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All-Time NFL Sack Leaders

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
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Comments

  • shagrotn77shagrotn77 Posts: 5,599 ✭✭✭✭
    What were the sack totals for each player?
    "My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. Our childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When we were insolent we were placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds - pretty standard really."
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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
  • JasP24JasP24 Posts: 4,645 ✭✭✭
    I would vote yes on all. That was the list I couldn't find, nice PI work!

    Jason
    I'm here to question, not to inspire or build up. To live how I want, as I see fit,
    according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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.
    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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.
  • 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
    Lawrence Taylor #1 Basic/Master
    1993 Pro Set Power All-Power-Defense Gold #1
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭
    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.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭
    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.image
  • Nice to see LT move just ahead of Strahan and into the #7 all-time spot.
    Lawrence Taylor #1 Basic/Master
    1993 Pro Set Power All-Power-Defense Gold #1
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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.image >>



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

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭
    No problem Dave.
    For me half the fun is the research for a set and putting together the checklist.
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭
    Hi Tom, I see Robustelli on the rookie card list and was wondering what his sack total was. Thanks
    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭
    Robustelli was credited with 109 career sacks, forgot to add him thanks Dave.
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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.
    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • burke23burke23 Posts: 1,477 ✭✭✭
    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.
    Looking for rare Randy Moss rookies and autos, as well as '97 PMG Red Football cards for my set.
  • FavreFan1971FavreFan1971 Posts: 3,103 ✭✭✭
    Up to you but Ezra Johnson's picture is on the 1979 Packers Team Leader card.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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.
  • DavemriDavemri Posts: 2,011 ✭✭✭
    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.

    FINISHED 12/8/2008!!!
    image
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭
    I still prefer the 81 Topps.
    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • shagrotn77shagrotn77 Posts: 5,599 ✭✭✭✭
    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.
    "My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. Our childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When we were insolent we were placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds - pretty standard really."
  • FavreFan1971FavreFan1971 Posts: 3,103 ✭✭✭
    In My Packer HOF set, I used the 1981 Topps card
  • JasP24JasP24 Posts: 4,645 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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
    I'm here to question, not to inspire or build up. To live how I want, as I see fit,
    according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭
    Any word on when the players on the Turney list will be added?
    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭
    Gayle said she would be sending out a pole to the set members on the players addition.
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for the update.
    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭
    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
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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.
    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • StingrayStingray Posts: 8,843 ✭✭✭
    Pat Swilling, sure did nothing with the Lions!! And had the nerve to use Schmidt's jersey number.
  • CSUrunandstunCSUrunandstun Posts: 573 ✭✭✭
    Just curious...how many sacks did Clay Matthews (Browns) end up with?...anyone know?
    Successful transactions with FavreFan1971, ffishonn, Davemri, Publius, DavidPuddy, frcarvell, recbball, and many others...
  • 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
    Greatly overpaying for a 2000 Fleer Showcase Tom Brady PSA 10
  • JoeBanzaiJoeBanzai Posts: 11,885 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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!
    2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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.
    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • thehallmarkthehallmark Posts: 1,332 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭
    Mathis hit 100 today!
    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭
    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.
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭
    I requested 2003 TOPPS CHROME TERRELL SUGGS #169 for inclusion to the set.
    Suggs has recently eclipsed the 100 sack mark.
  • FavreFan1971FavreFan1971 Posts: 3,103 ✭✭✭
    Nice set to work on. Time to get your JJ Watt now :-)
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭
    Looking ahead for next year it looks like Mario Williams and Elvis Dumervil have a good shot.
  • DanBessetteDanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
    I just wanted to say this is a cool set idea and one I might tackle one day. Nice job!
  • Just saw this thread for the first time. Has the set been created??
    Baseball is my Pastime, Football is my Passion
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭


    << <i>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.



    << <i>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.

  • ndwsndws Posts: 132 ✭✭
    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.
  • 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
    Baseball is my Pastime, Football is my Passion
  • ndwsndws Posts: 132 ✭✭
    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?
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭
    edited February 18, 2017 2:09PM

    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.

    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • JoeBanzaiJoeBanzai Posts: 11,885 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Jared Allen?

    2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
  • recbballrecbball Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭

    Nice work Dave. One of my favorite sets.

  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭

    @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.

    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
  • dfr52dfr52 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭

    @JoeBanzai said:
    Jared Allen?

    He is already included in the set.

    image

    Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys -
    Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and 2
    touchdowns earning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Cowboys
    defeated the Bills 30-13 to win their second consecutive NFL
    title.
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