Best of Nebraska: Defensive Back Nominations
by Husker Mike on Jul 15, 2010 6:01 AM CDT
in Nebraska Husker Football
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PrintTruth be told, I struggled with coming up with candidates for this category...so I'm really hoping you'll help me out here with candidates for best in the secondary. Truth be told, I think Nebraska has had more talent in the secondary in the last fifteen years than in the previous hundred...but that could be an misperception on my part.
So like always, I'll throw a few candidates out there...but I'm looking to you to help build the list.
Mike Brown
This one was the no-brainer selection...especially when you consider his NFL career. He started 38 games for Nebraska from 1997 through 1999, and was a first team all-American his senior season. His name still sits atop the career charts for defensive backs: tops in total tackles in his career (287), unassisted tackles (137), assisted tackles (150), tackles for loss (17). He's had a heck of an NFL career despite annual season-ending injuries from 2004 through 2008.
Ralph Brown
Like his teammate Mike, 'ol Ralphie was an all-American in his senior season at Nebraska. He started every year at Nebraska, and is tops at Nebraska in pass breakups in his career (50) and fourth in interceptions (11). While he hasn't had the notoriety of Mike Brown in his NFL career, he's entering his twelfth season in the league. He could also deliver the mean hit; just ask Jamaal Lewis..
Mike Minter
His Husker career was hampered by a knee injury in 1994, but his 10 year NFL career spoke volumes. An all-conference safety his senior season, he moved up to linebacker to replace Terrell Farley, who'd been dismissed from the team. Didn't find any highlights from his Husker career...but how about this from his days with the Carolina Panthers?
So who else did I forget?
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Tyrone Williams
was pretty good and played a long time (it seemed) in the NFL. Some other guys who’ve played pro – Eric Warfield, Michael Booker. The two Mikes you listed, though, were awesome.
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defensive backs
Baron Miles was really the first “on an island” corner who could really dominate half of the field. Tyrone Williams was a decent player but turned out to be a bit of a thug. I think he got shot once while he was playing with the Packers.
Two from the past
2 that had great Pro careers,Pat Fischer and Russell Gary
nominations from twitter
came reggie cooper, marvin sanders, barron miles, brian washington
http://twitter.com/tsowdsun/statuses/18607502770
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Corn Nation!
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Best DBs
I can confidently offer my opinion on Husker DBs since 1980.
Mike Brown – was the best. I think by a large margin. Football genius.
Barron Miles – is next on the list. Just great all around, coverage, tackling, ball awareness and special teams.
Ralph Brown – Very similar to Barron Miles
Mike Minter – Lots of ability, leader. Smart.
Tyrone Williams – Not as good ball awareness or tackling as the others above, but excellent coverage ability. (he had brushes with law but more or less cleaned up his life after age 25)
It is true, pre Barron Miles, there were few players to speak of at DB, prior to his arrival.
Bret Clark was the best Husker DB of the 80s
Brian Washington – maybe the 2nd best
Others:
Toby Wright, – tough, hard player
Keyou Craver – very productive
D Groce – started on excellent defenses and was a plus punt return man as well.
Booker was drafted in 1st rd and like Bruce Pickens, most Husker fans were surprised. Both were good, but really no better than the guys they player with.
Red Barron...
…was always a favorite of mine. I think he was next on my list, followed by Bret Clark. Eric Warfield has had a nice NFL career, but I’m not sure he had as good of a Nebraska career.
Pat Fischer
Pat Fischer, not much is said about him. I think he played both sides of the ball for the Huskers. Had a very long career in the pros.
I used to watch the Packers for a glimpse of Tyrone Williams, but the ball was always thrown to the other side. Tyrone quietly did his job didn’t get much TV time.
Cortney Grixby
Hello,
I think you are forgetting the best Nebraska corner of all time. I heard is name called all the time on tv, so he must be good. Wait, I remember it was always, “Grixby got beat on that play” references.
Ummm, Y'all forget Bruce Pickens?
Very solid ten year NFL career to boot. Also, Eric Stokes had an awful good NFL career following a great career at NU. And is this just going back 30 years cause if not what about Pillen who pretty much single handedly gave T.O. his first win against the Sooners!
I always thought Ralph Brown was incredible overrated
Mike Brown was just a complete badass
Mike used to have to clean up on a lot of Ralph’s mistakes. You remember Troy Edwards going crazy for 405 yds receiving in Lincoln in 1998? I think Ralph was “covering” him that day (in quotes b/c he never came close to him on a lot of plays).
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