It’s time for part five in my series The Grand List, or: the top 1000 players in history. This portion of the list covers players 900-876. There in an abundance of skill players and shooting star trench warriors, so strap in. As always, send complaints to DeleteSansReading@gmail.com.

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.

Let’s get down to business.

The List, Continued

900. Gerald Riggs (1982-1991)
Running Back
Atlanta Falcons, Washington

Riggs was a big bruiser who always seems to fall forward. He was tall for a running back (6’1″) but ran with superb pad level that allowed him to maintain leverage through contact. His prime came with the Falcons, where he averaged 1705 yards and 9 touchdowns per 16 games during his four year peak. Atlanta traded him to Washington after he lost his effectiveness as a lead runner. However, Riggs continued to excel in short yardage situations till the end of his career. In his final season, as part of one of the greatest teams in history, he scored 11 touchdowns on just 78 carries in the regular season. He then scored 2 touchdowns in each of Washington’s three playoff games, including the Super Bowl victory that would be the final game of his career.

899. Freeman McNeil (1981-1992)
Running Back
New York Jets

When people discuss McNeil today, it is usually with regard to his role in bringing unrestricted free agency to the NFL. While he played an important part in improving labor conditions in the league, it is his on field performance that lands him on this list. One of many players whose numbers suffer from a strike occurring in their prime, McNeil’s peak included both the 1982 and 1987 abbreviated seasons. He led all players in rushing yards and yards per carry in 1982. This began a seven year stretch in which he averaged 1622 scrimmage yards and 7 touchdowns per 16 games. While he didn’t break off a ton of long runs, he was effective at picking up yardage in chunks. Among backs with as many carries as McNeil, only eight can claim a higher rushing average than his 4.49. ^[1]That list comprises four HOFers, a guy who will join them when eligible, a guy who should, and two guys good enough to have already been inducted. That’s Jim Brown, Joe Perry, Barry Sanders, … Continue reading

898. Chuck Muncie (1976-1984)
Running Back
San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints

For the first eight years of his career, Muncie averaged 1312 yards and 11 touchdowns per 16 games. He wasn’t quite Lenny Moore, but a respectable 335 of those yards came through the air. During his athletic prime, he was stuck on some lackluster squads with inconsistent offenses, but a movie to sunny California saw him join a talented and efficient offense for the back half of his career. The primary difference that came with playing for a better offense was an increase in touchdowns. His skill didn’t increase, but his opportunity to run the ball closer to the end zone increased. Effective in limited postseason contests, Muncie averaged 107 yards per game in the playoffs. He was also useful on trick plays, completing 4 of 7 pass attempts for 126 yards and 4 scores.

897. James Brooks (1981-1992)
Running Back
Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brooks was a quick, slashing style runner with a strong burst and solid open field running ability. Over his six year peak, he put up 1432 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns per 16 games. Because he was a big play threat and a quality receiver, he was able to produce without taking too many touches. Using his shiftiness, Brooks was able to pick up 4.73 yards per carry, a figure that ranks fourth among all players with at least 1500 carries. Before assuming the lead back role, he was a pretty good kick and punt return man who twice led the league in all purpose yards.

896. Earnest Byner (1984-1997)
Running Back
Cleveland Browns, Washington, Baltimore Ravens

Byner was big, but not that big; fast, but not that fast; powerful, but not that powerful. He could catch and block, but you wouldn’t mistake him for Marshall Faulk. Byner was a steady, well-rounded back who produced for a long time and in widely different situations. His peak lasted about eight seasons, in which he averaged 1312 yards and 8 touchdowns per 16 games. He is most famous – or infamous, depending on your rooting interests – for The Fumble that preceded the Broncos winning the AFC Championship Game for the right to lose to Washington in the Super Bowl. However, had he not put up 187 yards and two touchdowns prior to that, the Browns wouldn’t have been in position to lose a close game in the first place. After moving on to D.C., Byner was finally able to reach a Super Bowl that eluded him in Cleveland. He had 73 yards and a touchdown on the biggest stage of his career.

895. Mark Duper (1982-1994)
Wide Receiver
Miami Dolphins, Miami Hooters

I’m presenting Dan Marino‘s two primary receivers back to back because it’s hard to separate them and because it just feels right. Super Duper was small, but he was quick and fast. He didn’t have the big body to make contested catches or the length to erase quarterback inaccuracy, but he didn’t have to. He and Clayton were perfect matches for Marino’s rapid-fire precision passing, blowing by defensive backs or traipsing through the secondary after hauling in a pass on an intermediate route. Despite sharing targets with another great speedster, Duper had six seasons over 900 TRY, including three over the 1300 mark. ^[2]That’s 1573, 1393, 1321, 1098, 1032, and 949 for those interested.

884. Mark Clayton (1983-1993)
Wide Receiver
Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers

The second of the Marks Brothers, Clayton ranks higher than Duper based primarily on his ability to put the ball in the endzone. Despite his diminutive stature, he was adept at picking up extra yards not only by juking defenders, but also by spinning out of and fighting through tackles. He had great range and was particularly skilled at stretching out for passes thrown where only he could grab them. His quarterback gets a ton of credit (and rightly so) for dismantling the vaunted ’85 Bears defense, but Clayton and Duper ^[3]And Nat Moore, whose long run after a short catch put Miami on the board and gave them a lead they’d never relinquish. played lights out that day, doing great work after the catch and – sometimes – just getting lucky. Clayton and Duper currently rank 88th and 96th, respectively, in career TRY.

893. Anthony Miller (1988-1997)
Wide Receiver
San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys

Miller was a lightning fast receiver who was usually in the running for the title of NFL’s fastest man. Although he spent most of his prime playing with quarterbacks unable to maximize his potential, Miller made four Pro Bowls while catching passes from the ghost of Jim McMahon, Billy Joe Tolliver, John Friesz, and Stan Humphries. After signing with Denver and playing with a passer whose arm could match his speed, Miller’s ability to stretch the field was fully utilized. His target share decreased as part of a balanced offense, but his yards per catch average increased by 3.5 yards from his prior career average. He was also a fine kick returner early on, picking up a touchdown in each of his two seasons as the primary return man. Unfortunate trivia: Miller has the dubious distinction of having left both the Chargers and the Broncos the year before each made it to the Super Bowl.

892. Jammal Brown (2005-2012)
Offensive Tackle
New Orleans Saints, Washington

Injuries and diminishing pass protection skills brought an end to Brown’s career, but he was an accomplished tackle at his peak. His second season was his best, as he allowed just 21 pressures on 662 pass blocking snaps. He also had the league’s top rushing average on runs behind left tackle. This earned him his only all pro nod. Brown gradually had less success as a pass blocker, but his run blocking skills improved throughout his career. After missing all of the magical Saints Super Bowl season, Brown found new life on the right side of the line in Washington. Blocking for two ineffective passers and an assortment of unknowns at running back has caused his time in burgundy and gold to look worse than his performance merits. Sadly, injuries end his career in barely noteworthy fashion.

891. Jared Gaither (2007-2012)
Offensive Tackle
Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs

To make this list as an offensive lineman with only 53 games to your name, you have to be good. Really good. Gaither was. He gets dinged a little on the list for being dinged so much in real life. When he was able to play, he was simply sublime. At 6’9″ and around 350 pounds, he was a powerhouse who had his way with whatever poor soul lined up across from him. He was also a lockdown pass blocker, surrendering pressure on just 4 percent of his career pass snaps and a sack on a mere 0.7 percent of the time. Injuries derailed his promising career, but when he was healthy, he was among the best in the world at what he did.

890. Clem Daniels (1960-1968)
Running Back
Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Texans

Daniels makes the list for the five and a half seasons that composed his prime. He began his career backing up Abner Haynes before getting traded to Oakland and putting up an impressive streak of performances. From 1962-97, Daniels averaged 1638 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns per 16 games. He was the rare big, punishing runner who was also a genuine threat as a receiver. In 1963, Daniels led the AFL in rushing yards while gaining 685 receiving yards at a league-leading 22.8 yards per catch. That began a four year stretch in which he averaged 743 yards through the air (per 16 games). He is the AFL’s career rushing leader and is a member of the league’s official all time team.

889. John Jefferson (1978-1985)
Wide Receiver
San Diego Chargers, Green Bay packers, Cleveland Browns

Jefferson shot into the league like a bullet, earning all pro honors in each of his first three seasons. He became the first player in history to start his career with three 1000 yard receiving seasons. Over that span, he led all receivers in yards once and touchdowns twice. Setting a record that still stand, a rookie Jefferson recorded five games with at least two touchdown catches. Despite playing alongside Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow, he was the clear top threat in San Diego’s offense. With dazzling moves and a knack for circus catches, Jefferson was wondrous to behold at his peak.

888. Mike Quick (1982-1990)
Wide Receiver
Philadelphia Eagles

Quick’s most memorable campaign came in 1983, when he posted 1409 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 20.4 receiving average. The rest of his accomplishments are little discussed, but he made four more Pro Bowls and two more all pro teams in his career. He averaged 1111 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in the four following season after his breakout year. That’s a five year peak of 1243 TRY, which is impressive considering his situation. While he didn’t suffer from a lack of volume, he did suffer from a lack of schematic creativity, playing for Marion Campbell and Buddy Ryan during his prime.

887. Charley Hennigan (1960-1966)
Wide Receiver
Houston Oilers

A former track star, Hennigan had the speed to terrorize even the best corners of his day. He famously dominated Hall of Fame cornerback Willie Brown in Oilers training camp to such an extent that Houston cut legendary cover man. When Brown starred for the Broncos, Hennigan torched him when it counted. ^[4]Some of this can be attributed to a stylistic mismatch. Think of your favorite modern physical cornerback who struggles more against fast or shifty receivers. In his second season as a pro, he set the single season receiving yards record, gaining 1746 yards in just 14 games. Sure, it came against 1961 AFL defenses, but nearly 125 yards per game is a remarkable achievement nonetheless. Hennigan also led all receivers in 1964 en route to making his fourth straight all pro team.

886. Gary Garrison (1966-1977)
Wide Receiver
San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers

Gary Garrison was drafted by both the NFL’s Eagles and the AFL’s Chargers in 1965. The Eagles offered him a suitcase with $5000 cash in it, but as a California kid, Gary chose San Diego out of a desire to stay on the West Coast. That put him opposite Lance Alworth, but in Sid Gillman’s offense, there were plenty of passes to go around. While Bambi was speeding downfield, Garrison became known for his practice habits and his precision. “He ran every route almost to perfection,” Gillman said. “It was just beautiful.” Garrison had a knack for stretching the defense as well, averaging more than 20 yards a catch for four straight years and totaling 23 100-yard games. In 1970, Alworth’s final season in San Diego, Garrison led the team in receptions and receiving yards, scored 12 touchdowns, and was named the team’s MVP. ^[5]Special thanks to history buff Tom Nawrocki, who offered to write about Garrison. Tom writes about music on Debris Slide.

885. Buddy Dial (1959-1966)
Wide Receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys

Dial spent the notable portion of his career with the Steelers, where his four year peak was enough to get him on the list. Over that span, he led all NFL players in receiving yards (4295), despite playing on teams that never came close to passing at an average frequency. Dial was able to do this because of his big play ability. Although he caught just 203 passes, he averaged 21.2 yard per catch and scored 36 touchdowns. His numbers look downright pedestrian by today’s standards, but in his best four seasons, his True Receiving Yards totals were incredible: 1809, 1730, 1653, and 1444. Dial was one of many amazing players bound for Canton before injury snuffed out their flame.

884. Max McGee (1954-1967)
Wide Receiver, Punter
Green Bay Packers

McGee is most famous for his legendary performance in the first Super Bowl, when he caught 7 passes for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns despite playing with a hangover. However, focusing on just one game detracts from what he accomplished over the course of his career. Using TRY to adjust for era and situation, McGee posted eight seasons over 900 (my generic “solid starter” baseline). Six of those were over 1000. Those aren’t Timmy Smith numbers. They’re the numbers of a man with a long career of consistent play, and they don’t even account for the fact that he missed two years of his athletic prime to the Air Force. He was big play threat on five championship teams, and he was a decent punter as well.

883. Peter Boulware (1997-2005)
Rushbacker
Baltimore Ravens

Like Ken Harvey, Boulware excelled as an outside linebacker in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. He earned two trips to the Pro Bowl in each defensive alignment. An excellent pass rusher off the edge, Boulware would put those skills to work as a defensive end on passing downs. He started his career hot, picking up defensive rookie of the year honors, and he maintained a high level of play for seven seasons, until injuries limited his effectiveness. His early and sustained performance led him to finish his career as the sack leader for the young Ravens franchise, and his ability to pressure passers was vital in bring the team its first Super Bowl win on the back of a historically dominant defense.

882. Aldon Smith (2011-2015)
Rushbacker
San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders

From a talent perspective, Smith had everything it took to be one of the best pass rushers ever to play. He had an explosive first step, an effective array of moves, and long and powerful arms to keep blockers at bay. After beginning his career with 42 sacks in 43 games, he began missing large swaths of playing time due to various personal issues, seemingly ending his career after just 59 regular season games. In limited action, he was one of the best in history at getting to the quarterback, and he was usually underrated as a run defender. Smith has been given a chance to resurrect his career in 2020, and he could very well move up this list. ^[6]He will have to do so without the help of Justin Smith, who many credit with Aldon’s success. While Justin was a great and unheralded player who made life easier for his teammates, I cannot … Continue reading

881. Jethro Pugh (1965-1978)
Defensive Interior
Dallas Cowboys

Pugh isn’t often discussed outside of Cowboys circles, but he should be. After starting as a defensive end, he moved inside and became an incredible pass rusher and underrated run stopper. He wasn’t the type to take up space and read the back, but rather a penetrator who got into the backfield and attacked anything with a pulse. That usually meant quarterbacks. From 1967-72, Pugh led all players with 73 sacks. Prorated to a 16 game schedule, that’s just under 14 per season. He missed a few games here and there, so his per-game figure (0.92) is even more impressive. Even in the more defense friendly era in which he played, averaging nearly a sack a game over six seasons is amazing. When he is mentioned at all, it often comes with the caveat that he benefited from playing next to Bob Lilly and George Andrie. That’s true, but he made their lives easier as well. When Pugh was young, Lilly took all the double teams. When Pugh started earning respect from opponents, he eventually began drawing doubles of his own. The respect didn’t find its way to Pro Bowl voters, and the Dallas legend remains one of the greatest players never to receive the honor.

880. Shawn Andrews (2004-2010)
Offensive Guard
Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants

When fans lament those shooting stars whose careers dazzled blindingly for all too short a time, the object of their nostalgia is usually someone like Gale Sayers or Bo Jackson: a human highlight reel who left spectators spellbound by their athletic feats. As a former guard ^[7]A 170 pound pulling guard in a Wing T Offense, but a guard nevertheless., I feel that way about Andrews. Playing around 340 pounds, he was a mountain of a man, which you would think made him a powerful drive blocker. You’d be right. He seemingly could move anyone he wanted anywhere he wanted, and he had the athleticism to block linebackers in space. Where he really dropped my jaw, however, was in pass pro. Despite his lumbering frame, Andrews was quick on his feet and could protect like a tackle. Back injuries brought an end to what looked like a Hall of Fame career.

879. Dave Brown (1975-1989)
Cornerback
Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers

A first-round draft pick of the Steelers in 1975, Dave Brown couldn’t fight his way onto the Steel Curtain defense, so after one year in Pittsburgh he was let go in the 1976 expansion draft. Liberated by the Seahawks, who moved him from safety to corner, Brown became a master at creating turnovers. He intercepted 62 passes in his career – still tenth all-time – but also forced 10 and recovered 12 fumbles. He brought five of those picks back for touchdowns, including two in one game against the Chiefs in 1984 on returns of 58 and 90 yards. Playing next to Kenny Easley for six years, Brown flew under the radar – he made just one Pro Bowl in his 15-year career. ^[8]Thanks, again, to Tom Nawrocki, who also wrote this.

878. Pat Thomas (1976-1982)
Cornerback
Los Angeles Rams

Thomas packed a lot of great play into a short career. He earned a couple of Pro Bowl nods and made all pro teams the same year. More importantly, to me, is that he was Dr. Z’s first team all NFL selection in 1978 and 1980. Standing just 5’9″ (maybe a solid six feet if you count his hair), Thomas played with giant confidence that bordered on athletic arrogance. He knew he was good, and he had no fear of taking chances to make a big play. Harassing receivers through the top of the route, he amassed 26 interceptions in 87 career games. Thomas was also a fine edge rusher on kick block units, averaging a block per season.

877. Rick Volk (1967-1978)
Safety
Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants

Volk was a rangy free safety in the Jack Christiansen mold. He was pretty fast and had great instincts, which served him well in the deep field. In general, he excelled patrolling the deep middle of the field, but he was also capable of providing security as the last line of defense in man free coverage. Volk used his range to his advantage, pulling in at least four interceptions in each of his first six seasons. When he was at his peak, the Colts usually had a good defense. His ability to limit deep passes and make sure open field tackles in the event a runner broke through the line or a receiver ran free underneath. For his efforts, Volk walked away with three Pro Bowls, two all pros, and a Super Bowl triumph.

876. Jacob Green (1980-1992)
Defensive End
Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers

Despite the 3-4 end label often having the connotation of a space eater who frees up linebackers to make plays, Green was a pass rusher through and through. Rather than sinking inside on passing downs, he rushed from the edge, giving fits to quarterbacks and tackles alike. He also played end rather than tackle when the Seahawks ran a 4-3 front. Green only made two Pro Bowls and all pro teams, but that has more to do with the level of competition in his era than it does his play. He was contemporaries with several Hall of Fame ends, which explains why he was often overlooked despite seven seasons with at least nine sacks and passing the century mark for his career.