Get ready for part 16 in my neverending series The Grand List, or: the top 1000 players in history in the opinion of one guy on the internet. This is an offense-heavy section of the list, with 37 of the 50 players on that side of the ball. There are quarterbacks whose own fans didn’t seem to care for them, a stylistic variety of running backs, receivers spanning nearly the whole of the league’s history, a group of underrated tight ends, and something for everyone along the offensive line. While there aren’t many defenders, each main corps is represented. Maybe you’ll like it.

Previous articles in the series

The Grand List, part 1: Includes honorable/special mentions and players 1000-990.
The Grand List, part 2: Includes players 989-965.
The Grand List, part 3: Includes players 964-940.
The Grand List, part 4: Includes players 939-901.
The Grand List, part 5: Includes players 900-876.
The Grand List, part 6: Includes players 875-851.
The Grand List, part 7: Includes players 850-810.
The Grand List, part 8: Includes players 809-780.
The Grand List, part 9: Includes players 779-750.
The Grand List, part 10: Includes players 749-700.
The Grand List, part 11: Includes players 699-650.
The Grand List, part 12: Includes players 649-600.
The Grand List, part 13: Includes players 599-550.
The Grand List, part 14: Includes players 549-500.
The Grand List, part 15: Includes players 499-450.

Let us go then, you and I.

The Grand List, continued

449. Hines Ward (1998-2011)
Wide Receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers

Tougher than the nails wrought in the Steel City where he plied his trade, Ward was the perfect receiver for the black and gold. His gray ink is sparse, and his black ink is nonexistent, but a view of any game from his prime picked at random will show that his impact went beyond the box score. And the numbers out of context are meaningless in Ward’s case. Sometimes a player’s reputation in one area will cause his contributions in other areas to be overlooked. Ward is regarded by many as the greatest blocking receiver of all time (“and it’s not even close”). While he was one of the best I’ve ever seen and was particularly adept at coming into the middle of the field and mixing it up with linebackers, I think a few notable highlight reel type blocks inflated public perception of his skill. ^[1]Because yes, it was close. Guys like Muhammad and Marshall were on par with him. At the same time he was a bit overrated as a blocker, he was simultaneously underrated as a receiver. He played on “run and play defense” teams that deflated his volume stats, but he still managed seven seasons over 1000 yards. Using True Receiving Yards (TRY) to adjust for situation, Ward is one of just 21 receivers with at least ten seasons over 900. ^[2]He also ranks 21st in career TRY (15158). Ward’s top TRY seasons: 1704, 1647, 1490, 1321, 1301, 1224, 1214, 1055, 1038, 994 When competition got tougher in the postseason, and running first became untenable, Ward produced at a high level.

448. Raymond Chester (1970-1983)
Tight End
Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Colts, Oakland Invaders

Aesthetically, Chester was one of my personal favorite players to watch. He was a great receiver and a monster after the catch, regularly trucking defenders as soon as he got possession of the ball. If he got caught from behind, he’d carry a few guys with him for several yards before finally going down. Part of what makes him so fun to watch is the way players bounced off of him, or how easily he seemed to slip right out of their grasp. It didn’t look painful, like when you watch Bavaro or Shockey. Instead, he somehow managed to bulldoze people gracefully. Chester began his career with three straight Pro Bowls, but a move to Baltimore in the middle of his career saw that come to an end. The Colts didn’t feature tight end passes much, so he got to show off his blocking prowess but didn’t put up the numbers that earn recognition. However, he made his catches count, averaging 18.6 yards per reception once Marchibroda’s scheme was in place. ^[3]Chester’s top TRY seasons (500 is my baseline for good TE1 level production): 940, 887, 847, 758, 732, 697, 681, 646, 547

447. Ken Stabler (1968-1984)
Quarterback
Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers, Spokane Shockers

In some ways, the Snake was the Bobby Layne of his era. He was a natural on the football field and a partier off it. The biggest difference may have been that Stabler played in an era when that behavior was becoming increasingly difficult for a quarterback to engage in and maintain a high level of play. It’s part of why he suffered some resentment from teammates and coaches, while Layne was revered. Nevertheless, Stabler had incredible natural ability helped overcome an apparent lack of interest in studying or dedicating himself to the game. He was an innately accurate passer. In fact, I would posit that his many interceptions were partially because of occasional recklessness and partially because he put the ball in play on most throws, where some QBs may throw passes that were of the “my guy or no one” variety. ^[4]For modern comps, Brees has a lot of these picks, whereas Brady will seem to miss his receivers badly (when he really seems to just be playing it safe and living to fight another day). He earned a spot on four Pro Bowl squads and was twice named MVP or player of the year. For his 1974 performance, I gave him the Slinger Award for best quarterback and the Automatic Award for MVP. Among quarterbacks with at least 1500 actions plays in their career, Stabler ranks 51st in Total Adjusted Yards above Average (VAL) with 2755 and 110th in TAYP+ (101.0).

446. Bert Jones (1973-1982)
Quarterback
Baltimore Colts, Los Angeles Rams

One of the most intrinsically gifted people ever to play the position, Jones was a marvel on the field. He had one of the best arms ever and could make all the throws. With a quick mind, he could read the field well and make good choices. Similar to Elway, he could run well and pick up key first downs with his legs. And he never fumbled. Jones’s talent allowed coaches to open up the full range of the playbook, because he could do anything a play designer could imagine. He only had three healthy seasons as the main guy before shoulder and neck injuries ended what should have been a Hall of Fame career. Even after getting hurt, with his body broken, he was an effective player, even if he wasn’t elite anymore. Jones was the consensus MVP in 1976, and I gave him the Slinger for that year and the next. ^[5]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Jones ranks 32nd in VAL (4033) and 25th in TAYP+ (109.3).

445. Jeff Saturday (1999-2012)
Offensive Center
Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers

Saturday began his career in humble fashion, going undrafted and being waived from the Ravens. However, being let go may have been the best thing to happen to him, as it meant getting the chance to snap to Peyton Manning, who had a habit of making his linemen look better than they were (a la Marino and Brady). ^[6]Manning also had that Michael Jordan quality of ruthlessly pushing his teammates until they actually did improve their play. He was never going to get by on talent alone, and this realization pushed him to hone his craft. Before long, he became a true technician, capable of using perfect leverage and positioning to move much larger defenders out of the way—he’s just control a hip and take a defender for a ride. Manning’s release made him virtually unsackable, but Saturday had the talent to succeed in pass protection for anyone. He was mentally quick enough to make all the line calls and adjust based on his quarterback’s histrionics, and he had the lateral movement skills to slide to pick off anyone blitzing inside. In 2007, he had one of the best season in pass pro I’ve seen from a center, allowing four pressures (no sacks) and always seeming to nail his assignments. I named him the Iron Award winner for best center that year.

444. Jason Kelce (2011-present)
Offensive Center
Philadelphia Eagles

Whereas Saturday got to spend most of his career with an elite quarterback, Kelce hasn’t had such luck. Consequently, sometimes he’ll get charged with allowing pressure that wouldn’t have happened with a savvy passer like Brady or Manning under center. He is a bit inconsistent in pass protection, and he struggles with power rushers, but the consequences can be mitigated with quicker passes. Enough with the cons, Kelce is the top run blocking center of his era. He isn’t the strongest, but he has virtually every other athletic trait you could hope for (speed, quickness, agility, balance). This allows him to make reach blocks and blocks in space that many at the position can’t make and aren’t even asked to make. Few centers have ever been so skilled at getting up the field on a run play and taking the perfect angle to stop a defender from touching the ball carrier. He earned the Iron Award for 2017 and has been on the shortlist each year since.

443. Everson Walls (1981-1993)
Cornerback
Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns

Walls wasn’t a true shutdown corner in the Jimmy Johnson mold, but he was a natural playmaker who managed to make those plays without sacrificing too many big plays. Granted, he could get beat deep now and then when trying to make plays on the ball, but that comes with the territory for all corners, not just the ball hawks. At least Walls made up for it by getting the ball back to his offense. Walls thrice led the league in interceptions and finished his career with 57, plus another four in the playoffs. He was able to do this because he was excellent at breaking on the ball and equally adept at playing the ball once he was in position. His play earned him to 1983 Prime Time Award for best cornerback.

442. Steve Wisniewski (1989-2001)
Offensive Guard
Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders

Wisniewski wasn’t the biggest, strongest, quickest, you name it. But the guy was smart, and he never let up. As long as you meet the baseline athletic requirements for a position, that relentless mindset can be the difference between washing out of the league and becoming a great player. Wis became a great player. He went to eight Pro Bowls and was named to eight all pro teams and earned the second team nod for the all decade team of the nineties. I gave him the Hog Award for best guard in 1991, when he matched up well against all opponents. His highlight came in battles against Cortez Kennedy. No one seemed to be able to contain Tez that year, but Wisniewski turned it into a street fight and stood victorious at the end of two rounds.

441. Russ Washington (1968-1982)
Offensive Tackle, Defensive Tackle
San Diego Chargers

For his era, Washington was a giant. List at 6’6″ 289, he would play as heavy as 325, often eclipsing defensive linemen. He was better at a lower weight, as he was more nimble and didn’t really seem to gain any power from the added pounds. The Goliath began his career on defense but truly shined on offense. He had the unenviable task of taking over for the legendary Ron Mix. The transition wasn’t smooth, but Washington improved every year. He eventually became a key member of one of the greatest offensive lines in history, tasked with maintaining blocks for the Air Coryell passing attack. By the time he turned 27, he began regularly making all pro teams, finishing with five in all.

440. Kent Hull (1983-1996)
Offensive Center
Buffalo Bills, New Jersey Generals

Like his Hall of Fame quarterback, Hull began his pro career in the USFL, making good money to play against inferior competition. As the center for the New Jersey Generals, he helped Herschel Walker put up monster numbers. When the league inevitably folded, he found his way to Buffalo and became a vital contributor to the famed K-Gun offense that rated as one of football’s best for half a decade. Like most centers on this list, Hull could block the pass and the run with success, but he needed to be more than that in his particular offense. The no-huddle approach meant he had to have superb conditioning in order to execute his assignments with little rest. Referred to as the brain of the offense, Hull would regularly correct Kelly’s calls at the line, giving him a level of value that no existing metrics can measure. I gave him the Iron Award each year from 1990-92.

439. Tom Nalen (1994-2007)
Offensive Center
Denver Broncos

I love reading Dr. Z’s thoughts on Nalen. Because of the center’s attitude toward media, Zimmerman didn’t care for him. He would write about how badly he didn’t want to name him to his all pro team. Then, at the end of the season, Nalen would grade out as high top rated player at the position once again and give the old writer fits. It’s comedy gold, but it’s also a reminder that a player can be great even if you don’t like him personally. ^[7]I have a personal dislike for my top two ranked quarterbacks. I’d say you’ll have to wait to find out who they are, but it’s probably obvious. Nalen was a smallish guy with flawless technique. He was nasty and a perfect fit for the knee-destroying zone blocking scheme in which he thrived. As he aged, he appeared to have spent additional time in the weight room, because he added play strength and looked a little thicker in the chest and thighs. He did this without losing any of his hallmark agility or ability to block on the move. Nalen’s ability to finely tune his technique and then evolve his physical style is the primary reason he earned Iron Awards for 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006.

438. Ray Flaherty (1926-1935)
End (pre-modern)
New York Giants, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Wildcats

Flaherty is best-known for his Hall of Fame coaching career, but he was also among the finest receivers of the pre-war era. He had great football intelligence, as you might expect from a guy who went on to have his success as a coach. Early statistics are spotty, but Flaherty was the receiving leader in 1931 before leading the league in receptions, yards, touchdowns, and receiving average the following year. He also topped all receivers in scoring catches in 1927 and 1929. Over the course of his brief career, he found his way to six all pro teams. But his biggest contribution may have been his idea to wear sneakers in the famous 1934 title game. When standard football cleats wouldn’t do the trick on the frozen Polo Grounds, Flaherty recalled a trick used in his Gonzaga days. They put the plan into action and raced to a 30-13 upset over the undefeated Bears.

437. Ben Coates (1991-2000)
Tight End
New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens

Coates is the rare all decade player who hasn’t found his way to Canton yet. On the surface, it makes sense. He didn’t quite have the numbers of the elite tight ends of the eighties, and his prime overlapped that of one of the most effective receivers ever to play his position. Then Gonzo came around, followed by an influx of incredibly talented and productive tight ends who took advantage of regulatory changes aimed at opening up the passing game. Coates was left out in the cold. But that shouldn’t be the case. I think it’s fair to call 1993-98 his prime. During that time, he made five Pro Bowls and three all pro teams. He trailed only Sharpe in yards, and he led all tight ends in touchdowns—and he was a superior blocker to most of the quality receivers at the position. I named him the Gonzo winner for best tight end in both 1994 and 1995. ^[8]Coates’s top TRY seasons: 1159, 880, 864, 860, 757, 745

436. Bill Dudley (1942-1953)
Running Back, Defensive Back, Kicker, Punter
Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, Washington

Running. Passing. Catching. Kicking. Defending. Dudley did it all. As a rookie, he led the league in rushing and all purpose yards. He spent the next two seasons in military service and playing for the Army’s team. In 1944, his team was undefeated, and he was the league’s MVP. In 1946, he was back in the NFL and playing like the best footballer on the planet. He led the league in rushing yards, punt return yards, punt return average, interceptions, interception yards, and fumble recoveries. For his efforts, he earned the last official MVP award ever given to an NFL player. He also earned my Tunnell Vision Award for best safety, Godzilla Award for DPOY, World Award for most outstanding player, and Automatic Award for MVP. Perhaps the most amazing feat he accomplish that season was intercepting 10 passes for a team that faces just 162 attempts all year. That’s a pick on 6.2% of opposing passes! Even adjusted for the turnover-prone era, that is among the most astounding totals in history.

435. Fred Taylor (1998-2010)
Running Back
Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots

The early 2000s was dominated by what I call “size-speed freaks” at the running back position. Those were the backs with elite speed and the frame to take the beating expected of the lead back in the workhorse era. Among those freaks, few were quite as freaky as Taylor, who ran a 4.38 40 at 230 pounds. He didn’t have open field cuts that make fans drop their jaws, but he was good at anticipating the angles of defenders and using them to his advantage. With his size and speed, he didn’t need to make opponents grasp at air, as forcing them to attempt an arm tackle already put him at a supreme advantage. Taylor could rarely complete a full season, but his per-16 game averages were excellent; from 1998 to 2007, he averaged 1635 yards and 9 touchdowns per 16 games. Chase once opined that at his best he was basically Jim Brown lite, which I think is an apt comparison. He could run around or through nigh anyone.

434. LeSean McCoy (2009-present)
Running Back
Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs

McCoy wasn’t going to run over most defenders, but he didn’t have to. He was a natural and fluid runner who had a habit of making would-be tacklers look silly like Diet Barry Sanders. The rate at which he forces defenders to miss tackles is in the upper echelon of all backs in history. His moves are sudden and explosive, and they’re the first thing about his game that stand out on tape. He can also catch reliably and take short dumpoffs for long gains thanks to his ability to work in space. McCoy missed out on the workhorse era, but his numbers compare favorably to many of the top backs from that time. From 2010 to 2017, his per-16 game averages of 1713 yards and 11 touchdowns. I named him the Supersonic Award winner for 2013, when he led the league in scrimmage yards and sported a fancy 5.1 rushing average.

433. Jamaal Charles (2008-2018)
Running Back
Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars

He couldn’t stay healthy to save his life, but when an unscathed Charles got the ball in his hands he was among the most dangerous players in history. While he didn’t have the high volume production you expect to see from the Hall of Fame type backs, he was a transcendent talent. No one with as many carries has a better rushing average. Heck, among players with half as many rushing attempts, he ranks only behind four quarterbacks and Marion Motley. I named him the Supersonic winner for his spectacular 2010 campaign in which he gained 1935 scrimmage yards and posted an outlandish 6.38 yards per carry. ^[9]Among players with 200+ carries in a season, only Jim Brown’s 6.40 in 1963 bests him. Like McCoy, he could also catch and make big plays from short passes. Also like McCoy, he didn’t have to break tackles. Why would he when no one could catch him? Charles is one of the few backs who made rushing on first down a good idea, and I count it as one of the greatest shames in the recent game that we only got to see two healthy seasons from him in an Andy Reid offense.

432. Fred Arbanas (1961-1970)
Tight End
Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs

It’s hard to tell the story of Arbanas’s career without mentioning perseverance. In order to succeed in professional sports, everyone must have a certain degree of it, but Arbanas required more than most. If you look him up on Pro Football Reference, you’ll see no mention of 1961. That was supposed to be his debut year, but a ruptured disc caused him to miss his rookie season. Anyone who has had that injury can attest to how debilitating it can be, and even NFL careers come to a halt because of it. Arbanas came back and played in every game until his final season. That includes the 1964 season that saw him suffer a brutal mugging that left him with just one working eye. Despite these setbacks, he remained a skilled and productive receiver and the lead dog in Stram’s two tight end packages. He made five Pro Bowls and six all pro teams. His blocking prowess was so great that the Chiefs had him playing tackle in training camp in 1969, ultimately leaving him at tight end and winning a Super Bowl. ^[10]Arbanas’s top TRY seasons: 979, 786, 588, 558, 554

431. Ron Kramer (1957-1967)
Tight End
Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions

Kramer was an important fixture in the Lombardi offense. While the Packers had talented receivers on the outside, it was he who was able to give Starr a reliable option in the middle of the field. And with a four year stretch in which he averaged 16 yards per catch, he was clearly not just a safety valve. When he wasn’t going out on a route, he was blocking defensive ends one on one. Most pure blocking tight ends can’t even do that. Among players at the position who were also good receivers, Kramer is easily the best blocker. His ability to seal the edge or drive his man off the ball was a boon to the Green Bay rushing attack that successfully closed out so many games. ^[11]Kramer’s top TRY seasons: 981, 948, 780, 720

430. Pete Retzlaff (1956-1966)
Tight End
Philadelphia Eagles

Arbanas and Kramer were elite blockers and good receivers. With Retzlaff, I’m taking my tight end love in a different direction. He was an okay blocker, but he was among the top receivers at any position in his prime. From 1958 until his final season, Tommy McDonald and Raymond Berry were the only NFL players with more receiving yards. Retzlaff wasn’t a pure tight end but a wide receiver/tight end hybrid similar to Jimmy Graham. His 1965 season is among the very best ever for the position. By this time, he was more of a “true” tight end, and he still managed to catch 66 passes for 1190 yards (18.0 average) and 10 touchdowns in 14 games. That prorates to a line of 75/1360/11 in a 16 game schedule. Those numbers would be great today; they were outlandish for 1965. ^[12]His 85.0 yards per game average ranks third among all tight ends with at least 12 games played in a season. George Kittle 2017 and Jackie Smith 1967 (86.1) take the top two spots. Retzlaff took home the Bert bell player of the year award for his performance, and I named him the Gonzo winner for top tight end. ^[13]Retzlaff’s top TRY seasons: 1567, 1335, 1199, 1177, 1053, 1017, 936, 830, 731

429. Ray Donaldson (1980-1996)
Offensive Center
Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys

Donaldson had the appearance of a modern player transported through a quantum tunnel to play in 1980s. At 6’3″ and 310 pounds, he would even be on the big side for a center today. He had the power you’d expect from a man of his stature, but he also possessed the requisite quickness necessary to succeed as the pivot man. The big man spent most of his career putting forth heroic effort as the top offensive performer on some woeful teams. When the young and athletic Mark Stepnoski walked away from the Cowboys after the 1994 season, Donaldson finally got the chance to be part of a champion. Teaming up with Tunei, Newton, Allen, and Williams, the Dallas line boasted more beef than a cattle ranch. The great Wall didn’t skip a beat, and Donaldson got his ring. ^[14]His longevity was rare. Only five linemen have started more games.

428. Rich Saul (1970-1981)
Offensive Center
Los Angeles Rams

Saul wasn’t a very good athlete in the traditional sense. He wasn’t all that fast, and he wasn’t powerful. But his football IQ was off the charts, and he wouldn’t let anyone outwork him. His understanding of what defenses were trying to do made him a sound pass protector who never seemed to be out of place. Technically perfect, his run blocks were effective, even if he wasn’t able to throw people around like Larry Allen. Dr. Z named Saul the NFL’s top center in 1980. ^[15]For me, only one player (to be named later) was able to break the Webster-Stephenson stranglehold on the position. That wasn’t Saul’s only strength. Early in his career, he earned a living as one of the top special teams players in history. As a long snapper, he was accurate, and he was among the best at covering once the ball was kicked. On kickoff returns, he was a front line blocker who deftly handled grown men running at him at full speed. As a member of kickoff units, he destroyed more wedges than a suburbanite at an Outback. It’s incredible to imagine what he could have done were he as athletic as the next guy.

427. Leon Gray (1973-1983)
Offensive Tackle
New England Patriots, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints

Gray was an explosive athlete who could knock a defenseman silly with his first pop. He wasn’t just quick, as he combined raw power with his explosiveness to give him the ability to drive block anyone out of the play. Gray teams with Hannah to form one of the best left sides in history. That left side was a vital component of the incredible 1978 Patriots rushing attack that rates among the very best of all time despite not featuring an individual runner with more than 768 yards. The following season, Gray moved to Houston to play for the Oilers. During his three seasons there, he helped Earl Campbell gain 110.5 rushing yards per game. The Tyler Rose was the type of runner who could make his own holes, but running behind Gray didn’t hurt at all.

426. Priest Holmes (1997-2007)
Running Back
Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens

Reliable first down data exists since 1991, and since then the most first downs a player has picked up in a season is 130 by Holmes in 2002. The next most is 124 by Holmes in 2003. He had one of the highest statistical peaks of any back in history, but like many with high statistical peaks, his line was fantastic, which knocks him down a little. From 2001-03, he missed two games and still averaged 2189 yards and 20 touchdowns per year; ^[16]If we extend it to 2004, he played in 54 contests and averaged 2265 yards and 23 touchdowns per 16 games. Somewhat famously, the Chiefs were winless in the playoffs when Holmes rushed for more than … Continue reading In all three seasons, he broke 600 yards receiving, which is a feat that can’t be written off by a great line. Holmes was a patient runner who set up blocks well, and he had subtle open field moves that made defenders miss or get just far enough out of position to fail on the play. I gave him the Supersonic and Sweetness Awards in 2002.

425. John Brodie (1957-1973)
Quarterback
San Francisco 49ers

Despite winning an MVP award and retiring fourth in yards and eighth in touchdowns, Brodie rarely seems to get his due praise today. He was a top notch quarterback who maintain good efficiency numbers while taking on a high volume workload. Despite facing one of the hardest slates of opposing defenses of any passer in history, he still produced at a high level and was particularly adept at avoiding sacks (though he would sometimes trade sacks for some questionable throws). Brodie was a decent runner and was probably the best early shotgun trigger man. While all these things are true, it is also true that the 49ers weren’t very good, and he only made it to the postseason in three seasons. In terms of elite quarterbacks whom fans seemed to never accept, Brodie, McNabb, and Romo may be in their own realm. ^[17]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Brodie ranks 27th in VAL (4829) and 35th in TAYP+ (106.9).

424. Roman Gabriel (1962-1977)
Quarterback
Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles

Gabriel was a stellar passer with a rocket arm that rivaled that of Broadway Joe himself. He took a while to earn the starting job, but he usually played well when called upon—usually at the end of the season. In an odd paradox, he had some of the best arm talent in football but often played it safe to avoid turnovers. With his talent, it probably would have been to his benefit to be a little greedier and risk an interception or three to make more plays. What he saved in picks he made up for in fumbles. Although he didn’t get sacked much, he was a solid short yardage runner who sometimes had ball security issues when calling his own number. Gabriel was the MVP in 1969, when he led the league in touchdown passes and interception rate. I named him the Slinger winner for 1973 as well. ^[18]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Gabriel ranks 43rd in VAL (3174) and 68th in TAYP+ (104.1).

423. Ken Anderson (1971-1986)
Quarterback
Cincinnati Bengals

Anderson is an example of a player who made the most out of limited natural ability. He was incredibly accurate and could execute his offense well; it wouldn’t be a stretch or insult to call him a high level game manager. Like Montana, he learned under Walsh and eventually won an MVP award for a different coach. Anderson is generally overrated by stats but underrated by those who want to apply the “system QB” tag to anyone with a good offensive coach. He was a pretty good runner when the reads weren’t there—not an athlete like Young or an early Montana, but a smart runner who chose his shots wisely. Although some deride him as a dink and dunker, it merits mention that when he won the MVP in 1981, he actually did take plenty of shots downfield. Perhaps the biggest shot against him is his odd shaped career, with a stretch of mediocre play in what is normally a quarterback’s prime.  ^[19]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Anderson ranks 12th in VAL (8788) and 14th in TAYP+ (111.3).

422. Donovan McNabb (1999-2011)
Quarterback
Philadelphia Eagles, Washington, Minnesota Vikings

McNabb is the only great quarterback in history whose career leading receiver, Brian Westbrook, never actually led his team in receiving. After Westbrook, his top target was Todd Pinkston, who accounted for 7% of McNabb’s yards despite never logging an 800-yard season. The full recitation of McNabb’s targets reads pretty much just like that: an endless procession of depressing facts, plus 21 games with Terrell Owens. In those 21 games with a real bona-fide receiver, however, McNabb topped Peyton Manning’s career averages in yards per attempt, yards per game, touchdown percentage, and interception rate— basically every meaningful quarterback statistic except for sack rate.

Derided for his tendency to throw passes into the dirt when his receivers weren’t open (which, given his receivers, was often), McNabb was one of the best quarterbacks in history at avoiding interceptions, and of course he was a nightmare when he took off and ran. It’s largely been forgotten how good he was at his peak because two of his three best seasons (2002 and 2006) were cut short to injury, but at his best he was one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks the league has ever seen.

Also, he never puked in the Super Bowl and he wasn’t nearly as bad as you remember in his farewell tours in Washington and Minnesota. ^[20]Thanks to Adam Harstad for writing this section on McNabb. A few notes from me: 1. Despite relatively underwhelming numbers, Dr. Z named McNabb his all pro quarterback in 2000. 2. Building off what … Continue reading

421. Fred Biletnikoff (1965-1980)
Wide Receiver
Oakland Raiders, Montreal Alouettes

The sticky-fingered Biletnikoff had great hands, but his use of Stickum enabled him to catch nearly anything in any weather. He normally played opposite a dangerous deep threat who could take the top off defenses, and that has caused his perception to slip. While having a speedster on the other side surely helped, anyone who watched him knew he could have produced in any circumstances. Biletnikoff was a technician who could get open at will and always gave his quarterbacks an outlet. He was Mr. Reliable, always making the grab and keeping the chains moving. Though he wasn’t the most naturally talented, he worked hard to reach the top of his craft, and the little things like changing his pace to trick corners allowed him to play beyond himself. Biletnikoff is also one of the most celebrated postseason receivers ever. ^[21]Biletnikoff’s top TRY seasons: 1718, 1396, 1322, 1232, 1178, 1140, 1108, 1095, 948

420. Reggie Wayne (2001-2014)
Wide Receiver
Indianapolis Colts

Wayne was a high level possession receiver whose reputation sometimes suffers from the common beliefs that he played second fiddle to Harrison and that his quarterback could make anyone look good. While both of those beliefs have truth in them, Wayne proved he could excel as the top dog and without the maestro running the offense. He was a tremendous route runner who had a knack for finding openings in the zone. His body control and hands were elite, and his ability to make plays on the sideline was legendary. Wayne ranks fifteenth in career TRY (15988) and seventeenth in TRY in his six best seasons, showing he had a strong peak and wasn’t just a compiler. He was also a much better postseason performer than his partner in crime. ^[22]Wayne’s top TRY seasons: 1695, 1680, 1639, 1488, 1380, 1294, 1238, 1215, 1108, 990

419. Billy Howton (1952-1963)
Wide Receiver
Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns

Howton was the best player on a bad team that got better after he left. He was the best receiver of the fifties, and he retired as the leading receiver in history. A true technician, he could get open against any coverage. When paired with his track speed, Howton could not be covered by one man. Consequently, he faced double teams or extra attention on seemingly every down. Given the lack of surrounding talent, he was the focal point of his offense, and opponents knew it. Despite this, he put up big time numbers anyway. His play in 1952 earned him a Bambi Award for best receiver, and it ranked second in yardage in the decade. Four years later, he produced the fourth highest total of the decade. However, very likely because of his role as the first president of the NFLPA causing rifts with both Paul Brown and Vince Lombardi, his reputation suffers, and he has not taken his rightful place in Canton. ^[23]Howton’s top TRY seasons: 2065, 1899, 1153, 1084, 1010, 997, 989

418. Lavvie Dilweg (1926-1934)
End (pre-modern)
Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Badgers

Arguably the best two-way end before Hutson came and changed the game, Dilweg could do it all. He was tall and fast, able to grab the deep pass over any defender. So feared was his big play ability that he regularly faced doubles and would even face triples in coverage. While he didn’t have a great deal of power, he was effective at screen blocking and did just enough to keep his man away from the ball carrier. On defense, he was quick off the ball and in the backfield in a hurry. Dilweg’s quick penetration made him adept at stopping runs for a loss and sacking opposing passers. When he dropped into coverage, he had a nose for the football. Unofficially, he had 27 interceptions, returning two for scores. He was a feared hitter, but with that came some inconsistency in tackling, and he would miss a few. Dilweg’s pros significantly exceeded his cons, and journalists recognized it, naming him an all pro every year from 1926-33.

417. Charlie Joiner (1969-1986)
Wide Receiver
San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Oilers

Joiner was a supremely intelligent receiver who could run every route to perfection and find the hole in a zone like he was born to do it. He began his career as a deep threat, posting five seasons over 18 yards per catch. As his speed declined, he was able to adapt his style of play and continue being productive as a possession receiver until he was 39 years old. He managed to do this with savvy moves and some of the best hands in the business. While he was rarely dominant in the fashion of a Rice or Moss, his productivity at an age most at his possession are running restaurants and car dealerships is to be commended. As I have said with a few earlier entries, the ability to sustain a career of 80th percentile play over a long time is a 90th percentile achievement. You don’t retire as the career receiving leader by being merely good at your job. ^[24]Joiner’s top TRY seasons: 1426, 1363, 1306, 1110, 1016, 981, 935, 934. he was also pretty productive in the playoffs.

416. Anquan Boldin (2003-2016)
Wide Receiver
Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Sam Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions

From time to time, legends will spread about prolific receivers and their slow 40 times. Usually those legends are actually myths—see Rice or Fitzgerald—but not in Boldin’s case. He is the rare receiver who was both slow and legitimately fantastic. In his first game, he set the record for receiving yards in a debut. He went on to become the fastest player in history to 600 catches (since broken). Boldin retired ninth in catches and fourteenth in yards. He didn’t do this because of his athleticism. It was his power, his smarts, and his rare toughness. The guy was a middle linebacker playing wide out. He had some of the strongest hands in the game, which made him a master of bringing in contested passes. And if he didn’t have a shot at the ball, no one was going to get it. Passes his way almost never found the hands of a defender. When Q pulled in the ball, he turned into a fullback after the catch, just bulldozing defensive backs. You want tough? He broke his face and came back in three weeks. As of now, he ranks 16ths in career TRY (15615). ^[25]Boldin’s top TRY seasons: 1631, 1465, 1359, 1302, 1301, 1210, 1155, 1076, 1049, 996, 935

415. Isiah Robertson (19791-1982)
Linebacker
Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills

Butch Robertson was an absolute wild man on the field. Few players in history have employed the freewheeling approach to the game with such abandon and success. He was fast and trusted his instincts enough to completely forsake his assignments in the hope of making a big play. It may have driven coaches crazy, but he made a habit of being in the wrong place at the right time. Maybe he was a savant, or maybe he was just lucky. I’m not sure it matters, given the results. Robertson started hot, earning an all pro nod and winning rookie of the year honors, and he would go on to make five more all pro teams. He was a pure playmaker who could blitz, drop into coverage, or lay out a runner. By the time he called it quits, he had amassed 25.5 sacks, 25 interceptions, 24 forced fumbles, 79 pass deflections, and four defensive touchdowns.

414. Greg Lloyd (1988-1998)
Linebacker
Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers

One of many in the long Pittsburgh tradition of great linebackers, Lloyd was a special player. Blurring the lines between linebacker roles, he could play the thumper role and set the edge on first down. On second down he might drop into coverage like a Will. On third and long, he’d rush the passer as well as most pure rushbackers. Lloyd could do anything he wanted on the field. As the sole linebacker in the Steelers dime package, he had to have the fluid movement skills and instincts to hold his own covering the middle of the field, and he had to react and discard blockers quickly to prevent the draw. He was always looking to give the ball back to his offense, and he led the league in fumbles two years in a row, retiring with 35. On top of that, he had 54.5 sacks and 11 interceptions. Throw in countless tone-setting hits and plays made by sheer determination, and you can see why Lloyd was the heart and soul of his defense. ^[26]Woodson was the best player, but Lloyd was the guy with the infectious nasty attitude. I gave him the Dobre Shunka Award for 1994.

413. Jim Katcavage (1956-1968)
Defensive End
New York Giants

In 1962, Katcavage had 17 sacks. The following year, he upped it to 20.5. The next year, it was 13.5. That’s 51 sacks in three years, despite playing 14 game seasons. He added 45.5 more in other seasons, but that stretch was the peak of his prime. His 1963, in particular, was amazing. I gave him the Godzilla Award for defensive player of the year based on his prowess as a pass rusher and his consistent excellence against the run. On film, he often stood out more than his much more highly acclaim bookend. Katcavage was a four time all pro who was often the best defensive lineman on a team that went to six title games in an eight year span, often ranking first in points allowed, yards allowed, or both. While Huff and Robustelli got all the attention, Katcavage had seasons where he was the best defender on the team. He was a smallish guy, but he was quick off the ball and excellent at beating doubles—usually playing on the tight end side, he often had a tougher route to the backfield. Kat was also tough as they come, once finishing a game in which he broke his shoulder.

412. Leslie O’Neal (1986-1999)
Edge Rusher
San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs

O’Neal was a picture perfect pass rusher. He was strong, and he had decent speed and quickness. But his best attribute was his craftsmanship. He had flawless footwork, and he had a deep arsenal of moves and counter moves to drive tackles mad. Few pass rushers have been as good with their hands, with quick and powerful swipes to keep blockers from ever getting control. The players whose speed or power jump off the screen (think Peppers or Tombstone) tend to be romanticized, while the technicians can be equally productive without inspiring pundits to wax poetic about things like imposing his will or manhandling. On account of that, the artists like O’Neal can be unfairly overlooked. Regardless of how he got the job done, he managed to do it better than most men ever to try. In 196 games, he picked up 132.5 sacks. He had eight seasons in the double digits. Of the five years he had in single digits, one came in an abbreviated season after an injury, three came after age 32, and the last was just one shy. Give the man his due.

411. Josh Sitton (2008-2018)
Offensive Guard
Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins

From a historical perspective, Sitton will probably end up among the most underrated players ever to play. Even among contemporaries, his reputation never really came close to matching his level of play. He made four Pro Bowls and got some all pro love. The year he won the NFL Alumni offensive lineman of the year award (2010), didn’t even make the Pro Bowl or get all pro recognition from any publication except Pro Football Focus. ^[27]I gave him the Hog Award for best guard in both 2013 and 2015. It’s a shame, because Sitton was consistently among the best pass blocking guards in football. He rarely allowed pressure despite blocking for a quarterback known for holding onto the ball too long and taking too many sacks. Sitton had a powerful lower body and sound leverage, which allowed him to play with balance and control. A physical, brawling style player, he approached pass plays like most lineman approach run plays—by taking the attack to the defense. Sitton was also an effective run blocker, but it’s the pass pro that gets him such a lofty ranking on the list.

410. Ollie Matson (1952-1966)
Running Back
Chicago Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams; Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions

Matson was an Olympic level sprinter, and it translated on the field. He was a big man who was hard to bring down when he hit top speed. As you can imagine with his blend of size and speed, he was a terror on kickoff returns (he led the league in touchdowns twice). Defying the general rules of the position, he was also electric on punt returns (he led the league in touchdowns thrice). ^[28]Generally, backs make better kick returners, while receivers make better punt returners. He could catch a short pass and take it the distance, or he could run a solid route and field it deep. His 14.8 yard receiving average as a back backs up what shows up in the footage. An all pro on offense, defense, and special teams, there was little limit to what Matson could accomplish on the field. While he was by far the best player on his offense and opponents feared and focused on him regardless of where he lined up, he was able to produce regardless. Not every back can do that. ^[29]A seven time all pro, Matson was also MVP of the All-Army team when he served in 1953.

409. John Riggins (1971-1985)
Running Back
Washington, New York Jets

Aptly named the Diesel, Riggins was bruising runner who seemed to thrive on contact. While many backs look to avoid punishment, backs like him want to dish it out by the truckload. He wasn’t a high volume back early on in his career, but he took it to a new level when paired with Joe Gibbs and the Hogs. The early career rest may have aided in his longevity. By 30, many backs have washed out of the league. Riggins, on the other hand, had more carries after turning 30 than he did before. He had a huge 1983 season for the Washington squad that broke the single season scoring record. Between 1983-84, he scored 38 touchdowns. In the 1982 and 1983 postseasons, he played in seven games and had the following rushing totals: 119, 185, 140, 166, 119, 123, 64. Plus ten touchdowns.

408. Steve Nelson (1974-1987)
Linebacker
New England Patriots

Nelson wasn’t the most physically gifted linebacker, but he was smart and had great instincts. He made just three Pro Bowls and didn’t get much attention from all pro voters, but I have to imagine most of this was based on missing games rather than because of anything that happened on the field. While he had trouble playing a full season, he nonetheless managed to lead the team in tackles eight times and was named team MVP twice. And he could play hurt without seeing a decline in productivity. He was the prototype inside linebacker for the 30 front defense, exhibiting a tough and well-rounded playing style. Despite being slow (he couldn’t break five seconds in the 40), he held up in coverage early in his career, before losing a step and having to come off the field on third down. And his ability to diagnose the run and make a play on the ball was legendary. His 57 tackles for loss, 21 forced fumbles, and over 1400 tackles attest to that. Nelson was Dr. Z’s all pro middle linebacker in 1977 when he led his defense in snaps, despite missing a game.

407. Lyle Alzado (1971-1985)
Defensive End
Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Raiders, Cleveland Browns

Dr. Z once referred to Alzado as, simply, a “pass rushing maniac.” At times it seemed the first two words were superfluous. He had a frenzied style of play, never seeming to get tired or give up on a play. Alzado was one of those high motor players who also happened to be a terrific athlete. That was a bad combination for anyone tasked with blocking him. Early in his career, he led the team in tackles, which is no mean feat for a lineman. After gaining some discipline with regard to his technique (and once Carter got there to draw some attention), he ended up going on an amazing 31 game streak with a sack. Gradishar was the best player on the Orange Crush, but Alzado was the life force of the crew, with contagious energy that never ceased. He had great quickness to the outside, which helped set up the power counter to the inside, leading to 112.5 career sacks. But he was more than a pass rush specialist. Alzado was solid against the run and could excel in both 30 and 40 fronts.

406. Neil Smith (1988-2000)
Defensive End
Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers

I don’t know if I would go as far as to call Smith a freak, but he was certainly an anomaly. He stood 6’4″ and boasted a gargantuan 7’0″ wingspan. Those condor arms could wrap up anyone securely and bring him down in a flash. He could also lock out opposing linemen and keep them from gaining control of his jersey. All he had to do was shock the blocker, hold steady, make a quick read, and shed the hapless tackle. It sounds easy, and Smith made it look that way, but it’s not. He played opposite Derrick Thomas, a pass rusher extraordinaire who had no truck for run defense but still drew attention from the offensive line. I’ve heard people say Smith wasn’t that good because Thomas was the focus of the defense, and I don’t think that’s true. Thomas’s presence allowed Smith to be more productive, but Smith being a great player had little to do with numbers. The tape doesn’t lie, and Smith was great on downs that don’t show up in the box score (and for every defender in history, that’s most plays). His responsibilities were to play both pass and run, and he didn’t have the green light to tee off on quarterbacks. He was the type of end who would also play end in a 34, not the type who would move to the rushbacker role. Stout at the point of attack, and superb against the run. Nonetheless, he picked up 104.5 sacks and forced 30 fumbles. I gave him the Deacon Award for his performance in 1995.

405. Frank Gore (2005-2083 present)
Running Back
San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

Detractors will say Gore has only one Hall of Fame type season on his resume (2180 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2006) and that he’s just a compiler. Until recently, I was one of them. However, up until he was in his age 32 season, he was productive when he got the ball—the thing is, he just didn’t get the volume of touches on a per season basis that some of the workhorse types got. The numbers that he did produce have to be contextualized as well. At the start of his career, he was one of the few good players on his offense, and defenses knew it. They could focus on him. His teams were also pretty bad, which meant they weren’t in position to run that much to close out games. For much of his career, this has been the case. Yet he continues to produce. Gore has also been a reliable safety net as a checkdown option, and few backs of recent vintage have been able to pick up the blitz as quickly and effectively as he.

404. Clay Matthews Jr. (1978-1996)
Linebacker
Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons

Early on in his career, Matthews was an all around OLB type who could set the edge or drop into coverage. Later on, he became a right end in nickel and was very good in that role. For players like him, Gore, and Joiner, the narrative is that “sure, they had long careers, but they were never really great.” And for those men, the narrative doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. People who want Matthews in the Hall of Fame point to his longevity, and people who want to keep him out point to his lack of postseason honors. Both camps seem to overlook the fact that, beyond longevity, he was indeed a very good player for a football eternity. Maybe people hate nuance. I don’t know, I’m just some fool on the internet. Back to Matthews. For his career, he had 69.5 sacks, 16 interceptions, 28 forced fumbles, and 78 pass defenses. He also made Dr. Z’s all pro team in 1984. Zimmerman made sure to point out that the linebacker had been underrated for years, calling him the top coverage linebacker in the game. To go from a top flight cover man to a nickel rusher is a transition many couldn’t make, but Matthews did it with aplomb—because he was a great football player.

403. Too Tall Jones (1974-1989)
Defensive End
Dallas Cowboys

In a way, Jones is the defensive line version of Paul Warfield. Whereas Warfield was incredibly productive on teams that rarely passed, Too Tall wrecked passing games on a defense that was almost designed to keep him from excelling as a pass rusher. In the flex defense, he would often line up a good two feet off the line and react to the play rather than attacking the backfield like many ends get to do. That probably helped him record an astonishing 102 pass deflections in his career, but it certainly deflated his sack totals. In spite of that, Jones was still able to bring down opposing passers 106 times. His bull rush was a sight to behold, as he had the power to put even the best tackles on skates. And against the run, he was an impenetrable fortress. He set the edge like few could, and he had a rare ability to just collapse the side of the line and force backs to have to make harder runs. Despite being too tall, he played with sound pad level and rarely lost the leverage battle to anyone. And he blocked 11 kicks, if you’re into that sort of thing.

402. Bill Bergey (1969-1980)
Linebacker
Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals

Bergey was a big guy who was a lights out hitter. He attacked the line of scrimmage with abandon, and it sometimes seemed like it didn’t matter who he hit —as long as he got to hit them hard. Beginning his career on an expansion team, and constantly being overshadowed by names like Butkus and Lambert, Bergey doesn’t get the acclaim he his play earned him. Sure, he went to five Pro Bowls and had the same number of all pro selections, and he was the best in the game for a spell, bridging the Butkus and Lambert prime eras, but he has never even been a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame. When he played, it was a little different. The Eagles admired his play so much that they trades two firsts and a second for his services. Bergey responded by playing at a level that earned him two Enforcer Awards (1974-75) and three team MVP selections. He has 27 picks and 21 fumble recoveries, giving him 48 plays where he got the ball back to his offense. Among middle linebackers, only Butkus and Ray Lewis have more.

401. Carnell Lake (1989-2001)
Defensive Back
Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens

Lake was a versatile defender who was an all star at both corner and safety. He was a linebacker in college, and it showed in his ability to stop the run in the open field and blitz the passer—his 25 sacks are among the best ever for a defensive back. His interception total is relatively low (16), but that doesn’t mean he lacked coverage skill. Lake could play zone on the outside, play the deep or short field from the safety position, or man up in the slot. He wasn’t Deion or Ed Reed, but the guy could hold his own in a wide range of assignments. When inner circle corner Rod Woodson went down in 1995, Lake filled in admirably at the position. Despite losing one of the top players ever at perhaps the most valuable position on defense, the Steelers didn’t see much dropoff in defensive efficiency compared with the surrounding years, and much of that is because of Lake’s ability to fill a needed role. ^[30]Pittsburgh’s defensive DVOA was -17.8% in 1994 and -14.6% in 1996. With Woodson out, it was -13.5% in 1995.

400. Dick LeBeau (1959-1972)
Cornerback
Detroit Lions

LeBeau is best known for his role as a defensive coordinator who perfected the zone blitz as a way of life for the defense. Prior to that, however, he was a Hall of Fame caliber cornerback for the Lions following their defensive dynasty of the 1950s (that was back when you could have a dynasty based on defense and a plucky quarterback). LeBeau had the advantage of playing behind a loaded front seven and alongside good teammates in the secondary, but watching enough grainy, sepia footage will give an idea of how good he was as an individual. He tended to draw tough coverage assignments without underneath help, essentially playing on an island a good portion of the time. Christiansen was gone by then, so he didn’t have the benefit of the rangiest safety in the first half century of the league. Despite this, he still thrived. His athletic ability was about standard for the era, but it was his brain that made him a legend. LeBeau understood alignments, routes, and tendencies, and he was able to convert that knowledge into what spectators tend to call instinct. The result? How about 62 interceptions, three all pro picks, and a gold jacket?