[Le bon numéro] # 60: Al Baker, the stolen record

A player is recognizable by his style of play, his personality, his physique… but also his number. A sign of a strong attachment, players often keep the same number (if possible) when changing teams, and it sometimes becomes a communication tool.

During 99 episodes, we are going to talk about the best players by number in the NFL. With each time a holder and a replacement.

In this 60th episode, two forgotten legends.

Remplaçant : Al Baker (DE, Detroit Lions 1978-82, St-Louis Cardinals 1983-86, Cleveland Browns 1987 & 1989-90, Minnesota Vikings 1988)

What is the record for the number of sacks in a season? Michael Strahan with 22.5? Officially yes, but the reality is very different. The sacks have only been official since 1982, but thanks to the work of the Pro Football Reference site, we now know that the real record was set by a rookie in 1978: AL Baker, with 23 sacks.

The peak of Baker’s career lasted only three years, but the results turned heads: 56.5 sacks in 3 seasons, as many Pro Bowls, an All-Pro selection and a rookie of the year title. . In total over his career, he made 131.5 sacks which is the 21st mark in history.

He will have very little opportunity to shine in the playoffs, and this surely explains the lack of consideration for Baker. He is one of those whom history has forgotten, which is terribly unfair, and this titular position is well deserved.

Remplaçant : Larry Grantham (LB, New York Titans/Jets 1960-72)

The Jets’ victory in Super Bowl III is one of the most significant events of the Super Bowl era. And if Joe Namath is the figurehead, there are other notable players, with linebacker Larry Grantham in the foreground.

In the AFL of the 60s, Grantham accumulated individual awards: 5 times All Star of the AFL and 10 times All Pro, he was for a decade the heart and the legs of this defense. Author of 37.5 sacks and 24 interceptions, he is a versatile player ahead of his time.

Legend of the AFL, he will therefore be entitled to his ring of NFL champion, even if in 1968 he is no longer as dominant as at the beginning of his career. The replacement position is obvious for a player marking the history of the Jets.

Mentions : Roy Winston (LB), Dan Alexander (OL), Dennis Harrah (OL), Chris Samuels (T), Paul Howard (G), Max Unger (C)