Merlin's Magic: Favorite Players Edition
It’s a tough time of year for Chief Addicts. Frankly, there isn’t much going on. So, I got to thinking about Chief history and some of my favorite players from years past. Specifically, I am thinking about players that are not big stars that most Chief fans remember and love. I want to throw this out to every Addict and see who pops up. First the ground rules. I want one player each on offense and defense. The players can’t be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, or have a retired Chief jersey or be in the Chief’s Hall of Fame. Here is the list of players in the Chief’s Hall of Fame:
Inductees
Retired Jersey Numbers
3 Jan Stenerud, Kicker
16 Len Dawson, Quarterback
28 Abner Haynes, Running Back
33 Stone Johnson, Running Back
36 Mack Lee Hill, Running Back
63 Willie Lanier, Linebacker
78 Bobby Bell, Linebacker
86 Buck Buchanan, Defensive Tackle
I lost a couple of my favorites in that list. Art Still was a very underrated DE and I always enjoyed watching Gary Spani play. So, who did I pick? Answer below the fold.
That LB engulfing a Charger is Dino Hackett. Dino was a fun player to watch. He was a very active LB that hit hard. He did make it to one Pro Bowl in 1988. Dino’s tale is a cautionary tale for todays time. He was the best LB on the team when Marty Shottenhiemer took over as head coach. Marty prefered more discipline in LB assignments. He cut down on Dino’s freelancing. Dino was never the same player again. While Marty’s tenure as the Cheif’s head coach was successful, it wasn’t for Dino. When you change systems, star players can go downhill and other players can emerge.
On the offensive side of the ball, I always liked Bill Kenney. Before Trent Green came along, I had ranked Bill Kenney as the second best KC QB of all time behind Len Dawson. Kenney’s best year was 1983 where he threw for 4348 yards and earned a Pro Bowl berth on a six win Chief team. Kenney played under some bad teams. Odd fact. Kenney was the last player drafted in 1978. He is the only ‘Mr. Irrelevent’ to make the Pro Bowl.
OK, Addicts, those are my favorite underrated Chief players. What are your favorite retired, underrated players?
Fullback Kimble Anders
CB Mark Collins
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 pmOffensive player: Willie Davis
Defensive player: Dan Saleamua
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:15 pmOk don’t laugh
Offence : Steve DeBerg
Defence: Kevin Ross
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:56 pmI really liked to watch Kevin Ross make those hard hits. And Nick “The Kick” Lowery was pretty automatic.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:33 pmOffense: I’d have to say Rich Gannon. It has to tell you something when the year after we get rid of him he leads a division rival to the Super Bowl. Gannon was always better than Grbac, but since King Carl spent so much money on him we got rid of him. Kind of the same story with the whole Mike Sweeney/Carlos Beltran thing.
Defense: You can’t go wrong with James Hasty. He was a great DB in the league for a long time.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:14 pmOffense – Dave Szott
June 7th, 2009 at 7:35 pmDefense – Mark McMillan
Special Teams – Dante Hall
I must agree with James Hasty, but with that front 4 what corner wouldnt have been good.
Offensively kimble anders and tony richardson
ill take Tamarick Vanover as my special teamser
June 8th, 2009 at 3:12 pm*just keep him away from BAM BAM