Today’s post is the second in a 4-part series that is entirely a re-post from friend of the program Bryan Frye’s site. It is, of course, being republished with his permission and encouragement (as your author takes a small vacation). As regular readers know, Bryan’s fantastic site is always worth a read. You can view all of Bryan’s guest posts here, and follow him on twitter @LaverneusDingle. What follows are the GridFe’s words, with no editing from Chase.
Hall of Fame Running Backs
When voting for the GrideFe Hall of Fame, it was important that we looked at players through the prism of their era and didn’t try to put modern restrictions on players operating in a different context than today’s. With rule changes and schematic shifts designed to increase the impact of the passing game, the role and impact of running backs has diminished in recent years. However, for much of NFL history, great backs have played pivotal roles on great offenses and championship teams. Whether they were pure runners, receiving or blocking specialists, or a combination thereof, they were celebrated for their achievements and for their parts in shaping their teams. Because of the importance of the position for so much of the league’s history, as well as the mystique surrounding the role, an impressive 22 running backs received votes for the GridFe Hall of Fame. Seven didn’t make the cut. These are the fifteen who did.17
Lenny Moore (1956-1967)
Baltimore Colts
1 MVP; 5 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 5 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 1 GridFe Supersonic Award
Spats Moore was an efficient rusher and a gifted receiver. He led the leaue in yards per carry four times, including three seasons over 7.0. A dynamic receiving option, he actually retired with more yards through the air than on the ground. These weren’t just checkdowns – he had six seasons with at least 15 yards per catch. Moore was also a prolific scorer, once finding the endzone in 18 straight games and trailing only Jim Brown in career touchdowns at the time of his retirement.
Jim Brown (1957-1965)
Cleveland Browns
4 MVPs; 8 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 2 Title Losses; 2 GridFe Automatic Awards; 4 GridFe World Awards; 5 GridFe Sweetness Awards; 7 GridFe Supersonic Awards
Brown was a feature back in an era of platoons, leading the NFL in carries six times. His workload was justified, as he dominated the position like no one before or since. He led the league in rushing yards in eight of his nine seasons, and he led in total touchdowns five times. He retired as career leader in yards and touchdowns and held onto those records for over twenty years apiece. The question isn’t whether Brown is the greatest running back of all time, but whether he is the greatest player of all time.
Jim Taylor (1958-1967)
Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints
1 MVP; 2 First Team All Pros; 4 Second Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Supersonic Award; 1 GridFe Motley Award
The hard-nosed Taylor was the perfect back for the Lombardi Packers. He was a tough runner who excelled in the mud and the frigid Green Bay winters. Taylor had the quickness to get outside on the sweep and the raw power to demolish defenders, and he used those to boast terrific production in the murderer’s row of the NFL West. He refused to be tackled and insisted on punishing anyone who tried. On top of that, he was a ferocious blocker who didn’t mind sacrificing his body for his teammates.
Gale Sayers (1965-1971)
Chicago Bears
5 First Team All Pros; 4 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 1 GridFe Supersonic Award; 2 GridFe Gray and White Awards
The Kansas Comet is perhaps the smoothest runner ever to don a pair of cleats. He could make sharp cuts but was even more impressive in his ability to use subtle jukes without losing speed. A severe injury robbed him of that part of his game, but he modified his playing style and was able to return and earn a second rushing title before further injuries ended his career for good. Sayers was a dynamic playmaker who was always a threat with the ball in his hands. He still owns the career record for kick return average (30.6).18
O.J. Simpson (1969-1979)
Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers
2 MVPs; 5 First Team All Pros; 6 Pro Bowls; 2 GridFe Automatic Awards; 1 GridFe World Award; 3 GridFe Sweetness Awards; 3 GridFe Supersonic Awards
The Juice carried the Bills on his back in the early 70s, leading the league in rushing four times. During his five-year peak, Simpson averaged 2021 yards and 12 touchdowns per 16 games. This includes two of the greatest seasons in history. His 2003 yard season19 was legendary, but 1975 was perhaps even better. Playing a 14-game schedule in the depths of the dead ball era, he averaged 160.2 scrimmage yards per game and scored 23 touchdowns.20 His time at the top was short, but his peak was a high as anyone’s in history.
Walter Payton (1975-1987)
Chicago Bears
2 MVPs; 7 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 GridFe Automatic Award; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 2 GridFe Supersonic Awards
Sweetness is among the most versatile backs the game has ever seen. His rushing prowess is legendary. He possessed a potent combination of speed, power, balance, and determination, using them to become all-time leading rusher and touchdown scorer. Payton was a dedicated and fierce blocker, a stellar receiver, and even capably filled at at quarterback when called upon. He was universally respected and beloved by his teammates. There have been thousands of players to grace the field throughout the league’s history. Only Payton has a namesake media award given to the NFL’s Man of the Year.21
Earl Campbell (1978-1985)
Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints
3 MVPs; 3 First Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 2 GridFe Supersonic Awards
The Tyler Rose dominated his opponents with raw power and sheer tyranny of will. His runs were at once violent and poetic, leaving a trail of bodies strewn in his wake. Few have ever brought such savagery to the position. He was the first, second, and third option for his offenses. Defenses knew he was getting the ball, and he ran through them anyway. He began his career with three straight rushing crowns, averaging 110.5 rushing yards per game. His reckless style ultimately contributed to an abbreviated career, but at his peak he may have been the most feared runner ever to carry a football.
Marcus Allen (1982-1997)
Los Angeles Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs
1 MVP; 2 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 6 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 2 GridFe Supersonic Awards; 1 GridFe Motley Award
Marcus Allen started off his career with a bang, leading the league in yards and touchdowns as a rookie. The following year, he authored one of the great Super Bowl performances in history, gaining 209 yards and scoring twice en route to the game’s MVP award. Over the course of his first four seasons, Allen averaged 1949 yards and 16 scores per 16 games. He was a versatile dual threat who ended up spending a large part of his prime sacrificing his body as a lead blocker for a part time player. He got a fresh start in Kansas City, scoring 47 touchdowns in the new city and becoming the only back to score in 16 NFL seasons. His late career resurgence saw him retire with the career touchdown record.
Eric Dickerson (1983-1993)
Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, Atlanta Falcons
1 MVP; 5 First Team All Pros; 6 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 4 GridFe Supersonic Awards
In terms of pure rushing ability, Dickerson may have been the best there ever was. He was fast, powerful, and sleek, with an unorthodox upright running style. With his large frame and long gait, he was reminiscent of Secretariat in football pads. The bespectacled virtuoso led the NFL in yards in three of his first four seasons, and once again after being traded to Indianapolis. This includes his masterful sophomore campaign that saw him set the single season rushing record at 2105 yards.
Thurman Thomas (1988-2000)
Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
1 MVP; 3 First Team All Pros; 2 Second team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Losses; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 1 GridFe Supersonic Award
The Little Cyclone was a dynamic playmaker who served as the engine that made the explosive K-Gun Bills offenses run. He led the league in yards from scrimmage every season from 1989-92, adding at least a dozen touchdowns each year. Thomas was the most versatile back in a league full of all-time greats, and he actually improved in the postseason. From 1989-95, he averaged 120 scrimmage yards and 1.1 touchdowns in 16 playoff games.
Barry Sanders (1989-1998)
Detroit Lions
3 MVPs; 8 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 1 GridFe Automatic Award; 1 GridFe World Award; 3 GridFe Sweetness Awards; 4 GridFe Supersonic Awards
Maybe the most exciting runner of all time, Sanders was a threat to score from anywhere on the field. He averaged an astonishing 1819 yards from scrimmage over the course of his decade in the NFL, never falling below 1320 in a given season. Sanders looked like a sure thing to break the carer rushing record, but he abruptly called it a career after a 1500 yard season. He stands apart from many other great backs in that his offenses would take the field in obvious passing formations, and defenses would still focus on him. Despite all the attention paid to him, tacklers were usually left grasping at air.
Emmitt Smith (1990-2004)
Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
2 MVPs; 4 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 8 Pro Bowls; 3 Title Wins; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 3 GridFe Supersonic Awards
Smith wasn’t the fastest, strongest, or quickest back. His greatest strengths were ones that didn’t jump off the screen: balance, vision, pad level, and the ability to be like water. He always seemed to find yards and elevate his offensive lines, he fell forward far more often than not, and he rarely absorbed hits. This combination of skills, on concert with legendary mental toughness, afforded Smith the opportunity to become the all-time leader in rush yards and touchdowns, posting 14 seasons over 1000 yards from scrimmage along the way. He is also one of the game’s most prolific playoff performers, for what it’s worth.
Marshall Faulk (1994-2005)
St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts
2 MVPs; 3 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 2 GridFe Sweetness Awards; 2 GridFe Supersonic Awards
Faulk is very likely the greatest chess piece ever to play the position. He was an elusive runner, a smart blocker, and the best receiving back in history. With the ability to run a full route tree, Faulk had the skill to be an all pro receiver if he wanted to be. His prowess as a pass catcher has caused some to forget about his rushing contributions. Take note: there are eight seasons in history in which a player gained 80 rushing yards per game and 50 receiving yards per game. Faulk owns half of them, for two different teams, four years in a row.
LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-2011)
San Diego Chargers, New York Jets
1 MVP; 4 First Team All Pros; 2 Second team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 3 GridFe Supersonic Awards
Tomlinson made playing football look easy. He possessed a rare combination of speed and strength and was the greatest of the early-2000s feature back era. His devastating stiff arm is the stuff of legends. He was a dangerous three down back with solid receiving skills and capable pass protection. Incredibly, Tomlinson Started his career with eight straight seasons over 1500 scrimmage yards. It was his nose for the end zone, however, that was his calling card. He began his career with nine seasons of double digit touchdowns, including a record 31 in 2006.
Adrian Peterson (2007-present)
Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints
2 MVPs; 5 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 1 GridFe Supersonic Awards
Peterson is as great a runner as there ever has been, with the speed to break off huge chunks of yardage and the power to demoralize would-be tacklers. Perhaps his most important characteristic as a runner is his balance through contact. Whether he is taking or initiating a collision, he consistently rolls off tackles to pick up more yards. He has produced eight double-digit rushing touchdown seasons in an era when that doesn’t happen much for stud running backs. Peterson is a throwback to a bygone era, when a superhuman rusher could serve as an offense’s primary point of attack.
Hall of Fame Wide Receivers
Wide receiver was possibly the most vexing position for GridFe Hall of Fame voters. With the explosion of the passing game, modern players boast numbers that tower over those of players even as recently as the 1990s. Context is key, and it seems we may have been particularly cautious when considering receiving credentials. The committee ended up electing only twelve men at the position. Given the number of receivers on the field at a given time, and given the importance of passing to winning games, it may be that the relative dearth of players on this list speaks to an unconscious bias among voters. Below are the dozen who made the cut.22
Raymond Berry (1955-1967)
Baltimore Colts
3 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 6 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 3 GridFe Bambi Awards
One of the greatest technicians the game has ever seen, Berry is credited with perfecting the timing route, forming an unstoppable tandem with quarterback Johnny Unitas. He possessed near unrivaled work ethic and developed a vast arsenal of moves to win on routes. Berry elevated his already stellar play in the big moments, most notably in his masterpiece in 1958 Championship Game, in which he hauled in 12 passes for 178 yards. He retired as the career leader in catches and yards.
Lance Alworth (1962-1972)
San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys
4 MVPs (AFL); 7 First Team All Pros (AFL); 7 Pro Bowls (AFL); 2 Title Wins (1 AFL/1 NFL); 1 Title Loss (AFL); 1 GridFe World Award (AFL); 1 GridFe Sweetness Award (AFL); 4 GridFe Bambi Awards (AFL)
Bambi was the most feared offensive weapon in the AFL. He had arguably the most dominant peak of any receiver in history, with five straight seasons of at least 91.8 receiving yards per game.23 Alworth was the fastest of his era, played with poetic grace, and displayed rare economy of motion. Lost in his narrative is that he was also greedy and relished jumping over defensive backs to make contested catches. Despite his reputation as a pure speed burner, Alworth had the toughness and soft hands to be a possession receiver.
Paul Warfield (1964-1977)
Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins
6 First Team All Pros; 1 Second team All Pro; 8 Pro Bowls; 3 Title Wins; 2 Title Losses; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 2 GridFe Bambi Awards
Warfield is probably the greatest pure deep threat in history. He posted even consecutive seasons with over 20 yards per catch, and his 20.1 career average is the fifth highest in history.24 His raw receiving stats may not impress the modern observer, but he played for notoriously run-heavy teams and garnered an outrageous share of his teams’ overall passing output. Few receivers have ever had the overall impact on opposing defenses that Warfield did in his heyday, and his Miami teammates credit him with providing the dynamic contrast to their power run game that enabled them to win two consecutive Super Bowls.
Steve Largent (1976-1989)
Seattle Seahawks
3 First Team All Pros; 4 Second team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Bambi Award
Largent was an undersized receiver with a linebacker’s mentality. He was a vicious and dedicated blocker and a fearless receiver over the middle. His toughness and hands are equally legendary and contributed to him being arguably the greatest possession receiver ever. Largent also happened to be a strong perimeter player capable of stretching the field deep. He used his well-rounded game to become the career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns (he was the first to reach 100 scores through the air).
Jerry Rice (1985-2004)
San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks
2 MVPs; 11 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 13 Pro Bowls; 3 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 2 GridFe Sweetness Awards; 7 GridFe Bambi Awards
His nickname is the GOAT, and it’s hard to dispute his place atop the football mountain. He’s inarguably the best receiver of all time, and he is probably greatest football player of all time. Rice is the career leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, and by an astronomical margin.25 He hauled in double digit touchdowns in ten different seasons, including 22 in 12 games in 1987. If scoring isn’t your thing, he also had 14 seasons over 1000 yards, including 1211 at age 40. Rice led NFL in receiving yards and scores six times apiece. He ability to run after the catch has achieved mythic status, but he was also a dominant deep threat early in his career.26 He had 33 catches for 589 yards and 8 touchdowns in four Super Bowls, taking home the game’s MVP trophy in 1988. His work ethic and attention to detail are legendary and resulted in a game with no weaknesses and unrivaled longevity.27
Cris Carter (1987-2002)
Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins
2 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 8 Pro Bowls
Perhaps no receiver in history has been so defined by what he was not. With the Eagles, he was not willing to do the dirty work required of an offense’s top weapon; many forget that the famous epithet that “all he does is catch touchdowns” was issued by coach Buddy Ryan as a justification for cutting him. He was often outshined by brighter stars within his conference through the early nineties, and a brighter star across the field in the late nineties. He wasn’t especially flashy or fast, he didn’t have a reputation for keeping defensive coordinators awake at night. This portrait is unfair to Carter, who wasn’t just the negative space surrounding his more-heralded peers; Carter’s grace, body control, soft hands, reliability, and durability saw him retire after the 2001 season with the 2nd-most catches and 3rd-most yards in history. He overcame early-career problems with alcohol and drugs to twice win league awards for character. And, oh yeah, he also caught some touchdowns.28
Michael Irvin (1988-1999)
Dallas Cowboys
1 First Team All Pro; 2 Second Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 3 Title Wins; 1 GridFe Bambi Award
The Playmaker was a violent route-runner who initiated contact with defensive backs and thrived on physical confrontation. He had some of the strongest hands in the history of the position, enabling him to snatch jump balls away from defenders seemingly at will. Irvin was a reliable deep threat in his first few seasons before becoming an intimidating chain-mover. He often gets knocked for his relatively low touchdowns numbers (65 for his career), but he played for a team that was content to let their automatic running back carry the ball behind a stacked line near the endzone. Irvin saved his best for the biggest moments, gaining at least 80 yards in ten of his sixteen career playoff games.
Tim Brown (1988-2004)
Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 First Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Bambi Award; 1 GridFe Gray and White Award
Brown proved to be a weapon from the word go. After becoming the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy, he entered the NFL and scored on his very first career play. Early in his career, he was deployed primarily as a third down specialist who would consistently pick up first downs despite defenses knowing he was the first option. Ultimately, his talent was to great to limit only to third downs, and he became a reliable every down receiver. Once given the chance to shine, he averaged 88 receptions, 1221 yards and 8 touchdowns per season from ages 27-35. It is a testament to Brown’s character that he consistently maintained high effort and production on mostly middling teams.
Terrell Owens (1996-2010)
San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills
5 First team All Pros; 6 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 2 GridFe Bambi Awards
T.O. was an imposing figure, built like a weakside linebacker with sprinter speed. He possessed the requisite skills to beat defenses deep, but he was best generating yardage after the catch. Owens was a monster with the ball in his hands, often opting to run through defenders rather than around them. Despite his (deserved) diva reputation, he was fearless and tough, with several memorable catches in traffic and a legendary Super Bowl performance on an injured leg. Maybe the most notable aspect of his career is the way he was able to laugh in the face of entanglement. He produced at a high level for a long time, for five different teams, with twelve different quarterbacks throwing him touchdown passes.29
Marvin Harrison (1996-2008)
Indianapolis Colts
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 2 GridFe Bambi Awards
For the eight seasons of his prime, Harrison was a machine. From 1999-2006, he had at least 80 catches, 1113 yards, and 10 touchdowns every year. That includes 1400 yards in four consecutive seasons and an NFL record 143 receptions in 2002. The diminutive Harrison ran quick, precise routes that allowed him to gain separation on any route a coach could imagine. His ability to make sideline catches was near flawless, effectively widening the field for his offenses. He possessed uncommon savvy, and his chemistry with quarterback Peyton Manning is the stuff of legend.
Randy Moss (1998-2012)
Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans
4 First Team All Pros; 6 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 2 GridFe Sweetness Awards; 3 GridFe Bambi Awards
They call him The Freak because he’s the most physically gifted receiver ever. He had blazing speed, lightning quickness, and spectacular leaping ability. He combined those traits with incredible body control and the ability to track the ball in the air like a centerfielder and snatch it with his vice-like hands. According to Bill Belichick, Moss also owned one of the brightest football minds of any player he ever coached. Put it all together, and you get a nightmare who led the league in receiving touchdowns five times, including a record 23 in 2007. His mere presence elevated the production of his quarterbacks and necessitated extra defensive attention. As a rookie, he helped the Vikings break the record for points in a season. Nine years later, he helped the Patriots break the same record. A few have matched his production, but none has so effortlessly made defenders reconsider their line of work.
Larry Fitzgerald (2004-present)
Arizona Cardinals
4 First Team All Pros; 11 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Bambi Award
Fitzgerald boasts perhaps the greatest hands of any receiver in history. He has used those hands to great effect, often pulling in errant passes from inaccurate passers. His mastery of routes and strength to disengage defenders allow him to get open at will, and his positional awareness and nearly peerless catch radius mean he’s still a good option when blanketed. Fitzgerald is a truly complete receiver who found the fountain of youth as a slot artist and excels as a run blocker. He is among the great playoff performers ever at the position, putting on a legendary display in Arizona’s Wild Card Super Bowl run in 2008.30
Hall of Fame Tight Ends
With just eight inductees, tight end is by far the most underrepresented fantasy position in the initial class of the GridFe Hall of Fame. Of those eight, one played primarily in the 1960s, two in the 80s, one in the 90s, four since the turn of the century, and none in the dead ball era of the 70s. It may reflect some recency bias in our committee that we could only agree upon one tight end who started his career prior to the Mel Blount Rule.31
Mike Ditka (1961-1972)
Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles
4 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 4 GridFe Gonzo Awards
Iron Mike Ditka made his impact on the league right away, topping a thousand yards and scoring twelve times on his way to changing the tight end position forever.32 He was a dangerous receiving threat, giving nightmares to the typically run-first linebackers of his era. However, Ditka maintained the requisite blocking skill incumbent upon the position. He was hardnosed and tough and didn’t just want to win games – he wanted to win every play. When he became a coach, he brought that passion to the sideline and helped guide the legendary ’85 Bears to one of the most dominant seasons in NFL history.
Ozzie Newsome (1978-1990)
Cleveland Browns
2 First Team All Pros; 4 Second team All Pros; 3 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Gonzo Award
The Wizard of Oz was a well-rounded, classic tight end who was an aerial threat as well as a solid blocker. He was remarkably consistent, with high effort and production regardless of the man throwing him the ball. In his prime, he averaged 83 catches and 1012 yards per 16 games (1981-84). As an older player, Newsome put his toughness and cunning to good use, enabling him to play in 198 consecutive games with a 150-game catch streak. By the time he retired, Newsome was the all-time leader in catches and yards by a tight end. He also proved to be a successful executive. Since taking over as general manager of the Ravens in 2002, he has seen the team reach the playoffs eight times and win one Super Bowl, while suffering only four losing seasons.
Kellen Winslow (1979-1987)
San Diego Chargers
3 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 5 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 3 GridFe Gonzo Awards
Under Don Coryell, Winslow revolutionized the tight end position. The original Joker tight end, he could line up tight, in the slot, or even split out wide and create mismatches with his unfair combination of size, speed, and athleticism. Essentially, he was a chess piece for an innovative head coach and legendary quarterback. A knee injury cut his rookie campaign to seven games, but he rebounded with a five-year run of modern receiving numbers.33 Unfortunately, that included a nine-game strike season and another season cut to just seven games due to injuries. The cumulative effects of those knee injuries ultimately cut his career short, but Winslow was as dominant as any receiver in history for the first half of the 1980s.
Shannon Sharpe (1990-2003)
Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens
4 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 8 Pro Bowls; 3 Title Wins; 4 GridFe Gonzo Awards
Sharpe was the next step in the evolution of the tight end position. Seemingly undersized at just 228 pounds, he wasn’t the prototypical inline blocker who happened to catch passes. Instead, Sharpe was a receiver first, capable of overpowering defensive backs and speeding by linebackers. With his receiving prowess, keeping him in to block was a waste of the team’s best receiver. That’s not hyperbole; Sharpe led his teams in receiving yards in seven different seasons. By the time he called it quits, he had helped two different franchises win their first Super Bowl and set the positional record for receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
Tony Gonzalez (1997-2013)
Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons
7 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 14 Pro Bowls; 6 GridFe Gonzo Awards
Gonzo is another in a storied line of evolutionary tight ends. He was a successful collegiate basketball player and used many of those skills to thrive in the NFL. In particular, Gonzalez was adept at boxing out defenders in order to make easier catches. He also put his rebounding skills to work, using his excellent body control and concentration to high point the ball and snatch it out of the air, often in heavy traffic. Despite heavy usage as his team’s primary receiving threat for most of his career, Gonzalez’s impeccable conditioning provided him with unrivaled longevity. By the time he retired, he ranked second in receptions, sixth in receiving yards, and seventh in receiving touchdowns. Those numbers would cement a player’s legacy as a wide receiver. To do it as a tight end is a remarkable achievement.
Antonio Gates (2003-present)
San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
4 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 3 GridFe Gonzo Awards
Antonio Gates isn’t thought of as an evolutionary player at the tight end position, but perhaps he should be. From the merger in 1970 through Gates’s arrival in 2003, there were 12 double-digit touchdown seasons from 9 different tight ends. Nobody in history had more than two such seasons, a total Gates managed to match in 2004 and 2005 alone. The copycat league took note, and teams scrambled to find their own large, powerful, agile tight ends to create favorable matchups in the red zone; from 2007 to 2017, the position accounted for 22 double-digit touchdown seasons by 11 different players, (including two more from Gates). While other tight ends were reaching the end zone, Gates remained a standout, developing a preternatural rapport with his quarterbacks and anchoring the Chargers’ passing game amid a rotating cast of wide receivers and running backs.34
Jason Witten (2003-present)
Dallas Cowboys
4 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 11 Pro Bowls; 3 GridFe Gonzo Awards
Witten’s success hardly makes sense. He’s not particularly fast, quick, strong, or athletic in the traditional sense. But he has incredible spacial awareness, allowing him to run near-perfect routes and get open seemingly at will against man coverage or find any hole in zone coverage. Those skills don’t wow viewers as much as speed and vertical leaping, but they have enabled Witten to pull in at least 60 catches in fourteen straight seasons.35 He’s a throwback at the position, playing tough and angry, and supplementing his receiving skill with proficient blocking.
Rob Gronkowski (2010-present)
New England Patriots
5 First Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 2 Title Losses; 1 GridFe World Award; 4 GridFe Gonzo Awards
Gronk is a terrific blocker, in the mold of Dave Casper and Mark Bavaro before him. His ability to control the edge of the line makes one believe he could be a backup right tackle if he really wanted to. However, blocking didn’t get him in the Hall of Fame. He has been an utterly dominant receiver, even though he came into the league with back problems and has never been close 100%. Despite missing 26 regular season games in his eight seasons, he ranks third among all players in receiving touchdowns through age 28.36 No tight end in history has more seasons with over 1000 yards or 10 touchdowns. He has a higher yards per catch average than many speedy deep threat receivers of his era, and he is an animal after the catch. Gronk has a measurable impact on his offense’s productivity and is already the greatest postseason performer in the history of the position.37 He may lack the longevity to be called the greatest of all time, but he is almost certainly the best.
Hall of Fame Offensive Tackles
The ability to protect the quarterback is paramount in the modern game, but it is a mistake to assume it wasn’t always important. While a Sandra Bullock voiceover may proclaim a sea change occurred in 1985, keeping legendary passers like Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr upright was just as important to the Colts and Packers title teams as clearing lanes for their versatile ball carriers. In reality, the infamous Joe Theismann injury only elevated the esteem and paycheck of the position. It seems the GridFe Hall of Fame voting committee holds tackles in relatively high regard, as we gave votes to 22 different tackles and ultimately enshrined 14 of them. That we only inducted 16 interior offensive linemen demonstrates the value we place on tackles relative to their linemates.38
Lou Groza (1946-1967)
Cleveland Browns
2 MVPs; 6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros (1 AAFC/1 NFL); 9 Pro Bowls; 8 Title Wins (4 AAFC/4 NFL); 5 Title Losses; 5 GridFe Toe Awards39
Groza used to say he considered himself a lineman who just happened to have the ability to kick, and he spent a dozen years as Cleveland’s primary tackle. He played in an incredible 13 championship games in his 21 seasons, spanning both the Otto Graham and Jim Brown eras. Although Groza was among the finest tackles of his era, he earned the most notoriety as a kicker. Appropriately nicknamed The Toe because he is the most dominant kicker in history, relative to his peers, he became the all-time leading scorer in 1957 and held the title until George Blanda took it in 1971.
Lou Creekmur (1950-1959)
Detroit Lions
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 3 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 2 GridFe Guardian Awards
Creekmur had a relatively short career, playing in just 116 regular season games, but he was simply dominant during his peak. He earned all pro honors in eight of his ten seasons. Creekmur began as a guard before moving to tackle, and he did both at an all star level. He had a toughness to match quarterback Bobby Layne‘s, and his tremendous power proved especially useful to the Lions when they used him as a defensive lineman in short yardage and goal line situations.
Rosey Brown (1953-1965)
New York Giants
8 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 5 Title Losses; 4 GridFe Guardian Awards
Roosevelt Brown was an athletic marvel, often noted for the sleek 29 inch waist on his 255 pound frame. He possessed uncanny raw power to move defensive linemen off their spots as a drive blocker. In an era when running the football still mattered, Brown was a devastating force who had the rare athleticism to pull around the edge and eliminate linebackers in space as a lead blocker on sweeps. He was no slouch in pass protection either, as he was able to use his nimble feet and balance to help shut down pass rushers and keep beloved passers Charlie Conerly and Y.A. Tittle clean in the pocket.
Forrest Gregg (1956-1971)
Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys
8 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 9 Pro Bowls; 5 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 4 GridFe Guardian Awards
Vince Lombardi presided over a team full of legends, but it was of his exalted tackle that he said: “Forrest Gregg is the finest player I ever coached.” Gregg was relatively small and unathletic for a football player, but he more than made up for his physical shortcomings by honing his craft and beating defenders with technique and preparation. He earned the nickname Iron Man for starting a then-record 188 consecutive games, and he did it at a high level even when playing out of position. In 1965, injuries along the line necessitated a move from RT to LG. Gregg responded by earning all pro honors there too. After retirement, he went into coaching and helped guide the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance.
Ron Mix (1960-1971)
San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland Raiders
9 First Team All Pros (AFL); 8 Pro Bowls (AFL); 1 Title Win; 4 Title Losses; 1 GridFe World Award (AFL); 5 GridFe Guardian Awards (AFL)
Mix picked up the nickname the Intellectual Assassin on account of his studious approach to the game and the fact that he pursued a degree in law during his playing career. He maintained a unique pass set that saw him feign a run block before dropping into protection, which often befuddled pass rushers. Mix also had an unusual habit on rushes of cut blocking in the trenches before quickly springing up to obscure defensive backs at the next level. This technique required a level of quickness you wouldn’t expect from a man of his stature.
Bob Brown (1964-1973)
Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Rams
7 First team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 6 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Guardian Award
Boomer Brown made an immediate impact in the league, becoming the rare offensive lineman to earn rookie of the year honors. While he was technically proficient, it wasn’t purity of technique that made him a nightmare for defenders. He was a hulking behemoth who happened to own one of the game’s nastiest mean streaks. Brown would smother oncoming pass rushers and maul outmatched defenders in the run game. Raiders coach John Madden referred to him as the most aggressive offensive lineman who ever played and intimated that he brought an attitude to the team that rubbed off on fellow linemen Jim Otto, Gene Upshaw, and Art Shell.
Art Shell (1968-1982)
Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
4 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 2 GridFe Guardian Awards
Shell was an adept pass blocker, but it was the run game where he cemented his legacy. Quite simply, he is arguably the most destructive drive blocker ever to hold the position. He formed a dominant left side with fellow legend Gene Upshaw, which served as the preferred side for the Raiders to run their offense. His ability to neutralize Fred Dean led to the Chargers moving the pass rusher around the line – a move that is common today but was innovative at the time. Shell’s dominant performance against Jim Marshall in Super Bowl XI was a masterclass in line play. In addition to his fantastic play, he also became the first African American head coach in the NFL when famously progressive owner Al Davis hired him in 1989.
Ron Yary (1968-1982)
Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 4 Title Losses; 3 GridFe Guardian Awards
Yary wasn’t the strongest, fastest, quickest, or most aggressive tackle, but he possessed one of the best combinations of power, athleticism, and toughness of anyone of his era. He was dedicated to his craft, putting in extra time to learn how to protect the occasionally frenetic Fran Tarkenton. Interestingly, Yary was selected with the pick the Vikings obtained by trading away Tarkenton, but a subsequent trade saw him blocking for the scrambler in Minnesota anyway. After missing the first three games of his sophomore season to military obligations, he played at a high level without missing a game till he broke his ankle in his thirteenth season.
Anthony Munoz (1980-1992)
Cincinnati Bengals
11 First Team All Pros; 11 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Losses; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 5 GridFe Guardian Awards
Munoz is arguably the greatest offensive lineman in history, and it’s fair to put him on the shortlist of greatest players the game has ever seen. Coming out of college, there were concerns about his injury history. He put those to bed by missing only three games in his storied career. Scouts bemoaned his unorthodox stance, but he silenced them with results, making eleven all pro teams and anchoring two Super Bowl offenses. He was incredibly athletic, graceful and efficient in motion, and has the footwork of a ballerina. Munoz used his rare physical skills to dominate the line of scrimmage as well as catch touchdown passes when called upon.40 He was powerful and intelligent, but his hallmark may have been his tireless work ethic and relentless commitment to conditioning. As one of the few offensive linemen who did extensive distance running and cardio training, Munoz was perfect for Sam Wyche‘s innovative uptempo offense.
Willie Roaf (1993-2005)
New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs
7 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 11 Pro Bowls; 2 GridFe Guardian Awards
Roaf is remarkable in that he was noted for his stellar line work despite playing on mediocre or bad offenses on forgettable teams for his first nine seasons in the league. He earned all rookie honors at right tackle before becoming a perennial Pro Bowler on the left side. After an injury ended his tenure in New Orleans, Roaf joined Will Shields and Brian Waters in Kansas City to form the nucleus of an offensive line that was the driving force behind one of the greatest sustained offenses in modern NFL history.41
Jonathan Ogden (1996-2007)
Baltimore Ravens
6 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 11 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 GridFe World Award; 4 GridFe Guardian Awards
At 6’9″ and 340 pounds, Ogden is among the most imposing figures in the game’s history. He possessed tremendous power to match his frame, but he had the balance and quickness or a much smaller man. His movement was fluid, and his feet were nimble, allowing him to match speed rushers with the same aplomb that he matched power rushers. As the first-ever draft pick for the Ravens, Ogden helped lead the offense to consecutive 5000 yard seasons. He also paved the way for Jamal Lewis to break 2000 yards in a season, including a then-record 295 in a single game. Giants great Michael Strahan, known for his legendary bull rush, described playing the dominant Ogden as disheartening.
Walter Jones (1997-2008)
Seattle Seahawks
6 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 3 GridFe Guardian Awards
Big Walt may be the best all-around lineman since Anthony Munoz. He was a dominant force in the run game, and his pass protection was otherworldly. During his tenure in Seattle, Jones surrendered just 23 sacks and committed a scant nine holding penalties on 5703 passing blocking snaps, helping Matt Hasselbeck become an all star thrice over. He also cleared big holes for an aging Ricky Watters and helped turn Shaun Alexander into the second coming of Emmitt Smith.42 He was known for his finesse, but he more than enough tenacity to finish blocks. Mike Holmgren coached Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Brett Favre, but he called Jones the best player he ever coached.
Orlando Pace (1997-2009)
St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears
5 First Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss
Pace was a vital component the St. Louis Rams’ Greatest Show on Turf, as his proficiency in pass protection allowed the deep passing patterns and quarterback drops to develop. From 1999-2001, the GSOT scored more than 500 points each season and ranked at the top of the league in both points and yards. A force of nature at the collegiate level, Pace popularized the term “pancake” for his ability to put opposing linemen flat on their backs in a form resembling that of the breakfast staple.
Joe Thomas (2007-present)
Cleveland Browns
8 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 10 Pro Bowls; 4 GridFe Guardian Awards
Myriad incredible players have held the tackle position in the NFL. Some had Herculean strength. Others had elite athleticism. Others still had exceptional grace and footwork. Joe Thomas certainly had enough of those to merit mention, but it is technique that has always been his calling card. Without exaggeration, Thomas is the most refined technician the position has ever seen. His footwork and hand placement were perfect, and his body positioning was nigh always correct. That he was recognized for his greatness despite playing on generally inept offensive squads is a testament to his prodigious skill. Thomas is among the great pass blockers in history, consistently saving oblivious passers from themselves.43
Hall of Fame Offensive Guards
When it came to selecting guards for the GridFe Hall of Fame, voters tended to go with mauling run blockers who also happened to have the ability to protect quarterbacks. This makes sense, as for most of football history coaches have devoted more attention to power in the middle and finesse on the edges. However, it is clear that guards of the future will have to be able to prioritize mitigating interior pressure while also providing a push in the rushing attack. With the continuing evolution of the game, the increasing emphasis on passing will necessitate this. As it stands, the GridFe voting committee selected ten guards for the inaugural Hall of Fame class. Overall, we gave votes to 17 individual guards. Below are the ones who made the cut.44
Jim Parker (1957-1967)
Baltimore Colts
8 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 8 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 2 GridFe Guardian Awards; 4 GridFe Hog Awards
Nicknamed the Guardian for the pride he took in protecting quarterback Johnny Unitas (and the aplomb with which he did it), Parker is one of the few linemen in history for whom the title of Greatest of All Time wouldn’t be hyperbole. He began his career as a left tackle and effectively kept smaller, quicker ends out of the backfield, earning all pro honors in four of his five seasons at the position. Then he moved to the inside and earned four more all pro selections at guard, neutralizing powerful defenders with seeming ease. Parker was so superb against legendary end Andy Robustelli in the 1959 Championship Game that broadcasters actually isolated his performance in real time and in replays, marking the first time such attention was given to the trenches.
Tom Mack (1966-1978)
Los Angeles Rams
5 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 11 Pro Bowls
Mack was noted for his toughness, having never missed a game in his thirteen-year career. This is especially impressive when you consider that he managed to play a full season as a rookie for George Allen, whose notoriously veteran-heavy rosters have achieved a nearly mythic status among historians. Mack rewarded the Rams’ faith in him with eight seasons of all pro caliber play, helping the team win eight division titles, including six in a row from 1973-78. He kept Roman Gabriel clean in the pocket and, later, paved the way for Lawrence McCutcheon‘s tremendous early-career production.
Gene Upshaw (1967-1981)
Oakland Raiders
7 First Team All Pros (3 AFL/4 NFL); 4 Second Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls (1 AFL/6 NFL); 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 2 GridFe Hog Awards (1 AFL/1 NFL)
The massive Upshaw was brought to the Raiders to combat the monstrous rival defenders within their division, such as Buck Buchanan and Ernie Ladd. While he cut a hulking figure, he was surprisingly fast and quick. Upshaw put that athleticism to great use on his favorite play, the sweep, on which he could get out in front of runners and annihilate defensive backs in space. He maintained a high level of play for a long time and became the first player in history to see action in a Super Bowl in three different decades. On a line filled with legends, Upshaw was the one named captain eight times. His leadership was later recognized when he was elected as the executive director of the NFL Players’ Association.
Larry Little (1967-1980)
Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers
6 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 5 Pro Bowls (1 AFL/4 NFL); 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 3 GridFe Hog Awards
After beginning his career in relative obscurity as an undrafted free agent in San Diego, Little saw his career and legacy turn around when he was traded to Miami. The arrival of Don Shula the following year brought increased team success, which drew attention to the outstanding play of Little and other previously overlooked Dolphins. Little was a fantastic run blocker who had the power to clear a path for Larry Csonka up the middle and the finesse to lead the way for Mercury Morris on outside runs. During his prime, the Dolphins boasted a dominant ground and pound attack that was a major part of three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, including two victories.
John Hannah (1973-1985)
New England Patriots
10 First Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Sweetness Award; 6 GridFe Hog Awards
The Hog is often referred to as the greatest offensive lineman ever to live. If he’s not, he’s certainly on Rushmore. The great Dr. Z, who pioneered extensive film study in sports journalism, didn’t give preference to big names and often highlighted unheralded players over established ones; he named Hannah his first team all pro guard seven times. Hannah was strong, but his incredible combination of leverage and balance gave him nearly unparalleled functional power. His pass set was solid, and it was rare to see him give up easy pressure. However, it was the run game where he was a force of nature. Finding their greatest success running behind Hannah, the 1978 Patriots set a still-standing NFL record with 3165 rushing yards.45 They did this without a single rusher topping 768 yards.
Bruce Matthews (1983-2001)
Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans
9 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 14 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 3 GridFe Hog Awards
Throughout his 19-season career, Matthews proved to be incredibly versatile and remarkably durable. He played all five positions on the offensive line and started 39 games at tackle, 87 at center, and 167 at guard. Proving he was more than just a guy who could fill in at a position, Matthews earned Pro Bowl and all pro honors at all three positions on the offensive interior. At the time he retired, he had started more games than any player in history, and his 292 mark currently trails only Brett Favre‘s 298. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Matthews’s long and distinguished career is that it took place during the most significant explosion in defensive line size in modern history. He began his career against 260 pounders and continued to play at a high level till he was 40 and his average opponent weighed closer to 290 pounds.
Randall McDaniel (1988-2001)
Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9 First Team All Pros; 12 Pro Bowls; 4 GridFe Hog Awards
A successful high school sprinter, McDaniel possessed rare athleticism for an offensive lineman. It’s common to see a running back with his hand on the back of a pulling guard, pushing the big man to lead the way. Running behind McDaniels allowed ball carriers to play at full speed, because he was usually just as fast as they were. Over the course of his celebrated career, he cleared a path for six different thousand yard rushers and proved to be skilled at keeping his quarterbacks off the ground. A big part of the Vikings 1998 scoring explosion, in which the team broke the record for points scored in a season, McDaniel allowed just 1.5 sacks while aiding in Randall Cunningham‘s renaissance. On top of his incredible talent, he also carried with him an unbridled love of the game that simply made him a joy to watch.
Will Shields (1993-2006)
Kansas City Chiefs
3 First Team All Pros; 4 Second Team All Pros; 12 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Hog Award
Shields didn’t have the wow factor of linemen whose blocks end up on highlight reels, but he was exceptional in his ability to consistently battle defenders to stalemates. Along the line, this is an underrated skill. When fellow legend Willie Roaf came along, they anchored a line that was the fulcrum of one of the great sustained offenses in modern history. Shields helped Priest Holmes score a then-record 27 rushing touchdowns in 2003. The following season, he had among his most notable games in a dominating victory over the Falcons, when Shields and co paved the way for Holmes and Derrick Blaylock to score four rushing touchdowns apiece.
Larry Allen (1994-2007)
Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers
7 First Team All Pros; 11 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Wins; 1 GridFe World Award; 5 GridFe Hog Awards
On a list of the most intimidating players in modern history, Larry Allen‘s name won’t be too far from the top. He earned the moniker of the Strongest Man in the NFL not for his ability in the gym by for his ability to impose his will upon opposing linemen. As a young player, Allen would reportedly announce when a run was coming behind him because he felt there was nothing the defense could do about it, even if they knew in advance. He was also surprisingly mobile, capable of chasing down interceptions linebackers from a standstill. As an elder statesmen, he used his veteran savvy to make up for any decline in physical skill and was able to use leverage instead of raw power to demoralize defenders.
Alan Faneca (1998-2010)
Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 3 GridFe Hog Awards
Faneca was a standout performer early in his career for Pittsburgh. His superb run blocking helped rushers such as Amos Zereoue, Najeh Davenport, and Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala break the century mark on the ground and helped the great Jerome Bettis cement his legacy. Faneca’s commitment to conditioning paid dividends, as he was usually at his best in the playoffs, when the wear of the season took its toll on the men in the trenches. He suffered a noticeable decline when he moved to New York, but he continued his trend of saving his best play for the biggest moments, showing up big time in the postseason.
Hall of Fame Centers
Today’s GridFe Hall of Fame post focuses on arguably the most dangerous position in football, the center. The man in the middle: he touches the ball on every play, usually directs the line, protects against inside penetration, and serves as the pivot man in the run game. He also takes repetitive head shots on every down and doesn’t just put his body on the line; he literally puts his mind on the line for the team. We honor those men for their sacrifice on the field and celebrate their achievements. Ultimately, we inducted six centers and gave votes to four others.46
Jim Ringo (1953-1967)
Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles
7 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 10 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 6 GridFe Iron Awards
Unlike many legends on the Packers dynasty, Ringo was already a decorated player before the arrival of Vince Lombardi. The coach valued his center’s great speed and quickness and designed his potent rushing attack with Ringo as its fulcrum. The deadly Green Bay sweeps required athletic linemen to execute pulls, and the innovative “do-dad” blocks necessitated an intelligent center to get everyone in position.47 Ringo was more than capable in those respects, and his ability to keep Bart Starr upright was an important part of the team’s offensive dominance.
Jim Otto (1960-1974)
Oakland Raiders
12 First Team All Pros (10 AFL/2 NFL); 1 Second Team All Pro; 12 Pro Bowls (9 AFL/3 NFL); 1 Title Loss; 8 GridFe Iron Awards (AFL)
Double 0 began his professional career at a meager 205 pounds and was overlooked by the NFL and most AFL teams. The Raiders, with their legacy of taking chances on players, obtained Otto’s draft rights and got a member of Center Rushmore for their risk. He added enough weight and power to his stellar technique and outrageous toughness to play in 308 straight games and earn a first team all pro selection in each of his first twelve seasons. As a young player, he was successful in the wide open attacks of the early AFL. As a grizzled veteran, he held his own against established NFL defenders.
Mike Webster (1974-1990)
Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs
7 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 9 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Wins; 1 GridFe World Award; 5 GridFe Iron Awards
Iron Mike is best known for his fifteen seasons in the Steel City, capturing four titles as part of the Steelers dynasty. Webster paved the way for a dominant ground attack from Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, and he kept big-armed Terry Bradshaw clean while he set up for his legendary deep throws. Brawdshaw has said on many occasions that the team’s offense wouldn’t have functioned without his center. Perhaps on the small side for the position, Webster more than made up for it with incredible power and quickness. Often, he would brave the cold Pittsburgh winter and play with bare arms to keep defenders from grabbing his jersey. Anything to get an edge on an opponent.
Dwight Stephenson (1980-1987)
Miami Dolphins
5 First Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 5 GridFe Iron Awards
Stephenson’s career was abbreviated by injury, but at his peak, he was the most dominant player in the history of the position. One doesn’t become a legend on the offensive line without power and technical acumen, but what set Stephenson apart was his unbridled explosiveness. Opponents likened taking a block from him to getting hit with a bolt of electricity. The great Howie Long said the Raiders actually crafted a defensive line gameplan around neutralizing the Miami center, which he claimed was unprecedented in his career. We can lament the career that might have been, but right now we choose to celebrate the career that was.
Dermontti Dawson (1988-2000)
Pittsburgh Steelers
6 First Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 5 GridFe Iron Awards
Dirt Dawson combined uncanny athleticism with the gritty, blue collar mentality of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a true technician who could use perfect hand placement to mitigate the bull rush of larger defenders. Dawson possessed the power to handle nose tackles one on one, while most centers require a double team or a rub. He also had the quickness and agility to pull, which was rare for the position when he played. His unique talents in the run game helped establish the hard-nosed ground and pound attack on which the Steelers prided themselves. His combination of talent and relentless determination set the tone for the entire organization.
Nick Mangold (2006-2016)
New York Jets
4 First Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 4 GridFe Iron Awards
Mangold was a consistently dominant blocker who often went unappreciated as he toiled on lackluster offenses. He excelled at creating lanes for run-oriented coaches with outdated schemes, and he also executed his assignments superbly in pass protection. Despite playing in front of a bevy of passers who were bereft of pocket awareness, Mangold rarely allowed sacks or even pressures. He was by far the best center of his generation, and his relative obscurity highlights the problem faced by great linemen on bad offenses. Had he played his career just a few hours up I-95, he’d be a legend.