It’s time for the fourteenth part in my series The Grand List, or: the top 1000 pro football players in history. ^[1]Who made their mark in the NFL or the pre-NFL pros. Anthony Calvillo will not be making an appearance. By the end of the article, we will finally be at the halfway mark. When I began this project, the plan was to fit the full thousand in thirteen posts, so you see how good I am at planning ahead. This section is heavy on offensive skill players (18) and trench players (19), so if you enjoy reading about those positions, you’re in luck. If not, there are a few other fellows in there too, so don’t feel left out. This is yet another post that includes Pro Football Hall of Fame members outside of the top 500. ^[2]I believe there are eight, but I don’t feel like counting. My hope is that, as the list unfolds, I will have adequately given my reasoning why such acclaimed individuals are so far out of line with the popular view.

Previous articles in the series

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

Let’s get down to business.

The Grand List, Continued

549. Clinton Portis (2002-2010)
Running Back
Denver Broncos, Washington

When Portis was just two years into his career, he was so highly thought of (at least by one team) that Washington traded not only lockdown corner Champ Bailey, but also a second round draft pick, for the talented back. No sensible person would trade a great running back for even an above average cornerback today, but those were simpler times. Portis was one of many size-speed freaks in the era of workhorse runners and spent the first seven years of his career looking like a possible Hall of Famer. He was injured in his fifth season, but through four years, he had 7059 yards from scrimmage – a figure that trails only LaDainian Tomlinson, Eric Dickerson, Terrell Davis, and Chris Johnson. During his injury year, he was only on pace for 1386 yards for a full season, but he bounced back the next two years with an average of 1678 yards and 10 touchdowns. While Portis started out looking like he may have been another cog in the Denver machine, he showed in Washington that he could do it elsewhere at a high level. Perhaps an underrated aspect of his game was his ability to shine in pass protection.

548. Steven Jackson (2004-2015)
Running Back
St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots

Jackson had the unfortunate fate of landing on the Rams after the Greatest Show on Turf days were over, and he was saddled with the unrealistic expectations of replicating the success of Marshall Faulk – an inner circle type back. Only by comparison to Faulk was his career even moderately disappointing. A hard runner who pounded the ball into stacked defenses when his team force-fed him the ball against teams knowing he was the primary weapon on the offense, he fought valiantly to manufacture production for his struggling team. In addition to running between the tackles, Jackson was also capable of taking it outside and catching plenty of passes. Unlike Faulk, who could have been an all pro receiver, Jackson primarily caught dumpoff passes, often in low leverage situations. Nonetheless, he was still good for about 400 receiving yards a year in his prime. Like his predecessor, he could also block well – just not as well. Ironic, isn’t it, that I began this paragraph talking about how he is unfairly compared to Faulk and the subsequently compare him to Faulk multiple times?

547. Corey Dillon (1997-2006)
Running Back
Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots

Dillon was one of the best pure runners of his generation. He didn’t always play on good teams, but he seemed to produce regardless. His prime came with the Bengals, all before Carson Palmer’s arrival, when he averaged 1520 yards and 8 touchdowns per 16 games for six years. As a rookie, he ran for the seventh most yards in a single game up to that point, with 246 yards against the Oilers. Three seasons later, he set the single game record with a 278 yard performance against the Broncos. After injuries limited his effectiveness, a trade to New England saw him reach career highs in touches and yards. He also got to see his first postseason action as a pro, and he knocked it out of the park with 345 yards and two scores in his lone championship run. An effective short yardage runner, Dillon finished his career with three straight seasons of 13 touchdowns.

546. Derrick Mason (1997-2011)
Wide Receiver
Tennessee Oilers/Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans

Mason was never the best receiver in the league, but he was a very good receiver, often stuck in poor situations for producing gaudy stats, for several years. He has ten seasons of at least 900 True Receiving Yards (TRY), putting him on a list with just 19 other wide receivers in history. That means he’s one of just ten wideouts with “true WR1” production in a decade worth of seasons. Among all receivers, he ranks 30th in cumulative TRY in his top 12 seasons, with a few great years and a long string of really good performances. Despite being relatively small and not particularly fast, he lasted a long time as an offensive fixture and contributed significantly on special teams as well. In 2000, he gained 2690 all purpose yards, breaking the existing record by 43 yards. ^[3]The record has since been surpassed by Darren Sproles (2696 in 2011). Playing for a bevy of run first, macho man teams, he didn’t have big volume totals, but his production remains impressive when put in proper context. ^[4]Mason’s top TRY seasons: 1572, 1402, 1269, 1207, 1184, 1177, 1107, 1102, 1052, 945

545. Keith Jackson (1988-1996)
Tight End
Philadelphia eagles, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers

Jackson could do it all. He had great speed and moves that let him get open deep, but he also had reliable hands and the ability to consistently get open on underneath routes, making him a valuable possession guy. While he wasn’t Hoby Brenner, his blocking was hardly a detriment. For his career, Jackson had 55 catches for 655 yards and 6 touchdowns per 16 games, which was a great total for a tight end in his day. In fact, he led all players at the position in both yards and touchdowns during his career, picking up five Pro Bowls and four all pro nods in the process. ^[5]He also earned the 1988 Gonzo Award for best tight end. Jackson stepped up his game in the postseason, finding success with three very different quarterbacks. ^[6]Jackson’s top TRY seasons: 1041, 912, 881, 808, 718, 705, 669, 651

544. Riley Odoms (1972-1983)
Tight End
Denver Broncos

Odoms didn’t have great straight line speed, but he flew off the ball quickly and could shake open with apparent ease. He was a powerful guy who could block anyone he wanted whenever he wanted. The issue was that he didn’t always want to. His issues had nothing to do with talent and everything to do with desire – he just didn’t seem to care that much about being great. He would see his conditioning slip and experience lapses in concentration on the field, but when he was one, he was Hall of Fame worthy. In the first ten years of his career, Odoms averaged 43 catches for 651 yards and 5 touchdowns per 16 games, and that’s despite mailing it in on occasion. He fell off in 1982, but from 1972-81, he led the position in yards and trailed only Dave Casper in touchdowns. ^[7]Odoms’s top TRY seasons: 1080, 982, 925, 740, 724, 687, 671, 667, 616

543. Chad Johnson (2001-2011)
Wide Receiver
Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots

The erstwhile Ochocinco had a prime that only lasted six seasons, where he averaged 1363 yards and 8 touchdowns per 16 games. He had an injury-riddled down year at 30 and came back nicely at 31, but he fell off a cliff after that. Both his play and his personality were loud. Lightning quick with great open field speed, he got by defensive backs without much trouble, and he had terrific hands to haul in errant passes from his pre-Palmer passers. Johnson carried himself with earned braggadocio, which I personally love. Traditionalists may disagree, but I find the added entertainment of guys like him refreshing. Ranking 28th among all wide receivers in cumulative TRY in their seven best seasons, his play at least backed it up. He walked away from the game with six Pro Bowls, three all pros, and the 2006 Bambi Award for top wide receiver. ^[8]Johnson’s top TRY seasons: 1588, 1502, 1468, 1453, 1383, 1262, 1145

542. Jerry Mays (1961-1970)
Defensive Line
Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs

Mays was a steady performer who could play any position across the defensive line. Early on, he was primarily inside, but he bounced outside later in his career with great success. In Stram’s fluid defense, he even played some 30 end. Mays was a high motor player who was a solid pass rusher, and his prowess on the outside was a great complement to the mass of Hall of Fame humanity occupying the interior of Kansas City’s odd front defense that overwhelmed many a great center. He finished his career with seven pro bowls, eight all pros, an upset Super Bowl win over the juggernaut Vikings, and a last (and very much least, I’m sure) a Deacon Award for best defensive end in 1966.

541. Dante Lavelli (1946-1956)
Wide Receiver
Cleveland Browns

Seven-time champion Dante Lavelli had a reputation for being able to catch anything. You don’t earn a nickname like Gluefingers by dropping balls. Playing most of his games in the cold, outdoor stadiums of the Midwest and Northeast, hanging on to those ridiculous white balls with his bare hands was an unenviable charge (but one at which he excelled). He had decent athleticism and moves, but it was those hands that really stood out, like a lesser Cris Carter or Larry Fitzgerald. Lavelli was a solid playoff performer whose most memorable game – and the one that may have landed him in Canton ahead of his teammate – was the 1950 NFL Championship game. The new kids on the block from rugged Cleveland faced the mighty Rams from beautiful Los Angeles, and ol’ Gluefingers showed the establishment that the Browns were for real. He had 128 yards and two touchdowns in a hotly contested victory. When his career came to a close, Lavelli had six all pro nods and posted numbers that currently see him ranked 38th TRY in a players ten best seasons. ^[9]Lavelli’s best TRY seasons: 1626, 1396, 1359, 1329, 1253, 1154, 1096, 1061. I named him the Bambi Award winner in 1946 for best receiver in the AAFC.

540. Mac Speedie (1946-1955)
Wide Receiver
Cleveland Browns, Saskatchewan Roughriders, BC Lions

With a name like Mac Speedie, you sort of have to be a great wide receiver, don’t you? He was. Though he was less celebrated than his teammate ranked just behind him on this list, I believe he was the superior player. While Lavelli led the league in catches and yards in 1946, Speedie was tops in receptions each year from 1947-49, as well as 1952, and he topped the yardage charts in 1947 and 1949. He is the AAFC’s career leader in yards and catches, is third in scoring catches. Moreover, he has the top three reception seasons from the AAFC and ranks first, second, and sixth in single season yards. Speedie was a big, tall guy with decent speed (though not quite enough to match the name), and he made short work of defensive backs – particularly on contested balls. I named him the Bambi Award winner in 1947 and 1949, and he continued to excel after the merger, topping 900 TRY every season of his career. He took more money to play in the CFL and for a long time may have been shunned by the Hall of Fame because of that. ^[10]Speedie only played seven seasons in the AAFC/NFL. Those seasons by TRY: 1882, 1731, 1327, 1157, 1136, 1083, 907

539. John Stallworth (1974-1987)
Wide Receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers

Like the legacies of Lavelli and Speedie are hard to separate, so are those of Stallworth and his running mate Lynn Swann. Stallworth got off to a slower start than Swann did, but when he got it together, he ended up being more productive than his legendary teammate. From 1977-79, the two shared the field. Swann averaged 57 catches for 922 yards and 9 touchdowns per 16 games, while Stallworth averaged 54 for 962 and 8. Stallworth was right there with Swann in terms of postseason dominance, though his catches weren’t as brilliant or memorable. He was the Bambi winner in 1984, and he ended up with three Pro Bowls and a pair of all pro picks. The two Steelers legends rank where they do relative to each other because Stallworth benefited from teams putting a little more focus on stopping the more feared Swann. Nevertheless, Johnny Lee was a legitimately great player who got the bulk of his acclaim after the sun had set on the Pittsburgh dynasty. ^[11]Stallworth’s top TRY seasons: 1870, 1660, 1495, 1261, 1228, 1163, 1009

538. Lynn Swann (1974-1982)
Wide Receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers

Swann is known primarily for two things: incredible acrobatic catches in the playoffs and being the most overrated receiver in history. Well, if you only focus on his playoff heroics and put him on the level of Rice or Hutson, then he is overrated. But if you think he wasn’t a genuinely terrific wide out, you won’t find agreement from me. Swann was on the small side, and the highlights they have shown for the last few decades give the false impression that he was all grace and no toughness. That’s not the case at all. Teammates and opponents alike lauded him for his willingness to go over the middle and take a big hit, holding onto the ball in the process. While he had pretty good regular season numbers, he was lights out in the playoffs. In four separate postseason runs, he averaged over 60 yards per game. People hate hearing this, but Swann really was one of the players you just had to watch play. Despite drawing the bulk of the attention from secondaries, he caught deep passes, he caught the tough intermediate stuff, and he made his biggest plays in the biggest moments. He made three Pro Bowls and all pro teams, and he was a pretty good punt returner early on. ^[12]Swann’s top TRY seasons: 1596, 1534, 1186, 1127, 993

537. Rod Smith (1995-2006)
Wide Receiver
Denver Broncos

Smith got a late start to his career and didn’t see regular action till he was 27 years old, but when he finally got the opportunity, to say he outperformed expectations is an understatement. From ages 27 to 35, he averaged 1230 yards and 7 touchdowns per 16 games, and he was one of the top postseason performers in football, going over 200 yards in back to back Super Bowl runs. The anti-diva, Smith once lamented that they don’t keep track of “wide receiver wins” like they do for quarterbacks and coaches. He didn’t care about the numbers as long as his teams were winning. But the numbers came. He currently ranks 15th all-time in cumulative TRY in a receiver’s six best seasons, showing he had a very nice sustained peak. Smith wasn’t just a playoff performer or serious competitor whose work ethic rubbed off on his teammates, he was a fantastic receiver who put up big numbers on teams that didn’t always pass much. ^[13]Smith’s top TRY seasons: 1681, 1624, 1597, 1523, 1422, 1355, 1054, 1028, 994

536. Jimmy Smith (1992-2005)
Wide Receiver
Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys

After an inauspicious start in Dallas, Smith saw new life with the Jaguars. Despite a number of personal issues that threatened to derail his career, he was able to put together an incredibly productive decade of football that didn’t start until he was 27. With a thick build like a running back, good speed, and well-honed routes, he was good at getting open and a monster with the ball in his hands. He put those skills to use, becoming one of just 18 receivers with nine seasons over 1000 TRY. Smith ranks 16th among all receivers in total TRY in a player’s six best seasons, and he ranks ninth in TRY in best nine seasons. ^[14]Smith’s top TRY seasons: 1924, 1585, 1495, 1461, 1430, 1295, 1257, 1191, 1170 He had five Pro Bowl trips and two all pro years, including a huge 1999 where he had 116 catches and 1636 yards in the regular season before catching 10 balls for 228 and 2 in the playoffs. On top of that, he had 86 first downs, which is an incredible number. For perspective, the record for a season in 93, set by Julio Jones in 2015. If you don’t like the fancy TRY numbers, Smith is also one of just six receivers with at least nine seasons over 1000 yards.  ^[15]Terrell Owens, Tim Brown, and Larry Fitzgerald each have nine. Randy Moss has ten. Some other guy has fourteen.

535. Art Donovan (1950-1961)
Defensive Tackle
Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Colts (AAFC legacy), Dallas Texans (NFL), New York Yanks  

Donovan, who didn’t actually switch teams as much as his list of employers suggests, was highly respected by both peers and sportswriters of his era. ^[16]The Yanks folded and the team was effectively purchased, moved to Texas, and renamed the Dallas Texans. That atrocity lasted a year before the league awarded the team to the new Baltimore Colts, who … Continue reading He was large for his era and was a handful for blockers, but he didn’t seem to make a ton of plays. His odd habit of lining up way off the ball before the snap put him further from the backfield but didn’t seem to help him beat blockers. However, it did allow him to clean up after Marchetti on the rare occasion Gino missed a play behind the line. Donovan was a smart player who was hard to trap, and his jovial attitude seemed to inspire those around him, but the film didn’t look like that of a six-time all pro. There was a period from 1954-57 when he was among the top run defenders in the game, but this is as high as I can put him on this list.

534. Ernie Stautner (1950-1963)
Defensive Tackle
Pittsburgh Steelers

Stautner was similar to Donovan in some respects. He had tape that didn’t seem to agree with his status as a nine-time Pro Bowlers and all pro selection. His attitude was also contagious, though his wasn’t jovial but was vicious. The Steelers legend played on poor teams but was recognized and respected anyway, which is hard to do today and was even harder to do when less footage was available for voters. He was scrappy and relentless and earned a great deal of respect from contemporaries, but in terms of production, Nomellini he was not. However, he did retire with the career record for safeties and a third-place rank in fumble recoveries. Undersized and quick, Stautner was a pretty effective penetrator, and his speed helped him in pursuit. His mean streak was painted with a broad brush, and he displayed some moves that would get him kicked out of games today.  According to T.J. Troup, he made everyone around him better and deserves his spot in the Hall of Fame. I’ve watched a lot of old football, but I know better than to argue film with Coach Troup.

533. Coy Bacon (1968-1983)
Defensive End
Los Angeles Rams, Washington, San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Federals

Bacon was a powerful end who could sink inside with ease and would have perhaps been more suited to a scheme that used him as an under tackle type, taking advantage of his ability to push the pocket or get interior penetration. Often, when you think of a guy who had 21.5 sacks in a season, you may think of a guy who gets off the line in a hurry, like a Von Miller or Derrick Thomas, but Bacon wasn’t that guy. He had plenty of speed, but his hallmark was his ability to overpower blockers. It seems odd, then, that a guy who won with power was not great against the run, but sometimes players don’t fit perfectly into molds, and life doesn’t make sense. While he wasn’t consistent against the rush, he did make plenty of plays in the backfield, with a high of 13.5 tackles for a loss in 1971. Bacon finished with 3 Pro Bowls and all pros and 130 career sacks while playing plenty on the inside. He moved around a lot, which can hurt a legacy, but he was superb wherever he went.

532. Mike Curtis (1965-1978)
Linebacker
Baltimore Colts, Washington, Seattle Seahawks

Positional designations are sometimes muddy, but if the position had anything to do with being a linebacker, Curtis could do it and do it well. He earned Pro Bowl invitations at both outside and inside/middle linebacker. While he had good “playmaker’ stats with 19.5 sacks and 25 interceptions, he was more than just a big play guy. He was consistent in coverage and didn’t give up big plays, provided he didn’t have to run downfield with a flanker (he had great short area quickness, but it just wasn’t fair to ask him to match speed with a wide out). Partly on account of conflicts with management, Curtis found himself playing for the expansion Seahawks later in his career. His blocked field goal helped give Seattle its first franchise victory. He would likely be remembered more fondly had his team not been on the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets in pro football championship game history in maybe the most important NFL game ever played.

531. Bill Forester (1953-1963)
Linebacker
Green Bay Packers

Forester was a big guy and a big playmaker. With 24 sacks, 21 picks, and 15 fumble recoveries, you could say he had a penchant for splash plays. He toiled in relative obscurity till Vince Lombardi came to town and changed the team’s prospects. While he was always good, and his level of play didn’t change when the coach arrived, the fact that he was now on a better team with better players around him helped him earn more recognition for the things he was already doing. It is mere coincidence that the two Dobre Shunka Awards (top OLB) he received came in 1961 and 62. He was named to an all pro team those years, but he also earned spots on such teams in three other years.

530. Joe Fortunato (1955-1966)
Linebacker
Chicago Bears

Forester’s rival had a pair of his own Dobre Shunkas. At 6’1″ 225, Fortunato was an odd sight to see playing strongside linebacker, a role generally reserved for men of greater stature. However, he thrived in the role and was particularly good at sniffing out the run and knifing through blocks to make the play. You could say he was 85% of Dave Wilcox (maybe weaker, but a little faster). He had a nose for the ball, recovering 22 fumbles in his career, which was a record when he retired. To that, he added 27 sacks and 16 interceptions – fine numbers indeed. Fortunato earned a spot on the 1950s all decade team and then cemented his legend as a vital cog in the famed 1963 Bears defense that ranks first in points, yards, and turnovers and held the high flying Giants to 10 points in the title game.

529. Jim McMillen (1924-1928)
Offensive Guard (pre-modern)
Chicago Bears

McMillen was one of the top players in professional football during his brief time in the NFL, but he left the game to become a professional wrestler. That should tell you what the market for football players looked like nearly a century ago. He was pretty big for the era, but he was uncommonly strong. That power enabled him to knock the living daylights out of opponents, regardless of the side of the ball he happened to be representing on a given play. Alongside Healey and Trafton, he helped form one of the top offensive lines in history. During his five years in the league, McMillen made five all pro teams.

528. Swede Youngstrom (1920-1927)
Offensive Line (pre-modern)
Buffalo All-Americans, Frankford Yellow Jackets, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Bulldogs, Union Club of Phoenixville, Union Quakers of Philadelphia, Buffalo Bisons, Millville Big Blue, Haven-Villa of Winter Haven

Swede was a 187 pound offensive lineman, but back when everyone pretty much looked the same, that wasn’t such an odd sight. He was one of the top guards of the 1920s, but he was also a great tackle, the position he played when his team won the title in 1926. That year and the next, Youngstrom was also a player coach, making his mark on the game with his brains as well as his brawn. His hallmark was consistent play, making holes for backs without showing much flash (or highlight reel plays, if they had highlight reels back then). In that regard, a modern comp might be Evan Mathis.

527. Bruno Banducci (1944-1954)
Offensive Guard
San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles

At 5’11” 216 pounds, Banducci was even small for his era, but he was athletic and a marvelous run blocker. He helped Steve Van Buren find success in the City of Brotherly Love, then he went to San Francisco where he helped the team become the greatest rushing squad in history. Being smaller than others, he had to have a tenacious attitude, and he did, similar to a Mongo McMichael in scrappiness. He could pull well and trap well, and he had good speed in the open field to pick up scraping defenders. However, he wasn’t a premier pass blocker and could get off balance against the good rushers. While his speed was top notch, he didn’t have great quickness, which hurt him against arc rushers. Unfortunately, the Browns dynasty kept him from retiring a champion, but he was the best guard I saw in the AAFC in 1946 and the NFL in 1954.

526. Brian Waters (2000-2013)
Offensive Guard
Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys

Early in his career, Waters played in the shadow of his Hall of Fame teammates Willie Roaf and Will Shields, which is understandable. They were great players who will appear much, much later on this list. However, it didn’t take long to realize he wasn’t just along for the ride but was, instead, a stone cold killer in the run game and a habitually underrated pass blocker. While the powerhouse is known for his drive blocking prowess, he may have actually been better on passing downs. He almost never gave up sacks, and he rarely allowed even allowed defenders to whisper in the ear of his quarterbacks. It is interesting that Waters, similar to Larry Allen, is known for his might when that may not be his most impressive physical attribute. A guy that size should be strong. Waters was also quick and capable of maintaining his balance against a variety of pass rush attacks.

525. Jerome Brown (1987-1991)
Defensive Tackle
Philadelphia Eagles

Brown was similar to Suh in his incredible size-power combination, and he seemed to be able to throw around other large men like he was shucking corn. He had fine technique and moves and all that, but he really won his battles by simply being a much better athlete than his opponents. Brown only played for five seasons before he died after wrecking his car while driving recklessly, but he was the man in those five years. He had 29.5 sacks from the interior, including a high of 10.5 in 1989. I gave him the 1991 Mean Award for best defensive tackle. That year, he was a dominant force on the inside for what may be the best defense in history that no one talks about. Having White and Simmons outside was useful, but Brown also made life easier for them, often drawing doubles and allowing the ends to tee off on passers.

524. Jerry Sherk (1970-1981)
Defensive Tackle
Cleveland Browns

Perhaps one day we will have created androids so sophisticated that they can play professional sports at a high level without sacrificing any of the fluidity and beauty of the traditional sport. Until then, we have to accept that sometimes even the best players can have injuries that make them shells of their former selves, if not ending their careers outright. For Sherk, it was the former. For the first seven years of his career, he never missed a game. By his third season, he was one of the best defensive tackles in the game, at a time when men like Greene, Page, Olsen, and Lilly were still around. He averaged triple digit tackles at his peak, while dragging down passers at least ten times in three seasons before injuring his knee (and one season after the injury). In all, he unofficially had 69.5 sacks and had enough push to block six kicks. I named him the Mean Award winner for the 1976 season. Sherk was still a fine player when he returned from injury, but his greatness prior to that was such that he could remain a fine player after a huge dropoff in play.

523. Keith Millard (1985-1993)
Defensive Tackle
Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Bulls

You may be noticing a theme. This is the section of the list is home to the shooting star defensive tackles, whose careers were either altered or ended due to injury or death. Millard played 75 games as a nose or traditional defensive tackle for the Vikings. He basically had five healthy seasons before hurting his knee, and in those five seasons he averaged 11 sacks per 16 games. Despite lacking the requisite mass for the role, he had plenty of power that let him hold his own as a shade tackle. But when he got to play in more of a three tech type role, oh boy. He was a phenom who could knife into the backfield at will. His magnum opus was the 1989 season in which he set the single season record for sacks by a defensive tackle (18, since broken by Aaron Donald) and had another 11 tackles for loss. That’s 29 plays in the backfield, which is an Olympus level season. For his performance that year, he was the obvious choice for the Mean Award, but I also gave him the Godzilla Award (DPOY) and World Award (most outstanding player).

522. Wally Chambers (1973-1979)
Defensive Line
Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In between the legendary Chicago defenses of the sixties and their flamboyant dominance in the eighties, the Bears defenses were a bit of a joke. Chambers, however, was as fine an interior pass rusher as you’re likely to see.  He really only had four healthy seasons in the league before injury felled him, but he was a beast during that time. I don’t have the full statistical breakdown, but he had a high number of plays in the backfield in those four seasons. In addition to 37 sacks in 56 games, Chambers had a number of stops in the run game and was great at stripping the ball before it became common practice. I never gave him a Mean Award, but he was the runner up in both 1975 and 76. He did make it to three all pro teams (including what I consider the more prestigious Dr. Z teams), and he was named 1976 defensive lineman of the year by both the NFLPA and Football Digest.

521. Vic Sears (1941-1953)
Offensive Tackle, Defensive Tackle
Philadelphia Eagles, Phil-Pit Steagles

Sears is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s all decade team, but – like many who played in the trenches – he is nearly forgotten today. He was a great defender who played at a DPOY level in 1945 and at a high level in several other seasons. His coach, Greasy Neale, considered him the team’s most valuable lineman. Whereas his more celebrated teammate Al Wistert could be run at successfully, Sears was bigger and stronger and more capable of taking on plays coming his way. On offense, he was a mauling run blocker and was adequate in pass protection. With Sears at left tackle and Banducci and Wistert on the right, the Philadelphia line was a formidable group that helped make Van Buren a star. ^[17]Banducci later gave way to Bucko Kilroy, and the group eventually added Chuck Bednarik. Sears never made a Pro Bowl, but he was named to at least one major all pro team in five different seasons.

520. Bruiser Kinard (1938-1948)
Offensive Tackle, Defensive Line
Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees

The aptly named Bruiser was an aggressive player who was constantly on the attack, whether he was on offense or defense. Not just a fighter, Kinard was an athletic tackle who could get downfield in a hurry and pick up speedy defenders, pull and trap effectively, and handle all the taxing assignment of the single wing offense. He kept under control despite moving at a breakneck pace, rarely whiffing on blocks. I wouldn’t call him a drive blocker, but he could take on bigger defenders with smart angles – think Jeff Saturday. On defense, his speed made him nearly impossible to run around. He had middle linebacker type range and could run with the shifty backs of his era. His career was interrupted by military service, and he didn’t get to beef up his credentials against inferior replacement players, but he nevertheless made nine all pro teams in his nine years of pro ball.

519. Ed Healey (1920-1927)
Offensive Tackle, Defensive Line
Chicago Bears, Rock Island Independents

Healey was a tremendous athlete. Big and strong with massive hands, he was a dominant drive blocker who put defenders on skates regularly. Having been a receiver in college, he had the kind of speed you’d imagine from a former wide out. He used that speed to great effect both on punt coverage and when blocking in the open field. At 6’1″ and 207 pounds, he was big for the era, and his size-speed combo made for a scary scene for defenders looking to find the ball carrier with the Hall of Famer bearing down on them. In addition to his physical prowess, Healey was also known for his smarts. He had the speed and mental acuity to chase down his own teammate to prevent a Jim Marshall-esque gaffe after an interception.  Healey walked away from the game with five all pro nods and a place on the 1920s all decade team.

518. Dave Grayson (1961-1970)
Defensive Back
Oakland Raiders, Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs

Grayson began his career as a very good cornerback and ended his career as an excellent safety. Because he played six of his ten seasons at corner, he made the AFL’s all time team at the position, but he was better playing as the last line of defense. It’s natural to think that corners have to have the best coverage skills on the team, so a good one should be a great safety. History has shown otherwise. Given the different roles and responsibilities in both the pass and run game, it’s just as easy for even an elite corner to wash out after a change. Normally, you just shouldn’t take the greats and try to make them something they’re not. Grayson, however, thrived in his new position. he was on the small side, but he was fast and had high level understanding of passing offenses. He had great range and the ball skills to make big plays once he got there. Once the ball was in his hands, he was a bad man. He had 933 yards and five touchdowns on interception returns, and he had the league’s longest return in three separate seasons.

517. Reggie McKenzie (1972-1984)
Offensive Guard
Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks

Another smaller guard who could move well and block downfield, McKenzie had great success in spite of his size disadvantages. Because he didn’t have the hulking frame of some of the more brutish guards, his play didn’t always stand out. However, when you watch him on an every down basis, you see the brilliance of his performance. He had sound technique and was able to flow into proper position to move bigger defenders, and his work on pulls was nigh peerless. Great shades like Culp could get the better of him from time to time, but honestly Culp beat almost everyone. McKenzie made Dr. Z’s all pro team in 1973, and I bestowed upon him the Hog Award for best guard. That’s the year (in case you forgot) that he helped the Juice run for a still-standing record 143.1 yards per game.

516. Ernie Ladd (1961-1968)
Defensive Tackle
San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, Kansas City Chiefs

The Big Cat was a Randy Moss type. By that, I mean he was a physical freak who could take over a game when he wanted to. But, like Moss, Ladd only played when he wanted to play. Eventually, he stopped wanting to play altogether and left football to make more money playfighting with Andre the Giant and Dusty Rhodes. Back to the football stuff. Opponents described him as being so big he blotted out the sun, making it nearly impossible to key on linebackers. He may have been the strongest player in football and, when motivated, could ragdoll offensive linemen. Once, he did so on his way to picking up 4.5 sacks in a game. That’s a number most edge rushers never reach, and to do it as a defensive tackle is absurd. Ladd made three all pro teams and earned the Mean Award in 1961 and 1965.

515. Carl Banks (1984-1995)
Linebacker
New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Washington

Banks made one Pro Bowl and all pro squad during his career, but he was certainly worthy of postseason honors in a few other years. He was an elite run defender and could dog the pass, picking up 39.5 career sacks blitzing the quarterback. Banks wasn’t a cover guy by any stretch, so I may be going against my own ideals putting him this high, but the guy was just a downright awesome run stopper. Also, though he wasn’t great in coverage, there may not have been a better linebacker ever when it comes to preventing tight ends from a clean release into a route. That’s not exactly erasing a guy in coverage, but taking a receiver out of a play is taking a receiver out of a play. In 1987, Dr. Z named Jerry Rice the best player in the league, but he said it was a tight race between him and Banks, describing Banks as having “one of the finest years any defensive player has ever had.” That’s high praise from a reliable source. A cog in the Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Banks was an all decade selection for the eighties and an unknowing owner of one Dobre Shunka Award.

514. Willie McGinest (1994-2008)
Edge Rusher
New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns

I labeled McGinest as an edge rusher, as he played on the edge as an end in a 40 front and an outside backer in a 30 front, but he did much more than just rush. He was great at getting after the passer, picking up 86 sacks in the regular season and an astounding 16 more in the playoffs, but he was also a formidable force against the run. In fact, his 89 tackles for loss in the run game puts him among the best ever. Moreover, he was also as good as any edge player ever (save, perhaps, Von Miller) when it came time to drop into coverage. McGinest was a very smart player who understood blocking schemes and had the moves to defend them. He didn’t get his due accolades for his versatile play, but he was able to walk away from the game with as many rings as a circus. I think he’ll take it.

513. Rod Martin (1977-1988)
Linebacker
Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Underrated then, underrated now. Martin was a playmaker. He could rush from the edge with aplomb, but he could also drop back and make plays on the ball. While he didn’t always come away with the pick, he broke up more than his share of passes. Of course, he did put on a player of the game type performance when he snagged three interceptions in a Super Bowl win over the Eagles (just one less than his career high). In Oakland’s other title win, Martin made plays all over the field and in many different ways, including defending passes, sacking the passer, stuffing Riggo on fourth down, and recovering a fumble. ^[18]Martin’s five tackles in the 1983 Super Bowl were for -3, 1, 1, and 0 yards on runs, and 5 yards on a pass. Martin retired with 56 sacks and six defensive touchdowns.

512. Floyd Little (1967-1975)
Running Back
Denver Broncos

Little often gets credited with “saving football in Denver.” While that’s obvious hyperbole, he was a very good back who produced at a high level in a pretty bleak situation. By the stats, he doesn’t appear to be anything special; he led the NFL in yardage once, and he led the AFL in all purpose yards twice, but there isn’t much beyond that. But the tape tells another tale, as he had traits that made Emmitt Smith, Gale Sayers, and Terrell Davis special. Like Smith, he wasn’t particularly large or fast. However, he seemed to have incredibly powerful legs that enabled him to run with far more force than you’d expect from a guy his size. He didn’t appear to have great top speed, but he had a great burst to get through the line and avoid arm tackles. Also like Smith, he had great vision (at least as far as I can see on videos) that allowed him to turn -1 yard plays into 1 or 2 yard plays. His balance was incredible, allowing him to make some impressive runs without the crazy juking and cutting ability of a Sanders or McElhenny. His elusiveness was more like that of Gale Sayers, in that he manipulated defenders with subtle movements rather than just juking them out of their shoes. To relate it to another sport, it reminded me of Kobe Bryant using a jab step to set up a defender versus Allen Iverson just embarrassing a defender – one was more fun to watch, but they both got the job done. He was able to maintain full (or close to full) speed, use his power and balance to withstand open field tackles (or use his vision to turn big hits into glancing blows), and set up his next move simultaneously. His similarity to Davis isn’t as pronounced. Mostly, Little was very good at cutting back and getting leverage on an overpursuing defense.
He wasn’t on the level of Jim Brown or Walter Payton, but you have to go beyond the numbers to get the full story of Little’s greatness. ^[19]I named Little the Supersonic Award winner for best running back in 1969.

511. Frank Minnifield (1983-1992)
Cornerback
Cleveland Browns, Chicago Blitz, Arizona Wranglers

Half of one of the greatest cornerback tandems in history, Minnifield was small, but made up for it with the aggression of a cornered wolverine. Watching him play, you may get the feeling of watching a smaller Mel Blount, just getting in the face of receivers and assaulting them as much as possible without getting kicked out of the game. He was just an all around tough guy who could lock down a wide out on one play and come up and make a great play against the run on the next play. I named him the Prime Time Award winner for best cornerback in both 1987 and 1988, seasons in which he wasn’t tested too often but constantly harassed offenses.

510. Nnamdi Asomugha (2003-2013)
Cornerback
Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers

“Affectionately” known as Scrabble by Western fans who think he has a funny name, Asomugha was an upper echelon man corner who, for a brief time, was in the argument along with Revis for best in the game. Partly because of his own skill and partly because of the lack of skill surrounding him, offenses were scared to test him. After his big interception season in 2006, he had a four year window in which he was targeted about twice per game. Over that span he allowed 200.5 yards and half a touchdown per season. A big money move to a new team and a new scheme saw him lose his effectiveness in a heartbeat, and he didn’t have the ball skills to counter teams throwing his way more often. Still, at his peak he was among the best pure man corners ever.

509. Asante Samuel (2003-2013)
Cornerback
New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons

One of the top zone corners of his generation, Samuel was a big time playoff performer (except for that one drop). ^[20]I will never forgive him for his role in getting a certain quarterback into the Hall of Fame. He was derided as a guy who couldn’t or wouldn’t tackle, and it’s true he wasn’t good – or even average – at it. But he was great at doing the most important things a CB can do: executing his coverage perfectly, and taking measured risks to force turnovers for his team. And he did it for multiple teams in multiple systems. Samuel led league in both picks and pass defenses twice apiece, and only Ed Reed (53) had more interceptions than his 51 during his career. He is currently tied for sixth all time with seven career postseason interceptions, and he has three all pros and a pair of rings. I wish he had three though.

508. Hanford Dixon (1981-1989)
Cornerback
Cleveland Browns

Whereas his running mate was an aggressive, in your face type, Dixon was the more pure cover corner (think of him as the Mike Haynes to Minnifield’s Lester Hayes). He never had big interception totals, primarily because he was so good at blanketing receivers that he dissuaded passes in his direction, but he could get his hand in and break up passes. Dixon was smooth and fluid as he effortlessly reacted to the subtle moves an quick breaks of receivers. The guy just looked like he was born to play cornerback.

507. Casey Hayward (2012-present)
Cornerback
San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers

Hayward began his career as an underappreciated but elite slot coverage specialist, showcasing the physical and mental quickness needed to operate in space. He moved to Southern California and became one of the league’s premier perimeter corners, consistently locking down outside receivers. Pro Football Focus charted him as having the highest rate of forced incompletions of any corner of the 2010s. He is able to do this by sticking to his man like glue and using near-perfect timing to ruin pass plays without drawing a flag. His size and speed may leave you wanting, but he more than compensates with smarts and technique. Hayward has one of the game’s best backpedals, and he is close to technically perfect. I named him the Prime Time winner in 2017, but he has yet to earn a consensus all pro selection.

506. Lydell Mitchell (1972-1980)
Running Back
Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Rams

I always have trouble separating these next two backs, and my solution to that first world problem is putting them back to back whenever I make a list. Mitchell didn’t produce quite as much as Foreman or look quite as dominant on tape, but he had half the fumbles despite more touches. You could say his proper prime was the five year period from 1974-78. In that time, he averaged 1754 yards and 9 touchdowns per 16 games. Of that, 614 yards came from his 71 (prorated) catches a year. Mitchell was a smoother runner than Foreman, but he was a less talented receiver, getting more of his catches closer to the line of scrimmage.

505. Chuck Foreman (1973-1980)
Running Back
Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots

Foreman wasn’t as smooth as Mitchell, but he was a tougher, more bruising runner whose penchant for initiating contact was to blame for many of his fumbles. Even for the era, he fumbles more than you’d like. But he also scored often. From 1974-77, he made four all pro teams and had 60 touchdowns – easily the most in the league. Foreman had one of the best spin moves in the game, his ability to maintain his balance and spin after smashing into a defender was like something out of a video game.

504. Ottis Anderson (1979-1992)
Running Back
St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants

In some ways, Anderson was like a more talented Jerome Bettis. He started his career hot, averaging 1775 yards and 8 touchdowns per 16 games in his first six seasons. Then he transformed almost overnight into a more heavy-footed closer type, the kind teams feed the rock to put away games late in the fourth quarter. Despite playing from 1979-92, only two of his 35 regular season 100 yard games came after 1984. Of course, that doesn’t include his performance in Super Bowl XXV, when the 34 year old plodder gained 102 yards on his way to a Super Bowl MVP.

503. William Andrews (1979-1986)
Running Back
Atlanta Falcons

Andrews was only 206 pounds, but looking at him run, you’d swear he was a good 230. A devastating rusher who punished tackler, he made up for his paucity of pounds with mighty legs and disciplined pad level that allowed him to always have the leverage advantage. He only had five healthy seasons (one of which was a strike year), but in them he averaged 1862 yards and 9 touchdowns per 16 games. Good for about 580 yards (prorated) through the air a year, Andrews was among the game’s top receiving backs. And he could block. I don’t mean he could stand there and get in the way of a linebacker. No, I mean he could lead well enough to be a blocking fullback, and he could absolutely stalemate the blitz. I gave him the Supersonic Award for best running back in 1981, and he continues to be one of the most fun backs to watch play.

502. Randy Cross (1976-1988)
Offensive Line
San Francisco 49ers

Cross began and ended his career as a very good center, but he spent the middle of his career as a great guard. He was great before Walsh showed up and changed the team’s fortunes, but the coach did make great use of Cross’s skill set. He wasn’t a mauler, but rather a nimble athlete who had good position and balance in pass pro, as well as the speed and quickness to pull well. That pulling prowess was instrumental in both the run and play action game. Cross was a heady type who understood angles and took advantage of them against bigger guys, and, because of that, rarely had a bad game.

501. Trent Williams (2010-present)
Offensive Tackle
Washington

Williams is an astounding athlete with rare movement skills at the position. A huge guy who is both powerful and aggressive, he is also explosive and rangy. He can make the athletic type of blocks required for zone running, and he can bulldoze opponents as a drive blocker. When a bull rusher comes to down, Williams can anchor and shut him down. If a speed guy takes a shot, Williams uses his own quickness and underrated technical ability to ride him out of the play. I think sometimes people see the physical attributes and assume certain players rely on them too much, but Williams has technique to spare. He brings a bit of the Erik Williams nastiness that is refreshing for fans of old-school football. More than having the ability to decimate defenders, he has the desire to do so, and that really shows up on tape. In addition to his seven Pro Bowls and four all pros, I gave him the Guardian Award in 2016.

500. Joe Staley (2007-2019)
Offensive Tackle
San Francisco 49ers

Staley’s combination of athletic ability, balance, and leverage makes him possibly the NFL’s best run blocking tackle of recent vintage. Rather than mauling defensive linemen, Staley uses sound technique to control opponents at the hip and drive them out of the play. To add to his run blocking prowess against other linemen, Staley is also a gifted athlete capable of picking up flowing linebackers at the second level. He ran a 4.70 forty, and he posted a sub 22 second 200 meter run in high school. His speed earned him a scholarship at tight end, and his receiving skills have come in handy a few times as a pro. On top of that, he has been a reliable pass protector. Often playing on bad teams, he spent too many snaps in obvious passing situations, but kept his passer clean regardless. Staley played in two title games without allowing pressure even once.