It’s time for part nine of The Grand List, or: the top 1000 players ever, or something. Today’s post has a little something for everyone: active players, champions, Super Bowl MVPs, should-be Super Bowl MVPs, huge receivers, diminutive running backs, cool nicknames, and probably some other nonsense. Part nine covers players 779-750.

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.

Let’s roll…

The List, Continued

779. Darnell Dockett (2004-2014)
Defensive Tackle
Arizona Cardinals

Dockett didn’t play the run. Maybe he couldn’t play the run. However, he was an excellent interior pass rusher who had the ability to change games. Given the difference in relative importance of stopping the run versus stopping the pass, Dockett’s pros more than cancelled out his cons. He wasn’t a liability – he was a visionary. A rollercoaster ride of a player, it is fair to label him inconsistent. But when he turned it on, he looked like he was bound for Canton (the one in Ohio). He didn’t produce one incredible game after another, like some of the defenders near the top of this list, but he was usually effective and good for a few performances per season that really blew your hair back. His most notable game came in defeat in Super Bowl XLIII when he sacked Ben Roethlisberger three times, tying Willie Davis and Reggie White for second most sacks in the game’s history. ^[1]Kony Ealy and Grady Jarrett since matched the feat. The record still belongs to L.C. Greenwood, who sacked Roger Staubach four times in Super Bowl X.

778. Manny Fernandez (1968-1975)
Defensive Line
Miami Dolphins

Fernandez started playing at end and moved further inside as his career progressed. He was best at defensive tackle and nose tackle, usually using his power to push opposing linemen out of his way, quickness to knife into the backfield, and closing speed to chase down backs and passers from behind. Few have ever been as adept at controlling an offensive lineman and freeing up linebackers to make plays. Named 1973’s unsung player of the year, Fernandez rarely received his due credit, having never made a Pro Bowl and only twice earning all pro consideration. Even when he dominated Super Bowl VII, making an astonishing 17 tackles and one sack, he lost out on the game’s MVP honors. That wasn’t his only stellar performance in a title game; Fernandez seemed to always play at his best on the biggest stage, with five tackles and a sack in a victory over the Vikings and six tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery in a loss to the Cowboys.

777. Ryan Kerrigan (2011-Present)
Rushbacker
Washington

Kerrigan has been a productive edge rusher since day one, and he has been able to get after quarterbacks without sacrificing too much in run support. In an era with a wealth of edge rushing talent around the league, Kerrigan hasn’t been able to earn an all pro nod, but he has been named to four Pro Bowls and quietly picked up 90 sacks in his nine years in the league. Being able to average double digit sacks per season, in addition to only missing four starts in his career (all in 2019), has made him a rare steady and reliable constant in what has come to be an embarrassment of a franchise. It’s not just that sacks that make him great, as Kerrigan also gets plenty of pressure on plays in which he doesn’t finish the play, unlike a more celebrated player like Joey Porter.

776. Jamal Williams (1998-2010)
Defensive Tackle
San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos

Williams began his career in relative obscurity, toiling at nose tackle and playing well with little recognition. He took his game to another level – and actually got credit for it – when he got a chance to play in a strong defensive scheme. A mountain of a man, he was one of the sturdiest run defenders ever, manhandling much smaller centers to make stops. When he wasn’t stuffing runs, he was occupying space to allow his edge rushers to make big plays. His ability to control gaps and anchor the line allowed Shawne Merriman to look like a future Hall of Famer. Williams was an all pro from 2004-06, but he was probably even better the few years after that. If postseasons honors had spots for nose tackles rather than making them battle pass rushing under tackles, he would very like have a handful of all pro selections.

775. Billy Wilson (1951-1960)
Wide Receiver
San Francisco 49ers

Wilson was the top possession receiver of his era. As the top target for premier passer Y.A. Tittle, Wilson helped take pressure off his quarterback by seemingly always being open. If, by chance, he wasn’t open, his excellent hands and good wingspan allowed him to make contested catches in an era when contested meant something a bit more perilous than it does today. Wilson was a solid blocker, as you might expect for a guy his size, helping block downfield for the stars of the Million Dollar Backfield. With only so many touches to go around, and a backfield like San Francisco’s, Wilson probably would have posted even better numbers in an offense bent toward the pass. As it stands, he had five seasons with over 1200 True Receiving Yards (TRY), four of which were over the elite mark of 1400. ^[2]His top five seasons: 1473, 1444, 1416, 1409, and 1283. He also had seasons of 965 and 896, with 900 being the baseline for solid WR1 production. He retired with five all pro nods and six trips to the Pro Bowl.

774. Hugh Taylor (1947-1954)
Wide Receiver
Washington

Bones Taylor looked every bit his nickname. Tall and slender, with long arms and a beautiful bounding gait, he hardly resembled a professional football player. That is, until you saw how he embarrassed defenders on the field. To go along with his height and length, Bones had elite straight line speed, which he used to become the premier deep threat of his day. He was, in effect, a taller Lance Alworth. ^[3]He was less talented than Alworth, but that’s like calling Hollywood’s newest leading lady a less talented actress than Meryl Streep. If his numbers don’t impressive, consider that he didn’t just play in the forties and fifties offenses and during the era of twelve-game schedules, he also played on the most run-focused team of his era. While he maxed out at 961 yards, his TRY numbers are more impressive. ^[4]Editor’s note: For a more exhaustive review of Taylor’s career, you can read Chase’s profile of him here. Taylor had five seasons over 1000. All of them were over 1200, and he maxed out at an incredible 1800. ^[5]The 1800 figure ranks 42nd among players’ best seasons. That means a player’s second best season doesn’t count, even if it is over 1800, so only one of Jerry Rice’s five such … Continue reading

773. Lionel Taylor (1959-1968)
Wide Receiver, Linebacker
Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers, Chicago Bears

Beginning his career as a linebacker before smartly being moved to offense, Taylor was a stocky and sturdy receiver who shrugged off tacklers with seeming ease. had the position been more well-developed at that point, he probably could have excelled as a tight end. As it stands, he was one of the greatest possession receivers ever, and certainly the best of the AFL. In 1960, he broke the pro football record for receptions in a season, with 92. The following year he broke his own record and became the first player to record a 100 catch season. Taylor only had six good seasons, but they were pretty remarkable. From 1960-65, he led the AFL in receptions five times – the year he didn’t, he ranked second. The level of competition in the early AFL is the only thing keeping him this low on the list. ^[6]In his six prime seasons, his TRY numbers were: 1539, 1440, 1341, 1233, 1116, and 976.

772. Andre Rison (1989-2000)
Wide Receiver
Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Toronto Argonauts

Bad Moon Rison played for a quarter of the teams in the league (and even a team in Canada). He played with enough quarterbacks to field a starting offense, and most of them weren’t high caliber passers. His nomadic career and perceived tumultuous relationships with coaches have resulted in a career not look often looked upon fondly by any fan base in particular, in turn allowing him to fall off the radar a bit. That’s unfortunate, because Rison was an exceptional receiver who produced no matter where he went or who was throwing him the ball. He is one of 77 players with at least six seasons over 1000 TRY. ^[7]Those figures: 1417, 1349, 1336, 1327, 1258, and 1092. He joined the juggernaut Packers in the middle of the season and ended up scoring their first touchdown in Super Bowl XXXI. A year later, he had played well for the Chiefs in their close playoff loss to the eventual champions from Denver. That’s the story of his career – he made plays everywhere, even if management seemed to find him abrasive.

771. John Gilliam (1967-1977)
Wide Receiver
Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons

Gilliam was a great deep threat receiver and a very good kickoff returner. He blew by cornerbacks to produce not only at a high rate per catch but also at a high volume. During his peak. from 1969-75, he led all receivers in yards by a significant margin, and he trailed only Paul Warfield in yards per reception (among players within 2000 yards of him). Gilliam produced with good quarterbacks and bad quarterbacks, in different schemes, on different teams, showing he was effectively entanglement proof. He had six seasons with more than 1000 TRY, and he maintained that level of production while only dropping below 19 yards per catch once, in his last productive season. ^[8]His starter-level production seasons: 1669, 1402, 1335, 1252, 1073, 1034, and 949.

770. Vonta Leach (2004-2013)
Fullback
Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers

Among the last of a dying breed, Leach was a fullback who didn’t touch the football. With 35 carries and 123 receptions in his career, he barely made a mark at all on the box score. No, Leach earned his paycheck blocking for the guys who carried the football. Standing 6’0″ and playing around 260 pounds, he was built like a tank, and he seemed to hit with similar power. He was one of the most crushing lead blockers ever, who consistently knocked his man back and gave his runners room to operate, often dominating linebackers. It wasn’t just highlight reel blocks, as Leach also had sound technique and kept defenders away from the ball carrier with solid use of angles and leverage in addition to his battering ram shots. Inside running isn’t all that important most of the time, but when third and short came around, there were no better options in his era to lead his back to that yard.

769. Darren Sproles (2005-2019)
Running Back
Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints

There have been many versatile scatback/return men throughout history, but I believe Sproles tops them all. At his peak, he was a sight to behold, combining an explosive first step with incredible quick cuts, long speed, soft hands, and nuanced route running. Despite his size, he didn’t go down easily because of his tremendous balance and pad level. He was also a better pass blocker than he gets credit for. Stuck behind an all time great in San Diego, he impressed whenever he stepped on the field. When he went to New Orleans and played for a coach who knew how to use receiving backs, he took his game to another level. In his three seasons with the Saints, Sproles averaged 84 catches for 720 yards and 6 touchdowns per 16 games. He hovered around two yards per route run, maxing out at 2.28 in 2013. That’s a great number for a wide receiver – it’s completely absurd for a running back. Not content to take all his snaps out of the backfield, Sproles could play from the slot or even split out wide, often with the effectiveness of a true wide out. No matter where he went, he produced. Sproles retired with the fifth most all purpose yards of any player in history.

768. Cam Newton (2011-Present)
Quarterback
Carolina Panthers

Newton accomplished the rare feat of winning a national championship in college and then actually playing well as an NFL quarterback. Maybe the best short yardage threat in history, he was a nightmare for defenses at his peak. With length and leaping ability to go over the top, speed to beat a linebacker to the edge, and even the power to run over most defenders in space, combined with his ability to throw to any number of subpar receivers, it was nigh impossible to defend both the pass and the run when Newton had the ball in his hands. As a passer, he wasn’t the most accurate, and – aside from a few years of Steve Smith – he rarely played with the caliber of wide outs who could make up for it. But he had a cannon attached to his right shoulder and was consistently asked to make difficult throws most quarterbacks don’t have their entire offense built around. As a runner, he was the most effective in history. While Newton didn’t have the speed or cuts of Michael Vick, he did have deceptive quickness and subtle moves to accompany his power and bulk. His 58 rushing touchdowns are by far the most of any quarterback in history. In fact, from 2011-18, Newton tied LeSean McCoy for the second most rushing touchdowns of any player, trailing only Marshawn Lynch (61). ^[9]Among quarterbacks with at least 1500 combined regular and postseason plays, Newton ranks 94th in Total Adjusted Yards above Average (VAL) with 820 and 100th in TAYP+ (102).

767. Vinny Testaverde (1987-2007)
Quarterback
New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots

Instead of rehashing the same ideas, I will just link you to this 2010 post by Jason Lisk. He devoted more space to Testaverde than I plan to devote to any player in this series. If a quarterback plays well as an old man, it is generally safe to assume he was even better during normal prime years, even if his production doesn’t look great. At the same time, I want to mitigate the use of counterfactuals when arguing about a player’s greatness. ^[10]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Testaverde ranks 111th in VAL (207) and 125th in TAYP+ (100).

766. Eli Manning (2004-2019)
Quarterback
New York Giants

Manning is an interesting case because he seems to be overrated by a segment of the population who (rightly) value championships and give an outsized share of credit to single players for those titles. Simultaneously, he is underrated by those who only look at stats, don’t value longevity at a position where an average level of play is both valuable and hard to sustain, and reflexively dig their heels in when presented with “count the rings” type arguments. While Manning only had about five years in which he was a legitimately great quarterback, the fact that he provided stability and above replacement level play for 222 straight games (including playoffs) shouldn’t be so easily dismissed. He played long enough to retire seventh all time in passing yards and touchdowns, and he did it in a cold and windy stadium and in an archaic scheme. His Giants didn’t make the playoffs often, and the never won a playoff game in years they didn’t win the Super Bowl, but… they won the Super Bowl twice. The upset over the undefeated Patriots was fluky, including a dropped interception and miracle catch in Manning’s favor, but the rematch was a masterpiece from Eli. His completion to Tyree was legendary, but the pass to Manningham was divine. ^[11]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Manning ranks 103rd in VAL (555) and 122nd in TAYP+ (100).

765. Curt Warner (1983-1990)
Running Back
Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams

Warner didn’t play for long, but when he was on the field, he was awesome. He had great straight line speed, but he also had good open field moves. His moves weren’t of the human joystick persuasion, like Barry Sanders, but rather nuanced and subtle, designed to manipulate defenders’ pursuit angles and take them out of the play. He was able to make three trips to the Pro Bowl and earn three all pro selections, despite playing in an era loaded with workhorse running back talent. Over his first six seasons, Warner averaged 1535 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns per 16 games, despite never really being fully healthy after tearing his ACL in his second season, and despite not playing with an abundance of talent along the offensive line.

764. Ezekiel Elliott (2016-Present)
Running Back
Dallas Cowboys

Zeke hasn’t played for long, but through four years he has averaged 2007 yards from scrimmage per 16 games. That’s 7024 yards in 56 career games. That’s more yards in fewer games than the career of Steve Van Buren (different era, of course). Only five players have more yards through four seasons, and only three have more yards through 56 games. ^[12]Through four seasons, the players with more yards: LaDainian Tomlinson – 7921 Eric Dickerson -7842 Terrell Davis – 7594 (not including playoffs, of course) Chris Johnson – … Continue reading Elliott led all players in rushing yards per game in each of his first three seasons, and he ranked fifth last year. He has supplemented his ground production by being good for about 30 receiving yards per game, able to stay on the field on every down because of his team’s confidence in his pass protection. Zeke doesn’t have blinding speed or dazzling moves, and he can’t run over people like the Tyler Rose, but he has rare balance and rarely allows defenders to gain leverage on him. This has resulted in him breaking 1000 yards after contact in two seasons and coming close in another.

763. Ryan Clady (2008-2016)
Offensive Tackle
Denver Broncos, New York Jets

Clady had a brief career that was chock full of inhibiting injuries. Nevertheless, he was a uniquely upper echelon pass blocker when healthy. Call it a consistent run of good luck, or call it always being just good enough, but he somehow managed to give up pressure without actually allowing sacks. Over a game or even a season, that can easily be attributed to just getting lucky. But over a full career, there might be something there that simple stats don’t measure. Ceding pressure on 5.8% of your pass blocking snaps isn’t great, but giving up a sack on just 11% of your pressures over the course of 107 games deserves praise. In a way, Clady is like the left tackle version of Chandler Jones (you’ll see why when I discuss Jones in a future post).

762. Duane Brown (2008-Present)
Offensive Tackle
Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks

Brown has played for a long time, under different regimes, and even for different teams, and he has thrived regardless of his situation. He is an athletic tackle who plays well in space, perfect for zone blocking schemes. However, he is also adept at standard drive blocking, and he has been elite in pass pro. His combination of athleticism and intelligence has given him the versatility to thrive in different systems (Kubiak vs Schottenheimer, for instance), making him a valuable asset along the line. Outside of his rookie year, he has never allow more than seven sacks in a season. That’s despite playing with a group of quarterbacks who were either oblivious to their surroundings or, in the case of Russell Wilson, hold onto the ball for a long time trying to make a play.

761. Chris Samuels (2000-2009)
Offensive Tackle
Washington

Samuels came into the league injured and left injured, ^[13]Technically, he played his entire career with the condition that ended it: spinal stenosis. He walked away from the game before it left him with irreversible damage, and possibly paralysis. but he filled the space between with stellar left tackle play. He was a big, strong lad with great movement skills and superb speed that came in useful throwing blocks at the second level. In the run game, it wasn’t uncommon to see him blowing defenders off the line of scrimmage, completely dominating them physically. When members of his carnival of quarterbacks dropped back to pass, Samuels kept them clean, despite receiving little help. He typically drew one on one blocking assignments and generally locked down premier pass rushers while isolated on an island.

760. Conrad Dobler (1972-1981)
Offensive Guard
St. Louis Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints

Dobler has a reputation  as one of the meanest and nastiest players ever to lace up a pair of cleats. While that is undeniably true, and he even took pride in the dubious distinction, there was much more to him than that. For one, Dobler is credited by every teammate he’s ever had as being among the hardest working players they’ve ever seen. Of course, hard work without talent won’t take you very far. He had the talent, and he had it in spades. His best trait was his pass pro. He is among the finest pass blocking interior linemen in history and was a key member of one of the best pass blocking units ever with the Cardinals. While he shined under Don Coryell, Dobler was also excellent elsewhere, and he seemed to improve the play of those around him wherever he went, even in his later years in upstate New York.

759. Damien Woody (1999-2010)
Offensive Line
New England Patriots, New York Jets

Woody entered the league as a center and played the position at a high level with the Patriots, starting in one Super Bowl win and missing another due to injury. He then went to play guard with the Lions before moving to tackle with the Jets. Ultimately, he ended up starting at every position on the offensive line except left tackle. While he earned his only Pro Bowl invitation at center, his best play arguably came at right tackle, where he had the unenviable task of protecting the unpredictable late-career Brett Favre and the hapless Mark Sanchez. Regardless of his position, or whom he blocked for, Woody was an effective run blocker and a smooth and steady pass protector.

758. Bob Sanders (2004-2011)
Safety
Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers

When healthy, Sanders may have been the most fun player to watch in the league. Unfortunately, he wasn’t healthy very often. In the two season he played double digit games, he earned Pro Bowl and all pro honors. In between, he returned to the Colts late in the 2006 season and immediately turned around an atrocious defense on the way to the first-ever Super Bowl victory for Indianapolis. ^[14]A completely different set of fans from the ones in Baltimore, many of whom refuse to even consider them the same franchise. His mere presence made his defenses palpably better. He was outstanding in coverage, with uncanny speed and preternatural instincts. He could blitz effectively on the rare occasions the Indy defense wanted to get fancy. Against the run, he was a dynamo, throwing his body around with wanton fury. It was his passionate play that did him in, as precious few people could hold up to that kind of reckless punishment. His career had a 59 game expiration date.

757. Kerry Rhodes (2005-2012)
Safety
New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals

There is a case to be made that Rhodes is the most underrated player of his era. He was excellent in coverage, he was an effective blitzer when called upon, and he was a sure tackler who didn’t whiff going for knockout punches. With no Pro Bowls and only one second team all pro selection to his name, and having been basically run out of New York by Rex Ryan and (allegedly) blacklisted from the league, Rhodes’s career is already an afterthought for most fans. That’s a shame, because at the top of his game, he was as good as just about any Hall of Famer. He could play free, he could play in the box, and he could play in the slot, all at a high level. Rhodes rarely got beat in coverage, and he almost always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to prevent things from falling apart.

756. Merton Hanks (1991-1999)
Safety
San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

Often focused on more for his bobble-headed celebration than his typically excellent play, Hanks was more than just a dance. He played every position in the secondary, combining his frenzied style and solid deep range with sure hands and a nose for the football. His forte was patrolling deep as a free safety, where he earned his four all pro nods. He was the last line of defense for some consistently strong 49ers defenses, but he was also good at undercutting routes in zone or playing man coverage from the slot. Hanks was a smart and instinctive defender who helped San Francisco pick up a decisive Super Bowl victory to cap the 1994 season.

755. Brent Grimes (2007-2018)
Cornerback
Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hamburg Sea Devils

Suffering the fate of many great zone coverage specialists, Grimes often has his accomplishments dismissed or underrated. But at his peak, he was among the very best ever at what he did. An in your face playmaker, Grimes managed to maintain an aggressive style of play while mitigating costly penalties (at a position where penalties tend to be killers). He was always great at defending deep routes, and he had superb reaction and route recognition ability that allowed him to rate near the top of the league at avoiding being tricked on double moves. Grimes didn’t stick around in one place for very long, and his tenure with each team didn’t come without controversy, but if you needed a corner to come in and protect his area in zone (the majority of coverages), you couldn’t do much better.

754. Tom Jackson (1973-1986)
Linebacker
Denver Broncos

Before he was known as a jovial television football analyst, TJ was a legendary linebacker for Denver’s Orange Crush defenses of the late seventies and early eighties. He played at a frenetic pace, seemingly in every place at once. With elite speed, he had few peers when it came to making plays sideline to sideline or covering shifty backs or crossing receivers. While Jackson played outside in a 3-4, he wasn’t a rushbacker (though he could certainly rush the passer when his number was called), but rather more of a Will in that front. When the Broncos ran a 40 base, he played a Sam role with aplomb as well. He was a sound tackler who attacked the line of scrimmage with extreme prejudice, and he was a terror against the pass, ending his career with 40 sacks and 20 interceptions. Jackson earned all pro nods from 1977-79, but he was also Dr. Z’s top guy in 1976, before everyone caught on.

753. NaVorro Bowman (2010-2017)
Linebacker
San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders

Another unfortunate tale of a spectacular player whose career was derailed on account of injuries. Prior to injury, Bowman was among the top inside linebackers in the league. He learned from one of the best ever, and he played behind a defensive end who made life easier on everyone around him, but he was a great player in his own right. Throughout his career, Bowman was a premium run stopper, filling gaps or chasing down rushers like God put him on earth to do that one thing. In 2013, he found another gear when he maintained his normal level of excellence against the run but also played lights out in coverage. He was a bona fide defensive player of the year contender that season, but he was never the same after wrecking his knee in that season’s NFC Championship Game.

752. Andy Russell (1963-1976)
Linebacker
Pittsburgh Steelers

Russell began his career in Pittsburgh when the Steelers were among the worst teams in the NFL, year in and year out. He toiled away playing at a high level with little to show for it in terms of either team success or award recognition. Then Chuck Noll and Joe Greene showed up, and things changed. The presence of Mean Joe freed Russell to make many more plays, and the winning that began in the seventies brought increased attention. Making just one Pro Bowl and second team all pro nod prior to 1969, the increased attention and improved system saw him make another six Pro Bowls and three all pro teams afterward. ^[15]Two second team selections and one first team. Russell is an example of a rising tide lifting all boats when it comes to both performance and acclaim. Detractors will say that he benefited from playing on a defense with five other Hall of Famers, he was the worst starting linebacker on his team, and the Steelers won two more titles shortly after he retired. Those are all true statements and can remain true without actually serving as evidence that Russell wasn’t a great player. He missed out on important development time while serving in the Army, but he returned a better leader and worked himself into a better player.

751. Julius Adams (1971-1987)
Defensive Line
New England Patriots

Over the course of his long career, Adams made it to one Pro Bowl and never got love from all pro voters, but he did earn postseason honors from more esoteric, often more football-centric publications. He could play tackle, but he was at his best as an end in a 30 front. An all around talent, he could rush the quarterback, maintain the edge, shock his blocker with an explosive punch, and control the line to read and react to the run coming his way. Adams wasn’t just a pretty good rusher for a 3-4 end. He was good enough at getting after the passer that his late career role was as a designated pass rush specialist off the bench. The Patriots lifer walked away from the game with 76.5 sacks.

750. Paul Gruber (1988-1999)
Offensive Tackle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Gruber is another great player who didn’t get much praise on the national level. He never made a Pro Bowl, but he did earn all pro selections in 1991 and 92. However, he was just as good, or close to it, in five or six other seasons. Tampa’s woeful offenses and overall lack of success until the arrival of Tony Dungy did little to help Gruber’s reputation. Both big and nimble, he was a stud in pass protection. Unfortunately, he wasn’t blocking for Dan Marino; among the trio of Testaverde, Erickson, and Dilfer, only Vinny was even average at getting rid of the ball on time. After devoting his entire career to the franchise, Gruber retired due to injury, just missing out on a Super Bowl ring.