Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Sep 04, 2023 5:00 pm Steve Owens had an injury-plagued career as well after playing well in 1971 for the Lions.

Tony Reed had a similar career with KC as a runner without the Heisman Trophy. A good second year in 1978 before succumbing to injuries.

In the 1974 Thanksgiving Day Game against Denver, Steve Owens had a 27-yard run, the longest of his pro career. On the play he tore up his knee and never played again.

Oddly a fellow Oklahoma Heisman winner, Billy Sims, tore up a knee a decade later and never played again. Sims was also playing for the Detroit Lions.

Still another Heisman winner, Bo Jackson, had a career-ending injury in 1990 playing for the Raiders. Jackson did play baseball again, but not football.

Pat Studstill 1966 Lions

Sonny9 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 04, 2023 11:29 pm Pat Studstill 1966 Lions

This guy right here. What was the story behind this super random breakout from a guy who it appears was primarily a punter?

Yeah, Bo Jackson and Billy Sims could have been exciting crowds for years without their injuries. I always wonder what NFL history would have been like if the league had just stuck with grass fields and never tried to combine baseball and football fields, or adapt to artificial turf?

Maybe when NBC cameras showed the New York Jets in the Houston Astrodome playing the Oilers, television suits were determined to convince team executives how visual, a controlled, dome or turf stadium could look showing football in a different way, free from weather interference and more comforting for the fans at the game. The sacrifice of players bodies though, continues to be enormous.

Though I felt he was a true versatile professional, John Cappelletti never could put it together to make the impact as a runner, people might have expected. He joins a loaded Rams team and gets lost in a rotation of good backs, then later, is primarily a blocker for a pass happy Chargers offense.

He never produced a 1000 yard season or met pro expectations but can you imagine what he might have achieved with the Eagles, Steelers, Giants, Colts or Redskins? More the idea of a blue-collar player for a blue-collar team. A guy who could have been more a fan favorite, though with some of these teams, wouldnt have had the blocking to thrive. Too slow in the pros? Or just not enough running attempts to get into a flow for games?

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2023 12:51 am Yeah, Bo Jackson and Billy Sims could have been exciting crowds for years without their injuries. I always wonder what NFL history would have been like if the league had just stuck with grass fields and never tried to combine baseball and football fields, or adapt to artificial turf?

Maybe when NBC cameras showed the New York Jets in the Houston Astrodome playing the Oilers, television suits were determined to convince team executives how visual, a controlled, dome or turf stadium could look showing football in a different way, free from weather interference and more comforting for the fans at the game. The sacrifice of players bodies though, continues to be enormous.

Hard agree, Brian. It's time to ban turf, especially with all new stadiums having clear retractable roofs, making it possible for grass to grow while keeping out the harsh elements. Not to say I don't love mud and snow games more than anything!

JameisSaintston wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2023 12:10 am

Sonny9 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 04, 2023 11:29 pm Pat Studstill 1966 Lions

This guy right here. What was the story behind this super random breakout from a guy who it appears was primarily a punter?

in 1964 Barr was the man 57-1030-18.1-9 Gogdiil the other wideout. Both real good. Both get hurt. Then the Lions don't really have much for years after that.

In 1965 Barr plays the first 7 games and that's it for his career. Cogdill was hurt late '64 and again in the preseason of '65. He played in weeks 5-10 and 12. Big down turn in his career starting in 1965 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... gdGa00.htm So Studstill gets a lot more playing time.
1966 They don't really have anyone to throw to but Studstill. Cogdill catches 47 for an avg per catch of 8.7 He's still hurt with that low avg, 1 TD and a long of 21
1967 They use special teamer Bill Malinchak and John Henderson who didn't do much. Studstill pulled his hamstring.
1968 they got TE Charlie Sanders and he opened up the field right away. Studstill goes to the Lions who had Jack Snow and Bernie Casey.

I went up to 1975 and got tired of trying to find a good Lion wide out. lol A handful of decent ones

Terry Miller of the post-OJ 1978 Bills, In 1978 ran for 1060 (4.5 YPC); he finished his career in 1981 in Seattle with 1583 career rushing yards.

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2023 1:18 am Though I felt he was a true versatile professional, John Cappelletti never could put it together to make the impact as a runner, people might have expected. He joins a loaded Rams team and gets lost in a rotation of good backs, then later, is primarily a blocker for a pass happy Chargers offense.

He never produced a 1000 yard season or met pro expectations but can you imagine what he might have achieved with the Eagles, Steelers, Giants, Colts or Redskins? More the idea of a blue-collar player for a blue-collar team. A guy who could have been more a fan favorite, though with some of these teams, wouldnt have had the blocking to thrive. Too slow in the pros? Or just not enough running attempts to get into a flow for games?

I remember reading an interview with John Cappelletti after football in which he said he could have gained over a thousand yards in a season if Mark Van Eeghen did.

Sonny9 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2023 3:06 am 1967 They use special teamer Bill Malinchak and John Henderson who didn't do much. Studstill pulled his hamstring.
1968 they got TE Charlie Sanders and he opened up the field right away. Studstill goes to the Lions who had Jack Snow and Bernie Casey.

Those late-60s Lions teams are fairly anonymous to me. I was surprised to learn that the two TEs the Lions had in 1967 were 31 year old Jim Gibbons and 32 year old Ron Kramer. That has to be the most 'lumbering' TE tandem in NFL history. No wonder they drafted Charlie Sanders.