The one that got away...

[7DnBrnc53]

As for the Patriots, I think they had two guys that got away: Ernie Holmes and Rod Smith.

They both originally started with the Steelers and Broncos, respectively. I think that they were cut, and ended up with New England before being released, and going back to their original teams.

I am not too sure how Holmes would have fit in NE's 3-4, but imagine if the Pats had Rod Smith (and still had Curtis Martin) in 2001. Heck, maybe Bledsoe doesn't get hurt, opening the door for a certain someone.

[JuggernautJ]

Ricky Watters, Ted Washington, Wesley Walls, Bill Romanowski, and if you really want to stretch the meaning of "gem", Alex Smith and Delanie Walker....

Thanks!
I'll buy some of those.

I got some laughs at a Super Bowl party when I pointed out that Colin Kaepernick was going to be a free agent this season and could you imagine the look on Alex Smith's face if he was signed by the Chiefs?!

[Jay Z]

I've been trying to think of 49ers that fit this description but mostly what I come up with are guys who played well for the Niners for a period of time but finished their still productive careers with other teams.

Joe Montana, Roger Craig and Ronnie Lott fit that description as does Y.A. Tittle.

And of course, in my opinion, they kept T.O. too long.

Any Niners from before my time (or during) that come to mind?

I haven't found a lot. Earl Morrall? Doesn't seem like he ever would have beat out Tittle and Brodie, though he made it to a Super Bowl, won a championship, and those two never did.

Jim Plunkett? Won two Super Bowls, but I guess they didn't miss him either. Maybe they would have been even better in the early 1980s without the awful Plunkett and Simpson deals?

[Saban1]

The New York Giants helped build their Huff, Gifford, Webster, etc. dynasty (1956-63) with a bunch of good players acquired in trades with other teams. Andy Robustelli and Harland Svare got away from the Los Angeles Rams, Bill Svoboda, Linden Crow, and Pat Summerall from the Cardinals, Alex Webster, Dick Lynch, and Joe Walton from Washington, Dick Modzelewski and Darrell Dess from Pittsburgh, Tom Scott from Philadelphia, Erich Barnes from Chicago, Y.A. Tittle from the 49ers, and Del Shofner, also from the Rams.

The Shofner deal wasn't all bad for the Los Angeles Rams. With the first round draft choice that they got from the Giants for Shofner, they picked Roman Gabriel.

[sheajets]

Ryan and the Eagles knew how talented he was, but the drug problem was getting out of control

Also the Eagles absolutely need to go back to these uniforms again full time.

[slats7]

Dallas: Jimmy Smith, Jim Zorn (though he would have been buried behind Staubach and White)

[JeffreyMiller]

The Bills brought in Jason Peters as a "project" at tight end. They eventually moved him to tackle. He plays well and makes a couple pro bowls. He then goes to Philly where he has been a perennial pro-bowler and two-time all-pro.

[Saban1]

Detroit: Laverne Torgeson and Dick Stanfel - both to Washington.

Detroit needed a middle guard to replace Les Bingaman and traded Torgeson for Jim Ricca. Lions coach Buddy Parker didn't think that Ricca was the answer and fired him on a plane ride home after the Lions 6th straight loss in 1955.

Detroit needed another good defensive tackle and traded Stanfel in a series of trades that led to the Lions acquiring Ray Krouse.

[JohnH19]

j
I am not too sure how Holmes would have fit in NE's 3-4, but imagine if the Pats had Rod Smith (and still had Curtis Martin) in 2001. Heck, maybe Bledsoe doesn't get hurt, opening the door for a certain someone.

That certain someone would have beaten Bledsoe out of the job before long regardless. At some point you're going to have to face the fact that TB is one of the half dozen best QBs ever to play.

[rhickok1109]

j
I am not too sure how Holmes would have fit in NE's 3-4, but imagine if the Pats had Rod Smith (and still had Curtis Martin) in 2001. Heck, maybe Bledsoe doesn't get hurt, opening the door for a certain someone.

That certain someone would have beaten Bledsoe out of the job before long regardless. At some point you're going to have to face the fact that TB is one of the half dozen best QBs ever to play.

Belichick and Rehbein were grooming Brady to take over as the starter in 2002.