By Paul Casey Gotham
****Remember, try this without research. That is, make like Wally and release your inner James Joyce. Show us your stream of consciousness as you try to decipher the answer.
Is it cliche to say I am a Rodney Dangerfield of sorts? I don’t care. What do I have to do to get a little respect? Seven Pro Bowl selections and six of them consecutively – don’t you think I should have a spot in Canton? I guess not. Three times I was first-team All Pro. How many guys can claim that? Still, I have never heard the Canton call. I was an NFL leader in a statistical category three times and finished in the top five on seven other occasions. Oh yeah, that was a positive category in case you’re wondering. What do I get? Hall of fame finalist seven times. Geez. I played on just one losing team in my 14-year career. I played in 22 playoff games and on two Super Bowl winners. I can’t remember how many touches I got in those Super Bowls. They don’t clearly give you that stat. Don’t worry though, I got my touches on the ball. I was even a member of the 75th anniversary team. What does a guy have to do?
Who am I?
Geez Casey, no hints about where I’m from or anything beyond the football stuff. At first I was thinking offensive lineman, cause those seem to be the kind of guys who make 7 Pro Bowls without getting into Canton. But, there are no statistics for offensive lineman.
I’m confused by this: “I can’t remember how many touches I got in those Super Bowls.” This must mean we’re not talking about an offensive skills position player…right? I’m pretty sure those stats are readily available.
So, it could be a defensive player or maybe a punter or kicker. Played on good teams for his entire career, even some great teams. I’m still hung up on the “touches” hint.
Is it Ray Guy?
Ray Guy is a pretty good pick, Chas. I’m pretty sure he’s not in the HoF (yet), but at the same time, he’s got to be the all-time punter and therefore on the 75th anniversary team. Certainly played for a few Super Bowl winners with Oakland. Makes sense that it would be a “specialty position” for the player to be on the anniversary team but not in the HOF. I tell ya … punters get no respect!
If it’s not Guy, maybe it’s a defensive back who got quite a few interceptions for one of the “dynasty teams” back in ’70s-early ’90s era. Two-time Super Bowl winner has to be a major clue. Dolphins? Could be Dick Anderson. Steelers? Could be Donnie Shell. Raiders? Could be Mike Haynes. Some of these guys are in the HoF though. Maybe it’s a kick returner … like Billy WhiteShoes Johnson.
Yeah, if it’s a defensive player, touches would be referring to interceptions. A kicker doesn’t get “touches,” so to speak, so it’s most likely a defensive back, punter or kick returner…probably one of the latter two categories. The lack of statistics that Casey refers to probably means there’s only passing, rushing and receiving data available.
I still think it’s Ray Guy. There used to be a lot of talk about the fact there are no punters in the Hall of Fame and, if anyone deserved it, it should be him. So, the Rodney Dangerfield tag definitely sticks.
Ray Guy is the answer. I had a couple of sentences that I deleted. I thought they gave away the answer. Great job deciphering the hieroglyphics.
This one was in my relatively small football wheelhouse.
All I can say is … timing is everything. Sorry for reaming you with that other post, Casey. You just snuck this in 😉
In case you were wondering the other sentences looked something like this – My owner raised a few eyebrows when he took me in the first round. Of course, he raises eyebrows on a regular basis.
Chas – your “small” wheelhouse has already resulted in a couple of correct answers.