Random bye week question...

[superpunk]

Uh, Michael Vick.

That is probably the #1 of all time, I don't even think it can be argued. Alot of the guys we've mentioned just didn't have what it takes, or got injured, etc. Vick has everything it takes to completely change the way the game of football is played, but he doesn't seem to care.

 

[EPL0c0]

Ricky Williams

 

[Rackat]

I can't see Dickerson on this list. He played 12 seasons in the NFL well above the avg career expectancy and put up 13,259 rushing.

More just a "wonder what if". I don't think he belongs on this list at all, just an aside.

What was that redheaded kid's name that played in Oakland. His dad was a coach and he was supposed to be the next Joe Montana?

 

[Doomsday101]

More just a "wonder what if". I don't think he belongs on this list at all, just an aside.

What was that redheaded kid's name that played in Oakland. His dad was a coach and he was supposed to be the next Joe Montana?

Todd Marinovich?

 

[Rackat]

Todd Marinovich?

Yea, that's the kid. He flaked right hell out once he got into the NFL.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yea, that's the kid. He flaked right hell out once he got into the NFL.

It was said his dad was more interested in a football career than Todd. Marinovich had very good athletic talent but the problem is if you really don't want it bad it is not going to happen. I think as he got older and his dad had less control Todd started doing what he wanted instead of what his dad wanted.

 

[lurkercowboy]

How about Art Schlichter?

 

[Zaxor]

Who do you think is (or was) the biggest waste of football talent to ever grace the NFL?

IMO it had to be Hollywood Henderson. The guy had a good career, but if not for the drugs and off the field issues, people might be comparing Lawrence Taylor to him. He had the potential to be the greatest linebacker to ever play the game.

Hollywood had more problems than just those you mentioned but on the field... he was miscast as the Sam LB if he had played Will or had he been in a 3-4...

but I agree I haven't seen any other talent at LB like him... on a scale of 1-10 imho Ware would be a 7, LT a 8.7 and Hollywood a 9.8

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Tony Mandarich.

 

[Doomsday101]

How about Art Schlichter?

Damn good QB but could not stay away from gambling. That is one area pro sports will not tolerate.

 

[AsthmaField]

Todd Marinovich?

Yeah, he definately was a big dissapointment. His father raised him to be a ROBO-QB, even not letting him eat fast food or any sweets until after high school. I remember reading that his father had fed him so nutritionally correct and that he had even cut his teeth as a baby on frozen liver. His father worked with him everyday as a youth throwing the football... never much playtime for Todd as a youngster.

Then, after all that... he wacks out and has his childhood about 15 years too late, taking drugs, etc.

A very sad story, indeed.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yeah, he definately was a big dissapointment. His father raised him to be a ROBO-QB, even not letting him eat fast food or any sweets until after high school. I remember reading that his father had fed him so nutritionally correct and that he had even cut his teeth as a baby on frozen liver. His father worked with him everyday as a youth throwing the football... never much playtime for Todd as a youngster.

Then, after all that... he wacks out and has his childhood about 15 years too late, taking drugs, etc.

A very sad story, indeed.

His dad from my understanding took it to the extreme. I think it is great for parents to be involved but you can go overboard. I was lucky my folks allowed me to play whatever sports I wanted and always supported me, the only rule my dad had was once you start the season you finish it. If afterwards you don't want to play the next season then that was my choice.

 

[Future]

I can name a few guys who had all world talent and didn't near live up to that level:
LB Quentin Coryatt - Texas A&M / Colts

Wasn't he a pro-bowler not too long before he was with the cowboys?

 

[Mavs Man]

Wasn't he a pro-bowler not too long before he was with the cowboys?

Yeah. I remember him having a good stint with the Colts. I had expectations of him blowing it up with the Cowboys, but we know how that turned out.

 

[Mavs Man]

That is probably the #1 of all time, I don't even think it can be argued. Alot of the guys we've mentioned just didn't have what it takes, or got injured, etc. Vick has everything it takes to completely change the way the game of football is played, but he doesn't seem to care.

Exactly. Wanna talk about expectations, hype, #1 overall pick, face of the NFL, potentially game-changing - no, league-changing - millions, hundreds of millions of lost dollars, a reputation smeared, and now out of the league and awaiting a prison sentence? There's your guy.

 

[ologan]

Joe....Don...Looney!

 

[DallasCowpoke]

Marcus Dupree, one of the most highly recruited high school football players ever. Dupree was so heavily recruited that Willie Morris wrote a book about his recruiting called The Courting of Marcus Dupree".

He chose the USFL over the NFL, and suffered a horiffic injury his 1st or 2nd year

By the time he tried a comeback to the NFL, he was less than mediocre.

 

[Doomsday]

I would say Jim Brown, what if he didnt quit in his prime? To me he cant be considered the greatest ever because of it, he gave up that right.

What if Bo Jackson didnt play baseball or get injured?

 

[joseephuss]

I can name a few guys who had all world talent and didn't near live up to that level:

DT Darrell Russell - USC / Raiders

DT Steve Emtman - U. of Washington / Colts

OT Tony Mandarich - Michigan State / Green Bay

LB Quentin Coryatt - Texas A&M / Colts

RB KiJana Carter - Penn State / Bengals

I find it difficult to judge Emtman, Coryatt and Carter in the same manner as the other guys. They are faced injuries in their career and some of them were major injuries. Disappointing for sure, but you can't control injuries for the most part. Other guys just underachieved. Or in the case of Mandarich, just was overhyped and overrated and the truth that he was never that good came out.

 

[Hostile]

Who do you think is (or was) the biggest waste of football talent to ever grace the NFL?

IMO it had to be Hollywood Henderson. The guy had a good career, but if not for the drugs and off the field issues, people might be comparing Lawrence Taylor to him. He had the potential to be the greatest linebacker to ever play the game.

Hmm, waste of talent narrows it down because some simply aren't talented.

Michael Vick is in the discussion.

So are Jeff George and Ryan Leaf.

I don't want to fixate only on QBs though. Tony Mandarich was seen by many as the new age O-lineman. Rae Carruth, if for no other reason than why he has no career and who it affects.

If I had to go with one, it would be Vick. No one has possessed the kind of skills he has and pissed it away like he has.