Best ever player to wear jerseys #0/#00 - #99

[Rupert Patrick]

For kickers I nominate Bob Timberlake, backed up by Neil O’Donoghue.

I have been always impressed by O'Donoghue: why he was not cut after missing three short field goals against the Giants in OT in a Monday Night in 1983? Alas, he "starred" in one of the funniest plays I've ever seen, when playing for the Bucs against the Vikings in 1978, after a bad snap he tried to kick the ball, but slipped and Fred McNeill nearly returned it for a TD. But in 1979 he kicked the winning field goal in the monsoon game against Kansas City, giving Tampa Bay his first Division title and playoff spot.

In my kicker rating system, I have Billy Cundiff first and O'Donoghue second among worst career kickers of all time. Career-wise, I have Cundiff rated a -46 and O'Donoghue rated a -43, meaning over the course of their careers they scored 46 and 43 fewer points than contemporary kickers would have scored kicking the same number of extra points attempts and field goal attempts from the same distances that these two guys did. By contrast, Nick Lowery finished his career a +136, Morten Andersen a +127, Jan Stenerud a +120, Jason Hanson a +98 and Gary Anderson a +95. As far as short term kickers, Bob Timberlake was 1-12 during his single 1965 season in the NFL. I would also put John Aveni on the short list, over his 3-year career he was 22-63 in FG's, and in his final year (1961), he was 5-28 from 3-point range.

As for O'Donoghue's FG attempt, where he tries to kick the ball while the ball is rolling down the field and he trips over his own feet and falls, is one of the greatest football follies. According to the game book, it was a 33-yard FG attempt, and Alan Page blocked the kick. I don't understand why Minnesota did not get possession at the TB 10-yard line, but they instead got the ball at the point of the block. It would be against forum rules to provide a link, but I would bet if you go to that information superhighway thingy and type in tubeyou dot com or someting and were to type in the name of the kicker in question, you might just be able to watch that particular clip from the game broadcast.

[Todd Pence]

Okay, I've got a #1 through #20 of worst players to wear the number. There naturally won't be a #00 in this list, as the only two players ever to wear that number both had outstanding careers.

1 Happy Feller
2 Jamarcus Russell
3 Derek Anderson
4 Dale Dawson
5 Craig Wheelihan
6 Bubby Brister
7 Bobby Hoying
8 Mike McMahon
9 Rusty Jackson
10 Dan Darragh
11 Kim McQuilken
12 Bill Troup
13 Don Horn
14 Ryan Lindley
15 Jeff Kemp
16 Ryan Leaf
17 Mike Taliaferro
18 Bob Timberlake
19 Joe Dufek
20 Leroy Keyes

[ChrisBabcock]

E.J. Manuel may beat out Anderson for 3 unless his career turns around. Anderson did have a borderline great year in 2007.

[sheajets]

Browning Nagle could probably challenge McMahon for #8.

[JohnH19]

As discussed in a previous thread about guys who wore #6, Bubby Brister may be the second best player to wear it. Not that that's saying much.

[Todd Pence]

Browning Nagle could probably challenge McMahon for #8.

I once shared a PRT ride with Browning Nagle, in the Spring of '87 during his waning days as a WVU "student". The previous fall I had taken a class in which his name was on the roll (he was a no-show).

[LJP]

Two other candidates:-
8 - Cade McNown
13 - Rick Mirer

[JohnH19]

Okay, I've got a #1 through #20 of worst players to wear the number. There naturally won't be a #00 in this list, as the only two players ever to wear that number both had outstanding careers.

13 Don Horn

Horn had a terrific Game 14 for Green Bay on Dec. 15, 1968 (my 10th birthday) in which he came off the bench to beat the Bears 28-27, a loss which cost Chicago the Central Division title. He also had a very good 1969 season with the Pack starting five games, and going 4-1, for the injured Bart Starr. His best game was again in the season finale when he threw for a then Green Bay record 410 yards and 5 TDs in a 45-28 thumping of the Cardinals. He only started one game in the 1970 season as Phil Bengston was devoted to the aging Starr and then he flamed out as a Bronco, Brown and Charger. Apparently, shoulder and knee injuries played a role in his declining effectiveness.

I have always taken an interest in Horn's career since we share a fairly uncommon last name and our first names obviously rhyme. That was a pretty cool connection for a 10 year old Canadian kid in his first year following the NFL. I remember my dad being very excited watching Horn play well for the Packers.

[slats7]

I was watching some 1974 highlights and noticed that RB Mike Adamle of the Jets was wearing #1. How did he get around the "RB's can only wear #20 to #49" rule?

[JWL]

I was watching some 1974 highlights and noticed that RB Mike Adamle of the Jets was wearing #1. How did he get around the "RB's can only wear #20 to #49" rule?

He entered the league before the jersey number rule change. Harmon Wages, Warren McVea, and Paul Hornung were three of many other RBs who wore a single digit number.