Tag Archives: players who should be in the HoF

NFL, University of Texas

Talbert, Diron ‘Talby’

Card: Topps 1977, University of Texas Upper Deck 2011,  NFL Alumni Card
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent:   6/23   Received: 8/6   (44 days)

Diron joined the family line at the University of Texas playing defensive tackle for the Longhorns from 1964 to 1966. He was the youngest of the 3 brothers to play at Texas and was an All-SWC selection in 1964, and a All-American Candidate in 1966.

He’d be selected by both the Los Angeles Rams (NFL) and the San Diego Chargers  (AFL) in their competitive drafts that year.  Talbert elected to sign with George Allen’s Los Angeles Rams. After losing virtually his entire rookie season to a knee injury, Diron recovered for the next season and played both defensive tackle and end in 1968, and nailed down the starting defensive line position by 1969. He honed his trade playing along Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones, recording 16 sacks in one season, and learning the double head slap move from Jones.

In 1971, Diron was reunited with George Allen, who put together a multi-player deal in order to pry Talbert off of the Rams. Diron immediately became a fixture on the Redskins defensive line and was named a co-defensive captain alongside Chris Hanburger. Diron wrecked havoc on opposing offensive lines for the next 10 seasons averaging over 7 sacks a season, and scoring 12.5 sacks in 1976.  Diron earned All Pro Honors in 1973 and Pro Bowl Honors in 1974.  In 1975, Diron sacked Craig Morton of the Giants a single game record 4 times. His timing joining the Redskins coincided with George Allen firing up the rivalry between the Redskins and Cowboys. Diron had an especially bitter feud with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, airing their differences in the media, carrying the body language onto the field, and then taking it out oneach other on the field. Diron in the end, outlasted all of the other members of the Over the Hill Gang, despite a nagging knee injury.

While Diron has not been inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he’s considered one of the 70 Greatest Redskins of All-Time. Adjusted for modern day numbers, Diron ranks top 5 all time from the defensive tackle position in sacks. He ran a successful investment firm after retirement. He is also a outspoken member of the NFL Alumni Association. Talbert is a solid TTM signer. He signed the two cards for me and added in his Alumni card as well.

G/GS  186/157       TAC N/a          SAC N/a         FUM  10
INT 0       YDS 0       AVG -.-       TD 0        LG -.-

NFL

Dryer, Fred ‘Hunter’


Cards: Topps 1971, Topps 1976
Acquired: TTM 2017, C/o Work

I think the first time I saw Fred Dryer was during the mid-80s. It was premiere week and NBC was eager to find a competing product to Magnum PI. They cast Fred Dryer as the lead in the TV show Hunter and the rest was history.  As a kid I never really knew about Fred nor was I observant enough to know that he was a former football player, but when I became aware of football and the LA Rams were fast becoming my favorite NFC team, I knew eventually I wanted to get Fred’s autograph.

A first round pick of the New York Giants in 1969 Fred wrecked opposing offensive lines from the start of his career recording 8.5 sacks in his first year from his defensive end position.  Considered a wild man by teammates, Fred lived out of a van and grew out his hair and beard. He even offered to set his hair on fire whenever he scored another TD later in his career.  In 1970, he had 12 sacks and 69 tackles earning his first Pro Bowl honors. After recording 8.5 sacks in 1971, Fred was traded to the New England Patriots for a bevvy of picks. Refusing to report, the Patriots were left with no choice but to deal Fred to the Los Angeles Rams.

During his 1972 season, the Rams used Fred as one of the first situational pass rushers. He’d put up 4.5 sacks. LA started him full time at defensive end the following year and he made history sacking Green Bay quarterback Scott Hunter twice in a game for a safety.  Fred finished with 10 sacks in 1973.  His best season as a pro came in 1975 when he earned another Pro Bowl honor, with 61 tackles, 12 sacks and a 20 yard interception for a TD against the Eagles.

Fred helped the Rams make Super Bowl XIV in 1979. During the season he had a 5 sack game against his former team the Giants, en route to a 10 sack season.  He retired after the 1981 season.  A well decorated member of the NFL, it’s disappointing that Fred has not received a call to the HoF, however during the period he played, sacks and tackles were not an official statistic.

Fred has been a pretty busy TV and film actor since retirement. Before the TV show Hunter made him a star, he was also considered for the TV show Cheers to play the main role of Sam Malone.  In the past few years he’s seen a renaissance of sorts cast in a variety of diverse roles, including a brief appearance on Agents of Shield as Octavian Bloom- a HYDRA leader.

G/GS 176/165     TAC  N/A      SAC  104.0    FUM 20
INT  1     YDS 20      AVG 20.0    TD 1     LG 20T

NFL

Lloyd, Greg (Sr)

to91 lloyd sco90 lloyd
Cards: Topps 1992, Score 1990
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent:  4/2/13      Received: 6/12/15    (801 days)

Greg must have liked the Action Packed and Skybox cards I sent him, because he switched them out for these cards-  not that I am totally complaining. I was happy to get back these two anyway since it took over 2 years.

Greg Lloyd was another one of these sneaky defensive prospects who went to Fort Valley State.  A 3rd round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1987, Lloyd lost his entire rookie season after a devastating knee injury. It was so bad, he took the field for only 9 games (starting 4) in 1988.  In 1989 he was entrenched as a starter at right outside linebacker. A well balanced defender, Lloyd could tackle, blitz, or cover a receiver out of the backfield- evidenced by his 92 tackles, 7 sacks, and 3 interceptions. He continued to build a head of steam through his career, beginning in 1991, when he earned his first ProBowl honor with 76 tackles, 8 sacks, and a whopping 6 forced fumbles.

In 1993 former LA Ram Kevin Greene joined the Steelers, turning the Pittsburgh defense into Blitzburgh. Greene ran rampant on opposing team’s defenses, thanks to Lloyd who had to always be accounted for. Greg earned his first AP nomination after the season, a year in which he had a career high 111 tackles, to go along with 5 FF and 6 sacks. Greg got the nod again in 1994, when he had a career high 10 sacks, and finally in 1995, when he accounted for 3 intereceptions and 88 tackles.  He tore his patella in the season opener against the Jags in 1996- ending his season.  In 1997 he returned to form but suffered a serious ankle injury that turned into a staph infection- essentially ending his career as a Steeler.  He finished his career playing for the Panthers in 1998 adding another 48 tackles and a sack to his impressive resume.  A Pittsburgh legend, and an intense competitor, Greg has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and loves to teach the martial discipline.

G/GS 147/139      TAC 707       SAC 54.5       FUM 35
INT 11         YDS 189      AVG 17.1    TD 0       LG 52