Imagine Otto protected by Orlando, throwing screens to Bronko
The Big Ten-NBA thing was fun, sparking some lively discussion. Thanks for all who stood up against the John Stockton propaganda.
So how about the NFL? If you think about it, there's a much, much deeper pool of Big Ten players who became great pro football players. So here's a stab at the Top Ten Position-Specific Offensive Big Ten Players In The NFL, Plus One (or, the all-time Big Ten NFL offense, and we'll do defense Monday).
And by the way, Nebraska doesn't count here until the Huskers actually start playing Big Ten football. Fair? Good.
QB: Otto Graham, Northwestern (Just missed: Len Dawson, Purdue; Bob Griese, Purdue; Drew Brees, Purdue; Tom Brady, Michigan) -- Did nothing but win most of his games (81 percent) and several championships.
RB: Red Grange, Illinois -- Essentially legitimized the NFL and starred in it, too.
RB: Bronko Nagurski, Minnesota (Just missed: Franco Harris, Penn State; Eddie George, Ohio State) -- Best football name ever, for one thing. Charter Hall of Famer also was unofficially the first true "fullback" in the game.
WR: Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, Wisconsin and Michigan -- Unbelievable numbers for that era.
WR: Paul Warfield, Ohio State (Just missed: Cris Carter, Ohio State) -- Played 13 NFL seasons and averaged 20.1 yards per catch!
TE: Charlie Sanders, Minnesota -- Seven-time Pro Bowler with the Lions.
OL: Joe DeLamielleure, MSU -- Paved the way for The Juice.
OL: Dan Dierdorf, Michigan -- Another 1970s giant.
OL: Mike Webster, Wisconsin -- Key and underrated member of those great Steelers teams.
OL: Orlando Pace, Ohio State -- A Hall of Fame spot is already reserved.
OL: Mike Munchak, Penn State -- Already in the Hall, just like all the other linemen listed other than Pace.
Actually, let's make it Plus Two:
PK: Morten Andersen, MSU -- Easy choice here, considering Andersen is the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, and the all-time leading scorer for both the Saints and Falcons.
