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All-Time Greatest Jet: Abdul Salaam vs. Al Toon
Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2023 11:31 pm
by 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. |
Re: All-Time Greatest Jet: Abdul Salaam vs. Al Toon
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2023 8:55 am
by 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
Re: All-Time Greatest Jet: Abdul Salaam vs. Al Toon
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2023 5:59 pm
by 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.
Re: All-Time Greatest Jet: Abdul Salaam vs. Al Toon
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2023 6:46 pm
by MFS62
Edgy MD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 5:59 pm
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
Re: All-Time Greatest Jet: Abdul Salaam vs. Al Toon
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2023 8:15 pm
by 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).