99 Percent Of Fans Can't Name These NFL Stars Of The 00s
- by Dylan Jacob
- – on
- in Sports
At the time we're writing this, we're already a month into the 2017 NFL season. What? How? Huh? More importantly, we're already in 2017? What? How? Huh?
While pundits discuss Cam Newton's sexism, Odell Beckham's maturity, the New York Giants' slow start, and national anthem protests, let's do our best to think about relatively happier times this decade. Today, you'll be tasked with looking at pictures of NFL players from this decade and identifying them.
For this quiz, the normal rules that we usually have still apply: you’ll be given a picture of a player – we’ll still give you a very slight clue to aid you – and asked to answer who they are. However, because we’re dealing with the current era, all players on this list will either be officially retired or have indicated they will not be playing in the foreseeable future.
In other words, if you read this and you’re wondering where guys like Aaron Rodgers, Adrian Peterson, and Khalil Mack are, now you know. That’d be a bit too easy. Some of the players on this list will still be obvious, but others? We've done our best to blur out numbers on some players to make things just a touch harder.
With all that said, get your pads on, stick your mouthpiece in, and let's get to talking football.
You sung this to Nationwide...
If you get this question wrong, you probably shouldn't be taking this quiz - and if you didn't sing the question title to the Nationwide theme, we may have an even bigger problem. One of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time and a two-time Super Bowl champion, that I even have to provide these hints is ridiculous. You know what the answer is, I know what the answer is, and I know what I'm going to do if you get this wrong. So get it right!
An All-Pro defensive end in his prime
Sacks aren't quite home runs, but some of the totals you wind up seeing are flat out sexy. While this defensive end never quite approached the sack records the way J.J. Watt and Khalil Mack have, there were few players that could match the efficiency and fun this veteran provided in his prime years. The beard was something special when he grew it out as well, but when you go back to the game film or older Maddens, you knew he was a threat to take the quarterback down.
It should be no surprise this journeyman nearly took Buffalo to the playoffs
When it comes to drafting quarterbacks in the past 20 years, Buffalo has been absolutely atrocious. Remember the Trent Edwards era? How about J.P. Losman and his turnover issues? Even E.J. Manuel, who some thought just needed to be a first-round placeholder they could deal later, failed miserably. But veteran quarterbacks, for some reason or another, have found sustained success in Orchard Park - and that just doesn't apply to Tyrod Taylor. Can you figure out which of the following quarterbacks this is?
What's rarer than a white running back?
When we call a white running back an endangered species, we're not really joking. With fullbacks being more and more phased out of the NFL, there's not quite a place for white running backs anymore. Even Zach Zenner, who seemed to be our hope in that department, had six carries through the first four games despite a strong finish to last season. Let us cry and yearn for the days gone by where white running backs, such as this stud, were actually a thing.
A reliable target for Ben Roethlisberger
This may be hard for some fans who only really began to follow the game in recent years to believe, but Ben Roethlisberger wasn't always putting up the gaudy numbers you see from him now. In fact, most of Roethlisberger's early seasons came with him serving as a game manager, one that wasn't expected to throw for 300 yards a game and instead let his rushing game and defense pick up the slack. But, Big Ben, both before and after the gameplan switch, could always count on this target.
A future Hall of Famer now on TV
If you've watched any of the NFL pregame shows in recent years, this should be an easy one. Like nearly every player now, this future Hall of Famer went into sports media to talk about league ongoing and present their own opinions on the NFL as a whole. Has it worked out? Well, he's no Tony Romo but at the same time, he's not Tim McCarver (or, for a football version, Tiki Barber) so I'd say he's been about average. Given he's an ex-football star, that's not bad!
Bow at this running back's talent
What makes an elite running back in today's NFL? Is it agility or is it the ability to quickly pick up a pro-style offense? Or, do they just need a brilliant mind? Why was David Johnson able to succeed so quickly compared to Melvin Gordon or Jay Ajayi? Whatever your reasoning, it was running backs like this who could mix agility, an eye for the defense, and extreme talent into becoming one of the league's best at what they do. Who was this?
This ex-Falcon must be thrilled he wasn't on the field for 28-3
Too soon for another 28-3 joke? Come on, what kind of journalist would I be if I didn't poke fun at the Atlanta Falcons. Though the Falcons never made the Super Bowl when this guy was contributing to a dangerous Atlanta offense, no one will deny he was a sight to see when Matt Ryan was on his game -and, in Ryan's best years, the Boston College alum certainly was that. Will we see the Falcons make the Super Bowl this year? More importantly, who is this?
You'll need a reliable kicker if you want to win Super Bowls
What fun would this list be if we only talked about quarterbacks, running backs, and pass rushers? Show the kickers some love! Seriously, if you're going to make Super Bowls, nonetheless win one, you need a reliable kicker who isn't going to shank short kicks. You need someone you can trust late in the game, especially against a team that will find ways to make you pay if you don't make the field goal. Now, which kicker is in that picture?
Potentially a Hall of Fame linebacker
We say this former All-Pro should be a Hall of Fame linebacker, but the voters haven't exactly been consistent with who winds up in Canton. Morten Andersen is apparently enough for the Hall of Fame, but Terrell Owens and potentially Randy Moss aren't. Kevin Mawae is still being shut out and, knowing the Hall, Steve Hutchinson is likely to join him as well. But, given how easy it is to get into the Basketball Hall of Fame...actually, no, this man still deserves his bust.
A former All-Pro now with Barstool Sports
Other players in this quiz have gone into the media after retirement, whether it be ESPN, one of the big three networks, NFL Network, etc. But to go into something like Barstool Sports, an outlet that has drawn controversy for being racist and promoting sexual assault while facing issues with the NFL, almost seems like no man's land. Yet, this All-Pro and popular social media figure still joined up with the Stool following his retirement. Regardless of your thoughts on that, can you still get this right?
You'd smile like that if Tom Brady was your quarterback
Who doesn't love smiling when Tom Brady is their quarterback? Even Randy Moss, king of pissing off teammates and quarterbacks, loved his time in New England - or, the first three years, at least. When you have the greatest quarterback of all time not forcing the ball to you and making every play with robot-like precision, can you truly go wrong? If you were this wide receiver who could be a dangerous deep threat, the answer should be a resounding no.
This former Colts star could bring the sacks
Even when Peyton Manning was operating in the shotgun for the Indianapolis Colts, the blue and white were looked at as a team who wasn't quite the best on defense. Indianapolis had impact players, that much goes without saying, but were you really paying to watch the Colts' defense the way you were New York's or Baltimore's? Were you really going to pick them in fantasy if a middle-of-the-pack team was still on the board? But, if this All-Pro was healthy, maybe drafting them would've been worth it.
A veteran who didn't live up to expectations in Buffalo
Is Buffalo where veteran NFL players go to die? We saw it with Percy Harvin, most recently, but it just seems like a place that the former Pro Bowlers go to play out their final snaps before taking up a job with FOX or CBS. Still, there were expectations for this popular veteran when he signed with the Bills, but all fans got was a stint they'd prefer to forget about if they can. Then again, that goes for the past 20 years.
A former first-round pick that spent time in New York
When Rex Ryan was the New York Jets' head coach, veterans were bound to wind up there regardless of what they could do in the short and long-term. Perhaps that is why the Jets faded so quickly following Ryan's first two seasons in New York, but think about all of the veterans the Jets picked up out of nowhere and who somehow contributed more than anyone would have expected. Well, aside from Ed Reed's stint in New York, but maybe we should let that go.
Don't throw his way...unless he's outside of his element
For the most part, the defensive backs on this list were either among the best at what they did or were certainly in the upper echelon for a time. Does this cornerback fit that bill? I'd certainly say so, even if the end to his career wasn't pretty and saw his performance break down worse than any injury could. If you were throwing to this guy in his prime, you were either taking a major risk or were insane. Given some of these quarterbacks, the latter may be a realistic option.
One of the NFL's biggest what-ifs
Given the topic of a what-if, this should be fairly obvious, but are we wrong in calling him a what-if? True, there's still a chance he can turn things around if given a chance, but this guy's fall is absolutely heartbreaking because the results were there. What cost him, though, were things he had to deal with on his own and managed to. Will we see this man in an NFL jersey again? It's a mystery, but I'm certainly hoping so.
A Pro Bowler in Dallas before Dak and Zeke
It'd be easy to call Dallas Cowboys fans bandwagoners, but they should be loyal enough to remember the accolades and heroics of this Pro Bowler. Though he never lived up to the lofty expectations put in place after his breakout campaign with the Cowboys, you could tell Tony Romo absolutely loved getting the ball to him and hoping there was a chance for another successful season. Cowboys fans, if you don't get this right, we reserve the right to be disappointed in you.
Did you remember this future Hall of Famer played in Oakland?
If the Buffalo Bills are where veteran players go to their final snaps, Oakland was where players would go to get paid. But unlike with the New York Yankees where the players would contribute something, players who did this in Oakland usually accomplished nothing. That applies for this future Hall of Fame running back who not only spent time with the Raiders, but was so abysmal that it almost made us forget his prime years.. Who was this running back?
A former Chicago Bear and New York Giant
The Chicago Bears are in a rebuilding phase but have played, more often than not, like a middle of the pack team this year. The New York Giants are in a win-now phase but have played, more often than not, like a rebuilding team this year. The similarities dry up after that, but here you have a player that spent time with both teams and was fairly efficient when healthy. Even now, I get the feeling both teams could use him. Who was this?
A crafty defensive leader that spent time in New York
When Rex Ryan came to the New York Jets in early 2009, his entire motto was about the defense showing up each week and pounding asses into the ground. Well, when you have the opportunity to add an All-Pro like this who has the fire and heart to do exactly what Rex wanted, you're going to land him and play him as much as you can. His final days in New York weren't pretty, but that shouldn't change his legacy in the slightest.
A Steelers star potentially blackballed for his political views
Well before Colin Kaepernick took a knee and was blackballed, one Pittsburgh Steelers player essentially went through a similar blackballing - although at least with Kaepernick, his reason for going against the norm made sense. Here? This Steelers player criticized those celebrating the 2011 death of Osama bin Laden and made comments sympathizing with Al Qaeda and 9/11 truthers. Kaepernick protests the flag and gets blackballed. This guy complains about celebrating the death of a known terrorist and still gets jobs. Sigh...
Perhaps the NFL's best corner after Darrelle Revis
Some fans will argue that the word used should have been "alongside" but come on - nothing was stopping Revis Island in his prime. With this guy, very few things could stop him, although the final years of his career, not unlike Revis, were far from kind. But in his prime? With that 80s style mustache and the face that looked like Bodie from The Wire? You'd be a fool to throw in his direction. Which cornerback are we talking about?
This ex-Seahawk could run with the best of them
Of all the options below, it's easy to forget they played in Seattle, especially not in the more modern uniforms. But, they did! Harvin and Rice even won Super Bowl rings with the Seahawks in 2013! Which of these four are we talking about in this question? Instead of listening to me prattle on, I'd try seeing if you can enlarge the picture, do a facial scan...or just taking a wild guess. Seattle somewhat did that with their quarterback situation, right?
This ex-Falcon was truly a "Burner"
I know it's easy to only think about Michael Vick's speed when you hear about Atlanta Falcons players that were burners, but go back and watch those 2008-12 teams under Mike Smith. If that stout defense wasn't going to beat you into the ground, you stil had to deal with a dangerous offense that had so many options and still yet never made a Super Bowl. Would they have blown a 28-3 lead to Pittsburgh or New England? Yeah, we think so.
Briefly a Seahawk, though he didn't provide much of an impact
While the Seahawks have tried at their hands at adding several proven veterans over the years, there haven't been many that have come in and given the impact that was expected. This doesn't just apply to what seemed like the Matt Flynn era, either. You'd think the Seahawks, given Pete Carroll's influence, would have that Patriots-level effect on finding veterans and utilizing them to success, but nope. At least the Seahawks have had some fantastic late-round draft picks this decade. Who was this?
Always a reliable weapon, especially in New Orleans
Through the first quarter of the 2017 season, it looks like the New Orleans Saints are getting some of their momentum and mojo back, both of which have been missing in recent years. Perhaps the departure of this legendary Saints star, one around for the team's return to New Orleans in 2006 and Super Bowl victory three years later, played a role in Drew Brees' team becoming medicore. But, since we're reviling in the nostalgia today, let's think about this undrafted star's time with the Saints.
You do not want this ex-Viking coming after you
With the NFC appearing to be pretty wide open this season after potential Super Bowl contenders New York and Green Bay have started slow (the Packers have been winning, but aren't doing it in the prettiest fashion), do the Vikings have a chance to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium? If their defense continues to play how they did when this pass rusher was wearing purple and gold, they should be in shape...until, you know, the Packers finally begin winning with ease again.
This ex-Jets star should be honored by the team sooner rather than later
If you see a non-offensive line player from the Jets who actually played that side of the ball for this quiz, they likely didn't do much. That's not to sound harsh, but when the Jets were looking like Super Bowl contenders and not getting their fans' hopes like they are to start this season, the defense was the unit doing all the work. You deserve that sip of Gatorade, big guy, especially when you were helping the Jets defense make those big stops.
If you get this wrong, you're probably getting killed in the scoreboard department
Perhaps the easiest one in this quiz other than the other obvious one, have you ever noticed he looks like Jon Bernthal? I mean, maybe not when Bernthal grows his hair out like he did for the first season of The Walking Dead, but the similarities are all right there. Look up a picture of Bernthal if you don't believe me. Keeping in mind that you're probably going to feel like dying if you get this one wrong, who is this?
This ex-Giant was a key Super Bowl hero
Does it really feel like the New York Giants have won two Super Bowls in the past decade? Well, believe it or not, they have! Their most recent one, when you really look back at all of the things that happened along the way, should not have happened. At least in 2007, the Giants had that stingy defense, but how did the team win it all in 2011 after relying so heavily on fourth quarter comebacks that year? What wideout is this?
Seemingly the only "clean" player the Bengals signed
For better or worse, the Cincinnati Bengals have an unfortunate reputation for being thugs...but when you hire and draft players who have major legal issues and troubled pasts, that reputation makes a degree of sense. Is it fair? Perhaps not - and it may not even be a problem if the team could win a playoff game for once - but they've managed to sign players that were clean. This dreadlocked fan favorite was one of them. Who was this?
An invaluable veteran for the New York Jets
Again, when the New York Jets were winning games and actually truly were worth watching, they had some fantastic veterans leading the way. One such player, and one who is likely facing Hall of Fame enshrinement, is the one we're alluding to here. Discussing his accolades would give the answer away, but when you go back and watch the game film when he was at this best, tell me with a straight face he doesn't belong in Canton. Now, who are we talking about?
A lockdown Eagles defender in his prime
Why is it always the Philadelphia Eagles offense that comes to mind when discussing those 2000s to early 2010s teams? Was it simply the popularity of Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Terrell Owens, and even LeSean McCoy, or was it the idea that the defense was Brian Dawkins and no one else? Well, there was someone else! Who is in that picture? Is it Dawkins, or is it one of the other three that never managed to win a ring with the Eagles?
Keeping Eli Manning upright one game at a time
If the New York Giants were going to be playoff contenders, they needed to keep Eli Manning upright and turnover-free. The second wasn't easy and still remains a problem, but when the Giants had one of the league's most talented offensive lines, achieving the first was certainly possible. We talk about those Justin Tuck and Michael Strahan-led defenses for being key to the team winning Super Bowls, but stop sleeping on this big ugly and the rest of his offensive line unit.
Not a quarterback, but a fan favorite in Chicago nonetheless
Well, if you went searching for Caleb Hanie's name, I regret to tell you he is not only an option but was white. With how rough the past decade has been for Chicago Bears fans, only making one postseason berth since their 2006 Super Bowl appearance, that they've stayed so loyal to their team deserves serious praise. There's a reason why this Bears veteran, no longer playing, received ovation after ovation despite his team playing awful across his final years. Who was this?
A star in his prime, but blackballed for off-the-field reasons
If this was a multiple choice question to pick which name the question applied to, you certainly have your choices. And yes, Michael Sam was definitely blackballed by the league for being gay, though we do admit his sexuality isn't an issue the way domestic violence is. And yet, two of the three other choices managed to get jobs after their suspensions! Talk about a fair and right NFL. But, back on topic: who is the guy in the suit and sunglasses?
This Raven was faster than any bird known to man
Ha, puns! Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens offense really have been atrocious in recent years, but there legitimately was a time this team could score points with the best of them. It never was a fierce offense the way Pittsburgh's or New England's was, I'll admit, but something was better than ten points and four Joe Flacco interceptions, yeah? Surely a tough question for Ravens fans solely for the nostalgia factor, which incredibly speedy player are we discussing here?
One of the all-time greats that retired with Denver
Of all the teams that have continuously gone out and signed veterans, has any non-Patriots team had more success than Denver over the past decade? Brian Dawkins was efficient, DeMarcus Ware helped the Broncos to a Super Bowl title, Wes Welker got things done before concussions ruined his career, and so on. But, how many of those veterans actually retired with the Broncos? More importantly, which of the veterans that is an option below is the one in the picture? Get this right!
A Baltimore Raven always worth rooting for
"It would be tough if you were behind a bad guy. Sometimes you get a guy that has a lot of ego, but all the guys we've got at our position are great guys. We're all friends, all really tight. That makes it so much more fun to go out and practice and play." - this ex-Raven on taking a back seat to other players. With an attitude like that and the numbers he put up, how could you root against him?