A hot topic in NFL circles right now, thanks to comments by T.O. and retorts by Jerry Rice, is debating the greatest pass catchers to play the wide receiver position. Being an elite receiver in the NFL is an arduous task as so many factors contribute to stardom at this position: QB’s to get you the ball, staying injury free, rule changes, elite corners in your division and many other factors. Wide Receiver is very tough because plans are not usually drawn up around you as they may be for a running back or a QB and as earlier stated, you rely on another player to get you the ball.
Given the timing with the new Hall of Fame class announcement we thought we would come up with an elite list of receivers in our opinion.
10. (tie) Andre Reed – Bills, Redskins & Art Monk – Redskins, Jets, Eagles
It was hard choosing between these two as both were elite during their playing days while lacking the eccentricities or flash of many of the more modern receivers. Monk spent years on the Hall ballot and Reed will most likely do the same. The difference here is that Monk had the rings while Reed had slightly better stats when he finished up. Outside of the Super Bowl victories these two have a lot more similarities than differences and therefore will share the #10 spot.
9. Isaac Bruce – Rams, 49ers
Quietly under-appreciated, Isaac Bruce has had an elite Hall of Fame caliber career without many people talking about him. He is only one of six players with over 1,000 receptions, is second all time in yardage and has close to a hundred TDs. While Torry Holt received a lot more attention in St. Louis, Bruce put up huge numbers and never backed down into the “#2 receiver” role. Let’s not forget he was also part of, what many believe to be the best offense ever “The Greatest Show on Turf”.
8. Don Maynard – Giants, Titans, Jets, Rams
By the time Don Maynard retired in 1973 he held the career marks in receptions, yardage and was second in TDs scored. He was the epitome of consistency and while averaging almost 20 Y/R. It is my belief that Maynard is the single reason that overrated QB Joe Namath is a Hall of Famer. The young receiver was the best target a QB could hope for during the decade of the 1960s.
The two best years of Maynard’s career, 1967 and 1968, tell the tale of there being no coincidence as those were the two years the Jets were in contention for championships, the latter getting the job done.
7. Steve Largent – Seahawks
What happens to a Wide Receiver who is on one of the consistently worst NFL franchises for a span of over ten years? Well in Steve Largent’s case you break every receiving record in the books. Steve Largent looks like the average guy next door at 5’11″ 185 lbs. But what the man lacked in size he ever-so-greatly made up for in heart. Largent went on to be the first receiver to catch 100 TD passes and was a lock for the Hall of Fame.
As if this wasn’t enough accomplishment for one man he would later go on to the House of Representatives as their 1st congressional district representative. Not bad for a skinny kid from Tulsa.
6. Cris Carter – Eagles, Vikings, Dolphins
When your greatest critique is that “all you do is catch touchdown passes”, well it should signal a mighty fine career as an NFL wide receiver. It wasn’t easy for Carter who would struggle with addiction to Cocaine and Alcohol early in his playing days almost derailing his career before it started. He credits coach Buddy Ryan (who was the man behind the above quote) with turning his career around after cutting him from Philadelphia.
Carter would go on to be one of the best possession receivers ever and will get into the Hall of Fame very shortly after this years obvious snub.
5. Marvin Harrison – Colts
Although Harrison has recently been entangled in some quite disturbing legal issues, we can not forget what a dominant force he was catching the ball for the Indianapolis Colts throughout his 13 NFL seasons. Drafted at the end of the first round out of Syracuse, some thought Harrison was too undersized to play at the next level. He proved everyone of his naysayers wrong with a career that has him in the top five of every important receiving statistic. He also had what could be considered one of the top three single seasons ever when he recorded a record 143 catches for over 1,700 yards and 11 TDs.
We could argue all day that he had Peyton Manning as his QB and what not, but the play on the field speaks for itself. Let’s hope he doesn’t lessen a stellar career with a stupid act off the field.
4. Terrell Owens – 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Bills
For all the controversy, media banter and team squabbles, no one can deny that Terrell Owens has backed up his sometimes over eager mouth, with a Hall of Fame career. He is already statistically in the top five of all categories and still seems to be able to play at a high level because of an amazing conditioning routine. He has not gotten along with many QBs, probably because his ego is too big to share any limelight, but on the field he is a martyr with his desire to win and to be considered the greatest. While he may not get the latter recognition, it is safe to say that T.O. will be a lock Hall of Famer and amongst the greatest ever to catch a football.
3. Randy Moss – Vikings, Raiders, Patriots
If you account for pure talent, there has never been a better receiver ever. Randy Moss is an amazing pass catcher that seems to make everyone around him better (usually a QBs job). After a dominating career in Minnesota, most thought he was done when his career fizzled in Oakland (who’s dosen’t?), but after a trade to New England he had a resurgence that few if any ever see. Moss has had two careers that any single receiver would hope to have just one and done it despite attitude and mild drug issues. Just think what his numbers would look like if he didn’t spend two seasons of his prime in the black hole known as Oakland.
2. Jerry Rice – 49ers, Seahawks, Raiders
I know it is controversial to go against the grain here but Rice played in an era where the passing game was becoming universally recognized as the norm in pro football. With Joe Montana and Steve Young throwing him the ball, Rice’s numbers have been inconceivable. He has shattered all records and despite semi-embarrassing stints in Oakland and Seattle managed to save face, recently being inducted as a unanimous choice into the Hall of Fame. Putting Rice at #2 is not down playing what he has accomplished, but putting into perspective why our #1 deserves to be at the top of the list.
1. Don Hutson – Packers
It is very easy to forget what someone accomplished over 60 years ago, but Don Hutson was the Babe Ruth of football for what he achieved in the the time he did and just how far he was separated from the competition in his day. In an era where the running game was 80-90% of the offense for teams, Hutson revolutionized the passing game. His 1942 effort was astounding for the time when he caught over 70 passes for over 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns! By the time he was finished it would be decades before his records were broken; and while Jerry Rice has records that may never be broken, the passing game was much more accepted in the 1980s-present than it was in the 1940s. Hutson was an enigma for his speed as well and while Rice was running exceptional routes — Hutson INVENTED the routes. For all these reasons we gave the Green Bay great the nod, however slight, over the great Jerry Rice.