Now that the players lockout ended as predicted, a bunch of greedy cowering pussy players who shit on their brethren NFL Alumni along the way, we will get back to current football in this column next week when a large part of the free agent market has been signed.

Until then, one last piece to remember the past of a great game many of us enjoy.

Arizona Cardinals : Larry Centers


Centers was drafted in the fifth round of the 1990 draft by the Phoenix Cardinals. He was used strictly as a part time kick returner as a rookie, returning 16 kickoffs. He matched that total again the next year, and also returned the only five punts of his career.

The Cardinals began using him as a third down back in 1992, and he had 50 receptions and the first two touchdowns of his career. He continued increasing his receiving totals each year, culminating with 101 receptions in 1995. It is a NFL record for receptions by a running back, and he was named to his first Pro Bowl.

His 1996 season was probably his best. He had 99 receptions, and set career best marks of 425 rushing yards on 116 attempts while scoring nine times. After catching 123 balls over the next two years, he signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent for the 1999 season.

Washington used him primarily as a receiver in his two years with them, and he had 150 catches over that time. He then joined the Buffalo Bills in 2001 and had 123 receptions in the two seasons he played for them. He also made his last Pro Bowl in 2001.

Centers then joined the New England Patriots in 2003, and was used sparingly. He caught 19 balls and scored his last touchdown, as the Patriots went on to win Super Bowl XXXVIII. He then retired.

His 827 career receptions are the most by any running back in NFL history, and the second most ever by any non-wide receiver. His 535 receptions with the Cardinals is the second most in franchise history.

Though Larry Centers is known as one of the greatest receiving fullback in NFL history, he was also an excellent blocker who helped paved the way for several 1,000 yard backs.





Atlanta Falcons : William Andrews


Andrews was drafted in the third round of the 1979 draft by the Falcons. He earned a starting job immediately and ran for 1,023 yards along with 39 receptions and five touchdowns.

He piled up 1,308 rushing yards the next year, at a career best clip of 4.9 yards per carry, to go with 51 receptions and five scores. Atlanta reached the playoffs after winning 12 games, but lost in the first round. Andrews was named to his first Pro Bowl that year, and would be return to the Pro Bowl in each of the following three seasons as well.

Andrews led the NFL with 2,036 yards from scrimmage via rushing and receiving in 1981, and was second in all-purpose yards. He had a career best 81 receptions for 735 yards and 12 total touchdowns, along with 1,301 rushing yards.

That season saw him, along with O.J. Anderson, join Hall Of Famers Earl Campbell and Tony Dorsett as the first four running backs in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of their first three seasons.

The strike shortened season of 1982 stopped his streak of 1,000 yard seasons. He still was able to average a career best 12 yards on 42 receptions, including an NFL long 86 yard touchdown reception, and run for 573 yards in just nine games.

He was the main offensive weapon for Atlanta in 1983. He carried the ball a whopping 331 times and also caught 59 balls. His 390 touches were the second most in the NFL that year, and is still the 51st most in league history.

Gaining a career best 1,560 yards that still ranks 50th best in NFL history, along with 609 receiving yards, his 2,176 all-purpose yards were second best in the NFL that year, and is still the 51st most in league history for one year. He also scored 11 times.

While he was already a star, he was also considered a player on his way to being inducted in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. As the Falcons prepared for the 1984 season,

Andrews suffered a devastating knee injury. It was so severe that it kept him off the field for two seasons.

Though he tried to return in 1986, he had to adjust his role to being a blocking back for Gerald Riggs. Though he still averaged a respectable 4.1 yards per carry, he only had 52 carries and five receptions and scored the last touchdown of his career. He then retired.

He still ranks second in team history with 5,986 career rushing yards. His 277 receptions is the most ever by a Falcons running back, and ranks seventh best overall.

Andrews has his jersey retired by the Falcons, and is a member of the teams Ring of Honor. He is also in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

There is no question that William Andrews is the best fullback and pass receiving back in Falcons history.




Baltimore Ravens : Ray Rice



Rice was drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft by the Ravens. His rookie season saw him start four games, but he impressed the coaches enough to be named the full-time starter the next two years.

For a young franchise that has existed since 1996, Rice has already found himself near the top of the Ravens record books in several categories. He is already second in carries and rushing yards on their all-time list.

Yet he is also excellent in the passing game and is a frequent target for quarterback Joe Flacco. He has already made one Pro Bowl, which was in the 2009 season.

His 174 receptions with them is the seventh most in team history and 14 more than Jamal Lewis, who ranks second in running back catches.




Buffalo Bills : Thurman Thomas



Thomas was drafted in the second round of the 1988 draft and won a starting job right away. The 1989 season began streaks of five straight Pro Bowls and eight years of running for at least 1,005 yards.

He led the NFL in yards from scrimmage four consecutive seasons as well. Thomas was named NFL MVP by both the Newspaper Enterprise Association and Pro Football Writers Association in 1991. He was named 1992 Offensive Player of the Year by both the AP and UPI.

While an exciting player when handed the football, Thomas was equally as explosive when attempting to catch a pass. Buffalo could line him up all over the field to put pressure and fear on the opposing defenses. This helped the Bills go to four Super Bowls while he was with the team.

The 1998 year was his last as a starter because a young Antowain Smith began leading the team in most rushing categories. Thomas stayed with the Bills until 1999, then joined the Miami Dolphins for one season in 2000 before retiring.

Thomas is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He has the most rushing yard in Bills history, even surpassing the legendary O.J. Simpson.

His 456 receptions with them is the third most in team history and 281 more than Simpson, who ranks second in running back catches.





Carolina Panthers : DeShaun Foster


Foster was drafted in the second round of the 2002 draft by the Panthers. His first two seasons with the team were inhibited by injuries, limiting him to 18 total games played.

His rookie year saw the Panthers reach Super Bowl XXXVIII. He backed up Stephen Davis, but still contributed to the team. Foster led the team with 95 yards rushing on 21 carries in the Panthers division playoff overtime win against the Saint Louis Rams.

Foster split carries with Davis the the NFC Championship Game, but sealed the game with a touchdown run to help Carolina defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3. He has just three carries in the Super Bowl, but he took one carry 33 yards for a touchdown in the Panthers 32-29 loss to the New England Patriots.

Despite five starts in 2005, he caught a career high 34 passes and ran for 879 yards. He was elevated to the starting lineup after that. His next two years saw him gain 1,773 yards on the ground while catching 57 passes.

He signed a free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers in 2008 and spent the year backing up Pro Bowl halfback Frank Gore. He has not played in the NFL since then.

Brad Hoover tops the Panthers running backs receiving list with 145, 19 more than Foster, but it took him five more seasons to get his totals.





Chicago Bears : Walter Payton


Payton was the first round draft pick of the Bears in 1975. Chicago didn't seem to know what they had, so they had him returning kickoffs as a rookie. He was so good at it, Payton led the NFL with a 31.7 return average that year.

When the Bears finally decided to start in on offense, Payton grabbed it and started every game the rest of his career. He would eventually set an NFL record with 170 straight starts.

Chicago leaned on the man simply known as "Sweetness" from that point on. Beginning in 1976, he led the NFL in rushing attempts four straight seasons. This is an NFL record. He also began a run of five straight Pro Bowl appearances.

His 1977 season was his first of five total First Team All-Pro nods. He had 1,852 rushing yards at a 5.5 yards per carry average. Payton had 2,121 yards from scrimmage, averaged 132.3 yards rushing per game, ran for 14 touchdowns and had 16 total. Not only were all career high marks, they led the NFL that year.

He was named the 1977 NFL MVP by the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, and the Newspaper Enterprise Association. He was also named the Offensive Player of the Year by the UPI. He would win the Pro Bowl MVP in 1978.

His streak of six straight years of at least 1,000 yards rushing was halted by the 1982 players strike, which cut the season to just nine games. He resumed that streak for four seasons until it was halted by the 1987 players strike. Payton never rushed for less than 1,222 yards or had 311 carries in a year minus his rookie season and the two strike years.

After carrying the Bears with little help as every opponent just keyed on him play after play, Payton got surrounded by good talent in 1985. The Bears won Super Bowl XX that year.

Payton won the Bert Bell Award and Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL MVP Award that year. He was also named the 1985 Offensive Player of the Year by the UPI.

Sweetness retired after the 1987 season and would have his number retired by the Bears. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, both the 1970s and 1980s NFL All-Decade Team, and is on the NFL 75th Anniversary Team.

While 10 NFL records he set have been broken or tied, no one would consider comparing those players who broke them with Payton. He could do it all on the field. Running, catching, blocking, or passing were things he could do with excellence and ease.

He tossed eight touchdowns on 11 passing completions in his career. Payton was even asked to punt once, and he boomed the ball 39 yards.

His 492 receptions with the Bears is the most in team history. He is one of the greatest offensive players to ever play the game.






Cincinnati Bengals : James Brooks


Brooks was drafted in the first round of the 1981 draft by the San Diego Chargers. While he was a steady contributor to the offense his first three years, he mainly came off the bench and starred on special teams.

He led the NFL in all-purpose yards in his first two years, as well as kickoff returns and yardage in 1982. Yet the Chargers traded him to the Bengals before the start of the 1984 season.

Brooks rarely played special teams for Cincinnati because the team found an explosive running back able to score every time he got his hands on a football. He caught a career high 55 passes for five touchdowns in 1985 while running for 929 yards and seven more scores.

His 1986 season may have been his best. It was his first Pro Bowl season as well. Brooks ran for 1,087 yards while leading the NFL with a 5.3 yards per carry average. He also averaged a career best 12.7 yards on 54 receptions.

After the 1987 strike season, Brooks split carries with All-Pro rookie Ickey Woods. The duo ran for 1,997 yards and 23 touchdowns, while catching 50 passes for six more touchdowns. Brooks would go the Pro Bowl for three straight years.

Cincinnati would reach Super Bowl XXII. Brooks, who scored a touchdown in the Bengals AFC Championship win, had just seven touches as the San Francisco 49ers won 20-16 by scoring with 34 seconds left in the game.

Woods got hurt early in 1989, so Brooks was asked to carry the load. He set career highs of 221 carries for 1,239 yards while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He also caught 37 passes.

After running for 1,004 yards in 1990, he carried the ball less the next year as he caught 40 balls. He then joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two games in 1992 before getting hurt and release. The Cleveland Browns signed him and Brooks played four games for them before retiring.

Brooks was the Bengals all-time leader in rushing yards until Corey Dillon passed him a decade later. He still ranks second in that category, while averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per attempt.

His 297 receptions and 27 touchdowns with the Bengals are the most in team history by a running back, which is 105 more than Archie Griffin and Corey Dillon.






Cleveland Browns : Greg Pruitt


The other half of the Browns famous "Do It Pruitt" backfield. Pruitt was a second round pick in the 1973 draft. Greg made his impact as a return specialist initially.

Pruitt made the Pro Bowl his first two seasons in the NFL on special teams. He did get 540 yards rushing in his second year in part time status, while taking the only kickoff in his career for a touchdown.

He was a starter by 1975, and ran for 1,067 yards. He also caught 44 balls, and scored a career high nine touchdowns total. Pruitt ran for 1,000 yards the next season, while catching 45 passes.

In 1977, Pruitt went to the Pro Bowl again. He ran for 1,086 yards and had 37 receptions. This would be the last year he ran for over 1,000 yards.

He averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 1978, when he gained 960 yards rushing. He got injured, and missed four games. Pruitt was only able to play six games the following year, but rebounded in 1980.

With Mike Pruitt doing the bulk of the running, he was utilized as a receiver. He caught 50 balls, and scored 5 times via the pass. He followed that up with a career high 65 passes caught in 1981.

Pruitt ended up an Oakland Raider the next season, as was used mainly as a punt returner. In 1983, Pruitt went to his final All Pro game after averaging 11.5 yards per return on 58 attempts. He also scored the only punt return of his career, when he took it 97 yards.

He also scored the last two touchdowns rushing the ball that year, when he gained 154 yards on 26 attempts at a rate of 5.9 yards per rushing attempt. The Raiders went on to win Super Bowl XVIII. He played one more season in 1984 before retiring.

His 323 receptions with them is the fifth most in team history and 36 more than Eric Metcalf, who ranks second in running back catches.





Dallas Cowboys : Emmitt Smith


Drafted in the first round of the 1990 draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Smith became the primary ball carrier immediately. He ran for 937 yards and scored 11 times on the ground.

He was named Rookie of the Year for his season after making the first of six consecutive Pro Bowls. He would then start a run of 11 straight seasons of at least 1,021 yards rushing in 1991.

Smith was the National Enterprise Association NFL MVP in both 1992 and 1993. He was named First Team All-Pro four straight years beginning in 1992. He won the Bert Bell Award and Pro Football Writers Association NFL MVP in 1993 after winning the MVP award in Super Bowl XXVIII, the second straight year Dallas won the title.

His finest season came in 1995, a year he set career high marks of 377 carries for 1,773 yards for 25 rushing score and 62 receptions. He also averaged a career best 4.7 yards per carry and ran for 110.8 yards per game.

His performance that year led the Cowboys into Super Bowl XXX after Smith ran for 150 yards and three scores in the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers. Dallas defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in the Super Bowl behind Smith's two touchdowns, their third title in four years.

He left Dallas after running for 975 yards in 2002, ending his 1,000-yards rushing streak. He joined the Arizona Cardinals and had the worst season of his career in 2003 by running for a career low 256 yards and two scores.

Most experts considered the 35-year old washed up in 2004, especially after so many touches in his previous 14 seasons. Smith proved that theory false by running for 937 yards and nine scores before retiring at the end of the year.

Now inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as being a member of the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team, Smith has the most rushing yards ever in NFL history. But he did more than just run the ball by being a sound blocker and good receiving option.

His 486 receptions with the Cowboys is the fourth most in team history and 107 more than fellow Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett, who ranks second in running back catches.






Denver Broncos : Floyd Little


Little was drafted in the first round of the 1967 draft by the Broncos. He didn't do a lot on offense in his rookie year, but he did excel on special teams. He averaged 27 yards on a career best 35 kickoff returns and a career high 17 yards on 16 punt returns, returning one a career long 72 yards for a score.

His second season was hist first of four straight Pro Bowl seasons. Though he missed three games that year, he averaged a career high 17.4 yards on 19 receptions and took another punt return for a score.

The 1971 season was the only year he exceeded 1,000 yards rushing by getting 1,133 on a career high 284 carries. Yet his 1973 may have been his best.

Not only did Little run for 12 score, he churned out 979 yards and set career high marks of 41 receptions for 423 yards. He then became the second running option the next two years to Otis Armstrong before retiring after the 1975 season.

He was the Broncos all-time rushing leader in yards gained, attempts, and touchdowns until Terrell Davis passed him over 20 years later. Yet Little's impact is still resounding to this day.

The Broncos were a struggling franchise until his arrival. There was even murmurs of moving the team elsewhere because Denver had spent their AFL days with one .500 record and the rest losing seasons.

The team struggled at first with Little, but he put the team on his back and was one of the more exciting players of his era. He helped Denver post their first winning season in 1973. The franchise has had just seven losing seasons since.

Besides being called one of the best players of his era by several of his his peers, the Hall of Famer has been credited by many as the man who saved the Denver Broncos. He is the first first-round draft choice to ever sign with Denver and is known as "The Franchise".

His 215 receptions with them is the 13th most in team history and eight more than Gerald Willhite, who ranks second in running back catches.





Detroit Lions : James Jones


Drafted in the first round of the 1983 draft, Jones rookie year saw him catch 46 passes and score seven times while serving as an excellent blocking fullback for Pro Bowl halfback Billy Sims as Detroit won their division. They would lose 24-23 in the first round to the San Francisco 49ers.

His second season saw him grab a career best 77 balls and lead the team with 137 carries after Sims suffered a career ending injury in the eighth game of the year. Detroit played three overtime games in their first 10 games and won four games all year.

With Sims gone. Jones became the primary ball carrier. He missed two games because of injury, yet still toted the ball 244 times for 886 yards. He also grabbed 46 passes and scored nine times.

His best year came in 1986, where he set career high marks of 252 carries for 903 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He caught 52 passes as well.

Jones next two years saw him become more of a blocker, as he carried the ball 96 times each year while catching 63 total passes. Detroit traded him to the Seattle Seahawks for cornerback Terry Taylor before the 1989 season.

After playing just two games in 1989 because of injuries, Jones spent his next three years mostly blocking for Seattle. He was even used as a tight end. Jones retired after the 1992 season.

He had 285 receptions in his six years with Detroit, the second most ever by a Lions running back and it is the eighth most in team history. Hall of Famer Barry Sanders leads all Detroit running backs with 352 receptions.





Green Bay Packers : Ahman Green


Green was a third round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 1998. He spent two years there mostly riding the bench, carrying the ball 61 times total before being traded to the Packers.

Green Bay put him to work immediately as their featured back, and he churned out five consecutive seasons where he gained over 1,000 yards on the ground. He also went to the Pro Bowl four straight years. He also caught 267 passes over those five years, displaying what a complete weapon he was for the team.

No other player gained as many yards in those five seasons than he did. He also was explosive, running for touchdowns from 98 and 90 yards out. He is one of just two players in NFL history to have touchdown runs of 90 yards or more.

After an injury plagued 2006 season that saw him play just five games, Green rebounded the next year with his sixth 1,000 yard season in seven years. He then joined the Houston Texans for two injury riddled years before rejoining he Packers in 2009 to add depth to a depleted backfield.

Though he played just eight games as a reserve, he gained enough yards to become the Packers all-time leader in rushing yards and carries. No Packers halfback has appeared in more Pro Bowls that his four.

He played for the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League in 2010. He tried to join the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2011, but was cut after the first practice.

A lot was made of the fact Green fumbled 34 times as a Packer, but he only fumbled one more time with 40 more carries than Hall of Famer Jim Taylor. Taylor is considered by many the greatest fullback in Packers history. Ahman Green may very well be the best halfback the team ever had.

His 350 receptions with them is the seventh most in team history and 30 more than William Henderson, who ranks second in running back catches.







Houston Texans : Domanick Williams


The Texans started play in 2002 and Williams is all over their record books. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 draft by Houston.

He quickly earned a starting job as a rookie. He ran for 1,031 yards and caught 47 balls. He was used even more the next season, setting career high marks of 302 carries for 1.188 yards, 68 receptions, and 14 total touchdowns.

Williams was having an excellent 2005 season with 919 rushing yards and 36 receptions after 10 games. He had run for 57 yards and a touchdown, while catching three balls for 53 yards, in the 11th game when he incurred a devastating knee injury.

He sat out the next season, but was released before the 2007 year. He retired as the Texans leader in virtually every category for a running back.

His 154 receptions with them is the fifth most in team history and 57 more than Steve Slaton, who ranks second in running back catches.





Indianapolis Colts : Don McCauley


McCauley was drafted in the first round of the 1971 draft by the Colts, where he spent most of his rookie season contributing on special teams. He carried the ball a career high 178 times the next year while taking one of his 45 career kickoff returns 93 yards for a touchdown.

After running the ball 144 times in 1973, McCauley never carried the ball more than 83 times again the rest of his career. His main duties came on third down.

While excellent at picking up the blitz, McCauley also displayed a soft pair of hands. His best year may have come in 1979, where he caught 55 passes for 575 yards. After 70 receptions over the next two years, he retired at the end of the 1981 season.

Edgerrin James had 356 receptions with the Colts, which is most in team history by a running back and 23 more than McCauley. Hall of Famers Lenny Moore and Marshall Faulk, along with Lydell Mitchell, also must be mentioned.






Jacksonville Jaguars : Fred Taylor


Taylor was drafted in the first round of the 1998 draft by the Jaguars. He was put to work right away and scored a career high 14 rushing touchdowns on 1,233 rushing yards. He also caught 44 passes and scored a career best three times.

Despite such a great year, he was overlooked by many and Randy Moss would win the Rookie of the Year Award even though Taylor had arguably a better season. Being overlooked would become a theme for Taylor.

After a year cut short by injuries in 1999, Taylor led the NFL with an average of 107.6 yards rushing per game in 2000. He also scored 14 times on 1,399 yards and 36 receptions.

Taylor's 2001 season was cut short to two games in 2001, but he rebounded well. He ran for at least 1,146 yards in five of the next six seasons. He also remained a steady threat in the passing game for Jacksonville.

Every football fan knew Taylor was an elite running back, and had been in his 10 years as a player. Yet he was always overlooked when it came to the Pro Bowl. Whether it was the lack of media attention or lack of knowledge by generally most NFL fans, Taylor continued to be a standout in relative obscurity.

That all changed in 2003 when he made his first Pro Bowl. He played one more season for the Jaguars before joining the New England Patriots in 2009. He has played just 13 games in two seasons for them, usually splitting carries with several other running backs.

Taylor is the Jaguars all-time leading in rushing yards, attempts, yards per game, and rushing scores. He is probably the most underrated player of his era.

His 286 receptions with them is the third most in team history and 51 more than Maurice Jones-Drew, who ranks second in running back catches.






Kansas City Chiefs : Kimble Anders


Anders signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent rookie in 1991. He spent his first two years mostly blocking and playing special teams.

He earned a starting job in 1993 and never carried the ball in a season more than 79 times in his career. He was a bruising blocker who also displayed soft hands when running a pass route.

Anders got recognized as one of the top fullbacks in the game in 1995 by being named to the Pro Bowl. Though he had just 58 rushing attempts that year, he averaged a very impressive 6.9 yards per carry while catching 55 passes as well.

After making the Pro Bowl the next year, he went back for the final time in 1997 after averaging five yards on a career best 79 carries while snagging 59 passes. After catching a career high 64 balls the next year, he got hurt early in 1999.

Anders had already piled up 181 yards on 32 carries when he was injured in the second game of the season. After coming back in 2000, he started just seven games and then retired.

His 369 receptions with them is the sixth most in team history and 81 more than Ed Podolak, who ranks second in running back catches.






Miami Dolphins : Tony Nathan


Drafted in the third round of the 1979 draft by the Dolphins, Nathan spent his rookie season mostly playing special teams.He returned 45 kickoffs for 1,016 yards and returned 28 punts for 306 yards.

Both are career highs, as is the 86-yard punt return he took for a touchdown. He was named First Team All-Pro for his performance that season.

Nathan did return 23 punts the next year, but spent the rest of his time on offense. After starting six games and grabbing 57 passes and a career best five scores, he had perhaps his finest season in 1981.

After leading the NFL with a 5.3 yards per carry average, after grinding out a career best 782 yards and catching 50 passes, he shone brightly in the Dolphins first round playoff game. The game is simply known as "The Epic In Miami".

Played in 80% humidity, the Dolphins squared off against the San Diego Chargers in a see-saw affair. After the Chargers bolted out to a 24-0 lead in the first quarter, the Dolphins put up 17 points in the second quarter.

Nathan scored on a 25-yard hook and lateral play to close the gap within seven. Duriel Harris caught a pass and then pitched it to a streaking Nathan, who took it the rest of the way.

After Miami tied up the game, Nathan rumbled 12 yards to give the Dolphins the lead. San Diego would eventually win late in overtime. Nathan led the Dolphins with 114 yards on nine receptions and 48 rushing yards.

The 1982 season was shorted to nine games because of a strike, yet Miami reached the playoffs. In a rematch with San Diego, Nathan ran for 83 yards and threw a 20 yard pass as Miami won 34-13.

The Dolphins lost Super Bowl XVII to the Washington Redskins as Miami quarterbacks were able to complete just four passes all game. They would return to Super Bowl XIX just two seasons later.

Nathan led Miami with 76 yards rushing in their 31-10 divisional playoff win over the Seattle Seahawks, which included a 14 yard touchdown run to open the scoring. He followed that up with eight catches for 114 yards and 64 yards rushing, including another rushing score, to help Miami win the AFC Championship.

While the San Francisco 49ers trounced the Dolphins 38-16 in Super Bowl XIX, Nathan led Miami with 10 receptions and just 18 yards rushing. He followed that up with a career high 72 receptions in 1985, the most ever by a Dolphins running back until Terry Kirby passed him by three receptions in 1993.

He spent his next two years as a reserve who came on the field during pass plays. Nathan retired after the 1987 season.

His 383 receptions with them is the sixth most in team history and 162 more than Jim Kiick, who ranks second in running back catches.






Minnesota Vikings : Rickey Young


Young was drafted in the seventh round of the 1975 draft by the San Diego Chargers. In college at Jackson State University, he shared the ball with Hall of Famer Walter Payton and Eddie Payton while Hall of Famer Jackie Slater blocked.

Young soon earned the starting job with the Chargers as a rookie. He quickly established himself as one of the most well-rounded backs in the game.

San Diego traded him to the Vikings for Pro Bowl guard Ed White just before the 1978 season. While he shared carries with Pro Bowl fullback Chuck Foreman , Young led the NFL with 88 receptions.

Young led the Vikings with 708 rushing yards and 72 receptions in 1979. He made some excellent catches for an aging Vikings team trying to rebuild after dominating the NFC during the 1970's.

He carried the ball less after that, as 1979 first-round draft pick Ted Brown became the feature back. The duo combined for 126 receptions in 1980, with Young snagging 64 of the passes.

After 43 receptions the next year, he lost his starting job to 1982 first-round draft pick Darrin Nelson. He retired after the 1983 season.

Ted Brown's 339 receptions is the most in team history, just ahead of the great Chuck Foreman by five catches, but Young had 292 catches in just six years and his 88 receptions was an NFL record for running backs at the time.






New England Patriots : Kevin Faulk


Faulk was the Patriots second round pick in 1999. He started occasionally at running back and even returned punts, but he spent a better part of his first four years as a third-down back and kick returner.

New England won Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001. Faulk's main contributions that year came on special teams and the 30 passes he caught that season.

In 2002, he took two kickoff returns for touchdowns. Faulk would be asked to return 45 kickoffs the rest of his career because his value on third down was much too valuable for New England. Faulk became the only Patriot to score multiple touchdowns in rushing, receiving, and kick returns.

He started eight games in 2003 and ran for a career high 638 yards while catching 48 passes. He helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIV that year. His two-point conversion off of a direct snap helped the Patriots defeat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl. XXXVIII.

He resumed his duties as the third-down specialist in 2004. New England would go on to repeat as champions by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX.

The 2008 season may have been his finest. He averaged 6.1 yards on 81 rushing attempts and caught a career best 58 passes. He was hurt in the second game of the 2010 season, ending his year.

He is a member of the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team and holds team records in all-purpose yards, kickoff returns, kickoff return yards, and receptions by a running back.

Faulk's 424 receptions is 214 more than the next Patriots running back, Sam "The Bam" Cunningham. He intends to keep playing to add to his totals.








New Orleans Saints : Dalton Hilliard


Hilliard was drafted by the Saints in the second round of the 1986 season. He spent most of his career as a spot starter and third down specialist.

His finest year came in 1990, which was his lone Pro Bowl season. He led the NFL with 18 rushing and receiving touchdowns after running for a career best 1,262 yards on 344 carries and 13 scores. He also caught a career high 52 passes for 514 yards and five scores.

After getting hurt and missing 10 games the next year, Hilliard went back to being a third-down specialist and spot starter. He caught 98 balls over his last two years before retiring after the 1993 season.

He is a member of the Saints Hall of Fame. He ranks second all-time in Saints history in rushing touchdowns and attempts, as well as third in rushing yards. He leads all Saints running backs in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Reggie Bush has 294 catches so far, 45 more than Hilliard. It is the most ever by a Saints running back and the fifth most in franchise history.








New York Giants : Frank Gifford


Gifford was selected by the Giants in the first round of the 1952 draft. He spent his rookie season helping the team out as a reserve on offense, defense, and special teams. He picked off one pass and threw a touchdown pass.

He became a bigger part of the offense in his second year, but he still played defense as well. Gifford picked off a pass and took it 62 yards for a touchdown. New York also liked him passing the ball. He threw a touchdown pass in each of the next seven seasons.

Gifford made his first Pro Bowl in 1953, an honor he would earn until the 1959 season. While being an electric runner, he was an intelligent receiver who could go deep at any time. He wa also known for tossing the ball to open teammates when the opponents least suspected it.

Beginning in 1955, Gifford was named First Team All-Pro in four of the next five seasons. His best year was in 1956, where he was named NFL MVP.

Gifford toted the ball for a career high 819 yards while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He also snagged a career best 51 passes, and his 1,422 yards from scrimmage led the NFL.

His performance that season helped the Giants reach the title game. He led all players with 131 receiving that day, as he grabbed four passes and scored once in the Giants 47-7 trouncing of the Chicago Bears.

The Giants team was stacked with future Hall of Famers like Gifford, Emlen Tunnel, Andy Robustelli, Roosevelt Brown, Alex Webster, and Sam Huff. Two assistant coaches, Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry, would also be inducted in Canton years later.

Gifford would later become the 1958 Pro Bowl MVP in front of a Pro Bowl record attendance of 72,250 fans. He is the first Giants player ever to win the award, an award only two Giants have won since.

The 1960 season was his last as a running back. Gifford's season ended in the eighth game when Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame middle linebacker Chuck Bednarik blindsided an unsuspecting Gifford on a crossing-route pass. The hit was so harsh, Gifford did not return to the NFL until 1962.

Upon his return, the Giants switched him to wide receiver. He averaged a career best 20.4 yards on 39 receptions that year, showing he was back. Gifford was still asked to run and throw the ball on occasion as well.

He went to the 1963 Pro Bowl after grabbing 42 pass and seven touchdowns. He played one more season before retiring for good to become a broadcast journalist.

His number has been retired by the Giants and he is a member of the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

No other Giants running back has been to more Pro Bowls or been named First Team All-Pro more than Gifford. His 367 career receptions still rank as the seventh most in team history.

The 257 receptions he had as a running back is the second most ever by a Giant, and Gifford's 25 touchdown catches as a running back is the most ever in team history.

Tiki Barber's 586 receptions is the second most in franchise history. Joe Morrison, who played fullback, halfback, and flanker, also deserves mention.






New York Jets : Freeman McNeil



The Jets used their first-round pick in 1981 to select McNeil. He missed five games in his rookie year and started six games total.

Now the Jets feature back in 1982, McNeil led the NFL with 786 yards rushing at a league-leading 5.2 yards per carry average. He played in nine games because the season lost seven games due to a players strike.

He was named First Team All-Pro and went to the Pro Bowl. McNeil did throw a touchdown pass the next season, but missed seven games because of injury.

McNeil did return to the Pro Bowl in 1984 despite missing four games. He ran for 1,070 yards. His next year was his best, as well as being his last year as a Pro Bowler.

Despite missing two games, he ran for 1,331 yards. He missed four games in 1986, but still caught a career best 49 passes. He missed seven games the next year.

McNeil's 1988 season was the only one of his career where he started every game in a season. He ran for 944 yards and a career best six scores. It was his last season as the Jets primary ball carrier.

Though he spent four more years with the team, he never had more than 99 carries. He retired after the 1992 season as the Jets all-time leader in rushing yards. He now ranks second.

Curtis Martin's 367 receptions are 72 more than McNeil and is the seventh most in Jets history. Yet he averaged just 6.6 yards a catch and scored five times.

McNeil averaged 10 yards a reception and scored 12 times, while never having a season in his career where he averaged less than four yards per carry.








Oakland Raiders : Clem Daniels


Daniels was an undrafted free agent rookie who signed with the Dallas Texans of the American Football League in 1960. He spent that year backing up Rookie of the Year Abner Hayes. He was also used on defense and intercepted three passes.

Daniels was traded to the Raiders the next year and carried the ball just 31 times.
Oakland liked what they saw though, so he was elevated to the starting lineup in 1962 and scored a career-best seven rushing touchdowns off 761 yards.

In 1963, Daniels had perhaps the greatest season by a Raiders running back, where he made the first of four consecutive Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro. He led the AFL with 1,099 rushing yards, 1,784 yards from scrimmage and 78.4 rushing yards per game while averaging a career-best 5.1 yards per carry.

Daniels also led the AFL with a whopping 22.8 yards per catch average on 30 receptions, which is still a Raiders record for running backs with 30 receptions or more.

Though he never ran for more than 1,000 yards again, Daniels ran for more than 800 yards in each of the next three seasons and matched his career-high of seven rushing touchdowns in 1966. He was named first-team All-Pro that year as well.

His 1967 season was cut short to nine games, though he did churn out 575 rushing yards. The Raiders won the AFL title that year. It was Daniels last year with the Raiders, as he joined the San Francisco 49ers the next year and carried the ball just 12 times in nine games before retiring.

His 22.8 yards per catch average in 1963 has only been surpassed by Warren Wells, Mervyn Hernandez, Cliff Branch and James Jett as the best ever by a Raider with at least 30 receptions. All four played wide receiver.

Daniels ranks third in Raiders history in rushing attempts and yards, as well as sixth in rushing touchdowns. His 58.7 rushing yards per game is third behind Bo Jackson and Hall of Famer Marcus Allen.

While he finished his career with the most rushing yards ever in AFL history, what made Daniels even more exceptional was his way to beat opponents several ways. He is a member of the AFL's All-Time team.

His 201 receptions are the third-most ever by a Raiders running back, and he averaged an excellent 16.4 yards per catch, an unheard of average for a running back. His 24 touchdown catches are the most ever by a Raiders running back, and he completed four of nine passes for 143 yards.

Daniels 4.5 yards per carry average and explosive receiving ability show that he was a threat every time he touched the ball. He is certainly one of the greatest players the Raiders ever had play for them.

Hall of Famer Marcus Allen's 446 receptions are the fourth most in franchise history.







Philadelphia Eagles : Keith Byars


Byars was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 1986 draft. He spent his first two seasons starting occasionally, though he did carry the ball for a career high 177 attempts and 577 yards as a rookie.

By 1988, Byars became Pro Bowl quarterback Randall Cunningham's safety net. If the scrambling Cunningham found no receivers open and had no place to run, he could depend on Byars to find a soft spot in the defense to complete a pass.

While his rushing attempts lessened each year, he caught 339 balls over five years. He was a good enough blocker to even line up at tight end several times.

Byars left the Eagles after the 1992 season to join the Miami Dolphins. He made his only Pro Bowl in 1993 after collecting 61 catches. He played with the Dolphins into the fourth game of the 1996 season, where he was released.

The New England Patriots signed him for the final 10 games of the season. His excellent blocking ability had him soon in the starting lineup and he also caught 27 passes.

The Patriots would reach Super Bowl XXXI that year. Byars caught four balls in the divisional playoff game, including a 35-yard touchdown pass. He had four more receptions in the AFC Championship Game.

While the Patriots lost the Super Bowl, Byars did grab four balls and score once. After starting half of the next season, he rejoined head coach Bill Parcells, who had left the Patriots after the Super Bowl loss, with the New York Jets in 1998.

Byars started in nine of the 13 games he appeared in, catching 26 passes. The three games he missed were the only games he failed to suit up in his entire 14-year career. He retired at the end of the season.

His 371 receptions with them is the fifth most in Eagles history and 96 more than Duce Staley, who ranks second in running back catches.






Pittsburgh Steelers : Merril Hoge


Hoge was a 10th round draft pick of the Steelers in 1987. He rarely saw the field during his rookie season, but did manage to snag a touchdown pass.

Hoge started half of 1988, and piled up 705 rushing yards and 50 receptions for 487 yards. He also scored six times.

Firmly entrenched as the starting fullback, he scored eight rushing touchdowns in 1989 and was named to the All-Madden Team.

In 1990, Hoge ran for a career-high 772 yards and scored a career-best 10 touchdowns.

During the 1992 season, Hoge suffered a severe concussion. He ended up with the Chicago Bears in 1994, but retired following that season due to the effects of several concussions.

In his seven seasons as a Steeler, he led the team in rushing four times. Hoge also caught 241 passes for them.

Merril Hoge is the only Steeler, other than Hall of Famer Franco Harris, to run for 100 yards in consecutive playoff games.

Hall of Famer Franco Harris had 306 receptions, the most by a Steelers running back and the sixth most in franchise history.






Saint Louis Rams : Marshall Faulk


Faulk was the second person chosen overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1994 draft. He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press and AFC Rookie of the Year by the UPI after running for 1,282 yards, catching 52 passes, and scoring 12 times.

He finished up the season by winning the Pro Bowl MVP. Faulk almost duplicated his rookie year in 1995, earning his second Pro Bowl nod. He struggled in 1996 by averaging a career low three yards per carry, yet he still grabbed 56 passes.

After a fantastic 1998 season where he led the NFL with 2,227 total yards after 82 receptions and a career high 324 carries, Faulk was traded to the Rams because he reportedly was considering holding out for a better contract.

He got his contract, the biggest in Rams history at the time, and rewarded them by leading the NFL with a career best 2,429 yards from scrimmage. He caught a career high 87 passes and gained 1,087 yards. He also ran for 1,381 yards while leading the NFL with a 5.5 yards per carry average.

Faulk's all-purpose yards were an NFL record until 2009, and he is joined by Roger Craig as the only players to ever gain over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. He was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, an award he won the next two seasons as well.

His performance led the Rams to Super Bowl XXXIV. Though he was shut down in the ground attack, Faulk caught five passes for 90 yards in the Rams 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Faulk led the Rams in receiving again in 2000. He became the first running back ever to lead his team in receptions four straight years. He had five consecutive seasons of at least 80 receptions.

He also led the NFL with a career high 18 rushing touchdowns and a 5.4 yards per carry average. He caught eight touchdowns, giving him a then-NFL record 26 total touchdowns. He was named NFL MVP by both the Associated Press and Pro Football Writers Association.

Faulk scored an NFL leading 21 times in 2001, where he caught a career best nine touchdowns. He also led the NFL a third straight season in yards per carry average, gaining a career best 1,382 yards, and leading the NFL with 98.7 yards rushing per game.

He won the Bert Bell Award and Pro Football Writers Association NFL MVP Award. Faulk also won his third straight Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award, where Rams players and coaches choose the team's most valuable player.

Faulk made his five straight Pro Bowl in 2002 despite failing to run for over 1,000 yards for the first time since 1996. His four-year streak of over 2,000 yards from scrimmage also ended.

He missed seven games over the next two years, but was still effective for Saint Louis. The 2005 season was marred by a coaching change after five games, and Faulk lost his starting job to Steven Jackson. He still managed 44 receptions.

Announcing he needed knee surgery, Faulk sat out the 2006 season and said he hoped to return. This did not occur, as the Rams retired his jersey in 2007. Faulk would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

He has the most receiving yards by a running back in NFL history, as well as the second most receptions and touchdowns caught by a running back

Faulk's 470 receptions with Saint Louis are the fourth most in Rams history and 143 more than Steven Jackson, who has the second most catches by a running back in team history.







San Diego Chargers : LaDainian Tomlinson


Tomlinson was the first round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers in 2001. He became he workhorse of the Chargers immediately.

In his first seven seasons, he never has less than 313 rushing attempts, 1,110 rushing yards, 51 receptions, or 10 touchdowns. He went to the Pro Bowl five times and was named First Team All-Pro three times.

Tomlinson led the NFL in yards from scrimmage one, rushing yards twice, and rushing touchdowns thrice. He was honored at the NFL MVP in 2006 by both the Associated Press and Pro Football Writers Association.

He was as much a part of the Chargers passing attack and he was the running game. Tomlinson had a career high 100 receptions in 2004. Yet the Chargers determined Tomlinson was slowing down and released him after the 2009 season.

The New York Jets signed him in 2010 to split touches with Shonn Greene. He piled up 914 yards and 52 receptions while averaging a health 4.2 yards per carry.

His 530 receptions, the third most in Chargers history, is 152 more that Ronnie Harmon, who has the second most receptions ever by a Chargers running back.






San Francisco 49ers : Roger Craig


Craig was drafted by the Niners in the second round of the 1983 draft, the 49th player chosen overall.

He was named the starting fullback in his rookie year, a position he would have his first four seasons, and showed a nose for the end zone by scoring twelve times. He also led the team with 725 rushing yards.

Craig scored 10 times the next year, and the 49ers would go on to win Super Bowl XIX. Craig scored three times in that game, the first player to have ever accomplished that feat.

He had the best year of his career in 1985, becoming the first player to ever gain a thousand yards in both rushing and receiving. Marshall Faulk is the only other player who has done this since.

Craig also became the first running back in NFL history to lead the league in receiving, when he caught 92 balls. He also scored a career-high 15 touchdowns, and averaged a career best 4.9 yards per carry.

He was named to his first Pro Bowl that season. After catching 81 passes, running for 830 yards, and scoring seven times the next year, the 49ers moved Craig to halfback in 1987.

He responded by being named to the Pro Bowl. This is a feat he would attain the next two years as well, becoming the first player to ever go to a Pro Bowl as a fullback and halfback. Only Stephen Davis has duplicated by this since.

His 1988 season saw him rush for a career-high 1,502 yards, catching 76 passes, and scoring 10 times. Craig was named the Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL MVP, the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player Of The Year, the UPI NFC Player Of The Year, and First Team All-Pro that year.

San Francisco would end the season by winning Super Bowl XXIII.

Craig ran for over a thousand yards for the final time of his career in 1989, getting 1,054 yards. The 49ers won the Super Bowl a second straight season, and Craig scored a touchdown in the game.

He was injured in 1990 and missed five games. The 49ers were trying to get back to a third straight Super Bowl, and were beating the New York Giants by a point as time was running out in the fourth quarter. Craig fumbled, and the Giants recovered. New York soon kicked a game winning field goal as time expired.

It was his last play as a 49er, as they would release him. He signed with the Oakland Raiders for the 1991 season. After starting in thirteen games, and scoring once on 590 rushing yards, the Raiders cut him.

He signed with the Minnesota Vikings and played two years with them as a backup, starting three times total. He scored six touchdowns over that time, and retired at the conclusion of the 1993 season.

Craig's 1,686 carries is the most in team history, nineteen more than Hall Of Famer Joe "Jet" Perry. His 7,064 rushing yards is the second most, 1,525 yards behind Perry, and his 50 rushing touchdowns are the second most, 18 behind Perry.

His 508 receptions are the most by any RB in Niners history, and the third most overall in team history.

Roger Craig may be a borderline Hall Of Fame candidate to some, but he is one of the finest players to have ever worn a 49ers jersey.






Seattle Seahawks : John L. Williams


Williams was a first round draft pick of the Seahawks in 1986, and was the 15th player chosen overall. Though the Seattle offense featured Pro Bowl running back Curt Warner, Williams offered them a versatile dimension the team was lacking.

He was starting right away, running for 538 yards and catching 33 passes in his rookie year. It was the only season of his career that he failed to score. He piled up 500 yards the next year, despite missing four games due to injury. He had career longs on a 48 yard run and 75 yards reception.

The 1988 season may have been his best. He gained a career high 877 yards rushing at a 4.6 yards per carry average, and had 651 yards on 58 receptions. His 1,528 yards from scrimmage that year was a career high total, as was the seven touchdowns he scored that year.

He scored seven times again the next year, and he also a career high 76 receptions. He had 71 catches the next year, gaining a career high 699 yards. He also rushed for 714 yards, and was given his first Pro Bowl nod.

The 1991 season was his second and last Pro Bowl season. He gained 741 yards and had 61 receptions. He was never the same running threat again after that year, but maintained his excellence in the passing attack.

After 132 receptions and six touchdowns over the next two years, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 1994 season. He was used mainly as a pass receiver by the Steelers in his two years, catching 51 balls his first year with the team. He showed signs of slowing down in 1995, having career lows of 24 receptions and 110 rushing yards.

The Steelers made it to Super Bowl XXX that year. Williams had scored on a run in their first round playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills. Pittsburgh lost in the Super Bowl, and Williams retired at the conclusion of the game.

He leads all Seahawks running backs with 471 receptions for 4,151 yards receptions and also 123 games played. His 76 catches in 1989 is the most ever by a Seattle running back, and he owns the top three slots for receiving years by a running back. His six touchdown reception in 1989 is the most ever by a Seahawks running back.

He currently ranks third on the franchise list in receptions, fourth in rushing yards, and sixth in receiving yards.

John L. Williams is not only the best pass catching back in Seahawks history, he may be the most complete running back who ever played for them. He easily is the best fullback they ever had.








Tampa Bay Buccaneers : James Wilder


Wilder was the Bucs second round draft pick in 1981 and was moved to fullback for the first three years of his career. After leading the team in rushing and receiving in his second and third seasons, they moved him to halfback.

He led the NFL with 407 carries, the first player ever with 400 carries, in 1984, gaining 1,544 yards, scoring 13 times, and catching a career best 85 passes. His 2,229 combined yards was second in the league and 15 yards behind Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson.

It still is a team record, and it was the sixth best total in NFL history at the time. It still ranks 42nd, and Wilder was named to his only Pro Bowl, the first Buccaneer running back ever to attain this honor, for his efforts.

The following season saw him run for 1,300 yards, catch 53 balls, and score ten times. It would be his last 1,000 yard season, because he gained 704 yards and grabbed 43 passes in 1986 after missing four games because of injury.

Tampa Bay moved him back to fullback in 1987, and he once again led the team in rushing yards and receptions. After missing nine games the next year due to injuries, Wilder was a backup in 1989.

He started the 1990 year with the Washington Redskins, but went unused and was released after one game. The Detroit Lions picked him up, but rarely used him. He retired at the conclusion of the season.

Not only are his two 1,000-yard seasons the highest totals in franchise history, he is the Buccaneers all-time leader in rushing attempts and yards.

James Wilder is not only the most productive running back in Buccaneer history, but he is the most versatile. Though he had two exceptional seasons still firmly entrenched in the teams record books, he gave the team nine excellent years where he mostly carried the offense by himself.


His 430 receptions still is a franchise most, over 100 more than wide receiver Mark Carrier in second place. It is 124 more than Warrick Dunn, who has the second most ever by a Buccaneers running back.









Tennessee Titans : Eddie George


The Houston Oilers used their first-round draft pick in 1996 to select George and began feeding him the ball right away. He won the Rookie of the Year Award after toting the ball 335 times for 1,368 yards and eight scores.

The Oilers moved to Tennessee after the season and would rename themselves the "Titans" in 1999. George spent these years being the bell cow of the offense.

He made the first of four consecutive Pro Bowls in 1997 and never had fewer than 312 carries in his eight years with the team. He failed to gain 1,000 yards rushing just once for the team.

George helped the Titans reach Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999. He ran for 354 yards and a score, along with eight receptions, to carry the Titans in three playoff wins.

Though George had 95 yards rushing , two receptions, and two touchdowns in the Super Bowl, they lost 23-16.

His 2000 season was probably his best. It was his last Pro Bowl year and the only season he was named First Team All-Pro.

George carried the ball 405 times that year. It is still the fifth most carries in NFL history. He gained a career high 1,509 yards and ran for a career best 14 scores. He also caught a career high 50 passes.

He left Tennessee after the 2003 season having started in 128 straight games. He joined Hall of Famer Jim Brown as the only running backs to reach 10,000 rushing yards with at least 100 consecutive starts to begin their careers.

Joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2004, he was less effective and lost his starting job after eight games. He also missed the only three games of his career, which ended at the conclusion of the season.

His 259 receptions is 75 more than Lorenzo White, who has the second most ever by a Titans running back.






Washington Redskins : Larry Brown


Brown was drafted in the eighth round of the 1969 draft by the Washington Redskins. What happened next is a well known story by football historians.

Hall of Fame Vince Lombardi, in his first season with the Redskins and dying of cancer, noticed the rookie was not getting off the snap quickly. Instead, Brown seemed to reacting after the ball was hiked.

Lombardi ordered Brown to undergo a hearing test, where is was found he was partially deaf in his left ear. A hearing device was installed in Brown's helmet, allowing the rookie to fire out on the snap count with the rest of the team.

It also allowed him to have a Pro Bowl season as a rookie after running for 888 yards and catching 34 passes. He finished behind Dallas Cowboys halfback Calvin Hill, a future teammate of Brown's, for Rookie of the Year honors. Hill gained 54 more rushing yards but had 14 less receptions.

Lombardi died before the start of the 1970 season, so Bill Austin took over. Brown ran for 1,125 and caught 37 passes. Yet Washington finished 6-8 and Austin was replaced by Hall of Famer George Allen.

Brown's first year under Allen saw him dinged up and missing one game. Even though he caught a career low 16 balls, Brown still churned out 948 yards on the ground.

Washington would make the playoffs for the first time since 1945. It set the stage for the finest year of his career in 1972.

Not only did Brown win the NFL MVP Award, he won the Bert Bell Award, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, and the UPI NFC Player of the Year Award.

He was honored with his second First Team All-Pro nod and fourth straight Pro Bowl. It would be the last time in his career he would achieve either honor.

Setting career high totals 0f 285 carries for 1,216 yards and eight scores, averaging a career best 101.3 rushing yards per game. Brown grabbed 32 passes and scored four times while averaging a very impressive 14.8 yards per catch.

He took one pass a career long 89 yards for a score. Brown also piled up a career high 1,689 yards from scrimmage. His performance that year led the Redskins to an 11-3 division winning record. It was the first division title in 27 years for the franchise.

After churning out 101 rushing yards in the Redskins first postseason win since 1943, he gained 88 yards in Washington's 26-3 NFC Championship victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Reaching the franchises first NFL title game since 1945, Washington lost to the perfect Miami Dolphins 14-7 in Super Bowl V. Brown led the team with 72 rushing yards and five receptions, but the "No Name Defense" prevailed against the "Over The Hill Gang" in a defensive struggle.

Though he failed to reach the Pro Bowl in 1973, Brown was still very effective and led the Redskins to the playoffs again. He scored a career best 14 times by catching a career high 40 passes and running for 860 yards.

Averaging 12.6 yards per catch, he scored a career best six times off of receptions while matching his career high total of eight rushing touchdowns. Then injuries began to derail his career.

He missed three games in 1974, but still helped Washington reach the playoffs again by averaging 10.5 yards on 37 receptions and leading the team in rushing for a sixth straight season.

Though he caught 42 passes the next two seasons, his injuries inhibited his carries to just 117 carries. He retired at the end of the 1976 season.

Larry Brown was more than a fierce runner. He was an exceptional blocker as well. He was the Redskins all-time rushing leader in virtually every category until Hall of Famer John Riggins passed him.

His 238 catches and 20 touchdown receptions are the most ever by a Redskins running back. His 10.4 yards per catch average is also impressive.

Washington has had many fine receiving backs like Clarence Harmon, Mike Thomas, Kelvin Bryant, and Brian Mitchell . It also should be noted Hall of Famer Charley Taylor had well over 100 receptions at an impressive clip of over 15 yards per catch in just over two seasons before switching to wide receiver.  

What a long and strange trip is has been for the Oakland Raiders. Born in 1960 in the expansion American Football League, the Raiders were first destined to call Minneapolis, Minnesota home. Yet the NFL countered by starting the Minnesota Vikings franchise.

Los Angeles Chargers owner Barron Hilton told the AFL he would rescind his franchise if the league did not get another West Coast team. There were few football stadiums that were appealing for professional football in California at that time.

The city of Oakland asked for the Raiders after a group of businessmen formed a group to purchase the team. They played their first season across the bay in San Francisco and even played their last three games on the NFL's San Francisco 49ers turf in Candlestick Park.

After a rough start, the Chargers helped the Raiders again. Al Davis was an assistant coach to Hall of Famer Sid Gillman with the Chargers. Davis was named the general manager and head coach.

The team started to improve, but Davis accepted the job to be AFL commissioner. The job was short lived because the AFL decided to merge with the NFL. Davis returned to the Raiders after buying a stake in the teams ownership.

Becoming a powerful team by this time, under head coach John Rauch, the Raiders won the 1967 AFL title before heading to the second ever Super Bowl and losing to the Green Bay Packers. The team continued to be one of the best in football, but it would take until 1976 for them to reach another Super Bowl.

After winning it all that year, the Raiders won Super Bowls in 1980. Davis had now become the managing general partner of the Raiders and was unhappy with the Oakland Coliseum. He moved the team to Los Angeles.

Though an unpopular move for the city of Oakland, Los Angeles accepted the Raiders with open arms. The city now hosted the Raiders and the Rams together. The Rams, who had been there since 1946, battled the Raiders for fans allegiance.

Oakland gained an edge by winning the Super Bowl in 1983. Though the Rams won a title in 1951, it would be the only championship they secured until moving to Saint Louis in 1995 and winning it all in 1999.

Oakland struggled somewhat after the 1985 season as they tried to rebuild. An 8-8 season was their best until 1989. Rumors of their return to Oakland began around that time and was a reality in the 1995 season.

Since then, it has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. The team did reach the Super Bowl in 2002 and lost. They began to struggle after that season and eventually became the first team in NFL history to lose at least 11 games in seven straight seasons.

Some fans of the Raiders think the 82-year old Davis is a lot like Bear owner George Halas was toward the end of his career. Out of touch and stubborn in his ways.

Other fans do not question the wisdom of the Hall of Famer and live by his created slogans like "Pride and Poise," "Commitment to Excellence," and "Just Win, Baby". With the teams recent improvement in 2010, it seems Davis has plenty left in his tank to give to his beloved Raiders.

This is a team rich in tradition and history with some of the most loyal fans in all of football. They have witnessed some of footballs greatest and even most controversial moments with their team.

There was the infamous "Heidi Game" in 1968, when the NBC network decided the New York Jets had the game in hand late in the fourth quarter and switched to a movie. The Raiders would storm back and win.


There is the "Immaculate Reception" in 1972, when the Steelers returned a deflected pass for a score late in a playoff game. Fans still question whether the ball touched the Steelers or Raiders first.


There is the "Sea of Hands" play in 1974, where halfback Clarence Davis caught a fluttering touchdown pass to win the game while three Miami defenders dove for the ball in a playoff game.


There is the "Ghost to the Post", where Hall of Fame tight end Dave Casper made a crucial 42-yard catch as time was expiring in double-overtime against the Baltimore Colts. The Raiders tied the game and Casper caught the winning touchdown in the next overtime period.

It is the fourth longest game in NFL history and was the last playoff game ever for the Baltimore Colts.


There is the "Holy Roller" in 1978, where three Raiders fumbled the ball forward before falling on the ball in the end zone for the winning score as time expired.


There is the "Red Right 88" play where Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Sipe was on the Raiders 13-yard line with less than a minute to go in a 1981 playoff game. Instructed to throw the ball away if the play wasn't there, Sipe tried to force the ball to Hall of Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome and had the ball picked off by the Raiders Mike Davis.


There is the "Tuck Rule Game" in a playoff game in 2002 against the New England Patriots. Played in the snow, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady appeared to fumble the ball in a tie game. Oakland recovered the ball, but the referees declared that Brady's arm was going forward and it was an incomplete pass, allowing New England to kick the game-winning field goal shortly thereafter.

Many of these plays had impact on the game afterwards, as the NFL made rule changes to prevent them from happening again. The one thing that is certain is that the Raiders seem to be in the middle of some of footballs most historic moments.

Remember : this is a team of players who are not members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.




Quarterback : Ken Stabler


Stabler was drafted by the Raiders in the second round of the 1968 draft. With Daryle Lamonica entrenched firmly as their starter, Stabler joined the Spokane Shockers of the Continental Football League.

When the league ceased operations after the 1969 season, Stabler joined the Raiders and appeared in three games. He started one game the next season and won. He lost his lone start the next year but played more than he had before.

Oakland started him 11 games in 1973 and led the NFL with a 62.7 completion percentage. He was also named to his first Pro Bowl.

The 1974 season was one of his best, where he went back to the Pro Bowl and earned his only First Team All-Pro nod. He led the NFL with 26 touchdown passes, a 8.4 touchdowns thrown percentage, a 7.9 yards adjusted per attempt average, a 7.1 net yards gained per attempt, and a 7.0 adjusted net yards gained per attempt.

He was also named the NFL MVP by the Associated Press, as well as the AP's Offensive Player of the Year, and the NFL MVP of the Newspaper Enterprises Association.

After missing out on the Pro Bowl in 1975, he returned to it in 1976 with one of his better seasons. He led the NFL with career best marks of 27 touchdowns tossed, a 9.3 touchdowns thrown percentage, 228.1 yards thrown per game, 8.2 net yards gained per attempt, an 88-yard pass, and a quarterback rating of 103.4.

His stellar season led the Raiders to Super Bowl XV, as he lost just one game he started all year, where the franchise won their first world championship. He was named the winner of the Bert Bell Award for NFL Player of the Year.

After making the Pro Bowl for the final time of his career in 1977, Stabler continued to lead an aging Raiders team to winning records as it rebuilt. He left after the 1979 season for the Houston Oilers in a trade that brought Oakland quarterback Dan Pastorini.

After a solid 1980 season for Houston, Stabler experienced his first year as a starter with a losing record in 1981. He joined the New Orleans Saints in 1982 and led them to a .500 record in two years before spending 1984 as a reserve. He retired after the season ended.

There were few quarterbacks in Stabler's era with as much grit, intelligence, and desire as him. Though a free spirit off the field, Oakland knew he would lead his team to victory on the field. He won 69 of his 96 regular season starts and 7-4 in the postseason.

Stabler was known to improvise, even if it meant breaking the rules, in order to win. Many opponents claimed he greased his jersey so he could slip out of their grasp. In a game in 1977 against the San Diego Chargers, the Raiders were down by six points with a few seconds left on the clock.

They were in the red zone and Stabler was attempting to pass one as the clock was expiring. His receivers were covered, so Stabler fumbled the ball forward as he was being dragged down to the turf by a Chargers defender.

Running back Pete Banaszak then batted the ball towards the end zone where tight end Dave Casper kick the ball into the end zone and fell on it. The Raiders won, despite the Chargers protesting the play.

Stabler confessed later on that he fumbled the ball forward on purpose. The NFL rules committee soon placed a rule that no more “lmmaculate Deceptions," or “Holy RoIlers” would be allowed ever again.

The rule stated that on fourth down or any down in the final two-minutes of play, if a player fumbles, “only the fumbling player can recover and/or advance the ball,” for the 1979 season.

Many fans believe Stabler should be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but critics point to his predecessor Lamonica. Not only did Lamonica get one more Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro nod, he won three AFL titles.

Lamonica's career yards passing and touchdowns thrown are very similar to Stabler, as well as the fact he won 62 of 84 starts for Oakland and was named AFL Player of the Year twice. Critics reason that Lamonica deserves induction into Canton just as much as Stabler, since he taught a young Raiders team how to win while Stabler stepped in with a seasoned roster.

Yet "Snake" Stabler holds a special place in Raiders lore. He helped the franchise win their first Super Bowl and was part of the most historic plays in NFL history. He may be the best quarterback the team ever had.

Daryle Lamonica, Cotton Davidson, Tom Flores, Jeff Hostetler, Jim Plunkett, and Rich Gannon deserve mention.





Fullback : Mark van Eeghan


van Eeghan was drafted by the Raiders in the third round of the 1974 draft. He was rarely used as a rookie, carrying the ball a career low 28 times.

Starting eight games the next year, he impressed by averaging 4.4 yards per carry and cemented himself in the lineup. He soon became the cowbell of the Raiders offense.

Beginning in 1976, van Eeghan had a string of three consecutive 1,000 yard rushing seasons. He led the charge against impressive run defenses like the Pittsburgh Steelers "Steel Curtain" and Minnesota Vikings "Purple People Eaters" as Oakland won Super Bowl XV.

The 1977 season was his best. He set career highs with 324 carries for 1,273 yards. He ran in a career best nine touchdowns the following season.

Though he never ran for 1,000 yards again, his 1979 was excellent. Besides rushing for 818 yards and seven scores, van Eeghan caught a career best 51 balls, he had caught a total of 75 balls his previous five years, and a career high two touchdowns.

After churning out 838 yards in 1980, he spent most of the next year injured and had just 39 carries. He then joined the New England Patriots for two seasons before retiring after the 1983 season.

van Eeghan was the Raiders all-time leader in rushing attempts and yards until Hall of Famer Marcus Allen surpassed him in 1987. He still ranks second, as well as tops amongst all Raiders fullbacks.

His 35 rushing touchdowns ranks third best in team history. van Eeghan was the definition of a plow horse in football vernacular. He never took a ball longer than 34 yards, but his was consistent and averaged a solid four yards per carry for his Raiders career.

He was also a solid blocker who often opened up holes for versatile halfback Clarence Davis. Davis was also a good blocker who complimented van Eeghan well enough to make the Raiders one of the NFL's true powerhouses of the 1970's.

The Raiders have a deep stable of excellent fullbacks who wore their uniform, yet Mark van Eeghan may be the best that they ever had.

Hewritt Dixon, whose four Pro Bowls are the most ever by a Raiders fullback, Alan Miller, Steve Smith, Jon Ritchie, Derrick Fenner, and Marv Hubbard deserves mention.




Halfback : Clem Daniels


Daniels was an undrafted free agent rookie who signed with the Dallas Texans of the American Football League in 1960. He spent that year backing up Rookie of the Year Abner Hayes. He was also used on defense and intercepted three passes.

He was traded to the Raiders the next year and carried the ball just 31 times. Oakland liked what they saw, so he was elevated to the starting lineup in 1962 and scored a career best seven rushing touchdowns off of 761 yards.

He then had perhaps the greatest season by a Raiders running back in 1963, where he made the first of four consecutive Pro Bowls and was named First Team All-Pro.

He led the AFL with 1,099 rushing yards, 1784 yards from scrimmage, and 78.4 rushing yards per game while averaging a career best 5.1 yards per carry. He also led the AFL with a whopping 22.8 yards per catch average on 30 receptions, which is still a Raiders record for running backs with 30 receptions or more.

Though he never ran for over 1,000 yards again, Daniels ran for over 800 yards in each of the next three seasons and matched his career high of seven rushing touchdowns in 1966. He was named First Team All-Pro that year as well.

His 1967 season was cut short to nine games, though he did churn out 575 rushing yards. The Raiders would win the AFL title that year. It was his last year for the Raiders, as he joined the San Francisco 49ers the next year and carried the ball just 12 times in nine games before retiring.

His 22.8 yards per catch average in 1963 has only been surpassed by Warren Wells, Mervyn Hernandez, Cliff Branch, and James Jett as the best ever by a Raider with at least 30 receptions. All four played wide receiver.

Daniels ranks third in Raiders history in rushing attempts and yards, as well as sixth in rushing touchdowns. His 58.7 rushing yards per game is third behind Bo Jackson and Hall of Famer Marcus Allen.

While he finished his career with the most rushing yards ever in AFL history, what made Daniels even more exceptional was his way to beat opponents several ways. He is a member of the AFL's All-Time Team.

His 201 receptions are the third most ever by a Raiders running back and he averaged an excellent 16.4 yards per catch, an unheard of average for a running back. His 24 touchdown catches are the most ever by a Raiders running back and he completed four of nine passes for 143 yards.

His 4.5 yards per carry average and explosive receiving ability show that Clem Daniels was a threat every time he touched the ball. He is certainly one of the greatest players the Raiders ever had play for them.

Napolean Kaufman, Pete Banaszak, Bo Jackson, Kenny King, Clarence Davis, Tyrone Wheatley, Justin Fargas, and Charlie H. Smith deserve mention.






Wide Receiver : Tim Brown


Brown was selected sixth overall in the first round on the 1988 draft by the Raiders. He was used mainly as a return specialist as a rookie, but he did snare 43 catches and carry the ball a career high 12 times. He scored seven times that year, including the only rushing touchdown of his career.

After missing all of 1989, except one game, because of injury, he was not used much on offense the next two years. That changed in 1992 when he started 12 of the 15 games at wide receiver.

Now entrenched in the starting lineup, Brown made the Pro Bowl five straight years. He had 472 receptions over that time, including leading the NFL with 104 catches in 1993.

Brown also began a run of nine straight years of over 1,000 yards receiving. He never had less than 76 receptions during that time, which was in 2000 when he had a career best 11 touchdown catches

Despite 81 receptions in 2002, his 1,000-yards streak ended with 930 yards that season. After 52 receptions the next year, Brown left the Raiders to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He mostly was used as an extra receiver for the Bucs, though he did start four games. He had 24 receptions for just 200 yards and a score, prompting him to retire at seasons end.

His 1,094 receptions for 14,934 yards are still the fourth most in NFL history. His 100 receiving touchdowns ranks sixth and he is fifth best ever in all-purpose yards.

Tim Brown still hold most of the Raiders receiving records and might be the greatest wide receiver in that franchises history.

Art Powell will slide in here when Brown is inducted into Canton.




Wide Receiver : Cliff Branch


Branch was drafted in the fourth round of the 1972 draft by the Raiders. While catching just three balls as a rookie, he did return nine kickoffs for 191 yards and returned 12 punts for only 21 yards. He was never asked to return kicks again in his career.

After 19 catches in his second season, Branch exploded onto the NFL scene. He had a career high 60 catches in 1974 while leading the NFL with 1,091 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns catches, and 78 receiving yards per game.

It was the first for four consecutive years he went to the Pro Bowl. It was also the first of three straight First Team All-Pro nods.

He led the NFL with 12 touchdown receptions and career high of 79.4 yards receiving per game in 1976, while averaging a career best 24.2 yards per catch. It was the only year of his career he exceeded 20 yards per reception, though he did average over 19 yards twice.

The Raiders reached Super Bowl XI in 1976 and defeated the Minnesota Vikings 32-14. The 1977 season was his last as a Pro Bowler.

Branch continued to be the Raiders best deep threat. They reached Super Bowl XV in 1980 after he averaged 19.5 yards on 44 receptions.

Oakland made the playoffs as a wild card team and began a magical run. Branch had two touchdown receptions in Super Bowl XV, including the first score of the game, as the Raiders won 27-10.

As he got older, it appeared Branch never lost his amazing speed. He tied a NFL record at the age of 35 in 1983 by taking a catch 99 yards for a touchdown.

He had 14 receptions for 192 yards in the postseason while scoring a touchdown in Super Bowl XVIII. Oakland would win the title with a 38-9 thumping of the defending champion Washington Redskins.

After 27 receptions in 1984, he appeared in four games during the 1985 season and failed to record a catch for the first time in his career. He retired after that, but did play the 1988 season for the Los Angeles Cobras of the Arena Football League before retiring permanently.

He has the third most receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches in Raiders history. This was done while maintaining an impressive 17.3 yards per catch average.

Cliff Branch has been a semi-finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame twice. He was blazing fast with sure hands, making him one of the greatest wide receivers on Raiders history.

Art Powell, Warren Wells, Bo Roberson, James Jett, and Jerry Porter deserve mention.





Tight End : Todd Christensen


Christensen was drafted in the second round of the 1978 draft by the Dallas Cowboys, who put him at fullback. He broke his foot in a preseason game and was cut. The New York Giants signed him as a fullback in 1979 but cut him after he appeared in one game.

The Raiders signed Christensen and moved him to tight end. He caught just eight balls in his first three years with the Raiders while taking a fumble recovery in for a touchdown, which includes their Super Bowl XV winning season in 1980.

He began to get the ball in the strike-shortened 1982 by catching 42 balls in nine games. It set the stage for maybe the finest season of his career.

Christensen led the NFL with 92 receptions. He set career high marks of 1,246 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named First Team All-Pro and made the first of five straight Pro Bowls.

His performance helped carry the Raiders to Super Bowl XVII. He led the Raiders with 14 catches, tied with Cliff Branch, in the postseason as the Raiders would win the world championship.

From 1983 to 1986, Christensen had 349 receptions. It was an NFL record at the time.

His next two years were cut short by injuries, limiting him to 62 catches in 19 games. He retired at the end of the 1988 season.

The 461 receptions for 5,872 yards and 41 touchdowns by Christensen are the most ever by a Raiders tight end. He has the fourth most receptions and receiving yards in Raiders history, as well as the sixth most touchdown catches.

His five Pro Bowls is tied with Hall of Famer Dave Casper as the most ever by a Raiders tight end. His two First Team All-Pro nods is second most behind Casper's five.

Some will say Todd Christensen is the greatest tight end the team ever had.

Raymond Chester, Ethan Horton, and Billy Cannon deserve mention.





Tackle : Harry Schuh


Schuh was the Raiders first-round draft pick in 1965. Frank Youso began the year as a starter, but Schuh soon replaced him and would remain a starter the rest of his Raiders career.

He made his first Pro Bowl in 1967 while helping the Raiders win the AFL title. He returned to the Pro Bowl in 1969 while being named First Team All-Pro as well.

Schuh made his last Pro Bowl in 1970, but was then traded to the Los Angeles Rams for Hall of Fame tackle Bob Brown. He played three years for the Rams before joining the Green Bay Packers in 1974.

The Packers moved Schuh to left tackle that year, where he split starts with Keith Wortman. Schuh then retired at the conclusion of the season.

Harry Schuh was the first Raiders offensive tackle to go to a Pro Bowl and be named First Team All-Pro. His three Pro Bowls are still the second most in team history. He is the greatest right tackle in Raiders history.




Tackle : Lincoln Kennedy


Kennedy was drafted in the first round of the 1993 draft by the Atlanta Falcons with the ninth overall selection. After starting guard in his rookie year, he lost his starting job the next year and remained mostly a reserve until after the 1994 season.

He was traded to the Raiders before the 1995 season and quickly won the starting job at left tackle, which he would hold onto most of the rest of his career. He would make the first of three consecutive Pro Bowls in 2000.

Kennedy's 2002 season may have been his best. He made his last Pro Bowl while earning his only First Team All-Pro honor. It helped the Raiders reach Super Bowl XXXVII.

He appeared in just 12 games in 2003 because of injuries, starting in 10, and decided to retire. He later attempted a comeback with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005, but was cut in training camp. He then played for the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League in 2007 before retiring permanently.

Lincoln Kennedy's three Pro Bowls is tied with Harry Schuh as the second most ever by an offensive tackle in Raiders history. He is a player whose career was resurrected by the Raiders, something the team has often done, to become one of the finest blockers in that teams history.

Henry Lawrence, Bruce Davis, Bruce Wilkerson, and Barry Sims deserve mention.




Guard : Steve Wisniewski


Wisniewski was drafted with the first pick in the second round of the 1989 draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He was quickly dealt to the Raiders in one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history.

The Raiders got themselves a guard who started immediately and would start every game but two for the next 13 years. After playing right guard as a rookie, he moved to the left side in 1990 and stayed there the rest of his career.

The move worked out for both Wisniewski and the Raiders. He was selected to the first of six straight Pro Bowls on 1990 and quickly developed a reputation as one of the very best guards in the entire NFL.

He was named First Team All-Pro in 1991 and 1992. He was considered tough and surly, playing with a real mean streak that had opposing defensive tackles rue the days they had to square off against him.

After missing the Pro Bowl in 1996, he went back in 1997. He was passed over the next two years before returning for the final time in 2000. He retired after the 2001 season having started in every game he played in.

A decade after retiring, Wisniewski has returned to the Raiders as an offensive line coach. He will be coaching his nephew Stefen Wisniewski, whose dad Leo is Steve's older brother. Leo Wisniewski was an excellent NFL defensive tackle who had his career cut short by injuries.

Many Raiders historians consider Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw the greatest guard the team has ever had. Yet Steve Wisniewski went to eight Pro Bowls, one more than Upshaw. It is the most Pro Bowls ever by a Raiders guard.

One day Steve Wisniewski will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not only was he a fine technical blocker against the pass, but he was an absolute mauler run blocking. He frequently was seen pancaking his opponents into the turf with ferocious desire.

He may be the greatest offensive guard in the history of the Raiders and he is a member of the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team.




Guard : Wayne Hawkins


Hawkins was originally the first selection of the Denver Broncos in the 1960 AFL territorial draft, but was soon selected by the Raiders in the allocation draft of the fledgeling league.

John Dittrick, one of just four veterans who started games on offense that year, split a few starts with Hawkins that year. The rookie soon grabbed the job and would hold it until 1967.

After starting at right guard his first three seasons, Hawkins moved to left guard in 1963 and earned the first of five straight Pro Bowl nods. He moved back to right guard the next two years before playing on the left side in 1966.

Moving back to the right side in 1967, helping Oakland win the AFL title, he made his last Pro Bowl. His 1968 season was racked by injuries and he played just 10 games while second-year player Gene Upshaw, a future Hall of Famer, took over at left guard.

After spending 1969 on the bench, he retired having played his entire career with just the American Football League. He is one of only 20 men to have done this. His five Pro Bowls was a record for a Raiders guard until Upshaw surpassed him in 1975 and it is still the third most ever in franchise history.

Wayne Hawkins is a member of the Raiders All-Time Team and is one of the best guards to have ever played for them.

George Buehler, Max Montoya, Kevin Gogan, Charley Hannah, Mickey Marvin, and Jim Harvey deserve mention.





Center : Don Mosebar


Mosebar was drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the 1983 draft. He spent his rookie year on the bench learning from veteran Pro Bowler Dave Dalby as the Raiders would end up winning Super Bowl XVIII.

He played right guard the next year and started in the 10 games he played. He took over for Dalby in 1985 and would be named to the Pro Bowl in 1986.

Mosebar quickly showed his athleticism and versatility. He played left tackle for the Raiders in 1988 before moving back to center for the rest of his career.

The pinnacle of his career came in 1990 and 1991 when he was named to the Pro Bowl each year. He was the starter until the 1994 season and was annually considered one of the best centers in the NFL.

As he prepared for the 1995 season, he was accidentally poked in the left eye in practice. The injury was so severe that he lost sight in the eye and was forced to retire. His retirement ended a magnificent run at center for the Raiders.

Hall of Famer Jim Otto, Dalby, and Mosebar were the main starters at center for 34 straight years, minus the 1988 season where Mosebar played tackle and Bill Lewis played center.

Otto might be the greatest center ever, and Dalby was fantastic in his own right, but Mosebar's three Pro Bowls is second to Otto as the most ever by a Raiders center. His ability to play all over the offensive line, even at left tackle, also is an example of his greatness and gives him this slot.

Dave Dalby and Barrett Robbins deserve mention.





Defensive Tackle : Tom Keating


Keating was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the AFL Draft. He was also drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

The Chiefs dealt him to the Buffalo Bills before the season began and he spent the next two years appearing in nine games as a reserve. The Bills won the AFL title each season.

Buffalo then traded Keating to the Raiders before the 1966 season. He earned a starting job right away on one of the AFL's best defensive lines.

Oakland had four Pro Bowlers starting with Ben Davidson, Ike Lassiter, Dan Birdwell, and Keating when he earned the honor in his first season with the Raiders. The unit would lead Oakland to an AFL title in 1967.

Not only were they stout against the run, but the quartet helped the Raiders collect 67 sacks that year. It was perhaps Keating's finest season, as he was named to the Pro Bowl and became the first Raiders defensive tackle to be named First Team All-Pro.

After two more solid seasons, Keating appeared in just 15 games between 1971 and 1972 because of injuries. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1973 and backed up Ernie Holmes and Hall of Famer "Mean" Joe Greene. Pittsburgh would lose to Oakland 33-14 in the playoffs that year.

Keating then went to the Kansas City Chiefs for two years. After spending the 1974 season starting next to Hall of Famer Buck Buchanan, his 1975 season was bereft by injury and he played in nine games before deciding to retire.

His two Pro Bowls are still the second most ever by a Raiders defensive tackle. Many Raider fans may remember Keating for a unique four-point stance that was similar to Hall of Famer Bob Lilly, but he was also the point man on the team.

When many new players joined the team, they were sent to live with Keating. His house was also where the party was at most times. Raiders would frequently congregate at his residence, which helped the team develop a close bond amongst one another.

The wild stories on the rebel Raiders seemed to go down at Keating's house more often than not. He was one of the most popular teammates for good reason during that era.His play on the field exceeded his leadership off the field at times.

"He's a great defensive tackle," Chiefs nine-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jim Tyrer once said about Keating. "When they play him head-on the center, he occupies three players. The center knows he's there and both the offensive guards have to be aware of him, because he can go either way around the center and then they have to help."

Tom Keating is a member of the All-AFL Second Team, alongside of Buchanan, and is one of the greatest Raiders ever. He and his best friend Ben Davidson lined up together for years and dominated opponents with athleticism, intelligence, and teamwork.

These themes were just part of Keating's leadership as a Raiders team grew up together and became ingrained into football folklore.





Defensive Tackle : Chester McGlockton


McGlockton was drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the 1992 draft. After playing off of the bench as a rookie, he earned a starting job in 1993 and held the rest of the time he was with the Raiders.

He made the first of four consecutive Pro Bowls He had 29.5 sacks and averaged 61 tackles per season over that time while being regarded as one of the best defensive tackles in the AFC.

He left the Raiders after 1997, his last Pro Bowl year where he had a career best 64 tackles, to join the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs moved him to defensive end and he appeared in just 10 games because of injury.

After two more uneventful seasons with the Chiefs, McGlockton moved on to the Denver Broncos in 2001. He spent two years there and scored the only three touchdowns of his career. Two came off of interceptions and the other off a fumble recovery.

The New York Jets signed him as a reserve in 2003, where he would retire at the end of the season. Of his 51 career sacks, 39.5 came with the Raiders. It is the second most ever by a Raiders defensive tackle.

The great Bill Pickel was considered for this slot, but the four Pro Bowls McGlockton had is the most by a defensive tackle in Raiders history. He is certainly one of the better defensive tackles the team has ever had.

Bill Pickel, Otis Sistrunk, Darrell Russell, Dave Costa, Bob Golic, Art Thoms, and Dan Birdwell deserve mention.






Defensive End : Ben Davidson


Davidson was drafted by the New York Giants in the 1961 NFL Draft, but went undrafted by the AFL. He was traded to the Green Bay Packers and was a reserve on a Packers team that won the 1961 NFL Championship, the first of five won by Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi.

He went to the Washington Redskins for the next two years, playing as a reserve, before joining the Raiders in 1964. After beginning the year on the bench, he quickly worked himself into the starting lineup and would remain there the rest of his career.

He missed two games that year, the only games he failed to play in throughout his entire career. At 6'8", Davidson was one of the biggest men in profession football. He was also one of the toughest.

For all the strength and grit Davidson had, he was also incredibly athletic. He could hurdle 6'6" Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Jim Tyrer on his way to the quarterback.

Davidson was an important member of a great Raiders defensive line where he, Ike Lassiter, Tom Keating, and Dan Birdwell would all go to the Pro Bowl in their careers. While they were all excellent pass rushers, they were equally excellent versus the run.

He made the first of three straight Pro Bowls in 1966. He and Keating lined up next to each other and were almost impossible to block. The duo went to the Pro Bowl two straight years together and were both named First Team All-Pro in 1967.

He was the first Raiders defensive end to be named First Team All-Pro, an honor no other Raiders defensive end would achieve until Hall of Famer Howie Long did it in 1984 and 1985. Davidson and Long are still the only defensive ends in franchise history to accomplish this.

After his final Pro Bowl in 1968, Davidson remained a consistent force until he retired after the 1971 season to focus on his burgeoning businesses off the field. His three Pro Bowls is second to Long as the most ever by a Raiders defensive end.

After football, Davidson acted in some legendary movies like M*A*S*H, Conan the Barbarian, Behind the Green Door, and Miller Lite commercials. He has also excelled in real estate while still maintaining a close bond with Raider fans by tailgating with them.

While Davidson and his best friend Tom Keating were known for creating havoc on the field and go on long road trips via motorcycles off the field, he also helped the league by playing within the rules.

In 1976, the NFL made a rule that prohibited a defender from "running or diving into, or throwing his body against or on a ball carrier who falls or slips to the ground untouched and makes no attempt to advance, before or after the ball is dead."

The inspiration came from a play in 1970 where Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson ran down field. He soon slid on the ground and waited on the referee's whistle.

Davidson barreled into Dawson helmet first. While the play was within the rules, a minor brawl broke out between the Chiefs and Raiders over the play with Chiefs wide receiver Otis Taylor squaring off on Davidson and led to the rules eventual emplacement.

The play resulted in offsetting penalties and forced the Chiefs to punt after it took away a first down that would have sealed a Kansas City victory. It helped lead the Raiders to tie the game and eventually win the AFC West.

The Raiders were known as rebels in that era and Davidson was one of the players most mentioned. His huge frame drew much of it even if Davidson played within the rules, but he would also do whatever it took to win.

Ben Davidson is a great Oakland legend for several reasons. He brought a winning attitude to a young team and helped develop the franchise to becoming a consistent winner. There is no question that he is one of the greatest members of the Oakland Raiders ever.






Defensive End : Greg Townsend


Drafted in the fourth round of the 1983 draft by the Raiders, Townsend ended up contributing mightily in his rookie year. He backed up Hall of Famer Howie Long and Lyle Alzado that year and the trio combined for 30.5 sacks.

Townsend had 10.5 sacks in the regular season, then 4.5 in the post season as the Raiders would win Super Bowl XVIII. He also had a safety and fumble recovery of 66 yards for a touchdown that year.

He spent the next two seasons as a pass rush specialist and collected 17 sacks. He started in four games during the 1986 season and had 11.5 sacks while recording another safety.

The 1988 season saw him start 11 games and get 11.5 sacks while scoring touchdowns on both a fumble recovery and 86 yard interception return. He became a full-time starter in 1990 and responded with a Pro Bowl season after collecting 12.5 sacks, getting a career high 67 tackles, and scoring the last touchdown of his career off a fumble recovery.

Townsend made his last Pro Bowl in 1991 after getting a career best 13 sacks and picking off the last pass of his career. His sack totals dwindled the next two years, getting 12.5 total, but he did see some time at defensive tackle when injuries hit the Raiders hard in 1993.

He joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994 and had a career low two sacks in 12 starts. Townsend rejoined the Raiders in 1995 and appeared in four games. It was the only season of his career he failed to record a sack.

He retired at the end of the season with 109.5 career sacks, which is currently the 16th most in NFL history. The 107.5 he had with the Raiders is the most in that franchises history.

His three touchdowns off of fumble recoveries is tied as the most in team history, and his two sacks are the second most in Raiders history. His 13 forced fumbles are also the second most in Raiders history.

Greg Townsend is one of the best pass rushers to have ever played for the Raiders, let alone one of the finest defensive ends in the franchises history.

Ike Lassiter, Derrick Burgess, Lyle Alzado, Anthony Smith, Tony Cline, Lance Johnstone, and John Matuzak deserve mention.






Linebacker : Rod Martin


Martin was drafted in the 12th round of the 1977 draft by Oakland, the 317th overall selection. Just five men drafted behind him played in the NFL.

Martin played just one game as a rookie, but started to earn a lot of playing time in his second year by starting half of the season. Oakland was impressed with his intelligence and solid all-around play.

After starting all of 1979, he did not start in six games in 1980. This inspired him to get better just as the Raiders reached the playoffs as a Wild Card team.

Bookending Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks, the duo helped the team reach Super Bowl XV. Facing the Philadelphia Eagles, Martin became a nightmare for Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski.

He made three key interceptions to help lead Oakland to a 27-10 win. No other player in Super Bowl history has had three picks in a Super Bowl, and his three career swipes is tied with two others as the most in Super Bowl history.

He was somehow not named MVP of the game, despite such excellence.

The 1983 season was one of the best in his career. He led the NFL with two touchdowns off of interceptions, had a career high four picks, and chipped in six sacks.

He was named to his first Pro Bowl. Oakland reached the playoffs, where Martin had a sack in their AFC Championship win. In Super Bowl XVIII, he came up big again for his team.

Besides recording another sack, he recovered a fumble and made several key tackles. One came on a fourth-down play, where he stopped Hall of Fame running back John Riggins short of a conversion in the Raiders victory.

He was honored as First Team All-Pro in 1984, as well as being named to his last Pro Bowl. Martin had a career high 11 sacks, recorded a safety, and scored off a 77-yard fumble recovery.

Martin stayed in the starting lineup until after the 1988 season, where he decided to retire.

One of Martin's special abilities was reaching the end zone once he got his hands on the ball, which he did six times. Only Terry McDaniel's seven exceeds his total for a team record for a defensive player.

While the Raiders have had a few late round picks help them, none have been better than Martin.

His four touchdowns off of interceptions is the most by a Raiders linebacker and tied with three others as the second most in team history. Martin's 14 career interceptions are the second most by a Raiders linebacker.

The ten fumble recoveries he had are the second most in team history. The two he returned for touchdowns is tied with five other Raiders as the second most in team history and his 33.5 quarterback sacks, the seventh most in team history, tops the list of sacks by a linebacker in Oakland history.

While many NFL fans remember him for being superb in Super Bowls, Raider fans got to enjoy him for 12 seasons and several will say Rod Martin is the greatest linebacker in team history.




Linebacker : Dan Conners


Conners was the Raiders second round draft selection in the 1964 AFL Draft. He was also the Cleveland Browns fifth round choice in the NFL Draft.

After appearing in just five games as a rookie, he spent 1965 listed as the third-string middle linebacker behind starter Archie Matos, a three-time Pro Bowler, and Bill Budness. Budness was drafted two rounds after Conners the year before.

Matos left the Raiders after 1965 and Budness was named the starter. Conners soon supplanted him and began a run of three consecutive Pro Bowl years by taking one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

His 1967 season was one of Conners best. He had a career high three interceptions, returning one for a score, and had a career best four fumble recoveries. He took one fumble for a touchdown of 73 yards.

Though his Pro Bowl run ended in 1968, Conners had a solid 1969 season. He took his lone interception for a career long 75 yard touchdown return and recovered three fumbles. One fumble was returned for a score, the last touchdown of his career.

Conners continued to start for Oakland until 1974, where he retired at the end of that season. His three Pro Bowls is the most ever by a Raiders middle linebacker.

Conners 15 interceptions are the most ever by a Raiders linebacker, and his three touchdowns off of interceptions is the most ever by a Raiders middle linebacker. His two touchdowns and 16 fumble recoveries are the second most in Raiders history.

Dan Conners was a play maker in his 11 seasons with the Raiders. He is the best middle linebacker the team has ever had.

Archie Matos, Matt Millen, Monte Johnson, and Greg Biekert deserve mention.








Linebacker : Phil Villapiano


Villapiano was drafted by the Raiders in the second round of the 1971 draft. He earned the starting job at left outside linebacker immediately and would hold it the next six seasons.

His 1972 season saw Villapiano pick off a career best three interceptions, returning one 82 yards for the only touchdown of his career. Villapiano then made the Pro Bowl in 1973, an honor he would earn until 1976.

Oakland would win Super Bowl XI in 1976. Villapiano had a solid playoffs for the Raiders by getting a quarterback sack in both the AFC Championship and Super Bowl victories. He was the only Raider to sack Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton in the Raiders 32-14 Super Bowl win.

Villapiano's 1977 season was cut short after two games because of injury. He came back the next year and recorded a safety while playing right outside linebacker. After playing for Oakland in 1979, he joined the Buffalo Bills.

Villapiano spent four years with the Bills, playing as a reserve on an excellent Bills linebacking unit. His last two years were riddled by injuries, playing just 13 games over that time.

Retiring after the 1983 season, Villapiano's four Pro Bowls is still tied with Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks as the most ever by a Raiders outside linebacker. Though he was most noted for his excellent run defense, the 11 interceptions he had are the third most ever by a Raiders linebacker and his 17 fumble recoveries are the most ever by a Raider.

Stout, consistent, and tough is how many remember Phil Villapiano. He was a leader on and off the field as well. He is unquestionably one of the best linebackers in Raiders history.

Gus Otto, Willie Hall, Gerald Irons, Jeff Barnes, and Winston Moss deserve mention.






Strong Safety : George Atkinson


Atkinson was drafted by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 1968 draft. He played well enough to win the American Football League's Rookie of the Year Award, but was beaten out by Paul Robinson of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Atkinson led the AFL with 36 punt returns for 490 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the AFL with a kickoff return average of 25.1 yards on 32 attempts. He played cornerback on defense and swiped four passes, returning one for a touchdown, and recovered a career best three fumbles in just six starts.

The Raiders noticed how well he tackled, so Atkinson was moved to strong safety in 1969. While his kickoff duties lessened to just 16 attempts, he still returned 25 punts and picked off a pair of passes. He returned one for another touchdown.

He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two years. The AFL officially merged with the NFL in 1970, and the hitting prowess of Atkinson quickly garnered the notice of his newer peers as well.

Though he returned just four punts that year, he did handle 23 kickoffs. He would be asked to return just five kickoffs for the rest of his career, because he was too valuable on defense.

In 1973, he led the NFL with 41 punt returns. After returning just 12 punts the next two years, he never fielded another punt in his career.

His tackling and fierce attitude was stuff of legend for Raiders fans in the "Black Hole". He was a fan favorite because Atkinson would do whatever it took to win.

He also drew the ire of opponents. After knocking Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann unconscious in 1976 on a play away from the ball, a player Atkinson gave a concussion on a hit the year before in the AFC Championship Game, Steelers called Atkinson part of the "criminal element" in football.

But hitting opponents hard wasn't Atkinson's only skill. He frequently intercepted passes and returned a pair of fumbles for touchdowns. He was a play maker who left everything on the field.

That 1976 season may have been the highlight of his career. Though he failed to intercept a pass for the first time in his career, the Raiders defense became stingy in the AFC Championship Game, which carried over in helping them win Super Bowl XI.

He played one more season for the Raiders before retiring. He did attempt a comeback in 1979 and appeared in six games with the Denver Broncos before retiring for good.

His 26 interceptions for 382 yards are the most ever by a Raiders strong safety. His 30 career interceptions ranks fifth best in team history, and his 448 yards rank sixth.

Not only is George Atkinson one of the greatest Raiders leaders in team history, he is the best strong safety to have ever played for them.

Warren Powers, Howie Williams, Charlie Phillips, and Mike Davis deserve mention.




Free Safety : Jack Tatum


Tatum was a first round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders in 1971. He was the 19th player picked overall. Tatum did not start playing organized football until his tenth grade year. By the time he left Ohio State University, he had a career that later had him inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Tatum made an immediate impact upon his arrival in the NFL. One game, he knocked out two Baltimore Colts from the game. Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey was one of the players.

He intercepted four passes that year, and returned them for 136 yards. Tatum intercepted four passes the next year as well, gaining 91 yards on returns. He also set an then-NFL record by returning a fumble 104 yards for the only touchdown of his NFL career.

By 1973, Tatum was one of the most feared and respected free safeties in the NFL. He missed the first game of his career that year, but was named to his first Pro Bowl squad.

Tatum would go on to be named to the Pro Bowl team until 1977. In 1977, Tatum snared six interceptions, and returned them for a career high 146 yard. He was a key ingredient to the Raiders team that would go on to win Super Bowl XI.

He was traded to the Houston Oilers prior to the 1980 season and responded by intercepting a career high seven interception for 100 yards despite not starting one game. He helped the Oilers win the AFC Central Division Championship.

Houston, coincidentally, would then lose to the Wild Card Oakland Raiders in the first round. Tatum retired after that game.

His 164 yards returned via fumbles ranks 16th All-Time in NFL history, and his 736 yards returned by interception ranks 38th All-Time in NFL history.

Tatum's 636 yards off interceptions ranks first in Raiders history. It is 12 yards more than Dave Grayson, the player he replaced at free safety.

No matter how one looks at Tatum, he in part of some of some of the most memorable moments in the NFL's history. The famous "Immaculate Reception", at the end of a playoff game in 1972, started when Tatum laid out Pittsburgh Steelers running back John Fuqua. Most fans recall Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris gathering the caromed ball and taking it for a game winning touchdown.

In Super Bowl XI, Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Sammy White was leveled by Tatum on a crossing pattern, but the Vikings great held onto the ball. During a 1978 pre-season game, Tatum hit New England Patriots Wide Receiver Darryl Stingley in a play that would paralyze Stingley for life.

He happened to play on a team that was called the "Bad Boys" of the 1970's NFL. It was a unique roster full of characters.

Tatum was nicknamed the "Assassin" due to his hard hitting ability. The hit on Stingley, coupled with the Raiders already established reputation, gave Jack an unfair label of being a dirty player. He was vilified by casual observers, and anti-Raider media types after this play.

Tatum once said, “I always wanted to hit someone hard, and if they got hurt, that was just part of the game. But you always wanted them to be OK.” Tatum admitted his hitting prowess "borderlines on felonious assault."

The game was much rougher back then. Yet the media continues to try to spin this fabricated tale that Jack was a cheap shot artist. "They said on ESPN that I hit Stingley in the back and that's just a lie," Tatum said. "It's amazing to me that they lie like that when they can just look at the hit. They have it on tape."

Even then-Patriots Head Coach Chuck Fairbanks said the hit was far from dirty. Propaganda machines like ESPN are probably a big factor as to why Tatum has yet to be inducted into Canton.

Many media types tried to say he was remorseless about this play. Tatum has expressed sorrow on televised interviews, only to have that part edited out. "I feel sorry for what happened to him," said Tatum, "I tried to apologize to him a number of times, but people around him wouldn't let that happen."

Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman, a Hall of Fame voter, are part of other big reasons why Tatum has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is sick, and unfair, that Tatum is being labeled for one play. A play no one wants to remember in its reality, rather to fabricate this villainous imagery.

This play is the main reason the NFL went from the 10-yard chuck rule to the current five-yard rule. Tatum was once part of the NFL as part of the Uniform Code Enforcement Team, commonly known as the “fashion police".

There needs to be one major enforcement. This on the media who lie. Tatum may have hit guys hard, but that is the way the game was played then. He played within the rules and was not flagged nor fined for his hit on Stingley. That is the reality.

Tatum is a player many look up to. Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott is on record for idolizing Tatum. That is another reality.

It is time for the voters to do away with spun fabrications and deal with reality. Just look at his statistics if you want to have disdain for his impact. Jack Tatum deserves his place in Canton.

David Grayson, Vann McElroy, Eddie Anderson, and Tom Morrow, whose eight consecutive games with an interception is an NFL record, deserve mention.






Cornerback : Lester Hayes


Hayes was drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 1977 draft. Though the Raiders were the defending champions with an excellent defense, Hall of Fame head coach John Madden was so impressed with Hayes that he had the rookie start in a few games.

He earned the starting job the next year and would hold onto this honor the rest of his career. After four interceptions in 1978, he began to gain league-wide notice the next year by picking off seven balls and taking two in for touchdowns.

The 1980 season is considered the best of his career. Hayes led the NFL with a career best 13 interceptions and returned one for a score. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, helping lead the Raiders to a Super Bowl XV victory.

Hayes was named First Team All-Pro for the only time of his career that season, as well as beginning a run of five straight seasons where he would go to the Pro Bowl.

Business began to really pick up for Hayes and the Raiders during the 1983 season. They acquired Hall of Famer Mike Haynes to bookend Hayes and give the team the best cornerback tandem in the NFL.

The duo helped the Raiders reach Super Bowl XVIII, where they shut down the Washington Redskins passing game so effectively, the defense was allowed to concentrate on the vaunted Redskins game in the Raiders 38-9 blowout win.

Haynes went to the Pro Bowl three times opposite Hayes, who went twice himself. Hayes missed two games in 1988, the first games he missed since his rookie year. He retired at the end of the season.

He is a member of the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team. He is on the second team behind Hall of Famers Haynes and Mel Blount. Hayes is the only Raider to ever be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

His 39 interceptions is tied with Hall of Famer Willie Brown as the most in team history. The four touchdowns he had off of interceptions is the second most, and his 572 yards off of interceptions are the second most by a Raiders cornerback, ranking fourth best in franchise history.

The images of Stickum all over his body is as memorable as the unusual stance Hayes took before the snap of the ball. When the NFL banned Stickum in 1981, after Hayes stuck to 13 thrown balls the year before, it was called the "Lester Hayes Rule".

He has been a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame four times and a semi-finalist six times. It seems the "only true Jedi" will one day join Willie Brown and Mike Haynes as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.





Cornerback : Terry McDaniel


McDaniel was the Raiders first round draft pick in 1988, where he was the ninth overall selection. He was expected to be the next great Raiders cornerback, following legends like Willie Brown, Mike Haynes, and Lester Hayes.

His rookie season was cut short to just two games, but McDaniel quickly rebounded to become a top defender for the team. He scored the first touchdown of his career in 1990 by taking a fumble recovery 42 yards to seal the teams initial victory that season.

Though the 1991 season saw no interceptions by him, the only time besides his rookie year McDaniel failed to pick off a pass, it was one of his better years. He had a career best 77 tackles and two forced fumbles.

That was followed up by his first Pro Bowl season the next year. McDaniel made the Pro Bowl five straight years and scored at least one touchdown in four seasons.

His 1994 year may be his very best. McDaniel set career best marks of seven interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and three touchdowns. Two came off of interceptions, another career high mark.

The 1997 season saw him miss the first three games of his career since his rookie year. He then would join the Seattle Seahawks as a reserve the next year, appearing in nine games.

McDaniel did swipe one pass and took it 43 yards for a touchdown. He retired at the conclusion of the year and is all over the Raiders records books.

His five touchdowns are the most in franchise history and his two off of fumble recoveries are the most ever by a Raiders cornerback. His seven touchdowns lead all Raiders defenders and his 34 interceptions for 624 yards are both ranked second best in team history.

Though Terry McDaniel has yet to follow Brown or Haynes into Canton, he certainly is one of the best cornerbacks in team history.

Fred Williamson, Kent McGloughan, Lionel Washington, Nemiah Wilson, Skip Thomas, Eric Allen, Phillip Buchanon, and David Grayson deserve mention.






Kicker : Jeff Jaeger


Jaeger was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 1987 draft. Despite playing in just 10 games because of a players strike, he set a franchise scoring record by a rookie with 75 points.

Yet Cleveland replaced him with veteran Matt Bahr the next year and Jaeger spent the season out of football. He signed with the Raiders and replaced Chris Bahr, the older brother of Matt.

Handling the placekicking duties over the next seven years, Jaeger led the team in scoring for five consecutive years. He scored at least 103 points three times and was considered one of the better kickers in the AFC.

Jaeger made his only Pro Bowl in 1991, where he was also selected First Team All-Pro. His 85.3 field goal percentage that year was a career best mark.

His best season may have came in 1994. He led the NFL with a career best 132 points, while also leading the league with 44 field goal attempts and 35 makes. Gary Anderson, of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was chosen to the Pro Bowl ahead of Jaeger after missing just two kicks all year.

After missing five games because of injuries in 1995, Jaeger joined the Chicago Bears the next year. He was effective for three seasons before getting replaced after third game of the 1999 season. He then retired.

Jaeger ranks fourth in Raiders history in points scored, field goals attempted and made, and extra points attempted and made. His 132 point season in 1993 was a team record until Sebastian Janikowski broke it in 2010.

He is still the only placekicker in Raiders history to be named to the Pro Bowl or be named First Team All-Pro. His 44 field goal attempts and 35 makes in 1991 still stand as team records.

George Blanda may be the best kicker in team history, as the Hall of Famer seemed to always come through in the clutch. Janikowski is setting team records and seems to have several years ahead of him.

Yet Jeff Jaeger is chosen to man this position because he is amongst the best placekickers in Raiders history.

Chris Bahr deserves mention.





Punter : Ray Guy


Guy was a first round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders in the 1973 draft. He was the 23rd player picked overall.

He is the first punter to ever be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and is considered the greatest punter to have ever played college football and has a trophy named after him. The Ray Guy Award is given annually to the best collegiate punter in the nation.

Guy is the first punter to ever be drafted in the first round by the NFL. His impact was immediate. He was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, when he averaged 45.3 yards per punt.

He would be named the Pro Bowl Punter every year up until 1978. At the 1976 Pro Bowl, Guy became the first punter to hit the Louisiana Superdome video screen.

In 1979, he was named to the UPI All-Conference Second Team, and the Newspaper Entertainment. Association All-NFL Second Team. He was named to his final Pro Bowl in 1980 after averaging 43.6 yards per punt. He also booted a career long punt of 77 yards that year.

For some unknown reason, he was not named to the 1981 Pro Bowl, despite punting a career high 96 times and having a 43.7 average. He was named to the UPI All-Conference Second Team.

Guy booted the ball over 70 yards in four of his seasons, and kicked five balls over 60 yards in one season alone. His shortest season long was 57, in the strike shortened 1982 season. That season also was the only season of his career when he did not average over 40 yards per punt, finishing with a 39.1 average.

He ended the last three years of his career averaging 90 punts per season and retired after the 1986 season. Guy did more than just punt for the Raiders. He threw three career passes, completing two for 54 yards. He also rushed for 43 yards on 11 attempts.

In 1976, Guy was asked to kick an extra point, but missed. Ray only had three punts blocked in his entire career, and never had a punt returned for a touchdown. He led the NFL in punting three times and also kicked off for aging kicker George Blanda, a Hall of Famer.


He was an integral part of the Raiders. He also was on three Super Bowl winning teams in Oakland during his career.

The highlight of his Super Bowls was in 1983. His punt in Super Bowl XVIII pinned Washington inside their 12 yard line, which led to a Raiders touchdown via a turnover the next play.

Guy was also named the punter on the National Football League's 75th Anniversary Team, the Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team and as a member of the NFL 1970's All Century team. He was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.


If you saw Ray Guy, you must be scratching your head right now as to why he isn't yet in Canton. His punts were legendary. Other teams would test the balls that he punted for helium, due to the heights his punts attained.

I had thought, after seeing placekicker Jan Stenerud inducted in 1991, that the voters were FINALLY recognizing the importance of special teams. In 1994, Guy was the first punter to be nominated, but he still has not been elected.

I find myself often questioning the football knowledge of several voters. Some claim to be "purists", saying that specialist do not belong because they only get on the field for a few plays each game.

Still, isn't Canton's reason for existence based upon what players do once on the field? There is NO DOUBT that Ray Guy helped the Raiders win many games.

Even if you disregard his statistics, you cannot look past his impact on football at all levels. Guy belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame right now!

Jeff Gossett deserves mention.






Kich Returner : Chris Carr


Carr is still active, so there is a chance he returns to Oakland. Yet we place him here because of his statistical dominance as a kickoff returner in Raiders history at this moment.

He made the team as an undrafted rookie free agent for the Raiders in 2005. He earned the job as the return specialist. While he did return 77 punts over three years for the Raiders, he averaged just 5.9 yards per return.

Returning kickoffs is where he excelled. Carr led the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yards in each of his first two seasons. He ranked fourth in returns and seventh in return yards in his third season.

Carr also began to see time as an extra defensive back for the Raiders. In 2006, he picked off a pass and ran 100 yards for a touchdown. It was his only interception with the Raiders.

He left Oakland after the 2007 season and spent a year with the Tennessee Titans. It was his last year as a full-time kickoff returner. Carr joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2009 and returned 32 punts while picking off a career best two passes.

He was rarely used on special teams in 2010, returning four total balls, as he became a starting cornerback for the Ravens and intercepted two passes. Carr is expected to duplicate that role when football resumes.

Carr has the most kickoffs and kickoff return yards in Raiders history. His return average was a healthy 24.1 yards per return. He ranks third best in all-purpose yards as well.

Though he may not be the flashiest kick returner in Raiders history, Carr's stats place him on top of the franchise list as one of the best.

Bo Roberson, George Atkinson, Terry Kirby, Justin Miller, Napoleon Kaufman, Tim Brown, Rocket Ismail, and Clarence Davis deserve mention.






Punt Returner : Tim Brown


When the Raiders used the sixth overall pick on the 1988 draft, they knew they were getting a player who did more than play wide receiver. Brown's career at wide receiver would last 17 years, grab 1,094 passes, attend nine Pro Bowls, and should one day be inducted into Canton.

Yet Brown showed in college he was excellent at special teams so well, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. The Raiders decided to let him play there in his first nine years, mainly as a punt returner. But his rookie season showed he was great at returning kickoffs as well.

He led the NFL with 41 returns for 1,098 yards at an average of 26.8 yards per return. One return was taken 97 yards for a touchdown. Brown would be asked to return kickoffs just nine more times in his career.

While also returning a career high 49 punts, Brown was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie. His 2,317 all-purpose yards led the NFL.

The first four years with the Raiders saw Brown mainly used as a punt returner, though his role on offense enlarged yearly. He did get hurt in the first game of the 1989 season so seriously that he missed the rest of the year.

He returned to the Pro Bowl in 1991 after averaging 11.4 yards on 29 punt returns. He took one return 75 yards for a score and caught 36 passes. He began a string of five straight Pro Bowls in 1993 after returning 40 punts and scoring off a 74-yard return.

His best year returning punts was in 2004, where he averaged 12.2 yards on 40 returns and led the NFL with 487 yards. After 68 returns over the next two years, he returned just 25 punts the rest of his career. He did take one a career long 88 yards on just 6 returns in 2001.

He did leave the Raiders in 2003 and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for one season before retiring after the 2004 season.

He ranks fifth best in all-purpose yards, fourth in punt returns and fifth in punt return yards in NFL history.

Brown holds the Raiders records for all-purpose yards, punt returns and yards, receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. His 667 points leads all non-kickers in Raiders history.

Though he was never named First Team All-Pro, his nine Pro Bowls are the second most in Raiders history. He is on the second unit of the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team and was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

It is just a matter of time for Canton's call, but Brown is the best punt returner in Raiders history and holds this spot until he is enshrined.

George Atkinson, Claude Gibson, Phillip Buchanon, Desmond Howard, Neal Colzie, and Greg Pruitt deserve mention.  

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is not just built by drafted players. There is a plethora of gridiron legends representing the building that found their way onto teams in various ways.

The free agent is surely represented in Canton. The number of free agents inducted figures to greatly increase thanks to shorter contracts with clauses, as teams basically just rent players for short periods of time.

Yet signing the right free agent can lead a franchise to championship glory and sports immortality. While some signings are sound moves, others can be gambles and no one knows how they will pay off until all is said and done.

Here are the very best free agent signings in professional football history since the draft was created in 1936.



Johnny Unitas


 

Unitas was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ninth round of the 1955 draft. He was cut in camp, as the Steelers decided to go with Jim Finks, Ted Marchibroda and Vic Eaton at quarterback. 

Finks would later go on to be a legendary general manager who built the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints into winners. Marchibroda became an offensive guru who coached several teams. Eaton, drafted two rounds after Unitas, was out of football after 1955. 

Unitas hitch-hiked back home to save money, then worked construction. He kept in shape by playing semipro football for $6 a game.

Weeb Ewbank, the Hall of Fame head coach, asked Unitas' semipro teammate Jim Deglau to try out for the Baltimore Colts. Hearing the Cleveland Browns were interested in Unitas, he asked Deglau to bring the quarterback with him. 

Despite the objections of family members, Unitas went to Baltimore. He made the team, backing up George Shaw and Gary Kerkorian. He soon passed Kerkorian, now in his third year of backing up Shaw, on the depth chart. 

During camp, Unitas would stay after practice was over and throw balls all night to a wide receiver, Raymond Berry, who had caught just 13 catches the year before after making the team as a 20th-round draft pick. This bond between Unitas and Berry would soon have a tremendous impact on the NFL. 

Shaw, who was the Colts first-round draft pick in 1952, broke his leg in the fourth game of the year. Unitas was plugged in and showed some promise. 

His next 10 years saw him go to the Pro Bowl and win the NFL MVP Award three times. Baltimore also won the championship twice with maybe the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. 

The 1970 season was his last as a starter, where the 37-year old Unitas led the Colts to a Super Bowl win. He played until the 1973 season before retiring. 

Unitas left with a ton of records. Many have been equaled or passed as quarterbacks play longer season with rules that help them succeed, but his 47-games streak of a touchdown pass in each game still survives. 

College football hands the top senior quarterback of each year the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The name of the award is fitting, because Unitas is more than the greatest quarterback in Colts history. 

He is the best free agent signing in NFL history.






Dick "Night Train" Lane
 

A story that the movie "The Natural" may have gotten inspiration from.

Lane was found as an abandoned infant in a dumpster, then raised by a kind-hearted lady. After going to a community college for one year, Lane joined the United States Army for four years and fought in both World War II and the Korean War. 

After serving, he got a job at an aircraft factory. He disliked the job, so he walked onto the training camp of the Los Angeles Rams seeking a job.

He wanted to play wide receiver, but the Rams already had a set of Hall of Famers there named Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch and Tom Fears. He was switched to cornerback and found his calling.

Lane was a monstrous hitter who could blanket any receiver in the game. In a matter of months, he came from nowhere and was the top defensive back in all of professional football. 

Though just 12 games were played in his rookie year, Lane had 14 interceptions. This is a record that still stands today for the most interceptions in a single season. 

Yet Lane was dangerous once he got the ball. He returned the interceptions for 298 yards and two touchdowns, while still finding time to record a safety.  Despite such incredible numbers, he was somehow left off the Pro Bowl squad even though he had almost twice as many interceptions combined over the players that were chosen. 

He did get to the first of his seven career Pro Bowls in 1954. After having been traded to the Chicago Cardinals that season, Lane had 10 interceptions for 181 yards. 

After six years with the Cardinals, he was dealt to the Detroit Lions and took part in some of the greatest secondaries in NFL history. Lane played with Hall of Fame safety Yale Lary and Hall of Fame cornerback Dick LeBeau. 

When he hung up his cleats in 1965, Lane had 68 interceptions in 14 seasons. It still ranks the fourth most in NFL history, but it is still the most ever by a cornerback. Rod Woodson, who had 71 career swipes, got 24 as a safety. 

Lane had 1,207 yards returned off of interceptions, still the sixth most ever. Deion Sanders is the only cornerback who had more. 

He loved to hit receivers and often sought out contact. His favorite way to tackle was a clothesline shot, which was legal in the NFL then. It was dubbed a "Night Train Necktie." 

There may be no free agent signing on defense more special or important than the day Lane decided to try and play professional football.








Original Cleveland Browns 


 

When the Browns were formed in 1946, head coach Paul Brown had a plan. The fledgling All-American Football Conference would soon get steamrolled by these plans. 

Otto Graham, Marion Motley, Dante Lavelli, Lou Groza and Bill Willis are all Hall of Famers that Brown signed as free agents that year. Along with many other great players like Mac Speedie, Lin Houston, Horace Gillom, Frank Gatski and Lou Rymkus who were just a few others that helped Cleveland dominate. 

After winning all of the AAFC titles, they jumped to the NFL in 1950 and promptly won a title. Graham, Groza, Gatski, Gillom and Lavelli were all on the 1954 and 1955 teams that won it all. 

Several great coaches came from those Browns rosters. Rymkus and Lou Saban won American Football League titles as head coaches and Ara Parseghian won a title with Notre Dame University. 

When it comes to free agent signings, the original Cleveland Browns are on a level all by themselves.










Willie Wood
 

Wood went undrafted in 1960 after a collegiate career where he was the first African-American quarterback for the University of Southern California and the Pacific-10 Conference. He signed with the Green Bay Packers, who moved him to free safety.

While mainly returning punts, a duty he did much of his career, the rookie was mentored by Hall of Famer Emlen Tunnel. Tunnel retired at the end of the season, so Wood was named starter and held that spot the next 11 years.

He played on teams that went to the championship six times, winning five. Not only was he excellent at returning punts, he became a ball hawk. In 1961, he scored twice off of 14 punt returns.

He led the NFL with a 16.1 yards per return average. Wood led the NFL with nine interceptions in 1962, while becoming one of the best free safeties of his era. Green Bay relied on him as their last line of defense, and he seldom ever let them down. 

When he retired after the 1971 season, Wood had intercepted 48 passes, scored four times, and went to eight Pro Bowls. Only Forrest Gregg and Brett Favre have gone more for the Packers. 

After having been a finalist nine times, Wood was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. 

He is easily the best free agent signing Green Bay ever made.






Dick LeBeau



 

LeBeau was a fifth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 1959 draft. He was the 58th player picked overall, but did not make the Browns team and was cut in training camp.  He would then be picked up by the Detroit Lions as a free agent and played six games in his rookie year, mostly on special teams.

He did recover the first fumble of his career that season.  In 1960, LeBeau earned the starting job at cornerback opposite newly acquired Hall of Famer Dick "Night Train" Lane.

The Lions defense also had Hall of Fame MLB Joe Schmidt, Hall of Fame Safety Yale Lary, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Alex Karras and Pro Bowl safety Terry Barr. LeBeau picked off four passes.  The next three seasons, LeBeau and Lane formed the best cornerback tandem in the NFL.

LeBeau picked off three passes in 1961, then four in 1962. He scored the first two touchdowns of his career that year, by interception and fumble recovery.  In 1963, LeBeau picked off five passes and returned them for 158 yards. He also returned one interception 70 yards for a touchdown.

LeBeau would then make his first of three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances in 1964.  That season also marked Lary's last in the NFL, and Lane played only seven games. LeBeau still managed five interceptions that year. The 1965 season was the last year for both Lane and Schmidt. LeBeau picked off seven passes and returned one for the last touchdown of his career.  

The 1966 season would be LeBeau's last Pro Bowl season, when he intercepted four passes. LeBeau stayed steady the next several years. He picked off four passes in 1967, opposite of Hall of Fame cornerback Lem Barney under new coach, and former teammate, Joe Schmidt.  

LeBeau and Barney would then team up for the next three years as one of the best CB tandems in the league. LeBeau had 20 picks over that time. At 34-years old in 1971, LeBeau would intercept six passes.  

The 1972 season would be the last year as a Detroit Lion for LeBeau and Schmidt. LeBeau was moved to free safety that year, and would not intercept a pass for the first time since his rookie season. He did recover the last fumble of his career that year.

LeBeau only retired from the NFL as a player after 1972. He went into coaching in 1973 for the Philadelphia Eagles as their secondary coach. He stayed with the team until 1975. He then held the same duties with the Green Bay Packers from 1976 to 1979.  

In 1980, he moved to the Cincinnati Bengals. He served as a secondary coach, and as defensive coordinator with the Bengals until 1991. LeBeau then served as the defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1992 to 1996.  

This is when LeBeau would gain notoriety for inventing the now commonly used "Zone Blitz" defense. The Steelers defense featured such greats as Hall of Fame cornerback Rod Woodson, Pro Bowl linebackers Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown, Kevin Greene, Jason Gildon and strong safety Carnell Lake.  They would go to the Super Bowl after the 1995 season.

In 1997, LeBeau returned to the Bengals as a defensive coordinator. He would then be named head coach of the Bengals in 2000 and held that job until 2002.  

LeBeau then worked for the Buffalo Bills in 2003. He returned to the Steelers in 2004, and is still the defensive coordinator of the Steelers today. In 2005, the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. Pittsburgh also won Super Bow XLIII in 2008. 

Dick LeBeau is one of the most respected coaches in NFL history, obviously, and is called "Coach Dad" by his players. He is a member of the Detroit Lions Legend and his 62 interceptions are the most in the history of the Lions. 








Don Maynard
 

 

Maynard was drafted by the New York Giants in the ninth round of the 1957 draft, but did not make the team.

He tried again the next year and made it, mostly being used as a punt returner. The Giants cut him again, so he played in the Canadian Football League in 1959 for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

He left the CFL to become the first player signed by the expansion New York Titans of the fledgling American Football League. He caught a career best 72 balls his first year. Yet he also teamed up with Art Powell to be probably the best wide receiver duo in the AFL.  

The tandem became the first professional football players to gain over 1,000 yards on receptions in a season. They duplicated that feat again in 1962. Despite this dynamic duo, the Titans attracted few fans and were struggling financially.

They changed their name to the Jets in 1963, but business did not pick up until 1965. That year saw them draft, then outbid the NFL for the services of a brash quarterback named Joe Namath.

The future Hall of Famer had a chip on his shoulder, but an arm to back it up. Maynard quickly bonded with Namath and the team started to get better each year.

New York reached the AFL title game in 1968, where Maynard would carry the Jets to victory. Facing the Oakland Raiders and Hall of Fame cornerback Willie Brown, Maynard caught six balls for 118 yards. He scored the Jets' first and last touchdowns, and the last one sealed a 27-23 win. 

It capped off a wild series between the Jets and Raiders that year. Six weeks earlier, the teams made history in the infamous "Heidi Game" incident. The game was taken off the air by television executives with 65 seconds to play and the Jets leading 32-29. Oakland then stormed back and won 43-32. 

The Jets went into Super Bowl III as tremendous underdogs. No one expected much from them outside of the Jets organization and fans. This led to Namath's now famous guarantee of victory. 

Maynard was covered by Johnny Sample, an extremely tough player who knocked many men out of many games in his career. Maynard got shut out, but his bookend George Sauer caught eight balls for 133 yards. 

That, along with a stingy defense and 121 rushing yards by Matt Snell, led the Jets to a 16-7 win over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. It is the game that convinced the NFL to merge with the AFL. Maynard and Sauer both had 1,000-yards receiving together twice.

While a precision route-runner, Maynard was incredible at getting deep and stretching defenses. When he retired at the end of the 1973 season, he had an excellent career average of 18.7 yards per reception. His 88 touchdown receptions over 15 years show he was also a threat in the end zone. 

Don Maynard, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, was the Jets first and best free agent signing.











Warren Moon





It still is an amazing fact that Moon went undrafted in 1978. Despite leading his college team to a Rose Bowl win the year before, some NFL teams wanted him to switch positions. His refusal was followed by an apparent blacklisting. 

Instead, he joined the Canadian Football League and stayed there until 1983. He led his team to an unprecedented five titles and is now a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. 

The NFL couldn't keep on their blinders any longer, and a bidding war began for his services.

Bud Adams, the owner of the Houston Oilers, gained an upper hand by hiring Hugh Campbell as head coach. Campbell had coached Moon in the CFL. 

Moon started setting team records for the Oilers almost as soon as he donned their uniform. Houston had an explosive offense, led by Moon, but always seemed to just fall short of reaching a Super Bowl. 

After 10 years and six Pro Bowls, Moon was traded to the Minnesota Vikings before the 2004 season. He lasted three years there, making the Pro Bowl twice. 

At 41-years old, Moon signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent. He went to the Pro Bowl again. He joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 1999, retiring after two years at 44-years old. 

Moon was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, making him the first Canadian Football Hall of Famer, first undrafted quarterback, and the first African-American quarterback to achieve this. 

His free agency signing wasn't just great for the Oilers, NFL or football, but society as well.







John Randle

Randle went undrafted in 1990, so he tried to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because his brother Ervin was entering his fifth season with them. The Buccaneers though he was too small, so they declined. The Minnesota Vikings then gave him a try out and was impressed.

Randle made the team and earned a starting job midway into his second season. He was a quick player who was excellent at rushing the passer.

Starting in 1992, he had eight straight years of double-digit sacks. From 1993 to 1998, he went to the Pro Bowl. 

His 1997 was probably his best. Randle led the NFL with 15.5 sacks and had a career high 58 tackles.

He became a free agent after the 2000 season, so he joined the Seattle Seahawks. He scored the only touchdown of his career, off a fumble recovery, in his first season in Seattle. He also had 11 sacks, but missed the first game of his career in what would be his final Pro Bowl season. 

Randle missed four games the next year. His five games missed with Seattle were the only games he missed in a 14-year career. He would retire after the 2003 season. 

His 137.5 sacks are the sixth most ever, and the most ever by a defensive tackle. Steve McMichael is second with 95. 

For a player nobody wanted, the Vikings sure were lucky and blessed to sign this free agent that got inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.








Gary Zimmerman

Zimmerman was selected in the first round of the 1984 Supplemental Draft by the New York Giants, but he chose to join the United States Football League instead. When the USFL folded two years later, he was a free agent. 

The Minnesota Vikings signed him and plugged him in at left tackle right away. Zimmerman stayed with the Vikings for seven years, going to the Pro Bowl four times. At the end of the 1992 season, he became a free agent again. 

He signed with the Denver Broncos, who needed someone to protect Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway's blind side. Though still mobile at 33-years old, Elway was slowing down some after years of hits. 

Zimmerman was the glue of an excellent offensive line, and one of the most important pieces to the Broncos attack. In his five years with Denver, he was a Pro Bowler three times. 

He made his last Pro Bowl in 1996 despite missing the first two games of his career. He missed two games again the next year, but Denver would go on and win Super Bowl XXXII. He retired after that. 

Zimmerman is on both the 1980s and 1990s NFL All-Decade Team, one of just a few players to make two teams. He is also on the USFL All-Time Team. 

Inducted into Canton in 2008, Zimmerman is one of the very best free agent signings for both the Vikings and Broncos.






Reggie White




The Philadelphia Eagles made him their first draft pick in the 1984 Supplemental draft. Steve Young, Mike Rozier and Gary Zimmerman were selected ahead of him.

All decided to go play in the United States Football League. White was named the USFL Man of the Year in 1985, and he is a member of the USFL All-Time Team. 

When the USFL folded after 1985, he joined the Eagles. He played eight seasons for them, going to the Pro Bowl each season except his first.

He was widely known as the best defensive end in all of football, and he was dubbed the "Minister of Defense" because he was also an Evangelical minister. 

He became a free agent after the 1992 season, and a bidding war started to attain his services. The Green Bay Packers won by giving him an airplane to use whenever White desired. 

In his six seasons as a Packer, White went to the Pro Bowl every year. He led them to Super Bowl XXXI, where the Packers defense and special teams carried them to victory. 

After being named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1998, he retired. But the Carolina Panthers coaxed him out of retirement in 2000, the only year of his career he was not a Pro Bowler except for his first year. He retired for good after that. 

His 198 sacks are the second most ever since the stat started to get recorded in 1982. He retired as the Packers leader in sacks, but now ranks second. He still heads the Eagles list. 

Not only was his free agent signing good for the USFL, but Green Bay's signing him won them a championship.

Inducted into Canton in 2006, almost two years after his unexpected death, White is one of the truly great free agent signings in NFL history.

As the 2011 NFL Draft approaches the end, teams are beginning to scramble to find serviceable players in what is best described as a wacky draft thus far..

Yet fans should not give up hope on their teams getting a gem, because all teams have found such a player at least once. Players who helped their teams achieve glory by excelling beyond expectations.

The only question left, after the dust of the 2011 draft settles, is if there will be a player one day good enough to supplant anyone on this list.


Arizona Cardinals : Larry Stallings


Drafted in the 18th round of the 1963 NFL Draft, Stallings was the 241st player selected and just 39 players were drafted behind him.

Stallings earned a starting job as a rookie and held onto it the next 14 years before retiring at the conclusion if the 1976 season.

He went to the Pro Bowl once and scored three times.



Atlanta Falcons : Jamal Anderson


Ever since the NFL shortened the draft to seven rounds in 1994, it really is hard to be called a find or bargain. Yet the Falcons are a pretty young team, so the 1994 draft might have given them their best late pick.

Anderson was drafted in a seventh round where just six men did not play in the NFL. He was the 201st player chosen overall.

After barely playing his first two seasons, Anderson became the Falcons workhorse in 1996. He ran off three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

After being lost for the year early in 1999, he ran for 1,024 in 2000. He got hurt early in 2001, he retired.

Yet that three year run was special, especially 1998. It was his only Pro Bowl year, where he churned out 1,846 yards and 14 scores on an NFL-leading 410 carries. He also caught 27 balls for a pair of touchdowns.

His 410 carries was a record until 2006. Anderson would do the "Dirty Bird" dance when he scored. It excited fans and got his teammates going. Anderson put the Falcons on his back and led them to Super Bowl XXXIII, the only championship game in the franchises history.

Though Atlanta lost the game, Anderson ran for 96 yards on just 18 carries. His 5,336 career yards are the fourth most in Falcons history. The 1,846 yards he ran for in 1998 is still a single season team record.




Baltimore Ravens : Chester Taylor


They have been drafting since 1996, so we'll go with Taylor. He was the 207th overall selection on the 2002 draft.

He was rarely used in his first two seasons because Pro Bowler Jamal Lewis got most of the work. He got more work in 2004 and began to show the NFL how versatile he was.

When his contract expired after the 2005 season, the Minnesota Vikings signed him and got 1,216 yards rushing from him in 1996. He scored one of his six touchdowns off a 95-yard run, which is a Vikings record.

Taylor left Minnesota for the Chicago Bears in 2010, where he currently plays.

He has been one of the top reserve running backs throughout most of his career.





Buffalo Bills : Charles Romes


Romes was drafted in the 12th round of the 1977 draft, where he was the 309th player chosen overall. Just eight of the 26 players chosen behind him played in the NFL.

After spending his rookie year as a reserve, Romes earned a starting job in 1978 and held it until 1986. He was an important part of a defense that, in 1980, helped the Bills win the AFC East for the first time in franchise history.

Romes never missed a game, starting every one over the next nine years. He had 28 interceptions over that time, which is the fourth most in Bills history.

Buffalo has hit on several excellent picks late in their draft history, but Charles Romes is their best find.





Carolina Panthers : Kris Mangum


Since the team was created in 1996, Mangum might be their best late round pick. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1997 and was the 228th player chosen overall. Just 12 players were selected behind him.

After playing mostly special teams in his first two seasons, Mangum started to get used more on offense mostly as a reserve tight end.

He stayed with the Panthers until 2006, catching 151 balls. It is the eight most receptions in Carolina history.





Chicago Bears : Danny Fortmann


To find the greatest late round draft pick of one of the NFL's original teams, you only need to look at far as their first draft. Though the great Roland Harper, the 420th player selected in 1977, must be mentioned.

Fortmann was drafted in the ninth round of the 1936 draft, and he was the fourth from last player selected.

The story goes that Bears owner George Halas drafted Fortmann because he liked the sound of his name. Playing offensive guard, defensive tackle, and linebacker,

Fortmann was soon starting as a rookie and excelling. From 1938 until his final year in 1943, he was named First Team All-Pro and was named to three Pro Bowls.

He was also selected on the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team. The Bears won three championships over this time.

Fortmann, who was just 20-years old when drafted, had been going to medical school while playing as a key member of the "Monsters of the Midway." He was the youngest starter in the league at that time, but he called the signals for the lineman on offense.

Chicago has had a league-leading six players go on to be doctors. Three were on the 1943 squad.

After Fortmann retired, he became the team doctor of the Los Angeles Rams was 17 years and was a famous surgeon.

Not only is he a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Fortmann is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. This easily makes him the Bears best late round pick.





Cincinnati Bengals : Bob Trumpy


Trumpy was drafted in the 12th round of the 1968 draft, the 301st player overall, by the expansion Bengals. Cincinnati was a new member of the American Football League at the time, and the AFL would fully merge with the NFL in two seasons.

He impressed his Hall of Fame head coach Paul Brown with his work ethic, so Brown named him the starter as a rookie.

Cincinnati was rewarded with 37 receptions at a 17.3 yards per catch clip, which got him named to the Pro Bowl. Trumpy returned the next year by setting a still standing team record of a whopping 22.6 yards per catch average off another 37 receptions.

He also scored a career high nine times and was named First Team All-Pro for his efforts.

In his first year in the post-merger NFL in 1970, Trumpy went back to the Pro Bowl. He went back for the final time in 1973 before seeing a decline in receiving opportunities.

Though he caught seven touchdowns off of 21 catches in 1976, he retired at the end of the 1977 season. At the time of his retirement, almost ever Bengals receiving record was owned by him.

His last touchdown came off a rare reverse flea flicker, where three other Bengals touched the ball before it reached him.

What makes Bob Trumpy's career special is not just the fact he helped an expansion team grow up fast with his help, as they had only three losing seasons in his ten years, but how he accumulated his excellent statistics. Cincinnati has eight different quarterbacks throwing him the ball during his career, yet he remained a viable threat regardless.

Besides still owning the team record for yards per catch in a season, the 35 touchdowns Trumpy scored are the most ever by any Bengal tight end in team history. He still ranks tenth is total receptions for a career, and his career average of 15.4 yards per catch shows how good he was with the ball after getting it.

Not only is he the first Pro Bowl player in Bengals history, an honor he shares with halfback Paul Robinson and center Bob Johnson, he is the second Bengal ever to be named First Team All-Pro.

He is also the only Bengals tight end to be named First Team All-Pro. Bob Trumpy is the greatest tight end the team has ever had.

Trumpy was drafted in the 12th round of the 1968 draft, the 301st player overall, by the expansion Bengals. Cincinnati was a new member of the American Football League at the time, and the AFL would fully merge with the NFL in two seasons.

He impressed his Hall of Fame head coach Paul Brown with his work ethic, so Brown named him the starter as a rookie.

Cincinnati was rewarded with 37 receptions at a 17.3 yards per catch clip, which got him named to the Pro Bowl. Trumpy returned the next year by setting a still standing team record of a whopping 22.6 yards per catch average off another 37 receptions.

He also scored a career high nine times and was named First Team All-Pro for his efforts.

In his first year in the post-merger NFL in 1970, Trumpy went back to the Pro Bowl. He went back for the final time in 1973 before seeing a decline in receiving opportunities.

Though he caught seven touchdowns off of 21 catches in 1976, he retired at the end of the 1977 season. At the time of his retirement, almost ever Bengals receiving record was owned by him.

His last touchdown came off a rare reverse flea flicker, where three other Bengals touched the ball before it reached him.

What makes Bob Trumpy's career special is not just the fact he helped an expansion team grow up fast with his help, as they had only three losing seasons in his ten years, but how he accumulated his excellent statistics. Cincinnati has eight different quarterbacks throwing him the ball during his career, yet he remained a viable threat regardless.

Besides still owning the team record for yards per catch in a season, the 35 touchdowns Trumpy scored are the most ever by any Bengal tight end in team history. He still ranks tenth is total receptions for a career, and his career average of 15.4 yards per catch shows how good he was with the ball after getting it.

Not only is he the first Pro Bowl player in Bengals history, an honor he shares with halfback Paul Robinson and center Bob Johnson, he is the second Bengal ever to be named First Team All-Pro.

He is also the only Bengals tight end to be named First Team All-Pro. Bob Trumpy is the greatest tight end the team has ever had.





Cleveland Browns : Ben Davis


Davis was drafted in the 17th round of the 1967 draft, the 439th player chosen overall. Just six players were picked after he was.

Used as a return specialist as a rookie, Davis led the NFL with a 12.7 return average off 18 attempts. He also scored once off a 52-yard return. Cleveland also had him return 27 kickoffs at a 26.2 average.

He would return just nine punts and eight kickoffs the next season, then never be asked to again.

The reason was because he earned a starting job at cornerback in his second year. Davis picked off a career best eight balls, returning them for an NFL-leading 162 yards.

He picked off a pass in seven straight games that season, a Browns record. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1972 after swiping three passes.

Cleveland traded him to the Detroit Lions in 1974, where he lasted three years before retiring. Davis intercepted two ball and returned one for a score over that time.

His 17 interceptions with Cleveland still ranks as the 19th most in team history.

Ben Davis is also known as the brother of famous political activist Angela Davis.






Dallas Cowboys : Larry Cole


Few teams have drafted as well late in the draft, especially during the Tex Schramm and Tom Landry Era.

It was kind of a nice surprise Cole was drafted anyways because he attended three colleges in four years.

Dallas selected him in the 16th round of the 1968 NFL Draft, where he was the 428th player selected. Jimmy Raye, a famous coach, was picked 3 slots behind him.

Cole quickly earned a starting job at defensive end as a rookie. He picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown, while also returning a fumble for another score. He intercepted another ball the next year, returning it for a score.

He became an important member of the famous "Doomsday Defense."

When Harvey Martin and Ed "Too Tall" Jones joined Dallas, Cole slid in at defensive tackle. When Randy "Manster" White began his Hall of Fame career, Cole became a key reserve. After longtime starter Jethro Pugh retired, Cole took over in his slot.

He played until 1980, a year he took an interception 43 yards for a touchdown. He had four career interceptions, scoring three times.

Cole is just one of eight players to appear in five Super Bowls.

He also was on two winners. Known as a run stuffer, Cole was also credited with 60 sacks in his career. The very versatile Cole did whatever it took to win.

He started at every position on the defensive line in his career, but sought no accolades. He and a few Cowboys started the "Zero Club", where the first rule was not to seek publicity.

He and linebacker D.D. Lewis were the first Cowboys to play in three different decades for the team.

Cole had quite a career as a Cowboy defender, made more remarkable due to the fact he was drafted as an offensive tackle before being switched to defense in training camp.




Denver Broncos : Karl Mecklenburg


Mecklenburg was drafted in the 12th round of the 1983 draft by the Denver Broncos, the 310th player chosen overall. He made the team as a rookie, but started out playing defensive end.

He was able to work his way on the field by impressing the coaches with his determination. After getting a pair of sacks as a rookie, he was used as a pass rush specialist the next year and got seven more.

He also picked off two passes and returned them for 105 yards.

Denver knew they had to find a way to get Mecklenburg on the field, and they also wanted to upgrade their linebacking unit. Joe Collier, the Broncos legendary defensive coordinator, decided to try him at inside linebacker.

Though he split time with incumbent starter Rick Dennison, Mecklenburg was still able to rack up a career high 13 sacks. He was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl despite starting just nine games.

He took over as a full-time starter in 1986 and was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl again after getting 9.5 sacks. Denver would reach the Super Bowl, but lost.

The Broncos would go back to the Super Bowl in 1987 and 1989, but lost each time. Mecklenburg was a big reason for their success. In 1987, he went to the Pro Bowl after getting the last three interceptions of his career.

He was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in 1989 after scoring the first touchdown of his career, which came off of a fumble recovery. He scored off another fumble the next year, as well as recording a safety.

From 1986 to 1997, Mecklenburg was one of the best linebackers in all of football. He wasn't just a pass rusher, though he did pile up 55.5 sacks over that time, but he was also a tackling machine.

Starting in 1986, Mecklenburg had at least 100 tackles every year until 1986 except for the 97 he had in the strike shortened 1987 season. He had 99 tackles in 1997. After getting 68 in 1998, his lowest total as a full-time starter, he retired.

Nicknamed the "Albino Rhino" by teammates, he has the second most tackles and sacks in Broncos history. His 180 games played are the third most ever as well.

No other Broncos linebacker has been to the Pro Bowl six times, and his three First Team All-Pro nods are tied as the second most in franchise history. He is a member of the Broncos Ring of Honor.

Mecklenburg was a winner, as shown by his helping Denver reach the Super Bowl three times. His was career not expected, so the term "self-made man" certainly applies in his care.

Besides missing seven games in 1988, and one the next year, he took the field every time his team did.





Detroit Lions : Jim David


It is amazing that so few late picks by the Lions have contributed much to the NFL. Two of the very few that have, Mac Speedie and Pete Retzlaff, starred for other teams.

David was selected in the 22nd round of the 1951 draft, where he was the 261st player chosen overall.

He earned a starting job at cornerback as a rookie, bookending Hall of Famer Yale Lary. Hall of Famer Jack Christiansen and Pro Bowler Dan Doll were the safeties.

Teams tried to avoid the three greats by picking on the rookie. That strategy backfired because David picked off seven balls on the top-ranked defense that year.

Detroit went on to win the championship, where he had a critical interception in the Lions 17-7 win over Cleveland.

Nicknamed "The Hatchett", David was a huge hitter who once knocked Hall of Famers Y.A. Tittle and Tom Fears out of consecutive games in 1953.

He had four swipes that year as Detroit won a second consecutive title. David intercepted a ball and returned it 36 yards to set up a crucial score in Detroit's 17-16 win over the Browns.

The stellar secondary was called the "Chris Crew." He made the first of his six consecutive Pro Bowls in 1954 by matching his career best total of seven interceptions. He would match that total again in 1956.

Detroit won the championship in 1957, the last title in franchise history so far. Again, David intercepted a pass in his third consecutive championship game.

When the game was at it's biggest, David always came up larger than the rest in helping his team win. He retired after his final Pro Bowl season in 1959.

Hi 36 career swipes rank fifth in team history. The four men above him, Dick LeBeau, Lem Barney, Lary, and Christiansen, are all inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. David played with all except Barney.

But he got into coaching after retiring and coached Barney. He was the one who presented Barney at his induction into Canton in 1992.





Green Bay Packers : Phil Epps


The Pack have had a few late picks become Pro Bowlers in Timmy Brown and Bill Curry. Unfortunately, it was with other teams that they excelled on.

Epps was drafted in the 12th round of the 1982 draft. The 321st player chosen overall, just six players drafted behind him played in the NFL.

While showing some promise as a receiver the few times he was used in his first two years, Epps made his bones as a punt returner.

He returned a career best 36 punts in 1983, while taking one 90-yards for a score. He returned punts for just two more years because Green Bay began using him as a starter on offense in 1985.

That season saw him grab 44 balls for three scores and run the ball fives times for one touchdown. Despite missing four games the next year, Epps snagged a career best 49 passes.

After catching 34 in the strike shortened 1987 season, he got hurt the next year and played just six games.

His absence allowed a rookie by the name of Sterling Sharpe and begin a career that saw him make the Pro Bowl fives times in his seven seasons.

Epps joined the New York Jets in 1989, where he was rarely used. He then retired.

He is still fifth in Packers history in punt return yards and third in returns. He has the 21st most receptions in team history and the 14th most receiving yards.

Most Packers fans remember the ultra-quick Epps, a player who beat the odds and helped his team win quite a few games




Houston Texans : David Anderson


They have been in the NFL since 2002, but Anderson is their best late pick so far. The 251st pick in 2006, just four players were drafted behind him.

After not playing a lot in his first three years, mostly being used on special teams, Anderson started eight games in 2009 and caught a career best 38 balls. Despite being 5'10" 195, he even saw some time at tight end.

His 2010 season was cut short by injury, he hopes to help them again in 2011.

A resilient player, Houston cut him for four weeks in 2007 before bringing him back.




Indianapolis Colts : Stan White


With a nod to Alvin Haymond, one of the greatest return specialists in NFL history, White wins the spot.

He was drafted in the 17th round of the 1972 draft, when the team was in Baltimore, and was the 438th player chosen overall. Just four men were drafted behind White.

After spending his rookie season as a reserve, White was named a starter in 1973 after veteran Ray May, the 1972 Byron "Whizzer" White Man of the Year Award winner, was traded.

Teaming with Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks and 1970 Defensive Player of the Year Mike Curtis, the trio formed one of the better linebacker units in the NFL.

Over the next few years, as Hendricks and Curtis moved on to other teams, White stayed a consistent force. While he was very good at stopping the run, White might have been the one of best linebackers of his era defending the pass.

He played with the Colts until 1979 and intercepted an impressive total of 25 passes, taking two for touchdowns. He also had a knack for getting fumbles, recovering 12 for the Colts.

He joined the Detroit Lions and played three years there, picking off nine balls.

The United States Football League began play in 1983, so White joined the Chicago Blitz. The 1984 season was his last with the USFL and as a player, when he suited up for the Arizona Wranglers.

Don Shinnick, who played on two Colts championship teams, is the only linebacker in team history with more interceptions. White ranks ninth in franchise history in interceptions and only 11 Colt defenders have recovered more fumbles.

Not only is he one of the finest linebackers in team history, he is a fixture in Baltimore as a Ravens broadcaster. Not bad for a guy who was one of the last players drafted in 1972




Jacksonville Jaguars : Rob Meier


The Jags had four picks in the seventh round of the 2000 draft. Three made the team, but Meier was the best of the group.

Drafted 241st overall, just 13 players were selected behind him.

At 6'5" 293, Jacksonville used him as both a defensive tackle and end. While stopping the run was his specialty, Meier did sack the quarterback 21.5 times in his career.

Though he never started more than nine games until 2008, where he started 15, Meier was a very important member of the rotation and his versatility made him more valuable.

He recorded a safety and recovered three fumbles as well.

After getting hurt and missing the entire 2009 season, Jacksonville released him. Still, he gave the team nine quality seasons.





Kansas City Chiefs : Mike Garrett


After Garrett was drafted in the second round of the 1966 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, the American Football League and Chiefs probably thought they had little shot at signing the USC legend and 1965 Heisman Trophy winner.

They selected him in the final round of the AFL Draft, where he was the 178th selection. Just four players were drafted behind him.

Garrett shocked everyone by signing with the Chiefs, despite having been born and raised in Los Angeles.

Kansas City put him to work immediately as both a halfback and return specialist, which earned him a Pro Bowl nod and helped the Chiefs win the AFL title.

While returning the only 14 kickoffs of his career at an impressive 23.1 average, Garrett also returned a career high 17 punts and took one 79 yards for a score. He would return just 22 punts in his career, scattered throughout eight seasons.

Running the ball on offense is where the Chiefs needed him most. He led the AFL with a 5.4 yards per carry average as a rookie, as well as scoring on a 77-yard run that was the longest in the AFL that year.

The 1967 was his best with the Chiefs. He was named First Team All-Pro and named to the Pro Bowl after gaining a career best 1,087 yards on the ground. He also caught a career best 49 balls, while scoring a career high 10 times.

Garrett continued to be the Chiefs main running back, though Robert Holmes and Warren McVea also helped him carry the load.

He led the team with 43 receptions in 1969 as Kansas City reached Super Bowl IV. His 5-yard run helped the Chiefs extend their lead to 16-0 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Kansas City ended up winning 23-7, becoming just the second AFL team to beat an NFL team in a Super Bowl. It was also the last Super Bowl where the two leagues met, because they merged after the game.

Three games in 1970, Garrett was traded to the San Diego Chargers. He stayed with the team until 1973 before retiring, but he did gain 1,031 yards in the 1972 season for them.

Garrett still ranks seventh in Chiefs history in rushing yards and touchdowns. Just eight Kansas City running backs have more career receptions than him.

It certainly was lucky that Hank Stram decided to use his final draft choice in 1966 on Garrett.





Miami Dolphins : Lloyd Mumphord


With a nod to J.B. Brown and Anthony Carter, who became a star with the Vikings, Miami's best late pick was Mumphord.

Drafted in the 16th round of the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft, the 401st player selected, just six men drafted behind him saw time in the NFL.

Mumphord impressed Miami enough to start in seven of the 11 games he played as a rookie. He picked off a career best five balls. He started every game the next year, swiping five more passes and returning one for a touchdown.

He lost his starting job in 1971, but still was valuable as an extra defensive back.

On the 1972 Super Bowl champion Dolphins, the only perfect team in modern NFL history, he was second on the team with four interceptions and returned one for a score.

He continued his role in 1973 to help the Dolphins win Super Bowl VIII, their second straight title.

He was traded to the Baltimore Colts before the 1975 season, where he stayed for four years and picked off seven balls before retiring.

Mumphord had a fine career, winning two Super Bowl ring in three tries.





Minnesota Vikings : Milt Sunde


Sunde was a hometown product drafted in the 20th round of the 1964 draft. He was the 241st player selected overall and just two men drafted after him played in the league.

After a rookie year of being a reserve, he earned a starting job at left guard in 1965. Sunde then earned his only Pro Bowl nod the next season, joined by left tackle Grady Alderman and center Mick Tingelhoff.

He got hurt the next year, appearing in 10 games. The Vikings moved him to right guard in 1968, where he split starts with Larry Bowie. He took over the starting job the next year as the Vikings became the last NFL champions before they merged with the American Football League.

He held the starting job until 1974 when new acquired Andy Maurer took over. The Vikings went to the Super Bowl in 1973 and 1974, but lost both times. Sunde retired at the end of the 1974 season.

Minnesota has had several great guards in the franchises history, but Milt Sunde was the first to ever go to the Pro Bowl. A perfect scenario for the local kid who made good against all odds. He is a member of the Vikings 25th Anniversary Team.






New England Patriots : Jim Nance


The Patriots have had some last round picks help them, like Marty Moore, Patrick Pass, and David Givens.

Nance was a ninteenth-round pick of the Patriots in 1965. Just two players drafted after him played. He spent his rookie year mostly blocking, carrying the ball 111 times and scoring five times.

He broke loose the next year, leading the AFL with 299 carries for 1,458 yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 1,561 total yards, and an average of 104.1 yards rushing per game.

All were career highs, as was his 4.9 yards per carry average and his 65-yard run that season.

He was named the AFL Most Valuable Player, and went to the Pro Bowl.

Nance led the AFL again the following year with 269 carries for 1,216 yards. His 86.7 yards rushing per game also led the league, and he scored eight touchdowns. One came off a reception, the only time he ever scored via the air. He was named to his final Pro Bowl that year.

Nance is the only AFL player to have run for over 1,400 yards, and to have consecutive seasons of rushing for over a thousand yards.

Nance led the AFL with 193 carries the next season, and scored six times. He was named the AFL Comeback Player Of The Year that season.

He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles after that year, but opted to retire instead. Nance came back to the NFL in 1973, joining the New York Jets. He carried the ball 18 times for 78 yards over a span on seven games.

In 1974, the World Football League was starting up. Nance decided to join the Houston Texans. The Texans would later become the Shreveport Steamers towards the end of their first season.

Nance ran for 1,240 yards that year in 20 games, then ran for 767 yards the following season in 12 games. The WFL folded before the season could be completed.

His 2,007 yards on 490 carries is the most in WFL history.

His 45 touchdowns with the Patriots is still the most in franchise history.

He is a member of the Patriots Hall Of Fame, the Patriots 35th Anniversary Team, and the Patriots All-Time 1960's Team.

Jim Nance is considered by many to be the best running back in Patriots history







New Orleans Saints : Danny Abramowicz


The Saints have done very well late in the draft over the years. Jim Wilks and Marques Colston head a pretty decent list.

Abramowicz was the first of three 17th-round picks in their very first draft of 1967. Only two players drafted after him played in the league.

He became an instant star in the NFL despite the fact New Orleans struggled as a team. After 104 receptions and 13 scores in his first two years, Abramowicz had his best season in 1969.

Leading the NFL with a career high 73 receptions, he also gained a career high 1,015 yards.

Abramowicz was named First Team All-Pro, the first Saint to ever achieve that honor. After 55 catches in 1970, his production started to go down.

He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers two games into the 1973 season. He retired after the 1974 season.

He left the game with several Saints records and an NFL record of catching at least one pass in 105 consecutive games.

Though most of his records are broken, he still ranks fourth in Saints history in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns caught.

There are few late picks in NFL history better than Danny Abramowicz.







New York Jets : Dave Herman


Herman was the Jets 27th-round pick in the 1963 AFL Draft. He was the 211th player chosen overall and just four men drafted after him played pro football.

After appearing in just five games as a rookie, Herman was named the starting right guard. He held that duty for the rest of his career.

Herman made his first Pro Bowl in 1968 on an excellent offensive line that had Winston Hill and Bob Talamini. The Jets reached Super Bowl III, where they shocked the world of professional football by defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.

He made his final Pro Bowl in 1969, but continued to be an important member of the team until he retired after the 1973 season. He missed just three games his entire career after his rookie year.

Dave Herman is one of just three Jets guards to have even been named to the Pro Bowl, but he is probably their best late round draft pick ever.






New York Giants : Homer Jones


Jones was drafted in the 20th round of the 1963 draft by the New York Giants. The 378th player chosen, he was the third from last pick in the entire draft.

He was also a fifth round draft choice of the Houston Oilers of the American Football League, the 33rd player picked in the draft. Jones decided to join the Oilers, which featured Hall of Fame quarterbacks George Blanda, and head coach "Slinging" Sammy Baugh.

Also joining the Oilers in camp was undrafted rookie Willie Brown, a Hall of Fame cornerback.

Jones hurt his knee in training camp then failed his physical and was cut, along with Brown. He was then intent on proving to the Oilers they had made the wrong decision.

The Giants quickly called and gave him a plane ticket to New York City. Upon his arrival, the Giants had Jones undergo surgery on his knee. He was given the jersey No. 45, which was previously worn by Hall of Fame safety Emlen Tunnell, upon Tunnell's request.

He nicknamed Homer "Seabiscuit", after the famous racehorse, because Jones was so fast. Tunnell, now a defensive backs coach for the Giants, took the young receiver under his wing to teach him the tricks of the trade.

He spent most of his rookie year recuperating while learning the game, but did get on the field for three games that year. It was also the last year that Hall of Fame Giants like Y.A. Tittle, Andy Robustelli, and Frank Gifford would play in the NFL.

He also spent time watching players like Gifford throwing the ball up into the stands to fans after scoring a touchdown, and wanted to do the same thing when he reached the end zone.

After the season, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle put in a rule that players would be fined $500 for doing so. Jones was making $10,000 a year then, so he knew that throwing the ball into the crowd was no longer an option.

He then thought of an alternative that would change the course of football history.

During the 1965 season, Jones was told ten minutes before a game that he would be starting. He responded by setting a Giants record, when he took a pass 89-yards for a touchdown on the first play of the game. It was the longest scoring play in the NFL that year.

Upon arriving in the end zone, he spiked the ball into the ground. It was the first time in NFL history this would happen, and there has been thousands of players to pull off the same feat since.

Though he feels celebrations have been taken way too far these days, Jones pioneered a part of the game many enjoy today.

Homer became a bigger part of the offense in his second year, catching 26 passes for 709 yards and 6 scores. He averaged a whopping 27.3 yards per catch, his career best.

In the 1966 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jones had already scored on a 75 yard touchdown pass when he came up against Brady Keys of the Steelers.

The Giants had the ball on their own two-yard line, and Keys told Jones "What am I doing here covering you? I could be home eating chicken for dinner with my family."

Giants quarterback Earl Morrall what Homer thought. Jones said, "He's talking, so he's ready."

Morrall took the snap, reared back, and heaved the ball about 60 yards in the air. Jones snagged it and took it in for a 98-yard score. It is the longest play in the history in the franchise history of the Giants.

Homer then turned and told Keys, who was about fifteen yards behind him, "If you keep playing like that, you'll soon be eating chicken with your family every Sunday."

Jones finished the season with 48 receptions for 1,044 yards and eight touchdowns. He was a bona-fide star in New York, and was often swarmed by fans when out and about in public.

It was hard for Homer and his wife to eat dinner or watch a movie without him being bombarded with autograph requests.

The 1967 season saw him make his first Pro Bowl. He grabbed a career best 49 balls for 1,209 yards, an incredible average of 24.7 yards per catch. Jones also ran a ball 46 yards for a score. He led the NFL with 13 pass receiving touchdowns and 14 total touchdowns.

A local radio station polled fans on who the Giants MVP was, and Jones won. The station gave him a brand new convertible Cadillac for his achievement.

The Giants traded him to the Cleveland Browns for two players in 1970, including future Pro Bowl running back Ron Johnson. He had no intention of playing ever again, but was coaxed into joining the Browns by his father.

Homer had an aunt who lived in Cleveland and his father wanted him to take care of her, along with his cousin Joe "Turkey" Jones.

Upon joining the Browns, he was told that he would be the teams third receiver and return kickoffs. In the season opener, Cleveland played in the first Monday Night Football telecast on ABC. Jones led the Browns to a win by returning a kickoff 94 yards for a score, the first of its kind on MNF.

He spent the rest of the year returning 29 kicks for 739 yards, a 25.5 yards per return average. He didn't get much time on the field, but he did take one of his ten receptions 43 yards for the last touchdown of his career. He then retired after that year.

He holds the NFL record of averaging 22.3 yards per reception throughout his career. This is based on having a minimum of 200 receptions. Jones also holds the Giants franchise record for having 66.4 receiving yards per game over a career.

His 4,845 receiving yards are the fifth most, and his 35 receiving touchdowns is still tied for the fifth most in Giants history. The 218 receptions he had still ranks 18th best in team history as well.




Oakland Raiders : Rod Martin


Martin was drafted in the 12th round of the 1977 draft by Oakland, the 317th overall selection. Just five men drafted behind him played in the NFL.

One was kicker Rolf Benirschke, the second to last player picked that year. Oakland drafted him then traded him to the San Diego Chargers, where he excelled.

Martin played just one game as a rookie, but started to earn a lot of playing time in his second year by starting half of the season. Oakland was impressed with his intelligence and solid all-around play.

After starting all of 1979, he did not start in six games in 1980. This inspired him to get better just as the Raiders reached the playoffs as a WildCard team.

Bookending Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks, the duo helped the team reach Super Bowl XV. Facing the Philadelphia Eagles, Martin became a nightmare foe Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski.

He made three key interceptions to help lead Oakland to a 27-10 win. No other player in Super Bowl history has had three picks in a Super Bowl, and his three career swipes is tied with two others as the most in Super Bowl history.

He was somehow not named MVP of the game, despite such excellence.

The 1983 season was one of the best in his career. He led the NFL with two touchdowns off of interceptions, had a career high four picks, and chipped in six sacks.

He was named to his first Pro Bowl. Oakland reached the playoffs, where Martin had a sack in their AFC Championship win. In Super Bowl XVIII, he came up big again for his team.

Besides recording another sack, he recovered a fumble and made several key tackles. One came on a fourth-down play, where he stopped Hall of Fame running back John Riggins short of a conversion in the Raiders victory.

He was honored as First Team All-Pro in 1984, as well as being named to his last Pro Bowl. Martin had a career high 11 sacks, recorded a safety, and scored off a 77-yard fumble recovery.

Martin stayed in the starting lineup until after the 1988 season, where he decided to retire. He was credited with 33.5 sacks, but this stat was not recorded until 1982.

Despite being basically robbed of four years of sacks, he still ranks seventh in Raiders history and it is the most ever by an Oakland linebacker. His 14 interceptions is the second most ever by a Raiders linebacker.

One of Rod Martin's special abilities was reaching the end zone once he got his hands on the ball, which he did six times. Only Terry McDaniel's seven exceeds his total for a team record.

While the Raiders have had a few late round picks help them, none have been better than Martin.




Philadelphia Eagles : Tom Sullivan


The Eagles have had little luck finding players late in the draft until the last decade. Of the few they did hit on, Hall of Famer Lou Creekmur and Otis Taylor, they cut and watched those players become stars elsewhere.

Drafted in the 15th round of the 1972 draft, Sullivan was the 378th player selected overall. He didn't play a lot as a rookie and mostly blocked when he did.

The Eagles promoted him to the starting lineup in his sophomore year, so Sullivan responded by churning out a career best 968 yards, at a 4.5 yards per carry average, and a career best 50 receptions.

He followed that up in 1974 by leading the NFL with 11 rushing touchdowns. He began to share carries with fullback Art Malone and backup James McAlister in 1974, but still led the team with 632 yards on the ground.

Mike Hogan was the primary ball carrier the next year, as Sullivan received less touches. The Eagles hit pay dirt in the 1977 draft by selecting Wilbert Montgomery in the sixth round.

Though Sullivan was second on the team in rushing yards, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns at the end of the year. He suited up for four games and touched the ball six times for Cleveland in 1978, so he decided to retire.

Though he never made the Pro Bowl, he retired the third leading rusher in Eagles history. He still ranks tenth in that category, as well as 14th in rushing touchdowns.

While he played on some struggling squads, Tom Sullivan had a few excellent seasons.




Pittsburgh Steelers : Rocky Bleier


With a nod to Joe Kuharich, who became a Pro Bowl player and head coach, Carlton Haselrig, and Warren Lahr, who became a star with the Browns.

Bleier was drafted in the 16th round of the 1968 draft, where he was the 417th player chosen overall. He touched the ball nine times on offense as a rookie, but he contributed well on special teams.

The Vietnam War was going on, so Bleier decided to serve his country. He was shot in the left leg, then nearly lost his right foot to an exploding grenade.

The thought was his football career was over. Then Steelers Hall of Fame owner Art Rooney sent him a postcard telling him the Steelers needed him.

This inspired Bleier to rehab hard and he returned to the gridiron one year after his injuries. Though he rejoined Pittsburgh in 1971, he rarely played on offense over the next three years.

He had pain when walking and was under his playing weight. Pittsburgh waived him twice, but Bleier kept working hard. He increased his weight and found it less painful to run.

Earning a starting job at halfback in 1974, his primary duty was to block for Hall of Fame fullback Franco Harris. But he also found himself handling the ball more each season.

His finest season came in 1976. He had career high totals of 220 carries for 1,036 and five scores. With the 1,128 yards Harris gained, it was the first and only time in Steelers history two running backs ran for at least 1,000-yards in one season.

Bleier's touches started to decrease after that, but he was still a very important member on both the field and locker room. Pittsburgh dominated much of the 1970's, winning four Super Bowls.

One of his biggest moments came in Super Bowl XIII when Bleier caught a seven-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter, giving Pittsburgh a 21-14 lead over the Dallas Cowboys. The Steelers never relinquished the lead, winning 35-31.

In the 1974 AFC Championship win against the Oakland Raiders, most fans recall Harris gaining 111 yards on 28 carries while scoring twice. Yet Bleier was the quiet hero of the game by pounding out 98 rushing yards, leading the team with 123 all-purpose yards, and recovering a key fumble.

He retired after the 1980 season and still ranks eighth in team history with 3,865 rushing yards and ninth with 23 touchdowns on the ground.

Not only was he a steal for Pittsburgh in the draft, but his inspirational story is an example as to why football is a great sport.






San Diego Chargers : Chuck Allen


Allen was drafted in the 28th round of the 1961 AFL Draft by the Chargers. The Los Angeles Rams tabbed him in the 17th round of the NFL Draft, but he wisely chose San Diego because the Rams had Hall of Famer Les Richter at middle linebacker.

San Diego tried to bring the rookie along slowly, but Allen won the starting job for the final nine games in what was one of his best seasons. He had career best marks of five interceptions and 111 return yards. One pick was taken 59 yards for a touchdown.

He made his first Pro Bowl in the Chargers 1963 title year. Allen picked off five balls and returned a fumble 42 yards for the last touchdown of his career. He was moved to outside linebacker the next year, but was still named a Pro Bowler.

The Chargers moved Allen back to middle linebacker in 1965, where he would stay the rest of his career. While he was tough against the run, the cerebral Allen was also solid against the pass.

He missed 13 games over his last four seasons in San Diego, because of injury, after not missing a game the previous four years. San Diego traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers before the 1970 season,

After two solid seasons in Pittsburgh, where he snagged seven interceptions, Allen joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1972. Though he started eight games, he spent most of his time mentoring young linebackers like Steve Zabel and John Bunting.

Allen retired after the 1972 season and later became the Vice President of Football Operations for the Seattle Seahawks. His 20 interceptions are the most ever by a Chargers middle linebacker. Allen is one of the 50 Greatest Chargers and a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame.

The two Pro Bowls he went to is the most ever by a Chargers middle linebacker and he might be the best to have ever played the position for the team.





San Francisco 49ers : Jesse Sapolu


Sapolu was drafted in the 11th round of the 1983 draft, where he was the 289th player chosen overall.

After spending his rookie year as a reserve, he was hurt in the first game of the 1984 season and lost for the year.

He earned his way into the starting lineup at left guard in 1985, becoming one of the Niners best run blockers. They moved him to center in 1989, where he stayed the next five years.

After making his first Pro Bowl in 1993, San Francisco moved him back to left guard in 1994. Not missing a beat, he made the Pro Bowl yet again.

He was moved back to center in 1996, where he stayed until he retired after the 1997 season.

Sapolu was a very important member of four 49er teams to win Super Bowls. Excluding his second season, Sapolu missed just 10 games in his career.

A fan favorite, he is surely one of the best late round picks in franchise history.





Seattle Seahawks : Dwayne Harper


Seattle has hit on a few guys late in the draft, but most went on to help other teams.

Harper was drafted in the 11th round of the 1988 draft. He was the 299th player chosen and just nine guys drafted behind him played in the NFL.

After a rookie year of being a reserve, where he recorded the only sack of his career, Harper became a starter in his second season. He became a solid player equally tough against the run or pass.

Though the four interceptions he had in 1991 was a career high, he also forced an excellent 10 fumbles in the 1993 season. He then signed with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent in 1994.

He stayed with the Chargers for five seasons, though two were cut short by injuries. Harper started for them when San Diego reached Super Bowl XXIX, the only Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.

After playing just one game in 1998, because of injury, He signed with the Detroit Lions in 1999. He suited up for three games, then got hurt. He then retired.

Of his 24 career interceptions, 13 came with Seattle. That is good for the 13th most in team history and makes Dwayne Harper the Seahawks best late round pick.





Saint Louis Rams : Dante Magnani


The Rams have done well late in drafts. They got Hall of Fame defensive ends Deacon Jones and Andy Robustelli well into their draft classes, whole snagging guys like Fred Stokes and Drew Hill near the end.

Magnani was drafted in the 19th round of the 1940 draft by the Cleveland Rams, the 175th player chosen overall. Just five players drafted after him played in the NFL.

He wasn't used much as a rookie, but he did return a kickoff 93-yards for a score.

His 1942 season was his lone Pro Bowl year, where he led the team in rushing and receiving.

The Chicago Bears traded for him in 1943. He was second on the team in rushing, but he did lead the NFL with a 79-yard run for a score and a 96-yard kickoff return for a score.

The Bears won the NFL Championship that year, helped by Magnani's four receptions for 122 yards and two scores.

World War II was going on during this time, so Magnani enlisted to serve his country.

He returned to the NFL in 1946 to be third in rushing and receiving for the Bears. They reached the title game again. Magnani intercepted a pass in the first quarter and returned it 19-yards for a touchdown.

It put the Bears up 14-7, as they went on to defeat the New York Giants 24-14. He left Chicago to rejoin the Rams, now in Los Angeles, in 1947.

He played there two seasons before rejoining the Bears in 1949. After playing in the 1950 season for the Detroit Lions, he retired.

Not many late round picks have helped the Rams. Stokes and Hill mostly excelled elsewhere, but did contribute to the Rams.

No player drafted late has given the Rams more than Dante Magnani. Especially for young organization that had just started three years earlier and he was amongst the first handful to go to the Pro Bowl.





Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Dave Logan


The Bucs have always done well late in the draft. In their initial draft of 1975, they picked Carl Roaches near the end. Though he never played for them, he became a Pro Bowler for the Houston Oilers.

Logan was drafted in the 12th round by Tampa Bay in 1979, the 307th player selected, and played in five games as a reserve.

He earned the starting job in the third game of the next year, and would hold onto it the rest of his Buccaneers career.

He also scored a touchdown on a career long 60-yard fumble recovery in 1980, and scored again off of a 21-yard return the following season.

In the strike-shortened season of 1982, the NFL began recording sacks as an official statistic, and he was credited with 4.8 sacks in the nine games he played.

His best year may have been in 1983, where he had 9.5 sacks and scored off of a 54-yard fumble recovery. He was named First Team All-Conference by Pro Football Weekly, and would attain that honor again the next year after getting 5.5 sacks and scoring the last touchdown of his career off of a 27-yard interception.

Though he was not named to the Pro Bowl, he was named First Team All-NFL by the Sporting News that year.

After two more years, he left the team and joined the Green Bay Packers in 1987. He played in just two games, got hurt, then retired.

Dave Logan was an incredible physical specimen who relied on intelligence and technique to excel. He weighed just 250 lbs. while playing the most demanding position in football.

He played, and started in, every game in the last six of his eight years with the team. Besides his rookie year, he never missed a game with the Bucs.

He had 39 sacks in his career, which would be the fourth most in franchise history, but the NFL only has him officially with 28.3. That ranks as fifth best, yet it needs to be noted the NFL only recognizes 23 of the 78.5 career sacks Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon had with the team.

Logan also had 624 tackles in his career, showing he was more than a pass rusher.

His three fumble recovery touchdowns are the most ever by a Buc defensive lineman, and second in team history to the four defensive back Ronde Barber has. He is tied with 30 other players as the fourth most in NFL history in that category.

He is easily the greatest nose tackle in Buccaneers history.






Tennessee Titans : Billy "White Shoes" Johnson


This organization has had quite a few great late round picks. Grabbing Hall of Famer Ken Houston, considered the greatest strong safety in NFL history, in the ninth round of the 1967 draft was a steal in itself.

Johnson was a 15th round draft pick by the Houston Oilers in 1974. He was the 365th player picked overall despite the initial objections of GM/Head Coach Sid Gillman who didn't want a "midget" on his team.

He made the team as a return man and stood out immediately. He was given the moniker "White Shoes" in high school when he wore the white cleats, as opposed to most wearing black cleats.

In his first four seasons, he returned five punts for touchdowns, as well as two kickoffs for scores. In 1975 he tied an NFL record with four kick returns for touchdowns in a season.

He would celebrate his touchdowns with the "Funky Chicken" dance. This dance, coupled by his shoes, made him a fan favorite across the league. He was used as a third-down slot receiver in multiple receiver sets mostly.

He caught 116 balls with seven touchdowns his first three years. He was mostly used as a possession type due to the teams offensive scheme, but he also ran the ball for a touchdown.

Johnson caught 20 balls his fourth year for three touchdowns at a 20-yards per catch average. He also took a reverse 61 yards for a touchdown, the last rushing touchdown of his career.

In 1978, he blew out his knee during the fifth game. He only managed two games the following season due to its lingering effects. In 1980, he returned to be used only as a third wide receiver. He caught 31 balls for two touchdowns.

Disenchanted with his role, "White Shoes" bolted for the Canadian Football League to play for the Montreal Allouetttes. That year in Montreal, Billy caught 65 passes for 1,060 yards and five touchdowns.

Johnson returned to the NFL in 1982 by signing with the Atlanta Falcons. He played nine games that year and only caught two passes. He was able to return 24 punts at an impressive clip of 11.4 yards per return.

"White Shoes" was used as the Falcons full time punt returner in 1983. He also started at wide receiver. He caught a team and career high 64 passes while scoring five touchdowns total. One touchdown was via a punt return.

He won the Pro Bowl MVP that year when he took a punt 90-yards for a touchdown, as well as accumulating 159 total return yards. Both are still Pro Bowl records.

Johnson left the Falcons, but tried to play for the Washington Redskins in 1988. He played only one game and fielded four punts, returning three of them for 26 yards. He then retired.

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson was named to both the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team, and to the 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

He set seven team records in Houston and four in Atlanta and held the NFL record for punt return yardage when he retired. He is still ranked third all-time in NFL history for punt return yardage and still holds the Oilers / Titans franchise record for punt return yardage.

Johnson may be known to many fans as an innovators of the touchdown dance. He is credited as being one of the first, but certainly his can stake claim to having been the best ever.

Celebrations with more choreography may have been employed since then, but it is much like the students trying to emulate the master. He was not just a crowd pleaser with his dance.

He was a premier return specialist who took eight kicks to the end zone in his career. He also worked hard to become a threat at wide receiver and he is on the All-Time NFL Team as the only return specialist.




Washington Redskins : Chris Hanburger


The Redskins have a good history on late round picks. Hall of Famer Wayne Milner was part of the Redskins first draft class and just four men selected after him played in the NFL.

Clint Didier, Jimmie Johnson, and others also helped the team. Yet there is no greater Redskins late round pick than "The Hangman."

Hanburger was an 18th-round draft choice of the Redskins in 1965. He was the 245th player chosen that year. He was a 25-year old rookie, due to his service in the Army before going to the University of North Carolina.

Hanburger played right away and was in the Pro Bowl by his second year in the league. He would then begin a string of Pro Bowl appearances until 1969. He then resumed that string in 1972 until 1976.

Sacks and tackles were not recorded in those days, but Hanburger was a play maker. He is considered one of the best of his era.

He was known for his blitzing ability and pass coverage. Ever the complete player, he returned three fumbles for touchdowns in his career to go with two on interceptions.

In 1972, Hanburger captained the "Over The Hill Gang's" defense to a Super Bowl appearance and was named NFC Defensive Player Of The Year. Hanburger was known not only for good speed, but his exceptional quickness.

He had the innate ability to diagnose a play before the ball was hiked. He often would cover the other teams tight end and peel off to knock passes down meant for wide receivers.

Hanburger's nine Pro Bowl appearances are still the most by any player in the entire history of the Washington Redskins. Hanburger was inducted in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Randy Gradishar
6'3" 233
Linebacker
Denver Broncos
1973 - 1984
Ten Seasons
145 Games Played
20 Interceptions
4 Touchdowns
7 Pro Bowls
1978 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Randolph Charles Gradishar was drafted in the first round of the 1973 draft by the Denver Broncos. He was the 14th player chosen overall.

He attended college at Ohio State University under legendary coach Woody Hayes. Hayes, who sent over 98 players to the professional football level in his Hall of Fame career, called Gradishar the finest linebacker he ever coached.

Not only is he a member of the schools All-Century Team and their Hall of Fame, but Radish is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. An excellent student in college, he is also inducted into the GTE Academic Hall of Fame and is on the ABC Sports All-Century team.

Denver brought him along slowly in his rookie year, starting just three of 14 games behind veteran Ray May. May was the 1971 NFL Man of the Year and a member of the Super Bowl V champion Baltimore Colts.

He started every game the next year, the last season the Broncos would run a base 4-3 defense during his tenure with the club. He was named to the Pro Bowl after grabbing three interceptions and taking one in 44 yards for a touchdown. He scored once again the following year off of another three picks and had seven quarterback sacks.

Denver went into the 1977 season running the 3-4 defense under coach Joe Collier. With players like Gradishar, Louis Wright, Tom Jackson, Bill Thompson, Reuben Carter, Bob Swen sen, Lyle Alzado, and Barney Chavous, the Broncos had one of the most feared defenses in all of football history.

They were dubbed the "Orange Crush", and a soft drink named after them soon became very popular. Five members of the defense was named to the Pro Bowl that year and four were named First Team All-Pro, including Gradishar.

They led Denver to a 12-2 record and an appearance in Super Bowl XII. Though they lost the game, the defense left a permanent mark on NFL history with their excellence by allowing just 10.6 points per game that year.

Radish may have had his finest season the following year, where he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by both the Associated Press and UPI. He also was named the winner of the George Halas Award and Linebacker of the Year by Football Digest.

Denver's defense was second in the league in points allowed, and Gradishar was one of five Bronco defenders to go to the Pro Bowl.

Football Digest named him NFL Linebacker of the Year again in 1979. He was once again selected to the Pro Bowl.

Though he failed to make the Pro Bowl in 1980, he did take one interception a career long 93 yards for the last touchdown of his career. He was also named First Team All-NFL by the Sporting News.

Gradishar made the Pro Bowl the next three years before retiring after the 1983 season. He never missed a game in his entire career, an amazing feat for someone playing such a violent position where he had to give up his body on virtually every play to prevent the opponents from success.

Not only was he durable, very intelligent, quick on his feet, and a big hitter, but Gradishar was also a masterful technician. He had the innate ability to diagnose a play and was seldom fooled.

This, along with his foot speed, allowed him to defend just about any opponent on a pass play. This ability allowed Denver the luxury of blitzing their outside linebackers, knowing he could cover their assignments.

His specialty may have been the short-yardage situation. With a superb ability to sift would-be blockers, he often filled the holes the opposing running backs would run to. Though he didn't have the toothless snarl of Jack Lambert or easily seen nastiness of Dick Butkus, he was just as good as those two Hall of Famers.

Some of the best running backs in NFL history, Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett, are on record espousing his tremendous hitting ability. "The chance for a real good shot comes very seldom, but when it's there I take full advantage of it." Gradishar once said.

There have been few linebackers to take the gridiron on his level. He is a member of the Broncos Ring of Honor and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Why he has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is beyond bewildering. He has been a finalist twice and a semi-finalist four times.

Now he is in a gigantic pool of candidates in the Seniors Committee list. Though he should have long been inducted before he made it that far, he is caught in a quagmire of a selection process where no more than two candidates yearly can just make it to the final vote process.

It would behoove Canton to double that, allowing the Seniors Committee to try to induct at least four each year. The backlog of excellent players is too long, and it is frustrating seeing lesser modern players go in as superior players are caught in a numbers crunch that is much harder to win than a slots machine jackpot at a casino.

Watching a player as great as Randy Gradishar wait this long to get his deserved respect truly shows the ineptness of the Canton voter.

Though no one can question the recent inductions of linebackers like Andre Tippett, Ricky Jackson, and Derrick Thomas, no one would ever say that any were better football players than Gradishar.

Though deserving, it is a travesty the much more deserving Gradishar continues to wait on his rightful placement in the hallowed walls of Canton.







Tommy Nobis
6'2" 240
Linebacker
Atlanta Falcons
1966 - 1976
11 Seasons
133 Games Played
5 Pro Bowls
1966 NFL Rookie of the Year


Thomas Henry Nobis Jr. was the first draft pick ever by the expansion Atlanta Falcons in the 1966 NFL draft. He was also the first player chosen overall.

Nobis is a legend in Texas. He was was the only sophomore starter on the Longhorns' 1963 National Championship team.

No bis averaged nearly 20 tackles per game at Texas, and was a two-way player on teams that were ranked first in the nation at some point during each of his three years.

He graced the covers of Life, Sports Illustrated and Time magazines. Nobis won the Knute Rockne, Outland, and Maxwell Awards and finished seventh in the Heisman voting.

Nobis was selected to the Football News All-Time All-America Team, Sports Illustrated's All-Century Team, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-Century Team.

He is also a member of the Texas and Georgia State High School Halls of Fame, Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Hall of Fame, the San Antonio Hall of Fame, the Longhorn Hall of Honor and the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame.

Nobis started right away for the Falcons, and was very busy on a new team that struggled to a 3-11 record.

He set a Falcons record, that still stands today, when he amassed 294 tackles. It may be an NFL record, but that stat is unofficial and kept by individual teams.

He was named to the Pro Bowl and was the 1966 NFL Rookie of the Year.

Nobis intercepted the first three passes of his career the next season, and returned one for a touchdown. He was also selected to his second Pro Bowl and only First Team All-Pro honor.

In 1968, he was named to his third Pro Bowl, as the struggling Falcons went through a coaching change by hiring Hall of Famer Norm Van Brocklin after the third week of the season.

Nobis was injured in the fifth game of the following year, and missed the rest of the season. He came back in 1970 and was named to the Pro Bowl. He then was injured in the fourth game of the following season, and missed the rest of the year.

Nobis would only miss two games for the rest of his career. He made his last Pro Bowl in 1972, and also scored the last touchdown of his career.

The 1973 season would be the best record the Falcons had during Nobis' career. They went 9-5. Atlanta won 50 games in his eleven seasons.

His number 60 the first number retired by the team, and he is a member of the Falcons' Ring of Honor, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame.

He has also been named the NFL Man of the Year (Dodge and Vitalis), and Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. award, due to his work with the Special Olympics as a member of the Falcons front office, and in his own foundation.

Nobis is on the NFL's All-1960s team, which is quite an accomplishment if you consider he didn't even play half of the decade.

It is TRULY astounding that 'Mr. Falcon' still has yet to be inducted into Canton. While he played on many lousy teams, but he was outstanding.

Atlanta got little publicity during his time as a player, but the voters cannot use this as an excuse. These voters are supposed to represent the whole NFL, not just the media driven franchises.

They are supposed to be experts, or at least this is what their positions as voters implies. The exclusion of Nobis for all of these years belies that thought.

Tommy Nobis epitomizes what a Hall of Fame football player is supposed to symbolize. Both on and off the field. It is truly disgraceful, and disrespectful, that he is not in Canton.







Lee Roy Jordan
6'1" 221
Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys
1963 - 1976
14 Seasons
186 Games Played
32 Interceptions
18 Fumble Recoveries
3 Touchdowns
1 Safety
5 Pro Bowls

Lee Roy Jordan was the Dallas Cowboys first draft pick of the 1963 draft. He was the sixth player chosen overall. Jordan was already a gridiron legend in college, after a spectacular career at Alabama University.

In his last game with Alabama in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma University, Jordan piled up a whopping 30 tackles and was named the games MVP. He is a member of the Alabama Hall Of Fame and the College Football Hall Of Fame.

He only suited up for seven games in his rookie year, but started each game at outside linebacker on the left side. He ended up swiping three interceptions and recovering a fumble.

He was moved to middle linebacker in 1966 and would stay there the rest of his career. This was the time the famous "Doomsday Defense" was at its beginnings, and Jordan was the leader.

He picked off one pass that year and returned it 49 yards for a score that year. Jordan had three interceptions the next year for a career best 85 yards, while scoring another touchdown and recording a safety.

The Cowboys would end up making it to the 1967 NFL Championship Game before losing to the Green Bay Packers in the famous "Ice Bowl". He was named to the first of three consecutive Pro Bowls that season.

Jordan ended up playing in Super Bowl V, the first Super Bowl after the NFL/ AFL merger. The Cowboys ended up losing in the waning seconds to the Baltimore Colts in a game dubbed "The Blunder Bowl" because it was a game that featured 11 turnovers by both teams and 10 penalties against Dallas.

Jordan had two interceptions and a career best three fumble recoveries in 1971. The Cowboys would go on to beat the Miami Dolphins 24 - 3 in Super Bowl VI. It is the only Super Bowl where a team was prevented from scoring a touchdown.

Jordan had two more swipes in 1972, then had a career high six interceptions in 1973. In one game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jordan picked off three passes in a five-minute span.

He took one ball for a 31 yard touchdown, and was named to the Pro Bowl after the season. He made his final Pro Bowl in 1974 after getting two interceptions.

The 1975 season saw Jordan tie his career high of six interceptions, while leading the Cowboys to Super Bowl X. The Cowboys ended up losing a close game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jordan again started every game in 1976, but did not record any turnovers for only the second time of his career.

He then retired after that season as the franchises all-time leader in tackles, and his 32 interceptions are still tied for the third most ever by a linebacker in NFL history. Jordan is a member of the Cowboys Ring Of Fame.

There are a few theories as to why Jordan still awaits his call to Canton. One is that he was a member of a fantastic defense that featured Hall Of Fame Defensive Tackle Bob Lilly, along with such greats as George Andrie, Chuck Howley, Jethro Pugh, Charlie Waters, Cornell Green, and Cliff Harris.

Then there is some that say is was because of the genius diagramming of Hall Of Fame Coach Tom Landry that the "Doomsday Defense" was so effective.

Others believe that the voters have some anti-Cowboys bias from that era as well. Maybe all those points have some validity, but you cannot ignore the facts that Jordan has placed in front of all to see through his play on the field.

He was a true leader who always gave it everything he had on every play without fail. Not only was he a tackling machine, but the man helped get the ball back for his teams offense over 50 times in his career.

Jordan gathered a turnover in every 3.72 games he played in his career, an outstanding percentage. His three interception game was named one of the ten most memorable moments in the history of Texas Stadium in 2008.

Not a big man in size or stature, Jordan's heart was immeasurable, and he was one of the top linebackers in the NFL almost every year that he played.

When you see the late Derrick Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs inducted, though deservedly so, it can make one wonder. Thomas was known for just rushing the passer, and was not the complete player that Jordan was.

Lee Roy Jordan certainly is deserving of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.








Sam Mills
5'9" 229
Linebacker
New Orleans Saints
1986-1997
12 Seasons
181 Games Played
23 Fumbles Recovered
4 Touchdowns
5 Pro Bowls

Samuel Davis Mills Jr. went undrafted in 1981, then tried out with the Cleveland Browns and was cut. He then tried out with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and was cut again.

The United States Football League began playing in 1983 and Mills tried out for the Philadelphia Stars. Not only did he make the team, he became an instant success. Nicknamed the "Field Mouse", the 5'9" Mills was known for his leadership and intensity both on and off the field.

The USFL folded after 1985, but it did have many successes. Six members of the USFL are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including four players. Mills played in the USFL Championship Game all three seasons, winning twice. He is a member of the USFL All-Time Team, and was named All-USFL, their version of the Pro Bowl, all three years.

David Dixon created the USFL. He also was instrumental in bringing the Saints to New Orleans. His connections with the USFL proved to be valuable when that league folded as he signed many former USFL personnel.

He hired Jim Mora Sr. as his head coach, Bobby Hebert as his starting quarterback, Chuck Commiskey as a starting offensive guard, Buford Jordan as the starting fullback, Antonio Gibson as the starting strong safety, Mel Gray as the return specialist, and Mills and Vaughn Johnson as his starting inside linebackers. Mora had coached Mills, Commiskey, and Gibson in the USFL.

The Saints already had Hall of Famer Ricky Jackson at one outside linebacker slot, and had just drafted future Pro Bowler Pat Swilling to bookend him. Teamed with Mills and Johnson, New Orleans has one of the best linebacker corps in NFL history. The group was so devastating that they were called "The Dome Patrol".

Mills was the leader of the group and made his first Pro Bowl in his second season. He was always around the ball and averaged almost 100 tackles a year in his nine season with the Saints. He also took two fumble recoveries in for touchdowns and made the Pro Bowl four times total.

When his contract expired in 1994, the Saint allowed the 36-year old to leave despite the fact he had just piled up a career high 155 tackles that year for them. Mills signed with the expansion Carolina Panthers determined to show he had a lot of football still in him. He became an instant hero for the Panthers.

The 1996 season was one of his best. He was named to the Pro Bowl and was also given his only First Team All-Pro honor. Mills had a career best 5.5 sacks to go with 122 tackles and became the oldest player in NFL history to recover a fumble and return it for a score.

He retired after the 1997 season and became a linebackers coach for Carolina. He found out he had intestinal cancer and only had a few months to live in 2003, but kept coaching and pleading for his players to "keep pounding". This inspired Carolina to reach Super Bowl XXXVIII that year.

Mills died in 2005 and the Panthers have a statue of him outside of their stadium in his honor. He is a member of the Panthers Hall of Honor, the Saints Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey, and the College Football Hall of Fame.

There is still a good chance Mills will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. Though critics may say his five Pro Bowls with the NFL isn't enough for induction, that means they are discounting what he did in the USFL.

The USFL was professional football, and Mills was a huge star in that league. The building in Canton has the words Pro Football" engraved on their buildings, signs, and letterheads everywhere. The USFL obviously had tremendous impact and influence on the NFL as well.

His is a story of perseverance. The "American Dream" that became reality. Even if Mills never gets into Canton, he is probably the greatest inside linebacker the Saints franchise ever had wear their jersey.








Bill Bergey
6'4" 243
Philadelphia Eagles
1969-1980
12 Seasons
159 Games Played
27 Interceptions
21 Fumble Recoveries
5 Pro Bowls

William Earl Bergey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1969 AFL draft out of Arkansas State and was an AFL All-Star in his first year. Bergey started for the Bengals for five years.

He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1974 for two first-round and one second-round draft picks because he had signed a "futures contract" with the World Football League.

The WFL folded, so he went to Philadelphia. With the Eagles, Bergey went to four straight Pro Bowls, and became the highest-paid defensive player in the league.

He earned Eagles MVP status three times. Bergey recorded 233 tackles in a single season with the Eagles. After Philadelphia lost to Oakland in Super Bowl XV, Bergey retired in 1980 with 48 turnovers, which means he got the ball back for his teams every 3.3 games.

Bergey is a member of the Bengals 40th Anniversary Roster, the Eagles Honor Roll, and the city of Buffalo's Hall of Fame. Though he was excellent in Cincinnati, it was with Philadelphia he enjoyed his best years in the NFL.

In his five years with the Bengals, Bergey had 9 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries.

He accumulated 18 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries in seven seasons as an Eagle.

He was a tackling machine that allowed fellow Eagle linebackers John Bunting, Frank LeMaster and Jerry Robinson to excel.

When you talk of the rich history of the Eagles, names like Van Buren, Bednarik, McDonald, White, Montgomery, Carmichael, and Bill Bergey roll off the tongues of most die hard Philly fans.

He may not get into Canton, but he is a Hall of Fame player in my book.








Hardy Nickerson
6'2" 230
Linebacker
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1987-2002
16 Seasons
225 Games Played
1990s All-Decade Team
5 Pro Bowls

Hardy Otto Nickerson was drafted in the fifth round of the 1987 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. After spending his rookie year as a reserve, he soon moved into the starting lineup and became a solid member of the team.

He signed with the Buccaneers as a free agent in 1993, and blossomed in the 4-3 base defense that head coach Tony Dungy ran. He was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in his first season after setting a team record with a whopping 214 tackles that still stands today.

Though he never exceeded 147 tackles in a season for the rest of his career, Nickerson was the fiery, intelligent leader of the defense and was called "The Dragon" by teammates and fans.

In 1996, he went to the Pro Bowl again, something he would continue to do until 1999. He also was named First Team All-Pro in 1997, and was honored with the Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award for his work in the community and country.

He became a free agent after his last Pro Bowl season of 1999, so he signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He got hurt after six games, missing the rest of the season.

The 2001 season saw him get a career high three interceptions and nine defended passes. He then signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2002, then retired at the end of the season.

Nickerson is a member of the NFL 1990's All-Decade Second Team. No other Buccaneers middle linebacker has more tackles than him and he has the third most in team history.

His getting inducted into Canton may seem a long shot to some, but Nickerson's career stacks up next to some of the greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. His longevity also shows how tough he was and how much he had.








Karl Mecklenburg
6'3" 240
Linebacker
Denver Broncos
1983-1994
12 Seasons
180 Games Played
79 Sacks
6 Pro Bowls

Karl Bernard Mecklenburg was drafted in the 12th round of the 1983 draft by the Denver Broncos, the 310th player chosen overall. He made the team as a rookie, but started out playing defensive end.

He was able to work his way on the field by impressing the coaches with his determination. After getting a pair of sacks as a rookie, he was used as a pass rush specialist the next year and got seven more. He also picked off two passes and returned them for 105 yards.

Denver knew they had to find a way to get Mecklenburg on the field, and they also wanted to upgrade their linebacking unit. Joe Collier, the Broncos legendary defensive coordinator, decided to try him at inside linebacker.

Though he split time with incumbent starter Rick Dennison, Mecklenburg was still able to rack up a career high 13 sacks. He was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl despite starting just nine games.

He took over as a full-time starter in 1986 and was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl again after getting 9.5 sacks. Denver would reach the Super Bowl, but lost.

The Broncos would go back to the Super Bowl in 1987 and 1989, but lost each time. Mecklenburg was a big reason for their success. In 1987, he went to the Pro Bowl after getting the last three interceptions of his career.

He was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in 1989 after scoring the first touchdown of his career, which came off of a fumble recovery. He scored off another fumble the next year, as well as recording a safety.

From 1986 to 1997, Mecklenburg was one of the best linebackers in all of football. He wasn't just a pass rusher, though he did pile up 55.5 sacks over that time, but he was also a tackling machine.

Starting in 1986, Mecklenburg had at least 100 tackles every year until 1986 except for the 97 he had in the strike shortened 1987 season. He had 99 tackles in 1997. After getting 68 in 1998, his lowest total as a full-time starter, he retired.

Nicknamed the "Albino Rhino" by teammates, he has the second most tackles and sacks in Broncos history. His 180 games played are the third most ever as well.

No other Broncos linebacker has been to the Pro Bowl six times, and his three First Team All-Pro nods are tied as the second most in franchise history. He is a member of the Broncos Ring of Honor.

Mecklenburg was a winner, as shown by his helping Denver reach the Super Bowl three times. His was career not expected, so the term "self-made man" certainly applies in his care.

Through determination, he ended his career on the same level as Randy Gradishar. Many consider Gradishar the greatest Broncos linebacker ever, but Mecklenburg is not far behind.

Besides missing seven games in 1988, and one the next year, he took the field every time his team did. Consistent, tough, and fiery, Karl Mecklenburg had a career certainly worthy of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.








Jessie Tuggle
5'11" 230
Linebacker
Atlanta Falcons
1987-2000
14 Seasons
209 Games Played
6 Touchdowns
5 Pro Bowls

Jessie Lloyd Tuggle Jr went undrafted in 1987 despite having a career at Valdosta State University that had him inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He signed with Atlanta and soon found himself starting at left inside linebacker after 1980 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Buddy Curry went down with a career-ending injury.

He split time with Joel Williams the next year, starting in eight games. He was still able to rack up 103 tackles and score a touchdown off of a fumble recovery. Atlanta then handed him the job full-time the rest of his career, and he missed just three starts over that time.

After getting 183 tackles in 1989, he had 201 tackles and a career high five quarterback sacks the next year. He also took a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown.

He followed that up in 1991 with a career-best 207 tackles, and scored again off of a fumble recovery. He also had his first career interception.

The 1992 season saw him finally get recognized as a Pro Bowler after somehow not being named in either of his two previous stellar seasons. He had 193 tackles, and interception, and he scored off a career-long 69 yard fumble recovery.

After getting 185 tackles the next year, he returned to the Pro Bowl in 1994 after getting 93 tackles. The 1994 season was the last time he exceeded 100 tackles, when he had 111.

He also had a career high three interceptions, the last of his career. One was returned for a touchdown, and he made the Pro Bowl again.

After making the Pro Bowl in 1997, he made his last Pro Bowl the next year. He also scored his last touchdown, which happened off of a fumble recovery.

The Falcons would reach Super Bowl XXXIII, their only championship appearance in franchise history, but lost.

He had 3.5 sacks in 1999, but missed two games. After missing half of the 2000 season, he retired with a Falcons record of 1,640 tackles.

His five fumble recoveries for touchdowns was an NFL record until Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins surpassed it by one in 2009.

"The Hammer" has his jersey retired by the Falcons, and he is a member of the team's Ring of Honor.

Tommy Nobis may be the best Falcon middle linebacker ever, but Tuggle is right up there with him. Being the ultimate team player that he was, Tuggle still has a shot at induction into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.






Mike Curtis
6'3" 232
Linebacker
Baltimore Colts
1965-1978
14 Seasons
166 Games Played
25 Interceptions
3 Touchdowns
4 Pro Bowls
1970 AFC Defensive Player of the Year

James Michael Curtis was drafted in the first round of the 1965 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. He initially played fullback and even ran the ball six times as a rookie, as well a catching a pass.

The Colts switched him to linebacker the next year, where he played on the weak side. Though he started seven games in 1966, he did score off a fumble recovery. He got hurt in the third game of 1967, missing the rest of the year.

Curtis rebounded strong in 1968, helping lead the Colts to Super Bowl III after being named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl. In Baltimore's first playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, Curtis took a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown.

He had an interception in the Colts 34-0 win over the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship and helped hold Cleveland's powerful running game to 58 yards.

Baltimore switched him to middle linebacker in 1969. Curtis responded by being named First Team All-Pro. He got a career best five interceptions in 1970, helping the Colts win their division.

After getting an interception in a first round win over the Cincinnati Bengals, he picked off another pass in Super Bowl V as the Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys 16-13.

He was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL 101 Club for all of his accomplishments that year.

He was a captain on the Colts most of his time with them, known for his intensity and mean streak. Many called him the meanest player of his era.

He made the Pro Bowl in 1971 and 1974 again for Baltimore, and was named the team MVP in that 1974 season. He got hurt in 1975 and was able to play just six games.

The Colts left him exposed to the expansion draft, so the Seattle Seahawks grabbed him. He was moved to outside linebacker again, where he started every game.

Curtis, who grew up in suburban Maryland, asked to be traded closer to home. Seattle acquiesced by dealing him to the Washington Redskins before the 1977 season. Curtis retired after 1978.

Many fans who saw him play think Curtis is one of the most underrated middle linebackers of his era, in spite of the many accolades he attained. They point to Hall of Famers like Willie Lanier and Nick Buoniconti being in his way of more Pro Bowl accolades.

The fact is that Curtis was more than a vicious hitter who brought violent collisions. He was very athletic, being one of the very first players to ever retire with at least 20 interceptions and sacks in a career.

His 21 interceptions with Baltimore is still the third most ever by a Colts linebacker. His presence also helped fellow linebackers, and Colts legends, like Stan White and Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks be even more effective.

As the years pass, his chances for going into Canton dwindle. Yet Mike Curtis certainly did have a career worthy of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.