Last Sunday, Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton made history in his first NFL start, passing for 422 yards in his first NFL game. Well, Newton's excellent performance got me to thinking about the best rookie quarterbacks in NFL history, and because I can, I decided to make a list of the top 10 Rookie Quarterbacks in the history of professional football. One of the things that I noticed while researching this list is that now more than ever, teams are relying on rookie quarterbacks a lot more often than they did 20 or 30 years ago. Sure, you get a few high draft picks like Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers that sit for a season or two, but in today's NFL, if a team spends a high draft pick and a whole lot of money on a quarterback, then chances are that that player is going to play. This year alone, both Newton and Cincinnatti's Andy Dalton started week one at QB, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if Tennessee's Jake Locker, Minnesota's Christian Ponder, and especially Jacksonville's Blaine Gabbert got quite a few starts at quarterback this year. Consider this, from 2007-2010, there were nine rookie quarterbacks that started at least half of their team's games, which is almost as much as the number of rookie QBs that accomplished the same feat in the 1990s (11) and 1980s (10). What does this have to do with anything, you ask? Well, nothing really, I just found it kind of interesting. But don't be surprised if as a result, this list skews towards the more recent quarterbacks. Anyway, here is The Canon Review's Top 10 Rookie Quarterbacks.
Honorable Mention:
Dennis Shaw, 1970, and Vince Young, 2006: Both players did win the Rookie of the Year award during their first seasons, but neither player had a season that I'd say was great. Shaw, a former Buffalo Bill, was sixth in the NFL in passing yards with 2,507. However, his TD/INT ratio wasn't too hot (10/20) and his quarterback rating was a partly 65.3. Young may have had an 8-5 record as a starter, and he did add a lot of value with his running ability (552 yards, seven TDs). However, his performance as a passer (51.5 completion percentage, 12/13 TD/INT ratio), left something to be desired.
Peyton Manning, 1998: Guess who holds the NFL rookie records for passing yards and touchdown passes by a rookie? Quite obviously, it is Peyton Manning. So why in the world would I leave Peyton off a list of the top rookie quarterbacks? Well, despite his high yardage (3,739) and touchdown (26) totals, Manning wasn't quite the Peyton Manning that we would see on the field for the next decade or so. In 1998, Manning also threw for 28 interceptions, which was a factor in the Colts going 3-13 that year. So, because of his high interception total and somewhat pedestrian QB rating (71.2), Manning just misses the cut.
10. Sam Bradford, 2010, St. Louis Rams
Coming out of Oklahoma, there were some questions about how quickly Bradford would adjust to the NFL, especially since he was recovering from a severe shoulder injury. But Bradford showed to be a quick learner, and ended up starting all 16 games for the Rams last year and nearly leading them to a division title. In his rookie season, Bradford threw for 3,512 yards and set a new rookie record for most completions in a season with 354 on his way to winning the 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Bradford also became the first rookie quarterback to win consecutive Rookie of the Month awards (October and November) and set a rookie record for most consecutive passes thrown without an interception (169). All in all, a rather successful rookie season.
9. Charle Batch, 1998, Detroit Lions
Batch was the third quarterback selected in the 1998 Draft behind Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf, but it was Batch that was the most effective rookie quarterback that year. In 12 starts, Batch threw for 2,178 yards, had a nearly 2-1 TD/INT ratio(11-6), and his 83.5 QB rating is the sixth highest among NFL rookies with over 200 attempts. Batch also contributed to the Lions' cause with his feet, running for 229 yards and a touchdown. While Batch may not have had the career that Peyton Manning has had, at least he can say that he had the better rookie season.
8. Greg Cook, 1969, Cincinnati Bengals
In 1969, the Bengals thought they drafted their quarterback of the future when they made Cook their first round selection. At first, Cook did nothing to make the Bengals believe otherwise, as he won his first three starts. However, an injury to Cook's shoulder knocked him out of action for a few weeks, and with Cook out, the Bengals tumbled to the basement of the AFL Western Division. Even so, it was still a successful season for Cook, as he led the AFL in passer rating (88.3) and in completion percentage (53.8) despite playing most of the season with a torn rotator cuff. Cook was the AFL Rookie of the Year, but his shoulder injury was so severe that he never could regain his previous form, and only threw two more passes after his rookie season. Today, we can only speculate about what might have been had Greg Cook stayed healthy, but there's no doubt that he had a heck of a first season.
7. Otto Graham, 1946, Cleveland Browns
Graham served in the Coast Guard after starring at Northwestern, and didn't make his debut until 1946, where he was the quarterback for the AAFC's Cleveland Browns. Graham and the Browns took the new league by storm, as the Browns went 12-2 and won the first of their four straight AAFC League Championships. For his part, Graham was quite successful, finishing second in the league in passing yards (1,886) and first in touchdowns (17). His QB rating of 112.1 would have led the league if he had enough passing attempts, and would also be the fifth highest single-season total in pro football history. Yes, it was quite a year for Graham, but he does get penalized because the level of competition he was playing against wasn't exactly the strongest.
6. Charlie Conerly, 1948, New York Giants
Conerly was an All-American player at Ole Miss and the 1947 SEC Player of the Year, so the Giants had high hopes for their new quarterback. In his first season, Conerly not only met those hopes, but exceeded them, finishing 2nd in the NFL in completions (162), passing yards (2,175), touchdown passes (22), and QB rating (84.0). Not only did Conerly excel as a passer, he was also a dangerous running threat, running for five touchdowns. Even though he played over 50 years ago, only one other rookie has more touchdown passes than Conerly's 22. Despite Conerly's excellence, the Giants went 4-8, but Conerly still had a rookie season for the ages.
5. Joe Flacco, 2008, Baltimore Ravens
Coming out of 1-AA Delaware, Flacco was picked in the first round by the Ravens in the 2008 draft. In a surprising move, the Ravens made Flacco their opening game starter, and Flacco repaid the Ravens' confidence in him by leading them to victory in his first two starts. At the end of the season, the Ravens finished with an 11-5 record, and Flacco started each game, throwing for 2,971 and 14 touchdowns. Flacco was an efficient quarterback who completed 60 percent of his passes, and he finished the season with a QB rating of 80.3. The Ravens made the playoffs that year, and Flacco made history by becoming the first rookie quarterback to win two playoff games, both of which were on the road. While Flacco wasn't spectacular in each game, he was careful with the ball (0 turnovers) and led the Ravens down the field on their game winning drive against the Tennessee Titans in the second round. Yes, Flacco's Ravens were eventually beaten by the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, but it was quite an excellent first season for Flacco.
4. Matt Ryan, 2008, Atlanta Falcons
Despite Flacco's excellent rookie season, it was Matt Ryan that would win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2008, and for good reason. The Falcons made Ryan the starter from day one, hoping that he would at least help to improve their 3-13 mark from last year. On his first pass, Ryan established himself as a player to watch, as he threw a touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins on a stunned Detroit Lions defense. From that moment on, Ryan was the man behind center in Atlanta, and he led the Falcons to a surprising 11-5 record and a spot in the postseason. Ryan also became the second rookie to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season (3,440) and put up very nice numbers in his rookie season (61.1 completion percentage, 16/11 TD/INT, 87.7 rating). Even though the Falcons lost their playoff game, Ryan made more history by completing 26 passes, a record for NFL rookies.
3. Bob Waterfield, 1945, Cleveland Rams
At
first glance, Waterfield's stats do not appear very impressive. He threw
more interceptions than touchdowns (17-14), his completion percentage
was 51.0%, and his QB rating of 72.4 doesn't look like anything to write
home about. But 1945 wasn't exactly a banner year for passing, so
Waterfield did quite well compared to his peers. He finished third in
completions (89) and in passing yards (1,609), and his 14 touchdowns
were tied for the most in the league. At the end of the season,
Waterfield was named to the NFL All-Pro team, and led his Cleveland Rams
to victory over the Washington Redskins in the NFL Championship game,
making Waterfield the last rookie quarterback to lead his team to a
title in the NFL, and is also the only rookie QB to win the NFL's Most Valuable Player award.
2. Dan Marino, 1983, Miami Dolphins
Marino was the sixth quarterback taken in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft when Miami picked him with the 27th pick. While the rest of his peers were either struggling or playing in the USFL, Marino thrived in his rookie year after taking over for David Woodley early in the season. This despite the fact that Woodley had led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl the prior season. But the Dolphins not only didn't miss a beat with Marino, they added a whole new element to their team, as Marino proved to be a much more skilled quarterback. At the end of the year, Marino led the Dolphins to a 12-4 record and a division title while throwing for 2,210 yards and 20 touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions. His 96.0 rating was third best in the league, and became the first rookie quarterback to be named the starter for the Pro Bowl.
1. Ben Roethlisberger, 2004, Pittsburgh Steelers
The number one quarterbacks on our list started the 2004 season as a backup to Tommy Maddox. But a week two injury to Maddox forced Roethlisberger into the lineup, and Roethlisberger never left. In fact, the Steelers went 13-0 with Roethlisberger as a starter that year, and finished the season with a franchise best 15-1 record, and a large part of that was the play of their rookie quarterback. Roethlisberger set rookie records for completion percentage (66.4) and quarterback rating (98.1), and finished in the NFL in both categories. He also passed for 2,621 and 17 touchdowns, while only throwing 11 interceptions. Not only that, but Roethlisberger proved to be a clutch performer, leading his team on five game winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. In the playoffs, Roethlisberger and his Steelers went all the way to the AFC Championship Game before falling to the Patriots. Nevertheless, it was a great year for Roethlisberger, who was named to the Pro Bowl and also won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Well, thanks for reading The Canon Review's list of the Top 10 Rookie Quarterbacks of All Time. Whether you agree or disagree, feel free to express your opinion on this article by leaving a comment on the blog. Also, if you have any requests for future posts, then send those along to me via e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com.
Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Canon Review List-A-Mania: The Top Ten Wrestling Books
Well, as you could probably tell by the title, here is a list of the top ten wrestling books according to The Canon Review. In case you were wondering, the worst wrestling book I've ever read all the way through is Hulk Hogan's first book, which is so full of tall tales and outright lies that it's hard to believe anything the book says. Also, I once read five pages of 'If They Only Knew' by Chyna and couldn't believe how bad it was. As for the top ten wrestling books, well, here they are:
10. Foley is Good: And the Real World is Faker Than Wrestling by Mick Foley
The second of Foley's four autobiographies (note: how many people have written four autobiographies?) Foley is Good chronicles the career of Mick Foley from 1999-2000, a period in which he held the WWF Title three times and main evented Wrestlemania before retiring as an active competitor. While not up to par with Mick Foley's first book, Foley is Good is an entertaining and in-depth book, and Foley's defense of the WWF against groups like the PTC at the end of the book provides a few intriguing items to think about. Plus, Foley isn't nearly as self-righteous as he would come off in his next two books, so that's nice.
9. The Death of WCW by R.D. Reynolds and Bryan Alvarez
A collaberation between the creators of Wrestlecrap.com and Figure Four Weekly, the Death of WCW is an in-depth look at, what else, the death of WCW. This book is both quite informative and humorous at times as it details some of the absurd things going on in WCW over the years, such as paying Lanny Poffo a huge salary even though he only made one appearance in the company. The only problem I have with this book is that a lot of the backstage activities in the book seem to be based more on rumor than fact, as the authors credit very little sources other than interviews with people that may of had a bias. Still, this is an interesting book to read about one of the most fascinating stories in wrestling history.
8. WWE Encyclopedia by Brian Shields and Kevin Sullivan
Yes, there are a few notable omissions in this book, but the WWE Enyclopedia is a very thorough listing of nearly every WWE wrestler, pay-per-view, championships, and everything else WWE. Each wrestler featured, from Beaver Cleavage to The Rock, gets a photo and a description of their WWE tenure. The WWE Encylcopedia is both an informative reference and a blast to flip pages through.
7. Tributes/Tributes II by Dave Meltzer
Ok, so I kind of cheated and put 11 books on this list, but so what? Anyway, both of these books are written by Wrestling Observer founder Dave Meltzer and both books have numerous profiles about wrestlers that had passed away, such as Owen Hart, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, and Freddie Blassie. After reading both books, I found that the first book had better editing and more photos, while the second book featured slightly more detailed profiles. However, both books are really well done and are very informative looks at a variety of wrestlers, so I really couldn't pick between the two.
6. Cheating Death, Stealing Life by Eddie Guerrero
Written just before his untimely death in 2005, Cheating Death, Stealing Life is an in-depth and personal look at the life and wrestling career of Eddie Guerrero. Guerrero chronicles his problems with substance abuse, which nearly cost him both his career and his life on a number of occasions, as well as the struggle to 'get clean' and become one of the best wrestlers on the planet. Guerrero pulls no punches in this book, as he is very honest about his struggles and the personal problems he endured over the years. It's a great book, although it is kind of sad that Eddie passed away before it was released.
5. Pure Dynamite: The Price you Pay for Wrestling Stardom by Tom Billington
One of the first wrestling autobiographies to hit the market, Billington, a.k.a. The Dynamite Kid, gives a brutally honest account about his life as a wrestling superstar and the struggles he's gone through after injuries and drug problems left him a broken man. Billington is quite candid in this book, as he blames himself for his actions instead of trying to justify it with excuse after excuse, and is unafraid to call others out if he feels they deserve it. A very good book that I fell has been forgotten about a little over the years.
4. Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps by Chris Jericho
Hey, I just reviewed this book earlier this month, so there isn't a whole lot I can say here that I didn't say earlier, other than that if you are a wrestling fan, then I suggest you read this book as soon as physically and fiscally possible.
3. Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling by Bret Hart
Hitman is probably the most in-depth wrestling autobiography of all time, and Hart writes the entire story in his own words, from his childhood growing up in the crazy Hart family, to wrestling for his father's company, to his rise in WWF, and his fall from grace and medical problems that caused his retirement and nearly cost him his life. Hart writes his book in an honest and frank manner, and doesn't pull any punches when it comes to wrestlers like Bad News Brown, Shawn Michaels, or even his own family members like Bruce Hart. It's a great read, although I did feel that Bret was a little full of himself and his constant attempts to justify his affairs on the road became tiresome after a while. Still, highly recommended reading for all wrestling fans.
2. Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks by Mick Foley
Perhaps the most famous wrestling book, Have A Nice Day is Mick Foley's first autobiography and was a fixture on the New York Times best selling list in 1999. The book covers everything in Foley's life from his childhood, to training under Dominic DeNucci, to struggling in the territores, to his stints in WCW and ECW and finally his rise in the WWF, culminating in winning the World Title for the first time. Along the way, Foley shows a great sense of humor and a remarkable talent for writing that is only surpassed slightly by his wrestling skills. Yes, Foley's other three books have not come close to the standard of Have a Nice Day, but I can't think of many autobiographies in any subject that come close to the greatness of this book.
1. A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex by Chris Jericho
Ever since getting this book for Christmas back in 2008, I must have read this book five times, as it's just that great. Jericho displays a great sense of humor and a talent for storytelling in this book about his travels all across the world, trying to realize his dream of becoming a wrestling superstar. From Jericho's adventures training at the Hart Brothers Training Camp, to his tales of wrestling in Germany, Mexico, and Japan, to his time in ECW and the highs and lows of working in WCW, A Lion's Tale is a hilarious and yet sincere look at Chris Jericho and his lifelong quest to reach the top of the wrestling world. My favorite wrestling book, and probably one of my five favorite books period.
Well, that's all for this list. If you agree of disagree with any of the selections on this list, then I implore you to share your thoughts by leaving a comment on the blog or by sending me an e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com
10. Foley is Good: And the Real World is Faker Than Wrestling by Mick Foley
The second of Foley's four autobiographies (note: how many people have written four autobiographies?) Foley is Good chronicles the career of Mick Foley from 1999-2000, a period in which he held the WWF Title three times and main evented Wrestlemania before retiring as an active competitor. While not up to par with Mick Foley's first book, Foley is Good is an entertaining and in-depth book, and Foley's defense of the WWF against groups like the PTC at the end of the book provides a few intriguing items to think about. Plus, Foley isn't nearly as self-righteous as he would come off in his next two books, so that's nice.
9. The Death of WCW by R.D. Reynolds and Bryan Alvarez
A collaberation between the creators of Wrestlecrap.com and Figure Four Weekly, the Death of WCW is an in-depth look at, what else, the death of WCW. This book is both quite informative and humorous at times as it details some of the absurd things going on in WCW over the years, such as paying Lanny Poffo a huge salary even though he only made one appearance in the company. The only problem I have with this book is that a lot of the backstage activities in the book seem to be based more on rumor than fact, as the authors credit very little sources other than interviews with people that may of had a bias. Still, this is an interesting book to read about one of the most fascinating stories in wrestling history.
8. WWE Encyclopedia by Brian Shields and Kevin Sullivan
Yes, there are a few notable omissions in this book, but the WWE Enyclopedia is a very thorough listing of nearly every WWE wrestler, pay-per-view, championships, and everything else WWE. Each wrestler featured, from Beaver Cleavage to The Rock, gets a photo and a description of their WWE tenure. The WWE Encylcopedia is both an informative reference and a blast to flip pages through.
7. Tributes/Tributes II by Dave Meltzer
Ok, so I kind of cheated and put 11 books on this list, but so what? Anyway, both of these books are written by Wrestling Observer founder Dave Meltzer and both books have numerous profiles about wrestlers that had passed away, such as Owen Hart, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, and Freddie Blassie. After reading both books, I found that the first book had better editing and more photos, while the second book featured slightly more detailed profiles. However, both books are really well done and are very informative looks at a variety of wrestlers, so I really couldn't pick between the two.
6. Cheating Death, Stealing Life by Eddie Guerrero
Written just before his untimely death in 2005, Cheating Death, Stealing Life is an in-depth and personal look at the life and wrestling career of Eddie Guerrero. Guerrero chronicles his problems with substance abuse, which nearly cost him both his career and his life on a number of occasions, as well as the struggle to 'get clean' and become one of the best wrestlers on the planet. Guerrero pulls no punches in this book, as he is very honest about his struggles and the personal problems he endured over the years. It's a great book, although it is kind of sad that Eddie passed away before it was released.
5. Pure Dynamite: The Price you Pay for Wrestling Stardom by Tom Billington
One of the first wrestling autobiographies to hit the market, Billington, a.k.a. The Dynamite Kid, gives a brutally honest account about his life as a wrestling superstar and the struggles he's gone through after injuries and drug problems left him a broken man. Billington is quite candid in this book, as he blames himself for his actions instead of trying to justify it with excuse after excuse, and is unafraid to call others out if he feels they deserve it. A very good book that I fell has been forgotten about a little over the years.
4. Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps by Chris Jericho
Hey, I just reviewed this book earlier this month, so there isn't a whole lot I can say here that I didn't say earlier, other than that if you are a wrestling fan, then I suggest you read this book as soon as physically and fiscally possible.
3. Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling by Bret Hart
Hitman is probably the most in-depth wrestling autobiography of all time, and Hart writes the entire story in his own words, from his childhood growing up in the crazy Hart family, to wrestling for his father's company, to his rise in WWF, and his fall from grace and medical problems that caused his retirement and nearly cost him his life. Hart writes his book in an honest and frank manner, and doesn't pull any punches when it comes to wrestlers like Bad News Brown, Shawn Michaels, or even his own family members like Bruce Hart. It's a great read, although I did feel that Bret was a little full of himself and his constant attempts to justify his affairs on the road became tiresome after a while. Still, highly recommended reading for all wrestling fans.
2. Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks by Mick Foley
Perhaps the most famous wrestling book, Have A Nice Day is Mick Foley's first autobiography and was a fixture on the New York Times best selling list in 1999. The book covers everything in Foley's life from his childhood, to training under Dominic DeNucci, to struggling in the territores, to his stints in WCW and ECW and finally his rise in the WWF, culminating in winning the World Title for the first time. Along the way, Foley shows a great sense of humor and a remarkable talent for writing that is only surpassed slightly by his wrestling skills. Yes, Foley's other three books have not come close to the standard of Have a Nice Day, but I can't think of many autobiographies in any subject that come close to the greatness of this book.
1. A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex by Chris Jericho
Ever since getting this book for Christmas back in 2008, I must have read this book five times, as it's just that great. Jericho displays a great sense of humor and a talent for storytelling in this book about his travels all across the world, trying to realize his dream of becoming a wrestling superstar. From Jericho's adventures training at the Hart Brothers Training Camp, to his tales of wrestling in Germany, Mexico, and Japan, to his time in ECW and the highs and lows of working in WCW, A Lion's Tale is a hilarious and yet sincere look at Chris Jericho and his lifelong quest to reach the top of the wrestling world. My favorite wrestling book, and probably one of my five favorite books period.
Well, that's all for this list. If you agree of disagree with any of the selections on this list, then I implore you to share your thoughts by leaving a comment on the blog or by sending me an e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com
Monday, January 10, 2011
Canon Review List-A-Mania: The Top Eight Potato Chips and other Salty Snacks
Hey, the Super Bowl is only four weeks away, and with the Super Bowl comes Super Bowl parties that will be held all across this great nation and possibly other great nations as well. On Super Bowl Sunday, some millions of pounds of chips and other salty snacks will be consumed by hungry football fans and their friends, spouses, children, pets or that one person at every party who is only interested in watching the commercials. So, that got be thinking about potato chips, and after eating some, I decided to compile a list of the top eight potato chips and salty snacks in my opinion. So, without further adieu, here are The Canon Review's top eight potato chips and other salty snacks. Any of these would be quite welcome at my Super Bowl Party, that's for sure.
8. Tortilla Chips - Tortilla chips are usually associated with Mexican food, but a good tortilla chip can go with just about any type of sandwich, or makes a great snack on their own. Add a little salsa or some nacho cheese with some good tortilla chips, and you've got one heck of a good tasting snack. While Tostitos are the most well known type of tortilla chips, personally I don't have a brand preference for tortilla chips, as most of them that I've had pretty much taste the same, so it's all good.
7. Lay's Potato Chips - A classic potato chip for many years, Lay's potato chips have been a favorite of mine for many years due to it's fresh and flavorful taste. While companies like Tom's and Brim's make a similar chip that I have no problem eating with a sandwich, to me they fall just short of capturing the same flavor that Lay's has. Also, I must mention that of the many different flavors that Lay's have come out with over the years, my personal favorite would have to be the K.C. Masterpiece Lay's, as the chips combined a strong barbecue flavor with that classic Lay's taste.
6. Cheetos - These cheese-flavored cornmeal curls are packed full of cheesy goodness, although it does kind of suck that your fingers are all orange after eating those suckers. The original flavored Cheetos are the best in my book, although some of the other different flavors like Wild White Cheddar aren't too bad. Also, I'm not a big fan of those thick cheese puffs. Now, you might think they're similar because they have the same flavor and all, but I just can't eat those things, as it's not the same. Actually, I'm not even sure as to why I don't like those cheese puffs, but ever since I can remember, I stay away from those things like Grizzly Adams stays away from a razor.
5. Ruffles- The chips with ridges, Ruffles taste about the same as Lay's, I suppose. But there's something about the ridges that seems to make the chip more flavorful. It's also much thicker than Lay's and a little less greasier as well, so that's why it ranks ahead of Lay's. The original flavored Ruffles are the best in my book, although the barbecued flavored Ruffles aren't too bad either.
4. Baked Lay's- Yes, I did have Lay's on here earlier, but these are not the same as Lay's as they are baked, have hardly any grease on them and have a similar texture and taste to Pringles. I have found that Baked Lays are a great compliment to a sub sandwich, so every time I go to Subway or another sub shop I end up picking up a bag of Baked Lays to enjoy my sandwich with. Plus, Baked Lay's are low in fat, so that's always a positive.
3. Pringles- The chips that come in a can, Pringles have a unique taste, flavor, and shape that makes the chip so darn appealing to me. The can makes the chips stay fresher and keeps the flavor in longer, although it's damn hard to get a chip out of the can once you start running low. Pringles also come in many flavors, with the pizza and cheddar flavored Pringles being my personal favorites.
2. Chex Mix - Unlike the other items on this list, Chex Mix isn't really a 'chip' per se, which is why I had to include the other salty snacks phrase to the list. Actually, Chex Mix isn't all that salty, but nevertheless. Every piece of this snack mix, from the pretzels to the peanuts to the pieces of Chex, work in perfect harmony, making Chex Mix a top-notch snack that can be enjoyed on its own or with other foods like a sandwich. My personal favorite is the cheddar flavor Chex Mix, as I could eat that stuff as a meal of its own, and I actually have on several occasions. Yes, I could eat Chex Mix every day for the rest of the year and not get tired of it, but it's not quite number one on this list.
1. Doritos - Put it this way, if I was forced to have one type of chip for the rest of my life, then I would have to choose Nacho Cheese Flavored Doritos. Yes, Doritos come in other different flavors, some of which are better than others, but the right chip for me is the Nacho Cheese flavor. These tortilla chips are coated in nacho cheese flavor and just the right amount of spices, giving each chip a strong flavor that leaves me wanting more after every bite. Yes, all the other snacks are quite good, but they just fall short of the awesomeness that is Doritos.
Well, thanks for reading. If your favorite snack was omitted from this list, or you have a different opinion than mine on the snacks listed above, then I'd like to hear (so to speak) your thoughts on this matter. So feel free to leave a comment. Also, if you have an idea for a future topic for The Canon Review to cover, then send them my way either by leaving a comment or by sending me an e-mail at kthec2001@gmail.com.
8. Tortilla Chips - Tortilla chips are usually associated with Mexican food, but a good tortilla chip can go with just about any type of sandwich, or makes a great snack on their own. Add a little salsa or some nacho cheese with some good tortilla chips, and you've got one heck of a good tasting snack. While Tostitos are the most well known type of tortilla chips, personally I don't have a brand preference for tortilla chips, as most of them that I've had pretty much taste the same, so it's all good.
7. Lay's Potato Chips - A classic potato chip for many years, Lay's potato chips have been a favorite of mine for many years due to it's fresh and flavorful taste. While companies like Tom's and Brim's make a similar chip that I have no problem eating with a sandwich, to me they fall just short of capturing the same flavor that Lay's has. Also, I must mention that of the many different flavors that Lay's have come out with over the years, my personal favorite would have to be the K.C. Masterpiece Lay's, as the chips combined a strong barbecue flavor with that classic Lay's taste.
6. Cheetos - These cheese-flavored cornmeal curls are packed full of cheesy goodness, although it does kind of suck that your fingers are all orange after eating those suckers. The original flavored Cheetos are the best in my book, although some of the other different flavors like Wild White Cheddar aren't too bad. Also, I'm not a big fan of those thick cheese puffs. Now, you might think they're similar because they have the same flavor and all, but I just can't eat those things, as it's not the same. Actually, I'm not even sure as to why I don't like those cheese puffs, but ever since I can remember, I stay away from those things like Grizzly Adams stays away from a razor.
5. Ruffles- The chips with ridges, Ruffles taste about the same as Lay's, I suppose. But there's something about the ridges that seems to make the chip more flavorful. It's also much thicker than Lay's and a little less greasier as well, so that's why it ranks ahead of Lay's. The original flavored Ruffles are the best in my book, although the barbecued flavored Ruffles aren't too bad either.
4. Baked Lay's- Yes, I did have Lay's on here earlier, but these are not the same as Lay's as they are baked, have hardly any grease on them and have a similar texture and taste to Pringles. I have found that Baked Lays are a great compliment to a sub sandwich, so every time I go to Subway or another sub shop I end up picking up a bag of Baked Lays to enjoy my sandwich with. Plus, Baked Lay's are low in fat, so that's always a positive.
3. Pringles- The chips that come in a can, Pringles have a unique taste, flavor, and shape that makes the chip so darn appealing to me. The can makes the chips stay fresher and keeps the flavor in longer, although it's damn hard to get a chip out of the can once you start running low. Pringles also come in many flavors, with the pizza and cheddar flavored Pringles being my personal favorites.
2. Chex Mix - Unlike the other items on this list, Chex Mix isn't really a 'chip' per se, which is why I had to include the other salty snacks phrase to the list. Actually, Chex Mix isn't all that salty, but nevertheless. Every piece of this snack mix, from the pretzels to the peanuts to the pieces of Chex, work in perfect harmony, making Chex Mix a top-notch snack that can be enjoyed on its own or with other foods like a sandwich. My personal favorite is the cheddar flavor Chex Mix, as I could eat that stuff as a meal of its own, and I actually have on several occasions. Yes, I could eat Chex Mix every day for the rest of the year and not get tired of it, but it's not quite number one on this list.
1. Doritos - Put it this way, if I was forced to have one type of chip for the rest of my life, then I would have to choose Nacho Cheese Flavored Doritos. Yes, Doritos come in other different flavors, some of which are better than others, but the right chip for me is the Nacho Cheese flavor. These tortilla chips are coated in nacho cheese flavor and just the right amount of spices, giving each chip a strong flavor that leaves me wanting more after every bite. Yes, all the other snacks are quite good, but they just fall short of the awesomeness that is Doritos.
Well, thanks for reading. If your favorite snack was omitted from this list, or you have a different opinion than mine on the snacks listed above, then I'd like to hear (so to speak) your thoughts on this matter. So feel free to leave a comment. Also, if you have an idea for a future topic for The Canon Review to cover, then send them my way either by leaving a comment or by sending me an e-mail at kthec2001@gmail.com.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Canon Review Listamania: The Top 7 Tag Teams in the last 30 years
The idea for this post came from a discussion I had last week with my sister and Canon Review reader Maggie W. See, Maggie was watching the WWE DVD Allied Powers: The World's Greatest Tag Teams (a DVD I've had for months and yet to view or review, by the way) and we were discussing the DVD when she asked who I thought was the greatest tag team of all-time. Well, I then said that she would have to wait until I reveal the answer on The Canon Review. Originally, this was to be a top 10 list, but Maggie wanted only the top 5. Eventually, we settled on the nice even number of seven, and well here we are. Eventually, I decided to limit this list to tag teams from 1980 onward, as I haven't seen enough of teams like The Fabulous Kangaroos or Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens, so instead of running the danger of misplacing them, I have decided to only focus on those teams that I have at least a passable knowledge on. So, without further adeiu, here are some teams that didn't quite make the list for a variety of reason.
Edge and Christian, The Hollywood Blondes, The Eliminators, The Dudley Boys, The Hart Foundation, Harlem Heat, The Texas Hangmen, Los Guerreros, Wrath and Mortis, The Rockers, The Rock N' Roll Express, The Heavenly Bodies, Fire and Ice, JeriShow
Now onto the list itself:
7. The Hardy Boyz - While the Hardy Boyz may be a little strange outside of the ring, inside of the ring, these two can go. They may not have been the first tag team to rely heavily on aerial maneuvers, but the Hardys may be the best high-flying tag team in the sport's history. Over the years, the Hardys have had captivating matches with a wide variety of opponents, from their long feuds with Edge and Christian and The Dudley Boys, to top-notch matches with teams like MNM, The World's Greatest Tag Team, and Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch. With seven world tag team titles to their credit and a huge fan following, the Hardy Boyz are likely the most popular team over the past 10 years, and one of the best in the ring as well.
6. The British Bulldogs - The Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith may had grown to despise each other, but while they were a tag team, they were pure magic. A great combination of aerial ability and technical wrestling made the Bulldogs one of the premier tag teams of their era. After excelling in Stampede wrestling and becoming one of the top tag teams in Japan, the Bulldogs arrived in the WWF in 1985, and their innovative moves and pugnacious styles made the Bulldogs one of the most popular acts of their era. Their long standing feud with the Hart Foundation is still regarded as one of the best in wrestling history, and many, many wrestlers have been influenced by the British Bulldogs. Despite the team's tragic end, the British Bulldogs are still remembered today as one of the best and most influential tag teams to ever wrestle.
5. The Holy Demon Army - For eight years, Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue were the best tag team in the best wrestling promotion in its time, All Japan Pro Wrestling. From 1993-2000, Kawada and Taue not only excelled as singles wrestlers, but managed to consistently put together classic matches together as a tag team. The Holy Demon Army's wars with teams like Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi, Misawa and Jun Akiyama, Kobashi and Johnny Ace, No Fear, the Miracle Violence Connection, and other teams are remembered by those that witnessed them as some of the greatest tag matches in the history of wrestling. As individuals, Kawada and Taue were two of the top wrestlers of their era, and were just as good, if not better, as a tag team.
4. The Brainbusters - Even though Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were only a team for a little more than three years, their excellence is still enough to put them on this list. Masters of tag team psychology, the two original members of the Four Horsemen (along with Ric Flair and Ole Anderson) had great matches with a variety of teams in the NWA. Matches with the Road Warriors, The Rock N' Roll Express, and Lex Luger and Barry Windham established the Brainbusters as one of the top teams in the world. After jumping to the WWF in 1988, the Brainbusters didn't slow down a bit, soon becoming the top tag team in a loaded tag team division. The Brainbusters had a series of top-notch matches with teams like the Rockers, the Hart Foundation, and Demolition, and in 1989 they became the first tag team the win the NWA and the WWF tag team titles. Yes, they only were a team for three years, but their mastery of psychology, technical wrestling, and hard hitting style made the Brainbusters a memorable tag team.
3. The Steiner Brothers - The top brother duo on the list, Rick and Scott Steiner have one of the most impressive resumes of any tag team. With 11 Tag Team Title reigns (7 WCW, 2 WWF, 2 IWGP) in their career, the Steiners are no strangers to championship gold. Of course, the Steiners earned all of that gold through a hard hitting style and a lot of spectacular moves, both individual and double-team moves. Scott had two of the most devastating finishers of his era with the Frankensteiner and Steiner screwdriver, while Rick displayed a wide array of suplexes to go along with his devastating Steinerline. The Steiners were also able to put together great matches with a variety of opponents, like the Nasty Boys, Doom, Sting and Lex Luger, the Miracle Violence Connection, Money Inc., Harlem Heat, and The Outsiders. With a legendary repeitore and a long line of great matches, the Steiners are clearly one of the best teams of all time.
2. The Road Warriors - Probably the most famous tag team of all-time, Hawk and Animal took the wrestling world by storm in 1983 with their unique look and immense strength, and never looked back from there. The only tag team to win the AWA, NWA, and WWF tag team titles, the Warriors were impact players no matter where they showed up, whether in America or Japan. The Road Warriors were such a success that no other tag team in history have been ripped off more, as teams like the Powers of Pain and Demolition were near carbon copies of the Road Warriors. With manager Paul Ellering by their side, the Warriors became perhaps the most popular tag team of all time, and the duo had legendary matches with teams such as the Brainbusters, The Freebirds, The Koloffs, The Midnight Express, Demolition, Money Inc., and so many more.
1. The Midnight Express - Yes, the Road Warriors and Steiners were bigger stars, and yes the Dudleys/Team 3-D have more titles than any other tag team, but to me, The Midnight Express, whether it's the Bobby Eaton-Dennis Condrey version or the Eaton-Stan Lane version, are tag team wrestling. In the ring, the Midnights could do no wrong, as they invented a lot of double-team maneuvers and could dazzle fans with superb techincal wrestling, top-notch brawling, and an exciting aerial style. Outside the ring, manager Jim Cornette handled the promos for both versions of the Express, and his bombastic style added a whole other element to the Midnight Express. During their tenure, the Midnight Express had tons of legendary matches with teams such as the Rock N' Roll Express, The Fantastics, The Road Warriors, and many other teams. Their mastery of tag team psychology, exciting style, and flawless teamwork is a combination that no other team can match, and that is why the Midnight Express is the greatest tag team in the last 30 years.
Well, thanks for reading. If you want to share some opinions you have about this list, or put together a top seven list of your own, than I would be happy to see your opinions, so be sure to leave a comment on the blog. Also, if you have an idea for a future post, then share those with me either by sending me an e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com or by leaving a comment on this blog.
Edge and Christian, The Hollywood Blondes, The Eliminators, The Dudley Boys, The Hart Foundation, Harlem Heat, The Texas Hangmen, Los Guerreros, Wrath and Mortis, The Rockers, The Rock N' Roll Express, The Heavenly Bodies, Fire and Ice, JeriShow
Now onto the list itself:
7. The Hardy Boyz - While the Hardy Boyz may be a little strange outside of the ring, inside of the ring, these two can go. They may not have been the first tag team to rely heavily on aerial maneuvers, but the Hardys may be the best high-flying tag team in the sport's history. Over the years, the Hardys have had captivating matches with a wide variety of opponents, from their long feuds with Edge and Christian and The Dudley Boys, to top-notch matches with teams like MNM, The World's Greatest Tag Team, and Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch. With seven world tag team titles to their credit and a huge fan following, the Hardy Boyz are likely the most popular team over the past 10 years, and one of the best in the ring as well.
6. The British Bulldogs - The Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith may had grown to despise each other, but while they were a tag team, they were pure magic. A great combination of aerial ability and technical wrestling made the Bulldogs one of the premier tag teams of their era. After excelling in Stampede wrestling and becoming one of the top tag teams in Japan, the Bulldogs arrived in the WWF in 1985, and their innovative moves and pugnacious styles made the Bulldogs one of the most popular acts of their era. Their long standing feud with the Hart Foundation is still regarded as one of the best in wrestling history, and many, many wrestlers have been influenced by the British Bulldogs. Despite the team's tragic end, the British Bulldogs are still remembered today as one of the best and most influential tag teams to ever wrestle.
5. The Holy Demon Army - For eight years, Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue were the best tag team in the best wrestling promotion in its time, All Japan Pro Wrestling. From 1993-2000, Kawada and Taue not only excelled as singles wrestlers, but managed to consistently put together classic matches together as a tag team. The Holy Demon Army's wars with teams like Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi, Misawa and Jun Akiyama, Kobashi and Johnny Ace, No Fear, the Miracle Violence Connection, and other teams are remembered by those that witnessed them as some of the greatest tag matches in the history of wrestling. As individuals, Kawada and Taue were two of the top wrestlers of their era, and were just as good, if not better, as a tag team.
4. The Brainbusters - Even though Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were only a team for a little more than three years, their excellence is still enough to put them on this list. Masters of tag team psychology, the two original members of the Four Horsemen (along with Ric Flair and Ole Anderson) had great matches with a variety of teams in the NWA. Matches with the Road Warriors, The Rock N' Roll Express, and Lex Luger and Barry Windham established the Brainbusters as one of the top teams in the world. After jumping to the WWF in 1988, the Brainbusters didn't slow down a bit, soon becoming the top tag team in a loaded tag team division. The Brainbusters had a series of top-notch matches with teams like the Rockers, the Hart Foundation, and Demolition, and in 1989 they became the first tag team the win the NWA and the WWF tag team titles. Yes, they only were a team for three years, but their mastery of psychology, technical wrestling, and hard hitting style made the Brainbusters a memorable tag team.
3. The Steiner Brothers - The top brother duo on the list, Rick and Scott Steiner have one of the most impressive resumes of any tag team. With 11 Tag Team Title reigns (7 WCW, 2 WWF, 2 IWGP) in their career, the Steiners are no strangers to championship gold. Of course, the Steiners earned all of that gold through a hard hitting style and a lot of spectacular moves, both individual and double-team moves. Scott had two of the most devastating finishers of his era with the Frankensteiner and Steiner screwdriver, while Rick displayed a wide array of suplexes to go along with his devastating Steinerline. The Steiners were also able to put together great matches with a variety of opponents, like the Nasty Boys, Doom, Sting and Lex Luger, the Miracle Violence Connection, Money Inc., Harlem Heat, and The Outsiders. With a legendary repeitore and a long line of great matches, the Steiners are clearly one of the best teams of all time.
2. The Road Warriors - Probably the most famous tag team of all-time, Hawk and Animal took the wrestling world by storm in 1983 with their unique look and immense strength, and never looked back from there. The only tag team to win the AWA, NWA, and WWF tag team titles, the Warriors were impact players no matter where they showed up, whether in America or Japan. The Road Warriors were such a success that no other tag team in history have been ripped off more, as teams like the Powers of Pain and Demolition were near carbon copies of the Road Warriors. With manager Paul Ellering by their side, the Warriors became perhaps the most popular tag team of all time, and the duo had legendary matches with teams such as the Brainbusters, The Freebirds, The Koloffs, The Midnight Express, Demolition, Money Inc., and so many more.
1. The Midnight Express - Yes, the Road Warriors and Steiners were bigger stars, and yes the Dudleys/Team 3-D have more titles than any other tag team, but to me, The Midnight Express, whether it's the Bobby Eaton-Dennis Condrey version or the Eaton-Stan Lane version, are tag team wrestling. In the ring, the Midnights could do no wrong, as they invented a lot of double-team maneuvers and could dazzle fans with superb techincal wrestling, top-notch brawling, and an exciting aerial style. Outside the ring, manager Jim Cornette handled the promos for both versions of the Express, and his bombastic style added a whole other element to the Midnight Express. During their tenure, the Midnight Express had tons of legendary matches with teams such as the Rock N' Roll Express, The Fantastics, The Road Warriors, and many other teams. Their mastery of tag team psychology, exciting style, and flawless teamwork is a combination that no other team can match, and that is why the Midnight Express is the greatest tag team in the last 30 years.
Well, thanks for reading. If you want to share some opinions you have about this list, or put together a top seven list of your own, than I would be happy to see your opinions, so be sure to leave a comment on the blog. Also, if you have an idea for a future post, then share those with me either by sending me an e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com or by leaving a comment on this blog.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Canon Review List-A-Mania: The Ten Worst Trades in Atlanta Braves History
A few days ago, the Atlanta Braves pulled off a blockbuster deal, sending 2B/OF Omar Infante and RP Mike Dunn to the Florida Marlins for 2B Dan Uggla. Uggla, although not the best defensive player around, has shown rare power for a second baseman, becoming the only second baseman to put together four consecutive seasons of 30 or more home runs. Plus, the Braves get the added bonus of Uggla not killing them year after year, and if he comes anywhere close to his career .354/.399/.652 line at Turner Field, than the Braves should be very pleased with Uggla. Yes, on paper, the Uggla trade looks like a good idea and gives the Braves the right-handed power bat they've been looking for since Jeff Francoeur failed to emerge and was eventually traded. But often times, the trades that look good on paper turn look awful on the field. So, with that in mind, here are the ten worst trades in Atlanta Braves history. (Note: this list is the ten worst trades in Atlanta Braves history, so trades the Braves made while in Boston and Milwaukee were not considered).
Honorable Mention:
June 13, 1976: traded 1B Darrell Evans and INF Marty Perez to the San Francisco Giants for 1B Willie Montanez, SS Craig Robinson, INF Mike Eden, and OF Jake Brown
Yes, the Braves did get a solid 2 years out of Montanez (.302/.339/.441), although it wasn't worth giving up a player the caliber of Evans, a power hitter who could play both third and first and was one of the most patient hitters of his era.
June 23, 1976: Traded OF Lee Lacy and RP Elias Sosa to the Los Angeles Dodgers for RP Mike Marshall
Marshall pitched well for the Braves, but only lasted three months with the team. Meanwhile, Lacy, although not a superstar, was a decent player with speed, while Sosa put up a 2.24 ERA out of the bullpen from 1977-1979.
Marshall pitched well for the Braves, but only lasted three months with the team. Meanwhile, Lacy, although not a superstar, was a decent player with speed, while Sosa put up a 2.24 ERA out of the bullpen from 1977-1979.
September 8, 1969: Traded OF Mickey Rivers and P Cliff Compton to the California Angles for RP Hoyt Wilhelm and RP Bob Priddy
While Wilhelm pitched well down the stretch for the 1969 Division Champion Braves (one earned run in 12.1 innings), Rivers went on to have a solid career, hitting .295 and stealing 269 bases as one of the best leadoff hitters of the 1970s.
10. August 3, 1990: Traded OF Dale Murphy and SP Tommy Greene to the Philadelphia Phillies for RP Jeff Parrett, OF Jim Vatcher, and INF Victor Rosario
Anytime you trade your franchise player for over a decade, there will be some backlash from your fans. Needless to say, the Braves fans were less than thrilled about this trade, as many frustrated fans expressed anger over the deal, even chanting "We Want Murph" when Jeff Parrett made his Atlanta debut. Heck, I cried after hearing on the radio that Murphy was traded. Yes, Murphy wasn't the player he once was (.232/.312/.418 with the Braves in 1990), but it was just assumed by the Braves faithful that the Murph would finish his career in a Braves uniform. That said, what makes this trade bad is that the Braves got absolutely nothing in return for one of the best players in team history. Vatcher and Rosario combined for 36 plate appearances in a Braves uniform, while Parrett put up an ugly 6.33 ERA in 1991, earning his release. Murphy had a decent season and a half for the Phillies, but he was not the same player that dominated in the 1980s. To make matters worse, Greene turned into a good pitcher for the Phillies, throwing a no-hitter in 1991 and going 16-4 in 1993. He also won the clinching game in the 1993 NLCS for the Phillies against the very organization that traded him. The lesson here is, if you're going to trade your franchise player, you'd better get more out of him than two non-prospects and a middle reliever.
9. December 10, 1985 - Traded RP Steve Bedrosian and OF Milt Thompson to the Philadelphia Phillies for C Ozzie Virgil and SP Pete Smith
From 1982-1984, Bedrosian was a key part in the Braves bullpen. In 1985, the Braves made him a starter, and Bedrosian wasn't so good (111 walks, 7-15 record). As one of Bobby Cox' first moves as GM, he sent Bedrosian and speedy outfielder Milt Thompson to Philadelphia for C Ozzie Virgil and prospect Pete Smith. The Phillies put Bedrosian back in the bullpen, and 'Bedrock' excelled, winning the Cy Young Award in 1987 after a 40 save season. Thompson proved to be a solid outfielder for a number of seasons, providing his teams with top-notch defense and speed for a number of seasons, and hitting over .300 in 1987 and 1991. Virgil did make the All-Star Game in 1987, but his .242/.330/.411 hitting and sketchy defense over three seasons in Atlanta left something to be desired. Smith, meanwhile, would become one of the most frustrating players in Braves history, as he had great stuff and showed flashes of greatness (including a 7-0, 2.05 ERA in 12 games in 1992), but for whatever reason, just wasn't able to put it all together. Bedrosian, interestingly enough, would come back to the Braves in 1993, and put together two solid seasons before struggling in 1995 and retiring shortly after.
8. December 13, 2003 - traded SP Adam Wainwright, SP Jason Marquis, and RP Ray King to the St. Louis Cardinals for RF J.D. Drew and C Eli Marrero
The problem with this trade was not the players the Braves got, as Drew was awesome in 2004 (157 OPS+, 6th in the MVP voting) while Marrero hit .320 as a fourth outfielder. However, both Marrero and Drew left after the 2004 season. Meanwhile, Marquis went on to have a few solid years with a number of teams, but the one the Braves really miss is Wainwright, as he has become one of the best pitchers in the game for the Cardinals, finishing in the top thee in the Cy Young voting over the past two years. At 28, Wainwright is still in his prime, and should continue to dominate for the next few years, haunting Braves fans. That said, I can see why the Braves made the deal, as they needed a power bat and pitching prospects are iffy, but sometimes trades just go against you.
7. December 22, 1999 - traded LF Ryan Klesko and 2B Bret Boone to the San Diego Padres for OF Reggie Sanders, 2B Quilvio Veras, and 1B Wally Joyner
At the time, it seemed as if this was a rather even trade. The Padres traded for power in Boone and Klesko, while the Braves traded for speed in Veras and Sanders (also a power hitter) and in Joyner, the Braves got an insurance policy for Andres Galaaraga, who was recovering from a bout with cancer. While Galaaraga played strong in 2000, the players the Braves received in this trade didn't do so well. Sanders, in a stretch of playing for seven teams in seven years, hit well in every year except in 2000, where he hit .232/.302/.403 in 377 plate appearances. Joyner hit .281 off the bench, but had little power and just lasted one season with the Braves. Veras wasn't a bad player for the Braves (.376 OBP), but had trouble staying healthy, and after two years the Braves gave up on him. Meanwhile, Boone had a three-year stretch of 100 RBI seasons from 2001-2003, and Klesko proved to be a valuable player for the Padres, putting up a .279/.381/.491 line during his seven seasons in San Diego. If the Braves had elected to keep Boone and Klesko, they might have won another pennant or two under Bobby Cox.
6. March 25, 1997 - traded CF Marquis Grissom and OF David Justice to the Cleveland Indians for CF Kenny Lofton and RP Alan Embree
In Spring Training 1997, the Braves had a glut of outfielders. There were veterans Ryan Klesko, Marquis Grissom and David Justice, who was coming off of injury. Not only that, but youngsters Jermaine Dye and Andruw Jones were seemingly ready to play. The Braves decided to remedy this problem somewhat by trading two good outfielders in Grissom and Justice for one great one in center fielder Kenny Lofton. Entering 1997, Lofton had won four straight Gold Gloves, led the American league in stolen bases for five straight years, and at the age of 30 and entering a contract year, seemed poised to have the best year of his career. While Lofton did hit .333 and finished 8th in the NL with a .409 on-base percentage, he also led the league in caught stealing with 20, and just didn't seem to fit in with the ballclub. Embree, meanwhile, lasted a year and a half with the Braves and pitched well as a left handed specialist before moving on. While Grissom never was the same player after the trade, Justice continued to be a power threat for the Indians and Yankees, putting up a 1.013 OPS in 1997 for the Indians and hitting 41 home runs in 2000. Meanwhile, Lofton left the Braves after the 1997 season, only to sign with the very team that traded him, the Cleveland Indians.
5. March 27, 1997 - traded RF Jermaine Dye and RP Jamie Walker to the Kansas City Royals for OF Michael Tucker and 2B Keith Lockhart
Just two days later, the Braves still felt the need for a left-handed hitting outfielder, even though they just traded one in Justice. So a deal was struck with the Royals that send prospect Jermaine Dye, who had a solid rookie year in 1996, hitting .281 with power. But the Braves had Andruw Jones coming up and felt they needed a left-handed outfielder to platoon with Jones. So off Dye went, along with Rule 5 pick Walker, for Michael Tucker and Keith Lockhart. Tucker and Lockhart both had their moments with the Braves, as Tucker actually hit the first home run in Turner Field, while Lockhart lasted six years in Atlanta, primarily as an infield reserve. Meanwhile, while Walker would have some good years out of the bullpen, losing Dye really hurt, as Dye became a very good player. Dye is a two-time All Star, a former Gold Glove winner, has four 100+ RBI and four 30+ home run seasons to his credit, and also won the World Series MVP with the White Sox in 2005. Yes, the Braves did win nine division titles without Dye, but giving up a player of his caliber for two spare parts is never a good idea.
Just two days later, the Braves still felt the need for a left-handed hitting outfielder, even though they just traded one in Justice. So a deal was struck with the Royals that send prospect Jermaine Dye, who had a solid rookie year in 1996, hitting .281 with power. But the Braves had Andruw Jones coming up and felt they needed a left-handed outfielder to platoon with Jones. So off Dye went, along with Rule 5 pick Walker, for Michael Tucker and Keith Lockhart. Tucker and Lockhart both had their moments with the Braves, as Tucker actually hit the first home run in Turner Field, while Lockhart lasted six years in Atlanta, primarily as an infield reserve. Meanwhile, while Walker would have some good years out of the bullpen, losing Dye really hurt, as Dye became a very good player. Dye is a two-time All Star, a former Gold Glove winner, has four 100+ RBI and four 30+ home run seasons to his credit, and also won the World Series MVP with the White Sox in 2005. Yes, the Braves did win nine division titles without Dye, but giving up a player of his caliber for two spare parts is never a good idea.
4. November 17, 1975 - traded OF Dusty Baker and 1B Ed Goodson to the Los Angeles Dodgers for OF Jimmy Wynn, OF Lee Lacy, OF Tom Pacoerick, and 2B Jerry Royster
Baker hit .321 in 1972, and over the next three seasons was a solid outfielder for the Braves. But the Braves felt they needed a power boost, so they sent Baker and bench player Goodson to the Dodgers for Wynn and the others. Wynn was the key player in the deal for the Braves, as the "Toy Cannon" was expected to give the team a bigger home run threat. Wynn lasted one season in Atlanta, and while he led the NL in walks with 127, he also hit a mere .207 with 17 home runs. As for the others, Lacy was shipped out of town in the middle of his first season, Pacoerick played two seasons for the Braves and had an OPS of .684, and Royster lasted nine seasons for the Braves, and in only one did he put up an OPS+ over 100. On the other hand, Baker had eight solid seasons for the Dodgers, winning two Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove and putting up a .281/343/.437 line with a 117 OPS+ during his stint in Los Angeles.
3. May 19, 1973 - traded 1B Andre Thornton to the Chicago Cubs for 1B Joe Pepitone
It's bad enough that the Braves didn't know what they had in Thornton, as they traded him away before his first major league at-bat. What made it worse was the fact that Pepitone played a grand total of three games for the Braves before deciding that he had had enough and decided to retire only a week after arriving in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Thornton put together a heck of a career, finishing with three 30 home run seasons, two All-Star game appearances, and a career line of .254/.360/.452 with a 122 OPS+. Not bad for a guy traded for a washed-up first baseman that lasted a week.
It's bad enough that the Braves didn't know what they had in Thornton, as they traded him away before his first major league at-bat. What made it worse was the fact that Pepitone played a grand total of three games for the Braves before deciding that he had had enough and decided to retire only a week after arriving in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Thornton put together a heck of a career, finishing with three 30 home run seasons, two All-Star game appearances, and a career line of .254/.360/.452 with a 122 OPS+. Not bad for a guy traded for a washed-up first baseman that lasted a week.
2. July 31, 2007 - traded SS Elvis Andrus, RP Neftali Feliz, P Beau Jones, SP Matt Harrison, and C Jarrod Saltalamacchia to the Texas Rangers for 1B Mark Teixeira and RP Ron Mahay
The problem with this trade was not the return. After all Teixeira played very well in his 1 year in Atlanta, hitting 37 home runs and driving in 134 runs in 157 games with the Braves. The problem was that not only did they get just one year out of Teixeira, but they gave up way too much for him. Although Jones has yet to reach the big leagues, and Harrison and Saltalamacchia have yet to stick in the bigs, there's still time for each player to reach their potential. As for the other two, Andrus made the All-Star team as a 21 year old and hit .294 with 8 steals in the postseason for the Rangers, while Feliz set a rookie record with 40 saves on his way to being named the 2010 rookie of the year award. With both Andrus and Feliz barely over drinking age, the sky's the limit for them, and if they continue to improve, this might become the worst trade in Braves history in a couple of years.
1. August 28, 1983 - traded CF Brett Butler, 3B Brook Jacoby, and P Rick Behenna to the Cleveland Indians for SP Len Barker and $150,000
The Braves were in the middle of a pennant race and were desperate for pitching. When teams get desperate, they tend to do things such as trade for a pitcher with a 5.11 ERA and sign him to a multi-year deal well above market value. Furthermore, the Braves sent two future All-Stars in Butler and Jacoby to the Indians, although they were aloud to stay with the Braves until the end of the season. That probably made things a bit awkward for Butler, the team's starting left fielder at the time, as the Braves were trying to clinch a postseason berth. Anyway, Barker didn't last very long with the Braves, pitching until 1985 and putting up a 10-20 record with a 4.64 ERA while with the Braves. Meanwhile, Jacoby was a good, if not great, third baseman for a number of years with the Cleveland Indians, making a couple of appearances in the All-Star game. Butler, meanwhile, went on to become one of the best center fielders in the game, finishing his career with well over 2,000 and 554 stolen bases, which currently ranks 24th in MLB history. Because the Braves got so little in return for two future All-Stars, the Len Barker deal is the worst trade in the history of the Atlanta Braves.
Well, thanks for reading, and if you have any comments about this post or ideas for future posts, than send them this way either by commenting or by e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com.
The Braves were in the middle of a pennant race and were desperate for pitching. When teams get desperate, they tend to do things such as trade for a pitcher with a 5.11 ERA and sign him to a multi-year deal well above market value. Furthermore, the Braves sent two future All-Stars in Butler and Jacoby to the Indians, although they were aloud to stay with the Braves until the end of the season. That probably made things a bit awkward for Butler, the team's starting left fielder at the time, as the Braves were trying to clinch a postseason berth. Anyway, Barker didn't last very long with the Braves, pitching until 1985 and putting up a 10-20 record with a 4.64 ERA while with the Braves. Meanwhile, Jacoby was a good, if not great, third baseman for a number of years with the Cleveland Indians, making a couple of appearances in the All-Star game. Butler, meanwhile, went on to become one of the best center fielders in the game, finishing his career with well over 2,000 and 554 stolen bases, which currently ranks 24th in MLB history. Because the Braves got so little in return for two future All-Stars, the Len Barker deal is the worst trade in the history of the Atlanta Braves.
Well, thanks for reading, and if you have any comments about this post or ideas for future posts, than send them this way either by commenting or by e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Canon Review List-A-Mania: The Ten Worst Quarterbacks in Atlanta Falcons History
Last week, I put together a list of the Top Ten Quarterbacks in Atlanta Falcons history, which you can read right here. So after that, Canon Review reader Ben W. asked for a companion list naming the ten worst quarterbacks in Falcons history. Well, with so many fine candidates to choose from, I have decided to do just that. So, without further adieu, here are the worst ten quarterbacks to ever play for the Atlanta Falcons.
10. Dick Shiner (Falcons Career: 1971-1973) - Maybe if his name was Rick Shiner or Dick Snyder, I would have chosen someone else. But Shiner, while he had his moments, just wasn't that good in Atlanta, as he threw four more interceptions than touchdowns (9-8) and put up a quarterback rating of 67.0 during his Falcons career. Plus, how am I supposed to ignore a man with the name of Dick Shiner. I suppose there are men with more unfortunate names, but I mean, come on. Can you imagine if Dick Shiner played today? We'd be getting bad joke after bad joke about the man's moniker.
9. Brett Favre (1991) - Favre made the best quarterbacks list at this spot because of what he went on to do elsewhere, but in his one year in Atlanta, Favre threw exactly four passes, two of which were intercepted. When Favre was picked by the Falcons in the 1991 NFL Draft, coach Jerry Glanville was not happy, and at one point Glanville said that it would "take a plane crash" for Favre to get in the game. Not to mention that Favre took rather kindly to the Atlanta nightlife during his short stay there. So, in 1992, the Falcons traded Favre to Green Bay, and the rest is history. Now, in hindsight, the Falcons should have kept Favre, but at the time, I guess the deal made sense. Although even if Falcons' brass had no idea what Favre would become, it does seem awfully quick to give up on a high second round pick, but I digress.
8. Tony Graziani (1997-1999) - Graziani was a seventh round pick from the University of Oregon that the Falcons hoped would develop into a solid backup for Chris Chandler, or something. Instead, when Graziani got his chance, the Falcons were so disenchanted they had to turn to a 43 year-old Steve DeBerg to relieve him. In three seasons, Graziani completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw eight interceptions against two touchdowns. After leaving the Falcons, Graziani had some success as an Arena League quarterback, once throwing 99 touchdowns in a single season. Also, he was quite impressive in relief of an injured Chris Chandler in my Madden 2000 franchise done so many years ago. I remember he threw for something like 18 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, and was so impressive I considered trading Chandler in spite of Graziani's low rating on the game. I'm sure nobody else wants to hear about my video game accomplishments, but honestly, that's my strongest memory of Graziani other than watching him hold a clipboard behind Dan Reeves.
7. June Jones (1977-1981) - The only Falcons quarterback to later become the team's head coach, Jones was actually named the team's starting quarterback over Steve Bartkowski to begin the 1978 season. That lasted three games, as Jones completed 9 out of 28 passes in the last two games he started and Bartkowski was back at the helm. Jones, quite frankly, never played well when given his shot, as his completion percentage of 45.2 was unacceptable and he put up a QB rating of 51.4. Later, Jones would coach the Falcons to a playoff berth in 1995, and coached the University of Hawaii to the Sugar Bowl in 2007. I guess the old saying is true, those who can do, and those who can't teach.
6. Mike Moroski (1979-1984) - Moroski was a 6th round pick out of Cal-Davis and was primarily a backup for Steve Bartkowski during his tenure with the club. Moroski did have a 303 yard, two touchdown performance in a 1983 win against the Green Bay Packers, but other than that, Moroski was rather mediocre. Moroski got an extended look in 1984 when Bartkowski went down to injury, and the results (2 tds, 9 ints, 56.8 qb rating) were not pretty. But, at least he did have a moment in the sun.
5. Randy Johnson (1966-1970) - Johnson was a first round pick in the 1966 NFL Draft, and since the expansion Falcons had no one else better, Johnson was thrown into the fray right away. That probably wasn't the best move for everyone involved, as Johnson had to adjust to the NFL playing with an expansion team and running for his life behind a patchwork line. The results were not pretty, as Johnson threw nearly twice as many interceptions than touchdowns (65-34), completed less than 50 percent of his passes (48.1), and went 8-28-1 as a starter during his five year stay in Atlanta. Unfortunately, life wasn't very kind to Johnson after leaving Atlanta, as he battled for years with substance abuse and passed away in 2009 as a recluse with few friends and little money.
4. Doug Johnson (2000-2003) - Doug Johnson may have better statistics than a lot of other men on this list, but he ranks this high because he was the most frustrating quarterback I ever remember watching playing for the Falcons. Yes, his completion percentage (57.0) was decent, but Johnson seemed to have a tendency to overthrow his receivers by at least ten yards. Whether it was a deep pass to Peerless Price or a screen to Warrick Dunn, Johnson would wind up and fire the ball as hard as he could. The man threw some of the prettiest overthrown passes that you will ever see. In fact, he did this so often that it became an inside joke between my brother and I as whenever we toss the football around and one of us overthrows a pass, we say we 'Doug Johnson'd' the throw. Johnson got most of his playing time in 2003, as Michael Vick broke his leg in the presason and Johnson was pressed into action. The first game, a win against the Dallas Cowboys, was a victory, but Johnson lost his next eight starts with a 6-11 touchdown to interception ratio. Of course, without Vick, Johnson was the best option the Falcons had, and when he went down due to injury, the next man that stepped in was ...
3. Kurt Kittner (2002-2003) - Transitioning from Johnson to Kittner was like going from being repeatedly punched in the jaw to being repeatedly punched in the groin. Kittner may have led Illinois to the 2002 Sugar Bowl, but as a pro, he wasn't so good. Of all the quarterbacks that threw 100 or more passes in a single season in the past decade, Kittner was the only quarterback to complete less than 40 percent of his passes (38.6). Kittner's 32.5 QB Rating is also the lowest of any quarterback with over 100 throws in a single season since 1981. Yes, worse than any season put up by Ryan Leaf, Jarmarcus Russell, Heath Shuler, and every other bad quarterback you can think of over the past 25 years.
2. Pat Sullivan (1972-1975) - After winning the Heisman Trophy in 1971, the Falcons picked Sullivan in the second round of the 1972 Draft, hoping that he would be the quarterback of the future. Things didn't quite work out that way, as Sullivan started five games in his four seasons with the club, and lost them all. In 220 career passes, Sullivan threw 16 interceptions against five touchdowns, and put up a QB rating of 36.5. Sullivan may have been a college legend, but like so many others, his game just didn't translate to the next level.
1. Kim McQuilken (1974-1977) - McQuilken is not only the worst quarterback in Falcons' history, he may be the most inept quarterback in the history of football. Put it this way, if you throw one incomplete pass, your QB Rating is 39.6. In his four years with the Falcons, McQuilken's QB Rating was 18.2. During his Falcons' career, McQuilken threw four touchdown passes and 29 interceptions in a mere 268 attempts. His completion percentage was 39.7. For his career, McQuilken's QB Rating of 17.9 is the lowest among players with at least 100 pass attempts in the last 60 years. With the Falcons' having a history full of failure, it's only fitting that the game's worst quarterback spent four seasons in a Falcons uniform.
Well, that was fun. The truth is, there were a few bad quarterbacks that didn't crack the top ten, like Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, David Archer, and others, but I think 10 was enough. Thanks for reading, and remember, if you have any ideas for future reviews, or comments about this or previous reviews, then send them to me either by e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com or by leaving a comment on the blog.
10. Dick Shiner (Falcons Career: 1971-1973) - Maybe if his name was Rick Shiner or Dick Snyder, I would have chosen someone else. But Shiner, while he had his moments, just wasn't that good in Atlanta, as he threw four more interceptions than touchdowns (9-8) and put up a quarterback rating of 67.0 during his Falcons career. Plus, how am I supposed to ignore a man with the name of Dick Shiner. I suppose there are men with more unfortunate names, but I mean, come on. Can you imagine if Dick Shiner played today? We'd be getting bad joke after bad joke about the man's moniker.
9. Brett Favre (1991) - Favre made the best quarterbacks list at this spot because of what he went on to do elsewhere, but in his one year in Atlanta, Favre threw exactly four passes, two of which were intercepted. When Favre was picked by the Falcons in the 1991 NFL Draft, coach Jerry Glanville was not happy, and at one point Glanville said that it would "take a plane crash" for Favre to get in the game. Not to mention that Favre took rather kindly to the Atlanta nightlife during his short stay there. So, in 1992, the Falcons traded Favre to Green Bay, and the rest is history. Now, in hindsight, the Falcons should have kept Favre, but at the time, I guess the deal made sense. Although even if Falcons' brass had no idea what Favre would become, it does seem awfully quick to give up on a high second round pick, but I digress.
8. Tony Graziani (1997-1999) - Graziani was a seventh round pick from the University of Oregon that the Falcons hoped would develop into a solid backup for Chris Chandler, or something. Instead, when Graziani got his chance, the Falcons were so disenchanted they had to turn to a 43 year-old Steve DeBerg to relieve him. In three seasons, Graziani completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw eight interceptions against two touchdowns. After leaving the Falcons, Graziani had some success as an Arena League quarterback, once throwing 99 touchdowns in a single season. Also, he was quite impressive in relief of an injured Chris Chandler in my Madden 2000 franchise done so many years ago. I remember he threw for something like 18 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, and was so impressive I considered trading Chandler in spite of Graziani's low rating on the game. I'm sure nobody else wants to hear about my video game accomplishments, but honestly, that's my strongest memory of Graziani other than watching him hold a clipboard behind Dan Reeves.
7. June Jones (1977-1981) - The only Falcons quarterback to later become the team's head coach, Jones was actually named the team's starting quarterback over Steve Bartkowski to begin the 1978 season. That lasted three games, as Jones completed 9 out of 28 passes in the last two games he started and Bartkowski was back at the helm. Jones, quite frankly, never played well when given his shot, as his completion percentage of 45.2 was unacceptable and he put up a QB rating of 51.4. Later, Jones would coach the Falcons to a playoff berth in 1995, and coached the University of Hawaii to the Sugar Bowl in 2007. I guess the old saying is true, those who can do, and those who can't teach.
6. Mike Moroski (1979-1984) - Moroski was a 6th round pick out of Cal-Davis and was primarily a backup for Steve Bartkowski during his tenure with the club. Moroski did have a 303 yard, two touchdown performance in a 1983 win against the Green Bay Packers, but other than that, Moroski was rather mediocre. Moroski got an extended look in 1984 when Bartkowski went down to injury, and the results (2 tds, 9 ints, 56.8 qb rating) were not pretty. But, at least he did have a moment in the sun.
5. Randy Johnson (1966-1970) - Johnson was a first round pick in the 1966 NFL Draft, and since the expansion Falcons had no one else better, Johnson was thrown into the fray right away. That probably wasn't the best move for everyone involved, as Johnson had to adjust to the NFL playing with an expansion team and running for his life behind a patchwork line. The results were not pretty, as Johnson threw nearly twice as many interceptions than touchdowns (65-34), completed less than 50 percent of his passes (48.1), and went 8-28-1 as a starter during his five year stay in Atlanta. Unfortunately, life wasn't very kind to Johnson after leaving Atlanta, as he battled for years with substance abuse and passed away in 2009 as a recluse with few friends and little money.
4. Doug Johnson (2000-2003) - Doug Johnson may have better statistics than a lot of other men on this list, but he ranks this high because he was the most frustrating quarterback I ever remember watching playing for the Falcons. Yes, his completion percentage (57.0) was decent, but Johnson seemed to have a tendency to overthrow his receivers by at least ten yards. Whether it was a deep pass to Peerless Price or a screen to Warrick Dunn, Johnson would wind up and fire the ball as hard as he could. The man threw some of the prettiest overthrown passes that you will ever see. In fact, he did this so often that it became an inside joke between my brother and I as whenever we toss the football around and one of us overthrows a pass, we say we 'Doug Johnson'd' the throw. Johnson got most of his playing time in 2003, as Michael Vick broke his leg in the presason and Johnson was pressed into action. The first game, a win against the Dallas Cowboys, was a victory, but Johnson lost his next eight starts with a 6-11 touchdown to interception ratio. Of course, without Vick, Johnson was the best option the Falcons had, and when he went down due to injury, the next man that stepped in was ...
3. Kurt Kittner (2002-2003) - Transitioning from Johnson to Kittner was like going from being repeatedly punched in the jaw to being repeatedly punched in the groin. Kittner may have led Illinois to the 2002 Sugar Bowl, but as a pro, he wasn't so good. Of all the quarterbacks that threw 100 or more passes in a single season in the past decade, Kittner was the only quarterback to complete less than 40 percent of his passes (38.6). Kittner's 32.5 QB Rating is also the lowest of any quarterback with over 100 throws in a single season since 1981. Yes, worse than any season put up by Ryan Leaf, Jarmarcus Russell, Heath Shuler, and every other bad quarterback you can think of over the past 25 years.
2. Pat Sullivan (1972-1975) - After winning the Heisman Trophy in 1971, the Falcons picked Sullivan in the second round of the 1972 Draft, hoping that he would be the quarterback of the future. Things didn't quite work out that way, as Sullivan started five games in his four seasons with the club, and lost them all. In 220 career passes, Sullivan threw 16 interceptions against five touchdowns, and put up a QB rating of 36.5. Sullivan may have been a college legend, but like so many others, his game just didn't translate to the next level.
1. Kim McQuilken (1974-1977) - McQuilken is not only the worst quarterback in Falcons' history, he may be the most inept quarterback in the history of football. Put it this way, if you throw one incomplete pass, your QB Rating is 39.6. In his four years with the Falcons, McQuilken's QB Rating was 18.2. During his Falcons' career, McQuilken threw four touchdown passes and 29 interceptions in a mere 268 attempts. His completion percentage was 39.7. For his career, McQuilken's QB Rating of 17.9 is the lowest among players with at least 100 pass attempts in the last 60 years. With the Falcons' having a history full of failure, it's only fitting that the game's worst quarterback spent four seasons in a Falcons uniform.
Well, that was fun. The truth is, there were a few bad quarterbacks that didn't crack the top ten, like Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, David Archer, and others, but I think 10 was enough. Thanks for reading, and remember, if you have any ideas for future reviews, or comments about this or previous reviews, then send them to me either by e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com or by leaving a comment on the blog.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Canon Review List-A-Mania: Top Ten Quarterbacks in Atlanta Falcons History
As a long suffering fan of the Atlanta Falcons, I have seen many a quarterback pass through the franchise over the years. Whether they were tall or short, fast or slow, talented or untalented, the one thing that these men have in common is that they played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, and more than likely they have been a major disappointment at one point or another in their Falcons' careers. Today, the Falcons seem set at the quarterback position with Matt Ryan, but you never know when injury or involvement in a dog-fighting ring will change plans. For now, Ryan is the man, but I was wondering where Ryan would rank amongst Falcons quarterbacks all-time, and just who are the top quarterbacks in Falcons history. So, I've decided to rank the top 10 quarterbacks in Atlanta Falcons history, according to The Canon Review.
10. Wade Wilson (Falcons Career: 1992) - Wilson only played one year and started three games, which tells you all you need to know about the history of Falcons quarterbacks. Seriously though, among quarterbacks with more than 100 passes, Wilson has the highest QB rating in franchise history (110.1). Yes, he started only three games, but in each of those three games, Wilson threw for over 300 yards, and threw for five touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wilson parlayed his success with the Falcons into a starting gig with the New Orelans Saints the next year, with mixed results, and spent the rest of his career as a backup for a variety of teams. But for three weeks in 1992, Wilson played like an All-Pro
9. Brett Favre (1991) - True, Brett only threw four passes for the Atlanta Falcons before partying himself into Jerry Glanville's doghouse and out of Atlanta. But Favre is the only quarterback on this list likely to sniff the Hall of Fame anytime soon, unless space aliens trick the voters into voting in Jeff George. Also, I didn't like any of the other choices, such as David Archer, Joey Harrington, and (not that) Randy Johnson. So Favre makes this list not for what he did in Atlanta, but for what he accomplished after the Falcons traded him for a draft pick that would turn into Tony Smith. If you don't know who Tony Smith is, than you are not alone.
8. Bobby Hebert (1993-1996) - Hebert is more remembered for his play with the New Orleans Saints, but for four years, Hebert played in Atlanta. During his Falcons stint, Hebert was selected for his only Pro Bowl in 1993, and in 1995, Hebert came off the bench after an injury to Jeff George and led the Falcons to victory over the San Francisco 49ers to clinch a playoff berth for the Falcons. Sure, Hebert went only 7-18 as a starter, but at least he had some success with the Falcons.
7. Bob Berry (1968-1972) - Berry went to three Super Bowls, as a backup quarterback for Fran Tarkenton with the Vikings. Before that, Berry was the Atlanta Falcons' first league-average quarterback. Berry was the Falcons' first Pro Bowl quarterback after being named to the game in 1969, although he only played half of the team's games that year. That makes me question the validity of that selection somewhat, even though Berry played well (10 TDs, 2 INTs) when he was in there, but I digress. From 1969-1972, Berry had the 2nd highest quarteback rating (81.6) of any quarterback in the NFL with a minimum of 500 attempts. That's a better rating than guys such as Namath, Tarkenton, Dawson, and Unitas put up during that time period. Not too bad, even if the Falcons had three losing seasons and a 7-7 season in that span.
6. Chris Miller (1987-1993) - Miller is 2nd in franchise history in passing yards, completions, and tied for second in touchdown passes. Miller led the Falcons to the playoffs in 1991, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. Miller had an up-and-down career with the Falcons, as he, like every other quarterback on this list excluding one, played for some pretty lousy teams and couldn't lead them over the top. But Miller had his moments, and his five and a half seasons as the Falcons starting QB is the second longest stint in team history.
5. Jeff George (1994-1996) - George had a rocket of an arm and could make any throw on the field provided he had time to throw. Because of that, he seemed to be the ideal quarterback for June Jones' run and shoot offense. George had some success in Atlanta, including throwing for over 4,000 yards in 1995 and leading the Falcons to the playoff (although it was Hebert that clinched the spot in the last game, George did all the work beforehand). Things went well until 1996, when George and coach June Jones got into a public shouting match in a nationally televised game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and that would be all for George in Atlanta, where he became the most hated quarterback in team history until Michael Vick came along. But for a short time, it looked as if the ultra-talented, if hard-headed, George would one day become a star in Atlanta for a long time.
4. Matt Ryan (2008-) - Even after two years, Ryan is easily a top-5 quarterback in franchise history. For one, he's already done something that no other Falcons quarterback could do by leading the team the consecutive winning seasons, and although Sunday's game was a disappointment, chances are good that he will lead the Falcons to a third straight winning season and perhaps another playoff game. The 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year is 20-11 as a starter for the Falcons, and with a full season could rank amongst the top five all time in yards and touchdown passes in franchise history, which is somewhat sad if you think about it.
3. Michael Vick (2001-2006) - The most dynamic player in Falcons history, and the team's first true superstar. Vick had his share of ups and downs during his career in Atlanta. On one hand, he led the team to two playoff appearances and the 2004 NFC Championship Game, and also provided a boost to the offense with running skills not seen in an NFL quarterback since Randall Cunningham back in the day with the Eagles. In 2006, Vick became the first quarterback in NFL history to run for over 1,000 yards in a season, and the first quarterback to be photographed shooting his fans the bird after walking off the field. His passing skills were often criticized by the media and some of the fans, although in his favor, Vick only had one season where he threw more interceptions than touchdowns (2001), made three Pro Bowls, and went 38-28-1 as a starter. Chances are good that Vick would still be the Falcons' quarterback today if not for his involvement and funding in a dog-fighting ring which you might have heard about. But even so, Vick is still amongst the top quarterbacks in Falcons' history, and I may have actually underrated him by putting Vick at #3.
2. Chris Chandler (1997-2001) - Chandler had two great years and three not so great years with the Falcons, but he ranks number 2 on this list mainly because he was the only quarterback to lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl, which he accomplished during the 1998 season. During that season, Chandler put up a QB Rating of 100.9, threw for 3,154 yards and 25 touchdowns, and went 15-2 as a starter during the regular season and postseason. Chandler played in the Pro Bowl after the 1997 and 1998 seasons, and even though he couldn't repeat his success of '98, Chandler currently ranks third and passing yards and completions and tied for second and touchdowns, and his 87.4 rating is the highest amongst Falcons passers with more than 500 attempts.
1. Steve Bartkowski (1975-1985) - Our choice for top Falcons quarterback is the only man on this list that has had his number retired, and ranks first all time in Falcons' history in completions (1,871), passing yards (23,470), and touchdown passes (141). Bartkowski led the Falcons to three different playoff appearances (1978, 1980, 1982), led the league in touchdown passes in 1980 with 31, and in QB rating in 1983 with a 97.6 mark. The first pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, Bartkowski survived some rough patches early in his career, and in 1980 and 1981, was named to the Pro Bowl. Sure, one day Matt Ryan may take the top spot on this list, but for now, the clear choice for top quarterback in Falcons' history has got to be Bartkowski.
Well, thanks for reading. Remember, if you have any ideas for future reviews, or comments about this or previous reviews, then send them to me either by e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com or by leaving a comment on the blog.
10. Wade Wilson (Falcons Career: 1992) - Wilson only played one year and started three games, which tells you all you need to know about the history of Falcons quarterbacks. Seriously though, among quarterbacks with more than 100 passes, Wilson has the highest QB rating in franchise history (110.1). Yes, he started only three games, but in each of those three games, Wilson threw for over 300 yards, and threw for five touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wilson parlayed his success with the Falcons into a starting gig with the New Orelans Saints the next year, with mixed results, and spent the rest of his career as a backup for a variety of teams. But for three weeks in 1992, Wilson played like an All-Pro
9. Brett Favre (1991) - True, Brett only threw four passes for the Atlanta Falcons before partying himself into Jerry Glanville's doghouse and out of Atlanta. But Favre is the only quarterback on this list likely to sniff the Hall of Fame anytime soon, unless space aliens trick the voters into voting in Jeff George. Also, I didn't like any of the other choices, such as David Archer, Joey Harrington, and (not that) Randy Johnson. So Favre makes this list not for what he did in Atlanta, but for what he accomplished after the Falcons traded him for a draft pick that would turn into Tony Smith. If you don't know who Tony Smith is, than you are not alone.
8. Bobby Hebert (1993-1996) - Hebert is more remembered for his play with the New Orleans Saints, but for four years, Hebert played in Atlanta. During his Falcons stint, Hebert was selected for his only Pro Bowl in 1993, and in 1995, Hebert came off the bench after an injury to Jeff George and led the Falcons to victory over the San Francisco 49ers to clinch a playoff berth for the Falcons. Sure, Hebert went only 7-18 as a starter, but at least he had some success with the Falcons.
7. Bob Berry (1968-1972) - Berry went to three Super Bowls, as a backup quarterback for Fran Tarkenton with the Vikings. Before that, Berry was the Atlanta Falcons' first league-average quarterback. Berry was the Falcons' first Pro Bowl quarterback after being named to the game in 1969, although he only played half of the team's games that year. That makes me question the validity of that selection somewhat, even though Berry played well (10 TDs, 2 INTs) when he was in there, but I digress. From 1969-1972, Berry had the 2nd highest quarteback rating (81.6) of any quarterback in the NFL with a minimum of 500 attempts. That's a better rating than guys such as Namath, Tarkenton, Dawson, and Unitas put up during that time period. Not too bad, even if the Falcons had three losing seasons and a 7-7 season in that span.
6. Chris Miller (1987-1993) - Miller is 2nd in franchise history in passing yards, completions, and tied for second in touchdown passes. Miller led the Falcons to the playoffs in 1991, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. Miller had an up-and-down career with the Falcons, as he, like every other quarterback on this list excluding one, played for some pretty lousy teams and couldn't lead them over the top. But Miller had his moments, and his five and a half seasons as the Falcons starting QB is the second longest stint in team history.
5. Jeff George (1994-1996) - George had a rocket of an arm and could make any throw on the field provided he had time to throw. Because of that, he seemed to be the ideal quarterback for June Jones' run and shoot offense. George had some success in Atlanta, including throwing for over 4,000 yards in 1995 and leading the Falcons to the playoff (although it was Hebert that clinched the spot in the last game, George did all the work beforehand). Things went well until 1996, when George and coach June Jones got into a public shouting match in a nationally televised game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and that would be all for George in Atlanta, where he became the most hated quarterback in team history until Michael Vick came along. But for a short time, it looked as if the ultra-talented, if hard-headed, George would one day become a star in Atlanta for a long time.
4. Matt Ryan (2008-) - Even after two years, Ryan is easily a top-5 quarterback in franchise history. For one, he's already done something that no other Falcons quarterback could do by leading the team the consecutive winning seasons, and although Sunday's game was a disappointment, chances are good that he will lead the Falcons to a third straight winning season and perhaps another playoff game. The 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year is 20-11 as a starter for the Falcons, and with a full season could rank amongst the top five all time in yards and touchdown passes in franchise history, which is somewhat sad if you think about it.
3. Michael Vick (2001-2006) - The most dynamic player in Falcons history, and the team's first true superstar. Vick had his share of ups and downs during his career in Atlanta. On one hand, he led the team to two playoff appearances and the 2004 NFC Championship Game, and also provided a boost to the offense with running skills not seen in an NFL quarterback since Randall Cunningham back in the day with the Eagles. In 2006, Vick became the first quarterback in NFL history to run for over 1,000 yards in a season, and the first quarterback to be photographed shooting his fans the bird after walking off the field. His passing skills were often criticized by the media and some of the fans, although in his favor, Vick only had one season where he threw more interceptions than touchdowns (2001), made three Pro Bowls, and went 38-28-1 as a starter. Chances are good that Vick would still be the Falcons' quarterback today if not for his involvement and funding in a dog-fighting ring which you might have heard about. But even so, Vick is still amongst the top quarterbacks in Falcons' history, and I may have actually underrated him by putting Vick at #3.
2. Chris Chandler (1997-2001) - Chandler had two great years and three not so great years with the Falcons, but he ranks number 2 on this list mainly because he was the only quarterback to lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl, which he accomplished during the 1998 season. During that season, Chandler put up a QB Rating of 100.9, threw for 3,154 yards and 25 touchdowns, and went 15-2 as a starter during the regular season and postseason. Chandler played in the Pro Bowl after the 1997 and 1998 seasons, and even though he couldn't repeat his success of '98, Chandler currently ranks third and passing yards and completions and tied for second and touchdowns, and his 87.4 rating is the highest amongst Falcons passers with more than 500 attempts.
1. Steve Bartkowski (1975-1985) - Our choice for top Falcons quarterback is the only man on this list that has had his number retired, and ranks first all time in Falcons' history in completions (1,871), passing yards (23,470), and touchdown passes (141). Bartkowski led the Falcons to three different playoff appearances (1978, 1980, 1982), led the league in touchdown passes in 1980 with 31, and in QB rating in 1983 with a 97.6 mark. The first pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, Bartkowski survived some rough patches early in his career, and in 1980 and 1981, was named to the Pro Bowl. Sure, one day Matt Ryan may take the top spot on this list, but for now, the clear choice for top quarterback in Falcons' history has got to be Bartkowski.
Well, thanks for reading. Remember, if you have any ideas for future reviews, or comments about this or previous reviews, then send them to me either by e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com or by leaving a comment on the blog.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Worst of the Best: The Worst Hall of Famers by Position
Last weekend, the Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted their newest members into the Hall. Which got me thinking a little bit about which players would be considered the worst of the best, the lowest of the elite, the players that make you wonder how he got in and another similar player is on the outside looking in. Well, a week later, I finally decided to get around to it and list who I think are the worst Hall of Famers by position. Were all of these men good football players? Sure, but nevertheless, their inductions range from questionable to downright dumbfounding. So, without further adieu, here are the most mortal of the immortals, the worst Pro Football Hall of Famers by position, as well as players on the outside looking in who perhaps should be in instead.
Quarterback: Joe Namath, 1965-1977, Inducted 1985
Namath is best known for leading his New York Jets to victory in Super Bowl III after guaranteeing a win against the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. While that is one of the greatest moments in NFL history, it shouldn't be enough to get into the Hall. Looking at Namath's numbers, one wonders just how a quarterback with his numbers could get in. Namath threw more interceptions than touchdowns (220-173) and only threw more touchdown than interceptions in two of his thirteen seasons. His completion percentage (50.1) and quarterback rating (65.5) are downright pedestrian. Namath defenders will say that it was a different game, and those statistics were low for all quarterbacks. Well, maybe so, but over the course of Namath's career (65-77), Namath ranks 33rd in completion percentage and 28th in quarterback rating amongst quarterbacks with over 1000 attempts. Namath ranks behind such legends as Randy Johnson, Bill Munson, and Bob Berry. Bottom line, Namath got in thanks more to the perception that he was a great quarterback rather than reality.
If Namath is in, then why not:
Kenny Stabler? Stabler and Namath are similar in many aspects. Both men led their teams to a Super Bowl win (Stabler in Super Bowl XI). Both men won MVP awards (Namath in 1968, Stabler in 1974). Both men threw more interceptions than touchdowns (222 INTs, 194 TDs for Stabler). Both men quarterbacked at the University of Alabama under Bear Bryant and both men had reputations for scoring both on and off the field. However, Stabler had the better numbers, as he completed 59.8 percent of his passes and finished his career with a quarterback rating of 75.3. While Namath finished his career with a losing record in games he started, Stabler put together a record of 96-49-1 as a starter. Yes Stabler had better teams around him, but Stabler deserves some credit, as he lead his teams on 26 game winning drives late in the game (Namath had 16, btw). Yet after all these years, Stabler is still on the outside looking in.
Running Back: Paul Hornung, 1957-62, 1964-66, Inducted 1986
Hornung is remember as being a key member of the Vince Lombardi era Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, and acquired the nickname 'The Golden Boy' due to his accomplishments at Notre Dame and with the Packers. However, while Hornung was considered a threat to score whenever he handled the ball and not only played running back, but also served as the placekicker for a few years, he seemed to be a jack of all trades but a master of none. In his nine years with the team, Hornung only received 100 or more touches in only four seasons. He never gained more than 1000 yards from scrimmage in a season, and was named to only two Pro Bowl teams in his career. Yes Hornung has 62 career touchdowns and led the NFL in scoring three straight seasons (1959-61). But I have a hard time putting somebody in the Hall of Fame when he was only the second best running back on his team (Jim Taylor got most of the carries for the Packers, btw).
If Hornung is in, then why not:
Timmy Brown? Brown played for three different teams, primarily for the Philadelphia Eagles, from 1959-1968. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever made an argument that Timmy Brown should be in the Hall of Fame. But Brown, drafted in the 27th round in 1959 by the Packers, was actually quite a similar player to Hornung. A three time Pro Bowler, Brown finished his career with more touchdowns than Hornung (64 to 62), more rushing yards (3,862 to 3,711 in nearly the same amount of carries), more receptions (235 to 130) and more yards from scrimmage (7,261 to 5,191). While Hornung helped his club on special teams by kicking field goals, Brown was a special teams maven in his own right, returning five kickoffs and a punt for a touchdown. In 1963, Brown set a record (since broken) by gaining 2,425 all-purpose yards. Yet since Brown toiled away for a mediocre Philadelphia Eagles team, he is hardly remembered today, while Hornung is due to his time with the Packers. I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles.
Wide Receiver: Lynn Swann, 1974-82, Inducted 2001
There may not be a more controversial selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame than that of Lynn Swann. Swann's induction seems primarily based on his reputation of making spectacular catches, such as the catches he made in Super Bowl X in winning the Super Bowl MVP. Swann's detractors say that his stats weren't that of an elite receiver (336 career catches, no seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards) and that Swann was nothing more than a beneficiary of playing for such a great team in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Swann's defenders would have you believe that his stats are so low only because the Steelers were a running team first, and only used Swann when a big play was needed. Personally, I feel Swann was a good player but he wasn't even the best wide receiver on his team (John Stallworth, also a Hall of Famer), so, like Hornung, I have a hard time accepting that Swann is a Hall of Famer.
If Swann is in, then why not:
Cliff Branch? During Swann's career, Branch had more catches (413 to 336), more yards (7,257 to 5,462) and more touchdown receptions (59 to 51). Branch was a four-time Pro Bowler and three times was a first team All-Pro, compared to Swann's three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro selection. Branch had 2 seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving, Swann had none. Branch led the NFL in receiving yards in 1974, and in touchdowns in 1974 and 1976. Swann led the NFL in touchdowns only once, in 1975. Swann was a member of four Super Bowl winning teams, but Branch was a member of three such teams himself. Of the two, I'd say Branch had the better career, but since Swann had a big performance on a big stage and was more outgoing than Branch, he's the one in the Hall of Fame.
Offensive Lineman: Bob St. Clair, 1953-1963, Inducted 1990
I'll be honest, this was the hardest position to find a 'worst' for. St. Clair was a very good player for a number of years with the San Francisco 49ers, making five Pro Bowls and allegedly blocking 10 kicks during the 1956 season. The 6'9" St. Clair was a towering presence over his opponents and blocked for fellow Hall of Famers Y.A. Tittle, Joe Perry, Hugh McElhenny and John Henry Johnson. But somebody's got to be here, and St. Clair's lack of a single consensus All-Pro selection puts him on the list.
If St. Clair is in, then why not:
Jerry Kramer? In 1969, the NFL named Kramer one of the two guards on it's all 50th Anniversary Team. Of the players named on that team, Kramer is the only one not to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Not only was Kramer a key player on the Green Bay Packers' dynasty of the 1960s, the five time All-Pro also served as a placekicker for a couple of seasons for the team, and he threw perhaps the most famous block in the history of the NFL that allowed Bart Starr to score the winning touchdown in the Ice Bowl. The only reason that I can think of as to why the Hall has yet to induct Kramer is that 10 of his Packers teammates are already in, and one more may be too much. To that I say hogwash. After all, Lynn Swann was inducted even though he had 10 or so teammates in the Hall already, and not to belabor the point, but Kramer was a much better player at his position than Swann was.
Defensive Lineman: Dan Hampton, 1979-1990, Inducted 2002
Hampton was a big part of the Super Bowl Champion 1985 Chicago Bears and was named to four Pro Bowl teams during his 12 year career. But for a supposedly dominant defensive lineman, Hampton seems to fall a little short of his reputation. Yes, he was named to four Pro Bowls and 1 consensus All-Pro team, but men such as Bob Baumhower, Fred Smealers, and Joe Klecko, and those guys aren't going to be in the Hall anytime soon. Was Hampton a great player, yes, but there are better lineman than him that are not in the Hall of Fame.
If Hampton is in, then why not:
Richard Dent? It was Dent and not Dan Hampton that was the most destructive force on the legendary Bears defense of the 1980s. Dent is sixth all time in sacks with 137.5, and like Hampton, Dent played in four Pro Bowl and was named an NFL All-Pro once. For years, Dent has been a Hall of Fame finalist, but every year Dent is passed over in favor of lesser candidates such as Fred Dean, Derrick Thomas and Andre Tippett. Eventually, you have to figure that the MVP of Super Bowl XX will join Hampton in the Hall, but until that day comes, we are left to wonder just why Dent has been passed over again and again.
Linebacker: Andre Tippett, 1982-1988, 1990-93, Inducted 2008
During a four year stretch for 1984-1987, Tippett was the best outside linebacker in the NFL not named Lawrence Taylor. In those four seasons, Tippett recorded 57 sacks and was named to the other Pro Bowl after each of those seasons. In his other seven seasons, Tippett was a decent linebacker, but hardly a gamechanger. Yes, Tippett had a spectacular four year run, but so did DE Mark Gastineau and OLB Pat Swilling, and neither one of those players have been mentioned for Hall of Fame consideration.
If Tippett is in, then why not:
Kevin Greene? Greene, like Tippett, was a tremendous pass rusher from the Outside Linebacker position. Greene, like Tippett, played in five Pro Bowls and was named to two All-Pro teams. Unlike Tippett, Greene was more consistent, putting up 10 seasons with 10 or more sacks. Greene's 160 sacks is the third most in NFL history, and yet he has not even been on the final ballot in his five years of eligibility. Tippett did not get in until his ninth year of eligibility, so maybe there's hope for Greene just yet.
Defensive Back: Dick Lebeau, 1959-1972, Inducted 2010
Lebeau is the most recent induction on the list, and his 62 interceptions give him a strong case for his induction. However, there are a couple of factors to consider. One, Lebeau played nearly his entire career opposite Dick "Night Train" Lane and Lem Barney, two Hall of Fame cornerbacks in their own right. Therefore, Lebeau had a chance to pick more passes off because quarterbacks would rather throw at him than his teammate. Two, Lebeau only made three Pro Bowl, and never was selected a consensus All-Pro. Third, Lebeau gained momentum for his induction largely due to his role as the defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers and as the innovator of the zone blitz, which is all well and good but should not be considered into inducting Lebeau the player. I'm happy that Lebeau was inducted after such a long wait, but one must wonder if he would have been inducted if not for his second career.
If Lebeau is in, then why not:
Johnny Robinson? Robinson, a 12-year pro for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1960-1971, was a Hall of Fame finalist six times during the 1980s, but is no longer on the ballot and now must be considered by the Veteran's Committee. He should be. Robinson played in seven Pro Bowls, and was named to the first team AFL and NFL teams six times during his career. Robinson finished his career with 57 interceptions, twice had 10 interceptions in a season, and was named to the NFL's All Decade team of the 1960s. Robinson is probably the greatest defensive back in the history of the AFL, and deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Head Coach: Bud Grant, 1967-1983, 1985, Inducted 1994
Grant coached the Minnesota Vikings for his entire NFL head coaching career, leading them to 12 playoff appearances, 11 division titles, and four Super Bowl appearances during his tenure in Minnesota. However, Grant failed to win a Super Bowl and even one of his team's appearances, and often the games were over by the end of the first half. Yes, the Vikings had a remarkable run, but it seems that a team as talented as they were would at least win one Super Bowl.
If Grant is in, then why not:
Dan Reeves. Like Grant, Reeves took a team to the Super Bowl four times, including three trips in four years. Like Grant, Reeves never coached a team to a Super Bowl victory and often the games were over by halftime. Unlike Grant, Reeves didn't coach teams exactly bursting with talent. Yes, his Broncos teams of the 1980s had John Elway at quarterback, but the rest of the team was primarily league-average talent at best, with a few solid players such as Karl Mecklenberg and Dennis Smith thrown in there. Reeves also led the 1998 Falcons to a 14-2 record and a NFC Title, and I doubt that any non-Falcon fan today could name more than five starters from that team. Yes, Grant has the better record, (158-96-5 to 190-165-2), but Reeves has the better playoff record (11-9 to 10-12) and was able to do more with less than most coaches to ever coach in the game.
Well, that's it, the worst Pro Football Hall of Famers by position. To be fair, all of the men mentioned were fine players, and I'm not asking that they be voted out of the Hall of Fame or anything drastic like that. It's just that there's got to be a player that just barely meets the specifications of what a Hall of Famer should be, and I was just interested in discussing just who that is. If you happen to agree or disagree with my selections, than feel free to express your opinions on this topic. If you have any comments on this post, or ideas for future posts, than send me them either by leaving a comment or by e-mail at kthec2001@gmail.com.
Quarterback: Joe Namath, 1965-1977, Inducted 1985
Namath is best known for leading his New York Jets to victory in Super Bowl III after guaranteeing a win against the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. While that is one of the greatest moments in NFL history, it shouldn't be enough to get into the Hall. Looking at Namath's numbers, one wonders just how a quarterback with his numbers could get in. Namath threw more interceptions than touchdowns (220-173) and only threw more touchdown than interceptions in two of his thirteen seasons. His completion percentage (50.1) and quarterback rating (65.5) are downright pedestrian. Namath defenders will say that it was a different game, and those statistics were low for all quarterbacks. Well, maybe so, but over the course of Namath's career (65-77), Namath ranks 33rd in completion percentage and 28th in quarterback rating amongst quarterbacks with over 1000 attempts. Namath ranks behind such legends as Randy Johnson, Bill Munson, and Bob Berry. Bottom line, Namath got in thanks more to the perception that he was a great quarterback rather than reality.
If Namath is in, then why not:
Kenny Stabler? Stabler and Namath are similar in many aspects. Both men led their teams to a Super Bowl win (Stabler in Super Bowl XI). Both men won MVP awards (Namath in 1968, Stabler in 1974). Both men threw more interceptions than touchdowns (222 INTs, 194 TDs for Stabler). Both men quarterbacked at the University of Alabama under Bear Bryant and both men had reputations for scoring both on and off the field. However, Stabler had the better numbers, as he completed 59.8 percent of his passes and finished his career with a quarterback rating of 75.3. While Namath finished his career with a losing record in games he started, Stabler put together a record of 96-49-1 as a starter. Yes Stabler had better teams around him, but Stabler deserves some credit, as he lead his teams on 26 game winning drives late in the game (Namath had 16, btw). Yet after all these years, Stabler is still on the outside looking in.
Running Back: Paul Hornung, 1957-62, 1964-66, Inducted 1986
Hornung is remember as being a key member of the Vince Lombardi era Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, and acquired the nickname 'The Golden Boy' due to his accomplishments at Notre Dame and with the Packers. However, while Hornung was considered a threat to score whenever he handled the ball and not only played running back, but also served as the placekicker for a few years, he seemed to be a jack of all trades but a master of none. In his nine years with the team, Hornung only received 100 or more touches in only four seasons. He never gained more than 1000 yards from scrimmage in a season, and was named to only two Pro Bowl teams in his career. Yes Hornung has 62 career touchdowns and led the NFL in scoring three straight seasons (1959-61). But I have a hard time putting somebody in the Hall of Fame when he was only the second best running back on his team (Jim Taylor got most of the carries for the Packers, btw).
If Hornung is in, then why not:
Timmy Brown? Brown played for three different teams, primarily for the Philadelphia Eagles, from 1959-1968. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever made an argument that Timmy Brown should be in the Hall of Fame. But Brown, drafted in the 27th round in 1959 by the Packers, was actually quite a similar player to Hornung. A three time Pro Bowler, Brown finished his career with more touchdowns than Hornung (64 to 62), more rushing yards (3,862 to 3,711 in nearly the same amount of carries), more receptions (235 to 130) and more yards from scrimmage (7,261 to 5,191). While Hornung helped his club on special teams by kicking field goals, Brown was a special teams maven in his own right, returning five kickoffs and a punt for a touchdown. In 1963, Brown set a record (since broken) by gaining 2,425 all-purpose yards. Yet since Brown toiled away for a mediocre Philadelphia Eagles team, he is hardly remembered today, while Hornung is due to his time with the Packers. I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles.
Wide Receiver: Lynn Swann, 1974-82, Inducted 2001
There may not be a more controversial selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame than that of Lynn Swann. Swann's induction seems primarily based on his reputation of making spectacular catches, such as the catches he made in Super Bowl X in winning the Super Bowl MVP. Swann's detractors say that his stats weren't that of an elite receiver (336 career catches, no seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards) and that Swann was nothing more than a beneficiary of playing for such a great team in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Swann's defenders would have you believe that his stats are so low only because the Steelers were a running team first, and only used Swann when a big play was needed. Personally, I feel Swann was a good player but he wasn't even the best wide receiver on his team (John Stallworth, also a Hall of Famer), so, like Hornung, I have a hard time accepting that Swann is a Hall of Famer.
If Swann is in, then why not:
Cliff Branch? During Swann's career, Branch had more catches (413 to 336), more yards (7,257 to 5,462) and more touchdown receptions (59 to 51). Branch was a four-time Pro Bowler and three times was a first team All-Pro, compared to Swann's three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro selection. Branch had 2 seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving, Swann had none. Branch led the NFL in receiving yards in 1974, and in touchdowns in 1974 and 1976. Swann led the NFL in touchdowns only once, in 1975. Swann was a member of four Super Bowl winning teams, but Branch was a member of three such teams himself. Of the two, I'd say Branch had the better career, but since Swann had a big performance on a big stage and was more outgoing than Branch, he's the one in the Hall of Fame.
Offensive Lineman: Bob St. Clair, 1953-1963, Inducted 1990
I'll be honest, this was the hardest position to find a 'worst' for. St. Clair was a very good player for a number of years with the San Francisco 49ers, making five Pro Bowls and allegedly blocking 10 kicks during the 1956 season. The 6'9" St. Clair was a towering presence over his opponents and blocked for fellow Hall of Famers Y.A. Tittle, Joe Perry, Hugh McElhenny and John Henry Johnson. But somebody's got to be here, and St. Clair's lack of a single consensus All-Pro selection puts him on the list.
If St. Clair is in, then why not:
Jerry Kramer? In 1969, the NFL named Kramer one of the two guards on it's all 50th Anniversary Team. Of the players named on that team, Kramer is the only one not to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Not only was Kramer a key player on the Green Bay Packers' dynasty of the 1960s, the five time All-Pro also served as a placekicker for a couple of seasons for the team, and he threw perhaps the most famous block in the history of the NFL that allowed Bart Starr to score the winning touchdown in the Ice Bowl. The only reason that I can think of as to why the Hall has yet to induct Kramer is that 10 of his Packers teammates are already in, and one more may be too much. To that I say hogwash. After all, Lynn Swann was inducted even though he had 10 or so teammates in the Hall already, and not to belabor the point, but Kramer was a much better player at his position than Swann was.
Defensive Lineman: Dan Hampton, 1979-1990, Inducted 2002
Hampton was a big part of the Super Bowl Champion 1985 Chicago Bears and was named to four Pro Bowl teams during his 12 year career. But for a supposedly dominant defensive lineman, Hampton seems to fall a little short of his reputation. Yes, he was named to four Pro Bowls and 1 consensus All-Pro team, but men such as Bob Baumhower, Fred Smealers, and Joe Klecko, and those guys aren't going to be in the Hall anytime soon. Was Hampton a great player, yes, but there are better lineman than him that are not in the Hall of Fame.
If Hampton is in, then why not:
Richard Dent? It was Dent and not Dan Hampton that was the most destructive force on the legendary Bears defense of the 1980s. Dent is sixth all time in sacks with 137.5, and like Hampton, Dent played in four Pro Bowl and was named an NFL All-Pro once. For years, Dent has been a Hall of Fame finalist, but every year Dent is passed over in favor of lesser candidates such as Fred Dean, Derrick Thomas and Andre Tippett. Eventually, you have to figure that the MVP of Super Bowl XX will join Hampton in the Hall, but until that day comes, we are left to wonder just why Dent has been passed over again and again.
Linebacker: Andre Tippett, 1982-1988, 1990-93, Inducted 2008
During a four year stretch for 1984-1987, Tippett was the best outside linebacker in the NFL not named Lawrence Taylor. In those four seasons, Tippett recorded 57 sacks and was named to the other Pro Bowl after each of those seasons. In his other seven seasons, Tippett was a decent linebacker, but hardly a gamechanger. Yes, Tippett had a spectacular four year run, but so did DE Mark Gastineau and OLB Pat Swilling, and neither one of those players have been mentioned for Hall of Fame consideration.
If Tippett is in, then why not:
Kevin Greene? Greene, like Tippett, was a tremendous pass rusher from the Outside Linebacker position. Greene, like Tippett, played in five Pro Bowls and was named to two All-Pro teams. Unlike Tippett, Greene was more consistent, putting up 10 seasons with 10 or more sacks. Greene's 160 sacks is the third most in NFL history, and yet he has not even been on the final ballot in his five years of eligibility. Tippett did not get in until his ninth year of eligibility, so maybe there's hope for Greene just yet.
Defensive Back: Dick Lebeau, 1959-1972, Inducted 2010
Lebeau is the most recent induction on the list, and his 62 interceptions give him a strong case for his induction. However, there are a couple of factors to consider. One, Lebeau played nearly his entire career opposite Dick "Night Train" Lane and Lem Barney, two Hall of Fame cornerbacks in their own right. Therefore, Lebeau had a chance to pick more passes off because quarterbacks would rather throw at him than his teammate. Two, Lebeau only made three Pro Bowl, and never was selected a consensus All-Pro. Third, Lebeau gained momentum for his induction largely due to his role as the defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers and as the innovator of the zone blitz, which is all well and good but should not be considered into inducting Lebeau the player. I'm happy that Lebeau was inducted after such a long wait, but one must wonder if he would have been inducted if not for his second career.
If Lebeau is in, then why not:
Johnny Robinson? Robinson, a 12-year pro for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1960-1971, was a Hall of Fame finalist six times during the 1980s, but is no longer on the ballot and now must be considered by the Veteran's Committee. He should be. Robinson played in seven Pro Bowls, and was named to the first team AFL and NFL teams six times during his career. Robinson finished his career with 57 interceptions, twice had 10 interceptions in a season, and was named to the NFL's All Decade team of the 1960s. Robinson is probably the greatest defensive back in the history of the AFL, and deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Head Coach: Bud Grant, 1967-1983, 1985, Inducted 1994
Grant coached the Minnesota Vikings for his entire NFL head coaching career, leading them to 12 playoff appearances, 11 division titles, and four Super Bowl appearances during his tenure in Minnesota. However, Grant failed to win a Super Bowl and even one of his team's appearances, and often the games were over by the end of the first half. Yes, the Vikings had a remarkable run, but it seems that a team as talented as they were would at least win one Super Bowl.
If Grant is in, then why not:
Dan Reeves. Like Grant, Reeves took a team to the Super Bowl four times, including three trips in four years. Like Grant, Reeves never coached a team to a Super Bowl victory and often the games were over by halftime. Unlike Grant, Reeves didn't coach teams exactly bursting with talent. Yes, his Broncos teams of the 1980s had John Elway at quarterback, but the rest of the team was primarily league-average talent at best, with a few solid players such as Karl Mecklenberg and Dennis Smith thrown in there. Reeves also led the 1998 Falcons to a 14-2 record and a NFC Title, and I doubt that any non-Falcon fan today could name more than five starters from that team. Yes, Grant has the better record, (158-96-5 to 190-165-2), but Reeves has the better playoff record (11-9 to 10-12) and was able to do more with less than most coaches to ever coach in the game.
Well, that's it, the worst Pro Football Hall of Famers by position. To be fair, all of the men mentioned were fine players, and I'm not asking that they be voted out of the Hall of Fame or anything drastic like that. It's just that there's got to be a player that just barely meets the specifications of what a Hall of Famer should be, and I was just interested in discussing just who that is. If you happen to agree or disagree with my selections, than feel free to express your opinions on this topic. If you have any comments on this post, or ideas for future posts, than send me them either by leaving a comment or by e-mail at kthec2001@gmail.com.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Oh Brother!: Ten Athletes with Far More Successful Brothers
Marc Brown once wrote: "Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero". Well, what happens when you're brother is a superhero? Imagine, if you will, if you were the brother of the President of the United States. On one hand, it'd be awesome to be the president's brother, you'd probably get some special perks and maybe even your very own secret service agent. Plus, being the sibling of a president probably helps when you are trying to pick up the ladies. But on the other hand, there's always going to be a slight tinge of jealously deep in the back of your mind about your brother's success. You would have to ask yourself at one point, how could he be the President, and I ended up a failed restaurateur, or an alcoholic farmer, or a mechanic, or whatever. Well, these ten men below know what it's like to be in the shadow of a more famous brother. Some of these men chose to follow their older brothers into their respective fields, while others had to sit back and watch as their younger brothers became big time starts while they toiled in relative obscurity. So, without further adieu, here's a list of ten athletes whose careers fell short of their brothers'.
10. Paul Messier - Paul Messier was drafted in the third round of the 1978 NHL Draft by the Colorado Rockies (now New Jersey Devils). His brother, Mark, was drafted in the third round by the Edmonton Oilers. Paul, a center, hurt his shoulder and only played nine games for the Rockies in 1980 without scoring a point before moving on to play for a variety of minor league teams in the U.S., Canada, and West Germany. Mark, meanwhile, became a hockey legend, finishing his career second all-time in points and winning six Stanley Cups. However, being the brother of a legend hasn't been all bad for Paul, as, according to Wikipedia, Paul spends his days in the Bahamas running a restaurant owned by Mark.
9. Michael Garciaparra - Where as Michael's big brother Nomar is a two-time former batting champion and married to former soccer superstar Mia Hamm, Michael has been slumming it in the minor leagues ever since being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2001. A shortstop when he was drafted, Michael was a below-average defensive player and has not hit enough to pick up the slack. Currently, Michael is in the Houston Astros' organization, playing for their Triple-A affiliate. At 27, it's unlikely that Michael will reach Nomar's level of success, and he may not even get to the Major Leagues.
8. Eric Angle - Eric is the older brother of professional wrestler and Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler Kurt Angle. Both Eric and Kurt participated in Amateur Wrestling, but obviously, Kurt was much more successful in that field. When Kurt signed with the WWF, Eric followed in his footsteps and went to the WWF's training facility to become a pro wrestler. Although Eric had a few moments in the WWF, usually disguised as his brother Kurt, injuries curtailed his career and Eric retired in 2003. Kurt, meanwhile has become one of pro wrestling's bigger names, though perhaps Eric was better off, as at least he didn't do this:
7. Derrick Gervin - Derrick's older brother George had a cool nickname "The Iceman" and led the NBA in scoring four times. Derrick, meanwhile, was a good player at UT-San Antonio, where he recently had his number retired. However, after being drafted in 1985 by the Philadelphia 76ers, he failed to make the club, and played all around Europe and in the CBA before the New Jersey Nets gave him a shot in 1989-90, where he played two seasons with the club. According to the 1991-92 Basketball Almanac, Gervin was the type of player who could score in a hurry when his shot was falling, but was likely to give up more points than he scored on the defensive end and couldn't, or wouldn't pass. In 77 career games, Gervin averaged 8.8 points, although he did once light up the Atlanta Hawks for 34, proving once again that the Hawks suck.
6. Larry Yount - The older brother of Hall of Famer and two-time MVP Robin Yount. Larry has perhaps the shortest career in Major League Baseball history. In 1971, Yount was a young pitcher for the Houston Astros when, on September 15, he was called upon to relieve. However, during warmups, Yount hurt his elbow and therefore was unable to pitch, and was replaced with another reliever. Try as he might, Yount never got another chance to pitch in the Major Leagues before retiring from baseball in 1976 and going into real estate. Robin, meanwhile, played a mere 2,856 games in the big leagues, while Larry never even got to throw a pitch in the one game he appeared in.
5. Dan McGwire - Dan's brother Mark was kind of a big deal in baseball, where he hit over 500 home runs including 70 in 1998. Dan's sport was not baseball, but rather football, where in 1989 and 1990 he was a big-time college quarterback for San Diego State. In the 1991 NFL Draft, the Seahawks had their choice of either McGwire or Brett Favre to become their quarterback of the future. According to ESPN.com's Mike Sando, then head coach Chuck Knox wanted the team to select Favre, but instead ownership decided to pick the 6'7" McGwire. McGwire may have been tall, in fact he was the tallest quarterback in NFL history, but the Seahawks might have been better off if they had Mark behind center. In his five year career, McGwire was either hurt or ineffective, and only threw two touchdown passes in his career. However, at least Dan didn't sell out his brother Mark to make money on a tell-all book, as their other brother Jay has done recently.
4. Brent Gretzky- When you're brother is called "The Great One" and has more NHL records than McDonalds has hamburgers, there's going to be a bit of pressure on you when you decide to follow in his footsteps and play hockey. Brent didn't quite have the career of his older brother, as he scored four points over two seasons for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Brent was too small (160 lbs) and too slow a skater to last in the NHL. Instead, Brent has crafted a long career in hockey's minor leagues, playing for such teams as the Ashville Smoke, Fort Wayne Komets, and the Motor City Mechanics. Well, I guess it goes to show that not everyone is meant for greatness.
3. Brett Lindros - Brett's older brother Eric was considered hockey's next big thing in 1994, so the New York Islanders decided that they should get the next best thing and drafted Lindros 9th overall in that year's NHL Draft. Brett had the size of his older brother, and played hockey with an ornery edge. Unfortunately for Brett, he didn't have the skill of Eric and had an alarming habit of suffering concussions. After four concussions in a six month span, Brett was forced to retire from hockey at the age of 20 after a mere 51 games played in the NHL. It's hard to say whether Brett would have developed into a top notch player, as he did have the size but only scored 2 goals in his 51 games. Eric, meanwhile, would win the Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player in 1995, and had a solid career that unfortunately, was also derailed in part due to concussions.
2. Craig Griffey - Craig's brother is Ken Griffey Jr., only one of the best players in recent baseball history. His father is Ken Griffey Sr. a solid ballplayer in his own right. So the Seattle Mariners, who in 1991 employed both Ken Griffeys, decided to take a flyer on Craig in the 42nd round of the 1991 MLB Draft. Was it a pick based on nepotism? Absolutely. However, it was the 42nd round and you're not likely to find a future star by that point, so there's no real harm in giving Craig a shot and hoping you get lucky. The Mariners did not strike paydirt on this pick, as he never made it past Triple-A, and only played three games at that level. In six years in the minors, Craig hit .224 with a .291 slugging percentage. He could steal a base if he managed to actually get on, but that was about it.
1. Ozzie Canseco - Ozzie's probably my favorite of the not-so-famous brothers. Not only did he follow his identical twin Jose into major league baseball, he also followed him into the world of steriods, and even reality TV, as he once appeared on an episode of The Surreal Life impersonating Jose in front of other washed up celebrities. Ozzie actually started out as a pitcher in the New York Yankees organization before the Oakland Athletics decided to movie Ozzie to Jose's position in right field and see if they could make "Double Trouble" for opposing pitchers. That worked about as well as you would expect, as Ozzie would provide fans of minor league baseball a cool breeze from his constant swings and misses. He could hit it a far way if he made contact, but he didn't make contact nearly enough. Over a span of three seasons, Ozzie played 24 games for both the Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals, hitting .200 and failing to hit a home run. Ozzie's had some legal troubles over the years. In 2001, he and Jose got into a fight with some tourists at a Miami night club, an incident which led to Ozzie receiving 18 months probation. In 2003, Ozzie was sentenced to four months in jail after being charged with illegal possession of anabolic steroids. It remains to be seen if Ozzie will follow his brother Jose into mixed martial arts. Personally, I hope so, as you can never get enough of Ozzie Canseco.
Honorable Mention: Marcus Vick, Chris Von Erich, Eric Moss, Craig Bradshaw, Jordan Palmer, Billy Ripken, Wayne Primeau, Byron Sanders, Chris Gwynn, Wilton Guerrero, Fedor Fedorov, Steve Kariya, Vic Howe, Alain Lemieux, Rocky Trottier, Steven Larkin, Mike Maddux, Henry Mathewson, Rich Murray, Butts Wagner, Tommie Aaron, Mike Glavine, Darren Flutie, Jack Thorpe, Ed Mikan.
Well, thanks for reading. I'm sure I've missed a couple of not-so-famous brothers, so feel free to correct me if you think of one. If you have any thoughts about this posts, or ideas for future reviews or posts, than share them either by leaving a comment or by sending me an email at kthec2001@gmail.com.
10. Paul Messier - Paul Messier was drafted in the third round of the 1978 NHL Draft by the Colorado Rockies (now New Jersey Devils). His brother, Mark, was drafted in the third round by the Edmonton Oilers. Paul, a center, hurt his shoulder and only played nine games for the Rockies in 1980 without scoring a point before moving on to play for a variety of minor league teams in the U.S., Canada, and West Germany. Mark, meanwhile, became a hockey legend, finishing his career second all-time in points and winning six Stanley Cups. However, being the brother of a legend hasn't been all bad for Paul, as, according to Wikipedia, Paul spends his days in the Bahamas running a restaurant owned by Mark.
9. Michael Garciaparra - Where as Michael's big brother Nomar is a two-time former batting champion and married to former soccer superstar Mia Hamm, Michael has been slumming it in the minor leagues ever since being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2001. A shortstop when he was drafted, Michael was a below-average defensive player and has not hit enough to pick up the slack. Currently, Michael is in the Houston Astros' organization, playing for their Triple-A affiliate. At 27, it's unlikely that Michael will reach Nomar's level of success, and he may not even get to the Major Leagues.
8. Eric Angle - Eric is the older brother of professional wrestler and Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler Kurt Angle. Both Eric and Kurt participated in Amateur Wrestling, but obviously, Kurt was much more successful in that field. When Kurt signed with the WWF, Eric followed in his footsteps and went to the WWF's training facility to become a pro wrestler. Although Eric had a few moments in the WWF, usually disguised as his brother Kurt, injuries curtailed his career and Eric retired in 2003. Kurt, meanwhile has become one of pro wrestling's bigger names, though perhaps Eric was better off, as at least he didn't do this:
7. Derrick Gervin - Derrick's older brother George had a cool nickname "The Iceman" and led the NBA in scoring four times. Derrick, meanwhile, was a good player at UT-San Antonio, where he recently had his number retired. However, after being drafted in 1985 by the Philadelphia 76ers, he failed to make the club, and played all around Europe and in the CBA before the New Jersey Nets gave him a shot in 1989-90, where he played two seasons with the club. According to the 1991-92 Basketball Almanac, Gervin was the type of player who could score in a hurry when his shot was falling, but was likely to give up more points than he scored on the defensive end and couldn't, or wouldn't pass. In 77 career games, Gervin averaged 8.8 points, although he did once light up the Atlanta Hawks for 34, proving once again that the Hawks suck.
6. Larry Yount - The older brother of Hall of Famer and two-time MVP Robin Yount. Larry has perhaps the shortest career in Major League Baseball history. In 1971, Yount was a young pitcher for the Houston Astros when, on September 15, he was called upon to relieve. However, during warmups, Yount hurt his elbow and therefore was unable to pitch, and was replaced with another reliever. Try as he might, Yount never got another chance to pitch in the Major Leagues before retiring from baseball in 1976 and going into real estate. Robin, meanwhile, played a mere 2,856 games in the big leagues, while Larry never even got to throw a pitch in the one game he appeared in.
5. Dan McGwire - Dan's brother Mark was kind of a big deal in baseball, where he hit over 500 home runs including 70 in 1998. Dan's sport was not baseball, but rather football, where in 1989 and 1990 he was a big-time college quarterback for San Diego State. In the 1991 NFL Draft, the Seahawks had their choice of either McGwire or Brett Favre to become their quarterback of the future. According to ESPN.com's Mike Sando, then head coach Chuck Knox wanted the team to select Favre, but instead ownership decided to pick the 6'7" McGwire. McGwire may have been tall, in fact he was the tallest quarterback in NFL history, but the Seahawks might have been better off if they had Mark behind center. In his five year career, McGwire was either hurt or ineffective, and only threw two touchdown passes in his career. However, at least Dan didn't sell out his brother Mark to make money on a tell-all book, as their other brother Jay has done recently.
4. Brent Gretzky- When you're brother is called "The Great One" and has more NHL records than McDonalds has hamburgers, there's going to be a bit of pressure on you when you decide to follow in his footsteps and play hockey. Brent didn't quite have the career of his older brother, as he scored four points over two seasons for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Brent was too small (160 lbs) and too slow a skater to last in the NHL. Instead, Brent has crafted a long career in hockey's minor leagues, playing for such teams as the Ashville Smoke, Fort Wayne Komets, and the Motor City Mechanics. Well, I guess it goes to show that not everyone is meant for greatness.
3. Brett Lindros - Brett's older brother Eric was considered hockey's next big thing in 1994, so the New York Islanders decided that they should get the next best thing and drafted Lindros 9th overall in that year's NHL Draft. Brett had the size of his older brother, and played hockey with an ornery edge. Unfortunately for Brett, he didn't have the skill of Eric and had an alarming habit of suffering concussions. After four concussions in a six month span, Brett was forced to retire from hockey at the age of 20 after a mere 51 games played in the NHL. It's hard to say whether Brett would have developed into a top notch player, as he did have the size but only scored 2 goals in his 51 games. Eric, meanwhile, would win the Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player in 1995, and had a solid career that unfortunately, was also derailed in part due to concussions.
2. Craig Griffey - Craig's brother is Ken Griffey Jr., only one of the best players in recent baseball history. His father is Ken Griffey Sr. a solid ballplayer in his own right. So the Seattle Mariners, who in 1991 employed both Ken Griffeys, decided to take a flyer on Craig in the 42nd round of the 1991 MLB Draft. Was it a pick based on nepotism? Absolutely. However, it was the 42nd round and you're not likely to find a future star by that point, so there's no real harm in giving Craig a shot and hoping you get lucky. The Mariners did not strike paydirt on this pick, as he never made it past Triple-A, and only played three games at that level. In six years in the minors, Craig hit .224 with a .291 slugging percentage. He could steal a base if he managed to actually get on, but that was about it.
1. Ozzie Canseco - Ozzie's probably my favorite of the not-so-famous brothers. Not only did he follow his identical twin Jose into major league baseball, he also followed him into the world of steriods, and even reality TV, as he once appeared on an episode of The Surreal Life impersonating Jose in front of other washed up celebrities. Ozzie actually started out as a pitcher in the New York Yankees organization before the Oakland Athletics decided to movie Ozzie to Jose's position in right field and see if they could make "Double Trouble" for opposing pitchers. That worked about as well as you would expect, as Ozzie would provide fans of minor league baseball a cool breeze from his constant swings and misses. He could hit it a far way if he made contact, but he didn't make contact nearly enough. Over a span of three seasons, Ozzie played 24 games for both the Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals, hitting .200 and failing to hit a home run. Ozzie's had some legal troubles over the years. In 2001, he and Jose got into a fight with some tourists at a Miami night club, an incident which led to Ozzie receiving 18 months probation. In 2003, Ozzie was sentenced to four months in jail after being charged with illegal possession of anabolic steroids. It remains to be seen if Ozzie will follow his brother Jose into mixed martial arts. Personally, I hope so, as you can never get enough of Ozzie Canseco.
Honorable Mention: Marcus Vick, Chris Von Erich, Eric Moss, Craig Bradshaw, Jordan Palmer, Billy Ripken, Wayne Primeau, Byron Sanders, Chris Gwynn, Wilton Guerrero, Fedor Fedorov, Steve Kariya, Vic Howe, Alain Lemieux, Rocky Trottier, Steven Larkin, Mike Maddux, Henry Mathewson, Rich Murray, Butts Wagner, Tommie Aaron, Mike Glavine, Darren Flutie, Jack Thorpe, Ed Mikan.
Well, thanks for reading. I'm sure I've missed a couple of not-so-famous brothers, so feel free to correct me if you think of one. If you have any thoughts about this posts, or ideas for future reviews or posts, than share them either by leaving a comment or by sending me an email at kthec2001@gmail.com.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Canon Review List-A-Mania: Top Ten Tight Ends in NFL History
The tight end is an important position in football. The ideal tight end must be able to block like a tackle and catch like a wide receiver. Because of that, your ideal tight end these days is about 6'4" and 250 lbs, with speed to burn. The men listed below have combined all the skills needed for the tight end position to become the best of all-time.
Honorable Mention:
Jason Witten - Witten has caught 523 passes and made six Pro Bowls and his seven year career. By the time he retires, Witten could very well end up amongst the top five greatest tight ends in NFL history, but for now, he gets an honorable mention.
Jackie Smith - Smith is a Hall of Fame tight end who combined great longevity (16 years) and has one of the highest yards per catch averages amongst tight ends (16.5). In 1967, Smith had one of the greatest years a tight end has ever had, catching 56 passes for 1,205 yards (21.5 ypc) and nine touchdowns. Ultimately, even though Smith was a heck of a player, I just felt he came up a little short.
Todd Christensen - From 1983-86, Chiristensen averaged 87 catches, 1,099 yards, and eight touchdowns. If he had one or two more years of that caliber, Christensen might be in the Hall of Fame.
10. Keith Jackson (playing career: 1988-1996) - Jackson played only eight years, but in those eight years Jackson made five Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL All-Pro team in his first three years (1988-90). In 1988, Jackson had the second best rookie season a tight end has ever had, as he caught 81 passes for 869 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles. Jackson's final act wasn't too bad either, catching 10 touchdowns for the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers in 1996.
9. Dave Casper (1974-1984) - A tackle during his days at Notre Dame, Casper complemented his excellent blocking with soft hands and the ability to get deep every once in a while. Casper was named to five Pro Bowl, and made the NFL All-Pro First Team for four straight years (1976-1979). Casper finished in the top ten in the league in receptions three seasons, and in five seasons finished in the top ten in receiving touchdowns. In 1984, Casper retired with 378 catches and 52 touchdowns, numbers which helped him get elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Casper was also one of two tight ends named to the NFL's All-1970s team, the other one being this man:
8. Charlie Sanders (1968-1977) - Perhaps the game's best tight end before Casper established himself, Sanders played in seven Pro Bowls and made the NFL's All-Pro first team for three consecutive years (1969-1971) in spite of playing for a Detroit Lions team that often missed the postseason. For his career, Sanders caught 336 passes and average over 14 yards per catch, not too shabby for a tight end. His 336 catches were the most in Lions History at the time of his retirement, and only two tight ends have exceeded his seven Pro Bowl appearances. In 2007, Sanders was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
7. Mike Ditka (1961-1972) - Ditka is perhaps known more for being the head coach of the Chicago Bears in the 1980s, but Ditka was also one heck of a tight end. In his rookie season of 1961, Ditka had the best rookie season a tight end has ever had, catching 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ditka is largely credited as being the first big-time receiving threat from the tight end position, as before his arrival, the tight end was primarily utilized as a blocker. That's not to say Ditka couldn't block as well, as they didn't call him "Iron" Mike for nothing. In his first four years, Ditka finished in the top 10 in receptions each year, was named to the Pro Bowl each year, and twice was named NFL All-Pro. Ditka ended up being named to five Pro Bowls for his career, caught 427 passes and 43 touchdowns, and was a major part of two NFL Championship teams (1963 Chicago Bears and 1971 Dallas Cowboys). In 1988, Ditka was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first tight end to receive that honor, and in 1994, Ditka was one of two tight ends named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team.
6. Antonio Gates (2003-) - Gates has only played seven years, but the former college basketball player has made a huge impact in his career thus far. A six-time Pro Bowler, Gates was the NFL First-Team All-Pro tight end from 2004-2006, and has caught 479 passes and 59 touchdowns for the San Diego Chargers. Gates was recently named to the All-NFL team for the 2000s. Gates has finished in the top ten for touchdown catches in four separate seasons, and at the age of 30, Gates should have at least a couple of top-notch seasons ahead of him. For now, Gates is number six, but he could move up all the way to the top.
5. John Mackey (1963-1972) - Often considered the prototype for the modern tight end, Mackey had such speed that he was utilized as a kick returner as a rookie for the Colts in 1963. An All-NFL 1960s selection, Mackey was selected to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro first teams. Mackey averaged over 20 yards a catch in two different seasons, and for his career averaged an impressive 15.8 yards per catch. For his career, Mackey caught 331 passes and 38 touchdowns. In 1992, Mackey became the second tight end to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and College Football's annual award for best tight end is named after John Mackey.
4. Kellen Winslow (1979-1987) - Winslow didn't have the longest career, but he definitely made his presence felt during his career. Winslow played nine seasons, three of which were cut short due to injury. In six full seasons, Winslow was selected to play in five Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro three different seasons. In a four year stretch (1980-1983), Winslow finished no lower than third in the league in receptions, and led the NFL in catches in both 1980 and 1981. During that same stretch, Winslow finished in the top ten in receiving yards three different seasons and and receiving touchdowns in four seasons. For his career, Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. His accomplishments were honored in 1994 when Winslow was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary team, and in 1995 when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
3. Ozzie Newsome (1978-1990) - Newsome wasn't named to as many Pro Bowls as Winslow, Ditka, et al, only making three during his career. However, I feel he more than makes up for that with his numbers and consistency. When Newsome retired, no tight end in history had caught more passes (662) or gained more yards (7,980) than Ozzie Newsome. Newsome was a first team All-Pro selection twice during his career, and was a second team selection five times. At one point, Newsome caught a pass in 150 straight games and remarkably never missed a game during his 13 year career. Newsome was named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1980s, and in 1999, Newsome was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2. Shannon Sharpe (1990-2003) Sharpe was a decent blocker at best, but was such a dominant receiver for a long time that he deserves to be in the conversation for best tight end ever. A member of three Super Bowl winning teams (Denver Broncos 1997-98, Baltimore Ravens, 2000), Sharpe caught 50 or more passes in 11 different seasons. Sharpe's 815 catches rank 21st in NFL history, and second amongst tight ends. His 10,060 yards and 62 touchdown catches also rank second amongst all tight ends. An eight time Pro Bowler and four time first-team All-Pro, Sharpe was named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1990s, and should be elected to the Hall of Fame in the next couple of years. Sharpe was a heck of a tight end, but he's not the best.
1. Tony Gonzalez (1997-) The long-time Kansas City Chief and current Atlanta Falcon, Gonzalez has put up numbers unlike any other tight end in the history of the NFL. Gonzalez has more catches than any other tight end (999, 7th All-time), more receiving yards than any other tight end (11,807) and more touchdown catches than any other tight end (82). The ten-time Pro Bowler and five time All-Pro is still going strong, catching 83 passes and six touchdowns for the Falcons last year. The only tight end to catch more than 100 passes in a season (102 in 2004), Gonzalez has finished in the top ten in catches and in touchdown catches in four different seasons. Whenever he retires, Gonzalez should have a short wait before being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Thanks for reading, and if you have any thoughts about this post or any ideas for future posts, than send them to me either by leaving a comment or by e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com.
Honorable Mention:
Jason Witten - Witten has caught 523 passes and made six Pro Bowls and his seven year career. By the time he retires, Witten could very well end up amongst the top five greatest tight ends in NFL history, but for now, he gets an honorable mention.
Jackie Smith - Smith is a Hall of Fame tight end who combined great longevity (16 years) and has one of the highest yards per catch averages amongst tight ends (16.5). In 1967, Smith had one of the greatest years a tight end has ever had, catching 56 passes for 1,205 yards (21.5 ypc) and nine touchdowns. Ultimately, even though Smith was a heck of a player, I just felt he came up a little short.
Todd Christensen - From 1983-86, Chiristensen averaged 87 catches, 1,099 yards, and eight touchdowns. If he had one or two more years of that caliber, Christensen might be in the Hall of Fame.
10. Keith Jackson (playing career: 1988-1996) - Jackson played only eight years, but in those eight years Jackson made five Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL All-Pro team in his first three years (1988-90). In 1988, Jackson had the second best rookie season a tight end has ever had, as he caught 81 passes for 869 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles. Jackson's final act wasn't too bad either, catching 10 touchdowns for the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers in 1996.
9. Dave Casper (1974-1984) - A tackle during his days at Notre Dame, Casper complemented his excellent blocking with soft hands and the ability to get deep every once in a while. Casper was named to five Pro Bowl, and made the NFL All-Pro First Team for four straight years (1976-1979). Casper finished in the top ten in the league in receptions three seasons, and in five seasons finished in the top ten in receiving touchdowns. In 1984, Casper retired with 378 catches and 52 touchdowns, numbers which helped him get elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Casper was also one of two tight ends named to the NFL's All-1970s team, the other one being this man:
8. Charlie Sanders (1968-1977) - Perhaps the game's best tight end before Casper established himself, Sanders played in seven Pro Bowls and made the NFL's All-Pro first team for three consecutive years (1969-1971) in spite of playing for a Detroit Lions team that often missed the postseason. For his career, Sanders caught 336 passes and average over 14 yards per catch, not too shabby for a tight end. His 336 catches were the most in Lions History at the time of his retirement, and only two tight ends have exceeded his seven Pro Bowl appearances. In 2007, Sanders was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
7. Mike Ditka (1961-1972) - Ditka is perhaps known more for being the head coach of the Chicago Bears in the 1980s, but Ditka was also one heck of a tight end. In his rookie season of 1961, Ditka had the best rookie season a tight end has ever had, catching 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ditka is largely credited as being the first big-time receiving threat from the tight end position, as before his arrival, the tight end was primarily utilized as a blocker. That's not to say Ditka couldn't block as well, as they didn't call him "Iron" Mike for nothing. In his first four years, Ditka finished in the top 10 in receptions each year, was named to the Pro Bowl each year, and twice was named NFL All-Pro. Ditka ended up being named to five Pro Bowls for his career, caught 427 passes and 43 touchdowns, and was a major part of two NFL Championship teams (1963 Chicago Bears and 1971 Dallas Cowboys). In 1988, Ditka was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first tight end to receive that honor, and in 1994, Ditka was one of two tight ends named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team.
6. Antonio Gates (2003-) - Gates has only played seven years, but the former college basketball player has made a huge impact in his career thus far. A six-time Pro Bowler, Gates was the NFL First-Team All-Pro tight end from 2004-2006, and has caught 479 passes and 59 touchdowns for the San Diego Chargers. Gates was recently named to the All-NFL team for the 2000s. Gates has finished in the top ten for touchdown catches in four separate seasons, and at the age of 30, Gates should have at least a couple of top-notch seasons ahead of him. For now, Gates is number six, but he could move up all the way to the top.
5. John Mackey (1963-1972) - Often considered the prototype for the modern tight end, Mackey had such speed that he was utilized as a kick returner as a rookie for the Colts in 1963. An All-NFL 1960s selection, Mackey was selected to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro first teams. Mackey averaged over 20 yards a catch in two different seasons, and for his career averaged an impressive 15.8 yards per catch. For his career, Mackey caught 331 passes and 38 touchdowns. In 1992, Mackey became the second tight end to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and College Football's annual award for best tight end is named after John Mackey.
4. Kellen Winslow (1979-1987) - Winslow didn't have the longest career, but he definitely made his presence felt during his career. Winslow played nine seasons, three of which were cut short due to injury. In six full seasons, Winslow was selected to play in five Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro three different seasons. In a four year stretch (1980-1983), Winslow finished no lower than third in the league in receptions, and led the NFL in catches in both 1980 and 1981. During that same stretch, Winslow finished in the top ten in receiving yards three different seasons and and receiving touchdowns in four seasons. For his career, Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. His accomplishments were honored in 1994 when Winslow was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary team, and in 1995 when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
3. Ozzie Newsome (1978-1990) - Newsome wasn't named to as many Pro Bowls as Winslow, Ditka, et al, only making three during his career. However, I feel he more than makes up for that with his numbers and consistency. When Newsome retired, no tight end in history had caught more passes (662) or gained more yards (7,980) than Ozzie Newsome. Newsome was a first team All-Pro selection twice during his career, and was a second team selection five times. At one point, Newsome caught a pass in 150 straight games and remarkably never missed a game during his 13 year career. Newsome was named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1980s, and in 1999, Newsome was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2. Shannon Sharpe (1990-2003) Sharpe was a decent blocker at best, but was such a dominant receiver for a long time that he deserves to be in the conversation for best tight end ever. A member of three Super Bowl winning teams (Denver Broncos 1997-98, Baltimore Ravens, 2000), Sharpe caught 50 or more passes in 11 different seasons. Sharpe's 815 catches rank 21st in NFL history, and second amongst tight ends. His 10,060 yards and 62 touchdown catches also rank second amongst all tight ends. An eight time Pro Bowler and four time first-team All-Pro, Sharpe was named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1990s, and should be elected to the Hall of Fame in the next couple of years. Sharpe was a heck of a tight end, but he's not the best.
1. Tony Gonzalez (1997-) The long-time Kansas City Chief and current Atlanta Falcon, Gonzalez has put up numbers unlike any other tight end in the history of the NFL. Gonzalez has more catches than any other tight end (999, 7th All-time), more receiving yards than any other tight end (11,807) and more touchdown catches than any other tight end (82). The ten-time Pro Bowler and five time All-Pro is still going strong, catching 83 passes and six touchdowns for the Falcons last year. The only tight end to catch more than 100 passes in a season (102 in 2004), Gonzalez has finished in the top ten in catches and in touchdown catches in four different seasons. Whenever he retires, Gonzalez should have a short wait before being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Thanks for reading, and if you have any thoughts about this post or any ideas for future posts, than send them to me either by leaving a comment or by e-mail at KtheC2001@gmail.com.
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