Pro Bowl Snubs—1965-1980

LOOKING BACK
By John Turney

Credit: Bart Forbes

We agree that Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady got to the Pro Bowl more on reputation than on 2018 performance, though both have been fine, it's just that there are others who have had better seasons to this point.

But, it's not a new phenomenon. For various reasons there are Pro Bowl-worthy players who are not on the inital rosters. Sometimes a position is stacked so they miss out, other times someone may go on reputation and a better player is "snubbed".

Here are some examples:

In 1965 Jim Taylor was passed over by the coaches for Ken Willard and Bill Brown. But when you review the 1965 season, especially when the votes were tallied, Taylor was not one of the two top fullbacks in the Western Conference that season, if you go by the numbers. Of course, if you asked people then to say who they would want for their fullback in a big game, assuming all three were healthy, Jim Taylor would be the choice.

In 1969 Herb Adderley felt slighted—

That same season Alex Karras was the one who was ticked off—

Karras didn't offer any proof of how Rozelle nixed it, but it is true the process for Pro Bowl voting is anything but transparent (still true today) and we've seen some oddities over the years, many attributable to the fact the Pro Bowl is a real game, not just an on-paper All-Star team and the league has to field a team and may have to make moves to ensure that.

In 1970 the 49ers offensive line allowed just eight sacks of their quarterback, yet none were voted to the Pro Bowl. Eventually, tackle Len Rohde played in the game as an injury replacement, meaning he was likely the first alternate—

In 1971 it was Garo Yepremian who was the wounded one—

Bob Hayes also was upset in 1971—

In 1972 Jerry Sherk and Walter Johnson were "snubbed"—

In 1973 Roger Staubach lost out to Roman Gabriel and John Hadl. It was a year when there were four Pro Bowl-worthy quarterbacks (those three plus Fran Tarkenton)—

Also in 1973 the Rams coaches and players thought Charlie Cowan and Jack Youngblood were overlooked. Cowan was stellar all season and Youngblood had 16½ sacks and almost as many tackles on running backs for losses that season. Both Cowan and Youngblood were Second-team All-Pros that year, so they did get some recognition—

After the 1975 season, Lee Roy Jordan thought several Cowboys were snubbed—

Dwight White had a great season in 1975, and he was slighted that year as well, but he was Second-team All-Pro, so some justice was done—

In 1977 the Bucs voiced their complaints about the snub of  Lee Roy Selmon. But so many others mentioned, Selmon did make the Sporting News All-NFC team, so his work was recognized by a major organization—

Some in the New York media griped on behalf of John Mendenhall—

Colt defensive end Fred Cook was reported to have felt slighted in 1979—

That same year, another defensive end, Vern Den Herder, felt the same as Cook and both had a case. Elvin Bethea, a Hall of Famer, didn't have a good 1979 season, ending it with 1½ sacks—

The Bears thought their 10-6 team had several players, especially offensive linemen that got snubbed—

Eagle defensive end Carl Hairston, a fine run defender and had 15½ sacks, was one of the 1979 snubs as well—

Seahawks kicker Efren Herrera has plenty so say after his snub in 1979—

Colt guard Robert Pratt, who did get some recognition in 1980 was snubbed in the Pro Bowl voting, which he predicted—

So, as you can see, the snub has been around for a while, and while these cases may not be the only ones from that era, they give a flavor of the goings on in Pro Bowl voting over the years. So, this year's Pro Bowl snubs are in good company.

A LOOK BACK: 1979 AFC Pro Bowl selections: DE

1979 NOT A PRO BOWL-TYPE SEASON FOR ELVIN BETHEA
by John Turney


Often at Pro Football Journal we like to review the post-season honors players received and with perfect 20/20 hindsight make suggestions as to possible oversights and omissions.

One example is the 1979 Pro Bowl selections for defensive end in the AFC. The players voted to the game were Fred Dean, LC Greenwood, and Elvin Bethea. Dean and Bethea are Hall of Famers and Greenwood is a many-time finalist. Sacks did not become official until 1982 but in 1979 they were kept by game statisticians and most teams tallied them in their weekly press releases, along with tackles, forced fumbles, and other individual defensive statistics.

In the NFC the choices were fairly easy. Lee Roy Selmon was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Jack Youngblood and Bubba Baker were two of the top sackers in the NFL. Selmon was injured in the 1979 NFC Championship game and was replaced by Harvey Martin. Carl Hairston of the Eagles had 15 sacks and was thought to be a top alternate.

However, the AFC players didn't have the gaudy statistics of their NFL counterparts. Dean had nine sacks and Greenwood had seven. Bethea had one. Yes, one. Research has yielded some interesting details about that season and can perhaps offer a couple of choices that may have been better than Bethea and even Greenwood. Clearly, sacks are not the only measure of a defensive end, playing the run and being aware of run action passes like screens and on occasion taking the second back out of the backfield in coverage. But, from the Deacon Jones era to the present, sacks are a representation of the major job a defensive end has. To paraphrase Hall of Fame coach George Allen, "If a defensive lineman cannot rush the passer, he's stealing".

Starting in the late-1960s the designated pass rusher was starting to show up in NFL games, a player who played primarily on likely passing situations. However, none had ever received post-season honors such and being named All-Pro or voted to the Pro Bowl until 1981, when Fred Dean was so honored with both and more. Bethea was a worthy Hall of Famer, but 1979 was not one of his better seasons.

Rookie designated pass rusher Jesse Baker got the lion's share of sacks and led the AFC with 15½, about the number of Dean and Greenwood combined. However, being a rookie and not being an every-down player (he did spell Bethea some at right defensive end in the base defense) he was not voted for any post-season honors other than being voted to various All-Rookie teams so it's understandable how he was overlooked. 

Also overlooked, for likely the same reasons, was Tony "Mac the Sack" McGee, who totaled 11½ sacks The same is likely true for Tony "Mack the Sack" McGee, who, from 1974 through 1983 was a consistent nickel rusher for the Patriots and Redskins. The same goes for Willie Jones, the Raiders replacement in the DPR role previously held by Pat Toomey, with his ten sacks.

As for the players who were starters the best candidates for the Pro Bowl who were overlooked were Art Still and Vern Den Herder. Den Herder a nine-year vet had nine sacks as the Dolphins surged after a few down years. Still was chosen by Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman for his All-Pro team, citing consistent pressure and great ability to stop the run. Still, he had 8½ sacks but really began to show his ability the following year, 1980, when he totaled 14½ sacks and continued in his run-stopping dominance.

Bethea was hampered by some injuries, but played through them and on occasion played defensive tackle while Baker played right defensive end in the Oiler pass-rush set.

So, in this looking back installment, the best choices for 1979 AFC defensive ends would be Dean, who played very well on a very good Chargers defense, Still, an up-and-comer, and then a pick 'em: Den Herder or Greenwood. Both veterans with good moves, but coming to the end of their careers. 

Career stats:

Cleveland Browns All Career-Year Team

OPINION
By John Turney

At Pro Football Journal we are trying to pick the best individual seasons in the history of each franchise, which we will continue today with the Browns. By "Career-year" we mean the best performances at each position, with the following rule: Only one season per player per position. For example, here, we cannot pick Jim Brown’s best two seasons and use both QB slots.

Here is the team, First-teams on left, Second-teams on right:

The offensive line shakes down like this:  center Frank Gatski, 1955, guards Gene Hickerson, 1968, and Jim Ray Smith, 1960, and tackles Joe Thomas, 2015, and Lou Groza, 1952.

We've seen Lou Groza play, even full games, and it seems that he was a much better lineman earlier in his career, as opposed to later. We chose 1952 since he was a consensus All-Pro and still a duel threat due to his kicking. Joe Thomas has been consensus All-Pro several times and we chose 2015 since he allowed his career-fewest sacks (one) and had his career-low in holding penalties called against him (one). Hickerson and Smith were key blockers for Jim Brown, and Hickerson for Leroy Kelly. Gatski is a Hall of Famer and in 1955 he was everybody's All-Pro center.

The Second-team offensive line is as follows:  Center Alex Mack, 2013, guards Joe DeLamielleure, 1980, and Abe Gibron, 1955, tackles Dick Schafrath, 1965, and Mike McCormack, 1957. All were All-Pros in their respective seasons.

For honorable mentions we have Tom DeLeone, 1980, Fred Hoaglin, 1969, and Art Hunter, 1959. Then we have guards John Wooten, 1966, and Dan Fike, 1986. Lastly the tackles:  Cody Risien, 1986, Tony Jones, 1994, and Doug Dieken, 1980.    

Fullback, at least the modern fullback, is kind of a throwaway position since the Browns have only used it a limited amount of the time. Prior to the franchise folding up and moving to Baltimore Kevin mack was the last fullback and he was an old-school type, one who ran the ball. Nonetheless, to fill the roster we chose Marc Edwards, 1999, and Lawrence Vickers, 2007.

Tight end lines up this way, first Ozzie Newsome, 1984, then Gary Barnidge, 2015. The HMs are Kellen Winslow, 2007, Jordan Cameron, 2013, and Milt Morin, 1968. The tight end position is deep for the Browns and Newsome's top year was 1984 but others have put up some impressive numbers.

Jim Brown, 1965, and Marion Motley, 1948, are the running backs, though we are fully aware they were fullbacks in their era, lining up to the tight end side, however we consider them ball-carriers and back then halfbacks had to block for the fullbacks often since they would line up in "red" or "brown" formations. Brown could have filled out 9 slots, but we picked his last season with his touchdown total being the deciding factor, though 1963 may have been better.

The next two running backs are Leroy Kelly, 1968, and Bobby Mitchell, 1960. We chose as honorable mentions Earnest Byner, 1985, Peyton Hillis, 2010, Mike Pruitt, 1979, and Kevin Mack, 1985.

For the third-down back, the First-teamer is Calvin Hill, 1980, and the Second-teamer is Greg Pruitt, 1981, with two garnering HM Earnest Byner, 1995, and Eric Metcalf, 1992. From 1978-80 Hill caught 14 touchdown passes (6 in both 1978 and 1980) and Greg Pruitt, assumed his role in 1981.

The slot receivers are in order: Brian Brennan, 1986, Keenan McCardell, 1995, for First- and Second-team then honorable mentions go to  Andre' Davis, 2002, Taylor Gabriel, 2014, and Dennis Northcutt, 2002.

For the outside receivers, it was very close for all four slots. Ultimately, we went with Mac Speedie, 1949, and Paul Warfield, 1968, on the First-team and Dante Lavelli, 1946, with Josh Gordon, 2013, on the Second-team. The honorable mentions are Gary Collins, 1965, Webster Slaughter, 1989, Braylon Edwards, 2007, Pete Brewster, 1955, and Dave Logan in 1979. Warfield just barely beat out Lavelli, his 12 TD catches made the difference.

The quarterbacks were easy to order:  Otto Graham, 1947, MVP Brian Sipe, 1980, Frank Ryan, 1966, Bernie Kosar, 1987, and Milt Plum, 1960 (yes, based on his passer rating).

Len Ford, 1951, and Lyle Alzado, 1980, are the defensive ends. Michael Dean Perry, 1990 (86 tackles, 11.5 stuffs and 11.5 sacks for a total of 23 'stacks".) and Jerry Sherk, (1976 AFC Defensive Player of the Year,  92 tackles, 8.0 were stuffs, and 12 sacks.), are the defensive tackles and the nose guard is Bill Willis, 1952.

Ford had a monster season in 1951, one of best-ever by a defensive end, and in 1980 Alzado had 104 tackles and 9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles and was a First-team All-Pro. In 1952, had there been an award, Bill Willis could have been the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Backing those five up are Bill Glass, 1965, and Rob Burnett, 1994 (55 tackles, 10 sacks, Second-team All-AFC), at end with the nose Bob Golic, 1985 (All-NFL), and tackles, Bob Gain, 1958, and Don Colo, 1955. In 1965 Glass had 16½ sacks and was Second-team All-Pro (in 1962 and 1966 he also averaged more than a sack per game).

The honorable mention ends are Jack Gregory, 1970 (15½ sacks), Ron Snidow, 1969 (All-Conference), Carl Hairston, 1987 (51 tackles, 4 FF, 8 sacks, Second-team All-AFC), Paul Wiggin, 1967 (Pro Bowl, 8½ sacks, 4 FR), Reggie Camp, 1984 (52 tackles, 6 pass deflections, 14 sacks), and Carlton Massey, 1955, and Mack Mitchell, 1977, who had a double-digit sack season.

For tackles and nose the honorables are Shaun Rogers, 2008 (76 tackles and 4.5 sacks), Dick Modzelewski, 1964, Walter Johnson, 1969 (Pro Bowl and 8 sacks), and Henry Bradley, 1980 (69 tackles and 3 sacks).

The designated rushmen are Joe Jones, 1970, and inside rusher Mark Word, 2002. The honorables are Charles Buchanan, 1988, Sam Clancy, 1986 (6.5 sacks), Michael Dean Perry, 1988, and Dave Puzzuoli, 1986. Turkey Jones was among the first designated rushers, but also got some starts in 1970 and had 5½ sacks plus lots of hurries and Word had 8 sacks among his 21 tackles.

We had never heard of Charles Buchanan, either. In 1988 he played 9 games, the only ones of his career and had 5 sacks. Hmm. And yes, Puzzuoli was a nose tackle by trade, but he was fairly effective in getting to the quarterback when he spelled Golic and played in nickel situations.

In all their years the Browns have not had a truly honored MLBer. Tom Cousineau was a Second-team All-Pro in 1983 (138 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 interceptions, 9 passes defensed) and 1984. Mike Johnson, in 1989, was All-AFC and a Pro Bowler and had 105 tackles, 3 picks and 3 forced fumbles. Pepper Johnson was a Second-team All-AFC and went to the Pro Bowl.  Two statistically significant seasons were Vince Costello, 1963 (7 interceptions, a high number for a middle linebacker) and  Dick Ambrose, 1978 (153 tackles, 11.5 were stuffs). We also looked at Karlos Dansby, 2015 (108 tackles, scored two defensive touchdowns as an ILBer, and D'Qwell Jackson, 2011 (158 tackles, 3.5 sacks). So, who to choose, since there isn't a Butkus or Schmidt among them?

After checking alternate sources we note that Cousineau was a First-team All-Pro in 1983 by the Buffalo News and USA Today, teams chosen by Hall of Famer writers Larry Felser and Gordon Forbes, so we thought we may be trying too hard to avoid putting Cousineau so high on a list of a team with great history. Ultimately we went with Mike Johnson on the First-team and Cousineau on the Second-team, after all, fair is fair. And the rest mentioned are all honorables.

Clay Matthews, 1984, and Tony Adamle, 1951, are the First-team OLBer. Jamir Miller, 2001

Jim Houston, 1964, are next. Matthews had a fine year in 1984 as an outside backer and right defensive end in most passing downs. He had 96 tackles (5 were stuffs), 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbled batted away 5 passes. Interestingly, his coach, Marty Schottenheimer said "He'd never seem a player have a better season at any position".

Adamle was a consensus All-Pro and Houston was a First-team All-pro in 1964 with a pick six. Miller had a very similar season to Matthews's 1984 in 2001 with 99 tackles, 13 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. Adamle and Houston were All-Pros in their respective years.

A long list of honorables is Chip Banks, 1983 (All-Pro, 97 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 picks, one for a touchdown),  Andra Davis, 2003, Galen Fiss, 1962, Walt Michaels, 1959, and Johnny Brewer, 1966.

Hanford Dixon, 1986, and Frank Minnifield, 1988, (both unanimous All-Pros) are the cornerbacks with Joe Haden, 2013, and Erich Barnes, 1968, next. Had Barnes been a bit younger when he played with Browns he likely would have challenged for a top spot. Haden was a Second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2013 and Barnes was All-Conference and a Pro Bowler in 1968 at age 33.

Bernie Parrish, 1960, Clarence Scott, 1973, Tommy James, 1950, Ben Davis, 1968, Don Paul, 1956, and Warren Lahr, 1953 are the honorable mentions at corner/defensive halfback based on post-season honors.

T.J. Ward, 2013 (112 tackles, 3 defensive touchdowns, Second-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl), and Eric Turner, 1994 (105 tackles, 9 picks, All-Pro) are the top safeties with and Felix Wright, 1989 (9 picks as a strong safety), and free safety Thom Darden, 1978 (consensus All-Pro, 100 tackles and 10 INTs), the Second-teamers. Ken Konz, 1954, Tashaun Gipson, 2014, Ross Fichtner, 1966, and Bobby Franklin, 1960 get special mention.  

Anthony Henry, 2001 (10 interceptions, the most by a non-starter that we've uncovered) and Rod Perry, 1983, are the First- and Second-team nickel backs.  Eddie Brown, 1974, and  Anthony Blaylock, 1989, get special mentions.

Lou Groza, 1953, and Phil Dawson, 2012, are the kickers. Don Cockroft, 1972, and Matt Stover, 1994, are honorables. Groza was ahead of his time in terms of accuracy and in 1953 he was 23 for 26 (88.5%), unheard of for that era. Dawson was a Pro Bowler in 2012 and missed just two kicks.

 In 2000 Chris Gardocki was Second-team All-Pro though we're not sure why he had a fine gross average, but he and his punt coverage teams allowed 793 return yards, which just killed hit net average. For the First-team punter we chose Horace Gillom, 1953. He was a Pro Bowler the year before, but that was in an era when the Pro Bowl punter was usually a position player, so his 1952 choice was unusual. However, he did lead the NFL in punting average in 1952 but he had one blocked so in looking for the best season we chose the following season when he had a gross average of 43.8 and a net of 40.1 and had only 4 touchbacks. However, several years would do on this list because from 1950-54 Gillom had a net punting average of 38.9.

For the Second-team, we picked Gary Collins's 1965 season. He led the NFL in gross yardage and likely in net, too, with 46.7 and 39.4 respectively. The four honorable mentions we picked all had a 39.0 net average or better. Dave  Zastudil, 2008 (39.4), Reggie  Hodges, 2010 (39.0), Spencer Lanning, 2014 (39.2) and Andy Lee, 2015 (40.1).

Eric Metcalf, 1993 (12.9 avg. and 2 TDs) and  Leroy Kelly, 1965 are the top two returners.  Then Dennis Northcutt, 2002, Josh Cribbs. 2007, and Gerald McNeil, 1987 are the honorable mentions.

Josh Cribbs, 2009 (3 kickoffs taken to the house and 27.5 avg.), and  Eric Metcalf, 1990, are the top two kickoff returners and Greg Pruitt, 1973 gets the sole honorable mention.

Bill Cowher had 30 special teams tackles and a forced fumble in 1980 and he gets the top spot and the Second-teamer is Joshua Cribbs, 2008 (23 tackles and a FR). When you combine his return abilities with his excellent coverage skills, Cribbs is the best special teams player in Browns history we contend. 

Blake Costanzo who in 2009 had 14 tackles forced 2 fumbles and recovered three fumbles on special teams is the top honorable mention then comes Brent Boyer, 2002 (21 tackles and a FF),  Andra Davis, 2002, (19 tackles), and Ricky Featcher, 1978 (19 tackles and a fumble recovered).