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

1970 Lamar Hunt, Founder 1971 Mack Lee Hill, Running Back 1972 Jerry Mays, Defensive Tackle 1973 Fred Arbanas, Tight End 1974 Johnny Robinson, Safety 1975 Chris Burford, Receiver 1976 E.J. Holub, Center/Linebacker 1977 Jim Tyrer, Offensive Tackle 1978 Mike Garrett, Running Back 1979 Len Dawson, Quarterback 1980 Bobby Bell, Linebacker 1981 Buck Buchanan, Defensive Tackle 1982 Otis Taylor, Wide Receiver 1983 No Induction 1984 Ed Budde, Guard 1985 Willie Lanier, Linebacker 1986 Emmitt Thomas, Cornerback 1987 Hank Stram, Coach 1988 Jerrel Wilson, Punter

1989 Ed Podolak, Running Back 1990 Jim Lynch, Linebacker 1991 Abner Haynes, Running Back 1992 Jan Stenerud, Kicker 1993 Sherrill Headrick, Linebacker 1994 Jack Rudnay, Center 1995 Curtis McClinton, Running Back 1996 Deron Cherry, Safety 1997 Dave Hill, Tackle 1998 Art Still, Defensive End 1999 Lloyd Burruss, Cornerback 2000 Christian Okoye, Running Back 2001 Derrick Thomas, Linebacker 2002 John Alt, Tackle 2003 Gary Spani, Linebacker 2004 Joe Delaney, Running Back 2005 Jack Steadman, Vice Chairman of the Board 2006 Neil Smith, Defensive End 2007 Albert Lewis, Cornerback 2008 Curley Culp, Defensive Tackle

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?

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