Greatest Franchise S's of All-time

titanrick · Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 11326 Location: Denver, CO

We're finishing up the all-time franchise team with safeties. Here is the team so far:

Offense
QB: Steve McNair
RB: Earl Campbell and Eddie George
WR: Charley Hennigan and Derrick Mason
OT: Bruce Matthews and Brad Hopkins
OG: Mike Munchak and Bob Talamini
C: Mark Stepnoski
TE: Frank Wycheck

Defense
DT: Curley Culp and Ray Childress
DE: Elvin Bethea and Jevon Kearse
LB: Robert Brazile, Gregg Bingham and Keith Bulluck
CB: Cris Dishman and Samari Rolle

Here are the nominees for safety:

Jim Norton: Norton starred at safety and also punter for the Houston Oilers from 1960 - 1968. When he retired, his 45 interceptions had set the franchise record, as had his 519 career punts. Norton was named to the All-Star team in 1962, 1963 and 1967. He was the first Oiler to have his jersey (#43) retired.

Ken Houston: Houston picked up where Norton left off, pushing him to free safety and assuming the strong safety position when he joined the Oilers. Houston's career spanned 14 seasons, but just six with the Oilers. He was a 12 time Pro-Bowler, in every season except his first and last. He was inducted into Pro Football's Hall of Fame in 1986.

Mike Reinfeldt: An undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mike Reinfeldt built an all-pro career with the Houston Oilers. Mike played eight seasons and had a career high 12 interceptions in 1979, when he was named to his first Pro Bowl. He would return in 1980 before finally retiring from the game after 1982.

Marcus Robertson: An Iowa State grad, Robertson played 10 years for the Oilers/Titans from 1991 - 2000. He recorded 22 interceptions and 468 tackles during his career.

Blaine Bishop: Bishop played nine seasons with the Oilers/Titans franchise and earned a reputation as one of the hardest hitting safeties in the NFL. A four-time Pro-Bowler ('95, '96, '97 and 2000), Bishop recorded 517 tackles with the franchise including a career high 78 from the safety position in just his second year with the team.
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Invictus · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:48 pm Post subject:

Norton/Houston...No brainer
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ragevsuall17 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 5329 Location: TX

Definately the deepest position we have all time. Houston is easily a shoe in. Norton put up some great Int stats showing me he had amazing ball hawk skills. Bishop was the heart and soul of our D for many years, and was well regarded, respected, and feared throughout the NFL. IMHO, his style of play is the pure definition of a SS. Can't not vote him in. So I go Houston and Bishop.
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TTitanFAN32 · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 12944 Location: 6*1*8, Illinois

PacAttack · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:47 pm Post subject:

My vote goes for Houston and Bishop. Bishop was a tough mama jama and would plant your plant your face mask in your grill. Kind of hard to overlook that. Never got to see Norton play, but sounds very good also. Tough call but Bishop gets my nod over Norton.
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