Not-quite-elite MLBs on elite defenses

[Bryan]

Dennis Gaubatz (68 Colts) - originally a Detroit Lion for two years, including one as the starting MLB, Gaubatz was traded to the Colts for the infamous Joe Don Looney in 1965. He immediately became the Colts MLB from 1965-1968, but was moved out of the starting lineup partway through the 1969 season when Mike Curtis was shifted to the middle. 1969 proved to be Gaubatz’s last year in the NFL, and he was only 29. The descriptions of Gaubatz are very bland…”he manned the middle…he handled the MLB chores…etc.” The only notable tidbit is that he put a locust in John Mackey’s pads.

Lonnie Warwick (Purple People Eaters) – the first MLB of the great Viking defenses. He was very big (6-3, 246) and known as a tough hitter. His rookie year of 1965 saw him starting at OLB due to injury, and in 1966 he became Minnesota’s regular MLB. He held the job through 1970, but injuries in 1971 & 1972 saw him lose his starting spot to Jeff Siemon in 1973. Lonnie spent the final two years of his career with the Atlanta Falcons before retiring after 1974. He is known for his fight with Joe Kapp, but he also has an interesting backstory. Lonnie was an OG and LB in college, transferring from Tennessee to the smaller Tennessee Tech. He left college during his senior year to work on a railroad crew in Arizona, and that’s allegedly where the Minnesota Viking scouts found him and signed him as a free agent.

Myron Pottios (Fearsome Foursome, Over the Hill Gang) – earned a special distinction for being a non-elite MLB for two different top defenses. Another guy with an interesting career; Art Rooney always loved Notre Dame players, and the Steelers drafted Pottios high in the 1961 draft. He became an immediate starter at MLB, earning Pro Bowl status three times (including 1964 where he played 7 games) and 1st team all-conference in 1963. Naturally, the Steelers shipped Myron to the Rams in 1966, where he typically started for George Allen, but OLB Maxie Baughan called the signals and Pottios was sometimes spelled for Doug Woodlief. He became a “Ramskin” in 1971 and started at MLB until injury ended his career in 1973. I can’t find anything remarkable about Pottios the player…he had a long career, but wasn’t very durable and didn’t make many big plays. He made the Pro Bowl his first 3 seasons, played another 9 years with a much better supporting cast, yet never earned any further accolades. Even with Washington, I believe Jack Pardee called the signals instead of Pottios.

Dan Conners (11 Angry Men) – a defensive tackle at U of Miami, Conners was a high draft pick by the Raiders in 1964. He transitioned to MLB, and became the regular starter in 1966. He immediately made the pro bowl, and over the next 4 years Dan earned multiple pro bowl, 1st team all-AFL and 2nd team all-AFL honors. He was a bulky LB who wasn’t all that athletic, but he was unusually fast for his size. He had a 75-yard INT TD return against KC, and amazingly scored 5 TDs between 1966-1969. Conners embodied the Raiders defense with his hardnosed play and borderline illegal hits. He ended up starting for 9 years through 1974, was named 2nd Team All-Time AFL, but unfortunately wasn’t around when the Raiders finally won SB XI.

Harry Jacobs (AFL Bills) – A member of the “19 Originals”, was a taxi-squad member of both the Lions and Cards before becoming a Boston Patriot in 1960. Acquired by the Bills in 1963 and was the starter through 1969. Was a pro bowler in 1965, but I think that was when the Bills played the AFL All-Stars so not sure if it was legit. 2nd Team All AFL the following season, and legit pro bowler in 1969 at age 32, which was his final season in Buffalo. Sent to New Orleans for some reason in 1970, then retired. Jacobs wasn’t very big or fast, but he is always described as being smart and savvy. The most amazing thing of Jacobs’ career is that he is credited with just one fumble recovery.

Garland Boyette (late 60’s Oilers) – the Oilers defense was very underrated, as they had to single-handedly win games for QB Pete Beathard. Garland was the first black MLB, but teammate George Webster was the star. Still, Boyette made the pro bowl in 1968 & 1969. He was described as being strong and a tough tackler. He had an interesting career…undrafted DE from Grambling…played two years with the Cards at OLB in 62-63, two more years in the CFL, signed with Oilers in 66, then became starting MLB in 67 and held that position for the next 6 years. Ended his pro career in the WFL. A tidbit is Boyette is the uncle of Ernie Ladd.

Ralph Ortega (Grits Blitz) – born in Cuba, an All-American at Florida, and selected early in the 2nd round by the Falcons in 1975. A small MLB with a strange upright gait, he played 6 years in the NFL with Atlanta and Miami mainly as a special teamer. He started only one season at MLB…1977 with the Falcons. The defense set the record for fewest points in a 14 game season, and Ortega started every game and recorded 4 INTs and 5 FRs. Ortega earned no accolades (Bill Bergey and Jeff Siemon were the NFC pro bowl MLBs), and incredibly never had the opportunity to be a regular MLB again in the NFL.

[Jay Z]

I'd add Henry Davis, Lambert's undersized predecessor. It was still a top defense without Lambert.

[rhickok1109]

George Koonce on the 1996 Packers. The team was #1 in scoring defense and #4 in rushing defense, but Koonce never went to the Pro Bowl in his 9-year career. In fact, he played on the outside most of his career. He was a starting MLB only in 1996 and 2000, when he finished his career with Seattle.

[Jay Z]

George Koonce on the 1996 Packers. The team was #1 in scoring defense and #4 in rushing defense, but Koonce never went to the Pro Bowl in his 9-year career. In fact, he played on the outside most of his career. He was a starting MLB only in 1996 and 2000, when he finished his career with Seattle.

Koonce would miss the Super Bowl as well. Injured and replaced by Ron Cox.

[Todd Pence]

Ah, Dennis Gaubatz. Forever immortalized in verse by Ogden Nash.

[Gary Najman]

It’s interesting to add ILB as well to the list. Monte Johnson and Willie Hall for the Raiders, and later Bob Nelson come to mind. Also an aging Jack Reynolds and Riki Ellison for the 1984 49ers.

[sluggermatt15]

James Farrior on the 2004 Steelers.

[nicefellow31]

I'd add Henry Davis, Lambert's undersized predecessor. It was still a top defense without Lambert.

Davis was considered undersized? I thought Lambert was considered undersized as he said he weighed about 205 when drafted.

[Todd Pence]

Gaubatz, interestingly enough, is a Super Bowl III "truther". He's convinced the game was fixed, even though he played in it.

[Bryan]

I'd add Henry Davis, Lambert's undersized predecessor. It was still a top defense without Lambert.

Another interesting case. Davis was a DE at Grambling. He shifted to LB in the NFL, and eventually replaced aging Chuck Allen as the Steelers MLB in 1972. He was said to be a big hitter. I've read that he was better in 1972 and then his play fell off a bit in 1973, and he was an old rookie who was 31 years old in 1973. Bud Carson said that Lambert was the key to his Cover 2 defense because of Lambert's height, hands and awareness. If you look at the Steelers pass defense in 1973 with Henry Davis, it is one of the best in NFL history. 11 TD vs 37 INTs and a 33.1 Passer Rating. I get that part of the Steelers success was the novelty of Carson's Cover 2, and offense would adjust to it over time, but that 1973 season really stands out.

I've read that Henry Davis had a severe concussion in the 1974 preseason and was forced to retire. I looked at some of the newspaper articles, and it was a bit more cloudy. Davis suffered a concussion against the Eagles in the 1974 preseason, but at the time it was termed a mild concussion. The Steelers thought Davis was healthy enough to return to the team, but Davis sat out. To make things worse, Davis' wife was hospitalized for Bell's Palsy, so Davis spent much of his time away from the team. In the end, Davis never made it back to the Steelers and Lambert was forced into an immediate starting role.