Or any era, for that matter. And isn't that what the Hall of Fame is about? Finding those who separated themselves from their peers?</div><div><br /></div><div>Hester did. So did "White Shoes" and Upchurch.</div><div><br /></div><div>And since we're speaking of specialists, maybe it's time to revive Steve Tasker's candidacy. He was a nine-time semifinalist as a modern-era candidate but never made it to the final 15. However, now that Canton has its first return specialist, a precedent has been set ... and that may make his case a bit stronger.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now let's look at Freeney.</div><div><br /></div><div>First-ballot choice Julius Peppers was a pretty complete defensive end. He wasn't the best run-stopper among Hall-of-Fame peers at his position, but he made enough plays vs. the run that no one would suggest he was a one-dimensional player. But Dwight Freeney? Not so much. </div><div><br /></div><div>He was always among the best pass rushers of his era ... and of all time ... but he created more than just sacks. He created tons of pressures, knocking down quarterbacks and chasing them out of the pocket. Plus, he did it with a rare skillset, exploding off the ball to make off-balance tackles. With 4.48 40 speed, he could fly around the edge and motor to the quarterback.</div><div><br /></div><div>But if the tackle overset to the outside, then Freeney really had him with the patented counter-move --- the inside spin. No, he didn't invent the spin move. He perfected it. And his success with it caused a lot of later pass rushers to copy it. You cannot watch football on a Sunday (or Saturday for that matter) without seeing the move multiple times.</div><div><br /></div><div>But that focus on hitting the quarterback came at a cost: It left the spinmaster vulnerable to the run. He didn't drop many running backs for losses or at the line of scrimmage, as the record book shows. In his career, Freeney was credited with 36 run stuffs -- tackles for loss on running backs. </div><div><br /></div><div>For a quick comparison, look at former Baltimore pass rusher Terrell Suggs, who's eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2025. He had 101. Then there's five-time Hall finalist Jared Allen. He had 69.</div><div><br /></div><div>Freeney was a rush-first guy who performed in a scheme and an era where playing the run was less important than it had been. So what he did ... and did superbly ... was lauded by his coaches. They let Freeney do what he did best -- namely, rush the passer -- and let others worry about the run.</div><div><br /></div><div>That ethos was not prevalent in previous generations. Defensive linemen who didn't play the run were criticized by coaches, other players, writers and even fans -- even if it was only partially true or true for occasional seasons. But with Freeney's election, fairness dictates that those rush-first guys now get a second look.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like who, you ask?:</div><div><br /></div><div>-- Let's start with Mark Gastineau. In ten seasons he had 107-1/2 sacks, though some are unofficial as they happened prior to 1982. He was All-Pro in 1982-85 and second-team in 1981 and went to the Pro Bowl all five seasons. He often got dogged out in the media for not playing the run, even by other All-Pro defensive ends. But in his era, no one -- no one -- got to the quarterback or hurried him more than Mark "Conan the Barbarian" Gastineau.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe now he has a shot at a Gold Jacket.</div><div><br /></div><div>-- Then there's Al "Bubba" Baker. He exploded onto the NFL scene with 23 sacks, 16 and then 17-1/2 in his first three seasons and ended his career with 131, though, like Gastineau's some are unofficial. He didn't have a reputation as a poor run defender but he wasn't a great one, either. He was a prototypical blind-side defensive end who was concerned about getting to the quarterback before all else. If he found a running back on his way there, all the better. And, like Freeney, Baker had a fair spin move of his own.</div><div><br /></div><div>Baker was All-Everything as a rookie and went to three Pro Bowls. </div><div><br /></div><div>-- Another example was Coy Bacon, the pass-rushing gypsy. He played for the Rams, the Chargers, Bengals, Redskins and even had a stint with the USFL Washington Federals. And, at every stop, he harassed quarterbacks. Three times he was voted to the Pro Bowl and three times he was second-team All-Pro. Though he retired before sacks became official, NFL gamebooks reveal he had 130-1/2 in his career, including 21-1/2 in 1976.</div><div><br /></div><div>Coy could bring the heat but never got a sniff of Canton. Maybe that changes now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Time will tell.</div><div><br /></div><div>Regardless, it does seem that the Hall-of-Fame seniors' committee will have more players on its plate in the future because cases previously closed to specialists and one-dimensional players possibly are reopened because similar players -- i.e., Hester and Freeney -- will be enshrined this summer. And what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.</div><div><br /></div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-78249960863756801622024-02-02T21:20:00.002-07:002024-02-02T21:29:33.492-07:00If It Were Me<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>By John Turney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODqupzo13k0jYEavq5BiJUFLrGU2T7Y2tOdfLUOS1fU1w1vIvhswqEX8b7x-HCZNZcdwn063Z8-fXABj3z5iXFSG61p_vBEVjvFL4o9mN0Djsq01b1PcytaS7c2s-kbvOHVKJnbXJgqwEgOJ_pph_NHnsjXnURDHdIB_Zk1QVgNHMEcotYxZC4SoAtraY/s1849/HOFers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="1849" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODqupzo13k0jYEavq5BiJUFLrGU2T7Y2tOdfLUOS1fU1w1vIvhswqEX8b7x-HCZNZcdwn063Z8-fXABj3z5iXFSG61p_vBEVjvFL4o9mN0Djsq01b1PcytaS7c2s-kbvOHVKJnbXJgqwEgOJ_pph_NHnsjXnURDHdIB_Zk1QVgNHMEcotYxZC4SoAtraY/w640-h104/HOFers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Writers, researchers, historians, drafniks, analytics followers, fans, you name it, enjoy playing games of "What If"... as in: What if they were the coach or GM of their favorite team? What would they do or whom would they draft? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div>It's a form of second-guessing that's more a source of entertainment, and it doesn't just apply to games or draft boards. It can apply to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>And it will. Now.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a writer, researcher and fan of pro football, I sometimes wonder: Whom would I choose if I were on the Hall's board of selectors? Not the ones I think will be elected. But the ones I thought were most deserving. What if I had that opportunity?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, now I do. So, I'm choosing my Class of 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll ignore the four senior and coach/contributor nominees because I presume they all make it. It's just a "yes" or "no" vote, with 80 percent approval needed. So barring something bizarre, they should all make it. But I'll just say that if I had a vote, I'd affirm all four -- coach <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/ParkRa0.htm">Buddy Parker</a>, linebacker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GradRa00.htm">Randy Gradishar</a>, defensive tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMiSt00.htm">Steve McMichael</a>, and receiver <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PoweAr00.htm">Art Powell</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, who would be my five modern-era candidates? </div><div><br /></div><div>First is <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeppJu99.htm">Julius Peppers</a>. Given that Jason Taylor was a first-ballot selection in 2017, there's no reason not to give Peppers the same honor. In my mind, neither matches up to the only previous first-ballot defensive ends -- the Mr. Rushmore at that position -- Gino Marchetti, Deacon Jones, Reggie White and Bruce Smith. We know them all by their first names.</div><div><br /></div><div>But Peppers did have a career roughly the same as Taylor, enough to easily make him the top name on this year's finalist list.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillPa98.htm">Patrick Willis</a> would be next. The 49ers' linebacker has the most first-team All-Pros among all the final 15. He was a tackling machine and did tremendous work in both the run game and coverage. In fact, coverage may have been his forte.</div><div><br /></div><div>His career was cut short after eight seasons because of a foot injury, so his peak was not that long. But it was extremely high.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's clear to me that <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnAn02.htm">Andre Johnson</a> is the top wide receiver and one of the best five players among the finalists. He's just different than Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne.</div><div><br /></div><div>He's a true No. 1 receiver and someone who, at his peak, was a bigger problem for defenses. Imagine what he'd have done with an elite quarterback like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady ... or even a few seasons with Kurt Warner.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even so, he had three 1,500-yard receiving seasons, including one after the age of 30. He's ranked third in my book of these finalists.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tight end <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GateAn00.htm">Antonio Gates</a> would be my fourth. Of all the pass catchers -- regardless of position -- in the final 15, Gates had the most touchdown catches (116). Incredibly, he has more touchdown receptions than most of the Hall-of-Fame pass catchers, with only six ahead of him -- Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison and Larry Fitzgerald.</div><div><br /></div><div>You may recognize those names. Pretty good work for a tight end who has to block some of the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>While he may not fit the classic first-ballot definition, he is one of the top five on the ballot this year. His stats, plus his All-Pro resume -- a three-time All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler and 2004 NFL Alumni Tight End of the Year -- make him my fourth pick.</div><div><br /></div><div>It may surprise you that <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HestDe99.htm">Devin Hester</a> would be my fifth.</div><div><br /></div><div>It shouldn't. </div><div><br /></div><div>And yes, I know the arguments against his case: That he was a specialist and the Hall should be for position players or that a returner doesn't have enough impact on games. Okay, then take out the two kickers and punter.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reason Hester belongs is that he's not only the G.O.A.T. at his position, but he's so far ahead of the field he's a phenom. He had 20 non-offensive touchdowns (most ever in NFL history) and combined for 19 combined kick/punt return touchdowns, also the most. His 14 punt returns are four more than the next player on the list.</div><div><br /></div><div>He has a hold on the return record book the same way Jerry Rice has a hold on the receiving record book. Both top most of the lists.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hester did play on some scrimmage plays at wide receiver and defensive back, but he was not quality at either. But if you kicked or punted to him, he'd make you pay big time. And, if you didn't, the Bears still gained good field position, as punts could be shortened or shanked and land out of bounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>The same was true on kickoffs. He was avoided by squib kicks or kickoffs launched high and short to allow coverage teams to defend him. Even so, he was always a threat to take one to the house. Because of that dominance, he should get a bronze bust. In fact, if it were up to me -- which it's not -- he'd go in this year. He's one of the top five football players on the list.</div><div><br /></div><div>But that's my opinion. We'll hear what voters have to say on Thursday, Feb. 8, when the Pro Football Hall of Fame reveals its Class of 2024 at the NFL Honors show.</div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-26728624724152068352024-01-30T09:04:00.007-07:002024-01-30T10:25:04.121-07:00TUESDAY TIDBITS: "We're Not Going Out Like This"<div><b><i>By TJ Troup <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaH3GorkCHg-BGsy869EI4JqyrLxl6DNhgIX_ZBb29eLM04a1xZiElJYAURCjuxOldOx5n5rvRRzljWBwwoEBioBaVFT4uOe9sknwkTymzDNCMTcGdNkgaVaXG-LU7cFmlEUbootNxWcDMis4TUT_EaiEWJSOhAG8KD9rEgL5N6IUGboySy11rO2nrK9UO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1068" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaH3GorkCHg-BGsy869EI4JqyrLxl6DNhgIX_ZBb29eLM04a1xZiElJYAURCjuxOldOx5n5rvRRzljWBwwoEBioBaVFT4uOe9sknwkTymzDNCMTcGdNkgaVaXG-LU7cFmlEUbootNxWcDMis4TUT_EaiEWJSOhAG8KD9rEgL5N6IUGboySy11rO2nrK9UO" width="320" /></a></div></i></b></div><div>When the Chiefs scored the first touchdown last Sunday afternoon, thought well they have a 75% chance to win the game, and they did! When the Lions scored the first touchdown last Sunday afternoon, thought well the Niners now have a 25% chance of winning, and they did. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of this column will not be a scouting report, but thoughts on each team. </div><div><br /></div><div>When Dick Vermeil stepped down as coach after 2005 the Chiefs went 38-74 until Andy Reid took over. Is there any doubt he has proven his acumen as a coach? Reid's record in his last fifteen games in the playoffs is 13-2! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDAicGybbNjWJ75hREelv6xIPyimw-zEhuvGb2JGWyOzUeFv6OqJPtn6sQ3-7DHj3_l5P8lk9RCqkzV9CN3iHdq1kcva6JgRzIf6v_My3VHw7zLBkKy1Pxk65nU5dgKuGT3tGEr9fYiTb2j6Ye3zHhadj8NI1-xCfxAf2xuElveAUtmuCoQ6chpCRF5nnb" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="576" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDAicGybbNjWJ75hREelv6xIPyimw-zEhuvGb2JGWyOzUeFv6OqJPtn6sQ3-7DHj3_l5P8lk9RCqkzV9CN3iHdq1kcva6JgRzIf6v_My3VHw7zLBkKy1Pxk65nU5dgKuGT3tGEr9fYiTb2j6Ye3zHhadj8NI1-xCfxAf2xuElveAUtmuCoQ6chpCRF5nnb" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Andy Reid</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>We all can evaluate the players, and surmise what the Chiefs game plan will be, yet from the game last Sunday at half-time Kelce had 9 catches for 96 yards! </div><div><br /></div><div>Thought is it possible if they needed him to continue his ability to get open and catch the ball, he might be the first tight end to have 18 catches for 200 yards?</div><div><br /></div><div>Possibly the 49ers might want to come up with a coverage to at least limit him on Super Bowl Sunday? </div><div><br /></div><div>Three penalties called on Kansas City, and none for defensive holding or pass interference. Now that is one helluva job by the young men in the Chiefs secondary or we have officials that missed a few penalties. Does that continue in the Super Bowl? </div><div><br /></div><div>After reading my narrative today, you will be able to surmise that I want the 49ers to win and believe they will. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last Sunday McCaffrey had 10 carries for 29 yards in the first half, and 10 carries for 61 yards in the second half. The Lions gained 148 rushing in the first half, and 34 in the second half. San Francisco made the correct and necessary half-time adjustments last Sunday, will they be able to do that in the Super Bowl? Would relish hearing from all of you who you believe are the "key" player or players for each team, and why? </div><div><br /></div><div>Watch Fred Warner play and you see why he is All-Pro, and as the game unfolds will be watching to see how he defends the run and if he drops into coverage towards Kelce? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCdtNu0Szh_p6sJD-F7u4pOjcYWH_9nVJVLexLZeCY1u1cDjGk3X7-4lHnJjA8EjVQURl8gcobWL5qkBBjgZiEFz62cMAbYu2TNTu44VZ1KT4n4FGbi0yrS-GSr3sEfXe3EwjEXm91R80RnD_-Tf4YFjbFfaGr2BOHUz7hvXf-C5TZz98CN6_euV1FDuMY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="359" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCdtNu0Szh_p6sJD-F7u4pOjcYWH_9nVJVLexLZeCY1u1cDjGk3X7-4lHnJjA8EjVQURl8gcobWL5qkBBjgZiEFz62cMAbYu2TNTu44VZ1KT4n4FGbi0yrS-GSr3sEfXe3EwjEXm91R80RnD_-Tf4YFjbFfaGr2BOHUz7hvXf-C5TZz98CN6_euV1FDuMY=w184-h257" width="184" /></a></div></div><div>Kyle Shanahan needs to have his game plan force Kansas City into untenable match-ups, so when he hoists the silver trophy he can finally look his dad in the eye. His statement to his team at half-time last Sunday is the title of today's narrative, and his players responded. </div><div><br /></div><div>The last time San Francisco won a Super Bowl their quarterback was Steve Young, and that man is now 62 years old, is this the time for the Niners to again be champions? </div><div><br /></div><div>Over the years have been humbled and honored to be interviewed by the folks at <i>NFL Films</i>, and tomorrow night on "NFL Films Presents" will be a segment on the "Playoff Bowl", a Rozelle masterpiece of public relations where he had the two second place teams from each conference play in Miami. .</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7YW97_aWenXYDtGazCVC6K-d7sPX3Caq5HfWiEkL1iNG-2KDTDfMArctyl9C7DgHjcAb3Rqmn6xSrZ0ZzD0-4QZ-JdP4-Dgp7if_ljbqCiXeHSD2YgFbVBMFEIB4sZSWC8tNsVf71fHgSHbl1zPKj4gz_cTYOdsdFlUSodmw-SC7RVOROo_cNX07THRIc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="343" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7YW97_aWenXYDtGazCVC6K-d7sPX3Caq5HfWiEkL1iNG-2KDTDfMArctyl9C7DgHjcAb3Rqmn6xSrZ0ZzD0-4QZ-JdP4-Dgp7if_ljbqCiXeHSD2YgFbVBMFEIB4sZSWC8tNsVf71fHgSHbl1zPKj4gz_cTYOdsdFlUSodmw-SC7RVOROo_cNX07THRIc" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1962 NFL Playoff Bowl</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Yes, I did watch all ten of the games, and some of them were worth watching. My personal favorite came after the '62 season when the Steelers in black helmets for the first time played the Lions. Enjoy the Super Bowl</div>TJ Trouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304023579676096733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-54153857934613529962024-01-29T02:57:00.003-07:002024-01-29T02:57:14.611-07:00Four Rams Make the 2023 PFWA All-Rookie Team—One Short of the Most Ever<div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>By John Turney <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV0ZA1vC2qkdiPL4ST5NLy9fzw9pBdAoeVjG43ziMm6bmWnJrdMlx7NY0MNDf9P6utAeGEZPej7wnfpV5qXwoohnV3XPzi-12T1IQw9qvjMGR7sQjhKdcdpMwPDdLrpOhyw-fyQM8nadpMcY87ulkHeJLKasrpH9PEPNRVOc8zKKDivnVkmvldQkwbT2rQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV0ZA1vC2qkdiPL4ST5NLy9fzw9pBdAoeVjG43ziMm6bmWnJrdMlx7NY0MNDf9P6utAeGEZPej7wnfpV5qXwoohnV3XPzi-12T1IQw9qvjMGR7sQjhKdcdpMwPDdLrpOhyw-fyQM8nadpMcY87ulkHeJLKasrpH9PEPNRVOc8zKKDivnVkmvldQkwbT2rQ" width="240" /></a></div></i></b></div><div>In 1974, the <i>Pro Football Writers of America</i> (<i>PFWA</i>) asked its members to select an All-Rookie team, and nothing unusual there. Other organizations did the same thing. But the <i>PFWA</i> outlasted them, asking members this week to choose another All-Rookie team.</div><div><br /></div><div>Appropriately, for a 50th anniversary squad it was one to remember: </div><div><br /></div><div>That's because four members of the Los Angeles Rams were picked -- just the sixth time four or more players from one team were selected and a reflection of how special the team's 2023 draft was. Those players are wide receiver <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NacuPu00.htm">Puka Nacua</a>, guard <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AvilSt00.htm">Steve Avila</a>, defensive tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TurnKo00.htm">Kobie Turner</a> and edge rusher <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YounBy01.htm">Byron Young</a>. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7lngx1F040FGJo6DJWkkg1L2hL8CKmmtBpz1-7bChAEL3OL2lmWIWLzo728vUbIGJIBuhc9Z_aTj5CDKeEE8mANyKQX33BD44FaEHCzcqPfi6TIyeJIkqo4cfZ2gA185YnVfDYF63lFqO9NFpOCR9CSb41PJS_7zOkuV06KyC65hk-H3bTiuMbL1oRH1P" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7lngx1F040FGJo6DJWkkg1L2hL8CKmmtBpz1-7bChAEL3OL2lmWIWLzo728vUbIGJIBuhc9Z_aTj5CDKeEE8mANyKQX33BD44FaEHCzcqPfi6TIyeJIkqo4cfZ2gA185YnVfDYF63lFqO9NFpOCR9CSb41PJS_7zOkuV06KyC65hk-H3bTiuMbL1oRH1P" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Puka Nacua</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>In the 50 years of the <i>PFWA</i> award, only one team had more, and that was the 1998 Indianapolis Colts with five. That group was led by Hall-of-Famer <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannPe00.htm">Peyton Manning</a> wide receiver <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PathJe00.htm">Jerome Pathon</a>, guard <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McKiSt20.htm">Steve McKinney</a>, defensive tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChesLa20.htm">Larry Chester</a>, and kicker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/vandemik01.htm">Mike Vanderjagt</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>But only five others had as many all-rookie choices as the Rams: The 1977 Miami Dolphins, the 1996 Patriots and Dolphins and the 1999 Colts.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh0QQKrdjsPa5YtXklfd0UAJd0bwxRBp7T2HD_AMb55-0pxWEU7Ny7zWqd8ItA5YUn6IoNtj9lXdTQEvaAf9cMeJj0Kw3reEaEC5muxlCa5pSw-_TGVYyB3l-EI7v1mEmBh2UpRev5-4SkzEzd10-9Mp87akU8CuujBrgoXbWAEfKV2cLZUMTK-uROn6e/s294/2024-01-29_2-55-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="259" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh0QQKrdjsPa5YtXklfd0UAJd0bwxRBp7T2HD_AMb55-0pxWEU7Ny7zWqd8ItA5YUn6IoNtj9lXdTQEvaAf9cMeJj0Kw3reEaEC5muxlCa5pSw-_TGVYyB3l-EI7v1mEmBh2UpRev5-4SkzEzd10-9Mp87akU8CuujBrgoXbWAEfKV2cLZUMTK-uROn6e/s1600/2024-01-29_2-55-24.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Peyton Manning</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>That's it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Dolphins' rookie class was composed of defensive end <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DuheA.00.htm">A.J. Duhe</a>, nose tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BaumBo00.htm">Bob Baumhower</a>, outside linebacker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BokaKi00.htm">Kim Bokamper</a> and safety <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobeVe20.htm">Vern Roberson</a>. Duhe, Baumhower and Bokamper became integral parts of the famed "Killer Bees" defense in the early 1980s, a unit that took them to two Super Bowls and one Lombardi Trophy. Roberson, a safety out of Grambling, played only one season for Miami and then one more for the 49ers before he was out of the league.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfaxb-GBH9RoQIUJQJgYxFqvA46-YYQuJMpGMa3_aXjoVYT1RuGbhLzkRoBVBFuJMaDwZ_lFl97GjoLxiIFSu0RQFD3exzmFhS5rhNrvSW62N8II6J8zNvqpm2vFrQv-R-n7GLkVwl-R_N7ZyFS_wmI-sMGeOd6oYhQxFjqkkeML0bVMugrBuVwA8bD5z/s269/2024-01-29_2-50-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="269" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfaxb-GBH9RoQIUJQJgYxFqvA46-YYQuJMpGMa3_aXjoVYT1RuGbhLzkRoBVBFuJMaDwZ_lFl97GjoLxiIFSu0RQFD3exzmFhS5rhNrvSW62N8II6J8zNvqpm2vFrQv-R-n7GLkVwl-R_N7ZyFS_wmI-sMGeOd6oYhQxFjqkkeML0bVMugrBuVwA8bD5z/w230-h217/2024-01-29_2-50-34.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Kim Bokamper</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Who else?</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1996, New England Patriots coach Bill Parcells expertly filled his grocery bag, while Jimmy Johnson, in his first year in Miami, began the post-Shula rebuild of the Dolphins by picking a solid quartet of players. The All-Rookie players selected by Parcells were wide receiver <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GlenTe00.htm">Terry Glenn</a>, safety <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MillLa00.htm">Lawyer Milloy</a>, defensive tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WymaDe20.htm">Devin Wyman</a> and kicker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/vinatada01.htm">Adam Vinatieri</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Only Wyman didn't do much in the NFL, playing just two years.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, Glenn caught 90 passes in the 1996 regular season, plus a dozen more in the playoffs. After that, he was injured for much of his career, playing 16 games just three times in his 11 seasons. Milloy ended up playing 15 NFL seasons, was a starter in 14 and made four Pro Bowls. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHUrwvBa_w3ebSYh-4tInA0daQtMwIbpYMltmd12gC-imVYG_xeg2LHr9ffbq5V14dFrnAi9jfVccoEQl3cjzcMTfTUx62QO4RiZI5L8fl6H8ZhkkG-1FCT7Skki0sAoP0vvatG6jTOeA4itAK1bsCSIZ7hFvFBwGbRWYXofA2cptq5WKFooANc86xNkw/s278/2024-01-29_2-52-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="255" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHUrwvBa_w3ebSYh-4tInA0daQtMwIbpYMltmd12gC-imVYG_xeg2LHr9ffbq5V14dFrnAi9jfVccoEQl3cjzcMTfTUx62QO4RiZI5L8fl6H8ZhkkG-1FCT7Skki0sAoP0vvatG6jTOeA4itAK1bsCSIZ7hFvFBwGbRWYXofA2cptq5WKFooANc86xNkw/s1600/2024-01-29_2-52-19.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Adam Vinatieri</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Then there's Vinatieri, who will be in the Hall of Fame some day. He's one of the most clutch kickers in the history of the league, with his foot providing the margin of victory in Bill Belichick's first three Super Bowl wins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Middle linebacker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomZa01.htm">Zach Thomas</a>, 1,000-yard running back <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AbduKa00.htm">Karim Abdul-Jabbar</a>, defensive tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GardDa20.htm">Daryl Gardener</a> and special teamer <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/I/IzzoLa00.htm">Larry Izzo</a> were Jimmy Johnson's All-Rookie haul. Thomas has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while Izzo became one of the best special teams players in NFL history -- for the Patriots. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 1999, one year after choosing Manning & Co., the Colts hit on Hall-of-Fame running back <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JameEd00.htm">Edgerrin James</a>, linebacker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeteMi20.htm">Mike Peterson</a>, punter <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitHu21.htm">Hunter Smith</a> and returner <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilkTe00.htm">Terrence Wilkins </a>(who also started 11 games as a wide receiver). All were chosen to the <i>PFWA's</i> All-Rookie squad.</div><div><br /></div><div>James led the NFL in rushing and not only was All-Rookie that season but also a consensus All-Pro who helped the Colts flip their record from 3-13 to 13-3.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year's Rams are exceptional in that Nacua and Turner received strong support for the <i>PFWA's</i> Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year before losing to two Texans -- quarterback <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StroCJ00.htm">C.J. Stroud</a> and defensive end <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndeWi01.htm">Will Anderson</a>. Nevertheless, they were named finalists this week for the Associated Press Offensive and Rookie of the Year awards. </div><div><br /></div><div>In any other year, Nacua would have been the OROY. The rookie out of BYU set numerous rookie receiving records, including most receptions and yards. Turner, who sang the National Anthem at Monday's Los Angeles Kings hockey game, provided more music to the ears of Rams' fans by tying future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer Aaron Donald's rookie sack record.</div><div><br /></div><div>Consider that good company for a third-round pick many Rams fans felt was drafted too high.</div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-54401961986282957012024-01-26T00:11:00.007-07:002024-01-26T00:11:33.611-07:00Hall-of-Fame Worthy Players of the 1940s and 1950s Who are Still Waiting<div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>By John Turney</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Last summer, I picked a team of pre-World War II players who had the most deserving cases for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now, I'm fast-forwarding through the next 30 years to choose a team covering a span from the beginning of World War II up until the AFL-NFL merger.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's an era that began with two-way players and ended with a platoon system made possible when free substitution became permanent in 1949 ... or about midway through the careers of many of these players.</div><div><br /></div><div>If someone's career began before the war or bled into the first few years of the 1960s, he qualified for my team. I wanted to be flexible and group players in the eras they were dominant. So I did. But, as you can see, there are no full offensive and defensive squads here; just a dozen players that excelled in their eras.</div><div><br /></div><div>Call it journalistic license. I call it my Dirty Dozen. Let's see who they are.</div><div><br /></div><div>ENDS</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BentJi00.htm">Jim Benton</a>—In 1945, the season his Cleveland Rams won the NFL title, Benton had one of the best years of any receiver in any era with 1,067 receiving yards in a 10-game season. But he missed a game, so his per-game average was 118.6 yards -- the fifth-best of all time. He was a two-time All-Pro and a two-time second-team All-Pro.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoauWJunY-GBOi-xwcOWBO1wSQp3_zNNahVwesyIh693oeVKvETXqKErI35ZLy5hu5ubIGMqdCA_EeZugm3gg-ylBlLOAPEvM9_ux3_wn9_xr6NdS7vMl1PpGdGqsPT4mJBGxD-0kc13OoazNWx2eZdSG9cAZfRVi4bUi0vLLJe2rRDOZyOiiS7NRCXbDO" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="311" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoauWJunY-GBOi-xwcOWBO1wSQp3_zNNahVwesyIh693oeVKvETXqKErI35ZLy5hu5ubIGMqdCA_EeZugm3gg-ylBlLOAPEvM9_ux3_wn9_xr6NdS7vMl1PpGdGqsPT4mJBGxD-0kc13OoazNWx2eZdSG9cAZfRVi4bUi0vLLJe2rRDOZyOiiS7NRCXbDO=w222-h275" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Jim Benton </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KavaKe00.htm">Ken Kavanaugh</a>—A deep ball threat (he had a career average of 22.4 yards per catch), Kavanaugh was twice an All-Pro, a 1940s' all-decade selection and part of three NFL championship teams.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpuEL8LBEONVUSwUvDDZkfvTY58yQbGYRC7gQKvcG92ubpwp7O7QOjeW1zikLWdXIM70gaZLlRmynBUNxY6llXnChmyEW3uzcuyElwV0QhZdXZXSQRgqdWKErUWHQQ_TyeCOzmaZ0YvtjNdhPU_uz5nxOcgWDWGLkCbW1VaoNH2s-DXbMVZpO5_64slgAK" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="285" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpuEL8LBEONVUSwUvDDZkfvTY58yQbGYRC7gQKvcG92ubpwp7O7QOjeW1zikLWdXIM70gaZLlRmynBUNxY6llXnChmyEW3uzcuyElwV0QhZdXZXSQRgqdWKErUWHQQ_TyeCOzmaZ0YvtjNdhPU_uz5nxOcgWDWGLkCbW1VaoNH2s-DXbMVZpO5_64slgAK=w243-h328" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ken Kavanaugh</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BritGe00.htm">Gene Brito</a>—A defensive end who played some offense, Brito was a consensus All-Pro four times and played in five Pro Bowls. Plus, he was a 1954 all-conference choice in the CFL when he went north for a better paycheck. Among this group, he has one of the top two cases for induction into the Hall.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYFusctlLNvGQkX8_hgXFVbh-zm71W3c1uMFMrdOtxAN7Sjf1FM9ULmZ3ykeVn5euBCfv7WTs8Ci1tnsYhEzN011b0o1R-7D8dTK3kTs8yDQTCtgQ2W1_m2hNFpyYv_eerbJVFr6i6I_GS-frfa8KOiPjwEBhPEMOXz8LVxczNpcvMi0LM6XRRhtZlNM7Y" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="232" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYFusctlLNvGQkX8_hgXFVbh-zm71W3c1uMFMrdOtxAN7Sjf1FM9ULmZ3ykeVn5euBCfv7WTs8Ci1tnsYhEzN011b0o1R-7D8dTK3kTs8yDQTCtgQ2W1_m2hNFpyYv_eerbJVFr6i6I_GS-frfa8KOiPjwEBhPEMOXz8LVxczNpcvMi0LM6XRRhtZlNM7Y=w198-h327" width="198" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Gene Brito</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>TACKLES</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WistAl00.htm">Al Wistert</a>—Yes, him again. I've written about him several times before. "Ox" may be the most honored player without a bust in Canton. He was a consensus All-Pro five times and six overall, as well as an all-decade choice. He was a key blocker for Steve Van Buren, who retired as the NFL's all-time leading rusher, and the owner of two NFL championship rings.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYFQmGmY8QyxKu74VaQirJvi27HfFaoVP16iT28EHKERE7H504UM5reIkF0UHRGCvxu8pb_3xg20JNftnK55MoMAAm8mbLTLWFblQWlYousgJePffdS7GQs3SZJhSEXu2wQGkCyH1cBrbU2SdFIOCJX1XNIf0dByVX1pnEo3aJHbbJh8MXqUqjw9l1JqLE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="257" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYFQmGmY8QyxKu74VaQirJvi27HfFaoVP16iT28EHKERE7H504UM5reIkF0UHRGCvxu8pb_3xg20JNftnK55MoMAAm8mbLTLWFblQWlYousgJePffdS7GQs3SZJhSEXu2wQGkCyH1cBrbU2SdFIOCJX1XNIf0dByVX1pnEo3aJHbbJh8MXqUqjw9l1JqLE=w207-h308" width="207" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Al Wistert</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LipsGe00.htm">Gene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb</a>—"Big Daddy's" 10-year NFL career crept into the 1960s, but he's included anyway. Right after the 1962 NFL season, his life was cut short by an accidental drug overdose -- one many think may not have been self-induced. </div><div><br /></div><div>A defensive tackle, Lipscomb was a consensus All-Pro with the Baltimore Colts in 1958-59 and was on the Player's All-Pro team (released by the Newspaper Enterprise Association) in 1960 and 1961 -- making him a four-time All-Pro. He was a dominant run defender on the two Colts' NFL title teams, then developed into a great pass rusher with the Steelers.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPyUpv5S2EOhcdxYgjLeFY6a3utOvtPWFvgpuisdc-EZz2OZ6DSPohb4Rdu1YAIc8DMS4IXLo8Xdgu__UzXwUulk20AfIaz4_sMmI3UMLfbx0Fe_YLJ8haTkUCMxmlqesO6bM-rW5lRJbNT0XHh7xV4LjTD4MVh6hC8q7s8g35YXiaRV8RVbLjzV4TE0mp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="277" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPyUpv5S2EOhcdxYgjLeFY6a3utOvtPWFvgpuisdc-EZz2OZ6DSPohb4Rdu1YAIc8DMS4IXLo8Xdgu__UzXwUulk20AfIaz4_sMmI3UMLfbx0Fe_YLJ8haTkUCMxmlqesO6bM-rW5lRJbNT0XHh7xV4LjTD4MVh6hC8q7s8g35YXiaRV8RVbLjzV4TE0mp=w225-h313" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Gene Lipscomb</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>GUARDS</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BarwDi00.htm">Dick Barwegen</a>—Playing eight seasons, Barwegan was a four-time All-Pro and member of the 1950s' all-decade team. He was a four-time consensus All-Pro and a second-team selection a few times, as well. </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlfxm1E010IjPDl2-onsDlD5flpORGwiTRLgKPsRCXOcEH4tPvWRWVhXic5HsbMbA8QD-HuyuMIrBlqGpR067wnl4NZuh18ZwesGh3cGLCLIxI-GyngSPbR8AiqJ-zxzHI9g5El8ZE85H5eqMKginquAPmZjWhd04QpZqKdt68M0iOb402HdPLmnMp7qfi" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="415" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlfxm1E010IjPDl2-onsDlD5flpORGwiTRLgKPsRCXOcEH4tPvWRWVhXic5HsbMbA8QD-HuyuMIrBlqGpR067wnl4NZuh18ZwesGh3cGLCLIxI-GyngSPbR8AiqJ-zxzHI9g5El8ZE85H5eqMKginquAPmZjWhd04QpZqKdt68M0iOb402HdPLmnMp7qfi" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Dick Barwegen</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MathRi20.htm">Riley Matheson</a>—"Snake" has been a truly forgotten player. A World War II-era player, he was a six-time All-Pro (five consensus) and played for the 1945 NFL champion Cleveland Rams. His best years occurred when so many young men were in the military that the NFL was talent-depleted, so he failed to gain the recognition he deserves. But there are plenty of Hall of Famers who excelled during the war, including Sammy Baugh and Sid Luckman.</div><div><br /></div><div>It may be time to take another look at some of these players. Wistert's case reportedly was hurt because he didn't serve in the war, with some early Hall voters using that as a reason not to induct him. </div><div><br /></div><div>CENTER</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrocCh20.htm">Charley Brock</a>—Brock didn't get a lot of "alls," but he was a fine center and linebacker for the 1940s' Green Bay Packers. He played for two NFL title teams and was an all-decade choice. Brock had a knack for causing turnovers, including interceptions. And, while no stats are available, reports then had him responsible for a significant number of forced fumbles.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyy4Y8y-DNhZsPIDu4eybdzO9mwmKvrI3l4CEhXMDggRAh294qAzX7NOOqcSFL64dD1O6h8qdkvly3B-_CUUy5k1XbgPBLLnQJuMcBjnjf35at2VfizgD-90PL9VFHkFZXYHCiwYjud0PznRMQtDVd1E_eaZTlvKwyNRHD5uO4D6F5RPHrlgCUDm0SK2Td" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="337" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyy4Y8y-DNhZsPIDu4eybdzO9mwmKvrI3l4CEhXMDggRAh294qAzX7NOOqcSFL64dD1O6h8qdkvly3B-_CUUy5k1XbgPBLLnQJuMcBjnjf35at2VfizgD-90PL9VFHkFZXYHCiwYjud0PznRMQtDVd1E_eaZTlvKwyNRHD5uO4D6F5RPHrlgCUDm0SK2Td=w247-h281" width="247" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Charley Brock</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>QUARTERBACK</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlbeFr00.htm">Frankie Albert</a>—Albert twice led the All-American Football Conference in touchdown passes and was the AAFC's co-MVP (with Otto Graham) in 1948. However, his teams could never get past Graham's Browns, even though they had a winning season in each of his years in the AAFC. But Albert wasn't alone. A lot of teams couldn't get past the Browns.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHQrHK0hZwN00liusomNGjKg_0uZVoobybVKDUmta-4x2HIq6jEi32ywrGEFqaSMr-gJ4kuDwY3kwXnI3314wE73JJRFlpf7EebfpajvuRnG3nnrM5vbdHk_nE5DzoE3IN3YT2m9Owx_V0zHKPXQYZ6yQbx1a7nRhxC5Mmq3xN3_Q8BiOwnexCpms1mZ3l" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="278" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHQrHK0hZwN00liusomNGjKg_0uZVoobybVKDUmta-4x2HIq6jEi32ywrGEFqaSMr-gJ4kuDwY3kwXnI3314wE73JJRFlpf7EebfpajvuRnG3nnrM5vbdHk_nE5DzoE3IN3YT2m9Owx_V0zHKPXQYZ6yQbx1a7nRhxC5Mmq3xN3_Q8BiOwnexCpms1mZ3l=w238-h328" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Frankie Albert</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>RUNNING BACKS</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CuffWa20.htm">Ward Cuff</a>—Cuff's career began before the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, but he really didn't fit that group. So he was omitted from my pre-WWII team. He fits better here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cuff was one of the last great wingbacks, a position in the old single-wing offense. The Giants also used a variant of the single-wing called the "A-formation," and Cuff was vital in both. His value was as an all-around player -- blocker, runner, receiver and defender -- and he was the most prolific kicker of his time.</div><div><br /></div><div>He was an All-Pro in 1941 and 1943-44 and second-team a few other seasons. He's someone who cannot be judged by stats alone. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhj54x5VlKWbMNIPrSV6fgPGBz87RuoS_YwiZKMohY1vGEzB3IRO2hZCdl1e2m0ue4mBnICxqxvejAoyy9S8SHeyF7VoQEaM0FEu0tWF9fgkkE0caZwgNCLaou6g_a_5Krx1PA1E8P5GNfffttl5JDpAxyi2mwBhYPpJaLhM7Hf0YrKvzy6I679iLZWzK9Z" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="295" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhj54x5VlKWbMNIPrSV6fgPGBz87RuoS_YwiZKMohY1vGEzB3IRO2hZCdl1e2m0ue4mBnICxqxvejAoyy9S8SHeyF7VoQEaM0FEu0tWF9fgkkE0caZwgNCLaou6g_a_5Krx1PA1E8P5GNfffttl5JDpAxyi2mwBhYPpJaLhM7Hf0YrKvzy6I679iLZWzK9Z=w236-h308" width="236" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ward Cuff</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YounTa00.htm">Tank Younger</a>—Younger was a fullback and linebacker most noted for being one-third of the Rams' so-called "Bull Elephant" backfield. But even though he was a fine runner, blocker and receiver, he was better as a defensive player </div><div><br /></div><div>He was All-Pro in 1951 and second-team in both 1952 and 1954. Only his final season was based on his running alone. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvhUhdTAp5sgocnbgY5zIcVQ-CILCdrIUUIg6xxJr3Nnw5XoutYDskkU7j32obcm25bGTZZCUh5jT9lKVXS58RU16ahL0mZqTMsBI8SuY4NVGw5_q-YJMMfChw4M7ZL4nnAS_djmgATjhF_NFN--wKnAJ-nHG6by4Pa51HCHZ8ACS6TcuashlxVsUQcvDe" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="570" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvhUhdTAp5sgocnbgY5zIcVQ-CILCdrIUUIg6xxJr3Nnw5XoutYDskkU7j32obcm25bGTZZCUh5jT9lKVXS58RU16ahL0mZqTMsBI8SuY4NVGw5_q-YJMMfChw4M7ZL4nnAS_djmgATjhF_NFN--wKnAJ-nHG6by4Pa51HCHZ8ACS6TcuashlxVsUQcvDe=w405-h271" width="405" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Tank Younger (left) and Dan Towler (right)</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TowlDa00.htm">Dan Towler</a>—"Deacon" Dan was another Rams' running back and another one-third of the "Bull Elephants." He was the NFL's leading rusher once and an All-Pro three times. He and Younger have championship rings from the 1951 season.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Towler's six NFL seasons, only Hall-of-Famer Joe Perry rushed for more yards, and no one ran for more touchdowns.</div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: The All-Pro teams cited are all accepted by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and are included in "Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the NFL".</span></div><div><br /></div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-80102966666576831802024-01-23T12:35:00.012-07:002024-01-23T13:19:05.018-07:00TUESDAY TIDBITS: "The Real Winner Was the Game Itself"<div><b><i>By TJ Troup <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHfyEfNjmm4iKvocZBGJNvFPNCCwF4OFpWAogt3L6c_dbGwwB-cJNZp8cKR3nj-0U5yrEGFsSUYA8IucJMcbdp2z3y89DXipxpIALTCF-y2F9q8WIh0tzU2cNtmGkLbUNw-TxlnrRJSAVIaHwkIndms_Bm0Yx6ZtHI060G-f_n47A0OOarLK-Cv1UYu5uk" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="1117" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHfyEfNjmm4iKvocZBGJNvFPNCCwF4OFpWAogt3L6c_dbGwwB-cJNZp8cKR3nj-0U5yrEGFsSUYA8IucJMcbdp2z3y89DXipxpIALTCF-y2F9q8WIh0tzU2cNtmGkLbUNw-TxlnrRJSAVIaHwkIndms_Bm0Yx6ZtHI060G-f_n47A0OOarLK-Cv1UYu5uk=w418-h171" width="418" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>John Brodie (left) and Greg Landry (right)</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></i></b></div><div>The divisional round of the playoffs was not only entertaining, but we saw some performances that happen when outstanding players take the field in games of real meaning.....you know? Like lose and go home for the season. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mr. Eric Goska has already detailed the Packers vs. Niners game from his historical perspective, and without further ado, am going to go back in history to one of those rivalries that have really enjoyed watching. </div><div><br /></div><div>San Francisco from 1950 through 1964 beat Detroit 14 times, lost 15 times, and one tie. Since then the Niners have won 24 of the 36 times they have played in the regular season. <div><br /></div><div>Twice these teams have met in the playoffs; the first the legendary Lion comeback at Kezar in 1957, and the second the hard-fought 49er victory during the 1983 play-offs. The game that I am going to showcase though is the season-ending game in 1971. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lions had earned a wild card berth the season before by winning down the stretch, which included a Monday Night Football victory on the road over the Rams. Since the Rams had won earlier in the day in Pittsburgh, the Lions could help Los Angeles by knocking off the Niners at Candlestick and put the Rams in the playoffs. Los Angeles had beaten San Francisco twice in the regular season, yet needed help to win the division, and as such we have these two strong teams continuing their rivalry. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lions in '71 had one of the best offensive teams in the league and finished third in scoring. San Francisco finished sixth in the league in the fewest points allowed, and though at times inconsistent on offense, the Niners offensive still had plenty of firepower. </div><div><br /></div><div>Steve Sabol's outstanding show "This Week in Pro Football" saved this game for the last part of the highlights, and though there are only 10 plays shown in the highlights (sure wish there would have been more), having the play-by-play—thank you Mr. Nick Webster— sheds light on how the game unfolded, and of course finished. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqiBIPD6wzYwcChhu1q_nTaluaC66zwo1vdwmGHuzSjm8SgmS0geuAWCffxsEJD5WdXw_f-qfsNFwVYwjfV0q9ZxKgulseEzt8BQ77r_2pYJeshBDIWv_42htJ8RND5Px0DCZOK30vHXs5-l9HeVqw-nUNpDzVG9JFzQkdwQ-Hc_f7I79O2RHzespw6kmV" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="602" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqiBIPD6wzYwcChhu1q_nTaluaC66zwo1vdwmGHuzSjm8SgmS0geuAWCffxsEJD5WdXw_f-qfsNFwVYwjfV0q9ZxKgulseEzt8BQ77r_2pYJeshBDIWv_42htJ8RND5Px0DCZOK30vHXs5-l9HeVqw-nUNpDzVG9JFzQkdwQ-Hc_f7I79O2RHzespw6kmV=w382-h267" width="382" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Lem Barney on the interception return</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Lem Barney overcame injury and was back at his left corner post and intercepts Brodie on the first drive. Detroit gains enough yardage that Erroll Mann is able to kick a 31-yard field goal. San Francisco responds with a 70-yard drive in nine plays. Dick Witcher made a key reception on third down and then caught Brodie's touch pass in the corner of the end zone. San Francisco 7 Detroit 3. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm_q_nhim6u61_eVB-mVZuv59scYHSM57A6eOUZsZcArqEdcj7ztrX2jTIM3OgVX3KHbqHPpEzWBTobCs1I8L2nEiG2QSxwmsbXKmmQcKnAlCz2rEatVEVuNzfwfo98OcHHP2LLg-awgqdNL16nYMrRoW7fNXrQC-IlubRdCjVFivuCy8ecvVxadqhDDS4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="504" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm_q_nhim6u61_eVB-mVZuv59scYHSM57A6eOUZsZcArqEdcj7ztrX2jTIM3OgVX3KHbqHPpEzWBTobCs1I8L2nEiG2QSxwmsbXKmmQcKnAlCz2rEatVEVuNzfwfo98OcHHP2LLg-awgqdNL16nYMrRoW7fNXrQC-IlubRdCjVFivuCy8ecvVxadqhDDS4=w394-h312" width="394" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ron Jessie</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Ron Jessie is open deep and Greg Landry rifles the ball to the speedy receiver for 51 yards, and the Lions are marching goalward as the quarter ends. Landry scores from the five on the first play of the second quarter ... wait, a flag is on the ground—Yarbrough is guilty of holding ... the naughty Lion used his paws, thus Mann again kicks a field goal. The Niners move to the Detroit thirty-two-yard line, and on 4th down, Gossett drills home a field goal. San Francisco 10 Detroit 6. </div><div><br /></div><div>Detroit is forced to punt, and is time for Brodie to exploit rookie corner Al Clark. Clark had started a handful of games at left corner when Barney was injured, but he is at right corner today as grizzled savvy veteran Dick LeBeau will miss his only game of the season. Gene Washington had built a synergy with Brodie in his three years in the league and that continued as JB completed passes of 14 and 32 yards to the Pro Bowl wide receiver. </div><div><br /></div><div>Brodie flips a pass to fullback Ken Willard who makes a diving catch. San Francisco now leads 17-6. Playing for pride, and being a strong offensive team Detroit drives 80 yards in 12 plays as Altie Taylor with his own unique style of cutback running dashes 14 yards to score. Half-time and San Francisco leads 17-13. </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzbTRnVUrV7rWCeajWmxE2zWea9Pm80Dq80tGH-O_GjyO5H4FMenEXee4i33jwSPVzZpkvSUfj-sRxsiKUnNodt0ZqQzREipJN8P2rS5AhHIvx2xmn4X5MwwlhF7KzwFmdvIZd2jiutJGF_F0yjvrQ-8_RxE98PjLYhKr5Bgi0YKAm5j5nAF78nO45F_us" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="584" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzbTRnVUrV7rWCeajWmxE2zWea9Pm80Dq80tGH-O_GjyO5H4FMenEXee4i33jwSPVzZpkvSUfj-sRxsiKUnNodt0ZqQzREipJN8P2rS5AhHIvx2xmn4X5MwwlhF7KzwFmdvIZd2jiutJGF_F0yjvrQ-8_RxE98PjLYhKr5Bgi0YKAm5j5nAF78nO45F_us=w386-h285" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Steve Owens scores a touchdown</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>The Lions gained 98 yards rushing in the first half as the strong offensive line under the tutelage of Chuck Knox opened the holes. Detroit takes the second-half kick-off and proceeds to drive 60 yards in eight plays with the aid of two major penalties against the 49ers. Steve Owens who would become the first Lion to gain over 1,000 rushing in a season bucks over from the one. Detroit 20 San Francisco 17. </div><div><br /></div><div>Will the Niners again respond you ask? Is there a bridge in San Francisco? Brodie directs his men 66 yards in seven plays, and pitches the pigskin to Washington behind Clark in the endzone for the go-ahead score. San Francisco 24 Detroit 20. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lions go 74 yards in nine plays and on second and six on the six ... Landry lofts the ball over Mel Phillips to allow Charlie Sanders to do what he does best, leap and make a spectacular catch. Detroit 27 San Francisco 24. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Niners cannot move and punt, and as the quarter comes to a close the Lions face a third and 13 situation. Charlie Sanders gains 13 on the catch but is inches short, and the Dick Nolan-coached defense of San Francisco stonewalls Landry on 4th down. </div><div><br /></div><div>The 49ers have to only drive 40 yards, but takes nine plays to do so. Third down and eight on the ten-yard line, and the Lions have blanketed the Niner receivers, but Brodie sees an opening and the veteran quarterback who was part of the team in the loss to Detroit in '57 trundles 10 yards for the go-ahead score. San Francisco 31 Detroit 27. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lions cannot move and Weaver punts to Bruce Taylor on the fifteen-yard line. San Francisco has an offensive line coach in Dick Stanfel that still ranks as one of the best ever, and he is also the offensive coordinator. The Niners drive 61 yards on 12 rushing plays that eat up 4:35 of the clock, but on 4th down Brodie and Vic Washington collide on the handoff and lose four yards. </div><div><br /></div><div>Detroit has one last chance. Landry's pass over the middle is pilfered by the Fudge Hammer (Frank Nunley) and Ken Willard runs out the clock on three carries. San Francisco will meet the "Over-the-Hill Gang" in the divisional round of the playoffs. </div><div><br /></div><div>We can only hope that the game Sunday afternoon comes close to this one. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGW7d7J9_G9cjcBrlN8gz9t-quybnHp2UjcIEqB-FfwmmIm_i22WJRax3rJNzoK42w7H8qHuFkHnT4AZP5cRs1APNrQRpOcyX-ENMbhTBCPz9BSI8RTyp_4fEz-mNtBHt3cyxNCOn5ka2INuVvckEOOiiPfPeJvqDTcbonJ4iepKiAsNtFjd_ZI7Mr44cL" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="485" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGW7d7J9_G9cjcBrlN8gz9t-quybnHp2UjcIEqB-FfwmmIm_i22WJRax3rJNzoK42w7H8qHuFkHnT4AZP5cRs1APNrQRpOcyX-ENMbhTBCPz9BSI8RTyp_4fEz-mNtBHt3cyxNCOn5ka2INuVvckEOOiiPfPeJvqDTcbonJ4iepKiAsNtFjd_ZI7Mr44cL=w347-h285" width="347" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Hall-of-Fame linebacker Dave Wilcox</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>This is Championship Sunday, bet you folks knew that? Time for one of those stats that I keep track of since the merger began. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first team that scores a touchdown in the AFC title games for the last 73 years has won 39 and lost 14, while in the NFC the team that scores the first touchdown has won 39 and lost 13-—basically, the team that scores the first touchdown wins 75% of the time! Do you think you will hear that stat before the games on Sunday? Let me know if you do. </div><div><br /></div><div>Final thoughts on the two games. Have stated more than once my high regard for Roquan Smith, and he was just awesome last week against the Texans. Fred Warner is truly an All-Pro. Two games and the two best inside linebackers in pro football. Butkus, and Nitschke are smiling down from linebacker heaven....oh, God does not send linebackers to heaven? </div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, Butkus and Nitschke are laughing from the gates of hell. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy the games. </div></div>TJ Trouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304023579676096733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-49591218641463797902024-01-23T11:30:00.018-07:002024-01-23T15:59:05.449-07:00Four Rams Make All-Rookie Team for First Time since 1964<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>By John Turney <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJEZB2NJZNA_2ci-Tz0q7nKkr9jVSA0OduZoATArD5ItqPzDOsyA-KELTK6WXiBqflUqGc9rWVcsMrZhr9jCbn5pRgdzxMQOYVzm4JVDi_8tfmZKDw2u0hMq_DIF43uYEypgeoLF3a7vOpsoyGdzNGHV16bRplMV6x_yT99EWbLGXjg7bX0-edU2n3MoE6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="464" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJEZB2NJZNA_2ci-Tz0q7nKkr9jVSA0OduZoATArD5ItqPzDOsyA-KELTK6WXiBqflUqGc9rWVcsMrZhr9jCbn5pRgdzxMQOYVzm4JVDi_8tfmZKDw2u0hMq_DIF43uYEypgeoLF3a7vOpsoyGdzNGHV16bRplMV6x_yT99EWbLGXjg7bX0-edU2n3MoE6=w420-h290" width="420" /></a></div></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">In 1961 <i>United Press International</i> (<i>UPI</i>) began choosing NFL All-Rookie teams and in 1974 the <i>Pro Football Writers of America</i> (<i>PFWA</i>) followed suit. For the most part, these are the only organizations that have had their annual teams used in NFL Publications, with some exceptions. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Additionally, many publications covering the NFL have had All-Rookie teams - <i>Pro Football Weekly</i>, <i>Sports Illustrated</i>, <i>Football Digest</i>, <i>The Sporting News</i>, <i>USA Today</i>, <i>ESPN.com</i> and many more—including Chris Willis of <i>NFL Films</i> choosing one every year for us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today the PFWA announced its All-Rookie team and among the selections were four Los Angeles Rams—receiver <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NacuPu00.htm">Puka Nacua</a>, guard <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AvilSt00.htm">Steve Avila</a>, outside linebacker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YounBy01.htm">Byron Young</a>, and defensive tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TurnKo00.htm">Kobie Turner</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Using just the major teams (<i>PFWA</i> and <i>UPI</i>) 2023 marked the second time four Rams have been named All-Rookie. It happened in 1964 when<i> UPI</i> named quarterback <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MunsBi00.htm">Bill Munson</a>, receiver <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PopeBu00.htm">Bucky Pope</a>, center<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WendJo21.htm"> Joe Wendryhoski</a> and kicker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GossBr20.htm">Bruce Gossett</a> to their team.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There has been one other year when the Rams had four players make someone's All-Rookie team. That was in 2014 when defensive tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DonaAa00.htm">Aaron Donald</a> (<i>PFWA</i>, <i>ESPN</i>, <i>Sports Illustrated</i>), cornerback <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GainE.00.htm">E.J. Gaines</a> (PFWA, <i>ESPN</i>), running back <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MasoTr00.htm">Tre Mason</a> (<i>PFWA</i>, <i>Sports Illustrated</i>); and tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobiGr01.htm">Greg Robinson</a> (<i>Sports Illustrated</i>). Donald, Gaines and Mason made the major team (<i>PFWA</i>) and the others made either <i>ESPN's</i> list or <i>Sports Illustrated's</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Rams fans might bristle seeing that Greg Robinson made <u>anyone's</u> All-Rookie team but as a rookie but he was not terrible his first year but was not rated as highly as the players that made the <i>PFWA</i> team -- the Titans' Taylor Lewan and Ja'Wuan James of the Dolphins.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In 1962, 1971 and 1977 the Rams had three All-Rookie players if all sources are used. And if all sources are used for 2023 the Rams have a fifth All-Rookie player. Chris Willis picked <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EvanEt00.htm">Ethan Evans</a> as the punter on our <i>PFJ</i> squad.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you look at just the immediate impact of rookie classes it could be argued that 2023 is the best in franchise history with 2014 being close. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>The Class of 1971—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YounJa00.htm">Jack Youngblood</a>, <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobeIs00.htm">Isiah Robertson</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElmeDa20.htm">Dave Elmendorf</a>—had had the biggest long-term success if you don't look at it from just an immediate standpoint. In a handful of years we will see if the 2023 Rams rookies can build on what they've done in their first year.</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-32650847718657926802024-01-22T22:31:00.002-07:002024-01-22T22:31:16.286-07:00Channeling John Madden—The 2023 'All-Madden Team'<div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>By John Turney </i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNoTdNq--T64XCwH8JbhULJ7VbHdFb2XDMfXrS3NFl1SfoXHE4x4h9_asnViXa_vwUfUG6w16Zysc_fn0dY-kXKweIsG3SthPixSExx5jRdn_J6J4_mvUts9UWKoJKSEoaPkex3FIqkKLuGN5rNfivVm6KljQeulFvKmKgnhGLxiQvIzs8lWnWCBQ3o89n" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="287" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNoTdNq--T64XCwH8JbhULJ7VbHdFb2XDMfXrS3NFl1SfoXHE4x4h9_asnViXa_vwUfUG6w16Zysc_fn0dY-kXKweIsG3SthPixSExx5jRdn_J6J4_mvUts9UWKoJKSEoaPkex3FIqkKLuGN5rNfivVm6KljQeulFvKmKgnhGLxiQvIzs8lWnWCBQ3o89n" width="239" /></a></div></b></div><div>For two decades, Hall-of-Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden blessed us with his annual de facto All-Pro team. But they were not just All-Pros; they were "his kind of guys" -- players who caught his eye, players he thought were special and would like to have coached.</div><div><br /></div><div>His All-Madden team was so popular that some players he picked said they'd rather have been All-Madden than All-Pro. That's how respected it was. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is our homage to the football legend, picking players whom we think might have been "his kind of guys" and doing in his unique style, his voice.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Boom! Bang! Whap! Doink!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>OFFENSE</b></div><div><b><i>Offensive line</i></b></div><div>That All-Madden team is about my guys, and my guys are the offensive linemen. They get nasty, dirty, sweat, and spit. You won't see them on the cover of magazines or making many commercials. They just get hard work done; the stuff that's gotta be done for a team to win games.</div><div><br /></div><div>The center I like most is <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KelcJa00.htm">Jason Kelce</a>. Yeah, he's older and has now announced that he's hangin' them up, but he was still a leader and could still run. And he can still lead sweeps and get downfield like Jim Otto used to. </div><div><br /></div><div>He's like a lot of those old centers in the 1970s who could run, Len Hauss of Washington or Rich Saul of the Rams. Kelce also sets the tone for that Eagles "Tush Push" that no one can seem to stop. I wish I would've thought of that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, he's All-Madden in his final season.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillTr21.htm">Trent Williams</a> is like Art Shell: a man-mountain, that moves like a cat. Heck, I saw him do a pass set where he hopped back on one foot like he was on a pogo stick. He also can be nasty, and I love that about him.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihA-e5D2w6GG2v_WXX5MAaVFYyKQW6cazZ72nbE4i6iiH_94-ta2KOz_zrXrxyQ0TuVyrPsL-SGWFhnc4Q4skLSqmUsGXhhDaCMfiZdAi3lo0E8p2xpkf5CBhKepZBM6igLiS-yVZeH4zMoVAhP5xbe9jWp6og5ExnECSuqlIBRRIJUJtOlqzV6rzXKkHP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="167" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihA-e5D2w6GG2v_WXX5MAaVFYyKQW6cazZ72nbE4i6iiH_94-ta2KOz_zrXrxyQ0TuVyrPsL-SGWFhnc4Q4skLSqmUsGXhhDaCMfiZdAi3lo0E8p2xpkf5CBhKepZBM6igLiS-yVZeH4zMoVAhP5xbe9jWp6og5ExnECSuqlIBRRIJUJtOlqzV6rzXKkHP" width="181" /></a></div></div><div>The right-side tackle is <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SewePe00.htm">Penei Sewell</a>, and he can block the run ... he can pass protect ... you can line him up as an extra tight end or a fullback ... and, if you want, he can run a pass route from those spots, not just lead block.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those are my tackles. The way they block makes their quarterback sleep easy. And speaking of sleeping easy, you can always get a good night's sleep at Ramada Inn. Ramada -- a very good place to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>No one knows offensive linemen. They're anonymous, and guards are the most anonymous. They are the anonymous of the anonymous. No one knows who they are or what they do.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year my guys are two with a common name, one that is nondescript. They are <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitTy02.htm">Tyler Smith</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitTr05.htm">Trey Smith</a>. Two guards named Smith. Perfect. Both are par'ful and but can be nimble, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>But wait, you have to have a guy who can fill in, and be your third tackle in case someone goes down. That guy is <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeteJa21.htm">Jason Peters</a>. At 41 years old, he came back and started a couple of games. He's been a pro's pro. He reminds me of Jackie Slater, who also started a game at 41.</div><div><br /></div><div>Peters was a guy who started his career as a tight end, so you could use him as a blocking tight end. You gotta have a guy like Jason Peters. Heck, he could probably play guard if one of the Smiths went down.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Tight end</i></b></div><div>I had a tight end named Dave Casper who was a tackle at Notre Dame. The Steelers had a tight end named Larry Brown whom they converted to tight end. Down the coast from me, in Los Angeles, the Rams had a guy named Bob Klein, who became a dentist. But there was a serious conversation about him being moved from tight end to tackle. </div><div><br /></div><div>They won't do that with <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KittGe00.htm">George Kittle</a>, but they could. He fits that mold of a player.</div><div><br /></div><div>George reminds me of All-World tight end Russ Francis who played tight end in a running offense in New England. He was a 4.5 guy who liked to surf big waves in Hawaii, and could catch anything you threw to him. </div><div><br /></div><div>The problem was: The Patriots didn't throw much, and, when they did, it was deep to guys like Stanley Morgan and Harold Jackson and ... God rest his soul ... Darryl Stingley. So that made Russ more of a decoy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later in Big Russ's career Bill Walsh traded for him but used him more as a blocker than a receiver. But Russ did as he was told and blocked like Casper, like Brown, like Klein.</div><div><br /></div><div>But boy, oh, boy if that guy got a chance to play today he'd be like George Kittle. He'd run wide-receiver routes. He'd run the pipe and split cover-two defenses. He blocked defensive ends, and he'd be just like George Kittle is now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, yeah, there are tight ends with bigger numbers than Kittle. And they are great, great players who will be in the Hall of Fame with Kellen Winslow and Tony Gonzalez someday. But I want a throwback tight end. I want a tight end who blocks like a tackle and catches like a receiver. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's George Kittle.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only that but after this year's Thanksgiving game, he was offered a turducken leg for his performance. George took the whole thing into the locker room to share with his teammates ... and even shared it with the fans. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone who would share his turducken with fans and his teammates has to be an All-Madden.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Receivers</i></b></div><div>Today's game is a passing game, and you have to have the sleek, fast guys that can get chunks of yards against any kind of coverage the defenses throw at them. You got man and zones, shells and quarters. You can have run dime and nickel packages, penny fronts and every coin in your change purse, but <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HillTy00.htm">Tyreek Hill</a> is one of those guys who can take all your money. </div><div><br /></div><div>His nickname is "Cheetah," and it's perfect. He has the speed of a Cliff Branch, and the Dolphins use him in a variety of ways. Short, deep, in the slot, on the move, on sweeps. Just everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also am going to go with <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LambCe00.htm">CeeDee Lamb</a> of the Cowboys. You can line him up outside, inside, motion him, it doesn't matter. He just gets open and makes plays. </div><div><br /></div><div>And breaks records. </div><div><br /></div><div>He's the latest in the Cowboys' tradition of a receiver wearing number 88. And now he holds the club records for receiving. His stats are better than Drew Pearson's. Better than Michael Irvin's. Better than Dez Bryant's. When you're the top number 88 in Dallas you're All-Madden.</div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McLaTe00.htm"><br /></a></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McLaTe00.htm">Terry McLaurin</a> of Washington reminds me of Gary Clark, who played for the same team. Just a tough guy who plays wide receiver. You always have to have a third wide receiver like him. </div><div><br /></div><div>No, he does not have eye-popping statistics, but he does get you 1,000 yards every year And when you watch him, your eyes pop. He's been stuck in a poor situation in the nation's capital but if he could be on a good team with a consistent quarterback he'd be a household name.</div><div><br /></div><div>You also need a guy as a wide receiver who can play running back and who can throw it, and that's <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuDe00.htm">Deebo Samuel</a> of the 49ers. I need him on my team.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Quarterback<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidlM6Kd4Donz81emh5t0mtrNgsoTd7LaJ47_XWArahDBnnei8WJh8qn_c1uQxUlv11tbglvmjsN3Ca2m5F0vYoox5vJ0SsrRA3vzlfGqpYHfrt4j5raRwqZfvWuk_mD_s8AWP9ISuzTQl7Hnt_Hu_NKfO5C-KqwBT90dIAbmIDjrkcvCUYVk9GDEMtZxBU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="185" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidlM6Kd4Donz81emh5t0mtrNgsoTd7LaJ47_XWArahDBnnei8WJh8qn_c1uQxUlv11tbglvmjsN3Ca2m5F0vYoox5vJ0SsrRA3vzlfGqpYHfrt4j5raRwqZfvWuk_mD_s8AWP9ISuzTQl7Hnt_Hu_NKfO5C-KqwBT90dIAbmIDjrkcvCUYVk9GDEMtZxBU" width="193" /></a></div></i></b></div><div>There is one guy that stands out right now and that's <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackLa00.htm">Lamar Jackson</a>. He leads the Ravens, and he's someone who would be fun to coach. He can throw for 300 yards on you or, if he wants, run for 100 yards. </div><div><br /></div><div>He can be a pinpoint passer with a quick release or throw it deep. I'd love to match him up with Tyreek Hill and CeeDee and Deebo. </div><div><br /></div><div>But what Lamar does most is win. Thirteen games this year in 16 starts. I know, I know, with teams in the NFL today there are analytics people who run all sorts of fancy numbers and such, and part of what they will try to tell you is: "Quarterback wins are not a stat." And that's all fine; maybe they aren't a stat. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll tell you what they are: They are the object of the game. Winning is why we all got into playing and coaching.</div><div><br /></div><div>You could go back decades and ask Johnny Unitas or Otto Graham or Joe Montana what they wanted most -- good stats or their championship seasons.</div><div><br /></div><div>My old boss, Al Davis, said it best, "Just win, baby." Did Al care if Kenny Stabler or Jim Plunkett had good numbers or if they threw interceptions? </div><div><br /></div><div>Heck, no. </div><div><br /></div><div>Al wanted Super Bowl rings. And that is what Lamar Jackson is trying to get done -- bring another Lombardi Trophy for the city of Baltimore. Forget the stats. Forget the MVP. Forget the Pro Bowl. I guarantee you, my All-Madden quarterback wants to win it all. That's why Jackson plays the game, and this year might be the year he does it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Running back</i></b></div><div>This year <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McCaCh01.htm">Christian McCaffrey</a> is my running back. He runs. He catches. He blocks. He passes. He does everything, and that is what I need on my team if you haven't noticed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Versatility. </div><div><br /></div><div>My team has to have a fullback, and maybe more than one. So that is what I'll do. I know, I know people say the blocking back position is going the way of the dinosaurs. Extinction.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Ravens' <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RicaPa00.htm">Patrick Ricard</a> not only plays fullback; he plays tight end, he's played defense, he lead blocks and blocks on the edge as a wing or tight end, and, if you want, he can play defensive line.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JuszKy00.htm">Kyle Juszczyk</a> is not as big, but he does all those little things, too I have to have both of them. Juszczyk is a Swiss Army knife. Like Ricard, he plays fullback, but he can carry the ball and catch passes better. He can motion into the quarterback position and take a snap and sneak for a first-down in short yardage. I bet he could throw a pass if he had to. He currently is the emergency quarterback for the Niners and had to play it last year when all of 49ers passers went down.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>DEFENSE</b></div><div><b><i>Defensive tackles</i></b></div><div>In 1985 I picked seven nose tackles for my All-Madden team. On my team, I can pick whoever I want as many as I want -- of any position. </div><div><br /></div><div>This year I'm going to pick extra guys who play inside. They all are my kind of guy. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillQu00.htm">Quinnen Williams</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LawrDe03.htm">Dexter Lawrence</a> are both tearing up Gotham City for the Jets and Giants.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sexy Dexter is a member of B.U.B.B.A.—the Brotherhood United of Bad Bodies of America. He's 6-foot-4, and weighs 342 pounds (so the roster says, but he looks bigger than that), and he's a rock in the middle of the Giants' defense. </div><div><br /></div><div>Big Dexter is a throwback to Michael Carter, one of the seven nose tackles I chose in 1985. An immovable object. And people forget that Carter had seven sacks that year. Big Dex also has seven, so he does a pretty good job as a pass rusher.</div><div><br /></div><div>Quinnen is like that, too. He just messes up blocking schemes and frustrates opposing offensive coordinators by messing up their game plans.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ65MQZ23HPVt3FyGh3P4cEPU9l-L4qWr5nvqdgXKMdu4GbQ5MTiK3u8HeMwvmaBkOIpQj7ItPEuDDsemX3Cor0KeOFuc8iJDa2D5VYDSluVDo8V_gCwuo8DT8hDuUoL_-tR1u8tTxirxb39QCFZV7rwm1Fxq-649L2avBLlqedL5We1u-FZNIW_GuANIg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="178" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ65MQZ23HPVt3FyGh3P4cEPU9l-L4qWr5nvqdgXKMdu4GbQ5MTiK3u8HeMwvmaBkOIpQj7ItPEuDDsemX3Cor0KeOFuc8iJDa2D5VYDSluVDo8V_gCwuo8DT8hDuUoL_-tR1u8tTxirxb39QCFZV7rwm1Fxq-649L2avBLlqedL5We1u-FZNIW_GuANIg" width="201" /></a></div></div><div>You have to have a guy who can rush the passer from the inside, Dexter and Quinnen can do it, but it's not their forte. Rushing the passer is <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DonaAa00.htm">Aaron Donald</a>'s forte, and, boy, is he good at it. He's done it every year since he came out of Pitt a decade ago. Teams cannot stop him. They put one guy on him, two guys on him, three guys on him, and it doesn't work. So, then they try and hold him, and that doesn't work, either.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have seen a lot of great defensive tackles in my time-- Joe Greene, Bob Lilly, Alan Page, Merlin Olsen -- and Donald is as good as any of them. In fact he might be BETTER, the guy may be the G.O.A.T. -- the greatest of all time.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Defensive ends</i></b></div><div>Yeah, I said defensive ends; not edges. Edges are for shaving. And for shaving, I like Gillette™. Smooth, safe, and comfortable. That's an edge I can understand.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I was saying, I like defensive ends who can rush and play the run. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CrosMa00.htm">Maxx Crosby</a> is that guy. He has sacks and also has tackled the running back 11 times for losses. He's blocked a kick and gets held about 10 times a game. His nickname is "The Condor" because of his long arms or wingspan, and when he gets a sack, he flaps his arms like one. Hey, my team needs a little flair.</div><div><br /></div><div>In today's game, some people think defensive linemen don't need to stop the run. Lemme tell you: They still do. In these 4-2, 5-1 or even 3-3 fronts with six guys in the box you have to have linemen who are conscientious about stopping the run, and Mad Maxx is one of those kinda guys. He could be one of two guys entering Thunderdome and be the one who leaves.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BosaNi00.htm">Nick Bosa</a> is like Crosby, but he moves around more. He's a speed guy. He's a power guy. He's a hands guy. He's a good-looking guy, and his stomach has what they the call a six-pack. We used to call that a washboard stomach in the old days. </div><div><br /></div><div>But he's like Howie Long, and you have to have that around. You can't just be a bunch of big uglies. You need a PR guy, someone that says, "Hey, we look good." That's Bosa.</div><div><br /></div><div>He still gets a lot of pressure on the quarterback but didn't have as many sacks this year. But what people didn't notice is how many times he stuffed running backs in the backfield. He has more of those this year. He was last year's Defensive Player of the Year, and he's hoping to get a Super Bowl trophy this season. Speaking of hardware, when you have a tough job to do, make sure you go to your local Ace Hardware™ store. They make your hard work a little easier with the right tools for your job.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Linebackers</i></b></div><div>As you can tell, I like guys who can do more than one thing, and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/ParsMi00.htm">Micah Parsons</a> is that kind of guy. He plays outside linebacker, inside linebacker, defensive end and defensive tackle. Heck, he could probably play defensive back. In that way, he's like Bobby Bell, the Hall-of-Fame linebacker for the Chiefs. We could never do anything against that guy. We'd think he's covering, and he'd blitz. We'd think he's going to blitz, and he drops into coverage. Parsons also reminds me of Lawrence Taylor because sometimes he's simply unblockable.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarnFr00.htm">Fred Warner</a> of San Francisco is my inside linebacker. We didn't have guys like them in my day, not playing inside, that is. There were a few guys like them playing outside. Tall, rangy, fast, but Warner could play power forward in the NBA. They run, get their hands up so you can't throw over them and cover so much ground you can't run around them. You can't do anything. Both are like heat-seeking missiles . . . they hone in on their targets and close fast and smack you.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Secondary</i></b></div><div>The safety I like is <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WinfAn00.htm">Antoine Winfield, Jr</a>. Today's safeties have to do a lot. There are no strong safeties and free safeties anymore. Teams have to have safeties that do everything. Cover, blitz, tackle ... and that's Winfield. He made tackles, sacked quarterbacks, intercepted passes, knocked balls loose and fell on them once they were loose.</div><div><br /></div><div>As my other safety, I'm going with the Honey Badger, <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MathTy00.htm">Tyrann Mathieu </a>of the Saints. I love the way he plays football. He can play like a ball-hawk type safety. He can play slot, linebacker, whatever you want, he can do it.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhULfmf0-fOw8h7S6WHglJhAoS5uZLHL1GpJZfSkKTPt0rHvWjPxdkANz0OcFdVBHuNKkjWYBX5tvAwrfhAQhulaTXVGBitp2mrn_MrC32YvcJmu1thAtAAiJPnBZXtwfMBWo4b2rujcW_VgMASGDIeYlefHAVPTDr1-crcilsp1KBK0Ze4QNlEC8pjONP0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="153" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhULfmf0-fOw8h7S6WHglJhAoS5uZLHL1GpJZfSkKTPt0rHvWjPxdkANz0OcFdVBHuNKkjWYBX5tvAwrfhAQhulaTXVGBitp2mrn_MrC32YvcJmu1thAtAAiJPnBZXtwfMBWo4b2rujcW_VgMASGDIeYlefHAVPTDr1-crcilsp1KBK0Ze4QNlEC8pjONP0" width="148" /></a></div></div><div>You gotta have guys who can cover. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GardSa00.htm">Sauce Gardner</a>, he's going to cover you with sauce. The kind of sauce I like is the special sauce on a Big Mac®, and, boy, is that stuff good. And remember, people, nobody can get you a great hot meal faster than McDonalds™. Anyway, Sauce is a lot like my Willie Brown was-- just stick him out on the other team's best receiver and leave him alone, and you can be sure that guy will be covered.</div><div><br /></div><div>My other corner is the Cowboy whose name is Bland, but he's anything but. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BlanDa00.htm">DaRon Bland</a> is spicy, hot, exciting -- all of that. He stole nine passes and took FIVE back for touchdowns. I've had offensive players that didn't have that many touchdowns in a season. GOOD Players! </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>All-Purpose player</i></b></div><div>Another guy who can do a ton of things is <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HillTa00.htm">Taysom Hill</a>. He can run the ball, catch it, throw it. He plays special teams. He could probably drive the team bus if you asked him to. I woulda loved having him on my team. I would wonder, though, how can a tough guy be so nice? I mean, he probably teaches Sunday school in the off-season.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>SPECIAL TEAMS</b></div><div><b><i>Kickers</i></b></div><div>The Ravens' kicker, <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TuckJu00.htm">Justin Tucker</a>, didn't have his best year, but he's still a kicker who belongs on my team any day. He can kick darn near a 70-yard field goal or sing an aria, whatever that is, I guess it is some kind of opera, but you have to have some culture and Tucker brings that to the All-Madden team to go along with his big leg and a knock for avoiding "doinks".</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HekkJo00.htm">Johnny Hekker</a> of the Panthers is like Ray Guy. He nails teams inside the 20-yard line more than anyone, which creates long fields. He's a good athlete, can throw a pass for you on a fake punt or as a holder on a fake field goal. And though there may be guys with a better gross average, what we looked at when I was coaching was the net average and hang time. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's what matters, and that is what Johnny Hekker brings you. Like Justin Tucker, Hekker may not have been the best statistically this year, but he's still the punter I want on my team.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Returner</i></b></div><div>It's too bad <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TurpKa00.htm">KaVontae Turpin</a> does not get more chances to return kickoffs. Teams make sure he doesn't get his hands on the ball. They avoid him because he's the best kickoff returner in the game. So even though he didn't qualify for the league leadership, he's who I want standing at the goal line waiting for a kickoff.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be honest, <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OlszGu00.htm">Gunner Olszewski</a> is not the best punt returner. The top guys averaged 16 yards a return, and my pick only averaged 12. But he took one back for a touchdown. Plus, I need a guy named "Gunner" on my squad.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Coverage guy</i></b></div><div>The Patriots always have a good specialty-team guy going way back to Bob Gladieux, Mosi Tatupu, Larry Whigham, Larry Izzo and, recently, Matthew Slater. All of them were great.</div><div><br /></div><div>We used to call them the suicide squad or the bomb squad, and they'd run down and bust wedges. But that was then. Kickoffs are being taken out of the game now.</div><div><br /></div><div>The guy they have now is <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SchoBr00.htm">Brenden Schooler</a>. Talk about going to school. Brenden taught us something new when he motioned from the outside to the kicking formation and blocked a kick. I've seen a lot of blocked kicks -- I coached the best ever at it: Ted Hendricks -- but I never saw anyone do what Schooler did.</div><div><br /></div><div>Schooler got down and made tackles in kick coverages. He tied for the NFL lead in solo tackles by a special teamer. Schooler fits perfectly with the Patriots' legacy of gunners, wedge busters and kick blockers.</div><div><br /></div><div> ******************************************************************</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that's my 2023 All-Madden Team, and I think I can coach them to a few wins. We can run the ball down the opponent's throat and throw it around the field. We can rush the passer and stop the run. We can kick it ... block your kicks ... we've got guys who can play multiple positions. So you never know who is going to do what.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're versatile, we're smart, we're tough and ornery. We got a Cheetah and a Honey Badger, a Condor and a G.O.A.T. We have an opera singer and a "we-look-good guy". We've got throwbacks and keepers. We have it all.</div><div><br /></div><div>They're my kinda guys.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the game, we'll sit down and have a Miller Lite©, which tastes great and is less filling than your regular beer. Everyone will enjoy that, I think. Well, except Taysom, he'll have a Sprite© or something.</div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-11390445388797925672024-01-21T15:56:00.001-07:002024-01-21T19:58:04.861-07:00Red Zone Struggles Cost Packers in Loss to 49ers<p><b><i> By Eric Goska</i></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeKR1wXgnb2XOR4bCbm9x4OF86QsbUr1hSt6hl4MBk-N9O5GKYA3LRBA7P8QwI6H0Nbco7xfPN3enjkDl-W1irQb4UwfYzHcWOr0SF6HoT41W7u5itdE83m0SXKavxUGXkSFJNNoY2pRJmYMGhnBp_5siN_qLTchbrmnZlK_iApDv59v4U3z8Nv_6lo95/s1200/200%20LaFleur%20and%20Gudie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeKR1wXgnb2XOR4bCbm9x4OF86QsbUr1hSt6hl4MBk-N9O5GKYA3LRBA7P8QwI6H0Nbco7xfPN3enjkDl-W1irQb4UwfYzHcWOr0SF6HoT41W7u5itdE83m0SXKavxUGXkSFJNNoY2pRJmYMGhnBp_5siN_qLTchbrmnZlK_iApDv59v4U3z8Nv_6lo95/w400-h210/200%20LaFleur%20and%20Gudie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Head Coach Matt LeFleur and General Manager Brian Gutekunst<br />oversaw a Green Bay team that exceeded expectations in 2023.<br />(photos by Eric Goska)</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Coming up short is a given for all but one team in the NFL
each season.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Saturday night in Levi Stadium, the Packers became the
latest to drop out.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Green Bay battled the 49ers from the start, holding the
upper hand on the scoreboard more than twice as long as their playoff rival. Only
in the closing minutes did the Pack blink, surrendering a touchdown and an
interception that allowed San Francisco to escape with a 24-21 win.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With the loss come the what-ifs. What if Darnell Savage had come
away with an interception on the 49ers’ first possession? What if Keisean Nixon
had done the same late in the third quarter?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWDwKqWLCNGtFngYQPwmAyN_EEW_1xyeDcoQFKhInFnLuOv_QNteTvc5v9ZvHadJp8bQljZeczpGmlmpbGconXpZ592FDAUZMSgwkcDOLD3cPQEMS00a0VqtrzPAyFWimOKdH8fQ0ACwB9BGOcjSkj5RSWDtsSKNk6rwfh57r77tC_lI6GE3PpoAzZxYO/s888/200%20Jordan%20Love%202023.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="644" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWDwKqWLCNGtFngYQPwmAyN_EEW_1xyeDcoQFKhInFnLuOv_QNteTvc5v9ZvHadJp8bQljZeczpGmlmpbGconXpZ592FDAUZMSgwkcDOLD3cPQEMS00a0VqtrzPAyFWimOKdH8fQ0ACwB9BGOcjSkj5RSWDtsSKNk6rwfh57r77tC_lI6GE3PpoAzZxYO/s320/200%20Jordan%20Love%202023.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Jordan Love</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Even better, what if Green Bay had done more in the red zone
in the first half?<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jordan Love and the offense ran eight plays inside San
Francisco’s 20-yard line in the opening two quarters. While there, they came
away with a net of zero yards and had to settle for a pair of 29-yard, Anders Carlson
field goals.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Three trips inside the red zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Field goals instead of touchdowns.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">More was needed if the seventh-seeded Packers hoped to dethrone
the top-seeded 49ers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Green Bay muscled its way into the red zone on each of its
first three possessions. It chewed up 175 yards on 24 snaps, a healthy 7.3
yards per play, in getting there.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But each time, San Francisco halted the proceedings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each time, the 49ers prevented the Packers
from getting even one first down.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Trip No. 1: A 13-yard pass interference call on cornerback Ambry
Thomas gives the Packers a first down at the SF 13. Javon Kinlaw and Chase
Young throw Aaron Jones for a 2-yard loss, Deommodore Lenoir halts Ben Sims after
a 4-yard reception and Charvarius Ward denies Romeo Doubs in the end zone.
Carlson’s field goal puts Green Bay up 3-0.</li><li>Trip No. 2: Jones’ 9-yard burst on second down sets up third-and-one
from the SF 14. Young drops Jones for no gain and on fourth down, Love is
stuffed by Dre Greenlaw and Arik Armstead. The 49ers turn around and drive 86
yards to go up 7-3.</li><li>Trip No. 3: Love’s 22-yard pass to Doubs brings a first down
on the SF 9. Lenoir holds Jones to no gain, Love’s pass to Jones loses two, and
No. 10 fails to connect with Tucker Kraft on third down. Carlson’s field goal
pulls Green Bay to within one at 7-6.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This lack of success differed from what went down in Dallas.
When closing in on the Cowboys’ goal line, the Packers scored four touchdowns
while amassing 79 yards on 15 plays.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those 79 yards were the second most by the Green and Gold in
the red zone in a postseason game. Only in dispatching Seattle 42-20 in January
2008 did the team (84 yards) gain more.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love and Co. improved in the second half, coming away with
24 yards on three red-zone plays. Love collaborated with Bo Melton on a 19-yard
TD pass and Jones set up a 2-yard Love-to-Kraft touchdown with a 3-yard run.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kraft’s TD and Love’s pass to Jones for a two-point conversion put Green Bay ahead
21-14 with five minutes, 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Packers
then stayed on top until Christian McCaffrey’s 6-yard run with 1:07 left closed
out the scoring.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love’s interception on an ill-advised throw sealed the deal
33 seconds later.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Until McCaffrey’s touchdown, Green Bay had kept San
Francisco out of its red zone. The 49ers first two TDs were long-distance
affairs, Brock Purdy to George Kittle for 32 and McCaffery at right guard for
39.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Despite its first-half struggles, Green Bay led for 37
minutes. The 49ers were on top for 15:22.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Seeing Red in the Zone</b><br />The five first halves (playoff games only) in which the
Packers gained fewer than five yards in the red zone despite running at least
three plays there.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yards<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Plays<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Date<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Opponent<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Result</b><br /><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>7<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jan. 16, 2016<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cardinals<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
lost, 20-26<br /><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>8<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jan. 20, 2024<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>49ers<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
lost, 21-24<br /><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dec. 17, 1944<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Giants<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
won, 14-7<br /><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>6<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jan. 10, 2010<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cardinals<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
lost, 45-51<br /><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jan. 8, 1995<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cowboys<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
lost, 9-35</div><p></p>Eric Goskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572607660403933246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-8159724295458469262024-01-17T17:00:00.001-07:002024-01-17T17:00:05.839-07:00Predicting 2023 AP NFL Awards<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i> By John Turney <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFw-1o4WcqSAtWlJYSJox99EqAF-vFUEz2Upu-x9Wv-bdcMu5RjgFjeQftCP1twm1EUZQz_Z4a94tVnrXNQoPN2MQKJcdgRxDrOrjTPiN5ck0I8oHWRlMVwkJLLhqyGoVFlYJHcv8NJnTheS_mXl2YqfrGRO8AYpj9gyM7kNhC5RE0ZVaQxX4Loo_z6CZC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="188" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFw-1o4WcqSAtWlJYSJox99EqAF-vFUEz2Upu-x9Wv-bdcMu5RjgFjeQftCP1twm1EUZQz_Z4a94tVnrXNQoPN2MQKJcdgRxDrOrjTPiN5ck0I8oHWRlMVwkJLLhqyGoVFlYJHcv8NJnTheS_mXl2YqfrGRO8AYpj9gyM7kNhC5RE0ZVaQxX4Loo_z6CZC" width="264" /></a></div><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Most Valuable Player—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackLa00.htm">Lamar Jackson</a>, Ravens</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Offensive Player of the Year—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McCaCh01.htm">Christian McCaffrey</a>, 49ers (edges Tyreek Hill, Dolphins)</div><div>Defensive Player of the Year—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/ParsMi00.htm">Micah Parsons</a>, Cowboys</div><div><div>Offensive Rookie of the Year—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StroCJ00.htm">C.J. Stroud</a>, Texans</div><div>Defensive Rookie of the Year—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CartJa05.htm">Jalen Carter</a>, Eagles (edges Kobie Turner and Will Anderson)</div></div><div>Coach of the Year—DeMeco Ryans, Texans </div><div>Comeback Player of the Year—<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamlDa00.htm">Damar Hamlin</a>, Bills</div><div>Assistant Coach of the Year—Jim Schwartz, Browns</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are not many clear-cut choices and the voting for most of the awards will be close. The only run-away winner will be Lamar Jackson. </div></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-27655248962282449072024-01-17T09:32:00.003-07:002024-01-17T16:29:04.344-07:00 Five Choices for Hall's Class of 2024<p><b><i> By John Turney</i></b> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHyTLy-Av8kvphBeXilRKa8oT7SGHrG-OaaF6EyjjIIutaznIhSBLR6QiXEjejr3kE6JusJwp7C9PFHzRXdqXSaMIStADFs6i1Ocu5Up-PiFX3E7V7PTLy_faS4aFDDbpiylxum2BEH00BnCsEHdn3rDAPYH8oIdLw21Kqe8GCfXvkOp6I8WgTarWVcFNU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHyTLy-Av8kvphBeXilRKa8oT7SGHrG-OaaF6EyjjIIutaznIhSBLR6QiXEjejr3kE6JusJwp7C9PFHzRXdqXSaMIStADFs6i1Ocu5Up-PiFX3E7V7PTLy_faS4aFDDbpiylxum2BEH00BnCsEHdn3rDAPYH8oIdLw21Kqe8GCfXvkOp6I8WgTarWVcFNU" width="248" /></a></div><p></p><p>Predictions for each year's Pro Football Hall of Fame's class are always hard, and always fun. These are my guesses for the Class of 2024. The voters are meeting today to present cases and discuss. The Hall's </p><p>I think the players with the best chances are ….</p><p>1. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeppJu99.htm">Julius Peppers</a> -- who is in the upper echelon among defensive ends in longevity, sacks and Pro Bowls – should make the Hall in his first year of eligibility.</p><p>2. Tight end <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GateAn00.htm">Antonio Gates </a>should also be a first-ballot selection. He caught more touchdown passes than any of the three wide receivers in the Final 15.</p><p>3. Of the three wide receivers, I think <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnAn02.htm">Andre Johnson</a> jumps to the front of the queue. He was just different physically and was harder for defenses for defenses to find an answer for. He made it to the final 10 last year, surviving the first cut.</p><p>4. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillPa98.htm">Patrick Willis</a>, the 49ers’ linebacker, was a first-team All-Pro more than any of the finalists despite having his career cut short by injury.</p><p>5. The final slot is the toughest. Will it be a second wide receiver … Holt or Wayne? Like Johnson, both were in last year’s Top 10, surviving the cut from 15. A second pass rusher? Jared Allen was in the final 10, too. But I will go with a sleeper: Right tackle <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndeWi00.htm">Willie Anderson</a>. There has been an emphasis lately on looking at blockers and tackles, and Anderson has been the blocker most talked about in recent years.</p><p>6. Broncos inside linebacker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GradRa00.htm">Randy Gradishar</a>, I think, will garner the necessary 80 percent of the votes to finally get</p><p>7. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PoweAr00.htm">Art Powell</a>, one of the AFL's top receivers, was a surprise in the senior's category but he'll be voted in but there is no sense that he's a lock like McMichael and Gradishar. </p><p>8. As one of the best 4-3 defensive tackles in history -- 95 career sacks -- <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMiSt00.htm">Steve McMichael</a> won't be snubbed. He'll get a Gold Jacket.</p><p>That's it. The coach candidate will have a tough time. Lions and Steelers head coach been snubbed all these years (he's been out of coaching since 1964) and probably will be snubbed again.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Who servives first cut? <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Jared Allen</span> was in it last year, so would go with him. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Torry Holt</span><b> </b>should repeat in the top ten. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Dwight Freeney</span> </span>should move up. So should <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Devin Hester</span>. Guessing they will go with a defensive back, but who? <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Darren Woodson</span> edges Eric Allen and Reggie Wayne in my opinion. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's my best projection. </div><p><br /></p>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-3788596861557195612024-01-16T10:56:00.008-07:002024-01-16T15:31:43.378-07:00TUESDAY TIDBITS: "We Have a Chance to Repeat"<div><i style="font-weight: bold;">By TJ Troup </i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPClCsVAkGvIP7jLEUvmKsmHK8r7IXkSXdmmx_IDpR_gr4sSnLic0Stf_oU7Mgzci7Sx7o3nkyYeCPogfZPF8-vvw4K9opIkXEv24lBjDSEYYhDIKiPKq_KvPatikqQ_-ojGBNX7q3jcfTN1dIjglu-Pd8ITMFjvob0hbQw55UAtrb6Fl1c4IgyID1ibD8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1785" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPClCsVAkGvIP7jLEUvmKsmHK8r7IXkSXdmmx_IDpR_gr4sSnLic0Stf_oU7Mgzci7Sx7o3nkyYeCPogfZPF8-vvw4K9opIkXEv24lBjDSEYYhDIKiPKq_KvPatikqQ_-ojGBNX7q3jcfTN1dIjglu-Pd8ITMFjvob0hbQw55UAtrb6Fl1c4IgyID1ibD8" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1989 NFCCG Rams at 49ers</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Since the Packers proved they are a team to be reckoned with on the road, the significance that every year since the merger there has been at least one road victory in the NFL playoffs remains. </div></div></div><div>We all can state our opinions on the six playoff games from this past weekend, and though was entertained by the Bills and Steelers, for me there was only one game that would be considered gripping drama. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are the Lions for real? Tampa Bay will be able to answer that question very soon, as the game last night demonstrated they can beat a team in freefall. <div><br /></div><div>The Buccaneers' victory over the Eagles brought out a historical stat that is riveting; 55 teams since the merger had won 10 of their first 11 games and only two did not make it to the divisional round! Norm Snead has left us, and he piloted the '68 Eagles—which for my money is the worst Eagles team in the last 75 years, but as bad as that Philadelphia team was in '68, the team that took the field last night could be called a "toxic dumpster fire".<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA1grDOJbrLn4aQ6WYXb_peZVPpuboCHsIDppLFv0RdvkIRDjw-W39hrmDU-VZQZKeyRpXIcnIZ0aITog3efFZk57bRvlf7J4WxCeyld6BHbn16kdGV4ADZ1EXj3w6WT_THHP3uzdG8ziOvW-FD1zs90jxLKECHFP02sA7JBdxV0WNXd0BpFSsDD__9xEL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA1grDOJbrLn4aQ6WYXb_peZVPpuboCHsIDppLFv0RdvkIRDjw-W39hrmDU-VZQZKeyRpXIcnIZ0aITog3efFZk57bRvlf7J4WxCeyld6BHbn16kdGV4ADZ1EXj3w6WT_THHP3uzdG8ziOvW-FD1zs90jxLKECHFP02sA7JBdxV0WNXd0BpFSsDD__9xEL" width="320" /></a></div></div><div> Are there going to be changes in the city of brotherly love? Will the sun come up tomorrow? When the Eagles beat the Bills in overtime on November 26th no one, repeat no one could have foreseen that Philadelphia would go 1-6 the rest of the season, and Buffalo would go 6-0. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are the Bills a team of destiny? The ghost of Tom Sestak lives! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1YUGrm64zlK4jzemAyOhgz9jf7N0PKenHGkHG_tDFXJXY8Qkr26mf59GHrus2FSSzzMHS3BteEHhEpWj9l_2Gl-liCJRnlYs1Y6MUwF8w1st87-ke0YtA1izbLvzNsA27T0qzgaOUQ-a3rbej4-RvGLGHJOHvZwn3cqbxkqRxeDmKk1T6LAyXsNnfECfb" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1YUGrm64zlK4jzemAyOhgz9jf7N0PKenHGkHG_tDFXJXY8Qkr26mf59GHrus2FSSzzMHS3BteEHhEpWj9l_2Gl-liCJRnlYs1Y6MUwF8w1st87-ke0YtA1izbLvzNsA27T0qzgaOUQ-a3rbej4-RvGLGHJOHvZwn3cqbxkqRxeDmKk1T6LAyXsNnfECfb" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Bills great Tom Sestak</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Since I mentioned the Rams losing on January 14th, that is a date on the calendar that has not been kind to Los Angeles, since they lost on January 14th, 1990. Our historical journey for today will take us back to the game played that day between Los Angeles and San Francisco for the right to go to the Super Bowl, yet first there is going to be a background story. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many summers from 1974 till 1990 was able to go to Rams camp to watch them practice, and while all of them were fun, and educational there is one that stands out. Summer of '89 and arrived at Rams camp wearing my Riverside City College coaching shirt, and as per usual there were no restrictions for me. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGzOnETN2EyhAF3wZSgVRMLP0Kd8beLnsZ9ZI3HxH2owHOfcM6gpPeypA7l58h9TCpyXKzhIElGiEeX8Jj59fIaJ9uktJ8AdiAOpytjVWfScDTSDdTihvH6oqSB2K_8lh44EvLx6GSWh4TI2rYy5f4lo29hZvKW16yDUW8JVBQKzrMwlN1nSXZrFz4SuSN" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGzOnETN2EyhAF3wZSgVRMLP0Kd8beLnsZ9ZI3HxH2owHOfcM6gpPeypA7l58h9TCpyXKzhIElGiEeX8Jj59fIaJ9uktJ8AdiAOpytjVWfScDTSDdTihvH6oqSB2K_8lh44EvLx6GSWh4TI2rYy5f4lo29hZvKW16yDUW8JVBQKzrMwlN1nSXZrFz4SuSN" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Jim Everett, Norv Turner and John Robinson</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Stood about 30 feet from the receiver drills conducted by Norv Turner, and watched one of my favorite receivers of that era demonstrate his all-pro ability; Mr. Henry Ellard. Later walked over to watch 7 on 7, and there sitting on the ground lotus style is Ernie Zampese. He has his #2 Ticonderoga pencils sharpened to a fine point in his plastic pocket protector, and his long legal pad to take notes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jim Everett had a powerful arm and did not shy away from showing off. The Ram quarterback would take his 5-step drop and pat the ball for an extended amount of time, in fact so long that coach Zampese would start yelling, "Let it go" "let it go" and then verbally berate Everett for how long he held the ball before throwing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Quoting Peter King in <i>Sports Illustrated</i>, "Jim Everett has happy feet, as he was a confident 65% passer in the first five games. Now he's jittery; he's throwing off his back foot and is not seeing all his receivers. </div><div><br /></div><div>During the slump, he has completed only 46% of his throws. The key to beating Everett is pressure, even if that means single coverage on wide receivers Henry Ellard and Flipper Anderson". Los Angeles after the 5-0 start lost four straight, but rebounded to win six of seven to earn a wild-card berth. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Rams beat the Niners in San Francisco for the 6th time in the decade but lost the re-match on a Monday Night Game that was one of the most entertaining games of the year. Two impressive road victories in the playoffs and Los Angeles gets rewarded with another trip to the Bay Area to play their bitter rivals. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can Los Angeles beat San Francisco again and earn their first Super Bowl trip in a decade? The team they face has handled the transition from Walsh to Siefert very well, and quoting Joe Montana we have the title to our narrative. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lengthy film study of this 49er team tells us that this is one of the best teams from Steve Sabol's remarkable series "AMERICA'S GAME". The Niners have no weakness and if somehow they could have scored two more touchdowns during the year against the Rams and Packers they would have been the first 16-0 team. </div><div><br /></div><div>Remember the game like it was yesterday, and as per usual had my Dr. Peppers chilled and a big bowl of Smokehouse Almonds right in front of me on my coffee table. San Francisco goes three and out, and here comes Los Angeles quickly moving 44 yards in 10 plays as Lansford drills home his kick. The Niners' next possession ends on one of those strange plays where Wilcher of the Rams forced a fumble, yet guard McIntyre recovers, only he fumbles and Kelm falls on the ball at the thirty-three. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many people believe the key play of the game happens in this next series as Everett on 2nd and three at the Forty-Niner Forty has his pass to Anderson knocked away by all-pro safety Ronnie Lott. We see that Mr. Lott had the instincts and range to take the proper angle and deflect the ball away. Rams punt after another incompletion, and late in the first quarter, the Niners drive to the Rams forty-five. </div><div><br /></div><div>The impressive drive continues into the 2nd quarter and ends with Montana finding Jones open in the end zone for the 20-yard score. San Francisco mixed run and pass to go 89 yards in 13 plays, but more important was the systematic attack that had one of the best defensive coordinators in Fritz Shurmer looking for a way to stop Montana. Nine seconds remained in the half when Montana delivered an 18-yard timing strike to Taylor in the end zone for a 21-3 half-time lead. </div><div><br /></div><div>So much has been written about the 49er offense of this era, but for me, the stat that stood out in the first half is Greg Bell carried 7 times for 20 yards rushing with a long run of 5 yards, and since no one else carried the ball. </div><div><br /></div><div>You must ask yourself that one fateful question; where is the balance in the Ram offense? San Francisco gained 54 yards rushing, and Mr. Montana gained 198 on his 18 completions. Los Angeles must answer to begin the second half, and after three plays, punts the ball to John Taylor. His flashy return of 29 yards is negated by a penalty, thus the Niners begin at their own twenty-eight. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Niner offense is still balanced and results in a field goal, the first of three that Helton will boom through the uprights. When a team wins the right to go to the Super Bowl 30-3 against their most bitter rivals no doubt an already confident team feels they are invincible. Paul Lionel Zimmerman in his write-up of the victory over Minnesota in the divisional round has a quote from offensive tackle Harris Barton on a well-run counter play that picked up 10 yards."A key-breaker as we hadn't shown that".</div><div><br /></div><div> Offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick designed most of the running schemes and rubbed his eyes in disbelief as he watched the carnage "I mean, you expect some of the things to work, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect anything like this". Against Los Angeles, the scheme continued to produce yards on the ground as San Francisco gained 125 rushing in the second half. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKu0sG6JRw2aOMcXbli6kThCizDgFctEGfkHtYGiRY9BonmPHOeaDPMy3Z-v8Mc5hqfcq8yz1HNhDZ6tNR_gYaU_9kp72lPmxBSjyUIJnwXlKl4iEYlYKn97mIMIRjCdKiwweVAu-kn8PNfUgB_1alSwbB7zFMl8-xWrw4bpcenXMypeD4LdeXTPHJb_Ba" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="109" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKu0sG6JRw2aOMcXbli6kThCizDgFctEGfkHtYGiRY9BonmPHOeaDPMy3Z-v8Mc5hqfcq8yz1HNhDZ6tNR_gYaU_9kp72lPmxBSjyUIJnwXlKl4iEYlYKn97mIMIRjCdKiwweVAu-kn8PNfUgB_1alSwbB7zFMl8-xWrw4bpcenXMypeD4LdeXTPHJb_Ba" width="166" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Bobb McKittrick</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>We all have players that we enjoy watching play, and for me, the man that stood out for the Niners was Tom Rathman as he gained 63 rushing, including his longest run of the season of 17 yards, his blocking for Roger Craig, ....yet his receiving skills were simply awesome, as he latched onto 6 Montana passes. Earlier in the season Rathman had a game where he caught 11 for 103 yards! </div><div><br /></div><div>Defensively every Niner contributed as they might have gotten only one sack, but pressure again gave Everett happy feet, and you saw proper pursuit angles, and a mixture of zone and man that limited Ellard and Anderson. </div><div><br /></div><div>Harry Kalas in doing the narration for the season highlight film stated that San Francisco had "balance and precison". This Saturday we will see if the Niners can stop a red-hot Packer team and continue on their journey to the Super Bowl. </div></div>TJ Trouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304023579676096733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-73037854133367057222024-01-15T09:19:00.001-07:002024-01-15T10:58:08.156-07:00Seven TDs Push Green Bay Past Dallas<p><b><i> By Eric Goska</i></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fomHbG5kxtZVB5WGD25MYcYPbWvfLlofE3ugCy-qMitmwuNsurIXQdZLz2GmnMDhT9fwnrM2jgwd4O7hE86_XiHRM7x8sjljtG66UpOue9-wy7GKw3qKORdOKrJK06axGMpLKEF2qeIqo4QHF-2gVS3y_nXU-BmCqnM6Q7tly2YLRCCVage6vcfv5dFl/s3500/25%20&%2026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="2625" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fomHbG5kxtZVB5WGD25MYcYPbWvfLlofE3ugCy-qMitmwuNsurIXQdZLz2GmnMDhT9fwnrM2jgwd4O7hE86_XiHRM7x8sjljtG66UpOue9-wy7GKw3qKORdOKrJK06axGMpLKEF2qeIqo4QHF-2gVS3y_nXU-BmCqnM6Q7tly2YLRCCVage6vcfv5dFl/w300-h400/25%20&%2026.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Darnell Savage (26) returned an interception<br />64 yards for a touchdown in Dallas.<br />(photo by Eric Goska)</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Scoring seven touchdowns has always equated to victory in
the NFL postseason.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Packers became the latest team to demonstrate the
validity of that statement as they pounded Dallas 48-32 in a wild-card playoff game
Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Green Bay never trailed as it pierced the Cowboys’
end zone at least once in every quarter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Coach Matt LaFleur’s youngsters continue to surprise. Not
expected to contend for a playoff berth, his charges – an underdog
in Dallas – buried the No. 2 seed in the NFC with an avalanche of points.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In doing so, they became the first in team in club annals to
score seven touchdowns in a playoff game. The 48 points they tallied tied the
franchise record set in 2011 when Aaron Rodgers and Co. dispatched the Falcons
48-21 at the Georgia Dome.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Green Bay reached pay dirt on six of its first seven drives.
After punting to end its second possession, the team recorded touchdowns on five
straight advances.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jordan Love connected with Romeo Doubs from three yards out
to cap the run of five. That throw, Love’s third touchdown pass of the
afternoon, put the Packers ahead 48-16 with 10 minutes, 23 seconds remaining.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Four other Packers besides Doubs found the end zone: Aaron Jones
(3 times), Dontayvion Wicks, Darnell Savage and Luke Musgrave. Savage got there
on a 64-yard interception return late in the second quarter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Savage’s return put Green Bay ahead 27-0. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that time, the Packers (217 yards) had
nearly doubled the output of the Cowboys (111).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sunday’s game was the 62nd playoff contest for Green Bay
dating to 1936. Only four times previously had the team scored four first-half touchdowns,
none as quickly as LaFleur’s outfit did against Dallas.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sunday’s game was the 67th playoff contest for Dallas dating
to 1967. Only once before – in a 38-28 loss to San Francisco in 1995 – had it surrendered
four touchdowns in the first half.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Green Bay is 5-0 when scoring four first-half TDs in the
postseason.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the record, fifteen teams have scored seven TDs in a
playoff game according to Pro Football Reference. The Giants, Cowboys, Bills
and 49ers each did it twice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Four on the Floor<br /></b>The five playoff games in which the Packers scored four first-half
touchdowns and how much time (game clock) was needed to post them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Time<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Date<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Opponent<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Result</b><br />28:10<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jan. 14, 2024<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>at Cowboys<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
won, 48-32<br />28:30<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jan. 8, 1983<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cardinals<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
won, 41-16<br />29:11<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dec. 31, 1995<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Falcons<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
won, 37-20<br />29:34<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jan. 12, 2008<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Seahawks<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
won, 42-20<br />30:00<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jan. 15, 2011<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> at </span>Falcons<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GB
won, 48-21</div><p></p>Eric Goskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572607660403933246noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-81447532274968349192024-01-11T22:13:00.004-07:002024-01-11T22:13:35.863-07:00The Other Rams-Lions QB swap<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>By John W. Lesko <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Q9_8XrRJlTm3Q1GwqMYotgh9Rx2SBknzXEZSFTBS9oNwLBRZthuY8tAtfPpNUN89lkXDmALEEgUPI_uPl7BDhBaVUg00nmsuqUISmh7PdcrMQidMjQw_QprivEtN8tj64oOF-2TJJxucxeiNQtcVBdK3hHAfwyvZmthJEkQMa125Z0_zqZvt8lo-zj-u/s739/2024-01-11_22-00-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="511" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Q9_8XrRJlTm3Q1GwqMYotgh9Rx2SBknzXEZSFTBS9oNwLBRZthuY8tAtfPpNUN89lkXDmALEEgUPI_uPl7BDhBaVUg00nmsuqUISmh7PdcrMQidMjQw_QprivEtN8tj64oOF-2TJJxucxeiNQtcVBdK3hHAfwyvZmthJEkQMa125Z0_zqZvt8lo-zj-u/w276-h400/2024-01-11_22-00-19.jpg" width="276" /></a></div></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">In early 2021 the Lions traded <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StafMa00.htm">Matthew Stafford</a> to the Rams for <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GoffJa00.htm">Jared Goff</a>, a 2021 third-round draft pick, a 2022 first-round draft pick, and a 2023 first-round draft pick. Considering the Rams won the Super Bowl after the 2021 season, it can be argued that the Rams won the trade to that point. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Lions will get some revenge if they beat the Rams on Sunday night.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>It was not the first time these two franchises made a trade where quarterbacks were swapped. On May 1, 1968, the Rams traded quarterback <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MunsBi00.htm">Bill Munson</a> and a 1969 third-round draft pick to the Lions for quarterback <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PlumMi00.htm">Milt Plum</a>, receiver-punter <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StudPa00.htm">Pat Studstill</a>, running back <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatkTo00.htm">Tommy Watkins</a>, and a 1969 first-round draft pick.</div><div><br /></div><div>Plum was the NFL’s passing champion in 1960 when he played for the Browns. His 110.4 passer rating was not topped until <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MontJo01.htm">Joe Montana’s</a> 112.4 in 1989. After another good statistical season in 1961, Plum was traded to Detroit in the offseason. Plum helped lead the Lions to an 11-3 record in 1962 but it was not good enough for a playoff berth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Plum struggled the rest of his career with Detroit. He went 12-22-4 as the Lions starting quarterback from 1963-67. The Lions had been a superb team in the 1950s but started to deteriorate in the mid-60s.</div><div>Munson was the 7th overall pick in the 1964 draft by the Rams. He went 3-13-2 as the starting quarterback during his first two seasons. He started zero games in the next two seasons. The Rams then gave up on him and packaged him to Detroit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhuk52d6Lz5LCV7lUZ02qf0HSoLQDVdmwc4EINl4kv5Wfm_0GtztglU43Ofw6AXHNWGuKDGA3k_ufYd1YY5Iuc5ka-qbBxeW2DvAqA7GbxFfQNxf_aZMWgcJUdXcN5uPO_ualNPC_kLmDb4kwPRW1PVNyakotQBiJ8IJ2QvEoHRBizaFbtpYAei-erkAG/s795/2024-01-11_22-03-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="561" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhuk52d6Lz5LCV7lUZ02qf0HSoLQDVdmwc4EINl4kv5Wfm_0GtztglU43Ofw6AXHNWGuKDGA3k_ufYd1YY5Iuc5ka-qbBxeW2DvAqA7GbxFfQNxf_aZMWgcJUdXcN5uPO_ualNPC_kLmDb4kwPRW1PVNyakotQBiJ8IJ2QvEoHRBizaFbtpYAei-erkAG/w283-h400/2024-01-11_22-03-23.jpg" width="283" /></a></div></div><div>Munson had an okay season in 1968. He started 12 of the team’s 14 games. He played 11 more NFL seasons mostly as a backup. In games that he started in his 16-year NFL career, his teams had a record of 27-34-5.</div><div><br /></div><div>Plum was near the end of the road when the trade was made. He only threw 12 passes for the Rams in 1968. He finished his career in Detroit in 1969 as a member of the Giants. Plum received mop-up duty in a Lions 24-0 blowout of the Giants on September 28. Giants starter <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TarkFr00.htm">Fran Tarkenton</a> was ineffective that day. Plum was 3 of 9 for 37 yards. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lions starting quarterback that day? Bill Munson, naturally.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*************************************************</div><div><br /></div><div>John W. Lesko is a member of the <i>Professional Football Researchers Association</i> and a graduate of Seton Hall University. He is a contributing writer of "The 1958 Baltimore Colts: Profiles of the NFL's First Sudden Death Champions" and wrote an article for "The Coffin Corner" on all the major pro football league games without a touchdown.</div><div><br /></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958997061437462003.post-28536307560792275532024-01-11T21:45:00.007-07:002024-01-15T12:55:01.607-07:00When the Lions Licked the Rams in the 1952 Playoffs<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i> By John W. Lesko <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbatadNm9FnmYnseCPeg1TMbOIy-3aSGXr4pW7pzpODTaXh1cUWVXmRk-5EGTDym75iPui-yqLV2E5A7WRkvZEB5Jt07cbG5xXWqf3h9m-a-qPbZYD82Av2yCI1QVe0cw50Q0DGgOTOBN-KKXMK9EnZ2pSsTM2agqTdCX-c44SnSRx0WpP5VtIIh74Um6/s736/2024-01-11_21-41-36.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="736" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbatadNm9FnmYnseCPeg1TMbOIy-3aSGXr4pW7pzpODTaXh1cUWVXmRk-5EGTDym75iPui-yqLV2E5A7WRkvZEB5Jt07cbG5xXWqf3h9m-a-qPbZYD82Av2yCI1QVe0cw50Q0DGgOTOBN-KKXMK9EnZ2pSsTM2agqTdCX-c44SnSRx0WpP5VtIIh74Um6/w640-h431/2024-01-11_21-41-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Hall-of-Fame QB <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaynBo00.htm">Bobby Layne</a> gets off a pass against the Rams in 1954 action</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Los Angeles Rams won the 1951 NFL championship. They
went 8-4 in the regular season and finished first in the National Conference. The
Lions finished in second place at 7-4-1. Back then only division or conference
champions qualified for the postseason. There were no playoffs as we now know
them. Win your division or conference and straight to the title game you’d go. Well,
that was when there was no tie at the top of the standings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rams head coach <a href="Joe Stydahar">Joe Stydahar</a> had checked into a clinic after
the 1951 season due to mental tension. He also believed his top assistant <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/PoolHa0.htm">HampPool</a> was undermining him with ownership. In 1952, the Rams lost their opening
game. Stydahar was then fired. Or did he quit? According to owner Dan Reeves,
Stydahar quit. According to Stydahar, he was fired. Pool took over as head coach
in Week 2. The Lions won in Los Angeles, 17-14. Some of the Rams used the
coaching change as an excuse for the loss.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The two teams next met in Week 4 at Briggs Stadium in
Detroit. Leading up to that game, Rams public relations man and future league
commissioner Pete Rozelle had the following to say about his team. “That was
the same stuff I was hearing and reading in connection with the Rams before I
left Los Angeles. We were accused of every crime in the book when we got off to
a bad start after winning the championship last year. When we lost to the Lions
the Rams were described as too swell-headed to get up to the line of scrimmage.”
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lions won that contest, 24-16. It was a physical game
that saw Lions defensive captain John Prchlik get ejected for fighting. Rams
star pass receiver <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HirsEl00.htm">Elroy Hirsch</a> missed the game due to injury. The Rams had
gotten off to a 13-0 start and then had a touchdown nullified by a penalty.
Lions head coach <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/ParkRa0.htm">Buddy Parker</a> noted that penalty as being the turning point of
the Lions season, that if they had gotten down three scores, they may not have
recovered in that game. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Rams then went on an 8-game winning streak to finish
with a record of 9-3. The Lions also finished 9-3. The Lions won both
head-to-head meetings. That means they won the conference, right? Nope. That
tiebreaker didn’t exist back then. To break the tie, the teams played a special
playoff game. The regular season ended on December 14. The Rams vs Lions
playoff game was played on December 21. The league title game was played on
December 28. The Browns won their conference outright so they simply didn’t
play a game on December 21.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lions won the playoff game 31-21 even though Lions
quarterback Bobby Layne passed for 0 touchdowns and threw 4 interceptions. The
Layne interceptions were offset a bit by the Rams turning the ball over three
times. The Lions got off to an early 14-0 lead which they never relinquished.
The Rams did cut the lead to 24-21 in the 4<sup>th</sup> quarter after Vitamin
T. Smith returned a punt for a touchdown. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Rams had the ball again in the final minute. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WateBo01.htm">BobWaterfield</a> threw a pass to Hirsch but it was intercepted by Lions linebacker <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TorgLa00.htm">LaVernTorgeson</a>. A few moments later Lions running back Bob Hoernschemeyer ran for a
touchdown with 30 seconds left. That put the game out of reach. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lions rookie defensive back <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DaviJi00.htm">Jim David</a> commented after the
game that the Rams were out of excuses. “I wonder what excuse the Rams will
find this time. When we beat them in L.A., all we heard was that they had
changed coaches and hadn’t had time to reorganize. When we licked them again
here in October, they blamed an injury to one guy, Hirsch. Well, they came back
with Hirsch in shape and a coach who’d won eight straight. I guess we showed
‘em.” </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRvSQsyuvzdN3t72hk8x3VEhQLw5eFeTc4ywekSmR3cnb24c6IpuekeozP2DARjQIYECzCyRF69gROo6XuoqEi_CsSWbIS9wT48chb9o6OItgGbb6ApunuwB04MFcf8_lKiOiEMpJ88vqDJ-rZAmg-HXrr1XKqoKjzr2EF9PUFw7_VDwpNWZI-4viCa5j/s754/2024-01-11_21-29-39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="610" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRvSQsyuvzdN3t72hk8x3VEhQLw5eFeTc4ywekSmR3cnb24c6IpuekeozP2DARjQIYECzCyRF69gROo6XuoqEi_CsSWbIS9wT48chb9o6OItgGbb6ApunuwB04MFcf8_lKiOiEMpJ88vqDJ-rZAmg-HXrr1XKqoKjzr2EF9PUFw7_VDwpNWZI-4viCa5j/w384-h473/2024-01-11_21-29-39.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Green, Jerry. <i>Detroit
Lions</i>. New York: Macmillan, 1973. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Maxymuk, John. <i>NFL
Head Coaches: A Biographical Dictionary, 1920-2011</i>. Jefferson, NC: McFarland,
2012.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">John W. Lesko is a member of the<i> Professional Football Researchers Association</i> and a graduate of Seton Hall University. He is a contributing writer of "The 1958 Baltimore Colts: Profiles of the NFL's First Sudden Death Champions" and wrote an article for "The Coffin Corner" on all the major pro football league games without a touchdown.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div>John Turneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612706488776938253noreply@blogger.com2