All-Time Greatest Jet: Abdul Salaam vs. Al Toon

[Edgy MD]

Abdul Salaam	Al Toon
DT	WR
1976–1983	1985–1992
Pro-Bowl Alternate (1981). Played nose tackle when the Jets used the 3-4. Member of The New York Sack Exchange.	Three-time Pro-Bowler (1986–1988). First- Team All-Pro (1986). Second-Team All-Pro (1988). AFC Player of the Year (1986). NFL receptions leader (1988). New York Jets All- Time Four Decade Team. New York Jets Ring of Honor
Changed his name from Larry Faulk in 1977. His new name would mean "Soldier of Peace."	Son Nick Toon would appear in parts of three seasons with New Orleans and St. Louis from 2013–2015.

[MFS62]

Toon was great, but I always thought he could have been greater than he was. And the person who kept that from happening was ... teammate Wesley Walker.
(climbing up on my soap box)
Walker had one usable eye. So he was given deep and out (to the sidelines) routes to protect it. As a result, Toon was given the shorter and over the middle routes where he was hit harder by bigger defensive players.(linebackers and safeties instead of cornerbacks) And I felt that shortened what could have been an even greater career. He had the speed to run the "safer" routes but was rarely given them. His total catches and yards-per -catch could have been better.
(climbing down off that soap box now)

Later

[Edgy MD]

I certainly agree that Toon's career and health were negatively impacted by being assigned to run routes underneath the coverage, but I don't blame Wesley Walker or his eye.

[MFS62]

I certainly agree that Toon's career and health were negatively impacted by being assigned to run routes underneath the coverage, but I don't blame Wesley Walker or his eye.

No, there is no direct connection. But I do believe having Walker on those teams led the coaches to draw up game plans that put Toon in the heavy traffic area of the defenses. I can't prove it but I still believe it.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

Toon was also bigger than Walker so the more logical one to send into traffic. I also net W.W. one time (in a mall) and he actually was no bigger than me.

Given all of Toon's concussion issues it's a bit surprising that his kid also went into the business. Al was one of the earlier ex-players to talk about how much he was dealing with even years after quitting (light sensitivity/keeping rooms extra dark, constant headaches, memory issues, etc).