Best Player by Position Not in Hall of Fame

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 2, 2013

Best Player by Position Not in Hall of Fame

Quarterback: Ken Stabler

<italics>We asked veteran NFL writer Dennis Dillon for his list of the best player by position not in the Hall of Fame. Here are his 15 -- your list, of course, may differ. Send comments to siwriters@simail.com.</italics> In 10 seasons with the Raiders, two with the Oilers and three with the Saints, Stabler completed 2,270 of 3,793 passes for 27,938 yards and 194 touchdowns, with 222 interceptions. He was a four-time Pro Bowl pick and a one-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 1990, 1991 and 2003. Also worthy of consideration: Vinny Testaverde, Dave Krieg, Drew Bledsoe, Ken Anderson.

Running back: Jerome Bettis

In three seasons with the Rams and 10 seasons with the Steelers, Bettis rushed 3,479 times for 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns, and caught 200 passes for 1,449 yards and three touchdowns. He was a six-time Pro Bowl pick and a two-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Also worthy of consideration: Corey Dillon, Tiki Barber, Ottis Anderson and Terrell Davis.

Wide receiver: Tim Brown

In 16 seasons with the Raiders and one with the Buccaneers, Brown caught 1,094 passes for 14,934 yards and 100 touchdowns. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl pick. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Also worthy of consideration: Andre Reed, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Cliff Branch, Herman Moore, Mark Clayton, Nat Moore and Mac Speedie. <bold>VIDEO: Peter King on whether the logjam at wide receiver will continue. </bold>

Tight end: Ben Coates

In nine seasons with the Patriots and one with the Colts, Coates caught 499 passes for 5,555 yards and 50 touchdowns. He was a five-time Pro Bowl pick and a two-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He never has been a Hall of Fame finalist. Also worthy of consideration: Wesley Walls, Keith Jackson, Todd Christensen, Jimmie Giles and Russ Francis.

Offensive tackle: Joe Jacoby

In 13 years as a member of the "Hogs," the Redskins' self-named group of offensive linemen, Jacoby started 148 of 170 games. He was a four-time Pro Bowl pick and a two-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 2005, 2008 and 2013. Also worthy of consideration: Bruce Armstrong, Chris Hinton, Mike Kenn, Lomas Brown and Jim Lachey.

Guard: Jerry Kramer

In 11 seasons with the Packers, Kramer played in 130 games; he also played in the first two Super Bowls. He was a three-time Pro Bowl pick and a five-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He was a Hall of Fame finalist from 1974-76, 1978-1981, 1984 and 1987. Also worthy of consideration: Will Shields, Bob Kuechenberg, Dick Stanfel.

Center: Mick Tingelhoff

In 17 years with the Vikings, Tingelhoff never missed a game, making 240 consecutive regular-season starts. He was a six-time Pro Bowl pick and a five-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He never has been a finalist for the Hall of Fame. Also worthy of consideration: Ray Donaldson, Jeff Van Note, Kent Hull.

Defensive end: L.C. Greenwood

In 11 seasons with the Steelers, Greenwood led the team in sacks six times and finished with 73.5 for his career. He helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls, including Super Bowl X, where he sacked Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach four times. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 1991, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2005 and 2006. Others worthy of consideration: Michael Strahan, Charles Haley, Leslie O'Neal, Simeon Rice and Clyde Simmons.

Defensive tackle: <br> Steve McMichael

In 15 seasons (13 with the Bears), McMichael had 95 sacks, was a two-time Pro Bowl pick and a two-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He helped the Bears beat New England in Super Bowl XX. Former Bears coach Mike Ditka said McMichael was the toughest player he ever coached. Others worthy of consideration: Alex Karras, Gene Lipscomb, Rosey Grier, Bryant Young.

Outside linebacker: <br> Kevin Greene

In 15 seasons with the Rams, Steelers, Panthers and 49ers, Greene had 160 sacks (third highest of all time) and recovered 26 fumbles. Currently an assistant coach with the Packers, Greene was a five-time Pro Bowl pick and a two-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 2012 and 2013. Others worthy of consideration: Chuck Howley, Pat Swilling, Clay Matthews and Matt Blair.

Inside linebacker: <br> Karl Mecklenburg

In a dozen seasons with the Broncos, Mecklenburg had 79 sacks, intercepted five passes and recovered 14 fumbles. He was a six-time Pro Bowl pick and a three-time, first-team All Pro selection. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 2012 and 2013. Others worthy of consideration: Randy Gradishar, Lee Roy Jordan, Tommy Nobis.

Cornerback: Aeneas Williams

In 14 seasons with the Cardinals and Rams, Williams intercepted 55 passes, recovered 23 fumbles and scored nine touchdowns. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl pick and a three-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 2012 and 2013. Others worthy of consideration: Albert Lewis, Lester Hayes, Ken Riley, Eric Allen.

Safety: Johnny Robinson

In 12 seasons with the Texans-Chiefs, Robinson intercepted 57 passes, including 10 each in 1966 and 1970. One of the defensive stars of the American Football League, he was a seven-time Pro Bowl pick and a six-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He was a Hall of Fame finalist from 1980-83 and from 1985-86. Others worthy of consideration: Cliff Harris, Donnie Shell, Jake Scott, Richie Petitbon.

Kicker: Morten Andersen

In a career that spanned a quarter of a century, Andersen played for the Saints, Falcons, Giants, Chiefs and Vikings. He owns NFL records for field goals (565) and points (2,544). He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 2013. Others worthy of consideration: Gary Anderson, Nick Lowery.

Punter: Ray Guy

In 14 seasons, all with the Raiders, Guy averaged 42.4 yards per punt and had only three of 1,049 punts blocked. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl pick and a three-time, first-team All-Pro selection. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2007 and 2008. Others worthy of consideration: Sean Landeta, Jerrel Wilson, Reggie Roby.

Best Player by Position Not in Hall of Fame