NFL Sack Leaders … including the hidden years

NFL Sack Leaders

http://vikefans.com/forum/index.php/topic/9876-the-dirty-little-secret-about-nfl-sack-leaders/

Bruce Smith is listed as the #1 sack leader of all time in NFL history with 200 career sacks. Behind him is Reggie White with 198. There is NO dispute with those facts.

However, did you know the NFL only started tracking sacks as of the 1982? As a result, none of the sacks of members of the Purple People Eaters even count in the eyes of the NFL. The all time single season sack record holder is Michael Strahan with 22.5 (well, actually 21.5 and a fall down by Favre) right? WRONG!

NFL researcher Jim Turney (read that as NFL PAID researcher) analyzed old team records and game film and pulled together the real picture.

Deacon Jones, Rams – 26 (both in 1964 and 1968 during a 14 game season)
Al “Bubba” Baker, Detroit – 23 (1978 – not recognized by the NFL)
Coy Bacon, Cincinnati – 22.5 (1976 – not recognized by the NFL – 14 game season)
Michael Strahan, Giants – 22.5 (2001) – OFFICIAL NFL SEASON SACK RECORD HOLDER
Jared Allen, Vikings – 22 (2011)
Jack Gregory, Giants – 22 (1972)
Mark Gastineau, Jets, – 22 (1983 – Official record broke by Micael Strahan in 2001)
Chris Doleman, VIkings – 21 (authenticated in 1989 by the NFL)
Reggie White, Packers – 21 (1987)
Lawrence Taylor, Giants – 20.5 (1986)
Joe Klecko, Jets – 20.5 (1981)
J.J. Watt, Texans – 20.5 (2012)
Derrick Thomas, Chiefs – 20 (1990)
Jim Catcavage, Giants – 20 (1963- not recognized by the NFL)
Robert Mathis, Colts – 19.5 (2013)
Aldon Smityh, 49ers – 19.5 (2012)
DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys – (2011)
Bruce Smith, Bills – 19 (1990)
Robert Quinn, Rams – 19 (2013)
Vaughn Miller, Broncos – 18.5 (2012)
Keith Millard, Vikings – 18 (1989)
Jason Babin, Eagles – 18 (2011)

So, the top 3 sackers in NFL history don’t appear on any list of record holders of the NFL, because, although the data from their own research exists, they won’t recognize it because, at the time, they did not officially track sacks. Shameful.

It gets worse when you look at all-time NFL sackers for a career – here is the list after NFL Researcher Jim Turney added his analysis:

NFL SACK LIST (Includes just those sacks from 1982 forward)
Rk. Player Sacks
1. Bruce Smith 200
2. Reggie White 198
3. Kevin Greene 160
4. Chris Doleman 150½
5. Michael Strahan 141½
6. Richard Dent 137½
6. John Randle 137½
8. John Abraham 133½
9. Leslie O’Neal 132½
9. Lawrence Taylor 132½
10. Jared Allen 128½
11. Rickey Jackson 128
12. Derrick Thomas 126½
13. Simeon Rice 122
14. Clyde Simmons 121½
15. Jason Taylor 120½
16. Julius Peppers 118½
17. DeMarcus Ware 117
18. Sean Jones 113
19. Robert Mathis 111

TURNEY SACK LIST – Includes ALL NFL players
Rk. Player Sacks
1. Bruce Smith 200
2. Reggie White 198
3. Deacon Jones 173½
4. Kevin Greene 160
5. Jack Youngblood 151½ (In Hall of Fame only because of Turney’s research)
6. Chris Doleman 150½ (Bulk of sacks while with Vikings)
7. Alan Page 148½ (Stats not kept for entire career – in HOF)
8. Lawrence Taylor 142
9. Michael Strahan 141½
10. Richard Dent 137½
10. John Randle 137½ (Bulk of sacks while with Vikings)
12. Rickey Jackson 136
13. John Abraham 133½
14. Carl Eller 133 (Stats not kept for entire career – in HOF)
15. Leslie O’Neal 132½
16. Coy Bacon 130 (Stats not kept for most of career – not in HOF)
17. Jared Allen 128½
18. Jim Marshall 127 (Stats not kept for most of career – not in HOF)

The results show how dominant the Purple People eaters were Eller, Page and Marshall had 408.5 sacks among them, by far the most by 3 defensive teammates in NFL history.

It is shameful how the NFL forgets its past to market its current stars – who may not even be record holders.