Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I've always believed that Gray had HOF talent, but for some reasons his whole career isn't at that level (cut by Miami as a 3rd round draft choice, his holdout in 1977 with the Patriots and his trade to the Oilers in 1979 when he established himself as one of the top tackles in the league [Gray was All-Pro in consecutive years for two teams], then he went to New Orleans, where he spent two years as a backup before retiring). Why he didn't started in New Orleans? It was due to age/injury or both? Still, I think he deserves at least being in the HOVG.

"Nagging injuries" were cited as the reason why Gray never got back to his All-Pro level when he was cut in June 1984. The Oilers dealt him right before the '82 strike because he was in another contract dispute. By the time the season resumed, Gray did next to nothing.

During the '83 training camp, he had ankle and thigh troubles, and leg problems that kept him out of a good portion of the season.

Some timely trivia: Gray was traded for Archie Manning, who had just lost the starting job to Ken Stabler.