[Jimmors]

A Tale of Two DEs
By Brian Sickler
DBZ reporter


Everyone loves tales, and this one is about 2 historic Defensive Ends in the NFL. The first of which had a career of 11 years in the NFL, in which he had an estimated 100 sacks (although some estimates put that number at 93), a season high of 17.5 sacks in one year, 1 career Interception, a 2 time All-Pro, 2 time All-AFC player, 2 time All-NFC player, 2 Superbowl Championships, and 4 time Pro Bowl selection.

The second Defensive End had a 15 year career in the NFL, 137.5 sacks, 8 career Interceptions (one returned for a TD), 13 career forced fumbles (one returned for a TD), 5 time All-Pro selection, 4 time Pro Bowl Selection, a Superbowl Championship in which he was named Superbowl MVP.

One of these players was recently enshrined in the Hall of Fame, the other has not. Can you guess which one is which? The former is Fred Dean, who was enshrined in Canton with the class of 2008. The latter is Richard Dent, who has yet to be enshrined, despite the fact that he has been in the top 15 finalists for 4 years running. It is not my intention to downplay the accomplishments of Fred Dean, but one has to wonder why he has been selected over other Defensive Ends such as Richard Dent.

Comparing the two players statistically is tough in and of itself. If one were to simply use the stats listed above, it would seem that Richard Dent has better stats, but also the benefit of 4 more years within the league. Sacks are the defining stat for any defensive lineman, so its important to start there. Its also important to note that Sacks where not an official statistic in the NFL until 1982, when Dean was already in the league for 8 of his 11 years in the NFL. Using the high estimate of 100 sacks, Dean averaged 9.09 sacks per year, with his season high being 17.5. Dent had 137.5 sacks over 15 years which averages out to 9.16 sacks per year, with his season high being 17. They appear to have very similar numbers, but if you compare Dean to Dent's first 11 years in the NFL (which Dent was a member of the Bears before moving to the 49ers in 1994), Dent had 124.5 sacks over his first 11 years, giving him an 11.3 average over a similar time period as Dean.

Sacks and stats can only give you one facet of who a player really is. They are important in determining how well a player performs over his career, but there are so many other intangibles that are as equally important. And unfortunately for Dent, I believe its these intangibles that have kept him out of Canton as well. The biggest intangible that has hurt Dent is simply the fact that he belonged to arguably the greatest Defensive unit in NFL history, the 1985 Chicago Bears. Richard Dent would be joining fellow teammates Mike Singletary, Walter Payton, Dan Hampton and coach Mike Ditka in Canton if and when he gets enshrined. Maybe the selectors frown upon too many players from one team in one period of time being selected for the Hall of Fame. Maybe they figure the Bears already have his fellow lineman Dan Hampton in Canton, so there's no urgency to join him with Dent.

The NFL is full of mantras and sayings. "Offense fills the seats, but Defense wins you games." "The game starts in the trenches." No one can argue about how dominant and successful the Chicago Bears defense was in the mid-80s. I think it says a lot that not only was Richard Dent one of the most dominant pass rushers of his time, but he did it on a team filled with defensive superstars, and a couple of Hall of Famers. It takes a bit of talent to stand out in a unit such as that. Looking back on just that Championship season for the Bears, Dent performed remarkably well all year, and even into the playoffs, when it mattered most. Dent recorded 17 sacks, 2 Fumble recoveries and 2 Interceptions (1 for a TD) that season. During the playoffs, when you face the best teams in the league, Dent had 7 Tackles, 3.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles against the New York Giants (who would go on to win the Superbowl the next year). In Superbowl XX itself, Dent recorded 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 blocked pass, for which he was rewarded the Superbowl MVP.

Richard Dent was a fierce competitor, and great QB rusher. He was part of an historic Superbowl team, and during that season performed above and beyond the typical defensive lineman. But he also continued his success through out his career. When Dent retired, he was number 3 on the all time Sack leader list, behind Reggie White (who is in the Hall of Fame), and Bruce Smith (a shoe-in for enshrinement but not eligble until 2009). Dent was the MVP of Superbowl XX, Joe Montana was MVP before, and Phil Simms was MVP after, showing how rare it is that a defensive player wins MVP. Dent helped lead the Bears pass rush in the fabled 46-Defense, which still to this day is #1 and #3 in the Record books for most team sacks in a season (72 in 1984 and 70 in 1987).

Great teams are made of great players. And great players deserve recognition for their accomplishments by becoming enshrined in Canton. And Richard Dent is a great player worthy of such an honor.