ESPN graphic: "The Could Have Beens"

Lindros is a tough one. He was the most dominant player in the league for a few years until concussions ruined him.

 

That doesn't count. ESPN didn't exist then.

 

I saw they went back to Tony Conigliaro, but I guess that was the Boston exception.

 

I have to cringe whenever I see the term "unfulfilled potential".

Who's to decide what your potential is or was? Just because some publication or scout or GM said at one time, "X can be among the best who ever played" doesn't put the burden of achieving that on the athlete.

Sometimes the experts are just flat-out wrong and should be held accountable for being just flat-out wrong. "We're sorry. We thought you'd be really, really good. You're not. Our mistake."

 

And should be in the HOF. I'm as big a Cam Neely fan as there is, but if Neely's in Lindros should be too.

 

Agreed and I think Dick mentioned that in his first post.

Ryan Leaf and JaMarcus Russell were morons who could throw the ball really far. That's it. They did fulfill their potential, it's just that's what their potential was. I think there have to be some extenuating circumstances (mostly injury) to qualify.

 

I always wondered how good Chris Herren could have been, too.

 

There were those who said that because of his chronic leg injuries and alcohol abuse, Mickey Mantle was never really the player he could have been.
Not to mention that had he cut down a LITTLE on boozing and binge-eating, Babe Ruth might really have had a hell of a career.

 

Took several years off in Orlando to lengthen his career.

 

Agreed. He should get in soon but he already should be in.

 

I'm thinking, too, about some of the guys who had their careers cut into by various wars overseas.

Another one who belongs in the list above Matt freaking Leinart is J.R. Richard.

 

I always thought that Sean Salisbury could have become a great analyst.