The Franchise 9: New Orleans Saints

 

It took a long time for the Saints to find their footing in the NFL. For the first decades of their existence, they struggled to field competitive teams. In fact, it wasn't until 1987--their 21st year of play--that they posted their first winning record and made the playoffs for the first time. Even now, since their Super Bowl win in 2009, they have won 6 of the past 13 NFC South titles--yet they still have an overall sub .500 all-time record. But their recent history has been on a better trajectory. This is due in great part to the contributions of a certain quarterback whom I loved in college, started his pro career in a different city, then signed with the Saints after that team let him walk, and took his career to a different level. You know who I mean.

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Taysom Hill, of course!

I kid, I kid. Everything I said was true about Taysom, but also about Drew Brees. I've loved watching him play since his days at Purdue. The Franchise 9 for the Saints reflects the periods of most team success. There is only one player from the early days, a few from the first few divisional title contender teams, and the most-represented era is the Sean Payton, perennial Super Bowl contender Saints.

1. Drew Brees, QB (2013 Topps Archives)

This is just a no-brainer. There is no better or more important player to ever wear a Saints uniform. Though he started as a Charger, he spent the final 15 years of his superlative career in New Orleans. How important was he to the team? Well, Pro Football Reference has his Approximate Value at almost double the next guy on the team's list. His career weighted AV ranks third in the NFL (behind Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, just ahead of Jerry Rice). As a Saint, he led the league in passing yardage seven times, completion percentage six times, passing touchdowns four times, and passer rating twice. It's a shame that he didn't get as much recognition as contemporaries Brady, Manning, and Aaron Rodgers. For a career that placed him in the top two in many passing categories, Brees never won MVP, wasn't named to an All-Decade Team, and was only an All-Pro once. Nevertheless, he is one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play. He'll be enshrined in Canton as soon as he is eligible.

2. Archie Manning, QB (1982 Topps)

Archie Manning held most of the team passing records that Drew Brees broke. Taken with the second overall pick in the 1971 draft, he was the first real star for the franchise. He played well enough to earn a pair of Pro Bowl berths in his career, but he didn't have much talent surrounding him. To wit, the team was so bad that his winning percentage as a starter was a paltry .271. But he does get credit for being The Man in New Orleans for 11 years. 

3. Marques Colston, WR (2007 Donruss Classics)

Marques Colston holds all the Saints' receiving records by a large margin. His total of 9,759 receiving yards is better than the next person by almost 2,000 yards; 711 catches by almost 200; and his 71 touchdowns by about 20. Being Drew Brees's favorite target for ten years will help your climb in the record books.

4. Jahri Evans, G (2010 Topps Gold)

Of all of Brees's bodyguards, Evans was the most solid. He ranks 3rd on the team's all-time AV list. A four-time first-team All-Pro, Evans was the gold standard interior lineman from 2009-2014. He won't be eligible for the Hall of Fame until next year, but I would expect him to make it in someday.

5. William Roaf, T (1993 Upper Deck)

Willie Roaf was a top-10 draft pick in 1993 and made an immediate impact with the Saints. In 1994, he was named 1st-team All-Pro, then again in 1995. From 1994 to 2000, he made seven consecutive Pro Bowls and added three 2nd-team All-Pros to his resume. He was selected to two All-Decade teams, though the 2000s team was because of his work with the Chiefs. He finished his career in Kansas City, but he entered the Hall of Fame as a Saint in 2012.

6. Cameron Jordan, DE (2016 Score)

Cameron Jordan is a player who I feel has flown a little bit under the radar throughout his career. He did receive honors as a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team and he is second on the Saints' career sack list, but he has only been named to one All-Pro team. Jordan has been a consistent Pro Bowler, however, receiving seven nominations in his career, including in each of the past five seasons. He's still on the roster and almost certain to keep making big contributions for the franchise.

7. Pat Swilling, LB (1992 Fleer)

The last three selections for this team are all linebackers for the famed Saints' Dome Patrol of the late 80s and early 90s. Combining with Vaughan Johnson, these guys made up one of the greatest linebacking corps in NFL history. Pat Swilling was an edge-rushing outside linebacker who picked up 76.5 sacks (3rd on team) and forced 24 fumbles (2nd on team) in his career. He made five Pro Bowls, two 1st-team All-Pros, and two 2nd-Teams. In 1991, he took home NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the league with 17 sacks.

8. Rickey Jackson, LB (1991 Fleer)

Rickey Jackson was the edge-rusher opposite Swilling. Put simply, Jackson was a disruptive force for the Saints. His 123 sacks, 1,104 tackles, and 38 forced fumbles lead all Saints defenders. In fact, he led the league in forced fumbles four times. It's not often that a player finds himself atop both the sacks and tackles categories. He was never named to the All-Pro 1st-team, but he took a spot on the 2nd-team five times. In 2010, he became the first player to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a New Orleans Saint.

9. Sam Mills, LB (1991 Upper Deck)

Sam Mills was the soul of the Dome Patrol crew. Anchoring the middle, the diminutive Mills finished his Saints career second on the team with 894 tackles. While with the Saints, Mills made four Pro Bowls and two 2nd-team All-Pro teams. Just last week, he was part of the most recent Hall of Fame class. Interestingly, the Dome Patrol seemed to break up all at once. Swilling left in 1993, followed by Jackson and Johnson in 1994, and Mills joined the expansion Panthers in 1995.

I have to admit: this was a difficult team for me. There were few slam-dunk picks here and a bevy of above-average players who were right on the bubble. Players like Deuce McAllister, Mark Ingram, and Danny Abramowicz received consideration. Wayne Martin, who played defensive end in front of the Dome Patrol linebackers, was on the shortlist. The toughest exclusion was kicker Morten Andersen, however. I still am feeling a strong urge to replace Manning with Morten, but it's hard to leave the first face of the franchise off the list. As I write this, however, I'm strongly considering changing the cards out on the page. What do you all think?

 

Also, we are down to just one more franchise in this series!

 

Some notes on this series:

1. This includes Super Bowl Era players only.
2. The "nine" in Franchise 9 is to fill a page in a binder. There is no intent to fill a roster or even a starting lineup.
3. A player can represent multiple teams.
4. I tried to find a balance between steady producers with longevity and explosive players with shorter careers. Time with the team does count for something, as does impact with the team.
5. For a link to Franchise 9 lists that I have already posted, click here.
6. This is all subjective, so I'd love to hear whom you would choose!

The Franchise 9: Cincinnati Bengals

 

Poor Bengals. This is a team that played in two Super Bowls, but had to face Joe Montana both times. I just recently watched a fun series on NFL.com examining what if certain moments had gone differently in NFL history. The analysts concluded that if Dwight Clark had not come down with "The Catch" in the 1981 NFC title game, the Bengals could have beaten the Cowboys in their first Super Bowl. The second time, Super Bowl XXIII, the Bengals were led by league MVP Boomer Esiason and almost came away victorious. They were on the wrong end of one of Montana's finest performances, an 11-play, 92-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass to John Taylor with 39 seconds left. Then the Bengals entered one of the worst decades for a team in NFL history. They held the top pick in the draft 3 times from 1992 to 2003. They earned a top-10 pick in all but two of those 12 drafts, and had 7 top-5 picks in that span. They used them on such superstars as David Klingler, Ki-Jana Carter, Akili Smith, and Peter Warrick. The team finally started to turn around in 2003, with the help of #1 overall draft pick Carson Palmer and new coach Marvin Lewis. Since that time, they have made the playoffs seven times, winning the division four of those times, but never made it back to another Super Bowl. 

Until now. In just a few days, they will face off against the Rams for all the marbles. Bengals fans hope Joe Burrow can take them to their first championship. In the meantime, we'll look back at the top nine players from the Bengals. Not surprisingly, every player here either played for the Super Bowl teams or under Marvin Lewis. When the Bengals have been bad, they've been really, really bad.

1. Ken Anderson, QB (1984 Topps)

Anderson spent 16 years with the Bengals. In that time he became the franchise's all-time leader in every passing category. His 32,838 passing yards still have not been surpassed. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro and took home the NFL MVP in 1981. The "What If" segment of "The Catch" on NFL.com speculated that a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XVI would have solidified his candidacy for the Hall of Fame.

2. Andy Dalton, QB (2016 Score Signal Callers Gold)

Dalton joined the Bengals as a 2nd-round pick in 2011 and proceeded to become the Bengals' signal-caller for the rest of the 2010 decade. In nine years for the Bengals, the Red Rifle became the franchise leader in touchdown passes (204),  passer rating (87.5), and moved into second place behind Anderson in passing yardage (31,594). He was selected to three Pro Bowls.

3. Boomer Esiason, QB (1990 Score)

Boomer came thisclose to leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl victory. This was following his MVP-winning regular season, one of his four Pro Bowl seasons. Esiason is third place on the franchise list in yardage, touchdowns, and passer rating. His 106 AV is fifth all-time for the Bengals.

4. A.J. Green, WR (2011 Score)

Dalton was the team's 2nd-rounder in 2011. A.J. Green was their 1st-rounder that same year. That's not a bad 1-2 punch to land in a draft. Green ranks second in franchise annals in receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns. He is first in those categories per game. Though he sat out all of 2019 with an injury, if he can keep his current pace for another couple of seasons, he would become the franchise leader in all of those categories. He has made the Pro Bowl in seven of his nine seasons.

5. Chad Johnson, WR (2009 Score) 

Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson is the one guy in front of Green in all of those categories. With the Bengals, Ochocinco caught 751 passes for 10,783 yards and 66 touchdowns. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro and could find himself in Canton in the next few years.

6. Anthony Munoz, T (1991 Pro Set)

For my money, Anthony Munoz is the greatest Bengal ever. He is the only Bengal enshrined in the Hall of Fame. He played 13 seasons in the NFL, all in Cincinnati. His 174 AV is tops in Bengal history and his 133 weighted AV is 21st among all players in NFL history. He made the Pro Bowl in 11 of those 13 years and was named an All-Pro an astounding nine times. He's a member of the 1980s All-Decade Team, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was the only unanimously selected tackle of the NFL's All-Time Team earlier this year. No one has ever done it better than Munoz.

7. Andrew Whitworth, T (2017 Panini Phoenix Streaking Success)

Andrew Whitworth played 11 seasons in Cincinnati. During that time, he made the Pro Bowl four times and was an All-Pro twice. In all honesty, this was a tough decision because fellow tackle Willie Anderson had a nearly identical resume. Anderson actually played one more season and had a higher AV than Whitworth, but Whitworth's higher AV per game indicates he (maybe) was a bigger factor in the Bengals' wins. Really it was just splitting hairs, as both players would be deserving.

8. Geno Atkins, DT (2015 Donruss)

Geno Atkins became the first Bengal since Anthony Munoz to be named to an All-Decade Team when the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its official 2010s All-Decade Team in April. Atkins has spent his entire ten-year career with the Bengals, making the Pro Bowl in all but two of those years. He is second on the team in career sacks with 75.5, fifth in forced fumbles with eight. Not bad for a defensive tackle whose primary job description is to stop the run. Mix in a pair of All-Pro selections, and the Bengals fared pretty well with their 2010 fourth-round pick.

9. Ken Riley, CB (1979 Topps)

Ken Riley has almost double the interceptions of the next guy on the Bengals' list (Riley's 65 to Louis Breeden's 33). He played his entire career, from 1969 to 1983, in tiger stripes. Oddly enough, despite the great player that he was, he mostly worked in anonymity; he never made the Pro Bowl and his lone All-Pro selection came in the last year of his career.  He still ranks fifth in NFL history for picks. The only players ahead of him are Paul Krause, Emlen Tunnell, Rod Woodson, and Night Train Lane, with Charles Woodson tied. Can somebody explain how he put together that career without a single Pro Bowl berth? How about some Hall of Fame consideration for this guy?

As with every team, there were some difficult decisions to make here. Like many other teams, the players tend to be grouped by eras, showing the ebb and flow of the team's success. In Cincinnati's case, the success is modest. The Bengals have never been a dominant team, even during their best years. But it appears a new chapter is starting. How long before Joe Burrow, Jamarr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson make a case for their consideration among Cincinnati's all-time best? They're off to a good start so far.


Some notes on this series:

1. This includes Super Bowl Era players only.
2. The "nine" in Franchise 9 is to fill a page in a binder. There is no intent to fill a roster or even a starting lineup.
3. A player can represent multiple teams.
4. I tried to find a balance between steady producers with longevity and explosive players with shorter careers. Time with the team does count for something, as does impact with the team.
5. For a link to Franchise 9 lists that I have already posted, click here.
6. This is all subjective, so I'd love to hear whom you would choose!

The Franchise 9: Pittsburgh Steelers

 

Note: I'm a hack! I started writing this post on Thursday. On Saturday, NFL.com ran a piece on the Top 15 Steelers to mark Ben Roethlisberger's retirement. Our lists are different, so it was an interesting read. But the timing of this post with that article was entirely coincidental.

 

Outside of the New England Tom Bradys, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the most successful franchise in the Super Bowl Era. They have made eight trips to the big game, under three head coaches with three different quarterbacks, behind only New England's 11. Their six wins are tied with the Patriots for most Super Bowl wins by a franchise. What separates the Steelers from the Patriots in this regard is the fact that Pittsburgh is the only team to play in the Super Bowl at least in every decade from the 1970s to the 2010s. They missed out on the first three Super Bowls (the 60s) and have yet to make it in the first three games this decade. Other than that, they have represented the AFC in every decade. As a result, the Hall of Fame is loaded with Steelers. There were some great players left off of this list, but even with all the talent cast aside, this team would be one of the best Franchise 9 teams you could find.

1. Terry Bradshaw, QB (2014 Topps Valor)

At first glance, Terry Bradshaw's stats don't jump off the page. He's second on the Steelers' all-time passing list, but his yardage total has been more than doubled by the next guy on this list. His career 70.9 passer rating would get him fired in today's game. But his record as the team's QB was 107-51, good for a gaudy .677 percentage and an average of 11 wins per season. And let's not forget the 4-0 Super Bowl record. No, by today's standards, his numbers look pedestrian, but in his time he was a three-time Pro Bowl, MVP-winning, All-Pro superstar.

2. Ben Roethlisberger, QB (2013 Topps Strata)

Big Ben just announced his retirement a week ago. We've seen the last of the Steelers' all-time leading passer. He spent the entirety of his career in Black and Gold, winning two Super Bowls while passing for 64,088 yards and 418 TDs. He was voted to six Pro Bowls and took home the Rookie of the Year award.

3. Franco Harris, RB (1983 Topps)

With 11,950 yards, Franco Harris has rushed for more yards than any other Steeler ever. With 100 touchdowns (91 rushing, 9 receiving), he has spent more time in the end zone than any other Steeler. In his career, Harris was selected to six Pro Bowls, one All-Pro team, a Rookie of the Year award, one Super Bowl MVP, the 1970s- All-Decade Team, and the Hall of Fame. He is the most prolific running back in Pittsburgh history.

4. Mike Webster, C (1984 Topps)

Mike Webster is arguably the gold standard for centers in the NFL. He spent the first 15 seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, garnering five 1st-Team All-Pro nods and nine Pro Bowls. He played his way onto not one, but two different All-Decade Teams. And, of course, he has a bust in Canton now. Last year, when the NFL announced its 100th Anniversary Team, Webster was one of the centers.

5. Joe Greene, DT (1980 Topps)

"Mean" Joe Greene is one of only two Steelers to ever have his number retired. (The other is old-timer Ernie Stautner, #70.) Arguably the heart and soul of the Steelers' Steel Curtain defense, and even the entire four-time Super Bowl champion team of the 70s, Greene was an absolutely dominant force on the defensive line. He was either a Pro Bowler or an All-Pro in each of the first 10 seasons of his career. From the very beginning, he was bringing home awards, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1969. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 and 1974. He was a shoo-in to the Hall of Fame and the NFL All-Time Team. And he spent his entire career with the Steelers.

 

6. Jack Ham, LB (2013 Panini Prizm Decade Dominance)

The only Pittsburgh defender with more approximate value than Joe Greene is Jack Ham, according to Pro Football Reference. From 1974-1979, Ham reeled off six straight All-Pro seasons, book-ended by a pair of Pro Bowl berths. Like teammates Bradshaw, Harris, Webster, and Greene, Ham played his way onto the All-Decade Team of the 1970s--and into Canton. Oh, and last year he was named to the NFL's All-Time Team.

 

7. Jack Lambert, LB (1982 Topps)

Another Steeler, another spot on the 1970s All-Decade Team. That's six on this list. And to think I left some off... But anyway, let's talk about Jack Lambert. Lambert managed not only to play his way onto the All-70s team, but the All-Decade 1980s team, too. Like Greene, Lambert started his career with a Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1974. Two seasons later, he graduated to Defensive Player of the Year, also earning the first of his six All-Pro nominations that year. Since his career ended, he has been honored with an induction to the Hall of Fame and a spot on the NFL's All-Time Team. That makes two linebackers from the same corps, on the field together, both considered among the top 12 to ever play. That makes three from the Steel Curtain of the 70s defense all on that team. (And I left one off this list!)

 

8. Troy Polamalu, S (2015 Topps Chrome)

Looking at the statistics, Troy Polamalu falls below a few defensive backs in Steeler history. When the relative shortness of his career is considered, however, Polamalu stands out as having the third-best AV/Game among Pittsburgh DBs. I take that stat as a measure of a player's explosiveness and a way to separate higher-impact players with shorter careers from accumulators who played forever. Polamalu was an explosive, high-impact player. For example, he had 39 takeaways (interceptions and fumble recoveries) in his career and he returned 7 of them for touchdowns. In 12 seasons, he was named eight Pro Bowls and four AP All-Pro First Teams (and two 2nd-Team All-Pro), with a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2010. He was an All-Decade performer and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But what really sets Polamalu apart is his star power. I've never seen a safety more well-known and recognizable than he has been.

9. Rod Woodson, CB (1991 Upper Deck)

Ho-hum, just another Steeler who found a place on the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Rod Woodson developed a reputation as a playmaker in his 17-year NFL career. The first 10 of those years, Woodson was making plays for the Black and Gold. Woodson's an interesting study here because his first All-Pro nod came when he led the NFL in kick return average and touchdowns in 1989. He may have made his first splash as a returner, but in four of the next five seasons, Woodson made the same team as a cornerback. In 1993, his eight picks and a touchdown led him to the Defensive Player of the Year award. Woodson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

I feel this team has all the star power it needs, but the opinions will probably vary on it. That's just what will happen when a number of Hall of Famers are left off of a franchise's all-time greats list. For the record, these are the Hall of Fame players who did not make the cut here: Mel Blount, Donnie Shell, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, Dermontti Dawson, Alan Faneca, and Jerome Bettis. Add to that list All-Decade performers such as L.C. Greenwood, Carnell Lake, Levon Kirkland, Antonio Brown, and Joey Porter. Most teams would have solid performers like Greg Lloyd (arguably should have been an All-1990s guy), Hines Ward (has a solid case as a better receiver than the two Hall of Famers in franchise history), James Harrison, or Cameron Heyward easily on this list. But not Pittsburgh. This is the most storied, consistent franchise in the Super Bowl Era and there are only nine slots. I'm dying to hear your own list. Make yourself heard in the comments!

 

 

Some notes on this series:

1. This includes Super Bowl Era players only.
2. The "nine" in Franchise 9 is to fill a page in a binder. There is no intent to fill a roster or even a starting lineup.
3. A player can represent multiple teams.
4. I tried to find a balance between steady producers with longevity and explosive players with shorter careers. Time with the team does count for something, as does impact with the team.
5. For a link to Franchise 9 lists that I have already posted, click here.
6. This is all subjective, so I'd love to hear whom you would choose!

 

The Franchise 9: Baltimore Ravens

 

Though they moved from Cleveland, the Ravens didn't keep the franchise history of the Browns. For historical purposes, the Baltimore Ravens are treated the same as an expansion franchise starting in 1996. Still, despite the short history of the franchise, there have been some great players to suit up in black and purple. The Ravens have claimed two Super Bowl victories in two separate decades. So who are their best all-time players?

1. Joe Flacco, QB (2014 Panini Rookies & Stars)

With over 38,000 passing yards, Joe Flacco is the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. Nobody else has even hit 10,000 (though Lamar Jackson should get there this coming week). Flacco is the leader by almost triple in passing TDs, too. He never received a single Pro Bowl or All-Pro nod, but no signal caller can equal what he has done for the Ravens.

2. Jamal Lewis, RB (2006 Fleer)

As I researched this team, I found the Ravens seem to run into legal trouble at the running back position. Their top two ball carriers both had major off-field issues. But that doesn't play into consideration here; Lewis's on-field performance earns a spot for him on this list. He is the Ravens' leading rusher in yards and touchdowns. In 2003, he joined an elite club of NFL runners who gained over 2,000 yards in a season. It earned him an All-Pro nomination and helped him be named to the NFL's All-2000s team.

3. Jonathan Ogden, T (1996 Playoff Prime)

The Ravens took Jonathan Ogden with the fourth pick in the 1996 Draft, making him the franchise's first draft pick. He rewarded their confidence by making the Pro Bowl in 11 of his 12 seasons and playing every game of his career with the team. For 12 years, he was a rock on the offensive line and earned a spot in Canton.

4. Marshal Yanda, G (2017 Score)

While he has very little representation on cardboard, Marshal Yanda was one of the top offensive linemen in the game through the 2010s. Earning All-Pro recognition in two seasons and eight Pro Bowl bids, Yanda was named to the All-Decade team. He played every game of his career with Baltimore and rose to fifth in team history in Approximate Value, according to Pro Football Reference. He retired in 2019 and will probably be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the future.

5. Haloti Ngata, DT (2011 Score)

Before he was a pro football player, Haloti Ngata was a hometown hero football player here in Utah. He originally committed to my BYU Cougars before eventually signing with Oregon. With the Ravens, he became a disruptive force to be feared on the interior defensive line. He ranks 7th on the team in career AV. He made five Pro Bowls and received two All-Pro bids for the Ravens.

6. Terrell Suggs, LB (2014 Bowman)

For a franchise that is known for hanging its hat on defense, Terrell Suggs is the team's all-time sack leader. And it's not close; his 132.5 sacks nearly double up the 70 put up by the closest guy behind him. Suggs started his career by winning the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003. He continued on the right track, becoming an All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowler. In 2011, he force seven fumbles en route to taking home Defensive Player of the Year hardware. He is the Ravens' best edge rusher ever.

7. Ray Lewis, LB (2010 Topps)

In 1996, Baltimore took Jonathan Ogden 4th overall in the draft. Twenty-two picks later, they made another first-round pick. This time they took Ray Lewis. He only went on to become the best player in franchise history. Those are two solid first two picks to build around. Let's just list Lewis's career achievements: 2,056 tackles (leading the league in the category in three separate seasons), 12 Pro Bowls, seven 1st-Team All-Pros, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, a spot on the 2000s All-Decade team, a Super Bowl MVP, and a bust in Canton. Oh, and he was a Raven for his entire career. The club may never see better.

8. Ed Reed, S (2008 Score)

Ed Reed was a human highlight reel. He led the league in interceptions three times in his career. He picked off 61 passes as a Raven. He returned seven of them for TDs. Even more impressive, two of those returns were over 100 yards. He was a danger to throw around and even more dangerous with the ball in his hands. Like Suggs and Lewis, Reed won a Defensive Player of the Year award. That makes four DPOY awards going to Baltimore between 2000-2011, including Lewis and Reed going back-to-back in 2003 and 2004.

9. Justin Tucker, K (2019 Donruss)

Justin Tucker is the only kicker to make this list for any franchise. He deserves it. No other kicker has cracked his team's top 25 in AV. He has four All-Pro nominations to his name. He's automatic and beloved in Baltimore. Oh, and there's this:

Yes, that's an NFL record and yes, it was a game-winner as time expired. This guy was the NFL's All-2010s kicker for a reason.

The Ravens build their teams around defense, special teams, and line play. Only two of their skill players ended up on this list. But this is as solid a roster as you will find. It's only a matter of time before Lamar Jackson unseats Joe Flacco, however. He just needs a few more seasons in purple to match Flacco's accomplishments for the team. Who else is close? Would you make any changes?

Some notes on this series:

1. This includes Super Bowl Era players only.
2. The "nine" in Franchise 9 is to fill a page in a binder. There is no intent to fill a roster or even a starting lineup.
3. A player can represent multiple teams.
4. I tried to find a balance between steady producers with longevity and explosive players with shorter careers. Time with the team does count for something, as does impact with the team.
5. For a link to Franchise 9 lists that I have already posted, click here.
6. This is all subjective, so I'd love to hear whom you would choose!

The Franchise 9: Las Vegas Raiders

 

The Raiders have been living through a nightmare 2021 season. Their 2020 draft class is historically bad; both of their first-round draft picks are off the team before finishing even two seasons. This team has suffered through multiple nightmare seasons and busted draft classes in recent years. Historically, though, this is a franchise that has enjoyed a lot of success. So much so that this was one of the tougher teams to put together due to the number of great players who had to be left off.

1. Ken Stabler, QB (2006 UD Legends)

No quarterback has played more games for the Raiders than Ken Stabler. No quarterback has won more games with the Raiders. Current QB Derek Carr may have passed Stabler in yardage, but he still needs to win 16 more games to tie that record. He was a Super Bowl champ, a league MVP, and a Hall of Famer under center for Oakland.

2. Marcus Allen, RB (1990 Pro Set Super Bowl MVPs)

As a Raider, Marcus Allen rushed for 8,545 yards and 79 TDs. Since he left the team in 1992, the closest Raider rusher to Allen was Napolean Kaufman, who currently sits at fourth on the franchise all-time list, but barely eclipsed 50% of Allen's total yardage. Add in 4,258 receiving yards and 18 more TDs through the air, and Allen ranks second in team history in yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns. He led the NFL in rushing in 1985, earning one of his two All-Pro nominations.

3. Fred Biletnikoff, WR (2017 Panini Playoff)

Fred Biletnikoff sounds as much like the name of a ballet dancer as it does a Hall of Fame football player, but football player it is for Biletnikoff. Even though Tim Brown has eclipsed Biletnikoff in every receiving category in Raiders history, Biletnikoff gets the nod here. When he retired in 1978, he had more than doubled the number of catches, yards, and touchdowns of the guy he passed, Art Powell. He was the first Super Bowl MVP in Raiders history. But the reason I put him above Tim Brown is the fact that he was twice named 1st-team All-Pro, whereas Brown never was. Brown has the numbers because of a different era, but Biletnikoff was considered one of the best two or three receivers of his day. Brown was a Hall of Famer and an All-Decade performer, but never received the same league-wide accolades as Biletnikoff.

4. Jim Otto, C (1994 Ted Williams Roger Stabauch's)

Jim Otto was absolutely dominant from the get-go. He was a 1st-team All-Pro in his rookie year, 1960. Then he repeated that feat in nine of the next ten years. Pro Football Reference ranks him #1 in franchise history in approximate value. Though his career started before the Super Bowl Era, if we remove those years, he still ranks just below Marcus Allen on the team list and has four consecutive All-Pro nominations to boast of. He started all 214 games available to play in his NFL career, all for Oakland. He belongs here.

5. Art Shell, T (1982 Topps)

My first introduction to Art Shell was when he was named the Raiders' head coach in 1990. I didn't even know that he had been a Hall of Fame caliber player for the team when I first pulled his Pro Set coach card from a pack. In his playing days, though, he was a beast on the offensive line. He was Pro Bowler eight times, an All-Pro twice, and an All-Decade player before being inducted to the Hall of Fame.

6. Gene Upshaw, G (1989 Swell Football Greats)

As good as Shell was, Gene Upshaw was better. He was a five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. In the seven years that Otto, Shell, and Upshaw played together, the Raiders finished the season in top-10 in offense every year. In five of those years, they were top-five, and they fielded the league's top offense three times. Upshaw joined Shell on the All-Decade Team and in the Hall of Fame.

7. Howie Long, DE (1990 Pro Set)

Howie Long finished his career second on the Raiders' list in sacks. In his time with the team, Long racked up eight trips to the Pro Bowl, two All-Pro nominations, a spot on the All-Decade Team, and a bust in Canton. He currently ranks seventh in career AV for the team. He also gets bonus points here for playing every snap of his career with the Raiders.

8. Ted Hendricks, LB (1990 Score)

The man known as "The Mad Stork" started his career in Baltimore and played a season in Green Bay, but most of his time was spent in Oakland. It could be argued that his being named to the 1970s All-Decade Team could be due to his time before joining the Raiders. But from 1980-1983--as a Raider--Hendricks made four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. And that was all he needed to earn a spot on the 1980s All-Decade Team.  He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1990. Here's a fun fact: he recorded four safeties in his career--good for the all-time NFL lead (tied with Doug English, Jared Allen, and Justin Houston).

9. Willie Brown, CB (2012 Panini Certified)

From 1967-1973, Willie Brown made seven consecutive Pro Bowls. In that span, he was named 1st-Team All-Pro four times. In 12 seasons with the Raiders, Brown picked off 39 passes, which places him atop the franchise record book. He also ranks fifth in team history in AV.

This was certainly one of the more difficult Franchise 9 teams to select. Every player on this list has a bust in Canton, but there are Hall of Famers who didn't make the cut. I'd hear arguments for Tim Brown, Steve Wisniewski, and Cliff Branch on the offensive side of the ball. On the defensive side, Rod Martin and Lester Hayes are high on the franchise AV list. Less heralded Terry McDaniel and Greg Townsend were strongly considered because they had strong resumes. As always, I'd love to know how your list would look. Let's hear it in the comments!

Some notes on this series:

1. This includes Super Bowl Era players only.
2. The "nine" in Franchise 9 is to fill a page in a binder. There is no intent to fill a roster or even a starting lineup.
3. A player can represent multiple teams.
4. I tried to find a balance between steady producers with longevity and explosive players with shorter careers. Time with the team does count for something, as does impact with the team.
5. For a link to Franchise 9 lists that I have already posted, click here.
6. This is all subjective, so I'd love to hear whom you would choose!

The Franchise 9: Los Angeles Rams

 

 

This was a difficult franchise to choose. There have been a lot of great Rams over the years, but interestingly, some Rams Hall of Famers have had shorter stints with the team than other long-time contributors. This left some decisions with a much thinner margin than one might expect. For example, running back Lawrence McCutchen outpaces both Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk in career AV. But was he really more impactful in franchise history? What about if you throw in Steven Jackson, who is actually the franchise-leading rusher. Does he knock out another player who is enshrined in Canton? Small decisions like this abounded on this list. Roman Gabriel (who played 11 years for the team) or Kurt Warner (five years)? Tom Mack, Jackie Slater, or Orlando Pace? The result is a very solid lineup with some very solid players on the outside looking in. Here is how my analysis and opinion filled this list.

1. Kurt Warner, QB (2013 Topps Magic)

Back in 1999, the St. Louis Rams were coming off a last-place, 4-12 finish. Sports Illustrated picked them to move up in a weak division--to 3rd place--but still only finish with six wins. Expectations dropped even lower in the preseason when QB Trent Green tore his ACL. Now under center would be former Arena League QB Kurt Warner. The Rams weren't exactly high on Warner; they had left him unprotected in the expansion draft. Apparently, the expansion Browns weren't high on him, either, as they didn't take him. Suddenly, he was the starting quarterback. All he did was act as field general for "The Greatest Show on Turf" and lead the Rams to the only Super Bowl victory in franchise history that very season. He played only 53 games in St. Louis, but he was NFL MVP twice his five-year stint there. He's not in the top five in franchise history in most passing categories (with the exception of passer rating), but he stands out as the best quarterback in team history.

2. Eric Dickerson, RB (2014 Topps Fire)

Eric Dickerson set the NFL single-season rushing record while with the Rams in 1984. That record still stands. That's just part of the story; Dickerson was absolutely dominant for the first six years of his career. In that span, he led the NFL in rushing yards per game every season but one. He led the league in rushing as a rookie in 1983, then his record-setting year of 1984, and again in 1986 (and in 1988, but he wasn't a Ram at that point). He's no longer the team's leading rusher because he was traded halfway through year five. But in 4.5 seasons with LA, he was a Pro Bowler and a 1st-Team All-Pro four times and ran for over 7,200 yards. As a member of the NFL's All-Time Team who spent the best of his career with the Rams, how could he not be part of its Franchise 9?

3. Marshall Faulk, RB (2001 Playoff Contenders)

Marshall Faulk was an all-purpose machine. He joined the Rams fresh off his first Pro Bowl season, having led the league in yards from scrimmage with the Colts. He didn't skip a beat. In his first year in St. Louis (1999), he once again led the NFL in yards from scrimmage while winning a Super Bowl and gaining All-Pro recognition for the first time. For the next two years, he led the league in total touchdowns and was an All-Pro both times. He played seven seasons with the Rams, rushing for 6,959 yards (3rd all-time) and scoring a franchise record 85 TDs.

 

4. Torry Holt, WR (2008 Gridiron Gear)

In my mind, Torry Holt is WR1a and Isaac Bruce is WR1b in Ram history. Bruce is the franchise leader in catches, receiving yards, and receiving TDs. Holt is close behind in all categories. So why does Holt get the nod here, over Bruce? Because Bruce had 39 more games in a Rams uniform than Holt. The longevity certainly counts for something, but Holt was just more explosive for a shorter period of time. Holt was a seven-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro, and led the league in receiving yards twice. His 117 receptions led the league in 2003, too. Only once in his seven seasons in St. Louis did he fail to reach 1,000 yards--his 32-year-old year, his last the with Rams and the penultimate of his career. He is a member of the NFL's All-2000s team. Isaac Bruce produced for a long time and just took his rightful spot in Canton, but he didn't spend as much time as one of the league's elite as Holt.

5. Orlando Pace, T (1996 Ultra)

The Rams selected Orlando Pace with the first overall pick in the 1996 draft. Three years later, he solidified himself as one of the game's best. During the team's Super Bowl run in 1999, Pace made his first Pro Bowl and his first All-Pro team. It was the first of seven straight Pro Bowls and the first of three All-Pro nods in that span. For his career, he was honored as a part of the All-2000's team and a spot in the Hall of Fame.

6. Aaron Donald, DT (2019 Score Epix Game Red)

Not too many active players are on these lists. Of those active players, Aaron Donald may be the youngest. Donald just turned 30 earlier this year, but he is already ninth all-time in career AV for the Rams. Among active AV leaders, Donald is the only one in the top 25 with fewer than 10 years under his belt. He has played seven seasons, getting Pro Bowl nods in all seven and 1st-Team All-Pro honors in six. In seven seasons, he has taken home the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times. The man is a wrecking crew in the middle. And with a long career still ahead of him, he may very well be the one we talk about as the best defensive player in NFL history when it's all said and done.

 

7. Deacon Jones, DE (1989 Swell Football Greats)

David "Deacon" Jones is credited with coining the term "sack" in football. Unfortunately, it didn't become an official statistic until 1982, eight years after Jones's playing career ended, so the original sack-master had no place in the NFL record books. Until 2021. Just four months ago, Pro Football Reference announced the culmination of a painstaking research project in which they credited players with sacks dating back to 1960. Deacon Jones immediately slid into the #3 spot behind Bruce Smith and Reggie White. He was honored as a member of the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team last year.

8. Merlin Olsen (2009 Upper Deck Football Heroes)

This is Merlin Olsen's second appearance on my blog this year. Many of you are familiar with seeing a certain card of his circulate through the blogs a few months ago. Olsen and Jones made up half of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome." Olsen also benefited from the new sack stats; he was retroactively awarded 91 sacks, good for third in franchise history. As an illustration of just how dominant he was, consider this: Merlin Olsen had a string of 14 straight Pro Bowls and, within that stretch, five consecutive 1st-Team All-Pro nods. He was a member of two All-Decade Teams and is the third Ram on the NFL's All-Time Team.

9. Jack Youngblood, LB (1984 Topps)

Any reader who is paying close attention will notice that I said Merlin Olsen is third on the team's all-time sack list. So who is second? Aaron Donald hasn't quite caught him. No, #2 is Jack Youngblood, who traveled through the blogosphere with Olsen early this year. Youngblood is now credited with 151.5 sacks and retroactively became the NFL sack leader in 1974 and 1979. He ranks second in Rams' history in approximate value (behind Olsen) and spent his entire 14-year, Hall of Fame with the franchise. Youngblood most definitely belongs with the team's best nine.

 

It's hard for me to look at this list of greats and not feel justified in my decisions. But in some ways, the list is odd because team leaders in key categories such as passing yards and touchdowns, rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards, and interceptions are not here. The team has seemed to have short-lived, superstar streaks combined with steady stat accumulation in its past. I can think of a few more very deserving names, but none that I feel should knock any of these players out of their spots. But I'd love to hear your thoughts. Who are your best Rams?

Some notes on this series:

1. This includes Super Bowl Era players only.
2. The "nine" in Franchise 9 is to fill a page in a binder. There is no intent to fill a roster or even a starting lineup.
3. A player can represent multiple teams.
4. I tried to find a balance between steady producers with longevity and explosive players with shorter careers. Time with the team does count for something, as does impact with the team.
5. For a link to Franchise 9 lists that I have already posted, click here.
6. This is all subjective, so I'd love to hear whom you would choose!

The Franchise 9: Miami Dolphins

 

I haven't posted one of these since the Super Bowl, when I shared the top nine players from NFC Champion (and eventual Super Bowl Champ) Tampa Bay. Now that football season is back in full swing, it's time to finish off this series that has been years in the writing. We'll keep it in Florida and travel south to Miami. It feels like it has been a while since the Dolphins have been good. Indeed, the majority of their Franchise 9 comes from the 70s and 80s, when they were consistent title contenders.

1. Bob Griese, QB (1990 Score)

Bob Griese quarterbacked Miami to three Super Bowls, winning two of them. That alone should probably land him a spot on the Dolphins' Franchise 9. But let's just throw in eight Pro Bowls, two Super Bowls, an All-Pro season, and a Hall of Fame induction. And he was a lifetime Dolphin, to boot.

 

2. Dan Marino, QB (1995 Collector's Choice Players Club)

Through the 90s--and maybe even halfway into the 2000s--there was a large portion of football fans who would tell you that Dan Marino was the best to ever sling the ball. Perhaps there are still some, though I think the triumvirate of Brees, Manning, and Brady have pushed guys like Marino aside. Unfortunately, it feels like his legacy is that of "best to never earn a ring," but he was so much more. He was an All-Pro three times and MVP once. Five times he led the league in passing yards and three times in TD passes. That includes his jaw-dropping 1984 season, when he became the first QB to throw for 5,000 yards in a season and the first to throw for over 40 TDs. In fact, his single-season TD record of 48 smashed the previous record of 36 and wouldn't be broken for 20 years. His ghost has been hanging over the franchise since he retired.

 

3. Larry Csonka, RB (1974 Wonder Bread All-Star Series)

Forty-two years after Larry Csonka retired, he is still the franchise leader in rushing yards. And, considering that the closest active player trails him by nearly 6,000 yards, he is likely to remain in that spot for years to come still. He played eight seasons in Miami, making the Pro Bowl in five of them and the All-Pro team twice. His 145 yard, two TD performance against Minnesota in Super Bowl in Super Bowl VIII earned him the MVP award for the game. Csonka is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

4. Jim Langer, C (1978 Topps)

The third member of the Dolphins' perfect 1972 season on this list, Langer anchored the offensive line for ten years. He made six consecutive Pro Bowls from 1973-1977 and was a 1st-Team All-Pro in three of those seasons.  For his career, he earned a spot on the 1970s All-Decade Team and in Canton in the Hall of Fame.

5. Larry Little, G (1980 Topps)

Yet another 1972 Dolphin here. Larry Little played 12 seasons for Miami, being named to five 1st-Team All-Pro teams. He is the highest-rated Dolphin lineman in franchise history, going by Pro Football Reference's Approximate Value score. He joins linemate Jim Langer on the 1970s All-Decade Team and the Hall of Fame.

6. Dwight Stephenson, C (1986 Topps)

When Langer left, the Dolphins didn't miss a beat at center. Dwight Stephenson was right there to continue the positional dominance in Miami. From 1974 to 1987, the All-Pro team was manned by Miami Dolphins at center seven times. Stephenson played only eight seasons in the NFL, but he was an All-Pro in half of those years. It was enough for him to be named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 1980s and the Hall of Fame.

7. Jason Taylor, DE (2007 Topps Chrome)

Since Marino retired, the Dolphins have fallen on hard times. Jason Taylor has been one of the brightest spots in this era. Taylor was a six-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, NFL Defensive Player of the Year, All-2000s performer, and Hall of Famer. He leads all Dolphins in sacks . . . by 31. He also leads the team in forced fumbles (by 21) and defensive touchdowns (by 4). He ranks second behind only Dan Marino in franchise AV.

8. Zach Thomas, LB (2006 Topps Chrome)

Taylor's defensive teammate, Zach Thomas, was also a wrecking crew. His 1,107 tackles not only top the franchise's all-time list, but also rank 5th all-time in the NFL. Seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams earned him a spot on the All-Decade Team of the 2000s, but he is still waiting to get the call to Canton. He is undoubtedly one of the top nine Dolphins, though.

9. Jake Scott, S (2005 Topps Chrome)

The perfect 1972 season was capped off with a victory in the Super Bowl over the Washington Redskins. Leading the team in that game was Super Bowl MVP Jake Scott. His 35 career interceptions still rank #1 in Dolphins history. He had a fairly short career in Miami, but he made the most of it. He is the team's all-time leader in AV/game, which indicates to me that his presence was felt every time he took the field. In just six seasons, Scott made five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams.

Like many teams, there were some obvious, must-include choices and some that required some internal debate and data analysis. The Dolphins had some incredible, nickname-worthy defenses that feel underrepresented here. Unfortunately, their "No-Name Defense" didn't even lift a single player out of anonymity on this list. Dick Anderson, Nick Buoniconti, and Bob Baumhower were all considered on that side of the ball. One constant that I found in the Dolphins' most successful eras was an outstanding offensive line. I could name Richmond Webb and Bob Kuchenberg as offensive linemen on this team and feel good about it. And what about Marino's favorite Marks Brothers (Mark Duper and Mark Clayton)? I didn't find room for them over these players. The most recent Dolphin to be considered was Cameron Wake, but he just didn't have quite enough of a career impact to crack this lineup. It may be many more years before anybody else does, judging by the current roster and longevity each player currently has with the team. Let the debates begin in the comments!

Some notes on this series:

1. This includes Super Bowl Era players only.
2. The "nine" in Franchise 9 is to fill a page in a binder. There is no intent to fill a roster or even a starting lineup.
3. A player can represent multiple teams.
4. I tried to find a balance between steady producers with longevity and explosive players with shorter careers. Time with the team does count for something, as does impact with the team.
5. For a link to Franchise 9 lists that I have already posted, click here.
6. This is all subjective, so I'd love to hear whom you would choose!

The Franchise 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 

My last Franchise 9 post featured the defending Super Bowl and current AFC Champs, the Kansas City Chiefs. Now we are just a couple of days before the 55th Super Bowl, let's take a look at the best players the Chiefs' opponents can provide. Here are the nine best players in the history of reigning NFC Champion, Tampa Bay.

1. James Wilder, RB (1988 Topps)

Not too many teams have no quarterback on their Franchise 9. The Bucs are one. Maybe if Tom Brady plays until he's 50, Tampa Bay will have a QB. The team has just never had a franchise-altering passer. But running backs...well, I guess they still haven't had too many superstars there, either. James Wilder is the team's all-time leading rusher with 5,957 yards and 37 touchdowns. He made one Pro Bowl appearance. He ranks 11th on the team's all-time Approximate Value list. Though stars like Mike Evans or Chris Godwin may soon surpass Wilder in career achievement, right now he stands as the best offensive player the Buccaneers have fielded.

 

2. Lee Roy Selmon, DE (1984 Topps)

Lee Roy Selmon was the first pick ever made by the expansion Buccaneers. He made them look good. After just their fourth season in the league, the Baby Bucs made it to the NFC Championship game in 1979 before losing to the Rams. Selmon was a big part of that, starring as the only All-Pro (or even Pro Bowler) on that squad. He made five other Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1980s before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. He was the first Buccaneer in Canton.

 

3. Gerald McCoy, DT (2016 Panini Shining Armor)

Gerald McCoy spent nine seasons in Tampa Bay. He made the Pro Bowl in six of those seasons, establishing himself as one of the game's top defensive linemen of the past decade. He is currently third on the franchise's all-time sack list with 54.5. He ranks #9 in team history in AV.

 

 

4. Simeon Rice, DE (2006 Upper Deck 10-Sack Club)

Simeon Rice is second for the club with 69.5 sacks. While playing for the Buccaneers, he made two Pro Bowls and one 1st-Team All-Pro. He's probably the best edge rusher the team has ever had.

 

5. Warren Sapp, DT (1997 Collector's Choice Turf Champions)

Warren Sapp was a gift for the Buccaneers back in the 1995 NFL Draft. Though he was considered by many to be the most talented player in the draft, character concerns caused a few teams to shy away from drafting him. After he slid to the 12th pick in the first round, Tampa Bay decided he was worth the risk and selected him. Boy, were they right! Sapp rewarded them with seven Pro Bowls and four 1st-Team All-Pro nominations. He recorded more sacks for the team than anyone else in history and earned his way onto two All-Decade teams, despite his career span giving him only five years in each of those two decades. He became the second Buccaneer in the Hall of Fame.

 

6. Derrick Brooks, LB (2000 Topps)

I'm not sure there has ever been as successful a draft as the Bucs had in 1995. After stealing Sapp with the 12th overall pick, they traded back into the first round and chose Derrick Brooks with the 28th pick. All the two of them did was become the two best players in franchise history. Brooks played his entire career with the Buccaneers. He was a 1st-Team All-Pro five times and Pro Bowler 11 times in 14 seasons. He is the Bucs all-time leader in tackles and forced fumbles and is fourth in interceptions with 25 from his linebacker position. He received a bust in Canton in 2014, his first year of eligibility.

 

 

7. Hardy Nickerson, LB (1995 Flair)

While Brooks and Sapp were the studs on the Buccaneers' defense from the mid-90s on, Hardy Nickerson already had the defense going in the right direction when those two arrived. Nickerson was just hitting his prime when he left Pittsburgh for sunny Tampa Bay, and he made an immediate impact. In 1993, his first season with the Bucs, Nickerson recorded an eye-popping 214 tackles. He was a tackling machine, becoming the then-team leader (still fourth in history) despite playing only seven seasons with the team. He received a pair of All-Pro nods en route to his spot on the 1990s All-Decade Team.

8. Ronde Barber, CB (2003 Flair)

Ronde Barber is the team's all-time leader in interceptions (47), is third in tackles (1044), and second in fumble recoveries (12). He also had a nose for the end zone, scoring 12 defensive touchdowns in his career. Wherever the ball was, Barber was, and he had a knack for making the big play. He earned a spot on the All-Decade Team for the 2000s and has been a HOF finalist for the past couple of years. I can't help but think his time is coming soon.

9. John Lynch, S (1997 Pacific Invincible Smash-Mouth)

John Lynch was a feared hard-hitter in his playing days. During his stint in Tampa Bay, Lynch played 11 years, making five Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams. Like his former secondary mate, Ronde Barber, Lynch has also been a HOF finalist in recent years. His playing career may have fallen just a little bit short of that accolade, but combined with his success as GM for the 49ers, he may have enough to put him in Canton one day.

It's easy to see which side of the ball the Buccaneers have ridden to success. Eight of the nine players listed here are defenders. Moreover, for a stint from 1997-1999, five of these defenders (Sapp, Brooks, Nickerson, Barber, and Lynch) played together. In short, Tampa Bay had five of the best nine players in team history not only on the roster at once, but on the field at the same time, in one unit. It's not hard to see how the team was able to win a Super Bowl in the early 2000s with nary a memorable offensive player on the team. Now that the team is back in the Super Bowl, but it's the offensive firepower that is the heart of the team. I can already tell you changes that will happen to this list in the next year, barring any unforeseen calamities: Mike Evans and Lavonte David will join, most likely bumping off James Wilder and Gerald McCoy/Simeon Rice. David nearly made the cut already, and one more year should make him too much to ignore anymore. Right now, he and his teammates have bigger concerns. Like trying to take down the Chiefs on Sunday and bring home his first ring.


Some notes on this series:

1. This includes Super Bowl Era players only.
2. The "nine" in Franchise 9 is to fill a page in a binder. There is no intent to fill a roster or even a starting lineup.
3. A player can represent multiple teams.
4. I tried to find a balance between steady producers with longevity and explosive players with shorter careers. Time with the team does count for something, as does impact with the team.
5. For a link to Franchise 9 lists that I have already posted, click here.
6. This is all subjective, so I'd love to hear whom you would choose!

The Franchise 9: Kansas City Chiefs

Way back when I started this blog (five years ago today, by my reckoning, actually), I had an idea for a series about the building of a football Frankenset. I called it the Franchise 9. Here we are, 1826 days later and I still haven't finished the series. I'd better get on that. Plus, we are now down to one more game before this NFL season is in the books and I haven't had a single Franchise 9 post. So today, let's take a look at the page for the team that will be defending its championship in two weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs.

 

1. Len Dawson, QB (2011 Topps Super Bowl Legends)

Before there was Patrick Mahomes, Len Dawson was quarterbacking the Chiefs to a championship. To this day, Dawson leads all Chiefs in career passing yards, TDs, 1st-Team All-Pro nods, and Pro Bowls. Add to that a Super Bowl MVP, and he rightly deserves to be on this list. Patrick Mahomes may very well pass him, and do it very soon, but Dawson is tops in Kansas City annals.

 

2. Tony Gonzalez, TE (2006 Topps Chrome)

Before there was Travis Kelce, there was Tony Gonzalez. Interesting fact: the Chiefs are the only franchise for whom both top pass catchers (in terms of yards and receptions) in team history are tight ends. Kelce may very well pass Gonzalez, but Gonzalez was just as dominant during his time. For seven straight years, he was named to either the 1st or 2nd All-Pros teams. That's a run that will make it difficult for anybody to stake a claim for the greatest tight end of all time.

 

3. Will Shields, G (1993 Classic)

Gonzalez was an All-Pro for seven consecutive years. During the same span, Will Shields accomplished the same feat for five straight years. In all, Shields made six All-Pro teams and 12 Pro Bowls, all as a Kansas City Chief. He ranks second in team history in Pro-Football Reference's Approximate Value metric. He's also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 

 

4. Bobby Bell, DE (1988 Swell Football Greats)

For six straight years, Bobby Bell was a first-team All-Pro. Are starting to notice a pattern here? Though on the opposite side of the ball from Gonzalez and Shields, Bell continues the streak of long All-Pro streaks for this team. Bell was part of the Chiefs' "Redwood Forest" defense. Traditional stats are hard for a defender of that era to come by, but Bell's career AV ranks fourth on the Chiefs.

 

5. Buck Buchanan, DT (1973 Topps)

Bell's teammate on defense, Buck Buchanan, had a streak of six consecutive All-Pro years. He was also an eight-time Pro Bowler and is enshrined in Canton.

 

6. Willie Lanier, LB (1972 Topps)

He didn't have the same streak as we've seen others have here, but Willie Lanier was an All-Pro in five of six seasons between 1968-1973. With another Hall of Famer in the front seven, the Chiefs defense of the late Sixties through the mid-Seventies was hard to run on. Beginning in the first year of the Super Bowl Era through Bell's, Buchanan's, and Lanier's tenure together, the Chiefs finished in the top five of run defenses five of eight years; the other three years finishing nine, eleven, and eleven.

 

 

7. Derrick Thomas, LB (1994 Score)

Derrick Thomas is the Chiefs' all-time leading sack master. With 126.5 sacks in 11 years, who knows how many more he could have piled up if his life hadn't been tragically cut short in a car accident? He still owns the single-game record for sacks, taking the Seahawks Dave Krieg down seven times in memory of his father on Veteran's Day. Though injuries hampered Thomas later in his career, he was still effective. In 1997, he was limited to 12 games and still managed 9.5 sacks. He earned a spot in the Hall of Fame.

8. Jim Tyrer, T (1972 Topps) 

It looks like I may have mistakenly put Tyrer out of order on this page. No matter; I'll change it in my binder, but I'm not going to re-scan it. Jim Tyrer may not be a household name, but know this: he is the Kansas City Chiefs all-time AV leader. According to Pro Football Reference, no player was more valuable to this franchise over the course of his career than Tyrer.  Part of that may be due to his longevity; he spent 13 years with the franchise, starting way back when they began as the Dallas Texans. But when you consider Tyrer himself made nine consecutive All-Pro teams, you know he was just the best at his position during his playing career.

9. Johnny Robinson, S (1990 Pro Set Super Bowl)

One more member of the Redwood Forest defense here, and another All-Pro streaker. Johnny Robinson was a first-team All-Pro six years in a row. His 57 interceptions are second in team history and his AV is fifth. With a track record like that, the only question I have about Robinson is why it took until 2019 for him to get a call to the Hall.

The Chiefs are one of those teams who have had so much success that it was hard to leave some players off the list. Hall of Famer Emmitt Thomas, All-Decade performers like Neil Smith and Deron Cherry, and great playmakers like Otis Taylor, Priest Holmes, and Jamaal Charles just didn't have a spot for them. And I've already mentioned Mahomes and Kelce, who will most certainly bump somebody off of this Franchise 9 if their careers continue on their current trajectories. This has been one of the most successful franchises in the league. We'll have to see if they add a third Super Bowl title next month.


Some notes on this series:

1. This includes Super Bowl Era players only.
2. The "nine" in Franchise 9 is to fill a page in a binder. There is no intent to fill a roster or even a starting lineup.
3. A player can represent multiple teams.
4. I tried to find a balance between steady producers with longevity and explosive players with shorter careers. Time with the team does count for something, as does impact with the team.
5. For a link to Franchise 9 lists that I have already posted, click here.
6. This is all subjective, so I'd love to hear whom you would choose!