Random bye week question...

[The30YardSlant]

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.

 

[onetrickpony]

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.

Duane Thomas has to be right up there also. He was an amazing running back who let his attitude run him right out of the league.

 

[joseephuss]

Quincy Carter?

Good question. There are numerous candidates. Hollywood is a great example. I would throw in Ricky Williams. He is a talented runner. You don't luck into a 1800+ yard season. He would not be the best all time, but right now he has 7000 yards for his career where he has taken many opportunities to screw up. How many would he have if he actually applied himself?

 

[joseephuss]

Duane Thomas has to be right up there also. He was an amazing running back who let his attitude run him right out of the league.

That is a great choice.

 

[THUMPER]

For the Cowboys? I would say Hollywood Henderson or Duane Thomas.

For the NFL? I would have to go with Ricky Williams.

Nothing new, just agreeing.

 

[Rackat]

I always wondered why Erick Dickerson quit when he did. I thought the guy had a lot more in him and he could well have set the rushing mark to a point that may not have been reached by Emmit.

Duane Thomas, Hollywood Henderson, and Ricky Williams are all great examples of wasted talent.

 

[silverbear]

Either Tony Mandarich, or Brian Bosworth...

 

[SkinsandTerps]

I always wondered why Erick Dickerson quit when he did. I thought the guy had a lot more in him and he could well have set the rushing mark to a point that may not have been reached by Emmit.

Dickerson had shot knees. His upright running style killed him. Season after season. Packers (IIRC) released him because he couldn't pass a physical, so he retired.

I will throw Brian Bosworth into the pile, along with Ryan Leaf.

 

[joseephuss]

I always wondered why Erick Dickerson quit when he did. I thought the guy had a lot more in him and he could well have set the rushing mark to a point that may not have been reached by Emmit.

Duane Thomas, Hollywood Henderson, and Ricky Williams are all great examples of wasted talent.

I think he had very little left. He did not top 800 yards in his final 4 seasons. He has 4 of the top 17 seasons for rushing attempts(390 in 1983, 379 in 1984, 404 in 1986, 388 in 1988) and all four years are higher than Emmitt's most of 377 rushing attempts in 1995. I think his body was just worn out. Plus Emmitt was just a freak who lasted an extraordinarily long time.

 

[superpunk]

Jeff George.

 

[joseephuss]

Either Tony Mandarich, or Brian Bosworth...

I don't think either was truly that talented to begin with. More hype than susbstance. Same with Ryan Leaf.

 

[Doomsday101]

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.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

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.

I don't think he was saying he belonged on the list, it was more of a side topic, it seemed.

 

[The30YardSlant]

Dickerson had shot knees. His upright running style killed him. Season after season. Packers (IIRC) released him because he couldn't pass a physical, so he retired.

I will throw Brian Bosworth into the pile, along with Ryan Leaf.

Ryan Leaf was never very talented to begin with

 

[the kid 05]

Ryan Leaf

 

[Danny White]

Jeff George.

:fact:

 

[Mavs Man]

Uh, Michael Vick.

 

[JJB500]

I have to agree about Hollywood, an incredible talent what a waste! At least he got his head screwed on right and got his life in order.

 

[Future]

Uh, Michael Vick.

:laugh2: Hard to argue...

 

[AsthmaField]

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