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32. Neil Smith

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32. Neil Smith
Very few players could be viewed as the total athletic package. Neil Smith may have been one of those rare exceptions as scouts felt with his skills there was little he couldn’t do on the football field.  Those scouts would be right.

Neil Smith was a multi-faceted Defensive End who was equally adept at stuffing the run as defending against the pass.  His true gift may have been sacking the Quarterback as he led the NFL in that category in 1993.  Smith was a six-time Pro Bowler and though his skills were slightly diminished in the second half of his career, he was able to aid the Denver Broncos in their two consecutive Super Bowl wins in the late 90’s.

Smith was paired in Kansas City with Derrick Thomas who collectively made one of the fiercest defensive pairings in football.  Thomas was posthumously elected into the Football Hall of Fame, but many of his achievements were aided by having Smith as a linemate.

Should Neil Smith be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 81.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 11.6%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 4%
No opinion. - 1%
No way! - 2%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Sunday, 01 January 2006
  • Position: Defensive Tackle
  • Games Played: 191
  • Notable Statistics: 4 Interceptions
    68 Interception Return Yards
    1 Interception Return Touchdown
    30 Forced Fumbles
    12 Fumble Recoveries
    19 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    104.5 Quarterback Sacks
    625 Combined Tackles
    197 Solo Tackles*
    43 Assisted Tackles*
    8 Tackles for Loss**
    121 Approximate Value

    16 Playoff Games
    3 Fumble Recoveries
    79 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    9.5 Quarterback Sacks
    10 Combined Tackles
    9 Solo Tackles*
    1 Assisted Tackle*

    *Solo Tackles and Assisted Tackles were not calculated until 1994.
    **Tackles for Loss were not calculated until 1999.
  • Played For: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
  • College: Nebraska
  • Drafted: 1st Round, 2nd Overall in 1988
  • Major Accolades and Awards: Super Bowl Rings (2) (Denver Broncos, Super Bowl XXXII & XXXIII
    NFL 1990’s All-Decade Team
    First Team All-Pro (1) (1993)
    Second Team All-Pro (2) (1995 & 1997)
    Pro Bowl (6) (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 & 1997)
    Most Quarterback Sacks (1) (1993)
    Most Forced Fumbles (1) (1994)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (1) (1995)
    Top Ten FInsihes: Forced Fumbles (4) (1989, 1990, 1993 & 1994)
    Top Ten Finishes: Quarterback Sacks (4) (1992, 1993, 1994 & 1995)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 27.  Forced Fumbles: 30
    51.  Quarterback Sacks: 104.5*

    *This ranks is based on the unofficial total by Pro Football Reference, who unofficially calculated Quarterback Sacks from 1960 to 1981.
  • Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: Never.

Should Neil Smith be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 81.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 11.6%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 4%
No opinion. - 1%
No way! - 2%
Last modified on Monday, 13 May 2024 19:32
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