Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
For Jeff Gollin, I’m guessing you want to hear something good about George Boone. 1991 was his best draft.
Famous director of western films John Ford once said, “....when you had to choose between history and legend, print the legend.” If this sound familiar it was slightly altered and used in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Printing the legend is what’s been happening in the case of Eric Swann for years.
You may have noticed I’ve said a few times that except for injuries I believe Gale Sayers might have ended up the NFL’s greatest RB. He surely would have been much nearer the top. Much the same could be said of Eric Swann. I believe with good knees he would have been remembered as the greatest defensive tackle in NFL history. I’m actually more certain of Swann than Sayers.
The first time I saw film on Swann he was playing in a semi-pro league for the Bay State Titans, a Massachusetts team. It’s worth noting the Titans did not pay their players, so Swann worked at manual labor jobs to eat. The tape came with a note saying, “You’ve got to see this; opinion?” It was a revelation. Here was this huge kid, with no college experience, literally tossing grown men aside. I responded, “First round talent, if there are no off the field issues.” What I’m watching is a 20 year old kid who’s 6’4” about 320 whose 40 is under 5.0. He has the wingspan of a California Condor. I believe The Sporting News also did a human interest story on him.
Of course recommending a kid who has played no college as a round 1 pick is a huge risk. The last player with that distinction was selected right after WWII. Don’t read too much into this. My impression was not a factor in Swann being selected by the Cards. I was not working for the Cardinals, just conversing with a BLESTO scout. Frankly I was shocked when the Cards selected him with the 6th pick. Not only didn’t he play in college, he wasn’t even invited to the Combine. I expected more reluctance to choose him. However, I should have figured someone like Boone might see him as a money saving option. Swann needed the money. He ended signing for $750,000 less than the 7th pick. Bell represented himself as a Swann’s agent. Bell eventually sent a letter to NFL front offices stating "we were prepared to do something realistic to get my client drafted in the first round.” Of course Swann wasn’t even contractually his client. The two parted ways when Bell demanded 5% of Swann’s contract. Bell seemed to have unusual influence with Swann’s family. Bell had talked them into letting Swann play for no money with the Titans. Much of this relationship does not pass the smell test.
It’s worth noting Swann was not considered undesirable by colleges, several wanted Swann. Close to home, NC State tried to get Swann, but he would have been a prop 48 and Swann thought that was demeaning. Depending on whom you wish to rely, Swann failed to get the needed 700 SAT score numerous times. This is understandable as he was diagnosed with severe ADD. While these attempts were ongoing Swann was working out at NC State and working for the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. He was seen by at least one NFL scout who was scouting NC State.
Eventually he gave up testing, so Swann ended up heading for New England. In Massachusetts Swann was tutored by former NFL lineman Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton. Who noted, “He reminds me, especially when he gets to be a fully developed player, of like a big Bruce Smith," Hamilton said.
In his first 3 seasons, between Swann’s injury prone knees and his immaturity Swann just flashed ability. Swann also had a tendency to aggravate other teams. Rumors were rampant, for example, that the Eagles deliberately injured Swann. That was the NFL in the bounty years. One of his seasons was ended with a chop block. The lack of NFL protection of players in those days could only be described as criminal.
In 1994 Swann finally seemed to get it. He came in weighing a rock solid 295. He was easily in the best shape of his life. Coincidentally Buddy Ryan became both the Cards’ coach & GM. He had publicly stated Swann might be the best defensive player in the league. That change did wonders for Swann’s work ethic. He made the Pro Bowl in 1995 & 1996. Swann was having one of his best years in 1997 when his knees finally became too painful to play on. I was writing for the previous incarnation of this board at that point. Swann was getting mercilessly abused on that board. I defended Swann vigorously. I had shot knees myself. The left one has now been replaced and the right one will be when elective surgery becomes safer. I tried to explain it felt like I was being stabbed with a knife when I did anything stressful. By 1998 Swann could only start 7 games. Saying he should play more with that type of pain was absurd. Finally he had multiple surgeries and was never the same player again. In 1999 he started 9 games but with reduced effectiveness. He was cut before the next draft as the Cards needed the money to sign top pick Thomas Jones.
Swann signed with Carolina but never started a game and lasted only 1 year. In 2007 he announced he would play for the semi-pro Hudson Valley Saints. The Saints confirmed his signing though I could find no evidence Swann ever suited up.
In the end, at times Swann was one of the most impactful defensive players the NFL has seen. He might have been the best ever. However, the NFL was the Wild West in those days. The league did little to protect the players, especially from each other. Overall I feel fortunate to have watched Swann at his best. He was really something to see.
Famous director of western films John Ford once said, “....when you had to choose between history and legend, print the legend.” If this sound familiar it was slightly altered and used in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Printing the legend is what’s been happening in the case of Eric Swann for years.
You may have noticed I’ve said a few times that except for injuries I believe Gale Sayers might have ended up the NFL’s greatest RB. He surely would have been much nearer the top. Much the same could be said of Eric Swann. I believe with good knees he would have been remembered as the greatest defensive tackle in NFL history. I’m actually more certain of Swann than Sayers.
The first time I saw film on Swann he was playing in a semi-pro league for the Bay State Titans, a Massachusetts team. It’s worth noting the Titans did not pay their players, so Swann worked at manual labor jobs to eat. The tape came with a note saying, “You’ve got to see this; opinion?” It was a revelation. Here was this huge kid, with no college experience, literally tossing grown men aside. I responded, “First round talent, if there are no off the field issues.” What I’m watching is a 20 year old kid who’s 6’4” about 320 whose 40 is under 5.0. He has the wingspan of a California Condor. I believe The Sporting News also did a human interest story on him.
Of course recommending a kid who has played no college as a round 1 pick is a huge risk. The last player with that distinction was selected right after WWII. Don’t read too much into this. My impression was not a factor in Swann being selected by the Cards. I was not working for the Cardinals, just conversing with a BLESTO scout. Frankly I was shocked when the Cards selected him with the 6th pick. Not only didn’t he play in college, he wasn’t even invited to the Combine. I expected more reluctance to choose him. However, I should have figured someone like Boone might see him as a money saving option. Swann needed the money. He ended signing for $750,000 less than the 7th pick. Bell represented himself as a Swann’s agent. Bell eventually sent a letter to NFL front offices stating "we were prepared to do something realistic to get my client drafted in the first round.” Of course Swann wasn’t even contractually his client. The two parted ways when Bell demanded 5% of Swann’s contract. Bell seemed to have unusual influence with Swann’s family. Bell had talked them into letting Swann play for no money with the Titans. Much of this relationship does not pass the smell test.
It’s worth noting Swann was not considered undesirable by colleges, several wanted Swann. Close to home, NC State tried to get Swann, but he would have been a prop 48 and Swann thought that was demeaning. Depending on whom you wish to rely, Swann failed to get the needed 700 SAT score numerous times. This is understandable as he was diagnosed with severe ADD. While these attempts were ongoing Swann was working out at NC State and working for the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. He was seen by at least one NFL scout who was scouting NC State.
Eventually he gave up testing, so Swann ended up heading for New England. In Massachusetts Swann was tutored by former NFL lineman Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton. Who noted, “He reminds me, especially when he gets to be a fully developed player, of like a big Bruce Smith," Hamilton said.
In his first 3 seasons, between Swann’s injury prone knees and his immaturity Swann just flashed ability. Swann also had a tendency to aggravate other teams. Rumors were rampant, for example, that the Eagles deliberately injured Swann. That was the NFL in the bounty years. One of his seasons was ended with a chop block. The lack of NFL protection of players in those days could only be described as criminal.
In 1994 Swann finally seemed to get it. He came in weighing a rock solid 295. He was easily in the best shape of his life. Coincidentally Buddy Ryan became both the Cards’ coach & GM. He had publicly stated Swann might be the best defensive player in the league. That change did wonders for Swann’s work ethic. He made the Pro Bowl in 1995 & 1996. Swann was having one of his best years in 1997 when his knees finally became too painful to play on. I was writing for the previous incarnation of this board at that point. Swann was getting mercilessly abused on that board. I defended Swann vigorously. I had shot knees myself. The left one has now been replaced and the right one will be when elective surgery becomes safer. I tried to explain it felt like I was being stabbed with a knife when I did anything stressful. By 1998 Swann could only start 7 games. Saying he should play more with that type of pain was absurd. Finally he had multiple surgeries and was never the same player again. In 1999 he started 9 games but with reduced effectiveness. He was cut before the next draft as the Cards needed the money to sign top pick Thomas Jones.
Swann signed with Carolina but never started a game and lasted only 1 year. In 2007 he announced he would play for the semi-pro Hudson Valley Saints. The Saints confirmed his signing though I could find no evidence Swann ever suited up.
In the end, at times Swann was one of the most impactful defensive players the NFL has seen. He might have been the best ever. However, the NFL was the Wild West in those days. The league did little to protect the players, especially from each other. Overall I feel fortunate to have watched Swann at his best. He was really something to see.
