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First, here is the defense on the All-Badger NFL Team. Remember that my criteria was performance at the professional level since 1970. Generally speaking, I looked at quality of play as well as duration spent in the league. I did not get into position specifics, so you may for instance see more than one center on the OL or 3 CBs in the backfield (presuming that if all the players were on one Badger team, the positions would be switched to get the most talented players on the field).
Also note that I didn't know what to do with Dale Hackbart, who played mainly in the 60's, but did creep into the 70s. I know he played QB for the Badgers, but I don't recall where he played as a pro. One person I talked to thought he played DB. (Sorry, but it was before my time). So, I didn't know where to include him.
DL: Tim Krumrie, Cincinnati Bengals, 1983-94.
Don Davey, Green Bay Packers, 1991-94, Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995-present.
Darryl Sims, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1985-86, Cleveland Browns, 1987-88.
Bill Gregory, Dallas Cowboys, 1971-77, Seattle Seahawks, 1978-80.
Honorable Mention: Jason Maniecki, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1996-present.
Mark Shumate, Green Bay Packers, 1985.
Tarek Saleh, Carolina Panthers, 1997-present.
Scott Bergold, St. Louis Cardinals, 1985-86.
BADGERMANIAC: A bunch of pluggers here. I hated to go with Sims considering what a disappointment he was, but I just didn't like the other choices. Actually, I think Shumate and/or Bergold actually played on offense in the pros.
LB: Rick Graf, Miami Dolphins, 1987-90, Houston Oilers, 1991-92, Washington Redskins, 1993.
Michael Reid, Atlanta Falcons, 1987-92.
Dave Ahrens, St. Louis Cardinals, 1981-84, Baltimore Colts, 1985-87, Detroit Lions, 1988, Miami Dophins, 1989, Seattle Seahawks, 1990.
Honorable Mention: Chad Cascadden, New York Jets, 1995-present.
Ken Criter, Denver Broncos, 1969-74.
Tim Jordan, New England Patriots, 1987-89.
Pete Monty, New York Giants, 1997-present.
BADGERMANIAC: Graf and Ahrens were essentially journeymen although quite different in many ways. Graf was a second round draft choice and never lived up to his potential. Meanwhile Ahrens was never very highly thought of, yet always seemed to be a solid veteran. Cascadden has also been a surprise as a solid special teams player and third down LB.
DB: Troy Vincent, Miami Dolphins, 1992-95, Philadelphis Eagles, 1996-present.
Nate Odomes, Buffalo Bills 1987-93, Seattle Seahawks, 1994-95.
Richard Johnson, Houston Oilers, 1985-92.
Lawrence Johnson, Cleveland Browns, 1979-84, Buffalo Bills, 1984-87.
Honorable Mention: Ken Stills, Green Bay Packers, 1985-89.
Rafael Robinson, Seattle Seahawks, 1992-95.
Steve Wagner, Green Bay Packers, 1976-79, Philadelphia Eagles, 1980-81.
Donny Brady, Baltimore Ravens, 1996-present.
BADGERMANIAC: Far and away the deepest defensive position in terms of ex-Badgers. Vincent and Odomes were/are pro-bowl quality players. The Johnson boys were never great, but they were solid as evidenced by their duration in the league. Richard was one of the best kick blockers in the NFL. Robinson of course played mainly RB for the Don Morton teams. Brady has surprised by gaining a starting role, but I don't expect him to last very long.
P: NONE
BADGERMANIAC: I don't even know of any. The Badger punters have been pretty lousy really. If there was one since 1970, I couldn't think of one. Could Stemke be the first???
Now, here is the offense:
QB: Randy Wright, Green Bay Packers, 1984-1988.
Honorable Mention: Neill Graff, New England Patriots, 1974-75, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1976-77.
BADGERMANIAC: Not much to choose from here. Wright was a starting QB for bad teams. I was surprised that he didn't hang around longer as a back up.
RB: Terrell Fletcher, San Diego Chargers, 1995-present.
Larry Canada, Denver Broncos, 1978-9, '81
Honorable Mention: Gary Ellerson, Green Bay Packers, 1985-86, Detroit Lions, 1987.
Ira Matthews, Los Angeles Raiders, 1979-81.
BADGERMANIAC: Surprisingly to some, not much to pick from here either. Fletcher is a solid third down back while Canada was a decent blocking fullback for a few years. Matthews was nothing but a kick returner, albeit a good one. Matthews remains one of my favorite all-time Badgers.
WR: Al Toon, New York Jets, 1985-1992.
Tony Simmons, New England Patriots, present.
Honorable Mention: Donald Hayes, Carolina Panters, present.
Lee DeRamus, New Orleans Saints, 1995-96, Green Bay Packers, present.
BADGERMANIAC: Again, nothing to pick from after Toon, arguably the best skill position Badger NFL player ever. I went with Simmons over Hayes simply due to draft postion. I know, kind of a dumb reason, but I needed something. DeRamus has done very little since his broken leg, and I assume that both Hayes and Simmons will surpass him this year.
OL Mike Webster, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-88, Kansas City Chiefs, 1989-90.
Paul Gruber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1988-present.
Dennis Lick, Chicago Bears, 1976-81.
Jeff Dellenbach, Miami Dolphins, 1985-94, New England Patriots, 1995, Green Bay Packers, 1996-present.
Dan Turk, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1985-86, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1987-88, Los Angeles Raiders, 1989-96, Washington Redskins, 1997-present.
Honorable Mention: Ray Snell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1980-83, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1984-85, Detroit Lions, 1985.
Chuck Belin, St. Louis Rams, 1993-present.
Cory Raymer, Washington Redskins, 1995-present.
Joe Panos, Philadelphia Eagles, 1994-97, Buffalo Bills, present.
Ken Bowman, Green Bay Packers, 1964-73
Mike Verstegen, New Orleans Saints, 1995-present.
Jerry Wunsch, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1997-present.
Terry Stieve, New Orleans Saints, 1976-77, St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-84.
BADGERMANIAC: As you would think, this was by far the most talented position on the field in terms of ex-Badgers. The five "first-teamers" all have had long and distinguished careers. Webster and Gruber lead the way as no-brainers. Webster is in the Hall of Fame (best Badger ever??)while Gruber would have been a perennial all-pro if on a better team. Lick was a solid OL for the Bears before having injuries cut short his career. Dellenbach and Turk have been unspectacular though versatile and durable NFL pros. On the honorable mention list, Raymer, Panos, and Wunsch have the best chance of moving up to the first team if they can stick around for 8-10 years. Stieve could very well have made the top list as he was a solid NFL player.In terms of peak performance, Bowman certainly belongs in the Top 5, though by the time the 70's rolled around, he had already peaked.
TE:Stu Voight, Minnesota Vikings, 1970-80.
Honorable Mention: Ron Egloff, Denver Broncos, 1977-83, San Diego Chargers,1984.
Michael Roan, Tennessee Oilers, 1995-present.
Larry Mialik, Atlanta Falcons, 1972-74.
BADGERMANIAC: Not a tough call here. Voight was an upper echelon TE for a top notch caliber team. I couldn't even remember if Egloff was a TE or a FB. He did stick for 8 years in the league though which is pretty impressive. Roan has shown flashes, but I would be surprised to see him around for more than 3 more years or so.
K: Jim Bakken, St. Louis Cardinals, 1962-78.
Honorable Mention: John Hall, New York Jets, 1997-present.
BADGERMANIAC: Easy choice here. Hall did surprise me by sticking last year. It should be interesting to see how Parcells handles it if/when he goes through a streak of shanking 5 straight 30 yarders. John did comment last year though that nobody had ever told him he doesn't have to kill every ball, which is what he attributed his inconsistency to. Sounds like something that you shouldn't need to be told about if you ask me.