Phillips couldn't outrun off-the-field troubles ESPN.com Updated: April 17, 2008, 4:42 PM ET Every year, players enter the NFL draft who are expected to be the next big thing. They're projected as top-10 picks; their scouting reports are flawless; and they are supposed to change the way their position is played.But for every player who comes in, makes an immediate impact and becomes a perennial Pro Bowler, there are those who struggle to find their way and are out of the league in no time. Here is ESPN.com's ranking of the top 50 busts in NFL draft history. ~ ~ ~ 7. WR Johnny "Lam" Jones (Texas) Drafted by: Jets, first round, No. 2 overall, 1980 Much more was expected from this speedster, who certainly could stretch the field but never became an elite receiver. In five lackluster seasons with the Jets, Jones caught just 138 passes for 2,322 yards and 13 touchdowns. ~ ~ 22. RB Blair Thomas (Penn State) Drafted by: Jets, first round, No. 2 overall, 1990 The former Nittany Lion lasted four seasons with the Jets and never reached 1,000 yards rushing. After being let go by New York in 1993, Thomas made brief appearances with the Patriots, Cowboys and Panthers. He rushed for 2,236 yards and seven touchdowns in his disappointing career. ~ 41. WR Reggie Rembert (West Virginia) Drafted by: Jets, second round, No. 28 overall, 1990 The Jets thought they had a steal with Rembert when he slipped into the second round, but they were unable to sign him and subsequently dealt him to Cincinnati. In three seasons with the Bengals, Rembert caught only 36 passes for 437 yards and a touchdown. Fortunately for the Jets, they managed to draft WR Rob Moore in the supplemental draft that year. ~ 46. WR Alex Van Dyke (Nevada) Drafted by: Jets, second round, No. 31 overall, 1996 After using the first overall selection on WR Keyshawn Johnson, the Jets went back to the wide receiver well and came up a lot drier. In three seasons with New York, Van Dyke managed just 25 receptions, three for touchdowns. > http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3325687&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
The Kotite era was such a disaster, why in the world would you draft Keyshawn #1 and then Van Dyke at #28? Two WR's in what would now be the first round....Can you imagine if Mangine would do this next week? His body would be torn limb by limb and hung in each of the five boroughs.... Were coaches really that stupid back then or has the internet and access to information made us all that much smarter?
I think ESPN's list was a tad bit humble toward overlooking some other Jet draft busts, especially the first round. You can easily add the following to the list some where in the top 50 without hesitation: Mike Hauight______#22 Roger Vick________#21 Dave Cadigan______#8 Russell Carter______#10 Bob Crable________#23 Ron Faurot________#15 Talk about a who's who list of unknowns ( with the exception of Dave Cadigan). There were also quite a number of second rounders that could very well make the first day list, such as Dorian Boose and Kurt Barber, to name a few.
The only reason I remember Cadigan is because his name was usually followed by Holding or False Start.
interesting. It's ancient history, but I always thought Van Dyke in 96 with the 1st pick in the second round was the stupidest. We had just drafted Keyshawn with the 1st pick in the first round and already had Chrebet and Graham. I was rooting for Tony Braakens or FB Mike A. and Kotite reaches for van dyke. Of course this was year after he passed on Sapp for Brady. Kotite played too much football without his helmet.
I remember the Mike Haight pick when I was a kid, everyone's reaction was HUH? Awful Guard that always held and got in fights. Jets though that meant he was tough and scrappy. Even the local news sports guy was laughing at the pick.(ESPN was not a big deal then)
Yeah, the Jets have had some bad first round picks but then so has everybody else. Just go back and look at all the first rounds and see how many of those guys you can't even remember now.
When talking 84 draft, how could you mention Faurot and Carter and leave out Kenny Hobart (Idaho QB)? Thats just not fair to Kenny, he was just as much a bust as the others! I think Jim Sweeney was a second rounder that year. What a nightmare.
Yeah Bomber, you'r right. After Lam(e) Jones, Faurot was my all time most hated pick...he just sucked beyond imagination. I wouldn't put Crable on the list. True, he never amounted to anything, but looked quite promising until he suffered a devastating knee injury from which he never recovered. Had that not happened, I think he would have established himself as a pretty good LB, along the lines of a Mehl or Clifton. At least that's the way I remember him.
ESPN missed many busts with that list. These guys have to be included on any top 50 draft busts list: Mossy Cade, CB, Chargers, 6th overall, 1984 Michael Haddix, RB, Eagles, 8th overall, 1983 Steve Pisarkiewicz, QB, Cardinals, 19th overall, 1977 Ken Sims, DE, Patriots, 1st overall, 1982 Dimitrius Underwood, DE, Vikings, 29th overall, 1999 Bo Matthews, RB, Chargers, 2nd overall, 1974 Carl Barzilauskas, DT, Jets, 6th overall, 1974 Larry Stegent, RB, Cardinals, 8th overall, 1970
Hobart was not part of any regular draft. The Jets selected him in the USFL Dispersal Draft held on June 5, 1984. It was a three-round supplemental draft used for NFL teams to select players who were under contract with other leagues, primarily the USFL, but also the CFL. Hobart was with the Denver Gold. The draft gave NFL teams the rights to the players should they ever become free agents. That happened in 1986 when the USFL folded. The Jets three selections- 10. Ken Hobart, QB, Denver Gold 38. Jim Sandusky, WR, British Columbia Lions 64. Turner Gill, QB, Montreal Alouettes The top five picks- 1. Buccaneers- Steve Young, QB, Los Angeles Express 2. Oilers- Mike Rozier, RB, Pittsburgh Maulers 3. Giants- Gary Zimmerman, G, Los Angeles Express 4. Eagles- Reggie White, DE, Memphis Showboats 5. Chiefs- Mark Adickes, T, Los Angeles Express Other notable players who had some success in the NFL- 11. Browns- Kevin Mack, RB, Los Angeles Express 15. Saints- Vaughn Johnson, LB, Jacksonville Bulls 16. Patriots- Ricky Sanders, WR, Houston Gamblers 21. Rams- William Fuller, DE, Philadelphia Stars 36. Colts- Albert Bentley, RB, Michigan Panthers 42. Saints- Mel Gray, RB/KR, Los Angeles Express 44. Browns- Gerald McNeil, WR, Houston Gamblers 55. Redskins- Gary Clark, WR, Jacksonville Bulls 83. Redskins- Clarence Verdin, WR, Houston Gamblers EDIT: here is a link to that draft http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=1456
I barely remember the USFL when the Generals had Hershel Walker but Houston had a decent WR corp with Sanders, McNeil and Verdin all better than average NFL WRs. Who did they have throwing them the ball?
Hard to imagine any team being succesful with 3/5s of an OL consisting of Mike Haight, Dave Cadigan and Jeff Criswell. I believe Jim Sweeney was the C and Dan Alexander as the other T. That was 1988.....
Well, be careful what you say. That team, if it was 1988, gave up less sacks than our team did last year and had more yards per carry. So what does this say about Ferguson, Mangold and the rest of them?
