All-Time Greatest Jet: Larry Grantham vs. Dan Alexander

[Edgy MD]

Two guys that were hard to get off the field.

PLAYER	Larry Grantham	Dan Alexander
POSITION	LB	G–T
YEARS	1960–1972	1977–1989
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS	Five-time Pro-Bowler (1962–1964, 1966, 1969). Five-time First-Team All-Pro (1960– 1964). Three-time Second-Team All-Pro (1965, 1967–1968). They didn't keep official tackling records back then, but you've got to bet he'd be high on the Jets all-time list. Fifth all-time in franchise history in interceptions and eighth in interception return yards. Eighth in fumble-recoveries among defensive players and eleventh in sacks. Super Bowl III champion, making three tackles in most important game in team history. Named team MVP in 1971. One of only 20 players to play in the AFL for the entirety of its 10-year existence. New York Jets Ring of Honor (2011).	Started at right guard his rookie year, and continued starting for the next 12 years. Didn't miss a single game until his 11th season, when he was sidelined because of a torn calf muscle in his right leg. Never had surgery and never broke a bone.
INTERESTING FACTOID	While outside linebackers are now commonly about 6'4"/250, Grantham was listed at 6' and 204 to 210, but he said he never weighed that much. "The most I ever played at was 192, by late in the season probably 185." "If Larry Grantham were judged only on his size," Weeb Ewbank said, "no coach in his right mind would pick anyone so small as a linebacker." He started his career with the Titans as a wide receiver, but two days into camp, was moved to linebacker, saying, "I found out I loved to hit people."	Like Grantham, Alexander amazingly switched positions at the pro level, but in the opposite direction. He was a defensive tackle in college but was told to switch to offensive line on day one.

[MFS62]

But that tough little sumbitch is my all time favorite Jet, starting in the Titan days
Larry only made three tackles in Super Bowl III because the Colts were so wary of his ability that they designed plays (double teams and traps, ran plays away from him) to cut hm off from the ball carriers.

To me , he epitomized (Thank you, spell checker) the early American Football League - players who had been told they weren't good enough, but proved they really were.
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