The 1980-2000-ish Non-HOF team

By John Turney 

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.

I'm ready for 1980-2000.

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.

Now that we have that out of the way, let's see who they are.

OFFENSE

CENTER

First-team—Jay Hilgenberg

Second-team—Kent Hull

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. 

GUARDS

First-team—Steve Wisniewski and Randy Cross

Second-team—Bill Fralic and Nate Newton

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 (PFWA), 1991 (AP, PFWA, NEA, TSN), 1992 (AP, PFWA, NEA, TSN), 1993 (PFWA, TSN), and 1994 (TSN). 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.

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.

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. 

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.

TACKLES

First-team—Mike Kenn and Joe Jacoby

Second-team—Lomas Brown and Richmond Webb

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

TIGHT END

First-team—Todd Christensen

Second-team—Mark Bavaro

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.

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.

QUARTERBACK.

First-team—Boomer Esiason

Second-team—Randall Cunningham

What? Boomer Esiason? 

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.

So where was his shot as a finalist? It wasn't. It never happened.

Then there's Randall Cunningham, a player ahead of his time. He was the PFWA MVP in 1990 and the NEA MVP in 1998. Plus, three times he was runner-up in the AP MVP voting.

RUNNING BACKS

First-team—Roger Craig and Ricky Watters

Second-team—Eddie George and Ottis Anderson

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.

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.

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. 

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.

WIDE RECEIVERS

First-team—Sterling Sharpe and Stanley Morgan

Second-team—Henry Ellard and Herman Moore

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.

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.

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. 

Wes Chandler Mark Clayton, Irving Fryar and others could have been picked. They all had strong aspects to their cases.  

DEFENSE

ENDS

First-team—Mark Gastineau and Neil Smith

Second-team—Leslie O'Neal and Bubba Baker

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.

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. 

True or not, all that hurt his Hall chances.

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.

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. 

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.

TACKLES

First-team—Fred Smerlas (nose) and Michael Dean Perry

Second-team—Bob Baumhower (nose) and Ray Childress

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. 

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).

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.

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.

MIDDLE/INSIDE LINEBACKER

First-team—Karl Mecklenburg

Second-team—Hardy Nickerson

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.

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.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

First-team—Clay Matthews and Wilber Marshall

Second-team—Cornelius Bennett and Seth Joyner

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

CORNERBACKS

First-team—Louis Wright and Albert Lewis

Second-team—Everson Walls and Eric Allen

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SAFETIES

First-team—Nolan Cromwell and Tim McDonald

Second-team—Deron Cherry and Eugene Robinson

Three All-Pros and a 1980 UPI 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

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.

KICKERS

First-team—Nick Lowery

Second-team—Gary Anderson

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.

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.

PUNTERS

First-team—Reggie Roby

Second-team—Sean Landeta

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. 

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.

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.

RETURNERS

First-team—Mel Gray

Second-team—Brian Mitchell

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.

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.

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.

SPECIAL TEAMS

First-team—Steve Tasker

Second-team—Hank Bauer

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?

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. 

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.

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.