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Bleacher Report article attempts to ID "The Best NFL Player from Every FBS College Football Team"


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1007 ... tball-team

Suishem?, nothing against him but how can they choose him over a Martin Bayless, Phil Villipiano or Dave Preston? I saw Don Hutson for Alabama so I know there is no recent time limit that I'm missing.

Bob Reynolds and Doug Smith would also have to be considered.

I'd have to go with Villapiano. Bernie Casey had some good years with the 49ers and Rams. I remember Reynolds being honored at a basketball game back in the '70s. He was a BIG man. Looked like he was wearing shoulder pads even dressed in a suit and tie.

Falconbadger wrote:I'd have to go with Villapiano. Bernie Casey had some good years with the 49ers and Rams. I remember Reynolds being honored at a basketball game back in the '70s. He was a BIG man. Looked like he was wearing shoulder pads even dressed in a suit and tie.

When I was in school, players were expected to actually work for their scholarships...1st time I ever saw Reynolds, he was pushing a dust mop along the floor in, I believe Rogers (or Kohl)...he came thru the door, completely filling the doorframe...Turned out he'd graduated mid year from Cleveland schools (J.Adams, I think) and was just starting his BG career... ONE VERY LARGE MAN to say the least, though now, he'd be considered on the small side for an OL.

But I agree with the previous posts...no way does Shaun qualify as the BEST BG player ever in the NFL... The guys already mentioned would have to be considered better... Bernie was a 1st round draft pick for crying out loud.

Class of 61 wrote: But I agree with the previous posts...no way does Shaun qualify as the BEST BG player ever in the NFL... The guys already mentioned would have to be considered better... Bernie was a 1st round draft pick for crying out loud.

But was he or any of the others more productive? Not hating just asking. Suisham currently is a very important player in the Steelers organization and this is the case everywhere else he has played. I get that it is a little embarassing that they singled out a kicker as our best NFL player but maybe there is a good arguement for that.

Shaun is a good player, no doubt.

But ...

Phil Villapiano was a second-round pick who not only played 13 years in the league, he was selected to play in four consecutive Pro Bowls. He helped his team advance to - and win - Super Bowl XI (the fumble he caused in that game was clutch, too).

Four Pro Bowls - that's pretty impressive. When you add in the fact that he was playing opposite a future Hall of Famer - Ted "Kick 'em" Hendricks, that's even more impressive. He didn't get lost in the shuffle. I believe he was also considered an All Pro, but I can never seem to find official references for that.

Casey has a Pro Bowl to his credit, which is better than Shaun, I guess, but I'd be hard-pressed to find someone from BG who had a better NFL career than Villapiano.

Suisham is a kicker. Kickers shouldn't be eligible for this award.

Obviously I'm too young to remember him, but I'd be hard pressed to pick anybody other than Phil Villapiano for this award. Multiple pro bowls and a long productive career.

Bernie Casey was also in Im gonna get you sucka...which makes him more awesome.

Doug Smith was a long time center for the LA Rams, I believe....not sure about all pro status, but had a long career. Linemen obviously don't get the publicity that skill players (even kickers) do, but can't be overlooked when you're trying to ID successful players from a school.

Another guy that comes to mind is a WR for N. Orleans, originally from Chagrin Falls HS.... (and my age is showing, because I just drew a blank on his name)

1987alum wrote:Shaun is a good player, no doubt.

But ...

Phil Villapiano was a second-round pick who not only played 13 years in the league, he was selected to play in four consecutive Pro Bowls. He helped his team advance to - and win - Super Bowl XI (the fumble he caused in that game was clutch, too).

Four Pro Bowls - that's pretty impressive. When you add in the fact that he was playing opposite a future Hall of Famer - Ted "Kick 'em" Hendricks, that's even more impressive. He didn't get lost in the shuffle. I believe he was also considered an All Pro, but I can never seem to find official references for that.

Casey has a Pro Bowl to his credit, which is better than Shaun, I guess, but I'd be hard-pressed to find someone from BG who had a better NFL career than Villapiano.

You sold me.

I knew Villapiano was good, didn't realize he was that good for that long. My first instinct was Casey, but Phil probably wins.

I'd be willing to bet just about every school in BG's boat has the same argument going on, where a very good player from the past is overlooked for a good player in the present by a lazy blogger. I think Shaun has put himself in the conversation over the last 3-4 years, but like the rest of you, don't think he's "the best." I hope he can stay on this path and validate this choice. Preferably in a different uniform.

Oh, and the next time I see a link that says The Bleacher Report has a list, someone punch me in the jewels before I click it and remember that they only work in slideshow format.

Class of 61 wrote: Another guy that comes to mind is a WR for N. Orleans, originally from Chagrin Falls HS.... (and my age is showing, because I just drew a blank on his name)

I would guess you're thinking of Jeff Groth?

Villipiano...followed by Bayless and Preston. Phil also gets kudos for running onto the field during the California Bowl in 1991 wearing that goofy hat.

Doug Smith played OL for 13 years in the NFL for the LA Rams and was a Pro Bowler SIX times. Many of you are just too young to remember him as he retired in 1991.

Bob Reynolds played 12 seasons and was a Pro Bowler three times for the St Louis Cardinals and New England Patroits. 2nd round draft pick.