Pick your all-time greatest Chiefs players, Part 1 - Page 8

**Rain Man** · 07-03-2005, 05:35 PM

As a fortissimo in my "Pick your all-time greatest..." series, we now come to the Chiefs.

As we all know, there have been many, many great Chiefs, and I can't pick just 25 for the poll, so we'll make it a democratic process. I'm going to post 10 polls that contain every Chiefs player who either a) was on the roster for five or more years, OR b) started for the Chiefs for at least two seasons.

I'm getting my information from the Chiefs' media guide, so don't pick on me if you think someone did or did not start in certain years. I'm just regurgitating the official information, and perhaps a worm or two.

In each of the upcoming ten polls (to be posted over the next couple of weeks, and working in alphabetical order), I'll ask you to pick the FIVE greatest players on that list. I'll then take the top five choices from each of those polls and develop a second round that contains only the top 50 players. We'll then narrow it down from there in a manner to be determined.

On each poll, I'll list the player's name, position, college, jersey number, years with the Chiefs, and years as a starter with the Chiefs.

Ready? Here's Poll #1.

milkman · 07-04-2005, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

A high school QB, Bell was also our emergency QB. He looked good running back interceptions too. Anybody know the height and weight of Bell and Lanier?

HOF site has Bobby at 6'4", 228.

**Rain Man** · 07-04-2005, 09:39 PM

Ha! Here's Willie's biography from the Hall of Fame:

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/me...?player_id=122

Willie Lanier played middle linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs for 11 seasons from 1967 through 1977. As the first African-American to star at that demanding position, he not only was a true pioneer but also the key man on one of the National Football League's strongest defensive teams.

At 6-1 and 245 pounds, he presented an awesome image to any quarterback who lined up against him. He become known and respected for his ability to track down enemy ball carriers and devastate them with the force of his tackles. He was called "Contact" because of his powerful hits on the opposition. Yet he was intelligent and disciplined and obviously much more than just a hitter in his role as quarterback of the defense.

He was All-Pro, All-AFL or All-AFC every year from 1968 through 1975. He was elected to the last two AFL All-Star games following the 1968 and 1969 seasons, and the first six AFC-NFC Pro Bowl games after the merger. He was the defensive MVP in the 1971 Pro Bowl. For a defensive player, he also did well statistically.

Except for his first and last seasons, he intercepted at least two passes every year and wound up with 27 thefts, which were returned for 440 yards and two touchdowns. He also recovered 18 fumbles. Lanier was a two-time Small College All-America at Morgan State. He was a second-round choice of the Chiefs in the 1967 draft and overcame stiff opposition to grab a starting job in the fourth game of his rookie season. He proved to be one of the most durable of all NFL stars of his time. He missed the last four games of his rookie campaign and then sat out only one more game in the next 10 seasons. He doesn't like phobia.

**Rain Man** · 07-04-2005, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideWinder

HOF site has Bobby at 6'4", 228.

Holy cow. Six touchdown returns?

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/me...p?player_id=24

Bobby Bell was the most highly honored college lineman of the 1962 season. His coach at the University of Minnesota described the two-time All-America choice and Outland Trophy winner as “the greatest lineman I have ever seen.”

It’s hard to believe the versatile 6-4, 228-pound Bell actually began his college career as a quarterback. The Kansas City Chiefs of the then-young American Football League were so convinced that Bell would sign with the Minnesota Vikings of the rival National Football League that they didn’t even bother selecting him until the seventh round of the 1963 draft. The University of Minnesota star stunned the pro football world when he opted to sign with the Chiefs. Bell began his 12-year career with Kansas City as a defensive end.

He excelled in coach Hank Stram’s “stack defense,” which called for him to drop out of the 4-3 alignment and become a fourth linebacker. In 1965, after winning all-league honors as a defensive end the previous season, Bell was shifted to outside linebacker. His size and speed made him ideal for the position. As a linebacker he was named All-AFL or All-NFL every year from 1965 through 1971.

During his career, the versatile Bell intercepted 26 passes, returning six for touchdowns. He also scored on an onside kick and two fumble recoveries. Built in the shape of an inverted pyramid with massive shoulders tapering down to a 32-inch waist, Bobby presented a fearsome appearance on the field. He had the physique to withstand as well as deal out punishment. What made him stand out from the crowd was his superior approach to the game, a willingness to play anywhere even when injured and his great joy at just playing the game. Bell was the first Kansas City Chiefs player to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

milkman · 07-04-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Ha! Here's Willie's biography from the Hall of Fame:

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/me...?player_id=122

Willie Lanier played middle linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs for 11 seasons from 1967 through 1977. As the first African-American to star at that demanding position, he not only was a true pioneer but also the key man on one of the National Football League's strongest defensive teams.

At 6-1 and 245 pounds, he presented an awesome image to any quarterback who lined up against him. He become known and respected for his ability to track down enemy ball carriers and devastate them with the force of his tackles. He was called "Contact" because of his powerful hits on the opposition. Yet he was intelligent and disciplined and obviously much more than just a hitter in his role as quarterback of the defense.

He was All-Pro, All-AFL or All-AFC every year from 1968 through 1975. He was elected to the last two AFL All-Star games following the 1968 and 1969 seasons, and the first six AFC-NFC Pro Bowl games after the merger. He was the defensive MVP in the 1971 Pro Bowl. For a defensive player, he also did well statistically.

Except for his first and last seasons, he intercepted at least two passes every year and wound up with 27 thefts, which were returned for 440 yards and two touchdowns. He also recovered 18 fumbles. Lanier was a two-time Small College All-America at Morgan State. He was a second-round choice of the Chiefs in the 1967 draft and overcame stiff opposition to grab a starting job in the fourth game of his rookie season. He proved to be one of the most durable of all NFL stars of his time. He missed the last four games of his rookie campaign and then sat out only one more game in the next 10 seasons. He doesn't like phobia.

Wow, that HOF sure keeps up to date!

Lbedrock1 · 07-04-2005, 10:01 PM

I would have to say Deron Cherry, Ed Beckman, and Bob Simmons because those are the Chiefs players that I have met personally. Oh yeah JJ Smith because we played high school football together.

**HemiEd** · 07-05-2005, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

I don't think cdcox has to worry about you challenging for his job anytime soon.

Sometimes I get burned by not reading all of the responses first, this was one of them.

whoman69 · 07-05-2005, 09:53 AM

I can't believe 10 people did not include Bobby Bell. He is perhaps the greatest Chief of all-time, certainly the most athletic.

View Poll Results: Pick the FIVE greatest Chiefs on this list (considering their Chiefs career ONLY!)
Adickes, Mark G 61 Baylor 1986-89 1986-89	0	0%
Aguiar, Louie P 5 Utah State 1994-98 1994-98*	15	18.99%
Alexander, Derrick WR 82 Michigan 1998-01 1998-01	0	0%
Allen, Marcus RB 32 Southern California 1993-97 1993-96	52	65.82%
Alt, John T 76 Iowa 1984-96 1987-96	55	69.62%
Anders, Kimble FB 38 Houston 1991-00 1993-98, 00	40	50.63%
Andersen, Morten K 8 Michigan State 2002-03 2002-03*	2	2.53%
Andrews, Billy LB 53 Southwest Louisiana 1976-77 1976-77	0	0%
Ane, Charlie C 56 Michigan State 1975-80	0	0%
Arbanas, Fred TE 84 Michigan State 1962-70 1962-70	38	48.10%
Arnold, Jim P 6 Vanderbilt 1983-85 1983-85*	1	1.27%
Arnold, Walt TE 87 New Mexico 1984-87 1985-86	0	0%
Bailey, Mark RB 39 Cal State Long Beach 1977-78 1977-78	0	0%
Baldinger, Rich T 77 Wake Forest 1983-92 1987-88, 90-92	1	1.27%
Barbaro, Gary S 26 Nicholls State 1976-82 1976-82	18	22.78%
Barber, Shawn LB 59 Richmond 2003 2003	0	0%
Barker, Bryan P 4 Santa Clara 1990-93 1990-93*	1	1.27%
Barndt, Tom DT/G 71 Pittsburgh 1996-99 1998-99	2	2.53%
Bartee, William CB 24 Oklahoma 2000-03 2002	7	8.86%
Baugh, Tom C 58 Southern Illinois 1986-88 1987-88	0	0%
Bayless, Martin S 21, 30 Bowling Green 1992-93, 95-96 1992-93	2	2.53%
Beckman, Ed TE 85 Florida State 1977-84 1983	0	0%
Bell, Bobby LB 78 Minnesota 1963-74 1963-74	69	87.34%
Bell, Mike DE 99 Colorado State 1979-85, 87-91 1981-85, 87-89	5	6.33%
Bennett, Donnell RB 30 Miami (Fla.) 1994-00 1998	3	3.80%
Birden, J.J. WR 88 Oregon 1990-94 1992-94	14	17.72%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll

07-03-2005, 05:35 PM
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-722449 VARSITY	Pick your all-time greatest Chiefs players, Part 1 As a fortissimo in my "Pick your all-time greatest..." series, we now come to the Chiefs. As we all know, there have been many, many great Chiefs, and I can't pick just 25 for the poll, so we'll make it a democratic process. I'm going to post 10 polls that contain every Chiefs player who either a) was on the roster for five or more years, OR b) started for the Chiefs for at least two seasons. I'm getting my information from the Chiefs' media guide, so don't pick on me if you think someone did or did not start in certain years. I'm just regurgitating the official information, and perhaps a worm or two. In each of the upcoming ten polls (to be posted over the next couple of weeks, and working in alphabetical order), I'll ask you to pick the FIVE greatest players on that list. I'll then take the top five choices from each of those polls and develop a second round that contains only the top 50 players. We'll then narrow it down from there in a manner to be determined. On each poll, I'll list the player's name, position, college, jersey number, years with the Chiefs, and years as a starter with the Chiefs. Ready? Here's Poll #1.
Posts: 145,557

07-04-2005, 09:39 PM	#107
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-722449 VARSITY	Ha! Here's Willie's biography from the Hall of Fame: http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/me...?player_id=122 Willie Lanier played middle linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs for 11 seasons from 1967 through 1977. As the first African-American to star at that demanding position, he not only was a true pioneer but also the key man on one of the National Football League's strongest defensive teams. At 6-1 and 245 pounds, he presented an awesome image to any quarterback who lined up against him. He become known and respected for his ability to track down enemy ball carriers and devastate them with the force of his tackles. He was called "Contact" because of his powerful hits on the opposition. Yet he was intelligent and disciplined and obviously much more than just a hitter in his role as quarterback of the defense. He was All-Pro, All-AFL or All-AFC every year from 1968 through 1975. He was elected to the last two AFL All-Star games following the 1968 and 1969 seasons, and the first six AFC-NFC Pro Bowl games after the merger. He was the defensive MVP in the 1971 Pro Bowl. For a defensive player, he also did well statistically. Except for his first and last seasons, he intercepted at least two passes every year and wound up with 27 thefts, which were returned for 440 yards and two touchdowns. He also recovered 18 fumbles. Lanier was a two-time Small College All-America at Morgan State. He was a second-round choice of the Chiefs in the 1967 draft and overcame stiff opposition to grab a starting job in the fourth game of his rookie season. He proved to be one of the most durable of all NFL stars of his time. He missed the last four games of his rookie campaign and then sat out only one more game in the next 10 seasons. He doesn't like phobia. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,557

07-04-2005, 10:01 PM	#110
Lbedrock1 Iron Giant Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Conyers, Ga Casino cash: $9995364	I would have to say Deron Cherry, Ed Beckman, and Bob Simmons because those are the Chiefs players that I have met personally. Oh yeah JJ Smith because we played high school football together. Last edited by Lbedrock1; 07-04-2005 at 10:07 PM..
Posts: 558