Tag: Pro Football Hall of Fame

The only accolade Travon Walker wants is a gold jacket

Travon Walker had a slow start to his career, but he’s still keeping very lofty goals.

Travon Walker became a member of a small fraternity last year when he joined Trevor Lawrence on the list of players drafted first overall in the NFL draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ second-year pass rusher is aiming to join another brotherhood much further down the line, as well.

“I wouldn’t say it’s about accolades, but my main accolade is the gold jacket,” Walker told Jaguars.com, referring to the garment given to Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. “I feel like if I get the gold jacket, the Super Bowl, all of that’ll come with that.”

Walker, 22, got out to a slow start to his career, finishing his rookie season with only 3.5 sacks. But plenty of pass rushers in the past have had a sluggish start before picking up the pace. Fellow No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams had 4.5 sacks as a rookie before racking up 26 sacks over the next two years.

Hall of Famers John Randle, Richard Dent, and Chris Doleman had similar breakout seasons.

“I want to focus more on just playing faster, not thinking as much, playing with a clear head,” Walker said. “I’ve been in the scheme, so I really shouldn’t be thinking as much. Now I should really be concentrating on the game of football to understand how veteran players do certain things, what are some tendencies I can pick up on from formations, things of that nature.

“There’s so much going on in the rookie season, coming into a new scheme, new coaches, just having to get a feel of the people that I’m going to be around. Now I just really go back to the basic fundamental game of football.”

Tony Brackens is the Jaguars’ all-time franchise leader in sacks with 55.

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Commanders season opener in 49 days: Washington’s best No. 49

49 days until Week 1, honoring the great Bobby Mitchell.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 49 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 49?

There have only been nine players to have worn No. 49 in Washington NFL history. You see, when Bobby Mitchell, the Hall of Fame receiver for the Browns and then Redskins retired just prior to the 1969 season, No. 49 was then unofficially made off-limits.

It was not until 2002 that TE Leonard Stephens was given the jersey No. 49. Stephens only appeared in five games, catching only one pass. According to Mitchell, some close to him, as family and friends, were very upset about Stephens having been given the jersey number.

Steve Spurrier was coach at the time, and understandably, no one in the front office had made it clear to him what some of the retired numbers were that were “unofficially” retired.  When it was brought to his attention, Spurrier apologized, and the team issued a statement of apology.

Mitchell is no doubt the greatest player to wear No. 49 for Washington.  He spent seven seasons with Washington (1962-68) following his four seasons with the Browns (1958-61). When injury forced his retirement, Mitchell had been a Pro Bowler for the Browns (1960) and for the Redskins (1962, 1963, 1964). He was All-Pro 1st team (1962) and All-Pro 2nd team (1964).

Mitchell was the 1962 NFL leader in receptions (72), reception yardage (1,384), and reception yards per game (98.9). The following season he was the NFL leader in reception yardage (1,436) and reception yards per game (102.6). In 1964 his ten touchdown receptions led the NFL.

Mitchell was voted as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins in 2002, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the 1983 class with Sonny Jurgensen, worked in the Redskins personnel department beginning in 1969, and was named assistant General Manager to Bobby Beathard in 1981 and Charley Casserly in 1990.

Mitchell was too often referred to as the first black player in Redskins history. That is not technically correct. Actually, in 1962 for the season opener, Washington had three black players on their squad: Mitchell, Leroy Jackson and John Nisby.

Even more, Mitchell did not like that designation defining him. In Mark Maske’s fine story in 2003 Mitchell made it clear he wanted to be known more as a great NFL player.

“I have to live with people always talking about me as the first black player against all my exploits,” Mitchell said. “I’ve always been very upset that people always start with that. I don’t want to hear that, and yet I have to hear it constantly and it overshadows everything I’ve done in the game.”

Mitchell retired in 2003 after 41 seasons with Washington as a player, scout and front-office executive. The franchise officially has now retired Mitchell’s No. 49. Mitchell died on April 5, 2020, at age 84.

ChatGPT ranks top 10 receivers in Notre Dame history

Please note that tight ends are not included on this list.

We’ve been asking AI writing tool ChatGPT to give its opinions of the top 10 Notre Dame players by position. It’s been a great way to generate discussion and debate amongst our readers. So far, we’ve asked it to list the top quarterbacks and running backs. Now, we move onto the receivers.

Please note that this list will not include tight ends but rather pure receivers. Even though it’s becoming more difficult to differentiate between receivers and tight ends these days, they still are different enough that they need to be separated. So please don’t ask why Michael Mayer or Cole Kmet aren’t on this list, but we also will get more into that when we ask ChatGPT about Irish tight ends.

Please also note that ChatGPT’s last knowledge update was in September 2021, and this list is based on historical data that was available at that time. Also, some entries have been edited for clarity and accuracy:

Josh Harris called Darrell Green after being approved as Commanders owner

Josh Harris is making all the right moves.

Darrell Green is among the greatest players in the Washington NFL franchise’s 91-year history. After a 20-year playing career — all in the burgundy and gold — Green was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2008.

Since Green retired, fans have yearned to see him a part of the organization in some manner. Yet, in over 20 years since he last played, Green has primarily remained away from the organization.

Green played his final four seasons in Washington under former owner Daniel Snyder. From all accounts, Snyder was good to Green. Since his retirement, we haven’t heard Green blast Snyder. Green has always seemingly remained on good terms with the organization but at arm’s length.

With Snyder no longer Washington’s owner, could we see Green around the franchise more in the future?

When Josh Harris was approved as the Commanders new owner last week, one of his first moves was to call Green, according to JP Finlay of 106.7 The Fan and NBC Washington.

“I feel there’s a genuineness there,” Finlay tweeted per his conversation with the legendary Green. “These are business people, but there’s a human side. We were the heart of the region, and that heart had a heart attack. We need to take our place again.”

That’s an excellent analogy from Green.

The good news is one of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history was present for Harris’ introductory press conference at FedEx Field on Friday. Green sat next to his former head coach, Joe Gibbs, at the press conference and mingled with the ownership group, including Magic Johnson, and current players and other legends afterward.

Green looked happy to be there.

Harris has mentioned how important it is for the alumni to be involved in Washington’s present and future. He’s making good on that promise already.

It’s always a good day when Darrell Green is in town to support burgundy and gold.

Commanders season opener in 55 days: Washington’s best No. 55

55 Pro Football Hall of Famer Chris Hanburger days until Week 1 for the Commanders.

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 55 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 55?

Andre Collins (1990-94) was a Penn State linebacker drafted 46th overall by Washington in 1990. An instant starter, Collins started all 75 games he was able to play for Washington in his five seasons. Collins had the distinction of intercepting Brett Favre’s first NFL pass and returning it for a touchdown. In fact, Collins intercepted eight passes, returning three for touchdowns. He forced three fumbles, recovered two and registered 18.5 quarterback sacks with Washington.

Chris Hanburger (1965-78) was a Hall of Fame inductee in the 2011 class. Many more had been enshrined, having accomplished less, but Hanburger was finally given his due. Out of North Carolina, the former Tar Heel was drafted 245th overall by Washington in 1965. By his second season, he was the full-time starter at right linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. In that 1966 season, he was a Pro Bowler. It would be his first of nine seasons being a Pro Bowler. Hanburger was AP All-Pro second team in 1969 and 1974. The AP voted Hanburger All-Pro first team in 1972, 1973 and 1975. In the 1972 season when Washington won the NFC before losing to Miami in Super Bowl VII, he was voted third place in AP Defensive Player of the Year. Hanburger finished his career with 19 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. He recovered 17 fumbles, returning three for touchdowns, while recording 45.5 quarterback sacks.

Joe Thomas will be final speaker at Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony

The former star tackle will close out next month’s ceremony

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The NFL has officially announced the order in which the players joining the Pro Football Hall of Fame will speak. First-ballot Hall of Famer and former Cleveland Browns left tackle will be the last to speak during the ceremony on August 5. There was no chance that Thomas wouldn’t be a first-ballot guy, especially with his record of 10,363 consecutive snaps during his time as a Brown.

It will be nice for Browns fans to see Joe join this exclusive club as one of the only bright spots they had since the return in 1999. With the ceremony coming soon that means we will soon see the Browns face off with the New York Jets in the Hall of Fame preseason game.

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Sam Mills named Panthers’ best Hall of Famer

Panthers legend Sam Mills was named the franchise’s top Pro Football Hall of Fame member.

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The Carolina Panthers don’t have a whole lot of representation over in Canton, Ohio. But what they do have, like the man you’re going to read about, packs quite a punch.

Franchise icon Sam Mills was recently named the Panthers’ best Hall of Famer. The 33rd Team senior writer Barry Wilner complied his list of the NFL’s premier 32 reps, and wrote the following of the inspirational linebacker:

Sam Mills was too small and slow to make an NFL impact. Yeah, right. The 5-foot-9 Mills went from Montclair State (it’s in New Jersey) to USFL stardom when the NFL ignored him. That changed in 1986 when he joined New Orleans and was a major factor on the Saints’ defense.

But it was in his last three pro seasons with the Panthers that Mills solidified his Canton candidacy with 331 tackles, six forced fumbles and the kind of leadership that lands you in the Hall of Fame.

Mills was officially (and finally) enshrined into the Hall of Fame last summer, in what was his final year of eligibility. His work for the organization as a player, coach and legendary source of motivation now has him immortalized amongst the game’s very best.

Carolina’s very best in Canton also includes prolific pass rushers Kevin Greene and Reggie White. But with both men spending a combined three seasons in Charlotte, Mills’ impact makes him the clear choice for this relatively young franchise.

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One of Andy Dalton’s new Panthers teammates bizarrely thinks he’s a Hall of Fame quarterback

So…someone thinks Andy Dalton is a Hall of Famer.

New Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders has a rather interesting take on his new teammate, quarterback Andy Dalton.

Per The Panthers Wire, Sanders told WFNZ’s Mac & Bone that Dalton is a “future Hall of Famer” while hyping up his Panthers team ahead of training camp.

“These guys work, and that’s the main thing I’ve noticed in OTAs,” Sanders said. “We got a very, very good young quarterback [Bryce Young] that’s being mentored by a very, very, very good quarterback, a future Hall of Famer Andy Dalton—who I have a lot of respect for. And you got guys like Adam Thielen mentoring the young receivers, and that’s a great guy to take notes from. We got a seasoned o-line that I love—I love the film, I love watching their film. And the defense is stacked.”

While the Panthers might surprise some folks this fall, calling Dalton a future Hall of Famer is like saying that Carolina is a Super Bowl favorite. He’s not even starting for the Panthers this fall; Bryce Young is!

There are plenty of great quarterbacks who will never make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and then there are quarterbacks like Dalton who will only make it to the Hall of Fame if they ever decide to vacation up to Canton, Ohio, for a tour or to watch a teammate get inducted in the annual August ceremony.

Dalton had a pretty good stint in Cincinnati with the Bengals before bouncing around the league as a backup/spot starter. Trying to peg him as a future Hall of Famer… well, it’s just wildly incorrect. Sanders is admirable for praising his new teammates… but this is a hot take that needs to cool off immediately.

Two Ohio State greats named semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame

In case you missed it, there are two former Buckeyes with a chance to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. #GoBucks

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is perhaps the most iconic of all of the professional sports Hall of Fames. Situated in Canton, Ohio, it’s just a buckeye nut’s throw from the Horseshoe and 10 former Ohio State players are enshrined within its walls.

There could be more coming soon as well. Two former Buckeye greats were announced as semifinalists on Wednesday. Those two iconic names are Randy Gradishar and Jim Marshall. They are among 31 names that the Hall of Fame’s senior committee will have to sort through to name the 2024 class.

Gradishar played for Ohio State from 1971-1973 and was called by Woody Hayes “the greatest linebacker I ever coached.” He was a two-time All-American at Ohio State and starred in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.

He amassed a slew of tackles and is one of the all-time leaders in bringing down ball carriers despite official stats not being tallied since 2001. He made the Pro Bowl seven times and was selected as a first-team All-Pro three times. He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, is a part of the Denver Broncos Ring of Honor, and became a member of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

Marshall wore the scarlet and gray from 1956 to 1958 and was named an All-American. He was part of the 1957 national championship team before leaving school a year early to play in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1959.

He began his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns in 1960 but starred for the Minnesota Vikings from 1961 to 1979 and is included in the organization’s Ring of Honor. He made two Pro Bowls during his time with the “purple people eaters.” He started 270 consecutive games, still a record for an NFL defensive player. We can’t mention Marshall unfortunately without bringing up the wrong way fumble return he is most well-known for.

Here’s to hoping one or both of the two icons get a bust in Canton next year.

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Which current players have the best shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Browns: What current players have Pro Football Hall of Fame resumes?

With long-time offensive tackle Joe Thomas set to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in just three weeks, the Cleveland Browns have their first inductee since returning to the NFL in 1999. This got us thinking: which current players in the brown and orange have a shot at getting their own bust made once they hang up their cleats?

Here are a few players still building their resumes in Cleveland that have a shot of getting the legendary knock on their door once they retire from football.