By Joe Torosian
A Case For London Fletcher
London Fletcher had four great years with the Rams and then they let him walk…
The following are simple, clear reasons why London Fletcher, who turned 47 yesterday, should be in the Hall of Fame.
Checking in at 5-10/242, Fletcher made the Rams roster in 1998 as an undrafted free agent.
He was the first player from John Carroll to appear on an NFL roster since 1962….and he’s the only one to have ever made the Pro Bowl.
(John Carroll alumni: Don Shula, Greg Roman, and Josh McDaniels.)
In 16 seasons, he accrued 23-ints, 39-sacks, 12-fumble recovers, and 3-Tds.
From 1998 to 2013, Fletcher played in every game—256.
Starting 240 games, including the final 215 of his career—an all-time best among linebackers.
Fletcher was a four-time Pro Bowl selection (11-times an alternate), playing 7-years in Washington, 5-years in Buffalo, and 4-years with the Rams (which included two Super Bowls, one Super Bowl title).
In games played, he is 41st overall. Only two linebackers appeared in more games than Fletcher—Junior Seau and Clay Matthews.
Of the 40 appearing in more games, only 18–non-kickers, punters, long snappers–appeared in more NFL games than London Fletcher—in NFL history.
(Tom Brady, Jerry Rice, Brett Favre, Bruce Matthews, Darrell Green, Drew Brees, Jim Marshall, Bruce Smith, Clay Matthews, Jason Whitten, Tony Gonzalez, Junior Seau, Peyton Manning, , Julius Peppers, Lomas Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Ray Brown, Jackie Slater.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJWh0JSXwc
Career Tackles:
Only Ray Lewis, with 1,568 tackles, ranks ahead of Fletcher’s 1,384—more than Hall of Famers Derrick Brooks, Brian Urlacher, and Seau.
Note: Bobby Wagner currently has 819 career tackles.
Only a half dozen non-edge players have more career tackles for losses. And no off-ball/inside linebacker has defended more passes.
In NFL history, Fletcher ranks 70th all-time in passes defended. That list includes safeties and cornerbacks.
Hall of Fame? Yes!
Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel (Available thru Amazon–click on pic)
Another indictment of the Rams organization under Georgia Frontiere and John Shaw? Absolutely!
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