Post by grizz299 on Mar 12, 2020 20:19:12 GMT -5
I remember the long strides, Kyle Rote for the short stuff, Del stretching the field, and Gifford out of the backfield.
I'd argue but that's the best core of receivers we've ever fielded. It was a magic time, black and white small screens, the sport still with an esoteric quality and it was understandable and you could follow it.
I don't know the ethics but the following is cut and paste and I don't know how to credit the author. So just the joy and remember, if you're lucky enough.
He was a five-time All-Pro. He was a five-time Pro Bowler. He was among the NFL’s top four in receiving yards all five times – leading the league with 1,097 yards in 1958 – and was in the top 10 in receptions and TDs all five times. Furthermore, for nearly 20 years (1963-81) he was the NFL’s only four-time 1,000-yard receiver before Steve Largent and Charlie Joiner tied him.
They’re in the Hall, too.
Unlike those two, however, Shofner was a deep threat. In fact, Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle once said that while former San Francisco great Billy Wilson had the best hands of his receivers and Hall-of-Famer Frank Gifford was the smartest, it was Shofner who was “the best and most dangerous of them all.”
Reason: He could stretch a defense – and the numbers prove it. He averaged 18.5 yards per reception for his career, including 21.5 yards in 1958 and 21.4 in 1962.
When he helped lead the New York Giants to three straight championship-game appearances from 1961-63, he caught more passes (185) for more yards (3,439) and more touchdowns (32) than any receiver in the NFL and once hauled down 11 passes for 269 yards in a 1962 defeat of Washington … and I know what you’re thinking: Yeah? Well, big deal.
As a matter of fact, it is. Fifty-four years later, those 269 yards are still a Giants’ record, and they’re 13th all-time among NFL receivers.
But that’s not all. Shofner could punt, too. In fact, he handled that job for the Los Angeles Rams from 1958-60, averaging 42 yards per kick and ranking sixth in the league in 1960 with a 42.6-yard average.
I'd argue but that's the best core of receivers we've ever fielded. It was a magic time, black and white small screens, the sport still with an esoteric quality and it was understandable and you could follow it.
I don't know the ethics but the following is cut and paste and I don't know how to credit the author. So just the joy and remember, if you're lucky enough.
He was a five-time All-Pro. He was a five-time Pro Bowler. He was among the NFL’s top four in receiving yards all five times – leading the league with 1,097 yards in 1958 – and was in the top 10 in receptions and TDs all five times. Furthermore, for nearly 20 years (1963-81) he was the NFL’s only four-time 1,000-yard receiver before Steve Largent and Charlie Joiner tied him.
They’re in the Hall, too.
Unlike those two, however, Shofner was a deep threat. In fact, Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle once said that while former San Francisco great Billy Wilson had the best hands of his receivers and Hall-of-Famer Frank Gifford was the smartest, it was Shofner who was “the best and most dangerous of them all.”
Reason: He could stretch a defense – and the numbers prove it. He averaged 18.5 yards per reception for his career, including 21.5 yards in 1958 and 21.4 in 1962.
When he helped lead the New York Giants to three straight championship-game appearances from 1961-63, he caught more passes (185) for more yards (3,439) and more touchdowns (32) than any receiver in the NFL and once hauled down 11 passes for 269 yards in a 1962 defeat of Washington … and I know what you’re thinking: Yeah? Well, big deal.
As a matter of fact, it is. Fifty-four years later, those 269 yards are still a Giants’ record, and they’re 13th all-time among NFL receivers.
But that’s not all. Shofner could punt, too. In fact, he handled that job for the Los Angeles Rams from 1958-60, averaging 42 yards per kick and ranking sixth in the league in 1960 with a 42.6-yard average.