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Outside looking in Ten players who deserve a bust among the best
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2001 has been enshrined, including linebacker Nick Buoniconti, who waited 25 years to finally receive the crowning achievement of his career. Still, there are others on the outside looking in. Here are 10 former players CNNSI.com thinks are deserving enshrinement in Canton, Ohio:
Dave Casper, Tight End "The most deserving player not in the Hall of Fame is Casper," says Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z. "I have been campaigning for him for at least five years. He is the greatest tight end I ever saw. [He is] the greatest receiver I've ever seen catching it in heavy traffic." Casper, a second-round draft choice of the Raiders, was a tackle at Notre Dame, and Dr. Z says, "Consequently, he came into the NFL with a lineman's blocking skills, which he never lost during his career. He also was a great receiver in tight coverage, which existed in those days because it was before the era of looser rules allowing receivers more space. So he was mugged down the field and still caught the ball." As for career numbers, Dr. Z points outs that Casper's average yards per catch (13.8) is better than Baltimore's Shannon Sharpe (12.6). "His [Casper's] lifetime yards per catch is better than any of the tight ends in the game today, including the great Tony Gonzalez of Kansas City [11.7]. "[Casper] was a complete player and I believe the greatest tight end who ever lived."
Roger Craig, Running Back A second-round draft choice from Nebraska, Craig was the lynch pin for the Niners' dynasty. He played in 165 games with 1,991 rushes for 8,189 yards (4.1 average) and 56 rushing touchdowns. Also had 566 catches for 4,911 yards (8.7 avg.) and 17 receiving TDs.
L.C. Greenwood, Defensive End
A 10th-round draft choice from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Greenwood led or tied the Steelers in quarterback sacks four times (1973, '78-80) -- more times than better-knowns Joe Greene, Greg Lloyd or Kevin Greene. He may be the most overlooked cog on the Steelers' four Super Bowl championship teams.
Lester Hayes, Defensive Back A fifth-round draft choice from Texas A&M, Hayes led the NFL with 13 interceptions in '80. "Everyone knows about Hayes and his stick-um," says Dr. Z. "In the Raiders' Super Bowl season of 1980, he had the highest grades, including games through the Pro Bowl, that I've ever awarded a defensive back." For his career, Hayes had 39 interceptions -- four returned for TDs -- in 149 games.
Joe Jacoby, Tackle/Guard Jacoby's 13-year, 170-game career began without hearing his name called on Draft Day '81. Nonetheless, the Louisville product, best known for being one of the famed "Hogs," was a four-time All-Pro and a member of three Super Bowl championship teams with the Redskins, including the franchise's first in '82.
Jerry Kramer, Guard A fourth-round draft choice from Idaho, Kramer was an integral part of the Packers' dynasty under Vince Lombardi. In addition to being a five-time All-NFL selection, Kramer kicked for two full seasons (1962-63) and part of a third ('68). He converted 53.7 percent of his field-goal attempts and 94.7 percent of his point-after kicks.
Matt Millen, Linebacker A second-round draft choice from Linebacker U. -- Penn State -- Millen played in 180 games and accounted for 11 sacks, nine interceptions and one fumble recovery. For good measure, he also returned seven kicks for a 10.3 yard average. Moreover, he was a vital piece of four Super Bowl-winning teams.
Art Monk, Wide Receiver A first-round draft choice from Syracuse, Dr. Z says Monk was very valuable for what he did -- sitting down in the zone and catching the 10-yard hook for a first down. However, his career numbers are eye-catching: 224 games, 940 catches, 12,721 yards and 68 TDs.
Jake Scott, Defensive Back A seventh-round draft choice from Georgia, Scott was an outstanding D-back and a good punt returner. In 126 games, he returned 130 punts for a 10.4 yard average. To boot, he also had 12 kickoff returns for an average of 22.8 yards. He had 49 career INTs. Scott was a member of two Super Bowl winners with the Dolphins, including the 17-0 team in 1972.
John Stallworth, Wide Receiver A fourth-round draft choice from Alabama A&M, Stallworth was not as flashy as 2001 inductee and teammate Lynn Swann. However, Stallworth's numbers stack up: 165 games, 537 catches, 8,723 yards and 64 TDs (one rushing). For those keeping score, that's 50 games, 201 catches, 3,261 yards and 13 TDs more than Swann.
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