Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL?

I don't know as much about football as... well as nearly all of you, but I know there are lot's of guys who relit their careers past their supposed prime. Some may even say this about Moss if they could take the goggles off.

SO, how about it? Anyone got any links to such stories or actual memories?

Might help ease the minds of some worried fans about vet acquisitions.

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Some names that poped into my mind


OTIS

Poole

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Rodney............

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Joe Montana

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Otis Smith
Bryan Cox
Anthony Pleasant
Bobby Hamilton
Roman Phifer
Mike Compton
Terrell Buckley
Antowain Smith
David Patten

And to some extent, Joe Andruzzi, Mike Vrabel, Larry Izzo...

Gotta love the '01 Pats.

Then the '03 Pats:

Rick Lyle
Tyrone Poole
Larry Centers
Rodney Harrison
Brian Kinchen
Don Davis
Ted Washington
Fred Baxter
J.J. Stokes
Fred McCrary

Those teams were an awesome combination of scrappy, cheap vets and some solid draft picks (although the 2001 draft, outside of Seymour and Light, didn't turn up much - the 2003 draft, outside of Bethel, did).

Not to mention Keith Traylor and Jim Miller in 2004.

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Corey Dillon

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Junior Seau played 2 nice years here after Miami thought he was done

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

This list is really ENDLESS as you can see from just the patriots....Flutie, Vinny, Harold Jackson, Shawn Jefferson,and others. The point is well made that vets have as good of a chance rekindling their careers as rookies have at making it to begin with. Add to that the obvious football IQ and character issues and you can see why guys get alot more than 1-2 chances.

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Fernando Bryant.

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Good lists, but I wouldn't consider Ted Washington washed up when we traded for him.

I also wouldn't call Jim Miller's time with the Patriots a comeback.

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

seriously though, we are greatly expanding the definition of "washed up" with most of these players.

If you are calling all these players washed up, you may as well add Randy Moss, Jabar Gafney, Bruschi / Troy Brown after 2000, Bobby Hamilton, Roman Phifer, and just about any veteran we've picked up to the list while you're at it.

Seasoned <> washed up .

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

A lot of Pats fans considered Jim Plunkett washed up.

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Every member of the "over the hill gang" in Washington under George Allen in the 70's.

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Tom Maddox of the Steelers who later gave way to Big Ben is the best example I can think of. David Patten being my favorite Patriot comeback story.

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

This was on NFL Network the other night. Very interesting, some of these guys were cut multiple times by multiple teams.

Top 10 NFL Cuts who went on to have great career:
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80a670c8

10. Jake Delhomme
9. Derek Anderson
8. Jack Kemp
7. Al Harris
6. Trent Green
5. Kurt Warner
4. Bob Kuechenberg
3. Tim Langer
2. Willie Brown
1. Johnny Unitas

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Jerry Rice

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

pats1 said:

Otis Smith
Bryan Cox
Anthony Pleasant
Bobby Hamilton
Roman Phifer
Mike Compton
Terrell Buckley
Antowain Smith
David Patten

And to some extent, Joe Andruzzi, Mike Vrabel, Larry Izzo...

Gotta love the '01 Pats.

Then the '03 Pats:

Rick Lyle
Tyrone Poole
Larry Centers
Rodney Harrison
Brian Kinchen
Don Davis
Ted Washington
Fred Baxter
J.J. Stokes
Fred McCrary

Those teams were an awesome combination of scrappy, cheap vets and some solid draft picks (although the 2001 draft, outside of Seymour and Light, didn't turn up much - the 2003 draft, outside of Bethel, did).

Not to mention Keith Traylor and Jim Miller in 2004.

Click to expand...

Sorry guys like Lyle, Davis, Baxter, Stokes, and McCrary are a stretch at best.

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Earl Morrall. He played for 4 teams and was 27-27 and 33 years old and considered washed up when he was released by the Giants. All he did was go 33-4 the next few years to the Colts and take them to Super Bowl 3 when Unitas was injured. Then he went to Miami and led them with a 13-1 record when Griese got hurt........

Re: Historians: Can we make a list of "washed up vets" who made a comeback in the NFL

Some players outside of New England:

Rich Gannon (career journey man who became league MVP in Oakland)
James Farrior (first round bust in NY, stud in Pittsburgh)
Leonard Davis (first round bust in Arizona, very good guard in Dallas)
Cris Carter (out of control bust in Philly, HOF in Minnesotta)
Hugh Douglas (Had a strong rookie season, but got progressively worse with the Jets to the point that they got rid of him and became dominant in Philly)

Those are a few off the top of my head