Taylor's 'office' work leads to Hall of Fame

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Aug 7, 1999

The Associated Press

CANTON, Ohio -- Lawrence Taylor always approached his job as if he were one of the best in the business. The Pro Football Hall of Fame will second that opinion today.

The former New York Giants linebacker will be joined by offensive guards Tom Mack and Billy Shaw, running back Eric Dickerson and tight end Ozzie Newsome when the class of 1999 is enshrined at the hall.

Taylor, who became the fearsome prototype of an attacking linebacker during his 13 seasons, prepared for opponents and never lacked in confidence.

"Giants Stadium was my office. When I came to work, I knew everything about my job," he said. "There was nothing you could throw at me that I didn't know because I knew everything about my job and I enjoyed doing it. That was a deadly combination."

Taylor's motivation was never to just do the job.

"When I came to work, I came to work planning on being the best," he said.

Taylor retired with two Super Bowl rings and a stack of glittering statistics. He totaled 142 sacks in his career and all but revolutionized his position with his athleticism and his mental approach.

"He was nasty. He's the nastiest kid I've ever been around," said Denny Marcin, the Giants' defensive line coach who also coached Taylor at North Carolina. "If you were lying on the ground and he was going back to the huddle, he might kick you in the head."

Former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann said, "If there ever was a Superman in the NFL, I think he wore No. 56 for the Giants."

Since retiring in 1993, Taylor has encountered legal, substance- abuse and financial problems. He referred to those who didn't vote for his induction as "old phonies" who had no business judging him.

Now he's ready to mend fences.

"I'm 40 years old and I've mellowed a lot since I was playing," he said.

His induction fits neatly into his personal checklist.

"We do things in packages as far as life goes: high school ball, college ball, you want to get in the pros, make All-Pro and finally you want to be in the Hall of Fame. That has finally happened. I have a complete package."

Those joining him fit that same description.

Mack, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound offensive guard, played all of his 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams -- going 184 games without missing a game due to injury or illness.

He had to wait 11 years to finally get the call to Canton, while Shaw -- a sterling offensive guard for the Buffalo Bills from 1961 to 1969 who was selected for induction by the veterans committee -- waited almost three times that.

"There were only three guards in the hall. Now he and I make five," Shaw said. "I can't explain to you why more guards haven't made it into the Hall of Fame. But it's an honor. It'll be fun going in with Tom."

Dickerson frequently wrangled with management during his playing days. Contentious contract negotiations led to his trade from the Rams to the Colts. While in Indianapolis, he was suspended for refusing to take a team physical and for refusing to practice. The Colts eventually met his demand to be traded.

Despite 13,259 career yards -- third-best all-time behind Walter Payton and Barry Sanders -- Dickerson thinks his induction confirms the respect he received from his peers.

"That'll be a proud moment for me," he said in a televised interview recently. "I never made it to a Super Bowl. For me, this shows I did do something right in my sport."

Newsome caught 662 passes in his 13 years -- all spent as a premier receiver and blocker with the Cleveland Browns.

He said he was happy that he had to wait four years for induction because it now dovetails with the advent of the new Browns franchise, which plays Dallas in Monday night's Hall of Fame exhibition game.

"There was disappointment the first year, the second year and the third year when I got into the final six but didn't make it," he said. "But to be going in at the same time those guys are going back on the field -- those orange helmets show up and football returns to the lakefront -- that makes it worth the wait."

Dickerson will be presented by one of his Rams' blockers, Jackie Slater. Mack followed suit in choosing Rams teammate and offensive lineman Ken Iman as his presenter.

Taylor will be introduced by his 17-year-old son, T.J., Newsome by former Browns teammate Calvin Hill and Shaw by a former Bills trainer.

Pro football hall of fame inducteesERIC DICKERSONL.A. Rams (1983- 87), Indianapolis Colts (1987-91), L.A. Raiders (1992), Atlanta (1993)Ran for an NFL record 2,105 yards with the Rams in 1984. He stands third on the career rushing list with 13,259 yards, having rushed for more than 1,000 yards seven times. Was the No. 1 pick by the Rams and second player overall in 1983. Named NFL Player of the Year in 1984 and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1986. Gained a playoff-record 248 yards rushing in 1985 divisional playoff game. In 1987, was traded to Indianapolis in a blockbuster deal that also involved the Buffalo Bills.

TOM MACKLos Angeles Rams (1966-78)Although he never made it to a Super Bowl, Mack was a frequent postseason player. An offensive guard, he was selected to play in Pro Bowls 11 times in 13 years. One reason was his durability; he never missed a game because of injury. The No. 1 pick by the Rams in 1966 played in 184 straight games.