A capsule look at those to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Aug 2, 2008

A capsule look at those to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame today:

Fred Dean

Defensive End

6-3, 230

1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-1985 San Francisco 49ers. 11 seasons, 141 games.

Selected by San Diego in the second round (33rd overall) in 1975 NFL draft. ... Played linebacker in college, moved to defensive line with the Chargers. ... Quickness, speed, strength made him a feared pass rusher. ... Career sacks total near 100, but unofficial because sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982. ... Unofficially had 15 1/2 sacks in 1978, nine in 1979, 10 1/2 in 1980. ... Played on five division winners and two Super Bowl championship teams. ... Voted All-Pro in 1980 and 1981, selected to play in four Pro Bowls.

Darrell Green

Cornerback

5-8, 176

1983-2002 Washington Redskins. 20 seasons, 295 games.

Selected in first round (28th overall) in 1983 draft. ... Holds NFL record with at least one interception in 19 consecutive seasons. ... Career interception totals: 54 interceptions for 621 yards and 6 TDs. ... Tied for first on NFL all-time list for most consecutive seasons playing with one team (20). ... A member of the 1990s All- Decade Team. ... Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls. ... Named All- Pro 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991.

Art Monk

Wide Receiver

6-3, 210

1980-93 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles. 16 seasons, 224 games.

Redskins' first-round pick (18th overall) in 1980 draft. ... Prototype for today's bigger, stronger receivers. Caught 58 passes as a rookie. ... Set then-NFL records for catches in a season (106), most consecutive games with at least one reception (164), and career receptions (820). Finished career with 940 catches. ... Chosen as Redskins MVP in 1984. ... First Redskins player to produce three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. ... A three-time Pro Bowl selection, was All-Pro choice in 1984 and 1985.

Emmitt Thomas

Cornerback

6-2, 192

1966-1978 Kansas City Chiefs. 13 seasons, 181 games.

Joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. ... One of the finest cornerbacks of his era. ... Ranks ninth all-time in interceptions with 58, which is fourth all-time best by a pure cornerback and is Chiefs' all-time record. ... Led AFL with nine picks in 1969 and added three more during playoffs, including interception in Chiefs' Super Bowl IV win over the Vikings. ... Led the Chiefs in interceptions in 1969, 1971, 1973, 1974, and 1975. ... His 937 return yards on 58 INTs is team record. ... Selected to play in five Pro Bowls. ... Was first- or second-team All-AFL/AFC 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975 and first- or second-team All-NFL 1971, 1974, 1975.

Andre Tippett

Linebacker

6-3, 240

1982-1993 New England Patriots. 10 seasons, 151 games.

Selected in the second round (41st overall) of 1982 draft. ... In 1984 established team record with 18 1/2 sacks and earned first of five consecutive (1985-1989) Pro Bowl selections. ... Was a factor in team's success that led to first Super Bowl appearance in 1986. ... That season (1985) led AFC with 16 1/2 sacks (second in NFL), earning AFC Defensive Player of the Year honors. ... Remained a dominant player through final four seasons. ... At time of retirement, his 100 career sacks, 18 1/2 sacks in a season, and 17 opponent fumbles recovered were team bests. ... Chosen for NFL's all- decade team of the 1980s.

Gary Zimmerman

Tackle

6-6, 294

1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-1997 Denver Broncos. 12 seasons, 184 games.

Originally chosen by Giants, signing rights traded to Vikings for two second-round picks in 1986 draft. ... Spent two seasons with the L.A. Express of USFL before reporting to Vikings. ... After joining Vikings, began streak of 169 consecutive starts that lasted until 1996, when surgery sidelined him. ... Anchored offensive line that helped Vikings lead NFC in rushing, 1991. ... One of just a handful of players chosen for two NFL all-decade teams, 1980s and 1990s. ... Earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors eight times. ... Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls.

Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame.