TUESDAY TIDBITS: "He is a Sharpshooter, with a Live Arm and Soft Touch"

By TJ Troup

The season is upon us, and sure am looking forward to the contests and battles that make the NFL so captivating. Before going any further, want to explain the above picture and how it fits with today's saga. Play Senior Softball here in Louisville, and am having a season for the ages. With a month to go raised my batting average from .731 to .738 by going 18 for 23 last week (including eight extra base hits). The only sad aspect is that my glove finally tore in the webbing after many restringing efforts. 

Lynn Dickey started just 10 games for Oilers and battled injuries. The trade by the Packers was masterful as Hadl had regressed, and Dickey though still dealing with injuries at times began to show his talents. The success of the '82 Packers convinced many that they were viable contenders in the NFC Central. 

Opening day for Green Bay takes them to Houston to play his former team. Could this veteran sharpshooter, with his live arm and soft touch, continue to torch secondaries and have the Packers return to the playoffs? The Packers drive 71 yards on eight plays to score first. Paul Coffman's quick inside release from tight end right gets him open down the middle on a 25-yard strike from Dickey. A Kempf field goal puts Houston on the scoreboard, but on the next series Coffman fumbles as safety Mike Reinfeldt recovers. 

After three running plays Archie Manning drills Tim Smith over the middle and he dashes 47 yards to score and now an Oilers team that won only 1 game in '82 has the lead. The ensuing Packer dirve is halted by an Oilers sack and a clipping penalty on Dickey as he tried to block for Lofton on a reverse. It is 2nd down and seven on the Oilers nineteen-yard line when Manning misfires and strong safety and defensive captain Johnnie Gray intercepts. He had long been one of my favorite players (yes will be buried in navy blue & burnt orange, but even Bear fans can cheer for a man that plays the game the way Gray does). 

When I transferred to CSU, Fullerton in the spring of '74 took one semester of physical education classes, and one of the classes was a track & field class. Johnnie Gray and myself would both give maximum effort and compete each day. We talked about playing defensive back and all the nuances of the position. He shared that he "just wanted a chance" to show what he could do in an NFL training camp. 

Though the Titans again struggled with a 4-7 record in '74, Gray was signed by the Packers as a free agent, and won the starting free safety job over Jim Hill. He has been a starter now for eight years, and has given the ball to Dickey and the offense on the Oilers twenty-eight-yard line. 

The Packer media guide stated that offensive co-ordinator Bob Schnelker was "daring and imaginative", and on first down Lofton after gaining 13 yards on a reception laterals to Gerry Ellis for 8 more! Ivery gains two, and using a creative formation with John Jefferson in motion Dickey connects with him for 5 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. Houston punts, but so does Green Bay. We are inside of two minutes left in the half when James punts. 

Dickey continues his masterful accuracy with completions to Jefferson and Lofton and now has completed 18 in a row! Two straight incompletions, but on 3rd down, Ivery bolts for 21 yards to the thirteen-yard line. Again, Dickey finds Jefferson open for the score and with 51 seconds remaining in the half, Green Bay leads 21-10. Manning's first down pass is intercepted by John Anderson! 

Could the Packers score again? Only 30 seconds remain, yet Dickey finds Ellis open and rifles the completion for another score and a commanding 28-10 halftime lead. Dickey has sure demonstrated the trade should never been made by pitching four touchdown passes! Houston drives 84 yards in thirteen plays to start the 2nd half as Manning mixed his plays well. Earl Campbell scores on a 7-yard run. 

Will Dickey and the Packers respond? Is there a Fox River in Wisconsin? You betcha....and on first down Dickey completes to Lofton for 23, but when the drive stalls Jan Stenerud delivers a 46-yard field goal. Both teams punt, and early in the 4th quarter, Houston advances 53 yards in just 5 plays, and again Campbell scores! When a Dickey pass is tipped and intercepted by Abraham, the Oilers have the ball and score again on a five-minute drive again mixing run and pass. 

Who carries for the Oilers at the Packer one-yard line? No doubt you give the ball to the Tyler Rose, and Campbell scores again. We are tied at 31. Since this game was a showcase for NFL Films as their Game of the Week, fans all across America are seeing one helluva dandy barn burner of a game. Dickey is faced with 3rd and 10, and when Brown slips, Lofton is wide open (isn't he always?)and the 74-yard touchdown has Green Bay back in front. Can they hold off the Oilers? NO! Manning pitches strikes to Smith for 34 and Dressel for 17, and from the one, Larry Moriarty bangs over. We are headed to overtime! 

Lynn Dickey struggled with back spasms earlier in the week, and he stated after the game that he did not remember "half the game" after he hit his head on the Astrodome turf. Enter David Whitehurst and he completes three straight passes, but Schnelker, anticipating nickel coverages, has the Packers run the ball seven straight plays! 

Jan Stenerud kicks a 42-yard field goal and the Packers prevail 41-38. The last time Green Bay scored at least 41 points on opening day was in 1965 when the beat Pittsburgh. The Packers, led by Dickey, scored a team record 429 points during '83, but inconsistent defense kept Green Bay from winning the division in an 8-8 campaign. 

Dickey led the league with 32 touchdown passes and 4,458 yards, but he also still would force throws into coverage and was intercepted 29 times! He would play two more years and in his last game in December of  1985 he completed 22 of 36 for 299 yards in a 21-0 whitewash of Tampa Bay. 

All us "veterans" still want seasons in the sun playing ball, and having success.

Book Review: "Revolution: The Transformation of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL" by Steve Massey

By John Turney 

Steve Massey’s Revolution: The Transformation of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL is a meticulously researched and engaging exploration of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rise to dominance in the 1970s, a period that not only defined the franchise but also reshaped professional football. Published on August 14, 2025, Massey offers a detailed account of how the Steelers, between 1969 and 1974, laid the groundwork for a dynasty that would leave a huge mark on the NFL.

Massey’s central thesis is that the Steelers’ success was no accident but the result of deliberate, innovative strategies that revolutionized team-building and gameplay. It is contrasted with the lack of success of the earlier Steelers eras. 

The book highlights key developments, such as the adoption of specified weight training, the creation of defensive schemes like the Cover 2 and Stunt 4-3, the establishment of the BLESTO draft combine, and the strategic recruitment from Historically Black Colleges. These innovations, combined with the cultivation of Hall of Fame talent and coaching, transformed the Steelers into a multi-championship powerhouse, winning four Super Bowls in the 1970s, the first, Super Bowl IX, is featured prominently.

Drawing from an impressive array of sources—with nearly 1,500 reference notes (1,477 to be exact), including player and front-office interviews (including Interviews with Art Rooney Jr, Dan Pastorini, Louis Lipps, Jim Cheyunski, J.R. Wilburn, Gordon Gravelle, Bruce Van Dyke, Terry Hanratty); historical newspapers, and NFL biographies and other books and texts—Massey constructs a game-by-game roadmap of the Steelers’ journey to Super Bowl win(s). 

There is a logical and chronological approach that is one of the book’s strengths, offering readers a vivid sense of the incremental steps that built a dynasty. It's a personal preference but it’s a format I like.

The author’s ability to weave together technical details, such as defensive alignments, with human stories, like the impact of a single player’s rule-changing performance, makes the narrative both informative and compelling.

The book excels in contextualizing the Steelers’ transformation within the broader evolution of the NFL. Massey illustrates how their innovations influenced league-wide practices, from scouting to training regimens. 

Overall, Revolution is a must-read for Steelers fans and students of football history will also like it. The amount of research and clear passion for the subject make this book a definitive account of how a once-struggling franchise redefined excellence in the NFL. It’s a testament to the power of vision, strategy, and execution in achieving greatness.

I am not in love with the cover: plain black with gold lettering, but it does make a statement—simple and dominant. So it serves a purpose. It consists of 405 pages of text plus 75 pages of endnotes. 

It is an impressive book, covering a great topic in a great era and is well-covered. It is well worth the purchase; it's a great read. 

About the author:

Steve Massey grew up in the 1970s and became a Steelers fan and has followed the team throughout his life. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in history and retired from teaching seven years ago. His passion is especially when it includes sports, specifically the NFL. This book is the product of six years of research and writing.

This is his second book about the NFL; the first one was "Starless: The 1947 Steelers", which was also excellent. 

Don Hutson: Target Extraordinaire

 By Eric Goska

Don Hutson was the NFL’s most valuable player in 1942.

Don Hutson was a target long before the term became popular in NFL circles.

Ninety years have passed since Hutson first suited up for the Packers in the summer of 1935. Nearly 80 years have elapsed since he snagged his last reception in December of 1945.

So much has been written about the legendary end. What more can be said?

In April, I punched the following into Google: “Was Don Hutson targeted 20 times in a game?”

Here is what came back: “It is very unlikely that Don Hutson was targeted 20 times in a single game. While Hutson was a dominant receiver and a prolific scorer, modern football statistics, including targeting data, weren’t kept during his playing days in the 1930s and 1940s. Even if he had been targeted that many times, it would be an exceptionally high number compared to the norms of that era.”

Even AI (artificial intelligence) can’t cover Hutson effectively! Hutson was targeted 20 or more times not once, but twice.

Directing that many passes to one receiver in a game is rare. Stathead, the search engine available through Pro Football Reference, reveals how infrequently it occurs.

Since 1978, there have been 12,618 instances of a receiver being targeted 10 or more times in an NFL regular-season game. The number drops to 1,269 when a threshold of 15 or more is used. It becomes a trickle – 67 – when the bar is raised to 20 or more.

This downward trend exists among Green Bay receivers as well. Since 1978, the numbers have been 423 (10-plus), 43 (15-plus) and two (20-plus).

James Lofton (21) and Davante Adams (21) are the only Packers receivers to have been targeted 20 or more times in a game in the last 47 years.

It’s time to add Hutson – and one other – to that short list.

Quick pause before we dive in. Intended targets cannot be determined for all passes from the era in which Hutson played. On average, three to four throws per game cannot be assigned to a particular receiver. Therefore, the numbers noted here are minimums, as Hutson – and others – could have been targeted more often.

Don Hutson on the move against the Rams in 1945.
(Green Bay Press-Gazette photo)

During his first five seasons (1935-1939) Hutson was targeted 10 or more times in a game on six occasions. In 1940, he enjoyed double-digit outings six times as he became the first Packer to be targeted 100 or more times in a season.

That season – 1940 – was the first in which the Packers averaged more than 25 pass attempts per game. With Cecil Isbell (150 attempts), Arnie Herber (89) and Hal Van Every (41) leading the way, Green Bay launched 283 aerials, second most behind the 362 of the Eagles.

Hutson (112 targets) was easily the Packers’ favorite. Carl Mulleneaux (37) was a distant second with Andy Uram (19) and Ray Riddick (18) the only others to exceed 15.

In order, Hutson was targeted 5, 12, 7, 13, 14, 6, 17, 9, 12, 4, and 13 times in 1940. His high-water mark of 17 came in a 14-7 loss to the Bears at Wrigley Field, a game in which he likely became the first Packer to be targeted 10 times in one half (second).

Hutson caught 45 passes in 1940, second to the 58 of the Eagles’ Don Looney. Looney, quite possibly, was targeted more than 100 times that season as well.

In 1942, Hutson hauled in an NFL record 74 receptions as the Packers, for the first time, averaged 30 pass attempts per game. The Alabama Antelope (127 targets) again was Green Bay’s top gun, with Andy Uram (35) and Lou Brock (24) a distant second and third.

By game, Hutson’s targets were: 9, 8, 5, 19, 12, 11, 16, 20, 22, 3, and 2. He was sought out 20 or more times in consecutive games in November: in a 38-7 loss to the Bears at Wrigley Field and in a 21-21 tie with the Giants in the Polo Grounds.

With five Packers passes unaccounted for in the Big Apple, Hutson’s total could have been higher than 22. Unfortunately, without a complete play-by-play we can only speculate.

When speaking of Hutson that day, reporters tended to focus on the numerous records he extended and the drought he ended.

“Playing as usual without shoulder or hip pads which hamper his speed, Hutson broke his career-long Giant jinx,” wrote Jack Smith of the New York Daily News. “He had never before scored a touchdown against them."

Hutson grabbed two.

Hutson played three more seasons after his 14-catch, 134-yard performance against the Giants. Though targeted often, he never again ventured into 20-plus territory.

One Packers player who did was Bob Mann. He tied Hutson record against the Rams in the 1951 season finale when 22 passes came his way. He snagged 11 for 123 yards.

For nearly 35 years, Hutson and Mann remained a duo without equal. Lofton joined them in a 24-10 loss to the Saints in 1986. Adams climbed aboard in an 18-16 loss to the Lions in 2015.

As noted at the outset, rare is the receiver who is targeted 20 or more times in a game. Hutson – a focal point in any game in which he played – may be the only NFL receiver to have been in the crosshairs to that extent in consecutive games.

Hutson in 1940

Hutson in 1942

 

Will Jalen Ramsey's NFL Odyssey Wind Up in Canton?

By John Turney 

Now a Pittsburgh Steeler, Jalen Ramsey has planted his flag with his fourth NFL team in just nine seasons. That’s a rare odyssey for a cornerback of his caliber -- a three-time All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler, and Super Bowl champ -- and it begs more than one question.

Is he, for instance, a mercenary whose elite skills teams can’t resist, a hired gun to push contenders over the top? Or does he wear out his welcome, leaving a trail of burned bridges?

The truth, as always, lies in the gray.

It’s likely more the former -- his value is undeniable -- but the fact remains: Few star corners like Ramsey have been traded three times. It’s a head-scratcher, and it has the football world buzzing, from X posts to barstool debates.

Ramsey’s journey from Jacksonville to Los Angeles to Miami and now Pittsburgh -- reads like a trade ticker. Jacksonville sent him to the Rams for a king’s ransom: two first-round picks and a fourth. The Rams dealt him to Miami for a third-rounder and tight end Hunter Long after he helped them win a Super Bowl in 2021. Then, Miami flipped him to Pittsburgh this year for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, tight end Jonnu Smith and a pick swap.

Why the moves? Start with the money. Ramsey’s contracts have been hefty. More than once, he's been the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, something he always demanded. But that was a price too high for the small-market Jaguars, and it started his sojourn.

That and the personality. The talk. The opinions.

Ramsey’s brash, outspoken nature -- evident in his 2019 Jacksonville exit after clashing with then-coach Doug Marrone -- can rub front offices raw. X posts whisper about locker-room issues in Miami, with some calling him a "cancer" before his 2025 trade demand. But that's hard to pin down. Those same posts praise his leadership when he’s locking down receivers.

But the real driver? Team needs. Jacksonville was rebuilding and wanted premium picks to stockpile, and the Rams wanted a ring he helped deliver. Miami thought it was poised to make a Super Bowl run and wanted veteran experience in their secondary. So the Dolphins grabbed him.

With Aaron Rodgers and a stacked defense, now it's Pittsburgh that's all-in for a title. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler nailed it: "A player like Jalen Ramsey… they feel like he gives them more flexibility than what they had with Minkah Fitzpatrick. He can play slot cornerback. He can play safety, if you need him to do that. They see shades of Rod Woodson." 

Now that's high praise. A Steelers' legend and first-ballot Hall of Famer, Woodson redefined versatility. If Ramsey can channel that in Pittsburgh, watch out. In other words, if he can play as he did when he was the best cornerback in the NFL, keep your eyes on Pittsburgh.

Wait. The best you say? Yes, the best.

-- In 2021, Pro Football Focus ranked Ramsey as the 16th-best player in NFL, noting, "Jalen Ramsey is undoubtedly a premier player in the NFL today, widely being viewed as the best cornerback in football."

-- NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks once ranked the top corners in the league and his pick for No. 1 was Jalen Ramsey. "The most bodacious cover corner in the game claims his spot as the NFL's ultimate CB1," Brooks said. "Ramsey not only possesses rare physical traits that make it nearly impossible for a receiver to escape the line untouched, but he is a refined technician with superb instincts and awareness on the island. ... "

-- His defensive coach in Los Angeles, Raheem Morris, called Ramsey "a great player ... rare. He's unique. He can be a shutdown corner, (or) you can move him inside and he can play at the nickel position. He's smart. You see his toughness oozing all over the tape. You can see his competitive nature all over the tape. You see the exciting plays. You're seeing what he can be and the best version of himself at all times when he's out there on the field."

-- Antonio Brown has also called Ramsey an "ultimate competitor," adding that "he's aggressive, he takes everything as a challenge, he's trying to win every route, he's trying to get in your head, he's going to block you aggressive. If you're lazy around the play, he's going to make you feel it ... that's the guy you want on your team. A cornerback playing with confidence. Great intangibles, great fundamentals ... that's Jalen Ramsey."

-- While opponents will mention Ramsey's cockiness and attitude, they never diminished his skill set. "The guy never has the mouthpiece in his mouth because he's always talking," related Brandon LaFell. "He's going to talk to you all game, he's going to get into your ears, get in your head, get you out of your game. That's Jalen Ramsey."

-- But he's more than just talk. He backs it up. "Jalen Ramsey (is the best I faced)," said Steelers' wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. "His trash talk, he's strong. Competitive. It's just a battle when we go up against each other ... It's going to be a physical game. He's a big corner, smart, you've got to be mentally and physically (on your game). He's going to attack you every chance he gets."

A Career Built for Canton?

But it's Ramsey's versatility -- outside corner, slot, even safety and snaps as an edge in his days in Los Angeles -- that sets him apart. Steelers' safety DeShon Elliott called him a "potential gold jacket guy," and he’s not wrong, with the emphasis on ... potential.

First, let’s talk end-of-season awards. Ramsey has plenty. He’s a three-time first-team AP All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion. Those honors alone put him in the conversation for a gold jacket. Not many cornerbacks have three or more AP All-Pros and seven or more Pro Bowls. Ten cornerbacks to be exact --Deion Sanders, Rod Woodson, Willie Brown, Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey, "Night Train" Lane, Jalen Ramsey, Roger Wehrli, Aeneas Williams and Charles Woodson.

All but one is in Canton.

But then there are the stats, and that’s where the road gets bumpy. Ramsey’s skeptics snipe at his 24 interceptions. For a Hall-of-Fame corner, critics ask: Isn’t that a touch lean? Not so fast. Let’s zoom in on recent (post-1987) Hall-of-Fame corners through age 30 (Ramsey hits 31 this season): Charles Woodson had 25 interceptions, Barber and Revis each produced 28. Rod Woodson had 32, Eric Allen and Ty Law 36, Aeneas Williams 39 and Champ Bailey led with 43.

Yes, Ramsey’s 24 sits behind this elite crowd, but they're hardly lagging. Plus, no one ever questioned his ball skills. Instead, they suggest he's not targeted sufficiently to get big interception numbers.

For those Hall-of-Fame players mentioned post-30, the script varies. Charles Woodson went supernova, racking up 40 more picks and a Defensive Player-of-the-Year award. Rod Woodson earned five more Pro Bowls, though only one as a corner. Barber kept humming with 19 additional picks. Only Revis fizzled, with just one more interception, while Allen didn’t make a Pro Bowl after 30. Williams and Law were in the middle

Ramsey’s resume already holds its own, but Canton might need a late-career surge à la Charles Woodson ... or maybe even a move to safety like Rod Woodson, Williams and Barber. At 31, he should have plenty of juice, and Pittsburgh’s banking on it. If he can channel Woodson’s late prime, Canton is within reach.

One or two more All-Pros and a couple of Pro Bowls, plus a deep playoff run with the Steelers, could tip the scales. A second ring? That’s gold-jacket catnip. Pittsburgh’s defense— with T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr.—is a perfect stage. If Ramsey shuts down top receivers and makes game-swinging plays, the chatter on X will shift from "maybe” to “when."

Ramsey is a rare breed -- a "different kind of cat" -- who, at his best was a shutdown corner with a nose for the ball and a mouth to match. His trades reflect his value, not his baggage, though a touch of drama follows. That's why playing for four teams shouldn't be a Hall-of-Fame barrier. Rod Woodson played for four teams. So did Revis and Law. And Deion Sanders? He played for five.

In a free-agent era, it's the lay of the land. Players move. Teams want quality corners even if they're aging -- with Sanders Exhibit A. The Ravens signed him after he'd been retired for three years.

No, Jalen Ramsey is no lock for the Hall, but he’s knocking on the door. If he delivers in Pittsburgh, he’ll quiet doubters and cement his legacy. For now, the Steelers are his proving ground. Ramsey can't talk his way into Canton. He must earn it by extending his elite play a few more years ... which is his intention.

State Your Case: Is Ndamukong Suh Destined for Pro Football Hall?

By John Turney 

"Retired Ndamukong Suh was a dirty player. He's also a Hall of Famer." 

That was the headline last weekend to a USA Today story written by NFL columnist Mike Freeman after the former defensive lineman announced his retirement ... and, while it's a provocative opinion, it's one shared by others.

In fact, shortly after Suh's announcement Saturday that he's "stepping away with peace and gratitude" from the NFL,  some media and social media accounts echoed the same thing. But Freeman went beyond simply promoting him for Canton; he dug deeper, noting that a guy who did the dirty work along with the dirty play should be rewarded.

Suh's next journey, he concluded, "should include a trip to Canton."

Ok, so that's his opinion. But is he right? Is the second overall pick in the 2010 draft -- someone who was an All-Pro as a rookie and the Defensive Rookie of the Year -- destined for a Gold Jacket?

Let's see.

When you look at Suh, it started with his stance. It was perfect. Balanced, back flat. It never varied. And that was similar to his play. Textbook, the kind of technique and skill-set coaches loved -- little dancing, take on the blocker. His strength became obvious, and the opponents who said that Suh was dirty also acknowledged that he was a load.

But he was an atypical pass rusher, nothing like Aaron Donald or some others who played the three-technique -- the rushing defensive-tackle position. Suh was mostly the left defensive tackle -- so, depending on the line call, he would play both a "shade" technique (on a center) as well as the three-technique (outside shoulder of the guard).

And that matters. 

Suh's position required him to be a complete player, not someone who could line up on the outside shoulder of a guard, penetrate for a sack or tackle for a loss. He was someone who had to do more -- hold the point, escape blocks and create pressure from the interior. In some sense, he was a throwback to Hall-of-Famers like Mean Joe Greene or Merlin Olsen -- sack creators, pushing the pocket so the edges could swoop in and take a quarterback down.

There is room in the Hall for such players, no?

Plus, there's the fact that he was durable. He never missed a game because of injury. Granted, he missed a couple because of a suspension (there is that "dirty-play" issue again) and in his final season, he played just eight games. But he was signed late by the Eagles, so the games he missed happened when he wasn't on the roster. Suh simply answered the bell for 199 games. 

In his 13-year career, the 6-4, 315-pound former Nebraska All-American made 603 tackles (73 of them were run-or-pass stuffs) and 71-1/2 sacks. That's a total of 144-1/2 plays behind the line of scrimmage. That's not all. He was also credited with 647 total pressures, per the analytics site Pro Football Focus (PFF). In the PFF era (2006 to present), that has Suh ranked seventh among defensive interiors.

But those are the positive stats, and there are plenty more of them. On the flip side, however, during his career (including playoffs) he was flagged 115 times, with 102 accepted, including 17 in 2015 (two declined). If you're asking if that's a lot, the answer is yes. No other defensive lineman is close. 

But it's not as if they were all flagrant. About one-third of those penalties were major, while 61 were offside or neutral zone infractions -- mistakes he committed while giving maximum effort or getting a jump on the ball. That said, his errors did cost his team. He had 33 penalties that resulted in opponents' first downs. 

Again, you ask: Is that a lot? Again, yes, it is. Since 1999, when the NFL stats site NFLGSIS began tracking penalties, no defensive lineman had more penalties that resulted in first downs. However, it was close. Hall-of-Fame defensive end Jason Taylor "gave up" 31 first downs. But if you add the three he committed in the two years before the NFL made the stat official -- in other words, Taylor's first two years in the NFL -- he'd have one more than Suh.

Not only that, but the Patriots' Richard Seymour, another Hall of Famer, committed penalties that awarded opponents 29 first downs. So, while Suh has the most officially, it's not as if he's in a universe all his own. There were at least a couple of decorated defensive linemen who did similar things.

Then again, Suh was what he was. Let's not sugarcoat it. Taylor and Seymour didn't rack up the 15-yarders that Suh did.  But let's also remember that, despite his transgressions, his peers still voted him to the Pro Bowl five times, and the NFL media voted him consensus All-Pro three times. 

Quick question: What Hall-of-Fame defensive tackles were consensus All-Pro three times in their careers? Oh, just Joe Greene. Art Donovan and Dan Hampton. And who was consensus All-Pro fewer than three times? Guys like Ernie Stautner, Cortez Kennedy, Steve McMichael, Joe Klecko, Bryant Young and Curley Culp -- all of whom are in Canton.

After that, add the rest of his end-of-season accolades -- first-team All-NFL in 2011 (The Sporting News) and two additional second-team All-Pro seasons from AP and one All-AFC (PFWA), and you have someone who was "in the money" the first seven seasons of his career. Correction: Eight, if you throw in PFF, which chose its own independent All-Pro teams.

How does that compare? Eight of the 21 Hall-of-Fame defensive interiors have more and 13 fewer. It puts Suh right there in the middle of the "alls" collected among the best-ever defensive tackles. One thing is for sure: If All-Pro teams are your primary factor in determining Hall-worthiness, Suh has the goods.

Now let's talk sacks.

Recently published sack data is interesting because some of the greats we're talking about didn't have a lot of sacks, producing about as many as Suh's career total. They are Joe Greene, Joe Klecko, Buck Buchanan, Curley Culp and Cortez Kennedy. Then there are others in the 80-or-90-sack range. 

The point? A review of the data shows that sacks aren't all that important to tackles, with Hall-of-Famers like Alan Page and John Randle the exceptions, not the rule. And there's a reason. 

"You have got to have someone crack the pocket,"  said Merlin Olsen.

That's what Suh did, no matter where he played.

"His numbers are not always there," former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said, "but his presence is never missed."

Former Dolphins' edge rusher Andre Branch agreed.

"You can't look at stats when it comes to Suh," he said,"because he does all the dirty work ... he eats up the blocks."

But there's more -- his style, for instance. It was pure power pushing through opponents, not going around them. Just listen to what his peers said in episodes of the "NFL 100", the annual show that presents a list of top players in the league:

-- "Ndamukong Suh is going to make your life suck for 60 minutes," said Packers' Pro Bowl defensive lineman Mike Daniels, "and that is why I love watching him play --  he runs right through guys."

-- "Any type of solo block, he's going right through your chest," said Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford

-- "Suh is the dominant defensive tackle in the last decade in the NFL," said All-Pro center Jason Kelce. "You feel a certain jolt every time I have played him -- the way he gets off the ball -- few guys have a better pop than Suh."

Still not convinced? Then consult what used to be called the "Bible of NFL Football." I'm talking about Pro Football Weekly, which wrote that "blocking (Suh) with one man is a non-starter and, in addition to absorbing a double-team on almost every play, it's not unusual to see a back joining a double-team and try and keep Suh from collapsing a pocket ... Natural strength and power and non-stop motor. It's almost impossible to find a play on tape where Suh isn't playing to and through the whistle."

In 15 playoff games Suh had seven sacks -- not unlike what a typical season would be for him. But there were times when he made a huge impact. Case in point: While playing for the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, he didn't have one of his best regular seasons while mostly playing out of position. But he made a difference when it mattered. 

His play down the stretch ... and in the postseason ... was vintage Suh, whipping offensive linemen and hitting quarterbacks. Plain and simple: He was dominant. The Rams reached Super Bowl LIII, where their defense held Tom Brady and the Patriots to 13 points. But they lost, mostly because Sean McVay's offense could only muster three points. 

The next time he was in the playoffs was 2020 when he checked the last remaining box to his career. He and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates held Patrick Mahomes to nine points in a 31-9 demolition of the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Suh was credited with 1-1/2 of the three sacks of Mahomes. 

There will be other talking points if and when Suh makes the Hall's finalist list, including his name on the 2010s' all-decade team. That will help. So will this: When he was an unrestricted free agent in 2015, Miami liked him enough to award him a $114-million contract -- making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. He became the fifth non-quarterback to receive a contract of at least $100 million, while his $60 million of guaranteed money was a non-quarterback record.

Now back to the question: Are those and the rest of the points I've mentioned enough to be immortalized in Canton? Maybe, but Suh won't be first ballot; he didn't have that kind of career. Plus, the voting process is going to make it tough if it remains the same, while the list of finalists the next five-to-10 years will be stellar. Because he last played in 2022, Suh will be eligible for the Hall's Class of 2028 along with a couple of guys you may know.

Tom Brady and J.J. Watt. 

The year after that, Aaron Donald will be eligible. And in. So will Jason Kelce. In 2030, Zach Martin will suck a lot of oxygen out of the room. As I said ... stellar. Ultimately, though, I think he makes it because he played to the level of Hall of Famers at his position. The resume says so.

But will the bullying, stepping on ankles and cheap shots cost him? You bet. And those are not some off-the-field issues, like those that cause so much controversy for other candidates. It was on the field, and we all saw it. However, Suh did enough great things to mitigate the negative aspects. 

In the final analysis, he will be seen as a dominant defensive tackle who was respected and even feared by those who blocked him ... and worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Release 1976 Alternate Uniform and It' Excellent

 by John Turney   

1976 Throwback Uniforms

A couple of days ago the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their 1976 replica uniforms. And they are great.

"(This) jersey represents a piece of Buccaneers history and serves as a tribute to the generations of fans and players who shaped this franchise. It is a reminder that every Buccaneers fan, from the originals to the newest generation, is part of an evolving story that started in 1976 and continues being written today," said chief operating officer Brian Ford.

In 1976, the Bucs played all their regular-season games in these uniforms with the Florida orange numerals. They were hard to see from the press box and on television, so they were changed to red the next season. And they never looked as good as the originals.

1977 Bucs white jersey with red numerals

The so-called "Creamcicle" uniforms have been brought back before, those were introduced in 1976 but were only worn in preseason. But now the throwback set it complete.

The 1976 throwback that was previously released

The Orange numbers outlined in red concept are seen through the uniform stripes. The helmet, the sleeves, the pants and socks. Sometimes using the same striping throughout the uniform does not work. Here it does.

Well done.

Grade -  "A"

Chargers New Alternate Uniforms Drop—Ho Hum

 by John Turney 

On Tuesday the Los Angeles Chargers expanded what we thought was the best uniform set in the NFL. They added an all-yellow kit and added Powder Blue pants.

They are all fine; the colors are good, and the design is top-notch—they followed the template of the 2020 uniforms.

I just ask: Why? 

It's a step back. The powder blue pants do not pop like the yellow ones do now or even the white ones. They are done just to do it, we think. The 'wow' factor is less. It just seems like they are checking a box so they have pants and jerseys of all three colors. 

It's like this: Imagine their uniform set was rated first, let's call it a 10 out of 10. With these, they are now maybe a 9 out of 10. It's still great, but a step backward.

All yellow - called "Charger Power"

The yellow kit is, again, okay. But it is not necessary. Big Bird? No, it's "Charger Power"—the name of the all-yellow. 

All navy -- called Super Chargers

An all-navy alternate was also released, adding a blue helmet. It's the "true throwback" called "Super Chargers"—and if you liked the uniforms of the late 1980s and 1990s and beyond, you'll like these. 

There is not a a lot to criticize, though. 

In 2020, we gave the Chargers new uniforms an "A", these get a B.