Who Is The Greatest Virginia NFL Product?

[Kenneth Harris]

There have been an endless list of football players from Virginia that have changed the landscape of the NFL. When a reporter asked Bill Belichick about defensive players the Patriots coach respectively told the man that defense play conversations begin and end with Peninsula District product, from the Lafayette Rams, Lawrence Taylor. Lafayette Rams RB Mel Gray redefined and modernized punt returning. Aaron Brooks introduced his cousin Michael Vick who simply electrified NFL fans from the QB position. 3 Virginia players, Russell Wilson, Percy Harvin and Kam Chancellor led the Seahawks to a demolition of the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Herman Moore, Ronde Barber, Tiki Barber. Menchville Monarchs WR Al Toon made Jets fans believe. Who is the greatest? An argument can be made that Russell Wilson is the most successful, with thefact that he went through private school leaving you to wonder what one of the Richmond area public schools would have achieved with him at the helm. The Central Region has it’s stamp on the NFL. Newport News and Denbigh Patriots product Mike Tomlin has solidified himself as one of the great coaches while leading Pittsburgh. So who do you have as the greatest?

 

[FridayNightLights03]

It's Lawrence Taylor, hands down. The greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL. A player who changed the game as we know it.

 

[OldIndian81]

That’s a great question! I have to go with LT too! So many good ones - VA could field an amazing team. Willie Lanier (Maggie Walker), Hall of Fame middle linebacker for Kansas City, 60-70’s was a great football player! Some WR’s - Toon and Harvin as mentioned, Torry Smith from my high school (Stafford)!and college (Maryland) , and my all time favorite, Gary Clark (Pulaski). Kenny Easley, S!

 

[springer76]

There have been an endless list of football players from Virginia that have changed the landscape of the NFL. When a reporter asked Bill Belichick about defensive players the Patriots coach respectively told the man that defense play conversations begin and end with Peninsula District product, from the Lafayette Rams, Lawrence Taylor. Lafayette Rams RB Mel Gray redefined and modernized punt returning. Aaron Brooks introduced his cousin Michael Vick who simply electrified NFL fans from the QB position. 3 Virginia players, Russell Wilson, Percy Harvin and Kam Chancellor led the Seahawks to a demolition of the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Herman Moore, Ronde Barber, Tiki Barber. Menchville Monarchs WR Al Toon made Jets fans believe. Who is the greatest? An argument can be made that Russell Wilson is the most successful, with thefact that he went through private school leaving you to wonder what one of the Richmond area public schools would have achieved with him at the helm. The Central Region has it’s stamp on the NFL. Newport News and Denbigh Patriots product Mike Tomlin has solidified himself as one of the great coaches while leading Pittsburgh. So who do you have as the greatest?

Russell Wilson went to Collegiate School in Richmond. He did his little league football with Tuckahoe Tomahawks. Which tells me he would most likely have gone to either Douglas Freeman or JR Tucker, living in the Tuckahoe District.
The other great I was thinking of is Bruce Smith, from Norfolk, attended Booker T Washington HS, then VaTech. The sack man!

 

[1MoreHokie]

Shouldn't have taken even three posts to mention Smith, my goodness. He's at worst the 2nd best NFLer from Virginia.

 

[Kenneth Harris]

Russell Wilson went to Collegiate School in Richmond. He did his little league football with Tuckahoe Tomahawks. Which tells me he would most likely have gone to either Douglas Freeman or JR Tucker, living in the Tuckahoe District.
The other great I was thinking of is Bruce Smith, from Norfolk, attended Booker T Washington HS, then VaTech. The sack man!

Do you think JR Tucker or Freeman would have been more successful with Wilson as quarterback?

 

[springer76]

Do you think JR Tucker or Freeman would have been more successful with Wilson as quarterback?

I do! He would have been a difference maker on any team back then.

 

[cutnjump]

There have been an endless list of football players from Virginia that have changed the landscape of the NFL. When a reporter asked Bill Belichick about defensive players the Patriots coach respectively told the man that defense play conversations begin and end with Peninsula District product, from the Lafayette Rams, Lawrence Taylor. Lafayette Rams RB Mel Gray redefined and modernized punt returning. Aaron Brooks introduced his cousin Michael Vick who simply electrified NFL fans from the QB position. 3 Virginia players, Russell Wilson, Percy Harvin and Kam Chancellor led the Seahawks to a demolition of the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Herman Moore, Ronde Barber, Tiki Barber. Menchville Monarchs WR Al Toon made Jets fans believe. Who is the greatest? An argument can be made that Russell Wilson is the most successful, with thefact that he went through private school leaving you to wonder what one of the Richmond area public schools would have achieved with him at the helm. The Central Region has it’s stamp on the NFL. Newport News and Denbigh Patriots product Mike Tomlin has solidified himself as one of the great coaches while leading Pittsburgh. So who do you have as the greatest?

You could put a complete first team O&D along with specialists together and you would not have to even strain. Having said that, it is pretty hard not to start with LT and it is a very short walk to Bruce Smith in terms of talking about the best.

The defense would be sick with a linebackers Corp of Willie Lanier, Lawrence Taylor and Buddy Curry to start with and you could include James Farrior and a host of others as depth. The back end has Kenny Easley and Kam Chancellor as your safeties and D'Angelo Hall and Ronde Barber as the corners, again with a host of others as depth. The dline includes Bruce Smith, Chris Long, and any number of others including D. Hand, J. Allen, D. Tapp, J. Engleberger, etc., etc.. I am sure I have forgotten/omitted a number of other deserving names. The offense would be loaded as well but, I will let somebody else have a shot at that other than to say Dwight Stephenson at center is the anchor. Have at it fellas and ladies!

 

[BleedingNavy]

I'm old school so I will say Willie Lanier (Chiefs), Carroll Dale (Packers), Charles Haley (Niners) and lastly Fran Tarkenton - Born in Richmond (Giants and Vikings). A newer player I really liked was Heath Miller (Steelers). Great topic Mr. Harris.

 

[springer76]

I'm old school so I will say Willie Lanier (Chiefs), Carroll Dale (Packers), Charles Haley (Niners) and lastly Fran Tarkenton - Born in Richmond (Giants and Vikings). A newer player I really liked was Heath Miller (Steelers). Great topic Mr. Harris.

Tiki Barber, Terry Kirby, Mat Shaub, Hermann Moore, D.Brickashaw Furgeson, Bill Dudley...

 

[OldIndian81]

Dre Bly CB, Chris Hanburger LB, John Jett P, Dwight White DL, Larry Bethea DL, Chris Slade DE, Scott Norwood K, Chris Warren RB, Leroy Keyes RB, Henry Jordan DL, -Ken Willard RB - a few All Americans, All Pro’s, Pro Bowlers, Super Bowl Champs, or Hall if Famers

 

[Thomasddev]

It's Lawrence Taylor, hands down. The greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL. A player who changed the game as we know it.

Lawrence Taylor may be the greatest football player ever.

 

[Thomasddev]

Do you think JR Tucker or Freeman would have been more successful with Wilson as quarterback?

He was going to play for Hermitage but Hermitage made it known he would not take the starting job from the kid that was in the same grade as him. The starting qb ended up going onto Virginia Tech and lost his job to Logan Thomas.

 

[BleedingNavy]

Dre Bly CB, Chris Hanburger LB, John Jett P, Dwight White DL, Larry Bethea DL, Chris Slade DE, Scott Norwood K, Chris Warren RB, Leroy Keyes RB, Henry Jordan DL, -Ken Willard RB - a few All Americans, All Pro’s, Pro Bowlers, Super Bowl Champs, or Hall if Famers

Man you brought up my favorite player as a youngen. I was nuts over #55 Chris Hamburger.

 

[OldIndian81]

Man you brought up my favorite player as a youngen. I was nuts over #55 Chris Hamburger.

Yeah, I liked him and the Over the Hill Gang a lot! He made a crazy number of Pro Bowls, like 10-plus but is somehow under rated and lost to history!

 

[95mv]

Lawrence Taylor , Bruce smith , and 5 time Super Bowl champion Charles Haley who I can’t believe hasn’t been mentioned

 

[Kenneth Harris]

Lawrence Taylor , Bruce smith , and 5 time Super Bowl champion Charles Haley who I can’t believe hasn’t been mentioned

He was not mentioned yet so that you could. With each name added we prove Virginia NFL pros are the standard. Nice post.

 

[croakerfishin]

It's Lawrence Taylor, hands down. The greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL. A player who changed the game as we know it.

No doubt! LT

 

[Twobyfour]

I have seen Terry Kirby, Allen Iverson and Juan Thornhill. Kirby was just a highlight reel. Iverson and Thornhill are the best athletes I have ever seen anywhere in my 53 yrs of life. Had Iverson played fb he would have been special. And Thornhill has 5 state rings, I don’t know if anyone has that many. I never saw either of the Vicks in High School, but I would take Iverson over either of them. Also, never got a chance to see Tyrod Taylor, always thought he was pretty special as well

 

[Kenneth Harris]

I have seen Terry Kirby, Allen Iverson and Juan Thornhill. Kirby was just a highlight reel. Iverson and Thornhill are the best athletes I have ever seen anywhere in my 53 yrs of life. Had Iverson played fb he would have been special. And Thornhill has 5 state rings, I don’t know if anyone has that many. I never saw either of the Vicks in High School, but I would take Iverson over either of them. Also, never got a chance to see Tyrod Taylor, always thought he was pretty special as well

It is hard for people that did not see Iverson live to understand how good he was playing football. He ran like a gazelle. He is why Bethel won football and basketball.

 

[-COUNTRY-CLUB-JOE-]

Dre Bly CB, Chris Hanburger LB, John Jett P, Dwight White DL, Larry Bethea DL, Chris Slade DE, Scott Norwood K, Chris Warren RB, Leroy Keyes RB, Henry Jordan DL, -Ken Willard RB - a few All Americans, All Pro’s, Pro Bowlers, Super Bowl Champs, or Hall if Famers

People forget how good Dre Bly was even early in his career. Led the nation with 11 interceptions and was an All-American as a redshirt freshman.

 

[WP02alum]

Lawrence Taylor , Bruce smith , and 5 time Super Bowl champion Charles Haley who I can’t believe hasn’t been mentioned

Co-sign on these as the top 3. From Lafayette/UNC, Booker T. Washington/VPI&SU & William Campbell/JMU respectively.

 

[BleedingNavy]

Lawrence Taylor , Bruce smith , and 5 time Super Bowl champion Charles Haley who I can’t believe hasn’t been mentioned
[/QUOTE
Look up about six post I mentioned Haley. You probably have the correct list though.

 

[Kenneth Harris]

Co-sign on these as the top 3. From Lafayette/Penn State, Booker T. Washington/VPI&SU & William Campbell/JMU respectively.

I believe Lawrence Taylor played for North Carolina..

 

[10iceiceice]

Ricky Huntley from petersburg 79 state championship team was a beast and Denver Broncos player.

 

[BullRun66]

Do not forget about Juan Thornhill from Altavista playing with the Chiefs now

 

[Researcher27]

Bill Dudley from Graham and UVA. NFL HOF. Was captain of UVA his Senior year at age ...... 19!

Bill Dudley - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[BleedingNavy]

Ricky Huntley from petersburg 79 state championship team was a beast and Denver Broncos player.

@10iceiceice, Ricky Hunley was one of the hardest hitting players I have ever seen. I remember watching him on film in 1979 and in person when Petersburg defeated PH-Roanoke in the state championship in Richmond. A lot of people don't know that he kicked off for the Crimson Wave. He would come running down the field and just blow up the wedge.

 

[Thomasddev]

I believe Lawrence Taylor played for North Carolina..

Lawrence Taylor played high school football in Williamsburg VA.

 

[Thomasddev]

This isn't really much of a debate, VA has produced some great players but Lawrence Taylor is not only the greatest VA product but in many people minds outside the state of VA, he is arguably this greatest NFL player ever. Dude changed the way offenses game planned.

 

[Kenneth Harris]

Lawrence Taylor played high school football in Williamsburg VA.

Yea. Peninsula District. NCAAF - UNC

 

[WP02alum]

I believe Lawrence Taylor played for North Carolina..

Lol my brain flipped LT with Arrington. Oops