My All-Time Kansas City Chiefs Team: The Wide Receivers
Jan. 11, 1970; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kansas City Chiefs receiver Otis Taylor (89) scores a touchdown past Minnesota Vikings defensive back Karl Kassulke (29) during Super Bowl IV at Tulane Stadium. The Chiefs won the game, 23-9. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports
After causing quite a stir with my previous installment of my All-Time Chiefs team, I moved towards the wide receiver position for this week’s column. Let the debates continue Addicts!
Starter – Otis Taylor
Let me start this off by saying that it is crazy that this man is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. One of the greatest receivers of the AFL and main receiving threat for Len Dawson, Taylor has never seemed to get the recognition his play deserved. A 3x Pro Bowler and 2x All-Pro, Taylor held most franchise receiving records until Tony Gonzalez came along. He currently sits 2nd in yardage (7,306), 2nd in TD’s (57) and 4th in receptions (410). All numbers put up in a different era where passing numbers were not as inflated as they are today. Everyone remembers “65 Toss Power Trap” from Super Bowl IV but his touchdown catch helped put the game out of reach. The former Prairie View standout also led the league in TD catches in 1967 with 11 and in receiving yards with 1110 in 1971. He has since been inducted to the Chiefs Ring of Honor.
Starter – Dwayne Bowe
We have been lucky enough the past few years to watch the “Bowe Show” on Sundays. Bowe had one of the greatest receiving seasons in Chiefs history in 2010, breaking Chris Burford’s receiving touchdowns in a single season mark with 15. Buford’s previous mark was 12. For his efforts, Bowe made his first Pro Bowl that season. Despite numerous issues at quarterback during Bowe’s tenure in Kansas City, the wide out ranks first in Chiefs history with a 65.1 yards receiving per game mark and second only to Tony Gonzalez with 4.7 receptions per game average. Bowe also has the 5th (86) and 6th (81) highest receptions in a season mark, the tops of any Chiefs other than Tony G. Stability at Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback should only help Bowe, who should continue to push up the franchise leader board after resigning this past offseason. Bowe currently sits 6th in receiving (5,728), 3rd in catches (415), and 5th in touchdowns (39).
Reserve – Chris Burford
The franchise’s original receiving threat, Burford started when the team was still located in Dallas in the early 60’s. Burford helped the team dominate in the 60’s, claiming two AFL titles. During his tenure as Chiefs/Texans receiver, Burford was regularly in the top ten in all AFL receiving categories and set the before mentioned franchise receiving touchdown that has since been broken. A Chiefs Ring of Honor Member, Burford was a 1x Pro Bowler and 1x All-Pro. He currently still sits 5th in catches (391), 7th in yards (5,505) and 3rd in touchdowns (55) amongst receivers.
Reserve – Stephone Paige
This final selection may generate some feedback. I narrowed my decision for the final selection down to three wide outs, Henry Marshall, Carlos Carson, and Stephone Paige. Marshall, Paige and Carson’s career numbers were very similar, so I decided to let a few numbers wow me with Paige’s resume. In Marshall’s defense, he does sit 2nd on the receptions list. In Carson’s defense, he is the only of the three to make a Pro Bowl. I digress. On December 22nd, 1985 against the San Diego Chargers, Stephone Paige set an NFL receiving record for yardage with 309 yards. It has since been broken, but that number is mind boggling to me. Paige also caught a ball in 83 straight games, a Chiefs record until Tony Gonzalez broke it. Paige currently sits 6th in catches (377), 5th in yards (6,341) and 4th in touchdowns (49).
Well Addicts, that’s my Hail Mary, did I come down with a score? Or did the ball bounce right out of my hands? Let the debate begin!