Gophers All-Time NFL Team

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WindyCityGopher

WindyCityGopher

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I came across an interesting article that listed Pitt's all-time football team, defined not by their success in college, but by their success in the NFL. I was impressed by the names on the list...many Hall of Fame luminaries and others who were excellent NFL players, so I wondered how the Minnesota all-time NFL team would look. Some great players to be sure, but really thin in some areas. Below are my thoughts. Would love to get input on the thoughts of others.

https://footballmaven.io/talkoffame/nfl/pitt-s-all-time-nfl-team-syib8bGKf0yfzlCpVdZ3ew/

Here’s my University Minnesota all-time NFL team:

Offense:
QB None, only one QB has ever thrown an NFL TD. Amazingly, the all-time Gopher NFL team doesn't have a QB
RB Bronco Nagurski, Hall of Fame
RB Marion Barber III, 1 Pro Bowl
WR Rick Upchurch, 3-time All-Pro, 4 Pro Bowls
WR Eric Decker, 8 seasons, 3 seasons 1,000+ receiving yards, 53 TDs
TE Charlie Sanders, Hall of Fame
OT Keith Fahnhorst, 14 seasons, 2-time Super Bowl champ, 2-time All-Pro
OT Matt Herkenhoff, 10 seasons
G Gale Gillingham, 2-time Super Bowl champ, 2-time All-Pro, 5 Pro Bowls
G Greg Larson, 12 seasons, 1 Pro Bowl
C Brian Williams, 9 seasons, Super Bowl champ

Defense:
DE Carl Eller, Hall of Fame
DE Aaron Brown, Super Bowl champ
DT Leo Nomellini, Hall of Fame
DT None
LB Karl Mecklenberg, 3-time All-Pro, 6 Pro Bowls
LB Bob Stein, 6 seasons, Super Bowl champ
LB Bobby Bell, Hall of Fame
DB Tyrone Carter, 11 seasons, 2-time Super Bowl champ
DB Jeff Wright, 12 INTs, 3 Super Bowl appearances
DB Tony Dungy, Hall of Fame
DB Kerry Glenn, 7 career INTs
PK Chip Lohmiller, 9 seasons, Super Bowl champ, 1 All-Pro
P Joe Prokop, 7 seasons
KR Marcus Sherels, 5 career punt returns for TDs
Coach Bud Grant, Hall of Fame
 


Keewatin's Geno Cappelletti put up some great numbers with the Patriots in the 60s as a split end/flanker/kicker. AFL HOF.
 

For defensive tackle, Ed Widseth, short career but considered among best...AllPro honors.

Or Dick Wildung...Packers HOF...played both ways.
 
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OK, how about this- move Nagurski to DT, and put Larry Buhler in at RB. for those who don't know, Buhler was a 3-year starter under Bernie Bierman, at a time when it was very rare for a Sophomore to crack the starting lineup. He was the team MVP as a senior, and played three years for the Green Bay Packers.
He retired from pro football after a car accident.

disclaimer - Buhler was from Windom MN, where I live now. There is a statue of him in the City Park.
 


Ricky Foggie won two Grey Cups. That said, I say throw Sandy Stephens in there. A black QB in the early 60s didn't get a real shot at playing in the NFL.
 

WindyCityGopher said:
I came across an interesting article that listed Pitt's all-time football team, defined not by their success in college, but by their success in the NFL. I was impressed by the names on the list...many Hall of Fame luminaries and others who were excellent NFL players, so I wondered how the Minnesota all-time NFL team would look. Some great players to be sure, but really thin in some areas. Below are my thoughts. Would love to get input on the thoughts of others.

https://footballmaven.io/talkoffame/nfl/pitt-s-all-time-nfl-team-syib8bGKf0yfzlCpVdZ3ew/

Here’s my University Minnesota all-time NFL team:

Offense:
QB None, only one QB has ever thrown an NFL TD. Amazingly, the all-time Gopher NFL team doesn't have a QB
RB Bronco Nagurski, Hall of Fame
RB Marion Barber III, 1 Pro Bowl
WR Rick Upchurch, 3-time All-Pro, 4 Pro Bowls
WR Eric Decker, 8 seasons, 3 seasons 1,000+ receiving yards, 53 TDs
TE Charlie Sanders, Hall of Fame
OT Keith Fahnhorst, 14 seasons, 2-time Super Bowl champ, 2-time All-Pro
OT Matt Herkenhoff, 10 seasons
G Gale Gillingham, 2-time Super Bowl champ, 2-time All-Pro, 5 Pro Bowls
G Greg Larson, 12 seasons, 1 Pro Bowl
C Brian Williams, 9 seasons, Super Bowl champ

Defense:
DE Carl Eller, Hall of Fame
DE Aaron Brown, Super Bowl champ
DT Leo Nomellini, Hall of Fame
DT None
LB Karl Mecklenberg, 3-time All-Pro, 6 Pro Bowls
LB Bob Stein, 6 seasons, Super Bowl champ
LB Bobby Bell, Hall of Fame
DB Tyrone Carter, 11 seasons, 2-time Super Bowl champ
DB Jeff Wright, 12 INTs, 3 Super Bowl appearances
DB Tony Dungy, Hall of Fame
DB Kerry Glenn, 7 career INTs
PK Chip Lohmiller, 9 seasons, Super Bowl champ, 1 All-Pro
P Joe Prokop, 7 seasons
KR Marcus Sherels, 5 career punt returns for TDs
Coach Bud Grant, Hall of Fame
Click to expand...

So no Bruce Smith? guy only won the heisman.
 




Would have played longer if not for being a fighter pilot in WWII,

That alone puts him ahead of Marion Barber.
 

I might give Tony Dungey the QB nod even though he was a DB in the NFL.
 

Any place for BBC or Hageman? Both have played well at weak spots in that roster.
 



highwayman said:
I might give Tony Dungey the QB nod even though he was a DB in the NFL.
Click to expand...

You can certainly make the argument that since Tony Dungey won a SB with the Indianapolis Colts that he would get the nod over Bud Grant as coach.
 



Always thought it was odd Eslinger didn't have a better pro career.
 

Alan Page earned a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School during his NFL career. I say that counts.
 


bemidjigopher said:
Is he good enough as a DB?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

45 career games, 9 INTs, 4 fumble recoveries and part of a Super Bowl winner. I'd say that's good enough, particularly given a very shallow pool of qualified candidates.
 

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