With his great speed, he caught a lot of passes underneath the coverage that most WR's wouldn't be afforded. He was double tough in order to last as long as he did while playing in that era.
@@markgardner9460 Yes, very good point. You know the Steelers tried to really pound him and Belitnikoff as retaliation for Tatum and Atkinson trying to put out Swann
Just subscribed. Became an NFL fan in 1972. Love these retro looks. Great idea on the mvp by year. Keep em coming buddy. Larry Brown for '72 of my beloved Redskins.😀
I graduated HS in 75,went right into Marines for 4 yrs. I didnt get to watch much NFL as i was on 2 med cruises. Its like i missed 4 yrs of the league,thanks.
I grew up in So Cal in the 70s and my dad took me to all the games in the Coliseum and I saw a lot of Lawrence McCutcheon in 74. We were the biggest Rams fans and that decade was filled with all the highs and lows. As good as LM was, Id put him slightly behind Cliff Branch. He was like a man who walked on air with how smooth he ran and played WR.
Thank you for your comments. If LM had more rushing touchdowns, he may have deserved to be ranked higher, but the Rams had better battering Rams than him to pound it in near the goal line.
I grew up in Orange County a Skins fan but my pops was a Rams fan. They were always good throughout the 70s, especially the defense, which was great with Youngblood, Dryer, Hacksaw Reynolds etc. Seems if they goy by Minnesota then Dallas got'em or vise versa. Great memories.
The Raiders were cooking with gas in 1974 - Stabler to Branch was burning a lot of teams. Branch mixing it up with Cleveland’s secondary in that week 4 game. 1974 was a great year for watching pro football. Thanks, Mark, wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Denis - Merry Christmas to you, too! I had to chuckle to myself when looking at Cleveland's ramped end zone - if you're running hard, the stop is not going to be easy cuz you're running out of real estate pretty quickly.
@@markgardner9460 Yes, one of the tricky end zones to navigate - a lot of crash landings up against the fence. The opposite end zone with room to spare - with Abe Abraham in his brown suit fielding the extra point kicks.
1974 was the beginning of the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty . Branch and the Raiders could of also been a dynasty with their great talent but ran into the Steelers too often in the playoffs.
Interception records will never be broken, Paul Krause record will stand forever. Even the top quarterbacks in the 70's were throwing 20+ picks a year. Bradshaw was winning Super Bowls while doing it.
I agree. QB's today are more concerned with high completion percentages than throwing caution to the wind, so to speak. For instance, at the end of the 2nd or 4th quarter, they don't throw the bomb and hope for the best like they used to.
Actually the early 70's was considered the dead ball era, defensive backs could mug and hit receivers any time they wanted to. In 1978 they outlawed the mugging and thugging and teams started flinging the ball all over the place. Guys like Fouts and Bradshaw just started chucking away.
I point that out to younger people that like to put down quarterbacks such as Namath, Bradshaw and Stabler. You could not only beat the receiver all over the field, the Quarterback took a lot of big hits didn't always have a lot of tim to throw precision passes. Defensive backs could also unload on receivers. Defense was king in the 70's and offenses usually lined up on the pro-set, with two split backs two wide receivers and a TE in the three point stance usually blocking. You had to be a real man to play back in the 70's.
Watching those clips at the beginning -- man did Stabler have a pass-blocking O-line or what? He looks like he could BBQ a steak back there he has so much time and plenty of elbow room!
Lawrence McCutcheon and Isaiah Robertson. My dad loved it when the Rams beat the niners. You got two great Otis' in this video - just need to add an Animal House Otis Day and the Knights! I'll stick with The Snake for MVP, but Mr. Branch would be Excellent. Speed Kills. Gracias for another fun remembrance.
Stabler started 13 games that year. Larry Lawrence started the other game in week 13 at KC. He only threw 2 passes, then was replaced by Lamonica who tossed a touchdown pass to Branch in the 4th quarter to pull out a 7 to 6 win.
My list would start with Joe Greene. Mean Joe was 1st team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler for his 1974 season. The Steel Curtain was amazing that year. Holding 15 opponents to less than 20 points, 6 opponents to less than 10 points. Including 2 shutouts. #75 was a nightmare at 6-4 275 LBS. In the playoffs, Mean Joe and the Curtain knocked the "Juice" out of Buffalo. Holding OJ to just 74 total yards. Then they held down the great Raider offense to just 13 points in the AFC Championship at Oakland. The Joe led the complete shutdown of the Vikings offense. That's how an M(Mean)VP plays the game. Another consideration is Chuck Foreman. #44 was truly at his game in 74. Chuck led the Vikings in rushing attempts, yards and receptions. Foreman totaled 252 touches for 1363 yards and 15 TD's. He also tallied 248 all-purpose yards in beating the Cardinals and Rams in the Playoffs. That is a player that is most valuable to a contender. Alan Page is my other consideration. Like Mean Joe, made the Pro Bowl and 1st Team All-Pro. #88 led the Purple Gang to another Super Bowl. The Vikings Defense led by Page held 13 opponents to under 20 pts, 7 to 10 or less.
@@stevenzimmerman4057 When you consider that Minnesota averaged over 130 yards on the ground. For Mean Joe and the Curtain to shut that down say quite a lot. That's why I sometimes think it unfair that the MVP is awarded before the Post-Season. When so many great legends made their mark by what they did in the playoffs. Greene would have gotten a lot more consideration for the award if it was issued after the Super Bowl.
@@markgardner9460 When I think of that game I think defense. Maybe the only SB that was 2-0 at Half. I also think of Mel Blount introducing himself to John Gilliam over the middle. A pass Fran should not have thrown. One of the most brutal hits I ever saw.
Love the Greg Pruitt jersey by the way easily one of the most underrated skat backs of all time is brother wasn’t too shabby either more of a bulldozer. If either one of them we’re on the Steelers they’d be in the Hall of Fame you know.
The tragedy of the 1974 season for Snake Stabler and the Raiders came in the 4th quarter of the AFC Championship allowing 3 TDs to the eventual Super Bowl winning Steelers. This could have been the Raiders 1st SB victory over the Vikings. Up 10-3 going into the 4th, the Raiders go down 17-10 after 2 quick TDs by Pittsburgh. Instead of trying for a TD - Blanda kicks a 24 yard FG. I remember my old man saying: The game is over. Sure enough another TD by the Steelers. Not that is makes mathematical sense, but I see the FG as -4 versus the TD.
@@markgardner9460Perhaps the most idiotic example of kicking FGs in order to lose came in the 2014 NFC Championship. The Packers kicked 5 FGs: two were 48 yards and one 40 - okay, I can see that. However, the other two were get this - 18 and 19 yards. Is this a misprint? It is said that the shortest possible FG in the modern NFL is 17 yards. The only thing more idiotic was Pete Carroll's decision to pass on the 1 yard line in the 2015 Super Bowl two weeks later. Whee pressed by NBC Today even Carroll said this: "It Was The Worst Result Of A Call Ever." More politically-correct mumbo-jumbo. It was the worst call ever.
Raiders played well enough to win that game but Rocky Bleier (20) and Franco Harris (32) were their undoing. Cliff Branch (21) with a big game for Oakland that day. But Oakland, could not stop the run.
While his team finished at 7-7 (after a 6-1 start) 5' 5", 170 lb."Mini Mac", Mack Herron had a fantastic season for New England. Led the Patriots in rushing with 824 yds and 7 TDs, had 474 yds on 38 receptions and 5 TDs, and returned punts and kickoffs for 1146 yds. His 2,444 all purpose yds. broke Gale Sayers 1966 record of 2,440. 2nd to k John Smith in scoring with 72 pts.
Your game footage is fantastic. Like the back room vault at NFL films. 1974 was my first year I fell in love with the NFL. My mom sat me down with the Sears catalog and told me to circle some ideas for Santa. I got the metal NFL lunch box earlier that year for the beginning of 1st grade. We lived in Seattle and had no NFL team yet so I got to choose by helmet and uniform and stadium etc. I liked the No Decal and stripped burnt Orange of the Browns & the ancient stadium on the lake front & the stormy weather and especially the Black Mud! Important when I was 6! I wanted the kids Riddell helmet and jersey. The Browns were often the NBC morning game on KING 5 in Seattle so I got to watch them on tv. The Browns were bad that year (4-10)but I didn’t care. I also loved the Saturday afternoon show “This week in the NFL” almost more than actual games. After watching my 1st playoff games and the Steelers win the 9th Superbowl the NFL films folks put together a 90 minute film “1974: A Championship Chase” & I was forever hooked. As for the MVP who was Kenny Stabler I became a big fan of the Snake. We moved to Danville California and lived down the street from coach John Maddens Crow Canyon Country Club home. Wide receiver Mike Siani owned the Liquor Store at the bottom of El Capitan Dr and would often have players sign autographs there. All of the players on your list had fantastic seasons, but I think that if Armstrong had the stats in ‘74 for Denver in ‘77 when they knocked off the Steelers and then Oakland in the AFC Championship he’d have got the MVP. The season that always sticks in my mind as one they botched was in 1987 (Strike season) John Elway won it with an 83 passer rating, 19 touchdowns 3100+ yards and 12 picks and in an abbreviated season Jerry Rice had 65 catches 1,078 yards and scored 23 touchdowns! In only 11 games! I still can’t believe that one! Great cards by the way. Love the 1970’s Topps sets with no permission to use the NFL logos so they had to air brush them out, except for my beloved pumpkin head Cleveland Browns.
My first year that I went crazy for football was '74, too. Thanks for sharing your memories - I collected a few of those miniature plastic helmets from the gumball machines - put 'em on G.I. Joe, then watch Joe put his head down and run into walls. Thanks again, Brendan!
Yes, with the league cardboard conference and divisional hanging display holder. I really liked the Dairy Queen plastic football/sundae helmets a lot. Great Pruitt jersey my man, obviously not one of his paper towel tear away versions!
The tear-away jerseys were outlawed i the latr '70's. Defenders would rip his jersey on purpose in pileups because a player was required to go to the sideline and put on a new jersey. Pruitt went through a couple dozen jerseys each year.
Usually I just hit the thumbs-up button up front because I KNOW I am going to like your video -- but this time I have a sneaking suspicion you're going after my boy Snake Stabler. How could you do this to me I'm a loyal fan! 😆
The rankings are from Pro Football Reference Dot Com - I would not have omitted Snake if it was my rankings, but I'm unsure as to how my top 5 would have shaken out. I appreciate your comments, as always, Lee! Keep 'em coming.
Hi Mark - happy holidays and with that in mind I’m wearing my 1974 Sonny Jurgensen rd white #9 jersey for this video-the man with the buggy whip arm. Nice Greg Pruitt jersey number 34 in your program. Are you a size XXL? When I was a boy, I was “husky“ myself. Nothing wrong with that.
'74 was a good statistical year for Sonny, as he lead the NFC in passer rating. I'm XL - it's loose in the rib area. Husky. Beefy. It's all good, especially considering that I used to be the proverbial 98 pound weakling. Happy Holidays, Doc!
I can never get enough Otis video. What a remarkable player. He drove us (Bronco fans) crazy the way he held the ball out, gripping it with his hand [three points of contact Otis]. He was not a fumbler though. I briefly spoke to him (Armstrong) at a promo deal, he was humble and quiet almost shy. Yary was tremendous what can you say. Cliff the Bronco killer,, possibly the greatest pure deep threat all time. McCutcheon, balance, power and moves (Colorado is well represented). But true pure athlete with excellent pad speed Emmitt was amazing. In my humble opinion, I can look past the stain of being a Chief, Thomas was one of the best "football players" I ever saw. Teams schemed away from him, he still made plays. Wow, home plate OUCH, amazing the stuff on, in, or around fields back in the day - crazy man. Thanks brother you're appreciated.
A lot of those '70's scat backs held the ball like a loaf of bread - Metcalf, Foreman, Muncie, Pruitt and Armstrong immediately come to mind. They used the ball like a tightrope walker used the pole.
@@markgardner9460 Yes, and Walter Payton too. He used to wave the ball all over the damn place, but he hardly ever lost it. He had some big, strong hands as well terrific discipline to tuck it back in before contact
@@gturcott1 I was living in Denver in '77, it was insane. People painted their houses, cars, trash cans etc. Orange. People stood on the sides of roads waving Bronco flags. John Keyworth (fb) released a record of forgettable "ditties" such as "make those miracles happen", truly wretched. None of Broncs fans had the unemotional foresight to see the lambs lead to slaughter against a Dallas football machine. However magical '77 was cool to be a part of, even though a championship for Denver was twenty years down the road. Thanks man.
@@jammininthepast the NFL was such a big deal in the 70’s and that was such a huge year for the Denver fans I became die hard bronco fan in early 80’s there was nothing like Mike High Stadium!
Another great compilation, Otis had a great season so did Branch, McCutcheon was always good, i didnt realize he was a good receiver also, seems they (rams) were so ultra conservative with the run in the playoffs they would have been a lot more savvy to have used McCutcheon for short passes and let him create. He was tough as they came he reminded my of Larry Brown for the skins, and like the skins with Brown, the Rams also ran the legs off McCutcheon. Two workhorses.
Otis had another 1,000 yard season in '76, but that really took the startch out of him. After that, Denver went to the 4 Running Back By Committee approach. The Rams needed to open things up in the playoffs, right Hammer?
McCutcheon ran much harder than his 205 pounds! I remember the touchdown in the NFC Championship game 1976 against Minnesota he plowed through the aging but still proud Vikings defense to score..
Yes, that definitely makes sense. I'd like to see mandatory snaps from under Center, then we'd be able to see QB's actually drop back and have to survey the field from a different perspective....but that's not gonna happen.
Interesting question posed. Otis is a good pick though. The Broncos weren’t getting much from the QB position. Opponents were trying to key on Otis but once he got into the secondary it was all his talent. The Raiders, Rams and Vikings had great pieces on both sides of the ball which helped Branch, McCutch and Yary. Thomas had a phenomenal year on a rebuilding KC squad. Thanks for putting this together!
Head Coach Bob Hollway thought that Gary Cuozzo was better than Hart, too, in 1972. The Cards gave up WR John Gilliam to get him, which ended up being a very lopsided trade.
@@markgardner9460 My understanding was they ( Cardinals ) needed a backup Quarterback, , since Hart was injured a bit the year before. They obtained Cuozzo to fill that void . I heard Gilliam did not get along with the coaching staff. He (Gilliam) was traded a few times. Most people think Cuozzo was a bust. I think he was adequate. Once again I love your channel.
I do like the classic video highlights though; I wish more people would learn more about the history of the NFL. I had a big photo book called "The Other League" about the AFL such a great book published at the end of the AFL. I might have it some where, I don't remember.@@markgardner9460
History is important in almost all areas of life, in my opinion. I'd like to check out that book you mentioned. "Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association" is a real good one if you like pro basketball..
I believe I have the book hard back, describes plays and history. it's a must see/read for any Football historian. I can't remember where I got it or how I got it, but published in 1970. I'm a Raiders fan, since 1980, bur I dove so far into there history it's insane. Going back to the Raiders a franchise that should not have happened, but the Vikings bailed out and waited a year to join the NFL made it possible for the Raiders. There's more to their their story and the AFL, but read the book. Merry Christmas. @@markgardner9460
like swan and stallworth branch and biletnikoff you were going to stop both. just impossible. no mention of joe willie who commanded his mediocre jets on a 6 game winning streak to end the season? CMON! LOL.
Tough choices, but Otis Armstrong seems to stand out the most. It's also hard to judge this without avoiding having to avoid recent trends in the sport (with respect to Emmitt Thomas' accomplishments here). It's probably more difficult to put up numbers like that nowadays.
It was a trap, and if there was replay it certainly would have been overturned. But if it happened today by the most recent rule changes / interpretation it probably would be a catch even after replay. Now you are allowed to trap the ball if it doesn't move.
Otis Armstrong was a problem...The Snake was my choice(MVP of the 70's)..Met Cliff good Guy..Glad he has Gold Jacket..He was money..Lawrence Mac was a Boulder rolling down a hill..keep up the good work..us old schoolers need this..D
Thank you! Everything that I've heard or read about Branch is that he was a good, cool guy. I just can't believe that it took the voters so long to induct him.
I get a kick out of the '72 3rd Series Pro Action cards of Larry Brown and Dick Butkus. They're close ups of the players after a tackle has been made. Yeah, lotta action there, Topps!
I dont think it would have mattered, Raiders were always a run first team back then, only the vikings mixed short passes with running in those days. Stabler had a pretty damn good arm also, not as powerful as Namath or his teammate Lamonica but he easily threw 40 and 50 yard shots in the air to his receivers.
Correct. Branch's talents were never utilized to the max because of that. Case and point the last second catch in the champ game against the Steelers.....another underthrown ball , there were many.
You can see in the video the QB didn't matter much with Branch ! In the video he caught TD's from Stabler, Lamonica and Blanda. Branch was so fast you couldn't really overthrow him...but you're right if you'd have had a ( yeah, I know different era ) guy like Farve...it would be like pick up ball...I can hear the play call now.. Favre : "Cliff just run a go and I'm gonna throw it as far as I can !"
Despite being an Oakland Raiders fan during that era as much as I would want to vote for Cliff Branch, 1812 total yards from scrimmage during 14- game season my vote has to go for Otis Armstrong!!! Without a doubt one of the greatest seasons pre16-17 game schedule by any Running Back ever. Did you mention how many TDSOtis had?? I know 4 in the last game. Like Cliff Branch I was 5-11,170 going into my senior year of High School way back in 1980 but I couldn’t run a 9-2/100 yard dash like Cliff. Probably closer to 11-0.
In his highlights I see so many wide open runs where any back could have just as easily taken advantage of. Just didn't see him doing anything special on his own in any of those highlights.
@ckobo84 It's amazing to me, Branch was just put into the HoF recently. Can't believe it took so long considering that Raiders team of the mid 70's had like 9 HoF players just on offense and add Ray Guy. 4 on the OL, TE, WR, QB and RB.
@@mikepastor.k6233It's ridiculous that it took so long for Cliff Branch,Ken Stabler,Ken Riley and Mick Tinglehoff to make the HOF! And where are Ken Andersen,Jim Marshall and Chuck Foreman?
Always great content my friend ! I'd forgotten just how good those guys were. Lawrence McCutcheon, ( his son Daylon played in the league, DB I think ) should be in the HOF...for a few years you could write him down for 1,000 yds. rushing, 35 + catches for another 300 - 500 yds. And Armstrong was one of my favorites ! I thought for sure he would be n all - time great...he had that burst that all great backs have, looks like he's going full speed, sees a crease and in one step he's full speed running away from defenders ! I remember he had a weird injury. It was a Monday Night game ( it was against a team I hate ) I think it was Pittsburgh. Anyway he catches a pass along the sideline, looks like he's gonna take it all the way, cuts and is shoved down from behind...didn't look like anything you'd get hurt on...BUT...he fell on the ball and broke 2 ribs ! And my memory may be wrong but he seemed to decline after that. I have an idea for you for a video about an underrated and very interesting player. Defensive Tackle for the Bengals in the 70's Mike Reid ! Reid was a 2 - time All- Pro, I think he only played 8 seasons....BUT, he was also a Concert Pianist and he retired young because he feared injuring his hands to the point he couldn't play piano ! Now, here's the interesting part. After retiring he went to Nashville and became a singer / songwriter. Since 1983 when Mike Reid scored his first number one country hit song "Inside" by Ronnie Milsap, he has composed more than 30 top ten country and pop hits. Twenty-one of those records have gone all the way to number one on the charts. He has been the recipient of ASCAPS' "Songwriter of the Year" award and one of the many songs that Milsap recorded, "Stranger In My House", has earned a Grammy award. In addition to Milsap, Reid has had his songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Anita Baker, Bette Midler, Prince, George Michael, Nancy Wilson, Etta James, Kenny Rogers, Ann Murray, Wynonna Judd, Alabama, Joe Cocker, Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson, Collin Raye and Tim McGraw. Among the songs that Mike has composed are "I Can't Make You Love Me" (Raitt, Michael and Prince), "My Strongest Weakness" and "To Be Loved By You" (Judd), "In This Life" (Raye and Midler), "Sometimes I Wonder Why" (Baker), "Forever's As Far As I'll Go" (Alabama) and "Everywhere" (McGraw). Now, you may have already known this...but I think it would make an interesting video !
Armstrong had the "burst" - that's a great way to describe his style. Thank you for the video idea - I will look into the possibility of creating a video along those lines - I'll add it to my ever increasing list. I had no idea that Reid had all of those artists record his music - amazing!
Hey, I'm a life long Bengals fan and didn't know that until a couple years ago. I knew he was a concert pianist because he played with the Cincinnati Symphony in the off - season. The way I found it out is weird. I fronted Metal Bands back in the 80's....and I'm a big guy 6' 2", 250 lbs. and ( hope this doesn't come out egotistical sounding ) I have a really good vocal range....I can do stuff like Metallica but I can also do Prince and Geoff Tate of Queensryche, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, even Sebastian Bach of Skid Row. Anyway, since I quit doing metal in recent years my "singing outlet" has been karaoke at my best friend's bar , nearly every Friday & Saturday night ! Well, a lot of times I'll get requests ( regulars ALWAYS ask me to do "Purple Rain" )...several times I had a hard time getting thru some of them. I'll never forget one lady had heard me sing and she had just lost her son..who had been stationed in Afghanistan...and asked if I'd do the Elvis version of "How Great Thou Art"...she was crying her eyes out and it was all I could do not to do the same ! Anyway, one night this guy who was obviously depressed asked me if I'd do "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt., and I was taken aback a bit because that was obviously a female vocal. I asked "Any particular reason you wanna hear that ?" And he explained his Ex was in the bar and he was making a last ditch push to get her back and he wanted it dedicated to her. So I agreed to do it...and shockingly I KILLED it...and it became another song I always get requests for. So when I got home from the bar...I was checking out the history of the song ( great song by the way ) and that's how I found out that Mike Reid, former Bengal All Pro DT wrote that song ! Sorry to ramble, but I do think he'd be an interesting subject.
Great stuff, Keith! I'm an '80's metal guy, so I can relate to Halford and Tate's herculean efforts! Reid won the 1969 Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman, but he found out about it in a magazine article and did not receive any trophy or any monetary compensation....not even a letter notifying him that he had won it - amazing! Thanks for sharing - I sing in my garage during workouts and I've found that the most difficult singer for me to copy is Geddy Lee and not just for his high notes - I run out of breath - he crams a lot of words into short spaces of time and I can't keep up.
@@markgardner9460 Geddy is tough to do ! But then again look at that NOSE...he definitely ain't running out of breath ! I had a hard time with ( not the vocals but the breath ) "AC / DC's " Brian Johnson and "Shook Me " their is NO place to catch you're breath ! I also had difficulties with Halford on "Freewheel Burning", not with vocals...but he sang a part of it so damned fast ( remember this was the 80's ) I must have listened and rewound that cassette 5,000 times to figure out the lyrics ! Which were " Look before you, leap has never been the way we keep, our road is free / Charging to the top and never give in, never stops the way to be / Hold on to the lead with all your will and concede, you'll find there's life With victory on high" if you're not familiar with it, give it a listen and you'll see what I mean, LOL ! So are you a Queensryche fan ! I saw them around 2006, it was supposed to be the last live tour where they did the entire "Operation Mindcrime" show and they merged some of Empire and their latest album. They had lost some luster and I saw them at an old rennovated movie theatre that I went to as a kid in Covington, KY called "The Madison Theatre", it only sat about 2,000 ( I had performed there several times with my band, and I also did an annual Stand - Up show there as a Stand - Up Comic.) I do a great Sam Kinison impersonation, and every year on the anniversary of his death, I break out the beret with the wig sewn inside it, the big coat, the rings, the scarves etc. and in the show I'd do about 45 minutes of original stuff I had written as if it was Sam's views on current events...and I'd close with 15 minutes of his Classic bits. And I always let the audience KNOW that THAT part of the show was Sam's material...the last thing you want to do is STEAL another comic's material...I even went so far as to contact Sam's brother ( also his manager ) and tell him what I planned on doing before doing it to get his blessing. He said "Send me a video of your act !" Sent it, he loved it ! Wow, I have really rambled and got off subject. Anyway, the Venue, because I knew them so well gave me 4 tickets...and I was floored when I looked at the price...they were like $12 ! They were OUTSTANDING ! Amazing show, I already knew the acoustics were great...but MAN ! I had seen them probably 7 or 8 times before ( 1st time was Rupp Arena in Lexington around 1983 or 84 they OPENED for KISS ! Anyway, just thought I'd share that with you !
@@markgardner9460 Yeah the burst is what reminded me of guys like Sanders and Dorsett....they could get to top speed with one step ! I know Armstrong was fast...but I've always thought 40 times were overrated for a back and a WR ! I don't care if you run a 4.2...if it takes you 4 steps to get in gear...that hole is gonna close...and how many times in a game are you running 40 yards...give me the guy that runs the fastest 10 yard dash and can be at top speed in 1 or 2 steps...because as a RB that's all you need to get thru the hole and as a WR that burst is all you need to separate and get WIDE open ! I always liked something the late Brian Piccolo said "I won't get ya 60....but I'll get ya 10 sixes !
@@markgardner9460 Without doubt, he was as talented as any QB I ever saw. If I recall, and I could very well be wrong, he was the victim of a huge mistake at QB. I think they traded or released him when they signed an "over the hill" Joe Namath ! They made a bunch of mistakes at that position ! Namath over Harris, Dieter Brock, Ferragamo who was really good for one season, Pat Hayden..and didn't they have Jack Kemp's son at one point ?
Trying to say any Oakland Raiders player from that era had class is a bit of a stretch. The great Chuck Noll called them the criminal element of the NFL.
@@davidmitchell6873 He also included his own all-pro cornerback Mel Blount to that list and might easily have added Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, and Donnie Shell, among others.
It always scares the heck out of me when a running back is stopped by a group of players and helpless and another defender comes in and bends him over backwards. Always afraid I'm going to witness a broken back.
Great video. My 12 year old football crazed boy and I are loving your stuff. Emmitt Thomas went to Bishop College like you mentioned. Interesting enough Bishop College no longer exists which is hard to imagine. Keep up the great work.
@jimbo3214 He wasn't ....... very few long runs for with his speed. In fact I couldn't remember a 70 or 80 run from him. Marshal or Dickerson......... take your pick. And the same for Ram Q's at that time. But they sure had good defenses.
Where do think Speed Kills come from, Cliff Branch; what an amazing WR; he had playoff records for a while. Plus see what he did hand the refs the ball after a TD...unheard for today.
Branch a classy guy, not spiking the ball near the defender, just gives it to the ref like you're taught in high school, basic sportsmanship. Would blow the top off of a defense. Every team needs a speedy wideout like Branch
He should be in the HOF, he & Chuck Foreman were the "prototypes" for the RB in the "West Coast" Offense..those 2 guys were Marshall Faulk before Marshall Faulk ! For about 5, 6 years there you could just write Larry in for 1,000 + yards rushing and 35 + catches for another 300 - 500 yds ! Criminally underrated player !
'74 was a down year for O.J. as he "only" rushed for 1,125 yards and 3 td's. He still finished 4th in the actual MVP voting, so he still had a good year.
Snake got bailed out by a bogus roughing the passer call in ‘76 on a 3rd and 18 late in the 4th quarter in the playoffs vs the Pats, who beat them 48-17 earlier in year at Foxboro. I think the Pats could’ve won the sb that year instead of Oakland- Aargh!!! Regarding ‘74, ‘mini Mac “ Herron, all 5’5” of him was a great rb and return man for the Pats that year - I think he was up there in all purpose yards that year.
@@markgardner9460 That would be awesome! His pic on the cover of Street and Smith in 74 or 75 is what turned me into a pats fan at age 9 or 10 - dude looked like Mighty Mouse! I think he passed away a few years ago. I didn’t realize he was a star in the cfl before joining the pats (guessing the nfl thought he was too small during the draft?)
Am I the only one who misses the game when a player would score a touchdown and be congratulated by his teammates without all the choreographed, self promoting celebrations?
Most of us here are more than likely older guys. Of course we don't like it but all the complaining isn't going to make it go away. I enjoyed the NFL back then and I enjoy it now.
Thanks again for your videos! Merry Christmas!
Thank you - I appreciate that. Merry Christmas to you, too!
@@markgardner9460 By the way, Cliff Branch was about the smoothest WR I ever saw play. Great longevity too. I was happy he snagged multiple SB rings
With his great speed, he caught a lot of passes underneath the coverage that most WR's wouldn't be afforded. He was double tough in order to last as long as he did while playing in that era.
@@markgardner9460 Yes, very good point. You know the Steelers tried to really pound him and Belitnikoff as retaliation for Tatum and Atkinson trying to put out Swann
I believe it - those two teams really went at it. The '75 AFC Championship Game was something else.
My uncle... always lived here in Atlanta. Son now plays for USC. I ride my Harley with a raider's motorcycle helmet with 21 on back
Ride To Live - Live To Ride!
Thanks for your Upload of a season when i was 5 years old.
You're welcome. I'm glad that you enjoyed it!
Thanks Mark & Merry Christmas everyone
You're welcome, Richard - Merry Christmas to you, too!
Glad to c channel growing but deserves way more recognition tx 4 these ole throwbacks
In time, my weightlifting friend! It's only a matter of time!
Just subscribed. Became an NFL fan in 1972. Love these retro looks. Great idea on the mvp by year. Keep em coming buddy. Larry Brown for '72 of my beloved Redskins.😀
Thank you - I published a video about Larry Brown that addresses whether he's Hall of Fame worthy. It's in my playlist.
I truly love your videos. Thank you.
Thank you, Raymond - I appreciate that!
outstanding 🎉
Thank you - I'm glad that you enjoyed it!
I graduated HS in 75,went right into Marines for 4 yrs. I didnt get to watch much NFL as i was on 2 med cruises. Its like i missed 4 yrs of the league,thanks.
Thank you for your service, Richard! The mid to late '70's NFL was exciting - I appreciate your sacrifice.
I grew up in So Cal in the 70s and my dad took me to all the games in the Coliseum and I saw a lot of Lawrence McCutcheon in 74. We were the biggest Rams fans and that decade was filled with all the highs and lows. As good as LM was, Id put him slightly behind Cliff Branch. He was like a man who walked on air with how smooth he ran and played WR.
Thank you for your comments. If LM had more rushing touchdowns, he may have deserved to be ranked higher, but the Rams had better battering Rams than him to pound it in near the goal line.
I grew up in Orange County a Skins fan but my pops was a Rams fan. They were always good throughout the 70s, especially the defense, which was great with Youngblood, Dryer, Hacksaw Reynolds etc. Seems if they goy by Minnesota then Dallas got'em or vise versa. Great memories.
Excellent as usual. Merry Christmas to you Mark 👍🎄
Thank you - Merry Christmas to you as well
The Raiders were cooking with gas in 1974 - Stabler to Branch was burning a lot of teams. Branch mixing it up with Cleveland’s secondary in that week 4 game. 1974 was a great year for watching pro football. Thanks, Mark, wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Denis - Merry Christmas to you, too! I had to chuckle to myself when looking at Cleveland's ramped end zone - if you're running hard, the stop is not going to be easy cuz you're running out of real estate pretty quickly.
@@markgardner9460 Yes, one of the tricky end zones to navigate - a lot of crash landings up against the fence. The opposite end zone with room to spare - with Abe Abraham in his brown suit fielding the extra point kicks.
That's right - I forgot about that other end zone. They could have planted 20 rows of corn back there. Abe Abraham: classic!!
It’s also the year NFL films made “The Championship Chase” best film ever on a season!
I have not seen that, so I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the heads up!
Masterpiece
I've been a Ram fan since 1954 and McCutcheon was one of the best.
Wow! Now that's something. Sid Gilliam, Norm Van Brocklin, Deacon Dan Towler, Tank Younger......I love it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I just want to wish everyone here a Merry Christmas! And thank you,Mark, for your hard work producing your excellent videos!
Thank you very much, Steven, and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.
1974 was the beginning of the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty . Branch and the Raiders could of also been a dynasty with their great talent but ran into the Steelers too often in the playoffs.
Interception records will never be broken, Paul Krause record will stand forever. Even the top quarterbacks in the 70's were throwing 20+ picks a year. Bradshaw was winning Super Bowls while doing it.
I agree. QB's today are more concerned with high completion percentages than throwing caution to the wind, so to speak. For instance, at the end of the 2nd or 4th quarter, they don't throw the bomb and hope for the best like they used to.
Todays game is a bore. No deep balls. Dink and dunk and punts.
Actually the early 70's was considered the dead ball era, defensive backs could mug and hit receivers any time they wanted to. In 1978 they outlawed the mugging and thugging and teams started flinging the ball all over the place. Guys like Fouts and Bradshaw just started chucking away.
I point that out to younger people that like to put down quarterbacks such as Namath, Bradshaw and Stabler. You could not only beat the receiver all over the field, the Quarterback took a lot of big hits didn't always have a lot of tim to throw precision passes. Defensive backs could also unload on receivers.
Defense was king in the 70's and offenses usually lined up on the pro-set, with two split backs two wide receivers and a TE in the three point stance usually blocking. You had to be a real man to play back in the 70's.
I couldn't agree more.
Forgot to say Mark, great looking Greg Pruitt jersey and Happy Holidays to you and yours amigo!!!
Thank you, Hammer! Happy Holidays to you and your family as well - I hope you create a lot of great memories.
Man I forgot how good Lawrence McCutcheon was. Thanks
GREAT thumbnail
Sir Lawrence of Los Angeles is what Vin Scully use to call him.
Loved the Cleveland fans just lounging about at the back of the end zone.
Wonder how much they paid for those ringside seats
@@markgardner9460 my guess is not very much. Field level end zone is not the best place to watch a game.
Tough place to flag down a beer vendor.
@@markgardner9460 lol
Watching those clips at the beginning -- man did Stabler have a pass-blocking O-line or what? He looks like he could BBQ a steak back there he has so much time and plenty of elbow room!
I'm surprised that he didn't have pigeon poo on his shoulder pads - the guy was like a statue back there.
😁 Indeed! Merry Christmas!@@markgardner9460
Merry Christmas, Lee!
Lawrence McCutcheon and Isaiah Robertson. My dad loved it when the Rams beat the niners.
You got two great Otis' in this video - just need to add an Animal House Otis Day and the Knights!
I'll stick with The Snake for MVP, but Mr. Branch would be Excellent. Speed Kills.
Gracias for another fun remembrance.
Stabler started 13 games that year. Larry Lawrence started the other game in week 13 at KC. He only threw 2 passes, then was replaced by Lamonica who tossed a touchdown pass to Branch in the 4th quarter to pull out a 7 to 6 win.
My list would start with Joe Greene. Mean Joe was 1st team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler for his 1974 season. The Steel Curtain was amazing that year. Holding 15 opponents to less than 20 points, 6 opponents to less than 10 points. Including 2 shutouts. #75 was a nightmare at 6-4 275 LBS. In the playoffs, Mean Joe and the Curtain knocked the "Juice" out of Buffalo. Holding OJ to just 74 total yards. Then they held down the great Raider offense to just 13 points in the AFC Championship at Oakland. The Joe led the complete shutdown of the Vikings offense. That's how an M(Mean)VP plays the game.
Another consideration is Chuck Foreman. #44 was truly at his game in 74. Chuck led the Vikings in rushing attempts, yards and receptions. Foreman totaled 252 touches for 1363 yards and 15 TD's. He also tallied 248 all-purpose yards in beating the Cardinals and Rams in the Playoffs. That is a player that is most valuable to a contender.
Alan Page is my other consideration. Like Mean Joe, made the Pro Bowl and 1st Team All-Pro. #88 led the Purple Gang to another Super Bowl. The Vikings Defense led by Page held 13 opponents to under 20 pts, 7 to 10 or less.
Thank you very much for your list - lots of good stats!
Mean Joe Greene was the Defensive Player of the Year in both '72 & '74 - what a powerhouse.
As a Viking fan I really liked Yary but Pittsburgh ate his lunch in the Super Bowl that year
@@stevenzimmerman4057 When you consider that Minnesota averaged over 130 yards on the ground. For Mean Joe and the Curtain to shut that down say quite a lot. That's why I sometimes think it unfair that the MVP is awarded before the Post-Season. When so many great legends made their mark by what they did in the playoffs. Greene would have gotten a lot more consideration for the award if it was issued after the Super Bowl.
He couldn't keep 6'6" L.C. Greenwood's hands down - L C. batted down 3 Tarkenton passes
@@markgardner9460 When I think of that game I think defense. Maybe the only SB that was 2-0 at Half. I also think of Mel Blount introducing himself to John Gilliam over the middle. A pass Fran should not have thrown. One of the most brutal hits I ever saw.
Love the Greg Pruitt jersey by the way easily one of the most underrated skat backs of all time is brother wasn’t too shabby either more of a bulldozer. If either one of them we’re on the Steelers they’d be in the Hall of Fame you know.
Pruitt has some really cool football cards from '75 through '77. The '75 one in the mud against the Steelers is incredible.
Pruitt has the oh my God why do you hand me off the ball right in front of meanJoe Greene oh sheit posture look
He's thinking "At least it's muddy, so it won't hurt as much when he body slams me"
The tragedy of the 1974 season for Snake Stabler and the Raiders came in the 4th quarter of the AFC Championship allowing 3 TDs to the eventual Super Bowl winning Steelers. This could have been the Raiders 1st SB victory over the Vikings. Up 10-3 going into the 4th, the Raiders go down 17-10 after 2 quick TDs by Pittsburgh. Instead of trying for a TD - Blanda kicks a 24 yard FG. I remember my old man saying: The game is over. Sure enough another TD by the Steelers. Not that is makes mathematical sense, but I see the FG as -4 versus the TD.
I like the -4 points conclusion! No guts - no glory! As always, thanks Professor.
@@markgardner9460Perhaps the most idiotic example of kicking FGs in order to lose came in the 2014 NFC Championship. The Packers kicked 5 FGs: two were 48 yards and one 40 - okay, I can see that. However, the other two were get this - 18 and 19 yards. Is this a misprint? It is said that the shortest possible FG in the modern NFL is 17 yards. The only thing more idiotic was Pete Carroll's decision to pass on the 1 yard line in the 2015 Super Bowl two weeks later. Whee pressed by NBC Today even Carroll said this: "It Was The Worst Result Of A Call Ever." More politically-correct mumbo-jumbo. It was the worst call ever.
Those short field goals are as absurd as punting on your opposing team's 40 yard line
Like it was yesterday
Raiders played well enough to win that game but Rocky Bleier (20) and Franco Harris (32) were their undoing. Cliff Branch (21) with a big game for Oakland that day. But Oakland, could not stop the run.
"Otis" ...proved he was"H.O.F.". "Material"!!!
While his team finished at 7-7 (after a 6-1 start) 5' 5", 170 lb."Mini Mac", Mack Herron had a fantastic season for New England. Led the Patriots in rushing with 824 yds and 7 TDs, had 474 yds on 38 receptions and 5 TDs, and returned punts and kickoffs for 1146 yds. His 2,444 all purpose yds. broke Gale Sayers 1966 record of 2,440. 2nd to k John Smith in scoring with 72 pts.
Mini Mac still holds the 14 game record for most total yards. He is still top 5 in total yards per game.
Actually, Terry Metcalf broke his record in 1975 with 2,462 all-purpose yards to Herron's 2,444.
Wow!
Your game footage is fantastic. Like the back room vault at NFL films. 1974 was my first year I fell in love with the NFL. My mom sat me down with the Sears catalog and told me to circle some ideas for Santa. I got the metal NFL lunch box earlier that year for the beginning of 1st grade. We lived in Seattle and had no NFL team yet so I got to choose by helmet and uniform and stadium etc. I liked the No Decal and stripped burnt Orange of the Browns & the ancient stadium on the lake front & the stormy weather and especially the Black Mud! Important when I was 6! I wanted the kids Riddell helmet and jersey. The Browns were often the NBC morning game on KING 5 in Seattle so I got to watch them on tv. The Browns were bad that year (4-10)but I didn’t care. I also loved the Saturday afternoon show “This week in the NFL” almost more than actual games. After watching my 1st playoff games and the Steelers win the 9th Superbowl the NFL films folks put together a 90 minute film “1974: A Championship Chase” & I was forever hooked. As for the MVP who was Kenny Stabler I became a big fan of the Snake. We moved to Danville California and lived down the street from coach John Maddens Crow Canyon Country Club home. Wide receiver Mike Siani owned the Liquor Store at the bottom of El Capitan Dr and would often have players sign autographs there. All of the players on your list had fantastic seasons, but I think that if Armstrong had the stats in ‘74 for Denver in ‘77 when they knocked off the Steelers and then Oakland in the AFC Championship he’d have got the MVP. The season that always sticks in my mind as one they botched was in 1987 (Strike season) John Elway won it with an 83 passer rating, 19 touchdowns 3100+ yards and 12 picks and in an abbreviated season Jerry Rice had 65 catches 1,078 yards and scored 23 touchdowns! In only 11 games! I still can’t believe that one! Great cards by the way. Love the 1970’s Topps sets with no permission to use the NFL logos so they had to air brush them out, except for my beloved pumpkin head Cleveland Browns.
My first year that I went crazy for football was '74, too. Thanks for sharing your memories - I collected a few of those miniature plastic helmets from the gumball machines - put 'em on G.I. Joe, then watch Joe put his head down and run into walls. Thanks again, Brendan!
Yes, with the league cardboard conference and divisional hanging display holder. I really liked the Dairy Queen plastic football/sundae helmets a lot. Great Pruitt jersey my man, obviously not one of his paper towel tear away versions!
The tear-away jerseys were outlawed i the latr '70's. Defenders would rip his jersey on purpose in pileups because a player was required to go to the sideline and put on a new jersey. Pruitt went through a couple dozen jerseys each year.
Usually I just hit the thumbs-up button up front because I KNOW I am going to like your video -- but this time I have a sneaking suspicion you're going after my boy Snake Stabler. How could you do this to me I'm a loyal fan! 😆
The rankings are from Pro Football Reference Dot Com - I would not have omitted Snake if it was my rankings, but I'm unsure as to how my top 5 would have shaken out. I appreciate your comments, as always, Lee! Keep 'em coming.
1:57 how the NFL couldn't get out of their own way, making the player card maker airbrush out the helmet logo
Stabler was Branch had MVP seasons in 74
Any Branch stories, Randy?
Hi Mark - happy holidays and with that in mind I’m wearing my 1974 Sonny Jurgensen rd white #9 jersey for this video-the man with the buggy whip arm. Nice Greg Pruitt jersey number 34 in your program. Are you a size XXL? When I was a boy, I was “husky“ myself. Nothing wrong with that.
'74 was a good statistical year for Sonny, as he lead the NFC in passer rating.
I'm XL - it's loose in the rib area. Husky. Beefy. It's all good, especially considering that I used to be the proverbial 98 pound weakling.
Happy Holidays, Doc!
I was definitely a husky as a kid then I thinned out to 196 at 6-2
The peanut guy gets my vote!
Mr. Peanut Vendor was stylin' and profilin'!
@@markgardner9460 He sure was! Sign him up!
I can never get enough Otis video. What a remarkable player. He drove us (Bronco fans) crazy the way he held the ball out, gripping it with his hand [three points of contact Otis]. He was not a fumbler though. I briefly spoke to him (Armstrong) at a promo deal, he was humble and quiet almost shy. Yary was tremendous what can you say. Cliff the Bronco killer,, possibly the greatest pure deep threat all time. McCutcheon, balance, power and moves (Colorado is well represented). But true pure athlete with excellent pad speed Emmitt was amazing. In my humble opinion, I can look past the stain of being a Chief, Thomas was one of the best "football players" I ever saw. Teams schemed away from him, he still made plays. Wow, home plate OUCH, amazing the stuff on, in, or around fields back in the day - crazy man. Thanks brother you're appreciated.
A lot of those '70's scat backs held the ball like a loaf of bread - Metcalf, Foreman, Muncie, Pruitt and Armstrong immediately come to mind. They used the ball like a tightrope walker used the pole.
@@markgardner9460 Yes, and Walter Payton too. He used to wave the ball all over the damn place, but he hardly ever lost it. He had some big, strong hands as well terrific discipline to tuck it back in before contact
77 team was magic!
@@gturcott1 I was living in Denver in '77, it was insane. People painted their houses, cars, trash cans etc. Orange. People stood on the sides of roads waving Bronco flags. John Keyworth (fb) released a record of forgettable "ditties" such as "make those miracles happen", truly wretched. None of Broncs fans had the unemotional foresight to see the lambs lead to slaughter against a Dallas football machine. However magical '77 was cool to be a part of, even though a championship for Denver was twenty years down the road. Thanks man.
@@jammininthepast the NFL was such a big deal in the 70’s and that was such a huge year for the Denver fans I became die hard bronco fan in early 80’s there was nothing like Mike High Stadium!
Another great compilation, Otis had a great season so did Branch, McCutcheon was always good, i didnt realize he was a good receiver also, seems they (rams) were so ultra conservative with the run in the playoffs they would have been a lot more savvy to have used McCutcheon for short passes and let him create. He was tough as they came he reminded my of Larry Brown for the skins, and like the skins with Brown, the Rams also ran the legs off McCutcheon. Two workhorses.
Otis had another 1,000 yard season in '76, but that really took the startch out of him. After that, Denver went to the 4 Running Back By Committee approach. The Rams needed to open things up in the playoffs, right Hammer?
That's a staggering distance between Branch and Garrison!
McCutcheon ran much harder than his 205 pounds! I remember the touchdown in the NFC Championship game 1976 against Minnesota he plowed through the aging but still proud Vikings defense to score..
Armstrong made the Lions defense look inept
Great feat by Armstrong averaging 100 yards per game!
To me this was my favorite year in football. I had the football card of every player mentioned that year.
'74 is my favorite, too. It's when I started spending every penny that I came across on football cards
i think i'm just now realizing the NFL doesn't run the draw play anymore.
Why do you think that is?
@markgardner9460 they're always in the spread formation with the shotgun of course. There's no deception cept a delayed hand off maybe.
Yes, that definitely makes sense. I'd like to see mandatory snaps from under Center, then we'd be able to see QB's actually drop back and have to survey the field from a different perspective....but that's not gonna happen.
That is who I thought
Nice call, Joseph. Thanks for watching and commenting!
1974, the year I started collecting cards. Football and baseball. Topps. Good schtufft. 👍
That's when I did, too. That year is my favorite for both Topps baseball and football.
Interesting question posed. Otis is a good pick though. The Broncos weren’t getting much from the QB position. Opponents were trying to key on Otis but once he got into the secondary it was all his talent. The Raiders, Rams and Vikings had great pieces on both sides of the ball which helped Branch, McCutch and Yary. Thomas had a phenomenal year on a rebuilding KC squad. Thanks for putting this together!
Old Charley Johnson was 36 and there wasn't much left in the tank. Then in '77 they got 34 year old Craig Morton and the passing game was better.
@@markgardner9460Charley Johnson was underrated. Extremely intelligent. I thought he was better than Jim Hart in St. Louis
Head Coach Bob Hollway thought that Gary Cuozzo was better than Hart, too, in 1972. The Cards gave up WR John Gilliam to get him, which ended up being a very lopsided trade.
@@markgardner9460 Vikings fans loved that trade!
@@markgardner9460 My understanding was they ( Cardinals ) needed a backup Quarterback, , since Hart was injured a bit the year before. They obtained Cuozzo to fill that void . I heard Gilliam did not get along with the coaching staff. He (Gilliam) was traded a few times. Most people think Cuozzo was a bust. I think he was adequate. Once again I love your channel.
Darn I just got home and saw this let's get after it!
Ken Stabler won the MVP award in the NFL in 1974; nice video though....love Branches highlights.
I realize that Stabker won it, but these 5 players were the top 5 per Pro Football Reference dot com. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I do like the classic video highlights though; I wish more people would learn more about the history of the NFL. I had a big photo book called "The Other League" about the AFL such a great book published at the end of the AFL. I might have it some where, I don't remember.@@markgardner9460
History is important in almost all areas of life, in my opinion. I'd like to check out that book you mentioned. "Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association" is a real good one if you like pro basketball..
I believe I have the book hard back, describes plays and history. it's a must see/read for any Football historian. I can't remember where I got it or how I got it, but published in 1970. I'm a Raiders fan, since 1980, bur I dove so far into there history it's insane. Going back to the Raiders a franchise that should not have happened, but the Vikings bailed out and waited a year to join the NFL made it possible for the Raiders. There's more to their their story and the AFL, but read the book. Merry Christmas. @@markgardner9460
Yes I will - many thanks and Merry Christmas to you, too!
like swan and stallworth branch and biletnikoff you were going to stop both. just impossible.
no mention of joe willie who commanded his mediocre jets on a 6 game winning streak to end the season? CMON! LOL.
Joe could have won The Courage Award if there was one for playing on those creaky knees
@@markgardner9460 he actually won comeback player of the yr. in 74.
Way to go, Joe!
@@markgardner9460"Broadway" Joe put some respecK on his name, lol smiles
Ground Chuck!
Tough choices, but Otis Armstrong seems to stand out the most. It's also hard to judge this without avoiding having to avoid recent trends in the sport (with respect to Emmitt Thomas' accomplishments here). It's probably more difficult to put up numbers like that nowadays.
What I found interesting is that Thomas only finished 4 in the official Defensive Player of the Year award. Joe Greene won it.
The Raiders had the best record in the NFL in 1974 12-2 and a win over the Dolphins in the Sea of Hands game
I watched the Sea of Hands on live tv and it's still my favorite game of all-time. From beginning to end, it was pure excitement.
Great video, as usual. Branch's catch in the Sea of Hands game was a trap.
Clarence Davis caught the ball in the Sea of Hands, not Cliff Branch.
Yes, I know. But the long TD Branch had was a trap. That's been confirmed by video from another angle. @@elwin38
That's what a lot of people maintain. Thank you for the compliment.
Sea of Hands was Stabler to Clarence Davis and it was a touchdown. Get outta here Fin fan boy!!! :)
It was a trap, and if there was replay it certainly would have been overturned. But if it happened today by the most recent rule changes / interpretation it probably would be a catch even after replay. Now you are allowed to trap the ball if it doesn't move.
Otis Armstrong was a problem...The Snake was my choice(MVP of the 70's)..Met Cliff good Guy..Glad he has Gold Jacket..He was money..Lawrence Mac was a Boulder rolling down a hill..keep up the good work..us old schoolers need this..D
Thank you! Everything that I've heard or read about Branch is that he was a good, cool guy. I just can't believe that it took the voters so long to induct him.
Love LA McCutch! Had his card framed on my wall, giving kris hamburger of the Redskins, a stiff arm in the open field
That '75 McCutcheon card is awesome!! I wish they would have had more action photos back then, but most of them were posed.
Agree! Horizontal real action game footage still shots are the best whether it’s pro action or just a regular card
I get a kick out of the '72 3rd Series Pro Action cards of Larry Brown and Dick Butkus. They're close ups of the players after a tackle has been made. Yeah, lotta action there, Topps!
Just imagine what Branch could have done if Stabler had a big arm to go along with his great timing and accuracy.
Stabler underthrew Branch from time to time.
I dont think it would have mattered, Raiders were always a run first team back then, only the vikings mixed short passes with running in those days. Stabler had a pretty damn good arm also, not as powerful as Namath or his teammate Lamonica but he easily threw 40 and 50 yard shots in the air to his receivers.
Since Branch could do easily get out of Stabler's throwing range the Raiders invented a play they called the deep comeback.
Correct. Branch's talents were never utilized to the max because of that. Case and point the last second catch in the champ game against the Steelers.....another underthrown ball , there were many.
You can see in the video the QB didn't matter much with Branch ! In the video he caught TD's from Stabler, Lamonica and Blanda. Branch was so fast you couldn't really overthrow him...but you're right if you'd have had a ( yeah, I know different era ) guy like Farve...it would be like pick up ball...I can hear the play call now..
Favre : "Cliff just run a go and I'm gonna throw it as far as I can !"
Despite being an Oakland Raiders fan during that era as much as I would want to vote for Cliff Branch, 1812 total yards from scrimmage during 14- game season my vote has to go for Otis Armstrong!!! Without a doubt one of the greatest seasons pre16-17 game schedule by any Running Back ever. Did you mention how many TDSOtis had?? I know 4 in the last game. Like Cliff Branch I was 5-11,170 going into my senior year of High School way back in 1980 but I couldn’t run a 9-2/100 yard dash like Cliff. Probably closer to 11-0.
Armstrong had 9 rushing td's and 3 receiving td's. I should have mentioned that, so thank you for bringing that up!
In his highlights I see so many wide open runs where any back could have just as easily taken advantage of. Just didn't see him doing anything special on his own in any of those highlights.
@ckobo84 It's amazing to me, Branch was just put into the HoF recently. Can't believe it took so long considering that Raiders team of the mid 70's had like 9 HoF players just on offense and add Ray Guy. 4 on the OL, TE, WR, QB and RB.
@@mikepastor.k6233It's ridiculous that it took so long for Cliff Branch,Ken Stabler,Ken Riley and Mick Tinglehoff to make the HOF! And where are Ken Andersen,Jim Marshall and Chuck Foreman?
Always great content my friend ! I'd forgotten just how good those guys were. Lawrence McCutcheon, ( his son Daylon played in the league, DB I think ) should be in the HOF...for a few years you could write him down for 1,000 yds. rushing, 35 + catches for another 300 - 500 yds. And Armstrong was one of my favorites ! I thought for sure he would be n all - time great...he had that burst that all great backs have, looks like he's going full speed, sees a crease and in one step he's full speed running away from defenders ! I remember he had a weird injury. It was a Monday Night game ( it was against a team I hate ) I think it was Pittsburgh. Anyway he catches a pass along the sideline, looks like he's gonna take it all the way, cuts and is shoved down from behind...didn't look like anything you'd get hurt on...BUT...he fell on the ball and broke 2 ribs ! And my memory may be wrong but he seemed to decline after that.
I have an idea for you for a video about an underrated and very interesting player. Defensive Tackle for the Bengals in the 70's Mike Reid ! Reid was a 2 - time All- Pro, I think he only played 8 seasons....BUT, he was also a Concert Pianist and he retired young because he feared injuring his hands to the point he couldn't play piano ! Now, here's the interesting part. After retiring he went to Nashville and became a singer / songwriter.
Since 1983 when Mike Reid scored his first number one country hit song "Inside" by Ronnie Milsap, he has composed more than 30 top ten country and pop hits. Twenty-one of those records have gone all the way to number one on the charts.
He has been the recipient of ASCAPS' "Songwriter of the Year" award and one of the many songs that Milsap recorded, "Stranger In My House", has earned a Grammy award.
In addition to Milsap, Reid has had his songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Anita Baker, Bette Midler, Prince, George Michael, Nancy Wilson, Etta James, Kenny Rogers, Ann Murray, Wynonna Judd, Alabama, Joe Cocker, Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson, Collin Raye and Tim McGraw. Among the songs that Mike has composed are "I Can't Make You Love Me" (Raitt, Michael and Prince), "My Strongest Weakness" and "To Be Loved By You" (Judd), "In This Life" (Raye and Midler), "Sometimes I Wonder Why" (Baker), "Forever's As Far As I'll Go" (Alabama) and "Everywhere" (McGraw).
Now, you may have already known this...but I think it would make an interesting video !
Armstrong had the "burst" - that's a great way to describe his style.
Thank you for the video idea - I will look into the possibility of creating a video along those lines - I'll add it to my ever increasing list.
I had no idea that Reid had all of those artists record his music - amazing!
Hey, I'm a life long Bengals fan and didn't know that until a couple years ago. I knew he was a concert pianist because he played with the Cincinnati Symphony in the off - season. The way I found it out is weird. I fronted Metal Bands back in the 80's....and I'm a big guy 6' 2", 250 lbs. and ( hope this doesn't come out egotistical sounding ) I have a really good vocal range....I can do stuff like Metallica but I can also do Prince and Geoff Tate of Queensryche, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, even Sebastian Bach of Skid Row. Anyway, since I quit doing metal in recent years my "singing outlet" has been karaoke at my best friend's bar , nearly every Friday & Saturday night ! Well, a lot of times I'll get requests ( regulars ALWAYS ask me to do "Purple Rain" )...several times I had a hard time getting thru some of them. I'll never forget one lady had heard me sing and she had just lost her son..who had been stationed in Afghanistan...and asked if I'd do the Elvis version of "How Great Thou Art"...she was crying her eyes out and it was all I could do not to do the same ! Anyway, one night this guy who was obviously depressed asked me if I'd do "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt., and I was taken aback a bit because that was obviously a female vocal. I asked "Any particular reason you wanna hear that ?" And he explained his Ex was in the bar and he was making a last ditch push to get her back and he wanted it dedicated to her. So I agreed to do it...and shockingly I KILLED it...and it became another song I always get requests for. So when I got home from the bar...I was checking out the history of the song ( great song by the way ) and that's how I found out that Mike Reid, former Bengal All Pro DT wrote that song ! Sorry to ramble, but I do think he'd be an interesting subject.
Great stuff, Keith! I'm an '80's metal guy, so I can relate to Halford and Tate's herculean efforts!
Reid won the 1969 Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman, but he found out about it in a magazine article and did not receive any trophy or any monetary compensation....not even a letter notifying him that he had won it - amazing!
Thanks for sharing - I sing in my garage during workouts and I've found that the most difficult singer for me to copy is Geddy Lee and not just for his high notes - I run out of breath - he crams a lot of words into short spaces of time and I can't keep up.
@@markgardner9460 Geddy is tough to do ! But then again look at that NOSE...he definitely ain't running out of breath ! I had a hard time with ( not the vocals but the breath ) "AC / DC's " Brian Johnson and "Shook Me " their is NO place to catch you're breath ! I also had difficulties with Halford on "Freewheel Burning", not with vocals...but he sang a part of it so damned fast ( remember this was the 80's ) I must have listened and rewound that cassette 5,000 times to figure out the lyrics ! Which were " Look before you, leap has never been the way we keep, our road is free / Charging to the top and never give in, never stops the way to be /
Hold on to the lead with all your will and concede, you'll find there's life
With victory on high" if you're not familiar with it, give it a listen and you'll see what I mean, LOL ! So are you a Queensryche fan ! I saw them around 2006, it was supposed to be the last live tour where they did the entire "Operation Mindcrime" show and they merged some of Empire and their latest album. They had lost some luster and I saw them at an old rennovated movie theatre that I went to as a kid in Covington, KY called "The Madison Theatre", it only sat about 2,000 ( I had performed there several times with my band, and I also did an annual Stand - Up show there as a Stand - Up Comic.) I do a great Sam Kinison impersonation, and every year on the anniversary of his death, I break out the beret with the wig sewn inside it, the big coat, the rings, the scarves etc. and in the show I'd do about 45 minutes of original stuff I had written as if it was Sam's views on current events...and I'd close with 15 minutes of his Classic bits. And I always let the audience KNOW that THAT part of the show was Sam's material...the last thing you want to do is STEAL another comic's material...I even went so far as to contact Sam's brother ( also his manager ) and tell him what I planned on doing before doing it to get his blessing. He said "Send me a video of your act !" Sent it, he loved it ! Wow, I have really rambled and got off subject. Anyway, the Venue, because I knew them so well gave me 4 tickets...and I was floored when I looked at the price...they were like $12 ! They were OUTSTANDING ! Amazing show, I already knew the acoustics were great...but MAN ! I had seen them probably 7 or 8 times before ( 1st time was Rupp Arena in Lexington around 1983 or 84 they OPENED for KISS ! Anyway, just thought I'd share that with you !
@@markgardner9460 Yeah the burst is what reminded me of guys like Sanders and Dorsett....they could get to top speed with one step ! I know Armstrong was fast...but I've always thought 40 times were overrated for a back and a WR ! I don't care if you run a 4.2...if it takes you 4 steps to get in gear...that hole is gonna close...and how many times in a game are you running 40 yards...give me the guy that runs the fastest 10 yard dash and can be at top speed in 1 or 2 steps...because as a RB that's all you need to get thru the hole and as a WR that burst is all you need to separate and get WIDE open ! I always liked something the late Brian Piccolo said "I won't get ya 60....but I'll get ya 10 sixes !
Hilights are fun to watch but statistically the #s were incredibly pedestrian..
14 game season. No legalized holding. Far from the pristine playing conditions of today. I think the stats are in line for the era.
James Harris @ QB is everything
I think if Harris had gotten more opportunities he'd have won a Super Bowl before Doug Williams ! Man, did he have a ROCKET !
Harris did have a very live arm AND he, like Williams, was strong and difficult to sack. I think the Rams should have stuck with him.
@@markgardner9460 Without doubt, he was as talented as any QB I ever saw. If I recall, and I could very well be wrong, he was the victim of a huge mistake at QB. I think they traded or released him when they signed an "over the hill" Joe Namath ! They made a bunch of mistakes at that position ! Namath over Harris, Dieter Brock, Ferragamo who was really good for one season, Pat Hayden..and didn't they have Jack Kemp's son at one point ?
Yeah, they had Jeff Kemp. They also tried washed up Bert Jones and Dan Pastorini, too. Just a complete mess at QB for a long time.
@@markgardner9460I forgot they had Bert Jones...man, before he got hurt he was one of the best QB's I'd ever seen ! Yeah, they were a mess !
Cliff Branch as a wide receiver did something strange often times when he scored he would just hand the ball to the ref. Weird right?
Other times he'd spike it within 6 inches of a downed defender, like he did with Pittsburgh's Mike Wagner.
Chuck Foreman always did the same thing and he scored often for the vikes.
I don't recall him every spiking the ball.
Trying to say any Oakland Raiders player from that era had class is a bit of a stretch. The great Chuck Noll called them the criminal element of the NFL.
@@davidmitchell6873 He also included his own all-pro cornerback Mel Blount to that list and might easily have added Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, and Donnie Shell, among others.
The real MVP was snake 🐍.
...and he didn't play in the majority of 2 games
Otis Armsrong sure had a lot of uncontested plays. Any of us could have run some of those, it's like there's space for days.
Maybe we get through the hole before it closes. Then what?
PAIN!! 😫
I've wondered what it would have felt like after getting tackled and then piled on back then. You answered it.
It always scares the heck out of me when a running back is stopped by a group of players and helpless and another defender comes in and bends him over backwards. Always afraid I'm going to witness a broken back.
Great video. My 12 year old football crazed boy and I are loving your stuff. Emmitt Thomas went to Bishop College like you mentioned. Interesting enough Bishop College no longer exists which is hard to imagine. Keep up the great work.
It was absorbed into Paul Quinn College.
Thank you - I'm glad that you and your boy are enjoying my channel. Yes, Bishop College in Dallas closed in '88, unfortunately. Thanks again!
Thank you for that info!
@jimbo3214 He wasn't ....... very few long runs for with his speed. In fact I couldn't remember a 70 or 80 run from him. Marshal or Dickerson......... take your pick. And the same for Ram Q's at that time. But they sure had good defenses.
Armstrong's 5.3 yards per carry lead the entire NFL.
Me. I am.
Your stats must be impressive....I'm sure they are. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@markgardner9460 Better believe it
Where do think Speed Kills come from, Cliff Branch; what an amazing WR; he had playoff records for a while. Plus see what he did hand the refs the ball after a TD...unheard for today.
Now fans can't even bring banners to games.
Branch a classy guy, not spiking the ball near the defender, just gives it to the ref like you're taught in high school, basic sportsmanship. Would blow the top off of a defense. Every team needs a speedy wideout like Branch
🙄
Or wear certain things or paint their faces a certain way with out offending sensitive people. @@markgardner9460
Excellent content but get rid of the music.
Snake 🐍 was MVP and he deserved it.
That's fair enough - thanks for your take!
@@markgardner9460 👍
Whut
Lawrence McCutcheon was an outstanding player for the Rams. He threw a great lateral for a touchdown in Super Bowl XIV.
I remember that touchdown pass. It's interesting that Lawrence had a brother named Larry.
He should be in the HOF, he & Chuck Foreman were the "prototypes" for the RB in the "West Coast" Offense..those 2 guys were Marshall Faulk before Marshall Faulk ! For about 5, 6 years there you could just write Larry in for 1,000 + yards rushing and 35 + catches for another 300 - 500 yds ! Criminally underrated player !
1974 had to be in O. J. Simpson's wheelhouse. I say O. J. should have been MVP!
'74 was a down year for O.J. as he "only" rushed for 1,125 yards and 3 td's. He still finished 4th in the actual MVP voting, so he still had a good year.
Nope. It was 'Snake' and he also should have won the award in '76. The best NFL quarterback, bar none, for half of the decade.
He ended up 3rd in '76, but he should have definitely won it that year, too!
Snake got bailed out by a bogus roughing the passer call in ‘76 on a 3rd and 18 late in the 4th quarter in the playoffs vs the Pats, who beat them 48-17 earlier in year at Foxboro. I think the Pats could’ve won the sb that year instead of Oakland- Aargh!!!
Regarding ‘74, ‘mini Mac “ Herron, all 5’5” of him was a great rb and return man for the Pats that year - I think he was up there in all purpose yards that year.
The Pats would have ran the ball down the Vikes throat if they had met in the Super Bowl.
I wanna do a video of Mini Mac
@@markgardner9460 That would be awesome! His pic on the cover of Street and Smith in 74 or 75 is what turned me into a pats fan at age 9 or 10 - dude looked like Mighty Mouse!
I think he passed away a few years ago.
I didn’t realize he was a star in the cfl before joining the pats (guessing the nfl thought he was too small during the draft?)
Am I the only one who misses the game when a player would score a touchdown and be congratulated by his teammates without all the choreographed, self promoting celebrations?
I could definitely do without the choreographed nonsense. Some fans like it - I get it, but it's not for me.
Most of us here are more than likely older guys. Of course we don't like it but all the complaining isn't going to make it go away. I enjoyed the NFL back then and I enjoy it now.