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My Big NFL Five: Tight Ends

Joe Johnson — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:15:03 +0000

Here is a very versatile position. They can block. They can run routes. They can catch. They can jump high. They are extremely dangerous in the middle of the field and the red zone. The tight end position has seen a few great names, which includes these five:

Dec 23, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass from San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the second half at MetLIfe Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

5. Antonio Gates (Chargers)
One of a couple of great tight ends to come out of San Diego, Antonio Gates provided a huge threat in the Chargers passing game in the mid to late 2000s, and was a huge part of Phillip Rivers’ and the rest of the offensive success. He was heralded as one of, if not the best tight end during this time as well, with a great mixture of receiving abilities and blocking abilities. He is currently in the decline of his career, but this is one career that is most definitely worthy of a bust in Canton one day.

4. Vernon Davis (49ers)
He has been there for the good and bad times in the Bay Area, and has been a good part of it. A lot of us remember the game-winning TD catch in the 2011 Divisional Playoffs against the Saints, but there were really bad times in San Fran before that, and he was possibly the only bright spot on that team. He is the one that really started the deep threat tight end trend we see today with stars like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. Starting with him, the tight ends of today are more like receivers. They are a lot faster and get open a lot more. He should most definitely have a bust in Canton when he retires.

My Big NFL 5: Wide Receivers

Joe Johnson — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:40:59 +0000

The next part of my segment is a really fun one. I am now going to look at the 5 greatest wide receivers in my eyes. Some of these guys made some QBs’ careers. Some of these guys are the fastest humans on earth or the highest jumpers. When you think of the wide receiver, who do you think of? Is it Jerry Rice? Michael Irvin? One thing is for certain, this position is extremely fun to watch, and I have picked out my 5 greatest of all time. Here they are:

Mar. 2, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Football player Terrell Owens in attendance of the game between the Phoenix Suns against the Los Angeles Clippers at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Clippers 81-78. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Terrell Owens (49ers/Eagles/Cowboys/Bills/Bengals)

This guy had, and still has, a big mouth, but he was one of the few that could actually back it up. He had incredible speed, and was a great weapon for Steve Young early in his career. Later in his career, he was the best option for guys like Donovan McNabb, Drew Bledsoe, Tony Romo, and a little diva named Carson Palmer. He had some really bad moments on the sidelines and off the field, but when he was on the field, he was a complete game changer. He is probably a first ballot Hall of Famer.

4. Issac Bruce (Rams)

He was the main vertical threat in the Greatest Show on Turf. Everyone who was around long enough, including me, remembers the 1999 Rams. That team was one of the most fun to ever watch. Throughout the late 90′s and early 2000′s, Bruce, alongside Tory Holt, provided Kurt Warner for a constant threat downfield, and opened up the running game for Marshall Faulk. Canton is screaming his name.

My Big NFL 5: Runningbacks

Joe Johnson — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:59:32 +0000

Runningbacks are a huge part of the game, and are the next part of my Big 5 series. The way I see it, there are 2 types of runningbacks: speedsters and bruisers, bruisers like Walter Payton or Jim Brown, speedsters like Barry Sanders and Chris Johnson of today. Then there are the Bo Jacksons that had that perfect blend (his career was unfortunately prematurely ended by the Bengals. Otherwise, he would be on this list). This position has changed over the years, but the job remains the same. Here are my Top-5 best at the runningback position.

September 17, 2011; Gainesville FL, USA; Emmitt Smith is honored before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys)
This man was one of what I like to call the Big 3 in Big D in the 1990s. As a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Smith won 3 Super Bowls, as well as shattering the record for rushing yards, which still holds today. Along his was, he managed to put up 11(!) straight 1000 yard seasons. He was also a threat out of the backfield, ending his career with over 3000 receiving yards.

4. Marshall Faulk (St. Louis Rams)
He is the runningback of The Greatest Show on Turf, or for those of you new to football, the Super Bowl winning 1999 St. Louis Rams. That offense was epic to watch, and he was a huge part of it, probably the biggest. He had a good mix of power and speed, which is rare in a runningback. He currently has a bust in Canton.

3. Jim Brown (Cleveland Browns)
For the younger fans reading this, the Browns used to be a highly successful franchise, believe it or not, and a huge part of it was Jim Brown. Many consider him the greatest RB of all time. He was a freakish athlete that still has the Browns franchise single season record for rush yards at 1,863. That was set in 1963. He posted 1000+ yard seasons 7 times, which included three 1500+ yard seasons.

2. Walter Payton (Chicago Bears)
He is another one considered as the greatest runningback to ever play the position, and for good reason. He posted ten 1000 yard seasons, and it could have been 11 consecutive, but there was the shortened 1982 season. Still, that is a very daunting feat.