Reviewing 1992:
Once known chiefly as a running game in the early history of football, today's game is more pass oriented than ever. Today's middle linebackers doubles as range rovers who drop deep on passing downs. Wide receiver can downright fly goal-line-to-goal-line and defensive corner backs cover sideline-to-sideline pass patterns.
A lot of specific characteristics are needed in pro football in the 1990s - and even the best players don't have all of them.
And as we all know, offensive lineman are getting bigger and stronger and are highly capable of providing the much needed shell on both the middle and ends of the line.
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Standout Defensive Players:
Compiled by staff@footballhistotrian.com
* Ronnie Lott, Los Angeles Raiders, Strong Safety - a legendary defensive safety, he is a 10 time Pro-Bowler in his first 12 years in the NFL... a seven-time All-Pro. Lott's instincts, intelligent and keen sense of anticipation he well-known. He's captured the attention of football fans and media alike with his hard-hitting with the 49ers from 1981-90 and in his first two years with the Raiders. He has registered 60 career interceptions, including a career-best 10 in 1986. This past season - 1992 he led all Raiders with 103 tackles... A future Hall of Famer, he is rated by many as one of the best strong safeties in pro football history.
* Pat Swilling, New Orleans Saints, Linebacker - rates as one of the most explosive outside linebackers in professional football history... a devastating pass rusher, he was named an NFL All-Pro for the second successive year 1991 and 1992. He was drafted out of Georgia Tech in '86 and has 76.5 career sacks in his 7-year career, including 16.5 in '89 and a personal high of 17 in '91.
* Moe Gardner, Atlanta Falcons, Nose Tackle - a massive body of strength, the 6ft, 2inch- 258-pounder finished his second season in the NFL and is already judged one of the quickest going around blockers and is equally capable at defending against the pass or run. Moe Gardner was voted the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1991 when he topped all rookie lineman with a compelling 96 tackles.
* Nate Odomes, Buffalo Bills, Cornerback - drafted from the University of Wisconsin in '87... he plays with relentless intensity and has high 4.4 speed... he intercepted 5 passes in '92, the third time he's picked off that number in the past 4 seasons for the Bills. In 1992, Odomes was 2nd on the squad with 63 tackles and 2nd with 14 passes defended. * Todd Lyght, Los Angeles Rams, Cornerback - an outstanding all-around athlete, he's agile and his great speed enables him to excel in zone coverage. Lyght missed all of the first half of his rookie year with an injury, but came back strong in the and replaced longtime Rams' starter Jerry Gray... in 1992 he had 3 interceptions, good for 80 yards and chalked up 14 passes defended in 12 starts.
* Bryan Cox, Miami Dolphins, Outside Linebacker - he was an obscure No. 113 draft pick in 1991... and then his compelling aggressiveness and tough hitting vaulted the 2nd year man to a Pro Bowl starter in 1992. Dolphins' head coach Don Shula declares: 'Bryan Cox is one of the big reasons for our improved defense. He has that intense, driven spirit that I like.' In '92, Cox had 14 sacks, a fumble recovery and one interception.
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Standout Offensive Lineman:
* Mike Kenn, Atlanta Falcons, Offensive Tackle - power-packed, the 6ft, 7inch- 277-pounder is 'as good a pass blocker as any in football history... a standout performer, he'll start his 16th season - drafted from the University of Michigan back in '78... Opposing players and coaches state: 'he takes no guff from anyone' and 'has superior balance and the best hands in the league.'
* Mike Munchak, Houston Oilers, Offensive Guard - the 6ft,3inch-280-pounder is acknowledged to be one of the strongest men in the NFL... his sterling on-field performances has enabled him to be voted for the Pro Bowl for six consecutive years, and eight time in his 11 NFL seasons... he's the prime force in protecting the Oilers' quarterback, Warren Moon. Munchak's out of Penn State and was drafted back in 1982. * Joel Hilgenberg, New Orleans Saints, Offensive Center - one of the smartest ball-snappers in the NFL... he was selected for his first Pro Bowl Game in '92 - a long awaited honor after nine solid seasons with the Saints. He's regarded as fundamentally sound and consistent as any center in the league. Joel is the younger brother of eight time Pro-Bowler, Jay.
* John Gesek, Dallas Cowboys, Offensive Guard - one of the best in this era, he leads the blocking for the NFL's leader rusher, Emmitt Smith... Gesek was dreafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1987 and although he has been nagged by injuries in past, he started all 16 Cowboy games in '92 and played a major role in the team's success as World Champions in 1992.
* Bern Brostek, Los Angeles Rams, Center - an All-American at Washington University, he has performed at left guard and center in his three-year pro career... he has great bulk (6ft,3inch-300lbs) 'is strong as a bull' and is a team leader in the Rams' workout room - Brostek is generally regarded as the toughest player in the NFL to push aside.
* Bruce Armstrong, New England Patriots, Offensive Tackle - the loss of Armstrong with torn knee ligaments for the last 8 games of the '92 season was a serious blow for New England. Rated as the top offensive lineman on the squad, the 6ft,4inch- 284-pounder was drafted in 1987... a superb blocker, Armstrong sets up quickly and is a master at sustaining his position.
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Football Historian
The 1992 season was one of the most prosperous ever for many National Football League teams. The Dallas Cowboys were picked by most sporting magazines to finish out of the running, however, a group of hard-hitting, young defensive players propelled the Cowboys into the Super Bowl.
In Super Bowl XXVII, the Cowboys' quick, young defensive unit made all the difference in the game by forcing a record nine turnovers - 4 interceptions and 5 fumbles - by the Buffalo Bills. The turnovers led to 35 points in Dallas' 52-17 romp over Buffalo.
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* Alvin Harper, Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver - in just his second year, 1992, the sure-handed, high leaper caught the attention of football fans when he caught a 70-reception, to set up a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers... and then, he scored on a 45-yard pass/play against Buffalo in the Super Bowl.
* Nate Newton, Dallas Cowboys Guard - the 6ft, 3inch, 332-pounder is as good as any right guard playing in professional football... the massive, physically dominating offensive guard is one of the Cowboys leading offensive linemen... Newton, in his 8th year in the NFL was picked for the Pro Bowl in 1992.
* Thurman Thomas, Buffalo Bills Running Back - rated as the top running back in the early 1990s... he swift and devasting as he powers thru the inside or outside of the line, and is almost unstop-able one-on-one. Thurman Thomas set a NFL record by leading the league in combined yardage - 1,487 yards rushing and 626 yards receiving.
* Steve Tasker, Buffalo Bills Special Teams - he has made an art out of special teams' play and is said to be: 'the best in the NFL in his specially'... in 1992, for the 3rd successive year and fourth time since joining the Bills in 1987 Tasker was selected to play in the Pro Bowl. He's relentless defensively on special team coverage on punts and kickoff returns - and has 3 career fumble recoveries.
* Chris Mohr, Buffalo Bills Punter - one of the top punters in the league, he had the 5th highest in the AFC with a 36.8 net/yard average... in 1992, he kicked 60 punts, and he placed 13 inside the 20-yard line, seven were touchbacks and just 22 were returned - best in the AFC.
* Henry Thomas, Minnesota Vikings, Defense Tackle - a muscular, quick tackler... in his 6th season with Minnesota - 1992... he has already registered 40 lifetime sacks and recovered 7 fumbles. A focused, hard-rusher, in 1992 Thomas made 69 tackles and ranked 4th on the team with six quarterback sacks.
* Bill Romanowski, San Francisco 49ers, Linebacker - the 6ft, 4inch- 230-pounder became a regular the past three seasons, 1990-92... a all-around athlete, with plenty of speed, he noted for his ability to chase down ball carriers and is fast enough to drop off... Romanowski is in his fifth season with San Francisco and has collected 6 career fumbles... comes out of Boston College.
* Mark Clayton, Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver - a fixture for Miami for 10 years... he was drafted in '83 after attending Louisville... one of the AFC top ballhawks, Clayton has gone over 1,000 yards on pass receptions in five different seasons, and has 8,643 career yards on 550 receptions, a stunning 15.7 average, and has carried a total of 81 into the end zone for TD. He is super fast, muscular and rates as the Dolphins main deep threat.
* Hugh Miller, New England Patriots Quarterback - the loss of Miller for nine games of the 1992 season blew most of the chances for New England to produce a winning year... he's been in pro football for six years - the last two with the Patriots... in '91 he threw for 9 touchdowns and completed 246-of-409 passes, for a total of 3,073 yards and looked like he would carry the team to a winning season in '92.
* Tim Krumrie, Cincinnati Bengals Nose Tackle - even after playing for a decade for Cincinnati and a broken leg suffered in Super Bowl XXIII, Krumrie remained as one of the Bengals' top lineman... in 1992 he led the team with 97 tackles... and has 30.5 career sacks.
