By Paul Casey Gotham
****Remember, try this without research. Release your inner James Joyce and show us your stream of consciousness as you try to decipher the answer.
I’m not sure I fit with your other Who Am I? cast. It seems like you guys spend a lot time dwelling on skill position players. Let me tell ya. Those guys wouldn’t get very far without any protection. Did you ever think of that? I protected. Let me tell you a little more about myself. I grew up in the Motor City and stayed in-state for college. I made my way to East Lansing. I was a first round draft pick and started in my first NFL game and every game after for the next eight seasons before I was traded. I got to know Lake Erie pretty well spending those first eight years in one city before moving to another along that Great Lake. Eventually, I returned to that original team for my last season. I was part of a line that did a good job of “plugging it in” and turning it loose. That’s how we got our nickname. Yeah, we helped a teammate set a single-season record. I was named first or second team All-Pro seven times and went to six Pro Bowls. Only two guys have been to more Pro Bowls at my position. Yeah, I got my bust in Canton. Come and see it some time.
Who am I?
I was about ready to give up on this one. Still, it’s a try of desperation. Offensive linemen are typically quite anonymous and the college clues about Michigan State didn’t quite send me on my way. Those clues about the Great Lakes were not real helpful … at first. But the clue about “plugging it in” and helping a teammate set a single season record made me think about the Buffalo Bills and the “Electric Company” … the offensive line that paved the way to OJ Simpson’s record setting yardage year. OJ was, of course, “The Juice”. So …. the ONLY offensive lineman I remember from the Bills back then is Joe Delamellure (spelling error I’m sure) and I’m sure he was ALL-Pro several times and a HoFer. So that’s my only and final answer.
I can’t think of anyone else on the O-Line from a Michigan school except Dan Dierdorf who went to Michigan and starred for the St Louis Cardinals. Of course, he stunk for the Skunbears 🙂
By the way … where are all you lifelong Bills fans on this one ?????
No idea on this one. Before my time if it is with the “Electric Company.”
hey man, I was lucky to know what Lake Erie was – not where, but what.
Joe DeLamielleure is the only player I can remember from OJ’s Electric Company, but I thought he spent more than 8 years in Buffalo.
Well, Wally and I are on the same page, except for Dierdorf EVER stinking for anyone, even the Skunkbears. Wonder if my spelling of DeLamielleure is accurate; going to look that one up right now.
Looks like I even nailed the spelling on this one, including the capital L and the ability to avoid the double “m” I wanted to insert each time. Also skimmed his bio quickly; I do believe we nailed this one Wally.
You guys remember an offensive lineman??? Too bad they don’t have that show anymore on ESPN they called “Stump the Schwab.” I think Pete and Wally could have done pretty well.
By definition, if one plays for the Skunkbears … they STINK. (It’s the “Skunk” part). Besides, all Michigan players make a stinky decision to attend that school in the first place.
Joe DeLamielleure is the answer, and yes, I copied and pasted Pete’s spelling because I was too lazy look it up. Pete, you get a helmet sticker just for spelling Joe D’s name without an aid. 🙂
Rey, not only remember, but spell name right too. We O-linemen stick together. You may not have noticed but a few weeks ago I noted that only 2 good things ever came out of USuC; Mike Garrett (the first TB from TBU) and Ron Yary (one of the greatest OL ever)! Unlike Wally re:skunkbears, I do not believe that EVERY player from USuC “sucs”, just MOST! Casey, thanks for the helmet sticker; I was pretty proud of that accomplishment!