Top Productive OSU Pros

[The Gipper]

The question came up in another thread about all the OSU players that have done so well while playing for the Steelers......well.....maybe not all that well. Here is the list of the 30 most productive Ohio State players in their careers, per PFR, the the teams they primarily played with as Pros. In order of productivity:

 

1. Paul Warfield, Browns/Dolphins

2. Orlando Pace, Rams

3. Chris Carter, Eagles/Vikings

4. Jim Marshall, Vikings

5. Jim Tyrer, Bears

6. Dick Schafrath, Browns

7. Randy Gradishar, Broncos

8. Dick LeBeau, Lions

9. Joey Galloway, Seahawks/Bucs

10. Eddie George, Titans

11. Jim Lachey, Chargers/Redskins

12. Pepper Johnson Giants (cup of coffee with Browns)

13. Chris Spielman, Lions

14. Bob Vogel, Colts

15. Jim Parker, Colts

16. Antoine Winfield Bills/Vikings

17. Terry Glenn, Pats

18. Tom Matte, Colts

19. Stan White, Colts

20. William Roberts Giants

21. Nick Mangold, Jets

22. Jack Tatum, Raiders

23. Mike Vrabel, Patriots (cup of coffee with Steelers)

24. Shawn Springs Seahawks

25. Robert Smith, Vikings

26. Keith Byars, Eagles/Dolphins

27. Mike Current, Broncos

28. Dan Wilkinson, Bengals

29. Nate Clements, Bills/49ers

30. Jim Houston

 

 

Note, these production stats only go back to about 1960, late 50s. People like Lou Groza, Bill Willis, Dante Lavelli don't show up on these production stats.

 

 

[The Gipper]

The most productive players to come out of Ohio State and go to the Steelers are:

 

1. Mike Vrabel.. Production No 63. But he only stayed a year or two before off to the Pats

2. Jeff Graham....58.....but only 3 years with Steelers

3. Santonio Holmes....47. The most productive Buckeye as a Steeler

4. Cameron Heyward...11. Only in like his 3rd year.

5. Mike Adams....8. More or less considered a bust at this point.

6. Scottie Graham...8 Fullback

7. Jack Scott...6 (not to be confused with Jake Scott)

8. Dick Doyle...2

9. Bob Ferguson...1

10. Players that didn't register even a 1 (some because of age): Paul Davis, Jack Duggar, Thadeus Gibson, Bill Michael

 

Most Productive Ohio State players to play for the Browns:

# Lou Groza, Bill Willis, Dante Lavelli......all Hall of Famers who played before production numbers were calculated. Then:

1. #Paul Warfield. Production No. 106

2. Jim Marshall....98....drafted by Browns but played for Vikings

3. Dick Schafrath...89...

4. #Dick LeBeau...79....drafted by Browns...but played for Lions

5. Jim Houston...59

6. Bo Scott....28 Fullback

7. Fred Bruney...16

8. Tom Skladany...12

9. Dick Van Raphoorst...7

10. Sam Tidmore...6

11. Players whose production numbers were under 5: Brian Robiskie, Jim Cope, Mike Krerowicz, Marcus Spriggs, Craig Powell, Darnell Sanders, John Borton, Bob White.

 

The comparison seems that, overall the Browns have by far gotten the better of the deal from OSU players.

Now, Heyward could become a good player....but it won't match 5 Hall of Famers.

 

One more note: Browns Donte Whitner currently has a Production score. In that regard, I am certainly aware that other Ohio State players have come to both the Browns and Steelers at some time in their careers without being drafted by either.....such as Mike Tomczak.

[Mudfly]

Dont know what he would rate, but gotta include Tom Cousineau too....I guess....

[MLD Woody]

I was actually wondering this too.

[The Gipper]

Dont know what he would rate, but gotta include Tom Cousineau too....I guess....

Cousineau did not do that well. He would have been in that "below 5 points" group. I didn't include every OSU player....and note of course, the Browns did not draft Cousineau, the Bills did. So that may be why I overlooked him.

[Guest]

Cousineau did not do that well. He would have been in that "below 5 points" group. I didn't include every OSU player....and note of course, the Browns did not draft Cousineau, the Bills did. So that may be why I overlooked him.

 

TC had three years as a regular starter, AV of 39, 36 of those with the Browns.

 

Then there is Mike Tomczak ... career AV of 54, 22 with Steelers and 7 with Browns. apparently Steelers had more use for a mediocre QB at the time.

 

Zombo

 

Zombo

[The Gipper]

Vrabel was a fantastic pro I was sorry to see go. He got caught up in the numbers game, as at the time the Steelers were overstocked with superior linebackers.

 

Holmes was money. I only wish they'd kept him for the last year under contract instead of panic-dumping him in the wake of the Roethlisberger Georgia incident.

 

Heyward is a rising star. The anchor for the DL now that Kiesel and Hampton are gone. I agree with you about Adams, he's been awful.

 

Shazier so far looks like the next stud to come from OSU and put on the black and gold.

Well, as noted, he may be the first stud out of OSU to put on the peetown colors.

Though, I think I may have to give you Holmes. I am not sure however that I would categorize Heyward a stud yet. He needs to improve some. (and, sure, maybe this year he will take that step).