I searched for an existing thread on this topic, but couldn't seem to find one. With VT's season over and my attention now turned to the pros, I'm curious who would be on the Virginia Tech Mt. Rushmore based solely on their NFL careers. I would tend to say it's obvious that Bruce and Vick would make the cut.
For me, in no particular order:
Michael Vick
Bruce Smith
DeAngelo Hall
Carroll Dale
Who's on yours?
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I think you have to include Shayne Graham on that one... 15 years in the NFL...
I didn't realize he is with the Falcons until Sunday. I looked and he is 35th all time in NFL scoring. Impressive.
Wow, what a career:
Richmond Speed (2000)
New Orleans Saints (2000)*
Seattle Seahawks (2001)*
Buffalo Bills (2001)
Seattle Seahawks (2002)*
Carolina Panthers (2002)
Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2009)
Baltimore Ravens (2010)*
New York Giants (2010)
New England Patriots (2010)
Washington Redskins (2011)*
Dallas Cowboys (2011)*
Miami Dolphins (2011)
Baltimore Ravens (2011)
Houston Texans (2012)
Cleveland Browns (2013)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (2013)
New Orleans Saints (2013–2014)
Atlanta Falcons (2015–present)
RIP Richmond Speed
I had season tickets that first season.
Joey Phillips, Jared Mazzetta, Mbindo Dongo, and Doug Easlick
I'd double up on the Bruce. Arians and Smith.
I guess my other two would be Grove and Hall.
There are four spots after all...
Vick, Smith, Taylor, Chancellor
While the limitation of NFL careers keeps him off, you won't have any panache without the face of Sam Rogers up there.
Shane Graham, Corey Moore, Andre Davis
Since NFL is a requirement: Michae Vick and Bruce have to be on as 1st overall draft picks.
Longevity, Shayne
High draft pick, plus length of career and accolades: DeAngelo.
Bruce Arians is rapidly rising due to his coaching success but don't know how that plays into this example.
Based on career statistics/relevance in the league, my Mount Rushmore right now would be:
Bruce Smith, Michael Vick, Carroll Dale and Antonio Freeman.
Others under consideration would be:
DeAngelo Hall, George Preas, Buzz Nutter, Mike Johnson, Robert Brown
Two current players who have legitimate shots to move into the conversation:
Duane Brown and Kam Chancellor
Completely agree with this list. Duane Brown has been a hoss for Houston. He's only missed 6 total games in 7 seasons with the team as an offensive tackle. I also think Kam is #1 in the league at his position right now. Hopefully he can keep it going for many seasons.
Unfortunately Brown just went down with a knee injury. The entire Texans team showed theit respect for him by coming out the the cart.
Smith, Vick, Chancellor, Freeman
For me it's Smith, Vick, Hall, and Chancellor. Hopefully I can replace someone with Tyrod down the road, but he has a long way to go.
My Mount Rushmore (in order):
Bruce Smith
Michael Vick
Kam Chancellor
DeAngelo Hall
Next 4:
Duane Brown
Carroll Dale
Antonio Freeman
Shayne Graham
Leg for having the same top 4 as me!
Great minds think alike! ;) (and a leg for you too)
Uhh, what about Frank Beamer [says obvious guy]?
How was Frank's NFL career?
Sorry, but anytime I see the words HOKIE and RUSHMORE I immediately equate FRANK BEAMER.
The NFL requirement doesn't make any sense.
If you're doing a Mount Rushmore for Hokie Football, Beamer's head better be up there.
The question made sense to me, but some of the answers lead me to believe not everyone interpreted it as intended .... To state the OP's question a little differently: what 4 Tech players do you believe went on to have the best NFL careers?
I thought adding the NFL stipulation made things a little more interesting. I figured almost all VT Football Mt. Rushmore lists would start with Beamer, Smith, and Vick only leaving one spot for everyone to discuss.
It's a good stipulation. The college vs. NFL distinction invariably comes up, because, believe it or not, this topic has been started twice.
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2015/june/17/bitter-blog-who-would-you...
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/february/14/virginia-tech-mount-r...
Smith, Strock, Freeman, and Dale.
Others for consideration, Vick, Hall, Grove, Chancellor, Graham, Preas, Nutter.
If not NFL based, Wang. Every team monument could use a big Wang.
And a little Wang
Fine. Vick, Smith, Hall, Dale.
Also: Chancellor, Brown, Freeman, Graham
Vick and Smith are obvious. After that I think you could make arguments for and against just about anyone. Arians has two Super Bowls as assistants but outside of that he hasn't put himself on the map like others have. That could change this season though. Graham is a hell of a guy who has stuck it out through a lot but there's a reason he hasn't had the career others have. Duane Brown is steady but doesn't have the name others due since he's a Lineman. Chancellor seems like a nod. So I'd say Vick, Smith, Brown, and Chancellor.
Wow. No love for Brandon Flowers. DHall career in the NFL hasn't been much better and I would put Brandon in there over Kam. Unless there is something I don't know about like Brandon speaking negatively of all things VTech since he left Blacksburg.........
Vick, Smith, Freeman, DHall..............Flowers, Kam, Graham are next..............
EDIT......After checking there career stats I was wrong.............DHall has more than double the picks of Flowers in just 4 more years...........48 to 20.........but I still think Flowers deserved at least a mention...........DBU
Unfortunately Flowers' career does not (at this point) equal D'los because Hall has been to more Pro Bowls while Flowers has been to only 1 (if we're following the NFL format).
Pro bowls have become a name recognition contest.
Agreed, but they help play a part in players getting inducted to the HOF, plus I posted it before he added the rest of the stats.
We'll just have to build a rotunda or some sort of "capital district" full of memorials for all the rest that won't fit on the mountain. And a wax museum in Paris.
Mine would be: Smith, Hall, Vick, Graham, but you could argue for quite a few others in that mix. Really depends on the day...
Negatory ghost rider, you would have to have Corey Moore with his eyes, followed by Frank Beamer, Bud Foster and Bruce Smith
I know there are a lot of young people here, but I can't believe no one has yet posted/considered Tony Paige....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Paige
Never heard of him, but I'd say he should be in the conversation.
Vick
Bruce
Hall
Kam
Super bowl win this year would put Arians close to being in my 4
Bruce Smith
Michael Vick
DeAngelo Hall
Antonio Freeman (because Packers and Super Bowl and HE DID WHAT)
Regarded as the best at their position at some point in their career:
Bruce Smith, Duane Brown, Kam Chancellor
That leaves a fight between Michael Vick, Antonio Freeman, Carroll Dale,Jake Grove, DeAngelo Hall for the last spot.