Tomlinson retires

[Bubbler]

This is how good Haley was: he was a part-time player his rookie year and had 12 sacks.

Not diminishing Haley, but San Fran always had guys like that. I'm not sure Fred Dean was ever a "starter" for the 49ers, but they'd use him in pass-rushing situations and he'd get his sacks.

Same for Haley.

 

[Steak Snabler]

I don't know if Vinatieri is the lock people assumed he would be a few years ago.

There's still only one pure kicker (Jan Stenerud) in the Hall of Fame. Morten Andersen and Gary Anderson may join him eventually, but it won't be any time soon.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

Neither here nor there, but Parcells called Vinatieri's Tuck Rule Game kick the greatest football play he's ever seen.

I would have said Andre Johnson was a no-doubter after consecutive 1,500-plus receiving seasons, but he has been fairly worn down by injuries the last few years.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

This is how good Haley was: he was a part-time player his rookie year and had 12 sacks.

Not diminishing Haley, but San Fran always had guys like that. I'm not sure Fred Dean was ever a "starter" for the 49ers, but they'd use him in pass-rushing situations and he'd get his sacks.

Same for Haley.

I get your point, but Fred Dean was a stud for the Chargers. His departure (stemming from a contract dispute) helped turn that defense into the gong show it became during the Coryell years.

 

[Cubbiebum]

I wonder how many active guys would make it if their careers ended today.

Quarterbacks
Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Drew Brees

I don't think Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers (duh) can make this claim yet.

Running backs
None since LT is retired.

Receivers (I'm assuming Owens isn't technically retired...)
Randy Moss
Terrell Owens

I don't think Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson are there yet. I don't think Reggie Wayne will make it.


Tight ends
Tony Gonzalez

Not sure Gates is there yet.

Offensive linemen
Steve Hutchinson

I might be forgetting someone, I don't know if Jeff Saturday will get in. I kind of feel the same way about Alan Faneca. I'm sure there are a few tackles that would enter the discussion.


Defense
Ray Lewis
Champ Bailey
Charles Woodson
Ed Reed
Troy Polamalu
Brian Urlacher
DeMarcus Ware

I don't know if Vinatieri is the lock people assumed he would be a few years ago.

I would say if Ware is there then Jared Allen should be. Both are four-time first-team all pro's which makes you a near lock as long as you have a few other good years. Not sure if he is officially retired but Jason Taylor is a pretty good bet too.

Gates has eight pro bowls and three all pro's which could get him in but I think this era will eventually be looked at as when the TE position changed. That will cause a bit of backlash in my opinion.

As for Faneca, he was a all pro on two Super bowl winning teams I believe and he six time all pro. He's got just about as good a resume as you can get. Doesn't matter though as I don't believe he played last season making him not active.

 

[joe king]

I wonder how many active guys would make it if their careers ended today.

Quarterbacks
Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Drew Brees

I don't think Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers (duh) can make this claim yet.

Running backs
None since LT is retired.

Receivers (I'm assuming Owens isn't technically retired...)
Randy Moss
Terrell Owens

I don't think Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson are there yet. I don't think Reggie Wayne will make it.


Tight ends
Tony Gonzalez

Not sure Gates is there yet.

Offensive linemen
Steve Hutchinson

I might be forgetting someone, I don't know if Jeff Saturday will get in. I kind of feel the same way about Alan Faneca. I'm sure there are a few tackles that would enter the discussion.


Defense
Ray Lewis
Champ Bailey
Charles Woodson
Ed Reed
Troy Polamalu
Brian Urlacher
DeMarcus Ware

I don't know if Vinatieri is the lock people assumed he would be a few years ago.

I would say if Ware is there then Jared Allen should be. Both are four-time first-team all pro's which makes you a near lock as long as you have a few other good years. Not sure if he is officially retired but Jason Taylor is a pretty good bet too.

Gates has eight pro bowls and three all pro's which could get him in but I think this era will eventually be looked at as when the TE position changed. That will cause a bit of backlash in my opinion.

As for Faneca, he was a all pro on two Super bowl winning teams I believe and he six time all pro. He's got just about as good a resume as you can get. Doesn't matter though as I don't believe he played last season making him not active.

Yes, but if he's the guy who changed it (or one of them after Gonzalez), shouldn't that work in his favor?

 

[93Devil]

I think Brent Jones and Kellen Winslow really started the change. Jones was cut by the Steelers because he was not their type of tight end. Bill Walsh sort of liked him.

It would be a sin if Logan Mankins never made the HOF.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

One of the rare interesting things Gruden has said is that Kellen Winslow Sr. was the first joker in NFL history. The position was modernized long before Gonzalez and Gates, just now is a sort of golden age for tight ends.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I'm pretty sure Jason Taylor is retired.

Good call on Jared Allen. I don't think Julius Peppers could be too far behind. Being the rare defensive linemen who keeps playing at an elite level after getting huge free agency bucks certainly won't hurt...

 

[cjericho]

Taylor's last game vs the Jets it was mentioned several times he was retiring.