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Wilber Marshall Belongs In The Pro Football Hall of Fame

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While watching a young Derrick Brooks play linebacker with his explosive hitting style and speed, it made me think “Who does he remind me of?” Immediately my mind thought he was a Generation Y version of Wilber Marshall.

Marshall’s famous hit on Joe Ferguson in 1985… Ferguson landed in ’87.

He was a collision waiting to happen. Easily one of the most exciting football players I ever watched. Marshall was sudden and arrived at the football with a swiftness and anger rarely seen even in NFL circles. He made big plays…hits and turnovers that changed games. Something today’s soft NFL doesn’t allow. Any routine play could explode into a big moment when #58 was on the field.

Circling back to compare Marshall’s greatest season against that of D Brooks, keep in mind Hall of Fame member Brooks won ’02 NFL Defensive Player of the Year:

  • ’91 Marshall -135 tackles 5.5 sacks 4 FF, 1 FR 5 ints – 1 TD return
  • ’02 Brooks – 118 tackles 1 sack 1 FF, 1FR -1TD, 5 ints – 3TD returns

One might respond Brooks led his Bucs to a Super Bowl XXXVII win, just keep in mind Marshall led the Redskins to the XXVI title in his. Yet in this spectacular season Marshall didn’t make the Pro Bowl when he should have been up for the ’91 DPoY. Even in that voting he came in 6th. Something was definitely wrong.  Stats gainst those NFC OLB contemporaries:

  • ’91 Marshall -135 tackles 5.5 sacks 4 FF, 1 FR 5 ints – 1 TD return
  • ’91 Seth Joyner – 110 tackles 6.5 sacks 6FF, 4FR – 2TDs, 3 ints
  • ’91 Pat Swilling – 60 tackles 17 sacks 6FF, 1FR, 1 int – 1TD
  • ’91 Charles Haley – 53 tackles 7 sacks, 2FF & 1FR

Sack and forced fumble on Jim Kelly

Somehow Charles Haley bumped him from the Pro Bowl roster. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys after the season for being a malcontent in the Niners locker room. Come on now…

All Marshall could do was leave his mark on the playing field in the playoffs. First he tied the NFC Championship Game sack record with 3 in their 41-10 win over the Lions. Then in Super Bowl XXVI Marshall recorded 11 tackles, 1 sack and 2 forced fumbles to lead the Redskins to a 37-24 triumph. He was the best player on the field, winning his 2nd World Championship. We’ll cover his 1st in a minute…

Did you know the reason you enjoy free agency in the offseason can be traced to this man?? His talent was so sought after the Washington Redskins broke an unwritten rule & signed him away from the Chicago Bears after the ’87 season. Not since John Riggins in the mid 70s had this happened with any player. Plan B Free Agency started in the NFL 2 years later but that was 2nd teamers and special teams guys. Not stars.. you didn’t see that for another 5 years.
Do you also realize the animosity Marshall built up within NFL ranks that kept him from being voted to the Pro Bowl is one of the reasons fans get to vote on it now? The chatter began leading up to XXVI on how a player of Marshall’s caliber wasn’t being recognized. This prompted Tom Jackson on NFL Countdown to help push this as he had this piece touting who he thought was the best linebacker in football the following season:
The season Jackson is referring to was Marshall’s 92 campaign where he finished with a career best 138 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 recoveries along with 2 ints with one returned for a TD. He was an All Pro for the 2nd time and was 3rd in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting. This was his 6th with over 1oo tackles. It would have been his 7th straight but in the strike shortened season of ’87 he only played in 12 games and garnered 93 combined tackles.
Marshall could play Will, SAM over the TE, cover backs and slot receivers and blitz the QB like no other player. He also produced highlight reel hits where you heard the collective “Ooooh!!” reverberate through the stadium. Other linebackers loved watching him play as I found out “Hollywood” Henderson was a big fan of Marshall along with The Chancellor when we were talking about OLBs of the past.
Don’t take our thoughts as gospel. In the 1st part of his career he was a rising star on the greatest defense in NFL history. The ’85 Bears. Listen to Mike Singletary, Dave Duerson, Gary Fencik & Mike Ditka’s describing his play:
Another visceral look:
Marshall was Defensive Coordinator Buddy Ryan’s enforcer who would make plays all over the field. Look up any highlights on the ’85 Bears and Marshall is the one who flashed before your eyes making big hits and knocking out quarterbacks. As he did later in his career he showed up big in meaningful games.

Marshall forcing an Eric Dickerson fumble during the ’85 NFC Championship Game.

Against the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, Singletary’s hit on 4th and 1 and two forced fumbles by Eric Dickerson, one by Marshall below, and the complexion of that game changed. I can remember when Marshall crushed Henry Ellard on a shallow cross knocking his own chinstrap sideways.Then to ice the game Marshall recovered a fumble forced by Richard Dent and returned it 52 yards for the TD that punctuated their 24-0 victory.

In Super Bowl XX Marshall set the tone sharing the first sack of the game with MVP Richard Dent. He finished the game with 4 tackles, 1/2 sack and a fumble recovery.

Wilber was the enforcer on 2 teams lauded as 2 of the greatest champions of the Super Bowl era in the ’85 Bears & the ’91 Redskins. He finished as the 1st defensive player in the modern era (sacks being recorded as an official statistic beginning in ’82) to finish with over 40 sacks & 2o interceptions. His 45 sacks, 23 interceptions, 24 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries illustrate how well rounded he was.

Fans are still making highlights on his exploits as one of the most destructive forces in NFL history. He helped shape two of the greatest champions of the last half century. His play was so sought after the Redskins ushered in the age of true free agency to acquire his services from Chicago. The era of excellence for the Bears ended with his defection. OLB Ron Rivera nor Jim Morrissey brought playmaking to the position as the 80s concluded. Not Jack Tatum level hits nor level of play.

He finished with 2 All Pro Seasons and 3 Pro Bowls but helped usher in an era where fans along with players are able to voice who should be honored with a Pro Bowl trip. Marshall’s excellent play was the impetus as to why this has come to be.

The ’85 Bears are being honored with DT Steve McMichael being enshrined this August. Yet the most unforgettable player from that defense remains on the outside looking in. This needs to be corrected. His standoff with the Bears organization over past finances shouldn’t be a deterrent for the team to keep him from being honored also. So The Chancellor of Football will help make that push.

Please write & nominate #58
Send letters to:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Attention: Senior Selection Committee
2121 George Halas Dr NW, Canton, 
OH 44708

For induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I present Wilber Marshall.

Coaches and players from the past advocated for on Taylor Blitz Times in order:

Robert Brazile 2011 (inducted 2018)

Ran into Robert Brazile after the Gold Jacket Dinner. Great time.

Kevin Greene 2011 (inducted 2016)

With Kevin Greene after the Induction ceremony.

Sterling Sharpe 2011

Terrell Davis 2011 (inducted 2017)

Jerry Kramer 2011 (inducted 2018)

“Hey big guy!” The laughs at the Hall of Fame party were priceless.

Everson Walls 2011

Randy Moss 2011 (inducted 2018)

Cris Carter 2011 (inducted 2013)

Tom Flores 2012 (inducted 2021)

Lester Hayes 2012

Chuck Foreman 2012

Edgerrin James 2013 (inducted 2020)

Andre Reed 2013 (inducted 2014) 

Roger Craig 2013

Corey Dillon 2014

Ken Riley 2015 (inducted 2023)

Ken Stabler 2015 (inducted 2016)

Drew Pearson 2016 (inducted 2021) 

Cliff Branch 2016 (inducted 2022)

Todd Christensen 2017

Hardy Nickerson 2020

Week 5: Purdy Enters MVP Race

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Not only is it time to stop talking about how young Brock Purdy is, he is a bonafide NFL QB and entering the NFL MVP race. Huge stage in a big game both teams had circled, he played poised and made throw after throw all night.
Last year he threw a few passes and bubble screens… last night he hit shot after shot downfield. Completed 7 of 10 beyond 10+ yards on corner routes against man and in cuts threading the zone. Some pundits were talking about a legendary start to the season for Dallas’ defense and Purdy dominated them a second time in 8 games. Last night… masterfully.
In this season’s 2 toughest assignments Purdy has led the 49ers to blowout wins over Pittsburgh (30-7) and Sunday Night’s debacle 42-10. The Cowboys were kept off balance defensvely as Purdy went 17 of 24 for 254 yards and a career high 4 TDs. Coming into the game the Cowboys were ranked 2nd in the NFL on defense. They had held 3 of their first 4 opponents to 10 points or less. Brock and the 49ers dropped them to 5th in defensive ranking after having them surrender their season high in yards (421) passing yards (251) and points (42).
Those numbers aren’t overly spectacular. So why is this MVP worthy? Do you realize for the season #13 has thrown for 1,271 yards with 9 TDs without an interception?? The 49ers are playing aggressive, smart, balanced football and take their shots downfield once they set those plays up. Purdy is now an architect of what you see and not a game manager.
Keep in mind this is also after returning from major surgery on his throwing elbow suffered in last year’s NFC Championship Game.
He may have been “Mr Irrelevant” but he isn’t a flash in the pan. This kid has earned it and will be around for a long time. With his game against the Cowboys he rendered Dak Prescott irrelevant.
Thanks for reading and please share the article.

Week 5: Bills Sabotaged By International Game

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The NFL has to remember its a sport… In no way can you explain competitive balance of the Buffalo Bills having to travel to Europe on Friday and play a game on Sunday. Against a Jacksonville Jaguar team that stayed in Europe for the last two weeks??
Buffalo started the game lethargic…. no zhit! A team that couldn’t stop scoring with 48 before the end of the 4th quarter a week ago against the Dolphins didnt look like themselves until the 2nd half when they finally scored a TD.
For the record I hate the games in Europe… it leads to fatigue and injury and LB Milano may be out for the season. Think that is a coincidence along with the Bills lethargic start? Get better #58… praying for you.
Europe has been streaming NFL games the last 15 years and can continue to do so. Why jeopardize player safety for a few dollars the NFL would have had stateside anyway?? Greed isn’t good Gordon Grecko…
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Week 5: The Detroit Lions Are Growing Into A Legitimate Playoff Team

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Monday Morning Musings … Aidan Hutchinson and the Detroit Lions are going to be a force come playoff time. They’re starting to dominate midlevel to bad NFL teams. Yes the final score was 42-24 but the Panthers were never in that game. They came out blazing and were up 14-0 in the 1st and up 28-10 at the half.
Hutchinson brought down the curtain.. 3 tackles, 2 hurries, 1 sack, batted another pass down and an interception from the D-Line! They chased the Panthers off the field. As their confidence keeps growing what will they be able to do come January??
Its time to talk Jared Goff in the NFL MVP race too. For the season he has thrown for 1,265 yards with 9TDs with 3 interceptions. Yet he played poised and led the Lions to a win over the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs in week 1. He’s led them to a 4-1 record and are the class of the division. Goff has led them to back to back wins in Lambeau Field including last year’s sending Aaron Rodgers into exile in the finale.
The Lions are growing and they are undefeated on the road which bodes well in gaining home playoff games as we move into the thick of the season. Watch for these Lions come January.
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Sean Payton… Your Mission, Should You Choose To Accept It

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Tell the truth Tuesday: The NFL is an arena that humbles successful coaches in 2nd tenures in new places. Most forget Hall of Fame Coach Jimmy Johnson’s last game was a 62-7 playoff loss to Jacksonville in ’99.
In 1989 Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Noll began 0-2 when he lost the opener at home 51-0 to Cleveland. Then fell 42-10 to the defending AFC Champion Bengals.
In 1990 Chuck Knox “Ground Chuck” in an attempt to modernize switched the Seattle Seahawk offense to “The Run n Shoot” and promptly began the season 0-3 and the club appeared lost on offense. Seattle was Knox’s 3rd Head Coaching gig.
While Johnson retired, both Knox and Noll rebounded with great in season turnarounds. Noll went 9-7, won a wildcard game in Houston before falling 24-23 in a divisional playoff in Denver. Just inches from the AFC Championship Game.
In one of the greatest coaching moves ever, Knox threw out the Run n Shoot playbook completely and went back to the playbook and formations they had been using for a decade plus. Yes… in week 4 scrapped everything!! The Seahawks went 9-4 the rest of the way to finish 9-7.
Payton will have to take solace here. His reputation is on the line and has to prove he still has the winning edge. A formula for success. Unlike Johnson he still has a lot of season left to make an imprint in 2023. It will not be easy. Losing 70-20 was a historic drubbing.
Well…. since 1960, Tuesday is film exchange day in the NFL, and right now the projectors are on in the Bronco facility. What changes will be made and what will be asked of the team?? Asked of Russell Wilson??
Professional reputations are on the line

Tacitly Different Negotiations – The Topic of Black Running Back Contract Negotiations

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Lets take you back… the Cowboys had just won Super Bowl XXVII and Emmitt Smith had led the NFL in rushing the last 2 seasons. He had to holdout, miss the preseason, the Cowboys started 0-2 and only after Charles Haley threw his helmet into the wall in Jerry Jones direction did they sign Smith to a $13 million contract.
Seven weeks later with no holdout, no tension in the media, no negative press to sway public attention about the greedy athlete “who should be grateful”… Troy Aikman gets his $50 million extension. Yup…right in the middle of the season!
Same team…both 1st round draft picks…same champion…same management…tacitly different negotiation tactics.
Didnt running backs get hurt and have inconsistent seasons later in their career then too?? Emmitt was going into year 4 and the avg career for a running back is 4 years. Didn’t Emmitt take a lot of hits?? So kill that noise about being scared the running back will get hurt. Emmitt led the league in rushing 2 of the next 3 seasons after signing this contract and they won 2 more Super Bowls.
Yet I keep hearing all these b.s. armchair GMs trying to justify this on television and social media but I know where the bodies have been buried. Keep your eye on the reasons why you keep hearing “Running backs devalued” over and over by corporate controlled media and the propaganda peppering of “Its a passing game” shoved down your throat. Think about what Kwame Brown was saying was the role of Stephen A Smith and to a degree what I think Emmanuel Acho is doing.
This is nefarious…and it runs deeper than you think….I love the x’s and o’s of football, the players, stories and life lessons. Its the business and racial /political dynamics that bring you back to reality and let you know its not “just a game”