Josh Allen Chases Jack Kemp

 By Jeffrey J. Miller

The watch is on!  Buffalo's third-year quarterback Josh Allen is closing in on club record that has stood since 1967.  When Allen scored a touchdown on the ground in the Bills' Week 4 victory over the Raiders, it marked the 20th score via that route for the Wyoming alumnus.  He's on a remarkable pace, as this marker came in just his 33rd NFL game.  The career record for most rushing touchdowns by a Buffalo quarterback is 25, held by the late Jack Kemp.  What makes Allen's achievement more impressive is the fact that Kemp did not reach career TD #20 until his 49th game with the Bills (Week 3, 1966 versus Miami). 

It appears that, barring injury or some sudden dip in performance, Allen should pass Kemp on the Bills' all-time list before this season is over.  No doubt everyone in Bills Country will be keeping a close eye on this chase!    

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Critter's Creek"

By TJ Troup

This past Sunday was chock full of interesting and competitive games; which of course is the life's blood of the NFL. 

Thirty-nine years ago on October 11th, 1981 the Chiefs played the Raiders as they did this past Sunday. The Al Davis era began in 1963 and soon the Chiefs vs. the Raiders was probably the all-time best rivalry in the AFL. 

The bitterness and hard-fought games continued and as we enter the October contest the Chiefs are 3-2 and at home to take on the defending Super Bowl Champions. Marv Levy has built the Kansas City offense around a rookie running back in Joe Delaney, and though he has played well so far----today was one of those days that a running back dreams of. 

Delaney gained over 100 rushing, and over 100 receiving in the Chiefs victory. Kansas City recorded 20 first downs, and Delaney carried the ball 28 times, and just kept moving the chains. Joe did not break loose for any long runs(12 yards was his long for the day), but he just kept pounding away. Delaney gained 104 receiving, and his 61-yard reception was key. The Chiefs would continue to played strong football, as they were in the running for a playoff berth with a record of 8-4 till a late-season swoon. Delaney gained 1,121 yards for Kansas City and the Chiefs were optimistic entering '82. Though Joe had his moments in '82 the Chiefs lost four in a row in a 3-6 season. 

During the summer of '83 no doubt Joe Delaney looked forward to an improved performance for himself and his teammates. The call for help at Critter's Creek has been well documented, and this man of courage attempted to save the lives of three boys who looked like they were going to drown. We will never know what kind of career Delaney would have had, and his death was tragic. 

In October of '84 Sir Walter surpasses Jim Brown for most yards gained rushing in a career, and in the press conference, he referenced Delaney. Will close this short saga with a prayer for all of you; please stay safe, and healthy if at all possible with this pandemic. Next week will have two dandy journeys back in time for two of the all-time rivalries in the history of the NFL. 

Big Day for Aaron Donald and Rams Defense

 By John Turney

Aaron Donald, four sacks today

The Rams defense set a few small records, but overall it was one of the better performances in Rams franchise history today in a 30-10 win versus Washington. 

Aaron Donald had four sacks, talking him to 79.5 for his career, surpassing Joe Greene on PFJ's sack list, and tying his own team record (shared with Sean Gilbert) for most sacks by a defensive tackle in a single game. 

Inside linebacker Troy Reeder fell into three sacks of his own, setting the Rams record for most sacks by an inside/middle linebacker in a single game in team history, and that goes back to the late-1950s at least.

Previously inside 'backers Cory Littleton, Will Witherspoon, and London Fletcher each had a game with two sacks (the latter two had two each). In fact, Reader puts himself in very rare company of inside linebackers with three sacks in a game. 

Exactly how many (since 1982) is debatable since some of the players on the 3-plus sack list were inside linebackers in base defenses and edge rushers (either with hand down or standing up)  in nickel (such as Chad Brown, Charlie Clemons, Mathias Kiwanuka, and others). Still, Reeder is etched in the record books with the likes of Jack Lambert and Mike Singletary and other inside linebackers who each had three sacks once each. So there is that. 

The eight sacks the Rams amassed today are tied for 12th for the most sacks in a game (since 1963) in franchise history. 

The Rams allowed 38 yards rushing, which is tied for 36th all-time in Rams history (since 1940)—
The Rams also allowed just 70 yards passing, which is tied for 40th all-time.

Chart: PFJ

Chart: PFJ
Note: Stats prior to 1940 are spotty

Of course, tying for 36th and 40th in rushing and passing does not sound all that impressive but when a defense does it on the same day, it IS impressive. The total for 108 yards tied them for 12th all-time in fewest yards allowed and that included a minus six yards in the second half. Yes, Washington gained 114 yards in the first half and ended the game with 108. 

They had five drives that ended in negative yards for Washington and a total of eight three-and-outs. Eight. 

So, after five weeks the Rams are 5-0 and are getting to the passer often (only five times have Rams teams done better through five weeks) and their 81.3 defensive passer rating is excellent given this era.

Run stopping is not terrific, but it can be said that Brandon Staley's defense is becoming very effective.  

Edited 11:58 PM, 10/11: In reviewing Donald's fourth sack, the ball slipped out of Smith's hand and Donald didn't touch it or Smith, but he did force the right guard into Smith. We would not be surprised if this goes down as a team sack rather than a Donald sack when the league reviews the tape.

We will keep you posted. 

Doak Walker for the Hall of Fame!

 By Jeffrey J. Miller

Re-making the case for Doak Walker 

Walker versus the LA Rams

The recent passing of Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers inspired an outpouring of remembrances and accolades, with the Kansas Comets’ story and greatest moments flashing on nearly every NFL league and fansite on the internet.  Sayers was rightfully hailed as one of the best running backs to ever play the game.  The statistics clearly bear this fact out, but a review of his countless highlights, many of which can be described as breathtaking, leaves the viewer with no doubt that Sayers’ name belongs in the pantheon of runners that includes Brown, Sanders, Payton, and the other all-time greats. 

Not surprisingly, Number 40’s passing reignited the debate over whether Sayers, whose career spanned a mere seven seasons (of which maybe five could be considered complete) and only 68 games truly belongs in the Canton’s hallowed halls.  The doubts are not likely to emanate from serious historians of the game but usually come to light when some neophyte tries to make a point about Sayers’ short career without putting the man’s complete body of work into context or having seen him live or on film.  I am fortunate enough to say I have seen him both live and on film and will attest to his greatness.

Of course, the Sayers debate inevitably moves the next target squarely to the back of one of my personal favorites, Detroit Lions halfback Doak Walker, who made the hall of Fame in 1987 despite playing one game less than Sayers.  It is hard to defend Walker’s enshrinement when one looks simply at his short career (67 games, six seasons) with no 1,000-yard seasons, and never leading the league in rushing.  Yet, every time this debate resumes, I find myself going back to Lions’ game films and old episodes of Time For Football and my opinion that Walker belongs becomes more firmly reinforced. 

So I thought I’d take this opportunity to restate Walker’s case for the Hall of Fame, using some obvious arguments as well as shining some light on accomplishments of which his doubters (which include the legendary Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman, a football writer for whom I have unbounded respect) have either overlooked or simply ignored.

Doak Walker's 1951 Card
(Bowman)

OK, the obvious…Walker came to the Lions in 1950 after three All-America seasons at Southern Methodist University, including a Heisman Trophy season in 1948.  The Dallas, Texas native was the Lions’ main left halfback from 1950 through 1955.  During those six seasons, the Lions appeared in three NFL championship games, winning two.  Walker was voted to five pro bowls and earned four All-Pro selections.  He was named NFL Rookie-of-the-Year in 1950 after finishing fourth in all-purpose yards (1,262) and leading the league in scoring with 128 points (in a 12-game season!).  Walker doubled as the team’s kicker and led the NFL in extra-points-made twice and overall scoring twice.  Walker was also returned punts and kickoffs and played defense when needed.  At the time of his retirement after the 1955 season, Walker ranked third in NFL history with 534 regular-season points.  Only Green Bay’s Don Hutson (825) and Los Angeles’ Bob Waterfield (573) had more points than Walker.

Doak Walker's 1955 Card

(Bowman)

Now let’s look a little deeper into the Doaker’s numbers.  Yes, he did not play many games in his career, but he certainly made the most of his time.  In a close examination of his stats, there are some astounding things that pop out.  There have been many fine pass-catching running backs over the years, but for this man’s money, Walker was the best at it.  It could be argued that Walker pioneered the use of the running back as passing weapon.  Since 1950, Walker’s rookie season, no one has posted a better career yards-per-catch average than Doak (16.7).   In fact, only one player, Clem Daniels, comes close (16.3).  After Daniels, the next man, Ray Mathews, comes in nearly one full yard off Walker’s pace.  The top 40 is listed below (This list is not purported to be inclusive but rather illustrative) …    

 Career Average-Yards-Per-Catch by Running Backs

Doak Walker —16.7

Clem Daniels—16.3

Ray Mathews— 15.8

Ollie Matson—14.8

Timmy Brown —14.5

Frank Gifford—13.8

Keith Lincoln—13.6

Larry Garron—13.5

Tom Tracy—13.0

Hugh McElhenny —12.3

Abner Haynes—12.3

Preston Pearson —12.2

Wray Carlton—12.1

Leroy Kelly—12.0

Elijah Pitts—12.0

Gale Sayers —11.7

Tom Matte—11.5

Paul Hornung—11.4

Floyd Little—11.2

Calvin Hill —10.6

OJ Simpson—10.6

Larry Brown —10.4

Terry Metcalf —10.0

Joe Cribbs — 9.8

Jim Brown—9.5

Thurman Thomas—9.4

Dickie Post—9.4

Walter Payton—9.2

Ricky Waters—9.1

Neil Anderson—9.1

Lawrence McCutcheon —  9.1

Chuck Foreman—9.0

Marshall Faulk —9.0

Tony Dorsett—8.9

Roger Craig— 8.7

Christian McCaffrey —8.4

Barry Sanders —8.3

Frank Gore —8.3

Larry Centers —8.2

Adrian Peterson —8.2

Joe Perry—7.8

When charting the best Yards-Per-Catch seasons by running backs since 1950, Walker, though not coming in first, dominates the list with two of the top five best seasons and placing five in the top 30 (more than any other back)!   The top 50 are listed below …    

 Best Average-Yards-Per-Catch Seasons by Running Backs (Minimum 20 Catches)

Ray Renfro—23.9

Clem Daniels—22.8

Ollie Matson—22.6

Doak Walker— 19.5

Doak Walker—19.1

Kyle Rote—19.0

Dub Jones—19.0

Keith Lincoln—18.9

Paul Hornung—18.7

Frank Gifford—18.3

Ray Mathews—18.1

Ollie Matson—18.0

Elijah Pitts—17.7

Doak Walker— 17.6

Gale Sayers—17.5

Larry Garron—16.9

Doak Walker—16.7

Tom Tracy—16.7

Clem Daniels—16.6

Ray Mathews—16.5

Wray Carlton—16.4

Abner Haynes—16.4

Timmy Brown— 16.3

Clem Daniels—16.3

Billy Sims— 16.1

Larry Garron—16.1

Hugh McElhenny—15.8

Clem Daniels—15.8

Dub Jones—15.5

Charley Taylor—15.4

Doak Walker— 15.3

OJ Simpson—15.2

Joe Cribbs—15.1

Ray Mathews—14.9

Larry Brown—14.8

Tony Dorsett—14.2

Calvin Hill—14.2

Leroy Kelly—14.1

Bobby Mitchell—13.6

Barry Sanders—13.3

Tom Matte—13.3

Floyd Little—13.1

Terry Metcalf— 12.4

Marshall Faulk—12.0

Thurman Thomas—11.6

Walter Payton —11.5

Neal Anderson—11.5

Jim Brown—1.2

Chuck Foreman—11.1

Another astonishing statistic shows that Walker was the most efficient pure running back out of the backfield in league history, scoring a touchdown once every seven times he caught a pass (7.2, to be exact).  The next closest man is Clem Daniels at 8.5, nearly a catch and a half off Walker’s pace.           

Average-Catches-Per-Touchdown by Running Backs (20 or more receiving TDs)

Doak Walker                     7.2          (152 Rec/21 TDs)

Clem Daniels                      8.5          (203 Rec/24 TDs)

Dub Jones                           8.6          (171 Rec/20 TDs)

Timmy Brown                    9.0          (235 Rec/26 TDs)

Ollie Matson                      9.7          (222 Rec/23 TDs)

Frank Gifford                     9.9          (257 Rec/26 TDs)

Calvin Hill                         11.8        (271 Rec/23 TDs)

Larry Brown                      11.9        (238 Rec/20 TDs)

Jim Brown                          13.1        (262 Rec/20 TDs)

Abner Haynes                    14.4        (287 Rec/20 TDs)

Neal Anderson                  15.1        (302 Rec/20 TDs)

Chuck Foreman                 15.2        (350 Rec/23 TDs)

Thurman Thomas              20.5        (472 Rec/23 TDs)

Marshall Faulk                   21.3        (767 Rec/36 TDs)

Larry Centers                     29.5        (827 Rec/28 TDs)

So, there it is.  Short of showing a bunch of scratchy old films from the venerated vaults of Mount Laurel, I believe the case for Doak Walker’s enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is undeniable, regardless of the length of his career.

Doak Walker appeared on the cover of
Sports Illustrated, October 3, 1955

PS – After this little exercise, I think it might be time for the HOF voters to re-examine the case for Clem Daniels!

Thanks to my good friends Coach TJ Troup and John Turney for passing along some very useful stats and insight as I prepared this piece! 

Johnny Hekker Still in a Slump?

 By John Turney

Last April, before the 2019 season we though Johnny Hekker had played long enough and his peak was sufficient to name him the GOAT (greatest of all time at his position).

However, he had a poor (for him) 2019 season and is not off to a great season through the first quarter of this year, though that could change. 

Hekker is still the all-time leader in net average (by two yards over the next highest) and the in-side the twenty to touchback ratio and other key metrics so his status as the GOAT still remains, but the question is for how long?

For the last 20 games his not been the best punter of the game as he had been from roughly 2013-2018. here are a couple of charts comparing him to Ray Guy at similar points in their careers.

From 2013 through 2018 Hekker was no lower than fourth in net punting but in 2019 he fell to seventh and so far, in 2020 he's 17th. And in 2019 he missed being First- or Second-team All-Pro for the first time since his rookie season.

NFLGSIS has a metric called Net Yards Over Average (NYOA), the parameters are listed in the chart below. From 2013 through 2018 Hekker was either first or second except for 2014 when he was fourth. As can be seen 2019 and so far in 2020 he's dropped to 11th in 2019 and so far in 2020 he's 16th. 

There are (hopefully) twelve games left in the 2020 season and there is time for Hekker to gain a lot of ground. But when you compare Hekker to the average punter he's still more than adequate, especially when you consider intangibles like his ability to execute fakes, but when you compare his last 20 games to the lofty standards he set, there is a gap. Time will show if it's temporary or not. 

Green Bay Adjusts its Targets in Dispatching Atlanta

 By Eric Goska

Lambeau Field roughly three hours
before the Packers and Falcons kicked off.

No Davante Adams. No Allen Lazard.

No problem.

The Green Bay Packers downed the Atlanta Falcons 30-16 Monday night. Lacking its No. 1 and No. 2 wide receivers, the team leaned heavily on its running backs and a tight end when taking to the air.

Injuries to Adams (hamstring) and Lazard (core) forced Green Bay to employ a cast of relative unknowns at receiver.  Youngsters Darrius Shepherd, Malik Taylor and Reggie Begelton manned the position at one time or another as the Packers improved to 4-0.

Shepherd played six games for Green Bay last year and caught one pass. Taylor spent all of last season on the team’s practice squad. Begelton, a CFL All-Star for Calgary, was added to the active roster in a move announced just hours before the game.

Once on the field, few passes came their way. Shepherd was targeted three times (two catches) and Taylor just once (one catch) against the Falcons.

Tending away from the inexperienced, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers directed most of his throws to a different trio. RB Jamaal Williams (8 catches), TE Robert Tonyan (6) and RB Aaron Jones (5) led the team in receiving.

Toss in one catch by RB Tyler Ervin, and a running back or a tight end came away with 20 of Rodgers’ 27 completions.

That’s quite a haul. And quite rare.

Running backs, of course, predate professional football. Tight ends arrived a bit later.

And who was the first tight end in Packers history?

“I would say the tight end position was introduced by Vince Lombardi in 1959,” Packers historian Cliff Christl wrote in an email. “Gary Knafelc was the first. No question about it. He won the job in camp and held it for two years. Ron Kramer took over in 1961.”

Green Bay has had its share of great running backs and tight ends. Even so, the two positions have combined to snag 20 or more catches in a regular-season game just six times.

A lonely sign parked along Stadium Drive.

Seventeen of the receptions by Williams, Jones, Ervin and Tonyan were part of scoring drives. Two by Williams fueled an advance that ended when Williams failed to score from the 1-yard line on fourth down late in the first quarter. One – a 20-yarder by Tonyan – helped burn clock in the closing minutes.

Tonyan scored on receptions of 19, 8 and 21 yards. Jones crossed over from six yards out.

Rodgers targeted his backs and tight end 21 times. His only misfire occurred in the second quarter when he slid left to avoid pressure by DT Grady Jarrett and threw behind Ervin.

Together, Tonyan (98 yards), Williams (95), Jones (40) and Ervin (8) were responsible for 241 of Rodgers’ 327 passing yards. Unofficially – and from watching a replay at NFL Game Pass – more than half of that (126) came after the catch: Williams (67), Tonyan (31), Jones (20) and Ervin (8).

Those four players were key in Rodgers compiling a sparkling 147.5 passer rating.

Lynn Dickey was the first to connect with his tight ends and running backs at least 20 times in a game. He hooked up on 26 occasions with the quintet of RB Eddie Lee Ivery (11), TE Paul Coffman (9), RB Terdell Middleton (3), RB Steve Atkins (2) and RB Gerry Ellis (1) in a 14-14 tie with the Buccaneers in 1980.

Brett Favre had been the last. The gunslinger from Mississippi delivered 21 times to the likes of FB William Henderson (8), TE Mark Chmura (6), RB Darick Holmes (3), RB Dorsey Levens (3) and TE Tyrone Davis (1) in a 24-22 loss in Tampa Bay in 1998.

Nearly 22 years later, Green Bay again tilted heavily toward its tight end and running backs. Though the club was successful, here’s hoping Adams can return after the bye week and provide a greater accounting from the wide receiver position.

Top 20

Regular-season games in which Packers TEs and RBs combined for 20 or more receptions.

    Rec.        Tar.                   Date                  Opponent         Result

      26           29                   10-12-1980             Buccaneers         T, 14-14

      21           24                   11-30-1980             Buccaneers         L, 17-20

      21           30                   09-11-1994             Dolphins              L, 14-24

      21           25                   09-25-1994             Buccaneers         W, 30-3

      21           26                   12-07-1998             Buccaneers         L, 22-24

      20           21                   10-05-2020            Falcons               W, 30-16

Note: Prior to 1959, there were no games in which Packers running backs alone accounted for 20 or more pass receptions.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "The Art of the Takeaway"

By TJ Troup 

Have been reading, and or subscribing to Sports Illustrated for about 60 years, and there have been many articles that have been a joy to read. Eventually, the "bar was set high" when Paul Lionel Zimmerman began writing in 1979. 

Though there are many fine writers, for me he was the best-ever pro football writer. Later this month he would have turned 88. Yesterday received my latest issue from SI, and Ms. Jenny Vrentras has an article that is a MUST read. 

The Art of the Takeaway details T.J. Watt of the Steelers, and even has a graph titled takeaways gone away. Offensive coaches want to score, and of course, this means advancing the ball downfield. Still maintain football is a territorial game. Simplistic yet accurate, you can't score on offense if you keep "giving" the ball away to the other team, and as such in the evolution of the offensive philosophy....don't turn the ball over. We win, and I keep my job. 

For the folks out there that have played this game on defense and ever forced a fumble or intercepted a pass there is a special feeling when you return to the sideline. Offensive coaches and their minions(players) don't like seeing opposing defensive players have that special feeling. 

So, ms. Jenny—a job very well done, and hope all of you check it out. One of the ways to take the ball away is the strip-sack, or forced fumble on a pass rush, and that takes me to my historical game of the week. 

The Chicago Cardinals left for St. Louis in 1960, and played solid football for two years, then struggled in '62 under new coach Wally Lemm. Entering 1963 he really believed he would make a difference in the eastern conference race and had victories over the contending Steelers, Browns, and Giants over a seven-week period. October 4th, 1964 the 2-0-1 Cardinals continue their long road trip (five consecutive to start the season) by going to Washington to play the Redskins. 

The box score at Pro Football Reference lists the Cardinal defense with 9 sacks for 71 yards in 23-17 win. Starting at left defensive end was Tom Redmond (Pro Football Reference did not list Tom with any starts, shame on you PFR for not doing your homework). Redmond on an outside pass rush gets his left hand up and tips the pass. 

Left corner Pat Fischer nabs the wobbly throw and high tails it to the end zone. During the game Redmond records two sacks, and since Chuck Drulis believed wholeheartedly in the "blitz" here come the Cardinal linebackers. Meinert,  and Koman both record sacks, and getting significant playing time today is back-up outside linebacker Marion Rushing who gets 3 sacks. Fourth-quarter, and George Izo is in at quarterback for the 'Skins, and in attempting to pass from his own end zone is tackled for a safety. 

The Cardinal highlight film states it is defensive end Don Brumm, but in reality, and recorded accurately by the league it is Marion Rushing. He is not credited with a sack however? Wonder if Ms. Jenny Vrentras would like to see the film? St. Louis would go on to have their best year since 1948 with a 9-3-2 record, and a defense that recorded 39 takeaways, and 39 sacks. 

Each week another all-time great leaves us, and recently that all-time great was pitcher Bob Gibson of the Cardinals. No, am not going to detail each game he pitched, yet here are a few aspects about his career. His athleticism was very special, and his competitive nature coupled with his work ethic there was no doubt he was going to be great. 

Gibson overcame early wildness (led the league in walks in 1961), and as he developed a repertoire of pitches he became one of the best in the National League. Researched how he did against the master—Mr. Sandy Koufax, and they faced off just five times during the early to mid '60's. Believe that Koufax is the best ever, and in those five games Sandy allowed four earned runs in 39 innings (0.92 ERA). Gibby allowed sixteen earned runs in 40 innings (3.6 ERA). Bob had a losing record against the Dodgers in his career, but simply dominated a number of the other teams in the National League.

Only saw him pitch in person once ('67 all-star game), and he was very sharp that afternoon. The game I remember best though was opening day in '71, and my favorite pitcher of all-time Ferguson Jenkins and Gibson head to head. The ten inning game took 1 hour and 58 minutes. 

Those men did not waste time, thus they toed the rubber, fired, and got men out. Bottom of the tenth and Billy Williams lined a rocket to right-center to win the game 2-1. Williams was one of the few who actually hit Bob well. Billy hit the most homers with 10, had 31 RBIs and the most walks allowed by Gibson with 24. Bob had much more success against right-handed hitters, including Mays & Aaron (you might have heard of them?). Tim McCarver was an adequate baseball announcer, but boy oh boy when he told a Gibson story he sure had my attention, and many of those stories explained what Hall of Famer Bob Gibson was all about.