The Rams' star running back had a relatively short career, but it was worthy of Hall-of-Fame attention.

By John Turney 

Do great things come in pairs? When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams' legendary backfield of the 1950s, they did.

On this site a day ago, I made a case for "Tank" Younger's inclusion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, highlighting his contributions as part of the Rams' iconic "Bull Elephant" backfield. But today I want to shine the spotlight on another star of that era.

"Deacon" Dan Towler.

From 1951-54, Towler established himself as one of the league's premier running backs. In fact, during that stretch, only Hall-of-Famer Joe Perry ran for more yards, and no one ran for more touchdowns. Furthermore, in 1951, he averaged 6.8 yards rushing on 126 attempts, the most-ever for running backs with 125 or more carries in a season and fourth all-time when you include all positions.

Only quarterbacks Justin Fields, Bobby Douglass and Lamar Jackson had seasons where they averaged 6.9 yards a rush, numbers at least partially inflated by long-distance scrambles. The Bears' Beattie Feathers averaged 8.4 yards in 1933. but he carried the ball 119 times to set the single-season record for those with 100 or more carries

Towler's accolades speak loudly as well. He was All-Pro in 1951 (UPI), 1952 (AP, UPI) and 1953 (UPI) and in 1954 was second-team All-Pro (AP, NEA). He also was named to the Pro Bowl all four seasons and was the game's MVP in 1951.

In 1952 he led the NFL in rushing yards (894) and rushing touchdowns (10). Two years later, he led it again in rushing TDs with 11. And though he didn't lead the league in rushing in 1951 or 1953, he ran for nearly as many yards then -- 854 and 879, respectively -- as he did when he won the rushing title. Additionally, those totals were good for third and second in the NFL.

Clearly, he was one of the elite runners of his time, and isn't that what the Hall of Fame is about ... recognizing the best players in a given era? Yet, for some reason, Towler's contributions seem to have faded from the memories of football historians and Hall-of-Fame voters alike.

Let's be honest: His name doesn't exactly ring bells for the casual football fan. But it should. He was one of the most electrifying players in the history of Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.), a second-team AP Little All-American, who in 1946 ranked third in the nation in scoring 

Nice, huh? It gets better. He racked up those points in just eight games, an average of 16.6 points a contest -- the most by anyone collegiately in any division that year. And that followed a sophomore season where he was honorable mention on AP's Little All-American team.

At W&J, he was part of a nimble quartet known as the "Four Gazelles" backfield. So, he wasn't just powerful; he was graceful, too. And he was fast, as in VERY fast. Despite his large frame (6-2 and 225 pounds), he clocked in at 9.9 seconds in the 100-yard dash. 

The Rams took a chance on him in the 25th round of the 1950 draft and were patient with him, waiting to ease him into the starting lineup while he recovered from a knee injury. But even when he played, it was more as a short-yardage specialist. As a rookie,  he scored six touchdowns on just 46 carries — or 13 percent of his carries! That's what I call efficiency.

By 1951, however, he was ready to show the pro football world that he was, indeed, part gazelle and part elephant. And did he ever deliver.

Granted, his career numbers may pale in comparison to the gaudy numbers of today's players, but let’s be fair: Measuring stats across eras is tricky. In today's game, there are more games and, often, only one primary back who may have 300 or more carries a season. The Rams never called Towler's number more than 156 times in any season. 

But that's because they had a productive "Fly-T" offense that spread the ball around, meaning Towler had to share carries with a stable of talented backs. In each of his four Pro Bowl seasons, the Rams had at least four running backs with 40 or more carries. 

"If you got 15 carries a game," Towler said, "that was a lot."

He's right. In his career, he only had 13 games with 15 or more carries. When he gained a career-high 205 yards vs. Baltimore in 1953, he did it on just 14 carries. In his nine other 100-yard games, he never had more than 19 rushing attempts.

Imagine, then, what might have happened had he been given the ball, say, 250 or more times a year. Just do the math. He would've had four 1,000-yard seasons.

Still, he made the most of every touch. His impact wasn't just about yards and touchdowns; it was about setting a tone and serving as a reliable workhorse in one of the most potent offenses of the early 1950s. Moreover, it was also playing a critical role in a running game that aided the Rams' dominant passing attack.

"Linebackers couldn't move into coverage against us," Towler said. "They were frozen. They had to watch for the running game, and that opened things up for the quarterbacks."

But it wasn't only as a runner that he delivered big gains; it was as a pass receiver, too. When he averaged 6.8 yards rushing in 1951, he also averaged 16.1 yards per reception. Additionally, he had two other seasons where he averaged 11 or more yards a reception. 

In all, Towler ran for 3,493 yards and 43 touchdowns on 672 carries. That works out to a per-carry average of 5.2 yards that's tied for fourth all-time among running backs with 500 or more attempts. 

But he retired after just six seasons, choosing a different path as a Methodist minister. Having graduated cum laude from W&J, he went on to earn a master's degree in theology from USC. As it turns out, "Deacon" was more than a nickname; it was a reflection of his calling.

Towler claimed the 1950 Rams were the first team to pray before NFL games, telling the Los Angeles Times in 2001 that "now, it's a common thing. I think it helped camaraderie and fellowship, bringing us closer together." It was those prayer sessions that earned "Deacon" his nickname -- one that a young defensive end named David Jones would appropriate a decade later.

Sure, Towler could've played longer were his career just about being a football player. He walked away from a $16,000 salary in the NFL to $6,000 as a man of the cloth, but he always played football as a means to finance his religious education. He said he was a student who played football; not a football player who was a student.

Some NFL careers are relatively short, but meaningful ones deserve recognition -- as Hall-of-Fame voters now recognize. Towler played just six seasons, or the same number as Hall-of-Famer Doak Walker, who made five Pro Bowls to Towler’s four. Then there's Terrell Davis, another Hall of Famer, who played only seven seasons but went to one fewer Pro Bowl than Towler.

Towler's rushing numbers don't measure up to Davis' peak year, but comparing statistics over eras is tricky. Nevertheless, it's fair to say that, during his peak, "Deacon" Dan Towler was one of the top two running backs of his time -- just as Davis was in the late-1990s. That alone should warrant him at least a look-see by seniors' voters.

But he hasn't gotten one. Why? Unlike Younger, his backfield teammate who is a seniors' semifinalist for the Hall's Class of 2025, Towler never made it to that stage ... and that’s a glaring oversight.

"This gentleman," said Hall-of-Famer defensive back Dick LeBeau, "belongs in the Hall of Fame and should be recognized as one of the greatest running backs to ever play in the National Football League." 

Hall-of-Fame receiver Raymond Berry agreed.

"(Dan Towler was) a man whom our Colts’ defensive players thought the world of," he said. "They said he was one of the toughest guys to tackle they ever had to face."

Hopefully, his Hall-of-Fame case will make believers of the Hall's new seniors' screening committee and in the near future advance him in the process. Until then, let's remember that "Deacon" Dan Towler not only as a great running back but as a trailblazer who brought size, speed, skill and a touch of spirituality to the game.

Perhaps There Should Be a Place in Canton for 'Tank' Younger

by John Turney 

It was a surprise when the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame's new seniors screening committee passed on the name of Paul "Tank" Younger to its seniors committee for the Class of 2025. But it was a bigger surprise when that body voted him as one of its 31 semifinalists. 

It shouldn't be.

Younger had a trailblazing career as a fullback and linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams and, later, the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he was never a modern-era candidate for Canton, making the preliminary list only once. Nominated often as a senior, he never broke through to any finalist list there, either. 

In fact, this year is the first time he's advanced beyond the nomination stage ... and it's about time.

His name rarely comes up in discussions among Hall-of-Fame enthusiasts on "X" or on-line forums, but it should. Because Younger not only was a top two-way player in the NFL; he was a pioneer who broke down racial barriers and opened doors for players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Younger played collegiately at Grambling State (then Grambling College) under legendary coach Eddie Robinson, and he left an indelible mark on that program -- essentially, putting it on the map. In 1948, he was voted the Black College Football's Player of the Year, made the Pittsburgh Courier's All-America team and set a slew of records.

"He was the fastest man on our team," recalled Robinson. "Most of the time in high school, whenever he got the ball he’d score a touchdown. On end-arounds, he was knocking people down. In college, he scored a helluva lot of touchdowns, 25 of them as a tackle on end-arounds. His junior year we moved him to running back and defensive halfback."

Knocking people around and running over them earned him the nickname "Tank," and in his first year he ran like one -- rushing for for 1,207 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. He had 60 TDs for his career which, at that time, was a collegiate record, and he completed 43 of 73 passes for 11 touchdowns.

But even with all that, he wasn't selected when the NFL draft came around. Fortunately, that didn't end his football career, with "Tank" getting a chance to play in the NFL thanks to Eddie Kotal, the legendary scout for the Los Angeles Rams.

Kotal signed Younger to a $6,000 contract, making him the first player from an HBCU to sign with an NFL team (several HBCU players played in the AAFC). That meant all eyes were on him.

Years later, he recounted what Robinson advised him as he embarked on his NFL career.

"In dummy drills," he told him, "run out the play 25 to 30 yards. Don’t turn and come back after 10 like the others do. The longer you have the ball under your arm, the longer the man is watching ..."

Robinson also reminded him of the significance of this change. 

"He told me, 'You have to remember, if you fail,' " he said, " 'there's no telling when another black athlete from a black college will get a chance to play pro football. You were voted (B)lack College Player of the Year. If you go up there, and you don't make it, they'll say we took the best you have, and he didn't make it. You have to concentrate and be dedicated and make it.' "

It was clear to Younger he couldn't fail. He didn't. 

Initially, he played both ways, with more time spent on defense. But by his third season, he joined the Rams' "Bull Elephant" backfield that featured three 225-pound fullbacks: Younger, "Deacon'' Dan Towler and Dick Hoerner ... and that changed the trajectory of his career. 

Though he carried the ball, he mostly did the blocking for Towler, thei Rams' Pro Bowl back. No longer was Younger primarily a defensive guy; he was a full-time guy, on the field 85 percent of the time that year. But, as a threat to run, opponents had to respect him as back, and that opened up things downfield.

Enter the Rams' "Point a Minute" offense.

It set records left and right in 1951, leading the club to that season's league championship and contending for titles in 1950 and 1955. Nevertheless, though Younger was getting more and more snaps on offense, he remained one of the best -- if not the best  -- linebacker in the NFL. 

He not only was the first African-American to make All-NFL as a linebacker; no black linebacker surpassed his two Pro Bowls until 1969 when Dave Robinson and George Webster each made their thrid Pro Bowl/AFL All-Star games. But that doesn't count Younger's 1953 selection, when he was as much a linebacker as a running back -- though he's listed as the latter.

Back then, linebackers had a lot of duties. In a 5-3 defense, which was the Rams' predominant front, a linebacker had to stop runs to his side. But he had to cover running backs out of the backfield, too. Plus, he had another duty: If an offense flanked a running back or end wide, the outside linebacker had to play him outside the numbers.

Younger's quickness allowed for it. He was a great tackler and an aggressive one, as the rules allowed in that era. There was one game, for instance, when Younger had to "necktie" Bears' quarterback Johnny Lujack near the Chicago Bears' bench -- right in front of George Halas.

"Tank!" Halas yelled to Younger, "You SOB! We're going to kill you!."

The Bears tried, throwing everything at Younger -- cheap shots, late hits, you name it. Unfazed, Younger weathered the storm. Afterward, "Papa Bear" came up to him and muttered, "Tank you are the greatest, dirtiest, best football player in this league. I just wish we had you."

By 1954, Younger's role changed. Though occasionally playing linebacker, he was primarily a running back -- rushing for 610 yards and a league-leading 6.7 yards a carry. According to historian and author T.J. Troup, aside from Chuck Bednarik and George Connor, Younger played more two-way snaps in that era than anyone. 

With the Rams' offense under the guidance of Hall-of-Fame coach Sid Gillman in 1955, Younger led the NFL in rushing yards per game, ran for a career-high 644 yards, earned second-team All-NFL honors and was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl. He also participated in the NFL championship game for the fourth time in his first seven seasons.

But his time in Los Angeles was winding down, and two years later Steelers' coach Buddy Pakler sent a fourth-round pick to the Rams for Younger, whom Parker needed to block for Pro Bowl halfback Tom Tracy. After that, he retired and transitioned to working for the Rams, first as a first-time scout from 1958-64. then as a full-time scout from 1964-75.

That experience led him to become the NFL's first African-American executive when the San Diego Chargers named him their assistant general manager.

Though playing both ways, Younger scored 35 touchdowns and rolled up nearly 5,000 yards in nine pro seasons – 3,640 rushing on 770 attempts and 1,167 yards on 100 receptions. He was one of the few players to win All-Pro honors on both offense and defense, and he played in four Pro Bowls.

Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Younger's significance to the sport goes beyond just the numbers. He paved the way for other African-American players from historically black colleges to enter the NFL, opening doors for future stars like Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Michael Strahan.

When asked about all the Grambling players who made NFL and AFL rosters over the years, Collie James Nicholson, the sports information director for Grambling State University, said, "We will forever be grateful to 'Tank' Younger. He gave Negro colleges the momentum to make it big in professional football."

Player. Adminstrator. Pioneer. 

Maybe there is a place for Younger in the Hall of Fame.

Breaking Down Green Bay's Win in Chicago

 By Eric Goska

Receiver Christian Watson was the only Packer to
convert a third-down in Chicago.
(photos by Eric Goska)

Who needs third down?

Not the Packers who might be better off without it.

In squeaking past Chicago 20-19 at Soldier Field, Green Bay mounted three touchdown drives without once bumping up against third down. That the team failed to score on any advance when it did only served to highlight its continuing struggles when the down marker hits three.

Credit the Packers for all but avoiding third down. They got there just five times as Jordan Love and Co. made hay on early downs.

Green Bay gained 191 yards on 23 first-down plays (8.3 average). It produced 148 yards on 14 second-down snaps (10.6).

First and second were all the Packers required as they rolled to scores on advances of 70, 70 and 78 yards. Eighteen plays produced 213 yards, 11 first downs and TDs by Jayden Reed, Josh Jacobs and Love.

On those possessions, second down functioned as a surrogate third down. Green Bay went 6-for-6 in those instances, gaining 119 yards when 35 was needed.

If only the real third down could be dealt with as expeditiously. Sustained success there might eliminate the need for a Karl Brooks to block to Cairo Santos’ 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired in order to win.

Karl Brooks blocked Cairo Santos' last-second
field goal attempt which allowed Green Bay to win
its 11th straight against the Bears.

In Chicago, the Packers gained all of 22 yards on five third-down plays. They earned a first down just once, that on a 17-yard pass from Love to Christian Watson in the second quarter.

Watson’s conversion kept alive an advance that was Green Bay’s longest in terms of plays run (12). But the drive ended on third down when cornerback Terell Smith waylaid a pass intended for Tucker Kraft near the Bears’ end zone.

Talk about a momentum shift. Rookie Caleb Williams then directed a 13-play, 76-yard TD march that put Chicago up 10-7 at the half.

Love’s interception underscored Green Bay’s difficulty on third down, particularly in the passing game. The second-year starter’s numbers are down this season, with one metric having fallen so low it should give the coaching staff pause.

To date, Love has completed 27 of 59 passes (45.8 percent) for 311 yards, six TDs and four interceptions on third down. His passer rating (67.8) is the lowest on that down by a Packers quarterback (minimum 50 attempts) since Brett Hundley’s 62.8 in 2017.

Since 1992, just two Packers quarterbacks have finished with a rating below 70: Hundley and Brett Favre (68.0) in 1999. Green Bay finished 7-9 in 2017 and 8-8 in 1999.

More disconcerting is Love’s inability to produce first downs. Just 15 of his 59 throws (25.4 percent) have moved the chains.

That rate is the third lowest by a Packers passer over the last 70 years. Only David Whitehurst (18.3) in 1978 and Randy Wright (24.6) in 1987 have been lower since 1954 (minimum 50 attempts).

Love can improve. He did in 2023.

In starting out 3-6 last season, Love compiled a third-down passer rating of 83.7. He completed 52 of 90 passes for 602 yards, four TDs and four interceptions. Thirty-eight of his 90 passes (42.2 percent) resulted in first downs.

In finishing 6-2, Love compiled a third-down passer rating of 122.2. He completed 45 of 72 passes for 491 yards, 10 TDs and nary an interception. Thirty-eight of his 72 attempts (52.7 percent) brought first downs.

Love’s lack of production has meant the Packers have gone seven straight games with fewer than 50 yards passing on third down. It is the team’s longest such streak in at least a dozen years.

Only twice this season has Love converted more than two third downs into firsts with his passing. He came up with four in a 34-13 win over the Cardinals and three in a 24-22 victory over the Texans.

The Low Down on Third Down
Since 1954, Packers whose third-down throws produced the fewest first downs on a percentage basis. (minimum 50 attempts)

       Rate           Passer                         Year             Attempts-FDs
        18.3            David Whitehurst          1978                     93-17
        24.6            Randy Wright                 1987                     69-17
        25.4            Jordan Love                    2024                    59-15
        25.7            John Hadl                        1975                    113-29
        25.7            Lynn Dickey                    1977                     74-19
        27.5            Anthony Dilweg             1990                     51-14
        28.4            Scott Hunter                  1972                     74-21
        29.3            Tobin Rote                      1955                     92-27

Russell Wilson is Back—Could This Be A Step Forward to a Gold Jacket?

By John Turney

Russell Wilson is back.

Since Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Russell three weeks ago made his first start of the season, he's been impressive -- delivering strong back-to-back performances, with a passer rating of 111.9 and a 2-0 record. Equally impressive is that his trademark deep throws -- or "moon balls," as Cris Collinsworth calls them -- . are back, as new teammates Pat Freiermuth and George Pickens can attest.

For a decade with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson was known for his efficiency (101.8 passer rating), success (a 104-53-1 in 158 starts), and ability to connect on deep passes (200 completions of 35 yards or more). But now that he looks like Russell Wilson 2.0, some fans are asking: Could he be back on a Hall-of-Fame trajectory?

Once that seemed not only possible, but probable. But then there was a rough stay in Denver, and Wilson's stock declined. But now? Well, now former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III is pushing Wilson for Canton again.

"Russell Wilson," he said on X (formerly Twitter), "is a Hall of Famer and has earned more respect than he’s been getting."

Griffin pointed to Wilson's performance in Denver, citing respectable numbers (26 TDs, 8 INTs, a 66.4 percent completion rate and a 98.0 passer rating in 2023) and arguing that criticism of Wilson's leadership and ability to play in the NFL was unfair. Furthermore, he pointed out that, while his 2022 season was subpar, his 2023 performance was not.

But that's one man's opinion.

Prior to 2023, a handful of Hall-of-Fame voters were asked on this site (Judge & Jury: Is Russell Wilson a Hall-of Famer Waiting to Happen? - Talk of Fame) if Wilson was Canton material.. As you might expect, their responses varied -- ranging from he has a "solid case to be strongly considered" ... to he's "a Hall-of-Very- Good type of player" ... to he "should eventually get in" but won't right away.

It's an intriguing debate.

Unlike many elite quarterbacks, Wilson isn’t a physical giant with a cannon arm. He thrived on skill, hustle, and sharp football instincts, with the emphasis on thrived.  While in Seattle, he made nine Pro Bowls, though he was never a first-team All-Pro or serious MVP candidate. But his numbers were excellent.

The question is: Are they special? And is he elite? Take a look.

In his 12-plus seasons, he’s thrown for 44,195 yards (19th all-time), 337 touchdowns (13th all-time) and 106 interceptions, with an interception percentage of 1.9 (seventh lowest) and a career passer rating of 100.1 -- the fourth-best ever. He also led the NFL in passer rating in 2014 and passing touchdowns in 2017. Plus, as a dual threat, his case is boosted by his 46,025 combined rushing and passing yards (14th all-time). 

For what it's worth, standing under six feet, he’s the all-time leading passer among quarterbacks 5-11 and under. Of course, that's if Drew Brees is not actually as tall as his listed height. But that's another discussion for another time!

But there's more. Consider his performances when the stakes were highest: In the playoffs, Wilson is 9-7, throwing for 3,786 yards, 25 touchdowns and a 95.3 passer rating in 16 playoff games -- Pro Bowl-caliber numbers achieved on the game’s biggest stage.

In his second NFL season, he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl XLVIII blowout over the Denver Broncos and, one year later, was a single yard from back-to-back titles. But his interception on the Seahawks' final play of Super Bowl XLIX ended that conversation. Had then-coach Pete Carroll called for a Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch run, a comeback victory would've been assured. Instead, the Seahawks walked off the field as 28-24 losers.

We also need to consider "the eye test" -- namely, what did you think when you saw him play? His knack for fourth-quarter comebacks is undeniable. Wilson ranks 10th all-time with 39 of them, proof that his team rarely was out of a game -- a mark of an elite quarterback.

If Wilson retired today, his Hall-of-Fame case would not have changed much between now and September, 2023, the date of the "Judge and Jury" piece. All that happened was that Wilson had a solid season -- as Robert Griffin described. But to move the needle, more probably needs to be done. More numbers, more wins, more playoff success and more signature plays. 

A deep playoff run with the Steelers in the next few years and a late-career renaissance where he performs at a Pro Bowl level would strengthen his case. So stay tuned. He's just starting the new chapter of his career ... and so far, so good. 

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Notes on a Scorecard"

By TJ Troup 

Lance Alworth

Years ago frequently read a column by Alan Malamud in the Los Angeles Times called "Notes on a Scorecard". Since today am going to cover more than one topic, sounds like a title that works. There are eight teams with seven or more wins at this point in the season. 

How many of those eight teams will make the playoffs? 

Probably all of them, which begs the question for all of you, and as always sure enjoy your answers—which team catches fire and earns a playoff berth? 

Matt Eberflus 

When I go online and read the so-called power rankings, there are teams ranked 25-32. Will the cuddly little leaderless Chicago Bears continue their spiral to the bottom? Abe Gibron was an absolute joke as a head coach. Never thought he would be joined by someone as lost and clueless as Matt Eberflus yet here we are. 

Please share the Bears' final record? Is it possible they could go from 4-2 to 5-12? 

The Detroit Lions have proven they can win even when their very accurate quarterback throws five interceptions in a game, and they are behind. During the '70 season Johnny Hightops threw five interceptions and his contending team was down 17-0, and the Colts—THE BALTIMORE Colts rallied and won 21-20. 

Johnny Unitas

Who were the victims in this classic confrontation you ask? 

Why the Chicago Bears of course. No, youngsters am not trying to imply that Mr. Goff is Unitas, but would be interesting if this year's Lions team wins the Silver Trophy just like the Colts did. 

 Turnovers are a part of the game, and eventually Pro Football Reference will have a listing of every player that intercepted a pass and recovered an opponent's fumble in the same game; which I call the double take-away. 

When a player achieves the double take-away what are the chances his team wins? Which team historically has achieved the double takeaway the most? Down the road will attempt to entertain, and enlighten all of you on the impact of the double take-away. In August of 1971 went to the Coliseum for the Los Angeles Times Charity game between the Rams and Cowboys in hopes of seeing Lance Alworth play. He remains one of the best/greatest receivers of all time and since this past Sunday was the anniversary of one of his best games.....will end my column today by discussing him, and his performance on November 10th, 1963. 

Quoting Don Schiffer in his book Pro Football 1963 he states "An injured thigh held back the development of Lance Alworth in his freshmen year of '62. The 23-year-old terror has such enormous talent that it's difficult how he'll miss carving out a career of near brilliance."

Quoting Sam Blair in Street and Smiths, "fFeet flanker Lance Alworth appeared destined for rookie of the year in '62 unit short-circulated by injuries". His first game one catch for 17 yards, then his next three 9 catches for 209 yards. Then injury. He began the '63 campaign with 33 receptions for 757 yards and had caught a touchdown pass in five straight games when the Chargers took on the red-dogging Boston Patriots. 

Alworth scores the only touchdown in the game and San Diego holds on to win 7-6. This is the game that established him as a premier receiver as he latched onto 13 passes for 210 yards. He exploded out of his cuts, his ability to time his leap to snatch the ball away from defenders is still a highlight reel to watch. 

Could he play in today's game? Will the sun come up tomorrow?

Lance Alworth

Book Review: Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (but True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley

 By John Turney 

Joe Zagorski's newest book Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (but True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley is a wild story.

When you think of Bill Bradley, you probably think of the former New York Knicks' star ... and rightly so. He not only was a Hall-of-Fame player; he was an accomplished U.S. Senator. But there was another Bill Bradley ... also accomplished ... who deserves to be recognized.

Fortunately, he has been.

Joe Zagorski's newest book. "Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (but True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley," chronicles the wild story of a football legend best remembered for his accomplishments on the field, his larger-than-life personality and a unique path in the sport.

A wishbone quarterback at the University of Texas, Bradley became an All-Pro free safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, leading the league in interceptions for two straight seasons while also serving as the team's punter and holder for placekicks -- basically, a do-it-all kind of player.

But he was much more than that.

His career unfolded in 1969 in an era when the NFL still resisted players who dared to break the mold. But it couldn't resist Bill Bradley. He was among the first players to grow long hair and a bushy mustache and who, as a Texas high-school player, stood up for civil rights and fair treatment of his black teammates.

Later, after joining the Eagles, he was one of the first NFL players to hold out for more money. Plus, in an age where drug usage was more and more commonplace, he refused to give in -- vowing that he was "never taking any kind of drug."

And so he didn't.

The book is a character study into the makeup of a truly iconoclastic athlete. Beyond statistics, it delves into the emotional rollercoaster of Bradley's career ... the ups and downs of injuries ... and his path from a winning collegiate team to a second-division NFL club.

Drawing from extensive interviews, Zagorski brings his story to life with enthusiasm, capturing Bradley's quirks and rebellious spirit -- both of which are evident in some of the book's most entertaining moments. The narrative also covers the evolving dynamics of professional sports, highlighting the team politics and personal sacrifices that come with such a high-stakes career.

Mostly, however, the book sheds light on the harsh realities players faced in Bradley's era (1969-77), from the lack of guaranteed contracts to the uncertainty of injuries that often left them without support.

With an engaging writing style, Zagorski presents a human story, one that is both a product of its time and a timeless tale of a man who refused to fit the mold, choosing instead to forge his own path. At 304 pages, including 34 pages of notes, bibliography, and an index, "Free Spirit at Free Safety" is a compelling tribute to a true football maverick.

About the author:

Joe Zagorski is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Pro Football Researchers Association. His biography of former Philadelphia Eagles free safety Bill Bradley is his fifth book. It is published by Highlander Press out of Baltimore, Maryland. His sixth book, a biography of former Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame offensive guard Larry Little, will be released later in 2025.

 Zagorski is also the coordinator of the Facebook page The NFL in the 1970s.

All of Zagorski’s pro football books are available on the Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites

The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade

Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (but True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley

The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run for a Record

The Year the Packers Came Back: Green Bay's 1972 Resurgence

America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier

Midseason All-Pro Team

By John Turney

Lamar Jackson (L) and Fred Warner (R)

Originally posted on Talk of Fame Two

The NFL's 17-game schedule makes it difficult to decide where to divide the first and second halves of the season. Is it after Week 8? Week 9? Last year, I picked my midseason All-Pro after eight weeks. This year, it's after Week 9. Either way, here's my 2024 iteration of the top players for the first two months of the season.

FIRST TEAM

Offense

C—Tyler Biadasz, Commanders.

LG—Joe Thuney, Chiefs.

RG—Ben Powers, Broncos.

LT—Christian Darrisaw, Vikings.

RT—Lane Johnson, Eagles.

TE—Brock Bowers, Raiders.

QB—Lamar Jackson, Ravens.

FB—Patrick Ricard, Ravens.

RB—Derrick Henry, Ravens.

WR—Justin Jefferson, Vikings.

WR—Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals.

Defense

4-3 Edge—Aidan Hutchinson, Lions.

3-4 Edge—T.J. Watt, Steelers.

DI—Dexter Lawrence, Giants.

DI—Chris Jones, Chiefs.

LB—Fred Warner, 49ers.

LB—Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Browns.

CB—Pat Surtain II, Broncos.

CB—Marlon Humphrey, Ravens.

Slot—Deommodore Lenoir, 49ers.

S—Brian Branch, Lions.

S—Xavier McKinney, Packers.

Special Teams

K—Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys.

P—Jack Fox, Lions.

PR—Kalif Raymond, Lions.

KR—Kavontae Turpin, Cowboys.

ST—J.T. Gray, Saints

SECOND TEAM

Offense

C—Creed Humphrey, Chiefs.

G—Chris Lindstrom, Falcons.

G—Zach Martin, Cowboys.

LT—Tristan Wifts, Buccaneers.

RT—Penei Sewell, Lions.

TE—George Kittle, 49ers.

QB—Jared Goff, Lions.

FB—Alec Ingold, Dolphins.

RB—Saquon Barkley, Eagles.

WR—Nico Collins, Texans.

WR—Garrett Wilson, Jets.

Defense

4-3 Edge—Trey Hendrickson, Bengals

3-4 Edge—Jared Verse, Rams.

DI—Cameron Heyward, Steelers.

DI—Grover Stewart, Colts.

LB—Bobby Wagner, Commanders.

LB—Zack Baun, Eagles.

CB—Jalen Ramsey, Dolphins.

CB—D.J. Reed, Jets.

Slot—Mike Hilton, Bengals.

S—Kirby Joseph, Lions.

S—Elijah Molden, Chargers.

Special Teams

K—Chris Boswell, Steelers.

P—Logan Cooke, Jaguars.

PR—Calvin Austin, Steelers.

KR—Laviska Shenault, Seahawks.

ST—Brenden Schooler, Patriots.

Offense Notes

OL -- Center Tyler Biadasz has been good for a while, but he's stepped it up this year as the leader of a resurgent Commanders' line. He's a big part of why their offensive is rolling. The Chiefs' Joe Thuney is a master technician, and Ben Powers is what is name suggests -- powerful.

Yes, I know Christian Darrishaw went down with a knee injury a couple of weeks ago. but he was the league's best left tackle up to then. Plus, the 49ers' Trent Williams got off to a slow start after a holdout. Darrishaw won't make the Pro Bowl, and he won't be All-Pro, but he deserves attention for the start he's had. Tristan Wifts of the Buccaneers is my second-team pick over Williams. On the right side, Lane Johnson is probably the best tackle in football, regardless of which side he plays on. The next-best option is the Lions' Penei Sewell.

TE -- Maybe it's a bit premature, but I chose rookie Brock Bowers at tight end. He's not the complete player that George Kittle is, but he's off to a terrific start to his career.

QB/RB -- All three players in my All-Pro backfield are from Baltimore: Quarterback Lamar Jackson, fullback Patrick Ricard and running back Derrick Henry. Now, before you ask ... no, I am not a Ravens' fan. But those three show up every game, and. at this point, comprise the best trio in the NFL, with Jackson my first-half MVP. Jared Goff, Alec Ingold and Saquon Barkley are the runners-up. 

WR -- This was pretty easy. Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase stand out, while backups Nico Collins and Garrett Wilson have been held back by their own offenses. Texans' quarterback C.J. Stroud hasn't had the time to pass that he had last year, and the Jets' offense ... as well as quarterback Aaron Rodgers ... has been sputtering.  

Defense Notes

EDGE -- Like Darrisaw,  Lions' defensive end Aiden Hutchinson is lost for the season. He won't be on my season-ending All-Pro team, but he makes this one for all the right reasons. When he was healthy, he not only was dominant; he was the best of the 40 ends. Hutchinson edges (no pun intended) Trey Hendrickson, Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, Maxx Crosby and Will Anderson Jr. -- all of whom are outstanding. It's a golden age for edge rushers

For my 3-4 edge, it's yet another terrific season for T.J. Watt. He was an easy choice, with Jared Verse, the Rams' stud rookie, next-best. Verse was known to be strong, but that was against college players. In the NFL, he's playing as powerfully as any edge in recent memory -- pushing around NFL players as he did with SEC players.

DT -- Dexter Lawrence is remarkable He led the NFL in sacks after eight weeks -- unheard of for a 340-plus man. The Chiefs' Chris Jones is always a problem. Though his numbers are down a little, he seems to take over games when it matters. On the second team, I put Cam Hayward, along with run-stuffing shade tackle Grover Stewart.

LB -- Fred Warner is my first-half defensive MVP. Even though the 49ers aren't as good defensively as they've been in the past, Warner is playing as well as ever. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is playing as he did last year -- stuffing runs behind the line of scrimmage and being a general menace -- and, so, he joins Warner on the first team.

DB -- Denver's Pat Surtain II and Marlon Humphrey of the Ravens are the corners. with the 49ers' Deommodore Lenoir in the slot.  The Lions have a fine pair of safeties, and either could have been chosen first. As it was, I chose Brian Branch to the first-team and Kerby Joseph as the backup. Joining Branch on the first-team is the ball-hawking Xavier McKinney, who came to Green Bay as a free agent and is already worth the money.

SPECIAL TEAMS -- The Cowboys aren't much good, but their long-range kicker, Brandon Aubrey, is.

That does it for the mid-terms. I'll be back with my season-ending team in January ... or after I grade the final exams.