By: Nick Galle
Like every other league, players come and go in the NFL. Here are 10 players that you may have forgotten about.
Brian Westbrook (RB)
Brian Westbrook was one of the most aggressive backfield threats in the game during the mid-late-2000’s. Westbrook is known for his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, but spent a year with the San Francisco 49ers before he concluded his career in 2010. The running back from Villanova was a weapon in both the pass and run game with two seasons over 1,000 yards rushing, and three seasons with 70+ receptions.
Braylon Edwards (WR)
Braylon Edwards had a fairly successful career that spanned from 2005 to 2012. In 2007 with the Cleveland Browns, Edwards was targeted 154 times, hauling in 80 passes for 1,289 yards. Edwards also managed to bring in 16 touchdowns, the most in a single season in Browns history.
Maurice Jones-Drew (RB)
Maurice Jones-Drew was essentially the only reason to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to 2014. Jones-Drew totaled three seasons in which he surpassed 1,000 yards rushing. He also ran for more than 10 touchdowns in 2006, 2008, and 2009. The 2011 season was a historic one for Jones-Drew, as he rushed for 1,606 yards, averaging 100.4 yards per game.
Daunte Culpepper (QB)
Despite having a string of terrible seasons in the final years of his career, Daunte Culpepper was able to put up some respectable numbers in the early 2000s. In 2004, Culpepper threw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns with just 11 interceptions. After seeing some success in Minnesota, Culpepper would spend time with the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, and Detroit Lions, where his career ultimately diminished.
Tony Scheffler (TE)
Tony Scheffler never put up mind-blowing numbers, but he was consistently reliable when on the field. Unfortunately concussions caused him to retire in 2013, but teams could count on Scheffler to put up around 400 yards and three touchdowns a season. The tight end out of Western Michigan was never a show-stopper, but fans across the country came to become familiar with the NFL veteran.
Michael Turner (RB)
With the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Turner had three seasons in which he went over the 1000-yard mark. Turner rushed for 66 touchdowns during his nine years in the league. “The Burner” started to slowly fade from the NFL once receiving backs became more prominent. Turner only managed to haul in 70 receptions throughout his career.
Rashard Mendenhall (RB)
Despite having a brief stint with the Arizona Cardinals, Rashard Mendenhall was mostly known due to his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mendenhall had back-to-back 1000-yard seasons in 2009 and 2010, rushing for a combined 20 touchdowns in that span.
Kerry Collins (QB)
Kerry Collins played from 1995 to 2011, spending the majority of his time with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants. The veteran quarterback threw for just shy of 41,000 yards and 208 touchdowns in his career. While he was never among the league’s top talents, Collins stuck around for a long time, playing well into his late-30’s.
Plaxico Burress (WR)
In addition to being known as the guy who shot himself in the foot, Plaxico Burress was also known for his talent on the field. Despite missing two years due to a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy, Burress was still able to post some impressive statistics. The wide receiver spent the majority of his time with the Steelers and Giants, finishing his career with 64 touchdowns and 8,499 yards.
David Akers (K)
David Akers was one of the best kickers of the late 2000’s and was in the league for 16 years. He was able to put 386 of his 477 attempted field goals through the uprights. Akers was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 2017.
Cover photo via: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
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