NFL Network's "Top Ten"?

The NFL Network has been running a series of Top Ten shows with very arbitrary rankings, seemingly designed more for television ratings than accuracy. The Packers/Bears rivalry was ranked behind the Browns/Bengals rivalry. While the ranking criteria is never discussed, many of the “experts” interviewed on the show express incredulity at the rankings.

The Top Ten Heisman Winners in the NFL really got my goat. Produced before the 2012 season, here’s how “The Network” ranked them:

10. Cam Newton: set numerous records as a rookie.

9. Marcus Allen (HOF): won Super Bowls, very productive career

8. Earl Campbell (HOF): short but fruitful career

7. Tim Tebow: led Broncos to playoffs as a rookie.

6. Tony Dorsett (HOF): retired second in career rushing yards

5. Charles Woodson: fruitful career, sure Hall of Famer, deserving choice

4. Paul Hornung (HOF): won championships. Ran, passed, blocked, received, kicked.

3. OJ Simpson (HOF): set the NFL single-season rushing record.

2. Roger Staubach (HOF): won championships.

1. Barry Sanders (HOF): the obvious choice.

Obviously, the two first-year players do not belong on the list. Too many other Heisman winners had far more productive careers. The NFL must feel bad about Earl Campbell becoming a cripple, the way they keep him in the spotlight. Though it’s hard to compare players from different eras with statistics, here’s how some Heisman winners did in the NFL.

Total Yards & Touchdowns

19679…105…Tim Brown (HOF). Not even mentioned.

18308…109…Barry Sanders (HOF). Played for bad teams

18168…84…Herschel Walker. Mentioned, along with the blockbuster trade.

17654…145…Marcus Allen (HOF). Made the list.

16293…91…Tony Dorsett (HOF). Made the list.

14368…76…OJ Simpson (HOF). Made the list.

12668…78…Eddie George. Near Hall of Famer. Mentioned.

12615…74…Ricky Williams. Played for bad teams. Mentioned.

12519…15…Desmond Howard…won a Super Bowl. Not mentioned.

10213…74…Earl Campbell (HOF). Made the list.

08049…49…Mike Garrett. Not mentioned.

07696…48…Reggie Bush. Not mentioned, but his trophy was revoked.

07544…54…George Rogers. Not mentioned.

07178…47…Billy Sims. Not mentioned.

05439…62…Paul Hornung (HOF). Also 66 field goals.

05311…34…Doak Walker (HOF). Not mentioned.

04876…44…Alan Ameche…won a championship. Mentioned.

04073…28…Ron Dayne. Not mentioned.

03134…18…Bo Jackson. Also a MLB all-star. Mentioned.

Passing Yards & TDs.

46233…275…Vinny Testaverde…1661 rushing yards & 15 TDs

25882…164…Jim Plunkett…1337 & 14. Won two Super Bowls.

22700…153…Roger Staubach…2264 & 20.

14715…86…Doug Flutie…1634 & 10. Didn’t mention 6 straight CFL MVPs

The Cowboys/Vikings trade was briefly mentioned: Herschel Walker for 5 players & 6 picks. Some continue to call it the greatest trade in NFL history. Walker did not fit into Minnesota’s offense and was unable to meet their fans’ unrealistic expectations. He moved on after three frustrating seasons. The Cowboys parlayed the trade into three number one picks, three number two picks, and two third round picks (and a dynasty in the late 80’s/early 90’s). Despite retiring with the second-most all purpose yards in NFL history, the three seasons Walker spent in the USFL continue to be held against him by Pro Football Hall of Fame voters (and the NFL Network). I was just happy Herschel was mentioned during the show.

As a kid I read Jerry Kramer’s “Instant Replay” book, and was a fan of those 60’s teams. I remember watched an old made for TV movie where Earnest Borgnine played Lombardi, and accounts of the first two Super Bowls, with receivers Max McGee and Boyd Dowler. And center Bill Curry, and George Plimpton’s book “One More July”. The Top Ten show interviewed Bart Starr, who talked about how Hornung could run, block, catch, pass, and kick. One young “expert” dismissed Hornung as being over-hyped because he went to Notre Dame, but he was one of the NFL’s brightest stars in the mid-60’s. Barry Sanders (or any other running back in NFL history) didn’t kick 66 field goals or throw 5 touchdown passes, like Hornung did.

The show mentioned Jim Brown and Dick Butkus came close to winning the Heisman. Also mentioned on the show: Carson Palmer, Sam Bradford, Ty Detmer, Andre Ware, Danny Wuerffle, and Steve Spurrier. Some were labeled NFL disappointments, but several highly productive Heisman winners weren’t even mentioned. Tim Brown  was elected to the Hall of Fame and gained more NFL yards than any other Heisman winner, but wasn’t mentioned on the show. As the Sports Illustrated writer said, the show was more interested in naming big names than ranking the best ten. You would think the NFL Network would want to educate their fans on the entire history of the league. But like everything else in our society these days, they showed off the most popular players instead.  

  

My Ten: Earl Campbell, Herschel Walker, Jim Plunkett, Charles Woodson, Paul Hornung, OJ Simpson, Tony Dorsett, Roger Staubach, Marcus Allen, and Barry Sanders.