GIF's Top Ten Best Tight Ends Not In The Hall Of Fame

Discussion in 'NFL General Discussion' started by BigBlueBruiser, Jul 11, 2010.

  1. Honorable Mention

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    Bob Tucker
    New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings
    *1970-1980
    1x AP Second Team All-Pro selection (1972)
    Sporting News First Team All-Conference (1972)
    UPI Second Team All-Conference (1972)
    Pro Football Writers First Team All-NFL (1972)
    1969 Atlantic Coast Football League Champion (
    Pottstown Firebirds vs. Hartford Knights)
    156 Career Games Played
    422 Receptions
    5,421 Receiving Yards
    26
    Receiving Touchdowns
    12.8 Yards Per Catch
    6 Carries
    6 Rushing Yards
    1 Rushing Touchdown
    1 Yard Per Carry
    4 Fumble Recoveries
    Third all-time in NFL history for career Receptions among tight ends at the time of his retirement in 1981 (422, behind Hall of Famer's Mike Ditka & Jackie Smith. Currently ranked eighteenth.)
    Fourth all-time in NFL history for career Receiving Yards among tight ends at the time of his retirement in 1981 (5,421: behind Hall of Famer's Mike Ditka & Jackie Smith, and Jerry Smith. Currently ranked fifteenth.)
    Led NFC in Receptions in 1971 (59)
    First tight end in NFL history to lead the NFC in receptions (59 in 1971)
    Second all-time in NFL history for career Receptions in the 1970's (407)
    Thirteenth all-time in NFL history for career Receiving Yards in the 1970's (5,248)
    NFL's all-time leader in career Receptions among tight ends in the 1970's (407)
    NFL's all-time leader in career Receiving Yards among tight ends in the 1970's (5,248)
    Fourth all-time in NFL history for
    career Receiving Yards per game among tight ends in the 1970's (37.5)
    Ninth all-time in NFL history for career
    Receiving Touchdowns among tight ends in the 1970's (26)
    New York Giants all-time leader in career Receptions among tight ends at the time of his retirement in 1981 (327: Since broken by Jeremy Shockey in 2007)
    New York Giants all-time leader in career Receiving Yards among tight ends (4,376)
    New York Giants all-time leader in career Receiving Touchdowns among tight ends at the time of his retirement in 1981 (26: Since broken by Mark Bavaro in 1990)
    Eighth all-time in New York Giants history in career Receptions
    Ninth all-time
    in New York Giants history in career Receiving Yards
    First New York Giant to lead the NFC in
    Receptions (59 in 1971)
    Missed just 4 games in 11 seasons (Played in 156 out of a possible 160 games)


    *Tried out with the Philadelphia Eagles & Boston Patriots in the late 1960's. Joined the Pottstown Firebirds of the Atlantic Coast Football League in 1969. Signed with the New York Giants in 1970.


    Tucker is the most prolific tight end in New York Giants history and statistically ranks among the best tight ends in NFL history. His stats and accomplishments also rivals some of the tight ends that are already enshrined in Canton. Tucker was also the first tight end in NFL history to lead the NFC in receptions when he caught 59 passes in 1971.

    Despite Tucker's accolades, Tucker was never selected to the Pro Bowl and only made one All-Pro team. This was due in large part that Tucker played during the worst era in Giants history, the 1970's. The Giants never made the playoffs during the 1970's and only had 2 winning seasons in the decade of the 70's (1970,1972). 1970 & 1972 were the only seasons the Giants won more than five games in Tucker's seven seasons with the Giants. The Giants last playoff appearance before Tucker's arrival was in 1963 when they lost in the NFL Championship to the Chicago Bears. The Giants did not reach the playoffs again until 1981, the same year Tucker retired with the Minnesota Vikings.

    Tucker was one of the Giants few bright spots during the 70's, racking up the most receptions and receiving yards ever for a tight end during the decade. Tucker is second all-time in receptions and receiving yards during the 70's behind former NFL wide receiver Harold Jackson. Extremely durable, Tucker missed just four games in 11 seasons due to injury.

    Tucker's accomplishments should definitely earn him a place in Canton but lack of Pro Bowl appearances and playing on bad Giant teams are the main reasons why Tucker has yet to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tucker can also be considered one of the best players in NFL history to never be selected to the Pro Bowl.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 31, 2010