He wasnt exactly a "missing piece" but Cedrick Hardman helped the Raiders win the SB in 1980. He was definitely a factor in harrassing Dan Fouts and the Chargers in the AFC Championship game.
Were it enough to help him get future enshrinement into the HOF, remains to be seen. If Dwight Freeney can get elected, I dont see why Hardman cant.
"Missing piece"
Re: "Missing piece"
Not often you would put a rookie here, but Tony Dorsett in 1977 qualifies. A team that was a contender already pulls in a HOF talent in the draft. Stupid trade by the Seahawks.
Odell Beckham for the Rams. In today's NFL you're not going to be the 1970s Steelers where you have way more depth than anyone else. The difference between the winners and losers is a lot less. So I think as a GM you have to try to get that little edge that might put you over the top.
Adderly with the Cowboys was a weird situation since by all accounts Adderly hated the Cowboys scheme. I can't say I'm a big fan of the Flex myself. I think it helped the defensive line at the expense of the back 7. Landry just wanted the back 7 to run to a spot, and they would get burned if the other team's passer knew what he was doing, like in the Ice Bowl. But I guess with Adderly, Green, and Renfro, they could overcome the scheme.
Odell Beckham for the Rams. In today's NFL you're not going to be the 1970s Steelers where you have way more depth than anyone else. The difference between the winners and losers is a lot less. So I think as a GM you have to try to get that little edge that might put you over the top.
Adderly with the Cowboys was a weird situation since by all accounts Adderly hated the Cowboys scheme. I can't say I'm a big fan of the Flex myself. I think it helped the defensive line at the expense of the back 7. Landry just wanted the back 7 to run to a spot, and they would get burned if the other team's passer knew what he was doing, like in the Ice Bowl. But I guess with Adderly, Green, and Renfro, they could overcome the scheme.
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JohnTurney
- Posts: 2562
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2014 1:28 pm
Re: "Missing piece"
Dorsett was exactyl what Dallas needed.Jay Z wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 2:09 pm Not often you would put a rookie here, but Tony Dorsett in 1977 qualifies. A team that was a contender already pulls in a HOF talent in the draft. Stupid trade by the Seahawks.
Odell Beckham for the Rams. In today's NFL you're not going to be the 1970s Steelers where you have way more depth than anyone else. The difference between the winners and losers is a lot less. So I think as a GM you have to try to get that little edge that might put you over the top.
Adderly with the Cowboys was a weird situation since by all accounts Adderly hated the Cowboys scheme. I can't say I'm a big fan of the Flex myself. I think it helped the defensive line at the expense of the back 7. Landry just wanted the back 7 to run to a spot, and they would get burned if the other team's passer knew what he was doing, like in the Ice Bowl. But I guess with Adderly, Green, and Renfro, they could overcome the scheme.
Herb Adderley -- Dallas did play mostly zone--- I think the Flex is interesting. It hurt the pass rush for sure, and did put pressure on the back seven if teams passed versus it. It hurt the DL, too, in terms of rushing QB. But you could say it helped the DL when playing the run, or the front seven, let's call it. It was a coordinated run defense and teams didn't run on Dallas. When they did rush in a normal front they did get a lot of pressure which in turn helped the secondary, intuitively anyway. Theoretically, I suppose..
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Brian wolf
- Posts: 3977
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2019 12:43 am
Re: "Missing piece"
Unlike "missing pieces" that came from trades or free agency, Dorsett was an example of an offensive player draft choice that shouldnt have happened. No wonder Chuck Noll couldnt stand Tex Schramm.
Marcus Allen was another drafted missing piece for the Raiders. Had his 40yrd dash time been better, he might not have fell to them. Imagine had he instead went to the Vikings as the #7 pick instead of Darrin Nelson? With his running and their ability to throw the ball, could the Vikings had gotten their chance at a Lombardi Trophy?
Of course, Jerry Rice in 1985 for SF ...
Big Ben for Pitts in 2004 ... Tomlin is still wanting that type of draft choice for Pitts, since he retired.
Randy Moss would have been the ultimate offensive player example had the Patriots won it all in 2007.
It took three years, but Paul Warfield was an example for the Dolphins in 1970 but it also helped having Buoniconti on defense in 1969.
Marcus Allen was another drafted missing piece for the Raiders. Had his 40yrd dash time been better, he might not have fell to them. Imagine had he instead went to the Vikings as the #7 pick instead of Darrin Nelson? With his running and their ability to throw the ball, could the Vikings had gotten their chance at a Lombardi Trophy?
Of course, Jerry Rice in 1985 for SF ...
Big Ben for Pitts in 2004 ... Tomlin is still wanting that type of draft choice for Pitts, since he retired.
Randy Moss would have been the ultimate offensive player example had the Patriots won it all in 2007.
It took three years, but Paul Warfield was an example for the Dolphins in 1970 but it also helped having Buoniconti on defense in 1969.
Re: "Missing piece"
Jevon Kearse joining the Titans in 1999. Sacks went from 30 to 54 and he had 14.5 of them. Titans went from 8-8 to 13-3 the next 2 years