We asked renowned football historian, NFL Films contributor and CHFF researcher Coach T.J. Troup to put together a team of the best players who aren’t in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not only did he willingly undertake that task, but he also provided us with game strategy and situational substitutions.
What follows are Coach Troup’s choices, along with some relevant Cold, Hard Football Facts for each. You’ll note that some of these players (denoted with *) are also being inducted into our Hall of Awesome.
OFFENSE
Standard Set
WR – Del Shofner: Between 1961 and ’63, all 32 of his touchdown catches with the Giants came in victory.
LT – Jimbo Covert: A starter as a rookie, he became a cornerstone at left tackle for the Bears.
LG – Bruno Banducci: He paved the way for Hall of Famers Steve Van Buren, Joe Perry and Hugh McElhenny.
C – Mick Tingelhoff: A model of durability, he started 240 consecutive games over his 17-year career with the Vikings.
* RG – Jerry Kramer: He was named All-Pro by the Associated Press five times, matching the number of titles his Packers won.
RT – Joe Jacoby: A lead Hog on the “counter trey,” he played in four Super Bowls (winning three) and four straight Pro Bowls.
TE – Mark Bavaro: His unique blend of blocking and receiving skills helped the Giants win two Super Bowls.
WR – Otis Taylor: A game breaker for the Chiefs, he was a fixture among the top 5 for receptions and receiving yards.
* QB – Ken Anderson: His postseason completion percentage of 66.3 is the highest of any quarterback with at least 150 attempts.
RB – Robert Smith: He retired from the Vikings at age 28, fresh off a season in which he led the NFC with 1,521 rushing yards.
RB – Bo Jackson: Despite his part-time status as a football player, he averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
Short-Yardage Substitutions
(Smith and Jackson depart in favor of a two-tight, one-back set.)
TE – Don Warren: He was the quintessential blocking tight end, enabling the Redskins to dominate the perimeter.
RB – William Andrews: A four-time Pro Bowler, he had the versatility to run, catch and pick up the blitz.
Passing-Down Substitutions
(A four-wide formation is used, with Andrews remaining the single back.)
WR – Bob Hayes: Through 54 games in his first four seasons, he scored 49 touchdowns (45 receiving, 1 rushing, 3 on punt returns).
WR – Sterling Sharpe: He captured receiving’s “triple crown” in 1992, leading the league in catches, yards and touchdowns.
DEFENSE
Base 3-4
LE – Claude Humphrey: He was a six-time Pro Bowler who anchored the league’s stingiest defense (’77 Falcons: 9.21 PPG).
NT – Curley Culp: A former NCAA wrestling champion, he grappled in the AFL and NFL trenches for 14 seasons.
RE – Joe Klecko: Part of the “New York Sack Exchange,” he made the Pro Bowl from all three positions on the defensive line.
* OLB – Andre Tippett: When he retired, his 100 career sacks put him behind only Lawrence Taylor among those who exclusively played linebacker.
ILB – Sam Mills: Despite being undersized at 5-9, 225 pounds, he averaged 110 tackles per year.
ILB – Randy Gradishar: He never missed a game over his 10 seasons and made the Pro Bowl after seven of them.
OLB – Clay Matthews: His 278 games played are the most by any linebacker in NFL history.
LCB – Albert Lewis: During the 1990 season, he earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl trip and also blocked four punts.
RCB – Jack Butler: A member of the 1950s All-Decade team, he finished his career tied for second in career interceptions with 52.
SS – Kenny Easley: He was a vicious hitter who made five Pro Bowls and was the 1984 Defensive Player of the Year.
FS – Johnny Robinson: When he registered one of his 57 career interceptions, his team (Texans/Chiefs) won 90 percent of the time.
Second-Down Substitutions
(Switching to a 4-3 alignment, only Klecko – now a DT – and Matthews remain from the front seven.)
DT – Tom Sestak: He led the Bills to consecutive AFL championships and was named to the league’s All-Time Team.
DE – Rich Jackson: For three straight years (1968-70), he recorded at least 10 sacks and made the Pro Bowl.
DE – Fred Dean: Traded from the Chargers during the 1981 season, he brought stout defense and the 49ers’ first championship.
MLB – Tommy Nobis: He made five Pro Bowls and was named to the 1960s All-Decade team.
* OLB – Chuck Howley: The MVP of Super Bowl V, he had two interceptions and a fumble recovery in a losing effort.
Nickel-Package Substitution
(Nobis exits in favor of a fifth defensive back.)
CB – Rolland Lawrence: He is the Falcons’ all-time leader in interceptions, recording at least six of them for five straight years (1975-79).
Dime-Package Substitution
(A sixth defensive back enters, with Matthews being the lone linebacker.)
CB – Abe Woodson: A five time Pro Bowler, he also topped the league in kickoff returns three times.
SPECIAL TEAMS
P/K – Tommy Davis: He twice led the league in made field goals and ranks third all-time in punting average.
