1. I believe that I will spend the rest of my natural life kicking myself for not drafting Adrian Peterson in the 2nd round like I considered. Me, the Super Genius, like Wile E. Coyote figured that Ned Flanders, uh I mean head coach Brad Childress would be married to the dreaded Chester Taylor/Peterson time-share, and I chose the legendary Tatum Bell instead.

(Insert the Florida Evans, "Damn! Damn! Damn!" right here.) Mind you, this was AFTER I told everyone that A-Pete had Canton potential.

2. While I’m on the subject, I also believe that A-Pete just moved into the Top 3for MVP consideration.

3. I believe that Randy Moss should be ranked higher in the MVP voting than Tom Brady. Yeah, I said it.

Two plays sum it up for me – those two ridiculous TDs against the Dolphins. Don't listen to Ron Jaworski's babble about Brady's placement of the ball - he threw it up into double coverage, and Moss hauls it in. No other human being can make that catch. Randy Moss did it twice. Then on Sunday Moss beats Indy's vaunted Cover Two (designed to stop the deep ball) for a momentum-changing 55 yard pass.

4. I believe I found common ground with Jason Whitlock. Randy Moss is the most physically gifted wideout - EVER. Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, and Fred Bilitenkoff had better hands. Bob Hayes may be faster. Steve Largent ran beautiful routes. But none of them combined 4.28 speed, the 6-4 height, the vertical and the  ability to adjust to the pass in midflight.

5. I believe that Jason Whitlock needs to end the Chad Johnson madness. Chad’s endzone celebrations have nothing to do with the Bengals inability to stop the run. Ocho Cinco’s Hall Of Fame jackets have nothing to do with Odell Thurman’s unwillingness to obey the law.

I had a huge problem with the silly gold teeth (since removed), to all but call Chad an Uncle Tom (“Mr. Bojangles”? Come on Jason…) is hitting low. Yeah, I know that being The Black Scold is good business – especially with an organization as conservative as Fox, and it is sometimes necessary. But I despise hypocricy, and Keyshawn Johnson attempting to condemn The Chad – well, Mr. Pot, meet Mr. Kettle. It is NOT ok because Keyshawn is in the media. Shame on you Jason.

6. I believe that no good quarterback has every possesed the hideous body language that Peyton Manning displays in clutch siutations.

I’m sorry, but when the pressure is on, he looks like Rex Grossman on caffine overload looking for a fix. No one who is so allegedly cerebral as Manning should be as frenetic. When the Colts started that last drive, and Manning dropped back, his body language screamed “Gottathrowitfast gottathrowitfast”…and those two fumbles while being sacked? Grossman-esque.

7. I believe that we can expect more media heads to experience multiple Farvegams in the second half of the season. Brett Favre is experiencing a renaissance because he’s shown consistently better judgement than I have seen from him in a few years.

Simply put, for the first time in years, coach Mike McCarthy has gotten Brett to limit his boneheaded throws that are always ALWAYS glossed over by the media (i.e. “Favre-gasms”) with “Brett is a gunslinger”, “Brett sure is having fun…”

By the way, why wasn’t the game stopped when Brett threw his record-breaking 277th pick? 

8. I believe that the San Diego Chargers lost their first November game in four years on Sunday, and it won't be the last. Marty has got to chuckling.

9. I believe that Hines Ward is a man's man. He blew up Ed Reed and Tom Scott in the SAME GAME? Tell me the last time you saw a 190 pound receiver drop a couple of All-Pro head-hunters in the same CAREER, much less the same game?

10. I believe that Brian Billick has lived off his offensive genius rep for at least five years too long. Blame Randy Moss. Remember, Billick was the offensive coordinator for the record-setting Vikings with the rookie Randy Moss catching 17 TDs, and the team scoring a record 556 points, which may go down in flames to this year's Pats squad.

Since The Offensive Guru moved to B-more, the Ravens have ranked 26th, 21st, 31st, and 24th in yardage the last four seasons. They've never been higher than 14th in the Billick era in any offensive category except once.

Bonus belief: Sebastian Janikowski just missed a would be NFL record 64 yard FG, hitting the upright on a bomb that would have been good from at least 70 yards. And unlike Jason Elam's kick, the stadium in Oakland actually sits BELOW sea level. 

Yet, when or if  the record gets broken, I believe there is something about Tom Demsey’s record-setting kick in 1970 – perhaps it was the posts on the goal line (which meant that Dempsey launched it from his own 37 yard line), the old-school kicking style, or the NFL Films shot from the side…it will always be number one in my book.

Until the next time friends...

A number one overall pick.

A tenth-round selection.

A guy who went to Canada to play quarterback for six years because one look at his skin made teams think “defensive back”.

Toss in a running back that had a chip on his shoulder because he was picked number 40 in the draft, an offensive lineman who was cut by two different teams before finding his All-Pro niche in Miami. A converted center who went on to be a dominating guard.

The roads to the Hall of Fame are many, and later today the NFL will announce their Hall Of Fame selections. 15 finalists. Anywhere from four to seven players and contributors will be selected. For some unknown reason, no one from the NFL called me and asked to submit a ballot. The nerve of some people.

So here is my look at the following finalists: Reggie White, Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Thurman Thomas, Derrick Thomas, Harry Carson, L.C. Greenwood, Claude Humphrey, Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg, Michael Irvin, Art Monk, Gary Zimmerman, John Madden, and Rayfield Wright. The last two are special selections from the Veteran’s Committee.

The 15 finalists all make a great case for enshrinement. Some of this group is stone cold locks. Others make a very strong case, but perhaps not this year. Here are my picks:

The Locks

Reggie White – The late, great Minster of Defense might have been the best two-way lineman who ever played the game. An absolute beast against the run, also racked up 190 sacks in his career, as I pointed out in an earlier article. Had 21 sacks in 12 games in 1987, a record average of 1.75 sacks a game for the season. 124 of his sacks came in his 121 games with the Eagles. Had 10+ sacks in nine consecutive seasons, another NFL record. Whether lining up at tackle or defensive end, Reggie ruled. 13-time All-Pro, and 13 Pro Bowls as well. Added intangible: Reggie's signing with Green Bay was a huge turning point for that franchiese in the free agency era. The conventional wisdom held that premiere black players would never go to Green Bay, which previously had all of the appeal of Siberia in January.

Why he is a lock: You are kidding aren’t you? His bust was cast sometime during the early 1990s while he was still active. The only real regret is that this is a posthumous honor.

Troy Aikman – Won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys, which will get you in the Hall even if you ran the wishbone. As it happened Troy could throw pretty well too. Six Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro selections attest to that. This was an offense that really centered on Emmitt Smith (in my opinion the true heart and soul of those Cowboy teams), but when the Cowboys put it up, Aikman was as accurate as they came. Career 61.7 percent passer. Try this stat: 41 times, Aikman completed 70 percent of his passes (minimum of 20 attempts) in a game.

I’ll be honest, his career numbers pale compared to many of his contemporaries, and I feel that when the Cowboys were no longer able to dominate on the ground, Aikman wasn’t a player would could put the 'Boys on his back and carry them.

Nevertheless, he was the trigger man on the winningest team of the 1990s (Aikman had a record 90 wins in the decade).

Why he is a lock: Which part of “Three Time Super Bowl Champion” didn’t you get? The man is a lock. Just don’t ask me to rate him in the top-15 of all time quarterbacks.

Thurman Thomas – I have a soft spot for Houston football players, especially ones I saw play in high school. “Thermal” was the key to the Bills K-Gun offense along with QB Jim Kelly. Led the NFL in total offense a record four consecutive seasons. Ran for more yardage in the 1990s than anyone not named Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders. Five consecutive All-Pro selections, and should have been named MVP of Super Bowl XXV. Who cares that he was on the losing team of the closest Super Bowl ever? With career totals of 12,074 yards rushing and over 400 receptions. Besides Thomas, only Marcus Allen and Walter Payton are members of the 10,000 yard/400 catch club. Played in four Super Bowls, and is the all-time playoff record holder for touchdowns and points. He was drafted in the second round after a stellar college career at Oklahoma State (Barry Sanders sat behind him for two years), and used that snub as fuel. Sometimes, he seemed to never get over it, but can you argue with performance?

Why he is a lock: Thomas was a rare talent as double-threat runner/receiver with a high level of production.

Got to put them in…

Harry Carson – In an earlier article, I noted that Harry Carson was one of the greatest players not to be in a Hall Of Fame in his sport. The heart and soul of those great Giant defenses, the signal-caller for the best linebacking corps of the decade, Carson made 9 Pro Bowls, and six times made the All-NFL first or second team. Respected football analyst Paul Zimmerman calls Carson, “The best short yardage and goal line linebacker who ever played.” As solid in pass coverage as he was against the run, Carson maintained a high level for his entire 13 year career. Stirred a controversy last year when he told the Hall Of Fame to take him off the ballot and leave him alone. I love his style.

Chances – I think he probably helped himself last year with his comments. Harry should have been in years ago, and is probably wondering, “What in the hell happened to that advantage I was supposed to get from playing in New York?” He’s on Dr. Midnight’s ballot, and I give him a 75-25 chance of being in this year.

Warren Moon – He didn’t throw his first NFL pass until he was almost 28 years old. Coming out of U-Dub, scouts saw the strong arm, the mobility, and thought, "There goes a safety...". So off Moon went to the Edmonton Eskimos, where he won five titles in six seasons. Moon reminds me of the great black baseball players of the 1930's and 40's who spent their best years in the Negro Leagues, then got a late start in the so-called majors and dominated.

Even now, some scouts from the late 1970s will say that he would have been drafted as a quarterback. Sure you did. Moon and Steve Young are the two most underrated quarterbacks in NFL history.

Consider that despite the late start, he finished his career third all-time in attempts, completions, and yardage, and fourth in touchdown passes. If he had had those six years in the NFL instead of Canada, Dan Marino (and everyone else) would be chasing Moon in the record books.

As it happens, over his 23 seasons in two leagues, Moon threw for 70,325 yards and 425 touchdowns. But let’s just stick to the NFL numbers no? His 527 yards in a 1990 game versus Kansas City is second in NFL history, and the most since the AFL-NFL merger. A record eight straight Pro Bowls, and nine total (the last appearance an MVP one at 40!). 49 300-yard games in his career, only behind Marino and Dan Fouts. Nearly 50,000 NFL passing yards and 292 touchdown passes. Strictly on an aesthetic level, Moon threw the prettiest, most effortless ball ever.

Chances – I say he is a lock. However some critics have tried to diminish his numbers as a product of his offense (overrated nonsense), and the fact that his teams never went to a Super Bowl (didn’t stop Dan Fouts and Sonny Jurgensen to name two) will hurt him in the eyes of some. Rate him as an 85% chance of induction this year.

Claude Humphrey – I’m always on the lookout for guys who were overlooked by the general public. Humphrey is already forgotten by many, but this was one of the great pass rushers of all-time. In an earlier blog on great pass rushers, I left him off my list as well. Shame on me.

Part of the problem is that most of his best years were on some bad – really bad – Atlanta Falcon teams. Yet he still had 122 career sacks in 14 seasons, and he missed all of one season due to an injury. In his second-to-last season, he had 14.5 sacks for the Eagles, helping them reach the Super Bowl. Seven times he was selected to the All-Pro team, all while with Atlanta. In the 13 seasons he played, he led his team in sacks nine of those seasons.

Chances – Playing on mostly mediocre teams, where opponents could scheme him out o####ame plan without penalty, he still averaged nearly 9.5 sacks a season. L.C. Greenwood played in the same era and did not approach his pass rushing numbers (although Atlanta was usually bad enough where Humphrey probably got considerably more snaps to sack a passer). Humphrey gets my vote, but I think his chances are 30% of getting in this year.

John Madden –  I have more on Big John in my earlier column on the Top 10 players/coaches not in the Hall Of Fame. Madden has the highest winning percentage (an incredible .739) in NFL history for coaches with 100+ wins. I can’t ignore a raw number that impressive, and let us not forget that the Raiders played in seven conference championship games during his tenure. Six times, the Raiders fell to the eventual Super Bowl champions, including twice each to the great Steeler and Dolphin dynasties.

Chances – Being a Senior’s selection is a great booster. Big John is in on my ballot. My regret is that I have to sacrifice a spot for a player, and an offensive lineman paid for that. Another factoid I heard driving yesterday:

Madden's record against 10 other Hall Of Fame coaches? 33-12-1. Not bad at all...

In case you haven’t noticed by now. I’ve got seven on my ballot: Aikman, T. Thomas, White, Moon, Madden, Humphries, and Carson. The dance card is full.

With deep regrets, here are the guys who have to "Wait ‘til Next Year:

Michael Irvin – Ironic that his nickname “The Playmaker”, while being accurate, also eerily recalls the short-lived and controversial TV show on that Other Sports Network. Irvin certainly was a magnet for off the field drama, but on the field, he was a beast. Specialized in pushing off and shielding defenders from the ball. Worked the deep routes, short routes and everything in between. Averaged an outstanding 15.9 yards a catch in his career.

There is a temptation to compare Irvin to Art Monk because of their size, but Irvin was faster and more explosive, and an equally tenacious blocker. Despite playing in a run-oriented offense, and having his career end early due to a neck injury, Irvin still put up impressive numbers with 750 catches in 12 seasons, despite losing most of two seasons to injury. Five Pro Bowls, three Super Bowl rings as part of the “The Trinity” (Irvin, Aikman, and Smith), and 47 100 yard receiving games.

Chances – Most years, an absolute lock. But given his occasional off-field issues, including the incident that got him in hot water a month ago, he may get bumped for a year especially given the depth of the candidates this year. He gets in next year on my ballot, but only because I have no room for him this year. I think Da Hall selects him this year at the expense of Moon and Grimm.

Derrick Thomas – I suggest you read my Great Pass Rushers blog for more stats on Derrick. Another nominee that will sadly be a posthumous one, Derrick was a devastating edge rusher who still had some good football left in him when an auto accident paralyzed him and eventually ended his life far too early. Based on his body of work, while impressive, I can’t put him in ahead of someone as deserving (and long-suffering) as Harry Carson, who was a steadier player who was a shutdown defender against the run, an area while DT was sometimes indifferent to.

Bob Kuechenberg – It pains me to say nice things about anyone who went to Notre Dame. But how can I not sing the praises about a player who got cut twice, played semipro ball for seven games (and only got paid for two of them) before getting signed by the team where he found fame? Miami signed a free agent salesman. They got a six-time Pro Bowler who was durable, tough, and versatile enough to be named an All-Pro at two different positions in the same season. In 1978 he spilt the season between guard and tackle. He made the Pro Bowl at guard and was named All-AFC at tackle. Was a key part of the Dolphins’ offensive line that set an NFL record for rushing yardage in 1972, and made three straight Super Bowl appearances.

Chances – Great story, great player. Not enough offensive linemen get in as far as I’m concerned. But, the competition is a bit too stiff this year. I count three locks (White, Aikman, and T. Thomas), and at least one of the senior’s selections will make it. The Hall Of Fame almost never takes more than four to five selections, and even with me maxing out my seven slots, I can’t fit him in. This year.

Art Monk – Like Chris Noth on “Sex in the City”, “Big” is usually the adjective that is used to describe Art Monk. And in his case, no Hollywood embellishment is needed. 6-3 and a solid 210 pounds, Monk was the prototype of a trend away from small, quick receivers to the type of player who could muscle through jam coverage and go across the middle and operate between the hashmarks. Caught an NFL record 940 passes at the time of his retirement. Set a single season record of 106 catches, both marks have been surpassed since. As tough blocking as he was going over the middle. As devoid of ego as they come. Twice made All-Pro, and selected to three Pro Bowls.

Chances – Not all that good. I know, I rated him as highly deserving previously, but when going into the “Upon Further Review” mode, Art Monk has some flaws that put him behind some of his peers. While he has three Super Bowl rings, which should count for something, his lack of a downfield game and only three Pro Bowls in a long career will hurt him. Career average of just 13.5 yards a catch (Irvin averaged 15.9 by comparison), and never scored in double figures in touchdowns. My feeling is that Art will need some help from the Senior's Committee down the road if he doesn’t get voted in within the next 3-5 years.

Russ Grimm – Oink oink baby. The last thing a hapless defender often saw in the 1980’s was number 66 pulling on the famed Washington “Counter Gap”. Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby were the Gene Upshaw and Art Shell of the 1980’s – in other words, a utterly devastating left side on offense. Grimm was a charter member of “The Hogs”, the premiere offensive line of the 1980’s. When the Hogs ran left it was behind Grimm and Jacoby. In the clutch, Washington went left, and usually they got the job done. Grimm‘s excellence was rewarded with four straight Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections. He topped it off by being voted to the All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

Chances – Grimm is worthy. But more worthy than Gary Zimmerman, who was first or second team All-NFL eight times? You can’t beat the marketing edge that being A Hog gives you. But fairness says that Russ waits another year or two.

Rayfield Wright - My earlier version of this post did not have my views on Rayfield. My apologies, because the "Big Cat" was hard to miss. An anchor of the Cowboys offensive line for fourteen years, he was the only Cowboy to have played in the Ice Bowl and also play on all five Super Bowl teams of the 1970s. Six straight All-Pro selections, six Pro Bowls, and he made the All-Decade Team of the 1970s.

Chances - In my mind, if you make an All-Decade team, you should be in the Hall. That denotes a high level of play for an extended period of time. The Senior's tag certainly helps. And he clearly has been overlooked. I do NOT believe in this silly "anti-Cowboy bias" talk that has been going around - and note that Wright just entered the Cowboys Ring Of Honor two years ago. Clearly, he hadn't been getting the love for a while. Having said all of that, Wright should get in. The question is, will there been enough room in this year's very impressive class?

L.C. Greenwood – I don’t what it is, but “L.C.” just sounds like a bad-#### football name. I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I'm running FAR away from a 6’6” man named L.C. you know? And for 13 seasons, many NFL offenses tried. Most of them didn’t make out too well. Ask Fran Tarkenton!

Few defensive lines in NFL history could approach the tandem of Greenwood and Joe Greene. Only 74.5 sacks in his career, but he had to share with teammates on probably the greatest defense in NFL history. Tremendous big game performer with two sacks, three batted down passes and a safety in SB IX, and three sacks in SB X. Twice an All-Pro, five times an All-AFC performer.

Chances - Strong performer, but not quite in a class with some of his peers. We’ve also seen darn near every teammate and ballboy of his on the Steelers teams of the 70's inducted already. That tends to work against you after a while. 

Oh and the gold shoes? “#### Eye for the All-Pro” can’t be far away...

Gary Zimmerman – Eight Pro Bowl selections for an outstanding offensive guard who made All-Pro with Minnesota and Denver. Even by offensive line standards, he flew under the radar. This is one reason why he will not make it in this year. I rate him as a lock within five years. It should be sooner, but Russ Grimm and Bruce Matthews (when eligible) will get press ahead of Gary.

Every so often, somebody just has to tick me off over something. And people ought to know better by now...

A few weeks back, FOX Sports resident Know-It-All Elliot Kalb wrote a piece proclaiming the late, great, Reggie White as the greatest sacker ever, and he went on to give his top 10 pass rushers ever.

Now, I don't have beef with that per se. It's his opinion, and you can add all of the standard disclaimers. Where Elliott dropped the ball is where he gave short shrift he gave to anyone who played before 1982, when sacks became an official stat.

As Deacon Jones, the Godfather Of The Sack said, "Since when does ‘all-time’ begin in 1982?"

You see, QB sacks are kind of like blocked shots in the NBA. No one who knows sports disputes that Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain blocked more shots than anyone else in NBA history. In fact, like their rebounding totals, I seriously doubt that it is even close. NBA ref Earl Strom believed that Wilt and Russell averaged at least 8 blocks a game in their primes.

Alas the NBA didn't even keep blocked shots as an official stat until 1974, the year after Chamberlain hung it up. This means that that record will always have an unspoken asterisk behind it. After all, how would it sound if home runs wasn't kept as a stat until 1970, and Barry Bonds hits 800? 

Now the NFL doesn't have to have that problem. An amazing guy named John Turney decided to find out if Bruce Smith really held the all-time sack record when he "broke" LT's "mark". He went through years of film, game charts, play-by-play descriptions since 1960. Eight years he worked on this project (I think we should also give even more props to his spouse/S.O.) and he came up with a list we can enjoy. Be aware though, that it may get modified a bit, and only goes through the 1999 season.

Bottom line: Stats only take you so far. Context is even more important.

First: Any great player, be it Deacon Jones, Jack Youngblood, whomever - if they played prior to 1978 season, they had 14 games to hunt QBs. Prior to 1961, the schedule was 12 games. Second: Defensive linemen probably were able to get away with more in the past. Offensive linemen could not extend their arms to pass block before the mid-1970s. The headslap (pioneered with devastating effect by Jones and Rich "Tombstone" Jackson) was legal until 1977. On the other hand, there are considerably more chances to sack QBs today with increased passing, and offensive blocking techniques and pass protection schemes are more advanced. So it might be a wash, but the longer schedule certainly favors the D-linemen of today, as well as the now-common practice of moving a great lineman around the field to take advantage of mismatch. Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman of SI (who's forgotten more football than I have ever seen) has a great list. Here is mine:

1. Reggie White - The Minister of Defense was one of the first linemen I remember who was moved around constantly so that he could pick on an offensive weak link. Reggie was fast enough to play end, and possibly the strongest lineman ever, and could destroy any and all blocking schemes as a tackle. Dr Z. points out that if Reggie had had the headslap in his arsenal, his numbers would be totally sick. I have to agree.

Trivia for you: Reggie had a 21 sack season for the Eagles. In 12 games. Yes, a 12 game season because of the NFL strike, he got 21 sacks. Damn.

Trivia Point 2: Not too many people get rules passed because of them. Larry Allen so frustrated Reggie with a "jam" move to the face, especially in playoff games against the Packers, that the NFL finally banned that move.

2. David "Deacon" Jones - The man who did the most to market the sack was also one of the best. Maybe THE best, as he had 173.5 sacks in 14 seasons. The cornerstone of the Fearsome Foursome had consecutive seasons with 21 and 22 sacks (in a 14 game schedule), and I'm fairly sure that Bart Starr didn't lie down and give him any free ones either. Once beat Hall Of Famer Forrest Gregg for four sacks in one game. Lombardi double-teamed him regularly after that.  And watching his footage and listening to him, I am convinced that the man was slightly crazy and took great pride in that.

3. Lawrence Taylor - I'm putting LT here simply because he was a revolutionary. 142 career sacks in 12 seasons, including at least one 20+ sack season (16 games). He did it from the right outside LB spot, although the Giants would move him around as well. Too strong for running backs, and most tight ends. Too fast for linemen. Too crazy for anyone other than Bill Parcells. When he talked about hitting somebody so hard that "snot bubbles" came out, he was serious. And you knew it. Some say he made the left offensive tackle position a glamour one because you needed one to handle him and the LT clones that every team sought.

4. Jack Youngblood - We all know he played a Super Bowl (and well) with a broken leg. Take that T.O. What most people don't know is that he racked up 151 sacks (mostly in the 14-game season era) as the strong side end (it was Fred "Hunter" Dryer on the other side). Youngblood got tagged by TEs as well as O-linemen most plays, so that makes his numbers especially impressive. The man was a bad-####, okay?

5. Bruce Smith - 200 career sacks, and 14.5 more in the playoffs according to Kalb. He probably hung around a bit too long (19 seasons), but if they are going to pay you, I quote Tupac; I ain't mad at cha. Incredibly quick, a conditioning freak, and relentless. Some would say he wasn't as complete as the men ahead of him on the list, but Smith actually got tougher against the run as he got older. I still can't believe the Oilers passed on him.

6. Gino Marchetti - Dr. Z. and I believe in rating this Old School destroyer this high. He was voted one of the best ends in NFL history at the league's 50th anniversary. Gino was another revolutionary who used incredible speed to nail at least one 20 sack season. Also pioneered the "grab and throw" move that is commonplace today.

7. Alan Page - Yes, I'm a Vikings fan. But hear me out: 15 seasons, he racked up 148.5 sacks, most of those in a 14-game season.

As a defensive tackle.

As a 245 pound defensive tackle. In fact, he played effectively late in his career at 228. And in case you are wondering, yes, that was really light even then. He also was the first defensive player to win a League MVP in 1971. Extremely intelligent, His Honor (he's currently a State Supreme Court Justice in Minnesota) also added superhuman quickness to take down enemy QBs. No other full-time DT is close to his totals. Given how seldom DTs turn in double-figure sack seasons, this record may stay a good long time.

8. Willie Davis - He was the best pass rusher on probably the best defense of his decade, the 1960's. The Packers had at least five Hall Of Fame starters on defense, Davis was one of them. Unofficially had at least two seasons with 20+ sacks. Can't wait to see the ultimate numbers, but he has to be on this list.

9. Al "Bubba" Baker - This list isn't about complete linemen, okay? I want to know how many heads you can collect when it's a passing situation. And for the first six years or so of his career, Bubba Baker was a wrecking crew. They used to keep a stat on how many sacks he racked up vs. games played. Understandable. He had 22-26 his rookie year, depending on whose numbers you used. Had 84.5 through his first 84 games. Finished with 128.5

10. Michael Strahan - I finally woke up to my fellow TSU (Texas Southern University) alumni in the 2000 NFC Title game. He absolutely embarrassed the late Korey Stringer; the Vikes Pro Bowl left tackle. I was ready to trash Korey, shame on me. Strahan is that good. I still don't like calling him the record holder. Can you imagine the uproar if Barry Bonds deliberately struck out to give Randy Johnson a strikeout record?

11. Derrick Thomas - Another great pass-rushing LB, who came closest to matching LT's pass rushing fury. Great first step and overall speed. When the Chiefs beat Houston 28-20 in a key 1994 playoff game behind Joe Montana, the real star was Derrick, who had 4 sacks of Warren Moon (the team had 9) as he just destroyed rookie (and future Pro Bowler) Brad Hopkins. In 12 seasons, he got 126 sacks, and holds the single game record of 7.

Trivia point: DT had those 7 sacks against Dave Krieg, but missed an 8th. Pity too. Krieg ducked under the sack attempt and fired the game winning TD on the final play of the game. Ouch. 

12. Mark Gastineau - Part of me wants to add him just to get people riled. That is fitting, since he riled a lot of people in his day. Again, I'm rating pass rushers, not the amount of class you showed doing it. Mark got a lot of chances to stir the pot too. According to Dr. Z, he averaged over 20 sacks over three full seasons, between 1981-84 (1982 was the strike year, and he won the Defensive MVP).1984 was the year he set the "official" sack record with 22. Gastineau did it with sub 4.6 speed (!) and great use of his hands. In fact, some people think it was Mark's sacks and dances that made the Jets push the NFL to make sack totals official.

I'll add a few more names to my list, Mean Joe Greene, some call him the greatest tackle ever, but I was surprised that his sack totals were so relatively low; Randy White, the "Manster" (1/2 man, 1/2 monster). 111 sacks in his long career and the total package at tackle. Only Page had more; Fred Dean, possibly the fastest pass rusher ever. Perhaps too light to be a great run defender, but was unstoppable when turned loose on the passer; Richard Dent, a Super Bowl MVP at DE for those great Bears defenses of the 1980s; Coy Bacon, who had 130 sacks in 14 seasons, all after the age of 26! Also had 21.5 sacks one season; Chris Doleman, who had 151 sacks splitting time between DE and OLB; L.C. Greenwood, a Hall Of Fame pocket crusher for the Steel Curtain, who probably lost sacks to some of his Hall Of Fame teammates; Kevin Greene, the all-time sack-holder for linebackers (160 in 15 seasons), although he spent some time at DE; Carl Eller, who had 133.5 in 15 seasons, most as Page's teammate; and Bob Lilly, the all-time great Cowboy DT.

...at least that's what I think the 1972 Dolphins are saying. As everyone knows by now, members of the that team that went 17-0 crack open a case of The Good Stuff whenever the last undefeated team goes down. 

That champange is starting to turn. In fact, I wonder what size Depends does Larry Csonka take?

Here's one for you dear reader: Suppose the Colts beat the Chargers next week to get to 14-0. If they lose before the regular season is out, will the Colts be recognized as 'equals' to the 1972 squad? I know the Dolphins won't want to acknowlege them until they go 16-0 (and if they lose in the playoffs, Lord help them), but what about YOU?

The Colts have to beat San Diego and Seattle in the next three weeks to run the table. Given how much tougher their schedule 

On a related subject, if Tony Dungy's crew can go 16-0, he gets Coach Of The Year. End of story.

-------------------------------------
--- 

One day, Jerome Bettis will retire. And a smart GM will sign him to a 2 month contract for December and January only. He'll rumble in the snow, rack up 3-4 100 yard games, hurt some linebackers, get some playoff money, then go home. You figure Bettis could play until he's 40 or so.

Is just me, or is Mike Tice starting to look like the next Wayne Fontes? You know, high expectations, get to the brink of firing, then his team saves him with a late rush.

Oh, and don't tell me the Vikings are better off without Randy Moss. Unless he funded The Love Boat a couple of months ago, the Vikings are proof that chemistry is about winning more than the reverse. Hard not to notice that both Troy Williamson and Napolean Harris were inactive. These were the guys that Randy Moss was traded for.

I won't bet against the Pats playing the Colts again in the AFC Title game. I'd like to see some fresh blood at the top, but I'm not stupid.

Kyle Orton. Next!

The Seahawks are interesting. You have to make them the "cream" of the NFC, although I think it's more a case of the rest of the conference being sediment. However, Shawn Alexander is a absolute hammer (sign him NOW), Matt Hasselback does more than "manage the game" (footballspeak for "Don't screw it up!"), and the wideouts are getting healthy. The defense does what they need to do to win, and judging by the Monday Night beatdown they applied to the Eagles (man, I could have used those defensive points this week!), perhaps they are Good Enough. Not a great defense, but good enough to win some playoff games.

Which brings us to the Xmas eve showdown with the Colts. If Seattle has clinched homefield, they have no reason to pull out the stops in what normally could have been a benchmark game. The Colts will be under pressure to sit starters rather than go all out to protect their 16-0 mark. A game that has "Game Of The Year" stamped on it, could be a non-event.