For a time when James Brooks was playing it seemed that you would hear his name being called throughout the entire game. With his incredible versatility, it stands to reason that teams would use him every way they could.
Think about this for a second. Mike Curtis played Linebacker in the 1960s and 70s and his peers in that fierce era as one of the meanest players in the game. How much does that tell you about Curtis?
Eddie George broke out as an upper-end Running Back immediately as the former Ohio State Buckeye won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in the last year of the Houston Oilers' existence (1996). That year, he rushed for 1,368 Yards, but that wasn't just the beginning, it was a pattern.
Art Powell played in the Canadian Football League for two seasons before he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1959. As an NFL rookie, Powell was used as a returner and defensive back but would join the New York Titans (later to be renamed the Jets) of the American Football League. With the Titans, Powell would lead the AFL…
Dick Barwegan was an outstanding Pro Football player, but other than those who decided who should be on the 1950's All-Decade Team; he might be one of the most under the radar players in the history of the game.
Charley Brock played all of his nine of his NFL seasons (1939-47) with the Green Bay Packers after having a phenomenal career at the University of Nebraska. Brock was usually at Center but was also used as a Halfback and Fullback, and on the defensive side of the ball, he had 20 Interceptions. Brock helped Green Bay win the 1939…
A member of the prestigious Miami Dolphins Honor Roll, Bob Baumhower, played all nine of his NFL seasons with the team from Southern Florida. A former star with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Baumhower was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection, and he would be chosen for an All-Pro roster (one First Team and four Second Team) in all of those years. …
From the town of Grambling, Louisiana, and of course, playing at Grambling State, Paul “Tank” Younger was not chosen in the 1949 Draft, but he did not have to wait long to find a home as the Los Angeles Rams would sign him.
Buford "Baby" Ray played his college ball at Vanderbilt, and while he was not drafted in by any team in the NFL in 1938, he signed with the Green Bay Packers. He would play his entire career in Wisconsin, which spanned 11 seasons. Ray played Predominantly at Left Tackle, where he assisted the team in winning the 1938 and 1944…
Try to say Bob Hoernschemeyer’s name three times fast? Yes, we know that the first line isn’t relevant here, but what is pertinent is that Hoernschemeyer was an End in the late 40s and early 50's terms in every sense of the word. Beginning his professional career with the Chicago Rockets of the AAFC, Hoernschemeyer would do well in rushing…
Making four consecutive Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro Selection, Asante Samuel was an integral part of a pair of Super Bowl Championships by the New England Patriots. Samuel would lead the National Football League in Interceptions twice, had 51 overall and would become one of the more recognized Defensive Backs in the NFL.
Undrafted out of Southern in 1966, Rich Jackson was given a chance by the Oakland Raiders, where he played only five games. Al Davis would trade Jackson to the Denver Broncos, but immediately it was a transaction that the Raiders owner would regret.
With an (unofficial) total of 96.5 Quarterback Sacks, Jim Katcavage would play his entire pro career with the New York Giants after a nice career at the University of Dayton.
Playing his entire NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, Matt Blair was one of the quickest players in football, using his speed at the Outside Linebacker position to bottle up opposing offensive stars. Blair would have a six-year streak of Pro Bowls from 1977 to 1982, with 1980 seeing him earn a First Team All-Pro Selection. Blair was not just…
An SEC Player of the Year in 1939 with LSU, Ken Kavanaugh was chosen by the Chicago Bears the following year in the 3rd Round of the NFL Draft. The End would be a member of the dominant “Monsters of the Midway” where the won back-to-back NFL Championships (1940 & 1941), scoring a TD in the first one (which was…
Abe Woodson’s regular role was at Cornerback where he would accumulate 19 Interceptions over his career, but it was returning ability that would see him gain five straight Pro Bowls Selections (1959-63)