Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor -- Other dynamic duos?

[Chuck9788]

The 1955 San Francisco 49ers enjoyed the 3 HOF backs (mentioned above) and 3 other offensive HOF players (YA Tittle, Bob St. Clair, Leo Namollini) yet the team finished with a poor 4-8 record. I don't think the players reacted well to the new coach Red Strader.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Chuck9788

The 1955 San Francisco 49ers enjoyed the 3 HOF backs (mentioned above) and 3 other offensive HOF players (YA Tittle, Bob St. Clair, Leo Namollini) yet the team finished with a poor 4-8 record. I don't think the players reacted well to the new coach Red Strader.

I'm going to check Football Reference and see if there's ever been a team with 6 future HOFs on offense playing at the same time that didn't have a winning record. I'm guessing that if there are any, it's not a lot.

[G1911]

I would not be surprised if this Niners team has the worst performance of an offense with so many HOFers on it. It's interesting, because it wasn't like they were a lot of old and washed up players who had been great but weren't anymore. Just a lot of off years aligning at the same time. Johnson was heavily limited on playing time. McElhenny had something of an off year and reduced numbers from sharing time. Perry fell off form his 1954 MVP but had an excellent season. Tittle had his worst season of his years in SF but did lead the league in touchdown passes (and interceptions). Nomellini wasn't an All-Pro or Pro Bowler for the only time in his career before his age 38 season. St. Clair was an All-Pro.

The other 3 also appear in 1955 Bowman. The small set sizes and offense focus in the old football cards means a lot of HOFers are usually missing every year, but Bowman got all the big 49ers that year.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by G1911

I would not be surprised if this Niners team has the worst performance of an offense with so many HOFers on it. It's interesting, because it wasn't like they were a lot of old and washed up players who had been great but weren't anymore. Just a lot of off years aligning at the same time. Johnson was heavily limited on playing time. McElhenny had something of an off year and reduced numbers from sharing time. Perry fell off form his 1954 MVP but had an excellent season. Tittle had his worst season of his years in SF but did lead the league in touchdown passes (and interceptions). Nomellini wasn't an All-Pro or Pro Bowler for the only time in his career before his age 38 season. St. Clair was an All-Pro.

The other 3 also appear in 1955 Bowman. The small set sizes and offense focus in the old football cards means a lot of HOFers are usually missing every year, but Bowman got all the big 49ers that year.

It looks like the 49ers had the worst defense in the league. They led the NFL in points allowed.