Missed Opportunities That Could Have Altered NFL History

[Teo]

The Packers in 1981 drafting future Hall of Famer DB Ronnie Lott instead of QB Rich Campbell.

[Brian wolf]

Though the 49ers were the team of the 80's, thats a great call on Marino, who was Gibbs type of QB.

You might be right on Johnson possibly taking Sanders if not Aikman, though Mandarich wowed alot of people in the draft.and Johnson liked Derrick Thomas as well.

I still think Johnson would have taken Walsh though over Rosenbach because he knew his system and won a championship with him in Miami ...

[Brian wolf]

The Packers head scout also wanted to draft Joe Montana in 1979 and Ron Wolf, after missing out on Favre with the NY Jets, ordered his team physician in GB to pass Favre on a physical in order to obtain him from Atlanta in a trade.

[7DnBrnc53]

Though the 49ers were the team of the 80's, thats a great call on Marino, who was Gibbs type of QB.

You might be right on Johnson possibly taking Sanders if not Aikman, though Mandarich wowed alot of people in the draft.and Johnson liked Derrick Thomas as well.

I still think Johnson would have taken Walsh though over Rosenbach because he knew his system and won a championship with him in Miami ...

I am not surprised that he liked Derrick Thomas. In the 1990 draft, the player that he coveted was another OLB, James Francis of Baylor.

The Cowboys were prepared to trade the 21st and 26th picks to the Chiefs for the 13th and 40th picks so they could select Francis.

However, just as they were ready to make their pick, the Bengals drafted him 12th overall. Dallas had to "settle" for Emmitt Smith, and the rest is history.

Here's the scary part: If the Bengals take anyone else but Francis (and Emmitt), there is an outside chance that Smith could have fell all the way to the end of the first round (and right into San Fran's laps). Green Bay could have taken him at 19, but there's no guarantee of that (Darrell Thompson was seen as the second-best back by some [behind Blair Thomas]). And, I still see the Falcons and Giants taking the RB's that they did.

[Brian wolf]

Youre right 7D ... I couldnt remember Francis' name.
I just remember reading about Johnson liking both linebackers but he may have chosen Francis. I am sure Primetime would have been considered as well.

[Brian wolf]

In hindsight, I dont believe the Niners would have taken Smith because he wasnt known as a pass catcher and many teams thought he was too slow for his build but Emmitt was strong, like a smaller version of Earl Campbell.

[7DnBrnc53]

In hindsight, I dont believe the Niners would have taken Smith because he wasnt known as a pass catcher and many teams thought he was too slow for his build but Emmitt was strong, like a smaller version of Earl Campbell.

If the 49ers pass on Emmitt, the next four picks in the scenario above would have been KC, Atlanta, the Jets, and Seattle. The first three either have a back or just took one, and the Seahawks may have been more interested in defense.

With the next two picks, the Bucs and Cards took RB's (Reggie Cobb and Anthony Thompson). If Emmitt lands in one of those spots, the history of either of those teams for the last 30 years may be drastically different.

[rhickok1109]

In hindsight, I dont believe the Niners would have taken Smith because he wasnt known as a pass catcher and many teams thought he was too slow for his build but Emmitt was strong, like a smaller version of Earl Campbell.

If the 49ers pass on Emmitt, the next four picks in the scenario above would have been KC, Atlanta, the Jets, and Seattle. The first three either have a back or just took one, and the Seahawks may have been more interested in defense.

With the next two picks, the Bucs and Cards took RB's (Reggie Cobb and Anthony Thompson). If Emmitt lands in one of those spots, the history of either of those teams for the last 30 years may be drastically different.

Would Emmitt have made the HOF without the Dallas OL?

[Brian wolf]

Being so strong in his legs, Smith could break alot of tackles and could have been a great player with any team. When he won his first rushing title in 1991, nobody knew who his offensive linemen were and some of the linemen like Newton, Gesek and Tuinai were considered to slow or big to be effective blockers. Smith gave notice to that line where Stepnoski, Newton and Erik Williams had great careers with Allen becoming the best guard ever, with apologies to Hannah fans ...

[rhickok1109]

Being so strong in his legs, Smith could break alot of tackles and could have been a great player with any team. When he won his first rushing title in 1991, nobody knew who his offensive linemen were and some of the linemen like Newton, Gesek and Tuinai were considered to slow or big to be effective blockers. Smith gave notice to that line where Stepnoski, Newton and Erik Williams had great careers with Allen becoming the best guard ever, with apologies to Hannah fans ...

My question was really rhetorical. I do think Smith is a genuine HOF back.

Here's an interesting discussion:
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/extra-points/2010/was-emmitt-smith-really-product-his-line