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Detroit Lions all-time offensive line in ‘Tecmo Bowl’ era

By James F. Puzzuoli

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Kevin Glover #53 of the Detroit Lions battles against Lionel Washington #48 of the Los Angeles Raiders during a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 20, 1987 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 27-7 (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Kevin Glover #53 of the Detroit Lions battles against Lionel Washington #48 of the Los Angeles Raiders during a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 20, 1987 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 27-7 (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /
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Photo by G. N. Lowrance/NFLPhotoLibrary
Photo by G. N. Lowrance/NFLPhotoLibrary /

REGRETTABLE OUTCASTS

Neither of these guys are on the ‘Tecmo’ team. Their time as Detroit Lions was just too short. However, they were both let go in the prime of their career and went on to success with another team.

Let’s begin with guard Jeff Hartings. One of the very first mistakes of the Matt Millen era was not re-signing Hartings. Of course, with Millen, mistakes were plentiful over the years.

Hartings did not make the Pro Bowl at guard in his five years with Detroit, although he was an alternate twice. Hartings signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2001, and went on to a stellar career at center:

  • Jeff Hartings
    • Detroit Guard, 1996-2000
      • 72 games
      • No Pro Bowls
    • Pittsburgh Center, 2001-06
      • 90 games
      • 2 Pro Bowls (2004, 2005)
      • All-Pro in 2004
      • Super Bowl XL Champion

That last accolade of Super Bowl champion is particularly ironic (maybe “befitting” is a better word), as Hartings and the Steelers won the Super Bowl at Ford Field.

Meanwhile, Millen was given a five-year extension at the beginning of that Steelers championship season. And it paid off with a “5 and 11” campaign in 2005.

The other questionable outcast falls upon current general manager Bob Quinn. Guard Larry Warford made the Pro Bowl in 2017 with his new team (the New Orleans Saints).

Warford has played five total seasons but was only available for all 16 games in his rookie year. So, injuries might be a concern, but more Pro Bowl appearances in New Orleans could also be heartbreaking as a Detroit fan. Especially after drafting the guy in the third round.

Thankfully, Warford’s free agent replacement is a good player as well.

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