Yesterday in ICYMI we took a look at how few current NFL players are born/raised in Massachusetts. So in today’s edition of Top 5 I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the greatest NFL players of all-time born in Massachusetts. This is based on NFL careers only, not high school, college or anything else (sorry Flutie fans!). My picks: #5)Fred Smerlas (NT; Buffalo 1979-89, SF 1990, NE 1991-92). Waltham native played in 200 games, made 5 Pro Bowls and was named 1st Team All Pro in 1982. #4)Tom Nalen (C, Denver 1994-Present). Foxboro native has played in 194 games, starting 188. Has won 2 Super Bowls, made 5 Pro Bowls and was named 1st Team All Pro in 2003. #3)Walt Sweeney (G, SD 1963-73, WAS 1974-75). Cohasset native did not miss a game for first 12 years of his career and played in 181 of 182 total. Made 9 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1964-72 and was 1st Team All Pro in both 1967 & 1968. #2)Nick Buoniconti (Boston 1962-68, Miami 1969-76). Springfield native was named to 8 Pro Bowls and named 1st Team All Pro 5 times. Named to AFL All-Time team. Advanced to 3 Super Bowls, winning 2, included the undefeated 1972 season. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. #1)Howie Long (Oakland/LA Raiders 1981-93). Born in Somerville, Long was a Super Bowl champ, 8-time Pro Bowl selection, 3-time 1st Team All Pro, 2-titme 2nd Team All Pro, had 91.5 career sacks and was selected to the 1980’s All-Decade Team. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
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For the entire list of players born in MA that have played in the NFL...
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/friv/birthplaces.cgi?country=USA&state=MA
If I have time (and this website is a testament to the fact that I usually do) I will try to put together the all-time team born in Massachusetts.
Here's the all Ma team. I had some time to come up with my team. All from the link DK posted.
Offense--
QB - Matt Hasselbeck
RB - Mark van Eeghen
RB/FB - Don McCauley
TE - Mark Bavaro
WR - Bill Brooks
E(wr) - Jim Colclough
OT- Frank Varrichione
OT - Paul Farren
C - Tom Nalen
OG - Walt Sweeney
OG - Pete Kendall
Defense--
DT - Joe Nash
DT - Fred Smerlas
DE- Howie Long
DE- Bob Dee
LB - Nick Buoniconti
LB - Pat Hughes
LB - Jim Cheyunski
DB - Bruce Laird
DB - Dick Jauron(NFL.com says born in Illinois)
DB - Rich Miano
DB - Chris Gamble
K - Rolf Benirschke
P - Terry Swanson
Well done gmac....
Solid on both lines.
the only problem with going with guys only born in mass is it leaves out a guy like doug flutie who is clearly a mass native and just wasnt born here. not that i would have voted for flutie anyway.
i would also put lofa tatupu in the top 5. he has already made 3 pro bowls and gone tot a super bowl. by the time he retired he may be top 3
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