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Anyone else surprised none of the Air Coryell OL made the HOF?
Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2025 12:47 pm
by Ness
The main five I mean are LT Billy Shields, LG Doug Wilkerson, C Don Macek, RG Ed White, and RT Russ Washington. I'm really interested as to why none have seemingly ever sniffed the HOF, while Fouts, Winslow, and Joiner are in. During the time Air Coryell was really hitting it's stride (1979 to 1985 the Chargers were a top 5 offense every year essentially) those OL really kept Fouts clean. Fouts wasn't one to hold on to the ball that long anyway, but that offense had a lot of long developing patterns. And for how many passing attempts they put up, it's remarkable how low Fouts' sack percentage was. They also helped Chuck Muncie have that monster season. As time went on the OL would change a bit, but most of those 5 played for many years with the Chargers. A couple all with the Chargers. Maybe they only got their recognition when the Chargers stopped being a doormat, and started getting publicized more in the early 80's. I'd have thought Russ Washington would have at least made some noise.
Re: Anyone else surprised none of the Air Coryell OL made the HOF?
Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2025 1:04 pm
by Brian wolf
Hopefully, Washington will make the HOVG this year after everyone forgot about him last year. Macek is the most underrated center in NFL history. White should have already been elected to the HOF but guards are usually an after-thought. Even former lineman, Audick got a ring with the 49ers. This line could run block as well. I think Wilkerson was graded well on Proscout Inc.
As soon as those guys got replaced, Fouts took a beating. Looking back, you just wonder if they could have gone all the way if they had controlled the ball more and reduced the turnovers?
Re: Anyone else surprised none of the Air Coryell OL made the HOF?
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 8:12 pm
by JuggernautJ
Ed White is in the HoVG.
https://www.profootballresearchers.org/ ... -2019.html
I was surprised to be reminded he has a championship ring from the 1969 Vikings and, of course, Minnesota had four super bowl appearances during his time there:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... itEd00.htm
Re: Anyone else surprised none of the Air Coryell OL made the HOF?
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 3:58 am
by Jay Z
Wilkerson, Washington, and Walt Sweeney were all part of the 1973 Chargers offensive line which was by far the best part of that team. Sweeney was traded in 1974 but I think that line helped Don Woods have his big year. Woods' highlights all seem to have him going off tackle with no one touching him at the line of scrimmage and that's the sign of a great line.
Sweeney probably has the best credentials there and he's not in either. They all played forever.