Football
Football
In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens made an excellent selection by grabbing Haloti Ngata with the 12th pick. Ngata was a former All-American defensive tackle from the University of Oregon, and the Ravens were looking for someone to stuff up the middle of their defence. Ngata proved to be the answer to their prayers. As soon as he…
The New York Giants were a dominant force in the NFL during the late 1950s and early 1960s, with a championship win under their belt. However, the incredible contributions of one of their star players, Jimmy Patton, have largely been forgotten over time. Patton's skills on the field were undeniable, and he really began to shine during the Giants' 1956…
One of the main roles of an Offensive Lineman is to create holes for Running Backs. The Cleveland Browns of the 1960s had some of the best runners and Dick Schafrath was a big reason that they found as much opportunity to run as they did.
James Harrison's journey to becoming an NFL star was not an easy one. Despite his impressive performances at Kent State, he was not selected in the 2002 draft. His height and weight, 6'0" and 240 lbs respectively, were the main reasons why NFL scouts overlooked him. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to give him a chance, but it was not…
The 1944 2nd Overall Draft Pick from the University of Wisconsin, Pat Harder, lived up to the hype. He helped the Chicago Cardinals win the 1947 NFL Championship and was selected for the First Team All-Pro for three consecutive years. Playing at fullback, and also serving as the Cardinal’s place kicker, Harder became the first player in NFL history to…
When you think of great San Francisco quarterbacks, you automatically think of Joe Montana and Steve Young. Before them, there was a very good one named John Brodie who put up great numbers without the supporting cast that Montana and Young had. John Brodie was one of the game's early gunslingers, and most of the time he had to be.…
The all-time leader in Receiving, Receiving Yards, and Receiving Touchdowns in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise, Hines Ward brings the accumulative statistical resume that you would expect from a Wide Receiver in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ward amassed over 12,000 Yards Receiving, an even 1,000 Receptions, and most importantly was a large part of the Pittsburgh…
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…
You never had to wonder what was on Ricky Watters's mind. He would tell you whether it was good or bad, and that brashness made him a very polarizing figure in the NFL. It is also possible that this is why the Hall of Fame has yet to look his way in a serious capacity. Ricky Watters was one of…
Richmond Webb proved his merit immediately as the 9th overall Draft Pick in 1990 as the Left Tackle was a Pro Bowl, All-Rookie Selection, and UPI even went as far as naming him the Rookie of the Year. That year was no flash in the pan as Webb would go on to be named to six more Pro Bowls (all…
Harold Jackson had two great seasons in Philadelphia leading the league in receiving yards in 1969 and 1973. It is too bad that Jackson was the only one playing well for those dreadful Eagles teams.
In this era of sports specialization, it is hard to imagine that football players used to change positions regularly. Pete Retzlaff played various offensive positions, but he could always be counted on to catch the ball.
You would think that the All-Time Leader in NFL receptions would have been at least been a finalist for the Hall of Fame. Of course, Billy Howton was the all-time leader when he retired in 1963. He has dropped considerably since then.Billy Howton was one of the top receivers for the Green Bay Packers throughout the 1950s. He was a…
Dwight Freeney was one of the best players to come out of the University of Syracuse and he wasted no time after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round (11th Overall) showcasing that he was an excellent pass rusher as he would lead the National Football League in Tackles for Loss and Forced Fumbles as a rookie, which…
From the football factory of SMU, Jerry Mays elected to stay in his home state with the Dallas Texans, who drafted him in the 5th Round of the 1961 Draft. The Minnesota Vikings of the NFL chose him in the 11th Round.
Ottis Anderson had one of the best rookie seasons ever for a Running Back gaining over 1,600 yards on the ground. Too bad he did for a bad St. Louis Cardinals team that was barely on the National radar.Anderson would prove he was not a one-season wonder. Although he would never again equal his rookie numbers he still posted decent…
In the upstart American Football League, the San Diego Chargers possessed one of the most dominating Offensive Lines in football. A big part of that was Walt Sweeney, who patrolled the Right Guard position.
London Fletcher was a tackling machine that had accumulated over 2,000 Tackles in the National Football League. This is where Fletcher’s best chance for the Hall lies as he was only a four-time Pro Bowl selection, a number that right or wrong does matter. Fletcher, however, does hold a resume with all those tackles, longevity, a Super Bowl Ring with…
Len Dawson was one of the great Quarterbacks of the American Football League, but a big reason he was able to do what he did was that Ed Budde helped him stay upright.