Don Hutson: Target Extraordinaire

 By Eric Goska

Don Hutson was the NFL’s most valuable player in 1942.

Don Hutson was a target long before the term became popular in NFL circles.

Ninety years have passed since Hutson first suited up for the Packers in the summer of 1935. Nearly 80 years have elapsed since he snagged his last reception in December of 1945.

So much has been written about the legendary end. What more can be said?

In April, I punched the following into Google: “Was Don Hutson targeted 20 times in a game?”

Here is what came back: “It is very unlikely that Don Hutson was targeted 20 times in a single game. While Hutson was a dominant receiver and a prolific scorer, modern football statistics, including targeting data, weren’t kept during his playing days in the 1930s and 1940s. Even if he had been targeted that many times, it would be an exceptionally high number compared to the norms of that era.”

Even AI (artificial intelligence) can’t cover Hutson effectively! Hutson was targeted 20 or more times not once, but twice.

Directing that many passes to one receiver in a game is rare. Stathead, the search engine available through Pro Football Reference, reveals how infrequently it occurs.

Since 1978, there have been 12,618 instances of a receiver being targeted 10 or more times in an NFL regular-season game. The number drops to 1,269 when a threshold of 15 or more is used. It becomes a trickle – 67 – when the bar is raised to 20 or more.

This downward trend exists among Green Bay receivers as well. Since 1978, the numbers have been 423 (10-plus), 43 (15-plus) and two (20-plus).

James Lofton (21) and Davante Adams (21) are the only Packers receivers to have been targeted 20 or more times in a game in the last 47 years.

It’s time to add Hutson – and one other – to that short list.

Quick pause before we dive in. Intended targets cannot be determined for all passes from the era in which Hutson played. On average, three to four throws per game cannot be assigned to a particular receiver. Therefore, the numbers noted here are minimums, as Hutson – and others – could have been targeted more often.

Don Hutson on the move against the Rams in 1945.
(Green Bay Press-Gazette photo)

During his first five seasons (1935-1939) Hutson was targeted 10 or more times in a game on six occasions. In 1940, he enjoyed double-digit outings six times as he became the first Packer to be targeted 100 or more times in a season.

That season – 1940 – was the first in which the Packers averaged more than 25 pass attempts per game. With Cecil Isbell (150 attempts), Arnie Herber (89) and Hal Van Every (41) leading the way, Green Bay launched 283 aerials, second most behind the 362 of the Eagles.

Hutson (112 targets) was easily the Packers’ favorite. Carl Mulleneaux (37) was a distant second with Andy Uram (19) and Ray Riddick (18) the only others to exceed 15.

In order, Hutson was targeted 5, 12, 7, 13, 14, 6, 17, 9, 12, 4, and 13 times in 1940. His high-water mark of 17 came in a 14-7 loss to the Bears at Wrigley Field, a game in which he likely became the first Packer to be targeted 10 times in one half (second).

Hutson caught 45 passes in 1940, second to the 58 of the Eagles’ Don Looney. Looney, quite possibly, was targeted more than 100 times that season as well.

In 1942, Hutson hauled in an NFL record 74 receptions as the Packers, for the first time, averaged 30 pass attempts per game. The Alabama Antelope (127 targets) again was Green Bay’s top gun, with Andy Uram (35) and Lou Brock (24) a distant second and third.

By game, Hutson’s targets were: 9, 8, 5, 19, 12, 11, 16, 20, 22, 3, and 2. He was sought out 20 or more times in consecutive games in November: in a 38-7 loss to the Bears at Wrigley Field and in a 21-21 tie with the Giants in the Polo Grounds.

With five Packers passes unaccounted for in the Big Apple, Hutson’s total could have been higher than 22. Unfortunately, without a complete play-by-play we can only speculate.

When speaking of Hutson that day, reporters tended to focus on the numerous records he extended and the drought he ended.

“Playing as usual without shoulder or hip pads which hamper his speed, Hutson broke his career-long Giant jinx,” wrote Jack Smith of the New York Daily News. “He had never before scored a touchdown against them."

Hutson grabbed two.

Hutson played three more seasons after his 14-catch, 134-yard performance against the Giants. Though targeted often, he never again ventured into 20-plus territory.

One Packers player who did was Bob Mann. He tied Hutson record against the Rams in the 1951 season finale when 22 passes came his way. He snagged 11 for 123 yards.

For nearly 35 years, Hutson and Mann remained a duo without equal. Lofton joined them in a 24-10 loss to the Saints in 1986. Adams climbed aboard in an 18-16 loss to the Lions in 2015.

As noted at the outset, rare is the receiver who is targeted 20 or more times in a game. Hutson – a focal point in any game in which he played – may be the only NFL receiver to have been in the crosshairs to that extent in consecutive games.

Hutson in 1940

Hutson in 1942

 

Will Jalen Ramsey's NFL Odyssey Wind Up in Canton?

By John Turney 

Now a Pittsburgh Steeler, Jalen Ramsey has planted his flag with his fourth NFL team in just nine seasons. That’s a rare odyssey for a cornerback of his caliber -- a three-time All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler, and Super Bowl champ -- and it begs more than one question.

Is he, for instance, a mercenary whose elite skills teams can’t resist, a hired gun to push contenders over the top? Or does he wear out his welcome, leaving a trail of burned bridges?

The truth, as always, lies in the gray.

It’s likely more the former -- his value is undeniable -- but the fact remains: Few star corners like Ramsey have been traded three times. It’s a head-scratcher, and it has the football world buzzing, from X posts to barstool debates.

Ramsey’s journey from Jacksonville to Los Angeles to Miami and now Pittsburgh -- reads like a trade ticker. Jacksonville sent him to the Rams for a king’s ransom: two first-round picks and a fourth. The Rams dealt him to Miami for a third-rounder and tight end Hunter Long after he helped them win a Super Bowl in 2021. Then, Miami flipped him to Pittsburgh this year for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, tight end Jonnu Smith and a pick swap.

Why the moves? Start with the money. Ramsey’s contracts have been hefty. More than once, he's been the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, something he always demanded. But that was a price too high for the small-market Jaguars, and it started his sojourn.

That and the personality. The talk. The opinions.

Ramsey’s brash, outspoken nature -- evident in his 2019 Jacksonville exit after clashing with then-coach Doug Marrone -- can rub front offices raw. X posts whisper about locker-room issues in Miami, with some calling him a "cancer" before his 2025 trade demand. But that's hard to pin down. Those same posts praise his leadership when he’s locking down receivers.

But the real driver? Team needs. Jacksonville was rebuilding and wanted premium picks to stockpile, and the Rams wanted a ring he helped deliver. Miami thought it was poised to make a Super Bowl run and wanted veteran experience in their secondary. So the Dolphins grabbed him.

With Aaron Rodgers and a stacked defense, now it's Pittsburgh that's all-in for a title. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler nailed it: "A player like Jalen Ramsey… they feel like he gives them more flexibility than what they had with Minkah Fitzpatrick. He can play slot cornerback. He can play safety, if you need him to do that. They see shades of Rod Woodson." 

Now that's high praise. A Steelers' legend and first-ballot Hall of Famer, Woodson redefined versatility. If Ramsey can channel that in Pittsburgh, watch out. In other words, if he can play as he did when he was the best cornerback in the NFL, keep your eyes on Pittsburgh.

Wait. The best you say? Yes, the best.

-- In 2021, Pro Football Focus ranked Ramsey as the 16th-best player in NFL, noting, "Jalen Ramsey is undoubtedly a premier player in the NFL today, widely being viewed as the best cornerback in football."

-- NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks once ranked the top corners in the league and his pick for No. 1 was Jalen Ramsey. "The most bodacious cover corner in the game claims his spot as the NFL's ultimate CB1," Brooks said. "Ramsey not only possesses rare physical traits that make it nearly impossible for a receiver to escape the line untouched, but he is a refined technician with superb instincts and awareness on the island. ... "

-- His defensive coach in Los Angeles, Raheem Morris, called Ramsey "a great player ... rare. He's unique. He can be a shutdown corner, (or) you can move him inside and he can play at the nickel position. He's smart. You see his toughness oozing all over the tape. You can see his competitive nature all over the tape. You see the exciting plays. You're seeing what he can be and the best version of himself at all times when he's out there on the field."

-- Antonio Brown has also called Ramsey an "ultimate competitor," adding that "he's aggressive, he takes everything as a challenge, he's trying to win every route, he's trying to get in your head, he's going to block you aggressive. If you're lazy around the play, he's going to make you feel it ... that's the guy you want on your team. A cornerback playing with confidence. Great intangibles, great fundamentals ... that's Jalen Ramsey."

-- While opponents will mention Ramsey's cockiness and attitude, they never diminished his skill set. "The guy never has the mouthpiece in his mouth because he's always talking," related Brandon LaFell. "He's going to talk to you all game, he's going to get into your ears, get in your head, get you out of your game. That's Jalen Ramsey."

-- But he's more than just talk. He backs it up. "Jalen Ramsey (is the best I faced)," said Steelers' wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. "His trash talk, he's strong. Competitive. It's just a battle when we go up against each other ... It's going to be a physical game. He's a big corner, smart, you've got to be mentally and physically (on your game). He's going to attack you every chance he gets."

A Career Built for Canton?

But it's Ramsey's versatility -- outside corner, slot, even safety and snaps as an edge in his days in Los Angeles -- that sets him apart. Steelers' safety DeShon Elliott called him a "potential gold jacket guy," and he’s not wrong, with the emphasis on ... potential.

First, let’s talk end-of-season awards. Ramsey has plenty. He’s a three-time first-team AP All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion. Those honors alone put him in the conversation for a gold jacket. Not many cornerbacks have three or more AP All-Pros and seven or more Pro Bowls. Ten cornerbacks to be exact --Deion Sanders, Rod Woodson, Willie Brown, Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey, "Night Train" Lane, Jalen Ramsey, Roger Wehrli, Aeneas Williams and Charles Woodson.

All but one is in Canton.

But then there are the stats, and that’s where the road gets bumpy. Ramsey’s skeptics snipe at his 24 interceptions. For a Hall-of-Fame corner, critics ask: Isn’t that a touch lean? Not so fast. Let’s zoom in on recent (post-1987) Hall-of-Fame corners through age 30 (Ramsey hits 31 this season): Charles Woodson had 25 interceptions, Barber and Revis each produced 28. Rod Woodson had 32, Eric Allen and Ty Law 36, Aeneas Williams 39 and Champ Bailey led with 43.

Yes, Ramsey’s 24 sits behind this elite crowd, but they're hardly lagging. Plus, no one ever questioned his ball skills. Instead, they suggest he's not targeted sufficiently to get big interception numbers.

For those Hall-of-Fame players mentioned post-30, the script varies. Charles Woodson went supernova, racking up 40 more picks and a Defensive Player-of-the-Year award. Rod Woodson earned five more Pro Bowls, though only one as a corner. Barber kept humming with 19 additional picks. Only Revis fizzled, with just one more interception, while Allen didn’t make a Pro Bowl after 30. Williams and Law were in the middle

Ramsey’s resume already holds its own, but Canton might need a late-career surge à la Charles Woodson ... or maybe even a move to safety like Rod Woodson, Williams and Barber. At 31, he should have plenty of juice, and Pittsburgh’s banking on it. If he can channel Woodson’s late prime, Canton is within reach.

One or two more All-Pros and a couple of Pro Bowls, plus a deep playoff run with the Steelers, could tip the scales. A second ring? That’s gold-jacket catnip. Pittsburgh’s defense— with T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr.—is a perfect stage. If Ramsey shuts down top receivers and makes game-swinging plays, the chatter on X will shift from "maybe” to “when."

Ramsey is a rare breed -- a "different kind of cat" -- who, at his best was a shutdown corner with a nose for the ball and a mouth to match. His trades reflect his value, not his baggage, though a touch of drama follows. That's why playing for four teams shouldn't be a Hall-of-Fame barrier. Rod Woodson played for four teams. So did Revis and Law. And Deion Sanders? He played for five.

In a free-agent era, it's the lay of the land. Players move. Teams want quality corners even if they're aging -- with Sanders Exhibit A. The Ravens signed him after he'd been retired for three years.

No, Jalen Ramsey is no lock for the Hall, but he’s knocking on the door. If he delivers in Pittsburgh, he’ll quiet doubters and cement his legacy. For now, the Steelers are his proving ground. Ramsey can't talk his way into Canton. He must earn it by extending his elite play a few more years ... which is his intention.

State Your Case: Is Ndamukong Suh Destined for Pro Football Hall?

By John Turney 

"Retired Ndamukong Suh was a dirty player. He's also a Hall of Famer." 

That was the headline last weekend to a USA Today story written by NFL columnist Mike Freeman after the former defensive lineman announced his retirement ... and, while it's a provocative opinion, it's one shared by others.

In fact, shortly after Suh's announcement Saturday that he's "stepping away with peace and gratitude" from the NFL,  some media and social media accounts echoed the same thing. But Freeman went beyond simply promoting him for Canton; he dug deeper, noting that a guy who did the dirty work along with the dirty play should be rewarded.

Suh's next journey, he concluded, "should include a trip to Canton."

Ok, so that's his opinion. But is he right? Is the second overall pick in the 2010 draft -- someone who was an All-Pro as a rookie and the Defensive Rookie of the Year -- destined for a Gold Jacket?

Let's see.

When you look at Suh, it started with his stance. It was perfect. Balanced, back flat. It never varied. And that was similar to his play. Textbook, the kind of technique and skill-set coaches loved -- little dancing, take on the blocker. His strength became obvious, and the opponents who said that Suh was dirty also acknowledged that he was a load.

But he was an atypical pass rusher, nothing like Aaron Donald or some others who played the three-technique -- the rushing defensive-tackle position. Suh was mostly the left defensive tackle -- so, depending on the line call, he would play both a "shade" technique (on a center) as well as the three-technique (outside shoulder of the guard).

And that matters. 

Suh's position required him to be a complete player, not someone who could line up on the outside shoulder of a guard, penetrate for a sack or tackle for a loss. He was someone who had to do more -- hold the point, escape blocks and create pressure from the interior. In some sense, he was a throwback to Hall-of-Famers like Mean Joe Greene or Merlin Olsen -- sack creators, pushing the pocket so the edges could swoop in and take a quarterback down.

There is room in the Hall for such players, no?

Plus, there's the fact that he was durable. He never missed a game because of injury. Granted, he missed a couple because of a suspension (there is that "dirty-play" issue again) and in his final season, he played just eight games. But he was signed late by the Eagles, so the games he missed happened when he wasn't on the roster. Suh simply answered the bell for 199 games. 

In his 13-year career, the 6-4, 315-pound former Nebraska All-American made 603 tackles (73 of them were run-or-pass stuffs) and 71-1/2 sacks. That's a total of 144-1/2 plays behind the line of scrimmage. That's not all. He was also credited with 647 total pressures, per the analytics site Pro Football Focus (PFF). In the PFF era (2006 to present), that has Suh ranked seventh among defensive interiors.

But those are the positive stats, and there are plenty more of them. On the flip side, however, during his career (including playoffs) he was flagged 115 times, with 102 accepted, including 17 in 2015 (two declined). If you're asking if that's a lot, the answer is yes. No other defensive lineman is close. 

But it's not as if they were all flagrant. About one-third of those penalties were major, while 61 were offside or neutral zone infractions -- mistakes he committed while giving maximum effort or getting a jump on the ball. That said, his errors did cost his team. He had 33 penalties that resulted in opponents' first downs. 

Again, you ask: Is that a lot? Again, yes, it is. Since 1999, when the NFL stats site NFLGSIS began tracking penalties, no defensive lineman had more penalties that resulted in first downs. However, it was close. Hall-of-Fame defensive end Jason Taylor "gave up" 31 first downs. But if you add the three he committed in the two years before the NFL made the stat official -- in other words, Taylor's first two years in the NFL -- he'd have one more than Suh.

Not only that, but the Patriots' Richard Seymour, another Hall of Famer, committed penalties that awarded opponents 29 first downs. So, while Suh has the most officially, it's not as if he's in a universe all his own. There were at least a couple of decorated defensive linemen who did similar things.

Then again, Suh was what he was. Let's not sugarcoat it. Taylor and Seymour didn't rack up the 15-yarders that Suh did.  But let's also remember that, despite his transgressions, his peers still voted him to the Pro Bowl five times, and the NFL media voted him consensus All-Pro three times. 

Quick question: What Hall-of-Fame defensive tackles were consensus All-Pro three times in their careers? Oh, just Joe Greene. Art Donovan and Dan Hampton. And who was consensus All-Pro fewer than three times? Guys like Ernie Stautner, Cortez Kennedy, Steve McMichael, Joe Klecko, Bryant Young and Curley Culp -- all of whom are in Canton.

After that, add the rest of his end-of-season accolades -- first-team All-NFL in 2011 (The Sporting News) and two additional second-team All-Pro seasons from AP and one All-AFC (PFWA), and you have someone who was "in the money" the first seven seasons of his career. Correction: Eight, if you throw in PFF, which chose its own independent All-Pro teams.

How does that compare? Eight of the 21 Hall-of-Fame defensive interiors have more and 13 fewer. It puts Suh right there in the middle of the "alls" collected among the best-ever defensive tackles. One thing is for sure: If All-Pro teams are your primary factor in determining Hall-worthiness, Suh has the goods.

Now let's talk sacks.

Recently published sack data is interesting because some of the greats we're talking about didn't have a lot of sacks, producing about as many as Suh's career total. They are Joe Greene, Joe Klecko, Buck Buchanan, Curley Culp and Cortez Kennedy. Then there are others in the 80-or-90-sack range. 

The point? A review of the data shows that sacks aren't all that important to tackles, with Hall-of-Famers like Alan Page and John Randle the exceptions, not the rule. And there's a reason. 

"You have got to have someone crack the pocket,"  said Merlin Olsen.

That's what Suh did, no matter where he played.

"His numbers are not always there," former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said, "but his presence is never missed."

Former Dolphins' edge rusher Andre Branch agreed.

"You can't look at stats when it comes to Suh," he said,"because he does all the dirty work ... he eats up the blocks."

But there's more -- his style, for instance. It was pure power pushing through opponents, not going around them. Just listen to what his peers said in episodes of the "NFL 100", the annual show that presents a list of top players in the league:

-- "Ndamukong Suh is going to make your life suck for 60 minutes," said Packers' Pro Bowl defensive lineman Mike Daniels, "and that is why I love watching him play --  he runs right through guys."

-- "Any type of solo block, he's going right through your chest," said Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford

-- "Suh is the dominant defensive tackle in the last decade in the NFL," said All-Pro center Jason Kelce. "You feel a certain jolt every time I have played him -- the way he gets off the ball -- few guys have a better pop than Suh."

Still not convinced? Then consult what used to be called the "Bible of NFL Football." I'm talking about Pro Football Weekly, which wrote that "blocking (Suh) with one man is a non-starter and, in addition to absorbing a double-team on almost every play, it's not unusual to see a back joining a double-team and try and keep Suh from collapsing a pocket ... Natural strength and power and non-stop motor. It's almost impossible to find a play on tape where Suh isn't playing to and through the whistle."

In 15 playoff games Suh had seven sacks -- not unlike what a typical season would be for him. But there were times when he made a huge impact. Case in point: While playing for the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, he didn't have one of his best regular seasons while mostly playing out of position. But he made a difference when it mattered. 

His play down the stretch ... and in the postseason ... was vintage Suh, whipping offensive linemen and hitting quarterbacks. Plain and simple: He was dominant. The Rams reached Super Bowl LIII, where their defense held Tom Brady and the Patriots to 13 points. But they lost, mostly because Sean McVay's offense could only muster three points. 

The next time he was in the playoffs was 2020 when he checked the last remaining box to his career. He and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates held Patrick Mahomes to nine points in a 31-9 demolition of the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Suh was credited with 1-1/2 of the three sacks of Mahomes. 

There will be other talking points if and when Suh makes the Hall's finalist list, including his name on the 2010s' all-decade team. That will help. So will this: When he was an unrestricted free agent in 2015, Miami liked him enough to award him a $114-million contract -- making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. He became the fifth non-quarterback to receive a contract of at least $100 million, while his $60 million of guaranteed money was a non-quarterback record.

Now back to the question: Are those and the rest of the points I've mentioned enough to be immortalized in Canton? Maybe, but Suh won't be first ballot; he didn't have that kind of career. Plus, the voting process is going to make it tough if it remains the same, while the list of finalists the next five-to-10 years will be stellar. Because he last played in 2022, Suh will be eligible for the Hall's Class of 2028 along with a couple of guys you may know.

Tom Brady and J.J. Watt. 

The year after that, Aaron Donald will be eligible. And in. So will Jason Kelce. In 2030, Zach Martin will suck a lot of oxygen out of the room. As I said ... stellar. Ultimately, though, I think he makes it because he played to the level of Hall of Famers at his position. The resume says so.

But will the bullying, stepping on ankles and cheap shots cost him? You bet. And those are not some off-the-field issues, like those that cause so much controversy for other candidates. It was on the field, and we all saw it. However, Suh did enough great things to mitigate the negative aspects. 

In the final analysis, he will be seen as a dominant defensive tackle who was respected and even feared by those who blocked him ... and worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Release 1976 Alternate Uniform and It' Excellent

 by John Turney   

1976 Throwback Uniforms

A couple of days ago the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their 1976 replica uniforms. And they are great.

"(This) jersey represents a piece of Buccaneers history and serves as a tribute to the generations of fans and players who shaped this franchise. It is a reminder that every Buccaneers fan, from the originals to the newest generation, is part of an evolving story that started in 1976 and continues being written today," said chief operating officer Brian Ford.

In 1976, the Bucs played all their regular-season games in these uniforms with the Florida orange numerals. They were hard to see from the press box and on television, so they were changed to red the next season. And they never looked as good as the originals.

1977 Bucs white jersey with red numerals

The so-called "Creamcicle" uniforms have been brought back before, those were introduced in 1976 but were only worn in preseason. But now the throwback set it complete.

The 1976 throwback that was previously released

The Orange numbers outlined in red concept are seen through the uniform stripes. The helmet, the sleeves, the pants and socks. Sometimes using the same striping throughout the uniform does not work. Here it does.

Well done.

Grade -  "A"

Chargers New Alternate Uniforms Drop—Ho Hum

 by John Turney 

On Tuesday the Los Angeles Chargers expanded what we thought was the best uniform set in the NFL. They added an all-yellow kit and added Powder Blue pants.

They are all fine; the colors are good, and the design is top-notch—they followed the template of the 2020 uniforms.

I just ask: Why? 

It's a step back. The powder blue pants do not pop like the yellow ones do now or even the white ones. They are done just to do it, we think. The 'wow' factor is less. It just seems like they are checking a box so they have pants and jerseys of all three colors. 

It's like this: Imagine their uniform set was rated first, let's call it a 10 out of 10. With these, they are now maybe a 9 out of 10. It's still great, but a step backward.

All yellow - called "Charger Power"

The yellow kit is, again, okay. But it is not necessary. Big Bird? No, it's "Charger Power"—the name of the all-yellow. 

All navy -- called Super Chargers

An all-navy alternate was also released, adding a blue helmet. It's the "true throwback" called "Super Chargers"—and if you liked the uniforms of the late 1980s and 1990s and beyond, you'll like these. 

There is not a a lot to criticize, though. 

In 2020, we gave the Chargers new uniforms an "A", these get a B. 

OPPONENT FUMBLE RECOVERIES 1970-2024: "If You Are Not Taking the Ball Away"

By TJ Troup 

The research project is complete! Took about 6 months to research and list every opponent fumble recovery for all 26 teams that were playing in 1970. No doubt all of you know that the total number is 18,027 times a team has lost the ball to their opponent by fumble. 

One of the challenges of this project were the errors made by Elias, The Sporting News, and the league itself, thus the many of the box scores at Pro Football Reference are not accurate. That is why film study and Game books tied together tell the tale of accuracy. When you check teams' media guides, most teams do not even list who holds the team record for recoveries in a season, and career, or have it dead plumb wrong! Shame on them! 

Had earlier researched as many opponent fumble recoveries as possible for 1945 through 1969 with the goal being who achieved the double take-away of an interception and a fumble recovery in the same game. 

The first player that really stood out to me was Baltimore Colt Bert Rechichar, who intercepted 3 Chicago Bear passes, and recovered a fumble in the opening day victory in 1953. Oh yeah, he also managed to kick a field goal in the game. Let's return, though to the era that was just completed. The hours of poring over gamebooks and watching film was a joy simply because of the education I received on players that knew more by name than by performance. Far too many to list; and even more so, the men who were back-ups on either offense or defense but were key members of special teams. Again, too many to name, yet one player really stood out was Preston Riley of the 49ers.

 How many men recovered an opponent's fumble on special teams five times over the course of 21 games? Taking the ball away was important for the 1950 New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, and taking the ball away for the 2000 Baltimore Ravens was significant. 

Oh, you are going to ask why these teams are significant? Well, grab a cup of coffee or a Dr. Pepper and will regale you with the story. Seventeen teams have recovered at least 20 opponent fumbles in a victory during a season. The list is eye-popping because so many of these teams were either champions or went to the playoffs. 

When the Browns met the Giants in the famous frozen field play-off game in 1950 it is the only time historically that two teams that recovered at least 20 opponent fumbles in victory squared off in a play-off game! Although we could spend hours on all seventeen teams, the fateful question remains: who was the last team to do this? 

The Baltimore Ravens of 2000 rank amongst the best/greatest defenses of all-time, and they recovered 23 of 26 in victory. The list of men who achieved the double take-away is a who's who of defenders historically, yet there is also another category that is sure fun to research. What is that you ask? Who recorded a sack and an opponent fumble recovery in the same game? 

Jason Taylor

While anyone can chart this from 1982 to the present, the man who no doubt stands out is going to be Jason Taylor. Finally, there is the "hat trick" achievement of an interception, fumble recovery, and sack in the same game. 

When you read the play-by-play for the closing game in '61 between the Cardinals and Steelers, a young wiry safety for St. Louis achieved the "hat trick". 

The title of this narrative comes from coach Shula of the Rams, and he ends his statement with "you are not a great defense". Believe there was another Shula would understood defense?

Happy 100th Birthday (Early) to Marv Levy !

 by Jeffrey J. Miller  

  Marv Levy turns 100 on August 3.  Tributes will pour in from all corners of the football world when the momentous day comes.  If you are a regular reader of the Pro Football Journal, I will pay you the respect of assuming that you are fully aware of Coach Levy’s history and accomplishments.  To be sure, I could fill this article listing the many things he has done, but since every major sports media outlet will be publishing them, I think to do so here would be an exercise in redundancy.*  Instead, I’d like to relate the story of how, back in 2009, I had the honor of writing a book with the oldest living member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

   I had recently written Rockin’ The Rockpile and was looking for a new project when I began reading The 50 Greatest Plays in New York Giants Football History by my friend John Maxymuk.  I thoroughly enjoyed not only John’s excellent authorship but also the format.  After doing a little research, I found out that the publisher, Triumph Books of Chicago, was doing a series of 50 Greatest books, which also included versions for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears. 

   Duly inspired, I fired off an email to Triumph’s acquisition department informing them of my previous work and my desire to write a Buffalo Bills version of 50 Greatest.  To my surprise, I received a positive response from Adam Motin, Development Editor at Triumph Books, just a few days later in which he expressed their interest in my proposal.  There was one catch, however.  Triumph had some sort of commitment to do a book with Marv Levy.  Would I mind collaborating with the Hall-of-Famer and greatest coach in Buffalo Bills history?

   Pregnant pause.

   Well, I cannot remember my exact response, but I am sure it went something like “No freakin’ way!”  Not really.  It was probably more of a restrained “yeah, sure!” as I tried to mask the excitement of being offered a chance to work with someone of Coach Levy’s stature. Sure, I was confident in my ability, but at this point, I had only written two football books (Buffalo’s Forgotten Champions and Rocking the Rockpile), so this was a huge step.  But one I welcomed gleefully!

   A couple of days later, I came home from work and saw the little red light flashing on my answering machine.  I pushed the button and the first message that sprang forth went something like this … “Hello Jeff, this is Marv Levy.  I understand we are going to be writing a book together.  Please give me a call at (his private number) and we can discuss the particulars.”

   For a solid week I played that message for anyone who happened to drop by the house for a visit.  Come on ... who wouldn't?        

   I returned Marv’s call straight away.  We had a nice chat in which he expressed excitement at writing this book with me.  He informed me that he had a heavy schedule of commitments that will limit his availability and that I will “have to play quarterback” for this project and let him know what particular plays from the team’s history I wanted him to write about, and proofread the chapters he sends to me.  Not a problem!

   The initial idea was, as stated above, to produce a book consistent with Triumph’s 50 Greatest series.  Within a very short time, Marv and I were corresponding daily via email, phone and fax (this was the dark ages of 2009, after all).  We eventually compiled a tentative list of the plays we planned to cover.  We agreed that Marv would write about the plays that occurred during his time as the Bills’ head coach, while I would tackle any of the selected plays that happened before or after his tenure.  Marv even sent me a few hand-drawn sketches of some of the plays we intended to feature in the book.  Thank goodness I saved those faxes!

   Here are a few ...

Fax received from Marv February 6, 2009,

indicating some of the plays he had sent. 

Marv's hand-drawn diagram of the play known 

as the "Kelly Keeper" that defeated the 

Miami Dolphins in the 1989 season opener.

Marv's sketch of the play known infamously to Bills fans as 

"The Drop" in which halfback Ronnie Harmon dropped a 

last-ditch pass in the end zone in the Bills' 34-30 loss

to the Cleveland Browns in the 1989 Divisional Playoff.

   However, after just a few weeks, we were notified that Triumph was shifting gears and was going to be discontinuing the 50 Greatest series in favor of a new series called Game Changers:  The Greatest Plays in (insert team name here) Football History.  The good news was that Marv and I would still be collaborating.  The unhappy news was that it would not be the style of book I had envisioned.  But that was not really a big deal.    

   Though we never met face-to-face during the writing portion of this book, we corresponded several times each week, even several times in a day in some stretches.  Marv would send me his chapters and ask my opinion or that I go through and check for typos, etc.  In some cases, his chapters were very long and I had the responsibility of having to whittle away some content to make it fit into the available space.  My friend Jeff Mason (my former high school history teacher who has proofread nearly everything I have ever written over the years) proofread the finished manuscript for any misspellings, typos, grammatical errors, and so on.      

   Our book was officially published in October 2009.  In all, we included 36 plays or events from Buffalo Bills history.  The hard-bound book was lavishly illustrated and presented as a nice coffee table style book for die-hard Bills fans.

Game Changers, pub. 2009 by Triumph Books

   Triumph did a nice job promoting this book, too, hiring a publicist who set up several signing events in which Marv and I appeared side-by-side in front of large numbers of fans.  Admittedly, 90 percent were there to meet Marv.  Clearly, he was a bit of a sex symbol, as many middle-aged ladies pushed their way behind the signers’ table to have a picture taken with the man.  In some cases, I was pushed aside by women wanting just them and Marv in the shot.  Some would run their fingers through his hair!  It was like being on stage with Tom Jones!  They were unaware (or maybe just unconcerned?) that Marv’s wife Fran was present during some of these events, sitting not more than ten feet off to the side. 

Book signing event at the Buffalo Bills 

Quarterback Club.

   One particular incident sticks out that underscores just what a gentleman and decent human being Marv is.  We were doing a signing event at the local Barnes & Noble Bookseller, starting at 7:00 on a Friday evening.  The store manager was kind enough to let some members of my family in a bit early to get their copies signed, just in case the supply ran out.  I dutifully introduced Marv to my wife and son, nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers, including my brother Joe.  Soon came the throng of Bills fans, lined up down aisles and snaking out into the parking lot!  We signed over 400 books that night.  The signing was scheduled to go until 9:00, but we did not finish until after 9:30 … two and a half hours.  As we were walking out, my brother Joe was standing by the exit and said goodbye and thanks to Marv.  Without missing a beat, Marv turned to him and said, “Same to you Joe.  It was nice meeting you.” 

Book signing event at Barnes & Noble in Amherst, NY.
That's my seven-year-old son Benjamin in front.

   Wow … after more the two and a half hours, hundreds of fans and 400 books signed, Marv remembered my brother’s name!  That, I thought, was very impressive.

   I will always cherish this episode in my writing career.  Working with Marv Levy was quite a thrill!  I was honored when he agreed to write the foreword for my next book (“100 Things Bills Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die”), which affirmed for me that he enjoyed the collaboration as well. 

   HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Coach Levy! 

Making the Case for Butch Byrd

by Jeffrey J. Miller 

Butch Byrd

The Buffalo Bills won back-to-back championships in 1964 and ’65, and made it to a third championship game in 1966. The universally recognized strength of that outstanding AFL-era team was its defense, which at one point went 17 straight games (16 regular season and one post-season) without giving up a rushing touchdown—a record that stands to this very day.  Yet for how great that team and its defense was, only one player from that period has been deemed worthy of enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  That player was guard Billy Shaw, who, though arguably one of the greatest guards of all time, played his entire career on the OFFENSIVE side of the ball.

It says here that there are several players from that team deserving consideration by the Hall of Fame selectors.  Linebacker Mike Stratton, for instance, played in six AFL All-Star games, was selected First-Team All-AFL three times, won two AFL championships, and delivered the most famous tackle in AFL history when he dusted San Diego’s Keith Lincoln for “The Hit Heard ‘Round The World in the 1964 Title Game.  Defensive end Ron McDole is the NFL’s all-time leader in interceptions among defensive linemen with 12, and ranks third all-time in blocked kicks with 21.  And don't get me started on Big Ses ...

This article, however, will focus on the career and credentials of defensive back George “Butch” Byrd, who was a cornerstone of the Bills' defense for seven seasons from 1964 through 1970. 

The Bills selected Byrd out of Boston University in the fourth round of the 1964 college draft.  A two-way star at BU, Byrd led the Terriers in rushing in both his junior and senior years and was an All-East selection in 1963.  The Dallas Cowboys of the NFL selected him in the seventh round, but Butch signed with Buffalo because the Cowboys had already chosen Mel Renfro in the first round, and he realized his chances at a starting job were better with the Bills.

            It turned out to be a good move for both Byrd and the Bills, as the six-foot, 211-pounder made an immediate impact, winning the starting right corner position in his first training camp and holding it down for the next seven seasons as the final piece of the Bills' championship puzzle.  He recorded his first interception in just his third game as a pro, picking off Tobin Rote of the Chargers and racing 75 yards for a score.  In all, Byrd intercepted seven passes during his rookie season, setting a Bills record and earning an invitation to the AFL All-Star Game, the first of five in his career.  Along the way he gained a reputation as not only one of the best, but also one of the most aggressive defensive backs in the league.  He was also very durable, missing only one start during his time in Buffalo.  He'd go on to rack up a team-record 40 career interceptions (five of which he returned for scores, also a club record) and appear in three AFL title games with the Bills (1964, ’65 and ’66).  

Byrd returning an interception during the 1965 AFL Title Game, 

December 26, 1965.

    In fact, he seemed to come up biggest in the big games, recording an interception in both the 1964 and 1965 championships.  His 74-yard punt return in the 1965 Title Game set an AFL post-season mark that stood until the AFL-NFL merger.

Byrd returns an interception of Joe Namath 53 yards for a score,

 versus New York Jets, September 29, 1968. 

Byrd was also a pioneer in race relations among AFL players.  “My roommate was Mike Stratton,” he recalled.  “Mike and I were the first mixed couple. That honor usually goes to Gale Sayers and Bryan Piccolo, but I believe we were ahead of them.  I think Mike and I were the first white and black ballplayers to room together, and that was controversial.  There were some ballplayers on our team that didn’t like it.  Ballplayers came from all parts of the country, and they brought with them their own baggage.  I really can’t tell you why or how it happened—he thought it was a good idea or I thought it was a good idea—I can’t even remember who raised the subject.  Maybe we just found ourselves in the same room by accident, and decided to keep it that way.”  The two remained close friends until Stratton’s passing in March 2020.  

The Bills traded Byrd to the Denver Broncos prior to the 1971 season, but he played just one season for the Broncos before calling it a career. 

            Byrd is one of the most decorated members of the AFL-era Bills, beginning with being named to the All-Time AFL Team (second squad) by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee in 1970.  He received the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Distinguished Service Award for “service to the Bills’ organization and the Western New York community during his career” in 1994.  He was honored with induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.  He and his cornermate from the Bills glory days—Booker Edgerson—were corecipients of the team’s the Kent Hull Hard Working Man Award in 2010.

        He was enshrined in Boston University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980. 

 Career Highlights:

2-time AFL Champion

5 AFL All Star Games

3-time First Team All-AFL

1-time Second Team All-AFL

40 career regular season interceptions (remains a Buffalo record)

5 interceptions returned for touchdowns (a Buffalo record)

4 fumble recoveries

2 career post-season interceptions

2 punts returned for touchdowns (1 regular season, 1 post-season)

Laramie Tunsil and the League's Most Penalized in 2024

Flagged Down: Analyzing 2024 NFL Penalty Trends

by Nick Webster

The 2024 NFL season has seen its share of yellow flags, and a closer look at the data reveals some intriguing insights, particularly concerning the league's most penalized players. While overall penalty trends vary as the league adds new “points of emphasis”, the individual players consistently drawing laundry from officials have consistently fallen into two key position groups: offensive linemen and defensive backs.

The top of the penalties committed list is overwhelmingly dominated by offensive tackles. Laremy Tunsil of the Houston Texans leads the league with 19 penalties, closely followed by Tyler Guyton (Dallas Cowboys) with 18, and Jawaan Taylor (Kansas City Chiefs) with 17. This prevalence indicates that infractions like holding, false starts, and illegal use of hands remain persistent challenges for players tasked with protecting the quarterback and creating running lanes.

A deeper dive into the numbers for offensive linemen shows another issue: these players are frequently involved in plays that either stall a drive or result in negated yardage. While the "Null Yds" (nullified yards due to penalty) column highlights the often-costly nature of these fouls, the "Stalled Dr" (stalled drive) metric underscores their direct impact on offensive momentum. 

For example, Laremy Tunsil's 19 penalties resulted in 120 nullified yards and stalled 11 drives, indicating the significant negative ripple effect of his flags.  Maybe those who say Tunsil was moved to Washington only due to ‘personality issues’ are wrong, or perhaps it’s even those same personality issue and attention to detail that drive this level of penalties for Tunsil whose 19 flags were made up of 12 false starts and 3 illegal formations.  When Bill Belichick himself speak of controlling the controllable its precisely things like dead ball penalties he’s addressing.

 

Beyond the trenches, defensive backs also feature prominently among the most penalized. Players like Joey Porter Jr. (Pittsburgh Steelers), Patrick Surtain II (Denver Broncos), Terrion Arnold (Detroit Lions), D.J. Reed (New York Jets), Marlon Humphrey (Baltimore Ravens), and Nate Wiggins (Baltimore Ravens) all land in the top 20. For defensive backs, penalties like defensive holding, illegal contact, and pass interference are typically the culprits. The data indicates that these penalties often result in first downs for the opposing team ("1D"), directly extending drives and giving offenses new life. Terrion Arnold, for instance, has amassed 167 penalty yards, contributing to 10 first downs in what was a challenging Rookie season for the Lion Cornerback.

Porter Jr. is renowned for being ‘handsy’, a reputation he’s had since his undergrad days as a Nittany Lion. But the season really got away from him in Week 13 at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium when Joey was flagged 6-times, a single-game high in the league in 2024.  And while 2 were declined, the penalties almost single handedly kept the Bengals in the game. 

Surtain II was also quite highly flagged in 2024, but this didn’t keep him from taking home the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award. But it is one of the reasons we were slightly less high on Surtain than the media – his All-Pro running mate Derek Stingley Jr. was flagged just twice last season, for example.

The high number of penalties for these two position groups isn't entirely surprising. Offensive linemen are constantly engaged in physical battles at the line of scrimmage, where minor infractions can quickly draw a flag. Similarly, defensive backs operate in a tight, high-stakes environment where any slight misstep in coverage can lead to illegal contact or pass interference calls, especially in an era that generally favors offensive production.