Crazy Canton Cuts = Ray Guy

Ray was named the punter on the National Football League's 75th Anniversary Team, the Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team and as a member of the NFL 1970's All Century team. He was recently inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.



If you saw Ray Guy, you must be scratching your head right now as to why he isn't yet in Canton. His punts were legendary. Other teams would test the balls that he punted for helium, due to the heights his punts attained.

I had thought, after seeing Kicker Jan Stenerud inducted in 1991, that the voters were FINALLY recognizing the importance of special teams. In 1994, Guy was the first punter to be nominated, but he still has not been elected.

I find myself often questioning the football knowledge of the voters. Some claim to be "purists", saying that specialist do not belong because they only get on the field for a few plays each game. Still, isn't Cantons reason for existence based upon what players do once on the field?

There is NO DOUBT that Ray Guy helped the Raiders win many games. Even if you disregard his statistics, you cannot look past his impact on football at all levels. Wake up the voter in the media that represents your area. Ray Guy deserves his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame right now!





Notable Players Drafted In 1973  (* Denotes Canton Inductee)


1. John Matuszak, DE, Houston Oilers
2. Bert Jones, QB, Baltimore Colts
3. Jerry Sisemore, OT,Philadelphia
4. John Hannah, G, New England *
5. Dave Butz, DT, Saint Louis Cardinals
6. Charle Young, TE, Philadelphia
8. Wally Chambers, DT, Chicago
9. Otis Armstrong, RB, Denver
10. Joe Ehrmann, DT, Baltimore
11. Sam Cunningham, FB, New England
12. Chuck Foreman, RB, Minnesota
13. Burgess Owens, DB, NY Jets
15. Isaac Curtis, WR, Cincinnati
19. Darryl Stingley, WR, New England
20. Billy Joe Dupree, TE, Dallas
24. J.T. Thomas, DB, Pittsburgh
26. Joe DeLamielleure. G, Buffalo *
28. Guy Morriss, C, Philadelphia
29. Derland Moore, DT, New Orleans
30. Greg Pruitt, RB, Cleveland
31. Cullen Bryant, RB, LA Rams
35. Mike Barnes, DT, Baltimore
36. Barney Chavous, DE, Denver
37. Ron Jaworski, QB, LA Rams
40. Brad Van Pelt, LB, NY Giants
41. Willie Harper, LB, San Francisco
42. Jim Youngblood, LB, LA Rams
49. Monte Johnson, LB, Oakland
53. Harvey Martin, DE, Dallas
54. Paul Howard, G, Denver
55. Randy Logan, DB, Philadelphia
56. Brad Dusek, LB, New England
63. Terry Metcalf, RB, Saint Louis
64. Dan Fouts, QB, San Diego *
71. Jim Laslavic, LB, Detroit
78. Leon Gray, OT, Miami
79. Gregg Bingham, LB, Houston
88. Tom Jackson, LB, Denver
91. Dick Jauron, DB, Detroit
92. Perry Smith, DB, Oakland
93. Andy Dorris, DE, Cleveland
103. Jeff Yeates, DE, Buffalo
106. Dave Reavis, OT, Pittsburgh
107. Allan Ellis, DB, Chicago
109. Tom Brahaney, C, Saint Louis
110. Wallace Francis, WR, Buffalo
111. Don Strock, QB, Miami
115. Cody Jones, DT, LA Rams
118. Brent McClanahan, RB, Minnesota
156. Ed Newman, G, Miami
157. Shelby Jordan, T, Houston
166. John Grant, DT, Denver
189. Ray Oldham, DB, Baltimore
192. Loren Toews, LB, Pittsburgh
217. Lyle Blackwood, DB, Denver
245. Ken Stone, DB, Washington
248. Nick Mike-Mayer, K, Atlanta
249. Lenvil Elliott, RB, Cincinnati
270. Dan Neal, C, Baltimore
281. Carl Barisich, DT, Cleveland
288. Joe Lavender, CB, Philadelphia
289. Paul Orndorff, RB, New Orleans (WWE Hall of Fame)
300. Garry Puetz, G, NY Jets
302. Boobie Clark, RB, Cincinnati
308. Larry McCarren, C, Green Bay
342. Ray Hamilton, DT, New England
353. Brian Kelley, LB, NY Giants
429. Dave Winfield, TE, Minnesota (MLB Hall of Fame)


 







 

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