All-Time NFL Sack Leaders

recbball · February 13, 2010 2:44AM

Hello,

I finally tracked down John Turney's sack list in the book Headslap: The life and Times of Deacon Jones.
If we were to add the old timers that played before they kept track of sacks that had at least 100 career sacks, these would be the cards added:

1952 Bowman #85 Andy Robustelli
1963 Topps #44 Deacon Jones
1963 Topps #107 Jim Marshall
1965 Philadelphia #105 Carl Eller
1970 Topps #43 Elvin Bethea
1970 Topps #59 Alan Page
1970 Topps #156 Claude Humphrey
1970 Topps #247 Fred Dryer
1971 Topps #149 Cedrick Hardman
1972 Topps #106 Lyle Alzado
1973 Topps #149 Coy Bacon
1973 Topps #291 Tommy Hart
1973 Topps #343 Jack Youngblood
1973 Topps #490 Jack Gregory
1976 Topps #44 Harvey Martin
1976 Topps #158 Randy White
1976 Topps #427 Ed Too Tall Jones
1979 Topps #75 Al Bubba Baker
1981 Topps #168 Ezra Johnson
1981 Topps #342 Mark Gastineau
1983 Topps #191 Dexter Manley
1983 Topps #385 Jacob Green

Let me know how you feel about it and if a majority want the players added I will send in the request.

I am for the addition of the players as I think they would add a great deal to the set.

Thanks,
Tom

shagrotn77 · February 13, 2010 2:48AM

What were the sack totals for each player?

recbball · February 13, 2010 3:20AM

<< What were the sack totals for each player? >>

Heres the list with the old timers included:

ALL-TIME NFL SACK LEADERS

1. Bruce Smith 200.0
2. Reggie White 198.0
3. Deacon Jones 173.5
4. Kevin Green 160.0
5. Chris Doleman 150.5
Jack Youngblood 150.5
6. Alan Page 148.5
7. Lawrence Taylor 142.0
8. Michael Strahan 141.5
9. John Randal 137.5
Richard Dent 137.5
10. Rickey Jackson 136.0
11. Carl Eller 133.5
12. Claude Humphrey 132.5
Leslie O'Neal 132.5
13. Coy Bacon 130.0
Al Baker 130.0
14. Jason Taylor 127.5
15. Jim Marshall 127.0
16. Derrick Thomas 126.5
17. Cedrick Hardman 126.0
18. Simeon Rice 122.0
19. Clyde Simmons 121.5
20. Jacob Green 116
21. Harvey Martin 114.0
22. Sean Jones 113.0
23. Lyle Alzado 112.5
24. Randy White 111.0
25. Greg Townsend 109.5
26. Andy Robustelli 109.0
27. Mark Gastineau 107.5
Pat Swilling 107.5
28. Ed Jones 106.0
Trace Armstrong 106.0
29. Elvin Bethia 105.0
30. Neil Smith 104.5
Kevin Carter 104.5
31. Dezter Manley 103.5
32. Fred Dryer 103.0
Jack Gregory 103.0
33. Jim Jeffcoat 102.5
34. Tommy Hart 101.0
35. Charles Haley 100.5
William Fuller 100.5
36. Ezra Johnson 100.0
Andre Tippett 100.0

JasP24 · February 13, 2010 3:34AM

I would vote yes on all. That was the list I couldn't find, nice PI work!

Jason

dfr52 · February 13, 2010 4:41AM

<< I would vote yes on all. That was the list I couldn't find, nice PI work!

Jason >>

Same here, thanks for finding the list. Turney never responded to the post on the other board.

recbball · February 13, 2010 5:03AM

<< Same here, thanks for finding the list. Turney never responded to the post on the other board. >>

It worked out, that's where I got the tip on Deacon Jones' book.

AISAVDBBALLINPHILLY · February 13, 2010 5:49AM

Very cool list. I never knew Deacon Jones racked up that many sacks.

A point of clarification should be noted. If you are going with total numbers of sacks, official and unofficial, then Lawrence Taylor had 142 sacks. He had 9.5 sacks his rookie year in 1981, which was the year before sacks became an official stat. Here is the source: http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?player_id=212

recbball · February 13, 2010 5:59AM

<< TextA point of clarification should be noted. If you are going with total numbers of sacks, official and unofficial, then Lawrence Taylor had 142 sacks. He had 9.5 sacks his rookie year in 1981, which was the year before sacks became an official stat. Here is the source: http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?player_id=212 >>

You are right, the list is flawed in that I insereted the oldtimers into a modern list. The modern list would not take into account players sack numbers before 1981. I will try and fix that and see if anyone slipped through the cracks.

recbball · February 13, 2010 6:18AM

A quick check revealed that the list I have up excluded no players, but a few of the modern players (post 1981) on the list who played in 1981 and before may have a few more sacks added to their total by Turney's list. I will try and correct this as Turney's list in the book only goes through the 1995 season.

recbball · February 13, 2010 6:42AM

The list is updated. The only two players that gained sacks were Lawrence Taylor 132.5 to 142 and Ricky Jackson 132.5 to 136, still 1.50 behind Dent, but I'm not bitter.

AISAVDBBALLINPHILLY · February 13, 2010 7:16AM

Nice to see LT move just ahead of Strahan and into the #7 all-time spot.

dfr52 · February 13, 2010 8:05AM

<< The list is updated. The only two players that gained sacks were Lawrence Taylor 132.5 to 142 and Ricky Jackson 132.5 to 136, still 1.50 behind Dent, but I'm not bitter.

>>

Thanks for taking the lead on this Tom and putting in the effort to update the list.

recbball · February 13, 2010 8:31AM

No problem Dave.
For me half the fun is the research for a set and putting together the checklist.

dfr52 · February 14, 2010 12:39PM

Hi Tom, I see Robustelli on the rookie card list and was wondering what his sack total was. Thanks

recbball · February 14, 2010 1:02PM

Robustelli was credited with 109 career sacks, forgot to add him thanks Dave.

dfr52 · February 14, 2010 1:04PM

<< Robustelli was credited with 109 career sacks, forgot to add him thanks Dave. >>

Thanks, I thought I saw him on the list earlier but I wasn't sure.

burke23 · February 16, 2010 4:01AM

Cool list - sweet to see some Vikes in the top half. Let's hope Doleman and Marshall get in the HOF someday...and no, I do not begrudge a Dent entry - he is deserving as well.

FavreFan1971 · February 16, 2010 11:52PM

Up to you but Ezra Johnson's picture is on the 1979 Packers Team Leader card.

recbball · February 17, 2010 12:19AM

<< Up to you but Ezra Johnson's picture is on the 1979 Packers Team Leader card. >>

According to Beckett he dosen't have a RC.
It was my choice to not use the '79 Packers TL card and use the 1981 Topps #168 which is his first card of just him.
If the members of the set would rather have the '79 Packers TL card that's fine with me.

Davemri · February 17, 2010 12:32AM

Team leaders cards can't be used as far as I know. If that were the case, then Rickey Jackson card would be the 82 topps saints TL card instead of his 84 topps.

dfr52 · February 17, 2010 12:34AM

I still prefer the 81 Topps.

shagrotn77 · February 17, 2010 12:38AM

I think you gotta go '81 Topps. Heck, Nolan Ryan was on a '67 Topps Mets team card, but no one recognizes that as his rookie. A cool card though. Kinda like a cameo first appearance in a comic book.

FavreFan1971 · February 17, 2010 1:02AM

In My Packer HOF set, I used the 1981 Topps card

JasP24 · February 17, 2010 2:03AM

<< In My Packer HOF set, I used the 1981 Topps card >>

Since this is a rookie card set, my advice would be to check the Beckett RC Encyclopedia. Otherwsie, PSA will not use the card unless that book shows the card as his rookie. In which case, they never use Team Leader cards that I know of.

Jason

dfr52 · February 24, 2010 5:33AM

Any word on when the players on the Turney list will be added?

recbball · February 24, 2010 5:37AM

Gayle said she would be sending out a pole to the set members on the players addition.

dfr52 · February 27, 2010 9:11AM

Thanks for the update.

recbball · October 2, 2013 3:38AM

Robert Mathis has been playing great for the Colts. In his first four games he has 7.5 sacks, putting him at 99 for his career.
When he gets to 100 I will request his addition.
I belive his only RC is 2005 SCORE #126

Here is a link for active sack leaders:

Active sack leaders

dfr52 · October 2, 2013 5:17AM

<< Robert Mathis has been playing great for the Colts. In his first four games he has 7.5 sacks, putting him at 99 for his career.
When he gets to 100 I will request his addition.
I belive his only RC is 2005 SCORE #126

Here is a link for active sack leaders:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/sacks_active.htm >>

For a player overshadowed by Freeney he has done very well for himself and has an outside chance at even passing him in total career sacks this season. Freeney seems to have been in a decline these past few seasons while Mathis has continued to play well.

Stingray · October 2, 2013 11:01AM

Pat Swilling, sure did nothing with the Lions!! And had the nerve to use Schmidt's jersey number.

CSUrunandstun · October 3, 2013 3:44AM

Just curious...how many sacks did Clay Matthews (Browns) end up with?...anyone know?

Goomba78 · October 3, 2013 5:25AM

Clay Matthews

69.5 sacks, although looks like he had about 3 full seasons of playing time before they started keeping sacks as a statistic

Text

JoeBanzai · October 4, 2013 6:22PM

My vote is for players to be added.

My comment is; Page, Eller, Marshal all in the top 15. Best "Sack" line ever?

Those were the days Viking fans, those were the days!

dfr52 · October 5, 2013 2:52AM

<< Just curious...how many sacks did Clay Matthews (Browns) end up with?...anyone know? >>

According to his 1997 Topps card he finished with 84 career sacks and had 6.5 in 1996, his final season. Matthews easily would of had 100 if he was used primarily as a pass rusher. He was a great all-around LB.

thehallmark · October 5, 2013 4:50PM

<< Robert Mathis has been playing great for the Colts. In his first four games he has 7.5 sacks, putting him at 99 for his career.
When he gets to 100 I will request his addition.
I belive his only RC is 2005 SCORE #126 >>

2005 Topps Total #147

dfr52 · October 6, 2013 5:31AM

Mathis hit 100 today!

recbball · October 7, 2013 10:18AM

I requested Mathis' inclusion to the set.
2005 SCORE #126 and 2005 Topps Total #147 are his only RCs
I would imagine PSA will run a poll.
I have the score card, the topps total card is split between two players.

recbball · December 1, 2014 2:27AM

I requested 2003 TOPPS CHROME TERRELL SUGGS #169 for inclusion to the set.
Suggs has recently eclipsed the 100 sack mark.

FavreFan1971 · December 1, 2014 6:13AM

Nice set to work on. Time to get your JJ Watt now :-)

recbball · December 1, 2014 10:39AM

Looking ahead for next year it looks like Mario Williams and Elvis Dumervil have a good shot.

DanBessette · December 6, 2014 6:29AM

I just wanted to say this is a cool set idea and one I might tackle one day. Nice job!

Fabfrank · December 9, 2014 4:54AM

Just saw this thread for the first time. Has the set been created??

recbball · December 10, 2014 12:36AM

<< I just wanted to say this is a cool set idea and one I might tackle one day. Nice job! >>

Thanks Dan and look forward to seeing you.

<< Just saw this thread for the first time. Has the set been created?? >>

About 3 years ago.

The Suggs card has been added to the set.

ndws · January 21, 2015 12:03AM

No sarcasm intended here, I'm not overly well versed in modern cards and simply do not know the answer. But what is the tipping point between a Topps Chrome card and a SP Authentic. If I wanted to "work ahead" and look at JJ Watt, would it be his SP Auth card, or Topps Chrome? I've always been curious about what was the ultimate deciding factor since these appear to be the two premier choices for all-time sets like this.

Fabfrank · January 21, 2015 11:23AM

ndws- All things being equal, it comes down to value. Whichever card is more valuable according to Beckett guide (which is what PSA uses), that's the card that will be chosen. Now, I don't do this particular set, but in the other all-time sets they don't allow autograph cards. I believe JJ Watts SP Authentic Rc is autographed. That may eliminate it from consideration

ndws · January 27, 2015 4:01AM

I've got the 2011 SP Auth, but to be totally honest, I haven't looked at the beckett list and perhaps the one I have is not the correct card, but its not signed. Would you happen to have a link for the beckett rookie card search?

dfr52 · February 18, 2017 3:05PM

John Turney runs a blog called Pro Football Journal and he recently posted a few updated sack totals that were not included in the original list.

"Also, we have sack numbers for those players with blanks in that column, however, they are not complete, again, data in the 1950s is very hard to come by. However, we feel very confident that Marchetti is around 110, Ford is in the close to 100, Willie Davis is just under 100, and** Robustelli is around 110**** and **Atkins at least 130. Some day, God willing, we will have complete numbers for those players."

Source:

nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2017/02/jason-taylor-puts-his-name-in-with-mt.html

Considering this I believe Marchetti, Ford, and Atkins should be included in the set. Robustelli is already included in the set.

JoeBanzai · February 18, 2017 6:00PM

Jared Allen?

recbball · February 18, 2017 6:39PM

Nice work Dave. One of my favorite sets.

dfr52 · February 18, 2017 7:37PM

@recbball said:
Nice work Dave. One of my favorite sets.

Thanks Tom, I am just glad to be able to contribute to the set you created. It is still one of my favorites.

dfr52 · February 18, 2017 7:37PM

@JoeBanzai said:
Jared Allen?

He is already included in the set.

All-Time NFL Sack Leaders

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