Darryl Talley Career Statistics

LOOKING BACK
By John Turney

Spiderman Oil Painting by Michael Biondo - Portrait of Darryl Talley

Darryl Talley spent his rookie season as a pass rusher in nickel/dime situations and then secured a starting spot in 1984. He shared time in 1985 and in 1986, again was the starter at strong backer for the Bills. In 1987 he moved to the right side, usually lining up in Bruce Smith's hip pocket as it were.

He only garnered honors in 1990 and 1993 when he was All-Pro according to Sporting News.  In 1989 he was All-AFC by his hometown paper the Buffalo News. In 1990 he was a picked to the All-Pro teams of Paul Zimmerman, Peter King, and Gordon Forbes.

In 1991, perhaps his best season he was not on anyone's All-Pro team but he did play in his second consecutive Pro Bowl. The following season he was again an All-Pro choice of Gordon Forbes (USA Today). 

In 1993, in addition to the Sporting News he was an All-Pro pick by Don Pierson (Chicago Tribune) and Dave Goldberg of the AP and All-AFC (Pro Football Weekly). In 1994 he was an alternate to the Pro Bowl.

So, his "All" honors were from 1989-94, a six-year peak, if you will. Talley played in an era where lots of the post-season "Alls" went to rushbackers like Lawrence Taylor and Andre Tippett and Derrick Thomas. Talley could blitz, but he could also cover backs in man coverage or drop and take a zone and defend it well, he was a complete linebacker.

Here are his career stats, as per the NFL Gamebooks.