Putting them under a different light...

I was talking about Bill Buckner at Fenway on Saturday. I didn't know that in 1986 he hit 18 home runs and had 102 RBI's. The year before he had 11 home runs and 110 RBI's. In 1986 he hit .267 and hit .299 in 1985. He had a career fielding percentage at first base of .992. He was tenth in NL MVP voting in 1981 and 1982. In 1980 he lead the NL with a .324 average. In 1981 and 1983 he lead the NL in doubles. He lead the AL in assists as a first baseman in 1985 and 1986.

Buckner wasn't amazing, but he did some good and did make one all star game.

Scott Norwood (Missed field goal Wide Right as time expired for the Bills against the Giants in Super Bowl. If he had made it the Bills actually would have won a Super Bowl)

Norwood was the leading point scorer in 1988 and also was a Pro Bowler that year and was an AP All Pro First Team selection in 1988 too.

Leon Lett is known for two stupid mistakes. He messed up on Thanksgiving against the Dolphins by touching a blocked field goal as time was expiring. Lett touched it rather than let it be blown dead. After he touched it and didn't possess it the Dolphins picked it up and got to re-kick for the win. In Super Bowl 27, when Dallas won 52-17, Lett had an easy touchdown on a fumble recovery except Lett held the ball out before crossing the endzone. Don Beebe came and knocked the ball out of his hands for a touchback and the Bills ball. If he had scored the Cowboys would have held the record for most points in a Super Bowl.

Lett was a two time Pro Bowler in 1994 and 1998. He also was a UPI 1994 First Team All Conference selection.

Matt Millen, regarded as one of the worst front office people in football while working with the Lions is another person who is always put in a bad light. The Lions went 31-97 in the 8 years he was there. Millen drafted Charles Rogers, Joey Harrington and Mike Williams (aka Who, Who and Who or Bust, Bust and Bust or Moe, Larry and Curly..which ever one you like best.)

As a player Millen won four Super Bowls and was a 1988 Pro Bowl selection.

(If you read this you learned that Scott Norwood and Matt Millen were 1988 Pro Bowlers..That will be a separate post)

Ray Finkle was pretty good too. According to the walls in his parents house it was Marino's fault for not putting the laces out.