Playing his entire career with the Washington Redskins, Jerry Smith was one of the new breed of Tight Ends who was redefining the position.  Smith was a more than adequate blocker, but he was catching passes at the same rate of Wide Receivers, a trait that was not common in the 1960s and 1970s.  Smith would help the Redskins reach their first Super Bowl and he finished in the top ten in Receptions four times, and Receiving Touchdowns five times.  He would be a Pro Bowl twice and in 1969, he was named a First Team All-Pro.

Darren Woodson arrived in Dallas as one of the Draft Picks acquired in the Herschel Walker trade, and the 2^nd Rounder from Arizona State wasted little time establishing himself as a force in the Cowboys Secondary, even though he was a Linebacker in college.  A member of the All-Rookie Team, Woodson aided Dallas to a win in Super Bowl XXVII and subsequently Super Bowl XXVIII and in the season after he would begin a three-year streak of First Team All-Pros and five year run of Pro Bowls.  This period would also see Woodson win his third Super Bowl (XXX). 

Considered a shutdown Cornerback before there was such a term, Louis Wright would play his entire career with the Denver Broncos.  Drafted in the 1^st Round (17^th Overall) from San Jose State, Wright paid immediate dividends by being named to the First Team All-Rookie squad.  Denver was developing a reputation for their Orange Crush Defense, but if anyone got past them, they would have Louis Wright to contend with.  Wright was easily one of the best Corners in the late '70s going to the Pro Bowl in 1977, 1978, and 1979 and was a First Team All-Pro in the latter two seasons.  He was also crucial in helping Denver reach their first Super Bowl, a loss to Cowboys in Super Bowl XII.

Despite Denver's Super Bowl appearance, Wright's exploits were not nationally recognized.  One of the most adept at shadowing a receiver, Wright's instincts were incredible, and in every game he played, his opposing Offensive Coorrdinator planned schmes to avoid throwing to Wright.

There have been many great defensive stars for the Philadelphia Eagles through the years.  Perhaps one of their quickest was Eric Allen, who was a constant threat to intercept any football thrown in his vicinity, and stuff anyone who had the ball near him.

Eric Allen was an impact player immediately in the NFL, earning the starting job at Right Corner after he was taken with a high Second Round Pick in 1988 from Arizona State.  In his first eight years as a professional, Allen was named to the Pro Bowl six times and despite being a Cornerback, became a Sports Centre staple.  In 1993, Eric Allen had six picks, four of which he returned for touchdowns.  Allen was a glue defensive back in that he had his man covered like he was their Siamese twin.  Blessed with incredible instincts, Allen had 58 career Interceptions, with 9 pick-sixes.  Allen had 34 of his picks as an Eagle, but was still a productive player in his second half, which included three years in New Orleans and four in Oakland.

As one of the most exciting players and best athletes in the league history, Allen has the Hall of Fame profile but is running out of time on the modern ballot.