The NFL Network's list of top 100 players has received a ton of attention this year. Now, it's spawned a knockoff.
It comes in the form of Deadspin's list of the 100 worst players in NFL history, a list that was released in two parts on Tuesday.
It features its fair share of well-known names, like Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Brian Bosworth, Drew Henson, Chris Weinke and others.
Former Bears and Cardinals quarterback Rusty Lisch claimed the top spot, while a number of former Patriots were honored (or dishonored) to be on the list. The ex-Pats include:
No. 78 — Eric Schubert, kicker
He went just 1-for-2 in his brief career in New England, but he was 14-for-26 in his career.
No. 71 — Otis Smith, safety
O-T-I-S won a Super Bowl in 2001, but that wasn't enough to keep him off this list. He had two stints with the Patriots (1996, 2000-02) and was a big contributor to that Super Bowl team, but Deadspin asks, "Has any defensive back in modern NFL history given up more big plays?"
No. 66 — Dennis Byrd, defensive end
Not many people in New England (or the world, for that matter) know who this guy is … which speaks to the absurdity of his being chosen No. 6 overall by the Boston Patriots in 1968. Byrd played just one season. Meanwhile, Hall of Famer Larry Csonka went eighth to Miami (ouch) while three Hall of Famers (tight end Charlie Sanders, defensive end Elvin Bethea and tackle Art Shell) went in the third round. It all proves that the late '60s really could have used a Mel Kiper Jr.
No Patriots cracked the top 50, though former Boston College running back Willie Green showed up at No. 39, and Super Bowl XXXIX villain Freddie Mitchell earned the No. 37 spot.
Check out Nos. 100-51 by clicking here, and see the top 50 by clicking here.
