Top 10 Impact Rookies over last 25 years (1 Viewer)

[reg]

Link

10. Brian Urlacher Bears, 2000

9. Jeremy Shockey Giants, 2002

8. Charles Woodson Raiders, 1998

7. George Rogers Saints, 1981

6. Ben Roethlisberger Steelers, 2004

5. Barry Sanders Lions, 1989

4. Jevon Kearse Titans, 1999

3. Eric Dickerson Rams, 1983

2. Lawrence Taylor Giants, 1981

1. Randy Moss Vikings, 1998

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Reg I think you missed Tony Mandarich. His negative impact on the Packers was legendary.

Oh...wait... you meant only positive impact from on field production, nevermind.

I kind of wonder if the list doesn't have room for Roethlisberger. Pretty impressive rookie campaign he had.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Reg I think you missed Tony Mandarich. His negative impact on the Packers was legendary.

Oh...wait... you meant only positive impact from on field production, nevermind.

I kind of wonder if the list doesn't have room for Roethlisberger. Pretty impressive rookie campaign he had.

He's #6. Although, I might have inched him a little higher, simply because of the impact a QB has on a team as opposed to the other positions, but I can't really argue with the top 5. Well, Sanders was a much better player than Roethlisberger is at this point, but his teams never really won anything, so it depends on how you define "impact", I guess.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Reg I think you missed Tony Mandarich.  His negative impact on the Packers was legendary.

Oh...wait... you meant only positive impact from on field production, nevermind.

I kind of wonder if the list doesn't have room for Roethlisberger.  Pretty impressive rookie campaign he had.

He's #6. Although, I might have inched him a little higher, simply because of the impact a QB has on a team as opposed to the other positions, but I can't really argue with the top 5. Well, Sanders was a much better player than Roethlisberger is at this point, but his teams never really won anything, so it depends on how you define "impact", I guess.

Apparently I can't read. Thanks GB. Maybe these Jelly Bellys I'm gobbling down have effected my eyesight or cognitive functioning.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Reg I think you missed Tony Mandarich.  His negative impact on the Packers was legendary.

Oh...wait... you meant only positive impact from on field production, nevermind.

I kind of wonder if the list doesn't have room for Roethlisberger.  Pretty impressive rookie campaign he had.

He's #6. Although, I might have inched him a little higher, simply because of the impact a QB has on a team as opposed to the other positions, but I can't really argue with the top 5. Well, Sanders was a much better player than Roethlisberger is at this point, but his teams never really won anything, so it depends on how you define "impact", I guess.

Apparently I can't read. Thanks GB. Maybe these Jelly Bellys I'm gobbling down have effected my eyesight or cognitive functioning.

Funny you should say that as I am wolfing down a bunch right now. I have a strange desire for the buttered popcorn ones; I used to hate them.

 

[-OZ-]

Well, Sanders was a much better player than Roethlisberger is at this point, but his teams never really won anything, so it depends on how you define "impact", I guess.

This is just for their rookie year, right?Hard to argue against Sanders impact as a rookie. 1750 combined yardage as a rookie is pretty impressive.

While I certainly won't disparage Ben's impact, I don't think Pittsburgh makes the playoffs this year without him, Lions without Barry would have been attrocious.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Well, Sanders was a much better player than Roethlisberger is at this point, but his teams never really won anything, so it depends on how you define "impact", I guess.

This is just for their rookie year, right?Hard to argue against Sanders impact as a rookie. 1750 combined yardage as a rookie is pretty impressive.

While I certainly won't disparage Ben's impact, I don't think Pittsburgh makes the playoffs this year without him, Lions without Barry would have been attrocious.

His numbers were awesome, but the Lions went 7-9. Roethlisberger took a team coming off a 6-10 season that was 1-1 (for all intents and purposes - they squeaked by a lousy Oakland team 24-21 and were getting handled by Baltimore) and won 15 straight games. While Sanders' individual numbers and play was certainly better, a case could sure be made that Roethlisberger had a bigger TEAM impact. Like I said, it all depends on how you define it, but it's not really worth arguing. Sanders was one of the great football players of all-time and was electric pretty much from day 1.

 

[-OZ-]

Thinking about this for a minute, the player I see noticeably missing is Emmit Smith. 6 game turn around, from 1-15 to 7-9, while he failed to net 1,000 yards rushing, he had over 1100 total yards and 11 TDs.

 

[LBH]

E.James??? 2000+combined yards 17 total TDs

 

[-OZ-]

E.James??? 2000+combined yards 17 total TDs

Add to that a 10 game turnaround, how is he not on this list.

Forget Emmitt. Edge needs to be on here.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

E.James??? 2000+combined yards 17 total TDs

WOW... nice catch. Team went from 3-13 to 13-3 too.... a case could be made for him at #1 overall. To not be on the list is a terrible oversight.

 

[cstu]

Reg I think you missed Tony Mandarich. His negative impact on the Packers was legendary.

Oh...wait... you meant only positive impact from on field production, nevermind.

I kind of wonder if the list doesn't have room for Roethlisberger. Pretty impressive rookie campaign he had.

If they drafted Barry Sanders instead then they probably don't overhaul the team and trade for Favre. So who knows, maybe he was good for them in the long-run.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Reg I think you missed Tony Mandarich.  His negative impact on the Packers was legendary.

Oh...wait... you meant only positive impact from on field production, nevermind.

I kind of wonder if the list doesn't have room for Roethlisberger.  Pretty impressive rookie campaign he had.

He's #6. Although, I might have inched him a little higher, simply because of the impact a QB has on a team as opposed to the other positions, but I can't really argue with the top 5. Well, Sanders was a much better player than Roethlisberger is at this point, but his teams never really won anything, so it depends on how you define "impact", I guess.

Apparently I can't read. Thanks GB. Maybe these Jelly Bellys I'm gobbling down have effected my eyesight or cognitive functioning.

Funny you should say that as I am wolfing down a bunch right now. I have a strange desire for the buttered popcorn ones; I used to hate them.

I'll trade you my buttered popcorn for your toasted marshmellows or your coconuts (the jellybeans obviously, not your junk after a night with cocoagirl)

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Reg I think you missed Tony Mandarich.  His negative impact on the Packers was legendary.

Oh...wait... you meant only positive impact from on field production, nevermind.

I kind of wonder if the list doesn't have room for Roethlisberger.  Pretty impressive rookie campaign he had.

He's #6. Although, I might have inched him a little higher, simply because of the impact a QB has on a team as opposed to the other positions, but I can't really argue with the top 5. Well, Sanders was a much better player than Roethlisberger is at this point, but his teams never really won anything, so it depends on how you define "impact", I guess.

Apparently I can't read. Thanks GB. Maybe these Jelly Bellys I'm gobbling down have effected my eyesight or cognitive functioning.

Funny you should say that as I am wolfing down a bunch right now. I have a strange desire for the buttered popcorn ones; I used to hate them.

I'll trade you my buttered popcorn for your toasted marshmellows or your coconuts (the jellybeans obviously, not your junk after a night with cocoagirl)

I love the toasted marshmallow ones, but I'll trade you the coconut ones. This is a Grade-A Certified Angus hijack, by the way.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

nice to see no questions about my boy dickerson...

don't know if he can be squeezed in (i agree with edge needing to be on list)...

he didn't have massive impact on team's record, but anquan boldin had spectacular debut for WR... most receptions in history (101?), & second all time in yards at 1,300+ (almost taking down THAT record, which has stood for four+ decades)...

do they have gulden drak jelly bellies?

 

[WhoDat]

Can't believe Edge is not on the list. Nice catch.

Poor Billy Simms just missed consideration.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Marshall Faulk:

1994 Indianapolis Colts

Rush: 314/1282 - 11 TDS

Rec: 52/522 - 1 TD

Combined 1804 Yards and 12 TDS.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

nice to see no questions about my boy dickerson...

don't know if he can be squeezed in (i agree with edge needing to be on list)...

he didn't have massive impact on team's record, but anquan boldin had spectacular debut for WR... most receptions in history (101?), & second all time in yards at 1,300+ (almost taking down THAT record, which has stood for four+ decades)...

do they have gulden drak jelly bellies?

No, but I'm picking some up on my way home today. Gulden Draak, that is, not Jelly Bellies.

 

[Workhorse]

Here's one REALLY overlooked guy:

TERRY GLENN

90 catches, 1132 yrds, 6 TDs

Was the single most important new player to help take the Pats from a 6-10 joke to 11-5 and a Super Bowl appearance.

 

[trader jake]

8. Charles Woodson Raiders, 1998

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Link

10. Brian Urlacher Bears, 2000

9. Jeremy Shockey Giants, 2002

8. Charles Woodson Raiders, 1998

7. George Rogers Saints, 1981

6. Ben Roethlisberger Steelers, 2004

5. Barry Sanders Lions, 1989

4. Jevon Kearse Titans, 1999

3. Eric Dickerson Rams, 1983

2. Lawrence Taylor Giants, 1981

1. Randy Moss Vikings, 1998

This guy make any impact?http://snap.stats.com/stats/nflinfo/player...?id=4&Submit=Go

1983 Mia TD/INT 20/6 QB rating 96.0

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1983.htm

AFC

East

Miami Dolphins

W L PF PA

12 4 389 250

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia1983.htm

1983 Miami Dolphins

Record: 12 - 4 - 0

Pro Bowlers: Bob Baumhower (dl), Doug Betters (dl), Mark Duper (wr), Bob Kuechenberg (ol), Dan Marino (qb), Ed Newman (ol), Dwight Stephenson (ol).

 

[Bob_Magaw]

marino AND edge have to be on list (boldin, too, imo)...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Marshall Faulk:

1994 Indianapolis Colts

Rush: 314/1282 - 11 TDS

Rec: 52/522 - 1 TD

Combined 1804 Yards and 12 TDS.

Hellooooo?

 

[5Rings]

Thinking about this for a minute, the player I see noticeably missing is Emmit Smith. 6 game turn around, from 1-15 to 7-9, while he failed to net 1,000 yards rushing, he had over 1100 total yards and 11 TDs.

I think Aikman's maturation was as big a reason as Emmitt for the Cowboys improvement, and might have had some impact on keeping Smith off this list.

 

[amnesiac]

if we're looking at team impact, does Jeremy Shockey belong on this list?

i know he put up a boatload of stats, but they got bounced by San Fran as a wildcard.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

Marshall Faulk:

1994 Indianapolis Colts

Rush: 314/1282 - 11 TDS

Rec: 52/522 - 1 TD

Combined 1804 Yards and 12 TDS.

Hellooooo?

yeah, you're right...how to tier

marino

faulk

edge

boldin

for those ouside listed top 10?

 

[WhoDat]

Good catch on Marino and Faulk.

 

[Velcro]

Marino? Never heard of him.

 

[boubucarow]

Not a big fan of SI in any way. The writing is overated and the sports IQ is dissapointing. This list looks like a poster's list of the top of the head. It obviously wasn't researched.

 

[Rush]

Here's another one that has to be considered:

Curt Warner

| Rushing | Receiving |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| Year TM | G | Att Yards Y/A TD | Rec Yards Y/R TD |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| 1983 sea | 16 | 335 1449 4.3 13 | 42 325 7.7 1 |He was overshadowed by Dickerson, but would have been rookie of the year most years.Nice topic!

 

[Rush]

Here's another one:

Billy Sims

Rushing         |        Receiving        |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| Year  TM |   G |   Att  Yards    Y/A   TD |   Rec  Yards   Y/R   TD |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| 1980 det |  16 |   313   1303    4.2   13 |    51    621  12.2    3 |

 

[Kleck]

1983 RB Curt Warner, SEA

Took them to the AFC title game after being the Seahawks were a joke for years. When 1984 rolled around Seattle was favored to win it all by Vegas odds makers, but then Warner blew his knee in week 1.

1983 was a big year for impact rookies with Marino, Warner, and Dickerson.

Edit: Oops, Rush beat me to it.

 

[boubucarow]

Probably not in the top ten list with all the omissions but still worth a mention. Mark Carrier with 8 picks for the Bears his rookie year.

 

[gregjcross]

um, Junior Seau

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Another vote for Edge needing to be on the list here. 2150 yards and 17 TDs!

 

[yortstop]

That is a terrible list...

Marcus Allen should be #1 on the list...

1981 Raiders 7-9

1982 Raiders 8-1 (Tied for Best Record in NFL)

1982 Rookie Stats for Allen

9 Games

697 Yards Rushing

11 Touchdowns

4.4 Avg

38 Receptions

401 Yards

3 Touchdowns

10.6 Avg

Project Allen's stats over a non strike shortened year...anyone watching NFL Football for the last 25 years knows full well the impact of Marcus Allen.

DOH!!! This is what I was thinking as I read through the post...how could Allen's great rookie season be forgoten. Great to se it wasnt and no doubt belongs on the top ten list atleast.

 

[marinolives13]

Dan Marino should be on that list! The rookie qb ever.

 

[Blackjacks]

Moss was pretty awesome that rookie year. Edge has to me on there and probably getting overlooked but Javon Kearse was a stud his rookie year. If anyone thinks he shouldn't be on that list you didn't see him that year. (I know he's on there.)

 

[Bob Henry]

Earl Campbell just missed the 25 year cut off, else I'd have to say he'd be #1 or darn close. NFL MVP or Player of the Year his first two seasons in the league. He was the Oilers offense.

 

[Iron_Far]

Jeremy Shockey made this list???? WTF for???? 894 yards and 2 (yes, ONLY TWO!) TDs... :X

I ain't saying it's East Coast Bias, but....

 

[Texasmouth]

Well, Sanders was a much better player than Roethlisberger is at this point, but his teams never really won anything, so it depends on how you define "impact", I guess.

This is just for their rookie year, right?Hard to argue against Sanders impact as a rookie. 1750 combined yardage as a rookie is pretty impressive.

While I certainly won't disparage Ben's impact, I don't think Pittsburgh makes the playoffs this year without him, Lions without Barry would have been attrocious.

His numbers were awesome, but the Lions went 7-9. Roethlisberger took a team coming off a 6-10 season that was 1-1 (for all intents and purposes - they squeaked by a lousy Oakland team 24-21 and were getting handled by Baltimore) and won 15 straight games. While Sanders' individual numbers and play was certainly better, a case could sure be made that Roethlisberger had a bigger TEAM impact. Like I said, it all depends on how you define it, but it's not really worth arguing. Sanders was one of the great football players of all-time and was electric pretty much from day 1.

I think the Steelers make the playoffs that year without Roth if and ONLY IF they change the game plan the way they did when Roth came in. Argue it all you want, the Steelers thought they were the 1999 Rams with Tommy Maddox back there. Once Maddox went down, they went back to smash mouth football with very little emphasis on the QB throwing the ball/winning games. The turn around of that team had very little to do with Roth and a lot to do with a great running game, great defense and a mistake free game plan for the QB. Not taking a whole lot away from Roth, the kid can play but that season was really over rated in my opinion.

 

[strong]

That is a terrible list...

Marcus Allen should be #1 on the list...

1981 Raiders 7-9

1982 Raiders 8-1 (Tied for Best Record in NFL)

1982 Rookie Stats for Allen

9 Games

697 Yards Rushing

11 Touchdowns

4.4 Avg

38 Receptions

401 Yards

3 Touchdowns

10.6 Avg

Project Allen's stats over a non strike shortened year...anyone watching NFL Football for the last 25 years knows full well the impact of Marcus Allen.

Marcus Allen's projections over 16 games:Rush: 1239 yds, 19.6 TDs

Rec: 713 yds, 5.3 TDs

Total: 1952 yds, 24.9 TDs

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Another vote for Marino being included.

 

[JAA]

Dan Marino should be on that list! The rookie qb ever.

last 20 years

 

[Despyzer]

Dan Marino should be on that list! The rookie qb ever.

last 20 years

The thread states the last 25 years. Marino ought to be on that list.

 

[Tenacious D]

Ronnie Lott

 

[Nihilist Pig]

Everson Walls.

11 picks in 1981 regular season, then played absolutely out of his mind to almost single handedly keep Dallas in "The Catch" game against SF in the NFC championship. Two more picks, bunch of deflections and defenses, bunch of tackles too.

He wasn't anywhere near the best player on the list, but his rookie impact was near the top.

 

[LBH]

Bo Jackson made a big impact, but numbers suffered a little because of sharing carries with M.Allen. He was quite a force though

 

[Bob Henry]

Earl Campbell just missed the 25 year cut off, else I'd have to say he'd be #1 or darn close. NFL MVP or Player of the Year his first two seasons in the league. He was the Oilers offense.

O.A. "Bum" Phillips offensive coaching philosophy...Earl Campbell right...Earl Campbell left...Earl Campbell up the middle. Luv ya blue!

Just about the only thing I've seen more predictable than the Oilers with Earl and Bum Phillips was George Perles coaching Michigan State with Lorenzo White.

 

[Captain Blowhard]

Well, Sanders was a much better player than Roethlisberger is at this point, but his teams never really won anything, so it depends on how you define "impact", I guess.

This is just for their rookie year, right?Hard to argue against Sanders impact as a rookie. 1750 combined yardage as a rookie is pretty impressive.

While I certainly won't disparage Ben's impact, I don't think Pittsburgh makes the playoffs this year without him, Lions without Barry would have been attrocious.

Sanders single-handedly pulled the Lions up from the cellar; Ben was asked simply not to mess up and make mistakes on a loaded team. Big difference.