87 #DaysToFootball

One of my favorite jersey numbers (thanks Kevin Dyson) highlights today's list:

5. Joe Horn, WR
2000-2007 (New Orleans, Atlanta); Four Pro Bowls; 7,865 career receiving yards



At the turn of the century, few wideouts were as productive as the Saints' Joe Horn. Perhaps overshadowed by the T.O.'s and Ochocincos of the world, Horn spent all but one year of 2000-2004 among the top eight players in the league in receiving yards. His final Pro Bowl season was his finest; the former fifth-round draft pick finished second in the NFL with 1,399 yards and found the end zone 11 times. After the Saints released him following the 2006 season, Horn had his lowest statistical output wearing number 87 in 2007, recording just 243 yards on 27 catches with the Falcons. Three years later, he signed a ceremonial contract to retire with the Saints, who inducted Horn into their Hall of Fame.

4. Muhsin Muhammad, WR
1996-2009 (Carolina, Chicago); Two Pro Bowls; One First-Team All-Pro; 11,438 career receiving yards

(Streeter Lecka/Getty)

Longevity was the key asset to Muhsin Muhammad's NFL career. Averaging just over 800 yards receiving per season in his 14 years as a pro player, the Michigan State product was a reliable target for two of the worst quarterbacks to ever lose Super Bowls (Jake Delhomme in Carolina and "Sexy Rexy" Grossman in Chicago). Muhammad's finest season was 2004, in which he led the league in both yards (1,405) and touchdowns (16) by a receiver. Muhammad was one of Super Bowl XXXVIII's most dynamic players, catching four balls for 140 yards and a score in a loss. Three years later in Super Bowl XLI, he scored another touchdown in another losing effort. Muhammad finished his career back in Carolina, retiring in 2009 as the team's second all-time leading receiver.

3. Claude Humphrey, DE
1968-1981 (Atlanta, Philadelphia); Six Pro Bowls; Two First-Team All-Pro; 1968 Defensive Rookie of the Year; Pro Football HOF class of 2014

In their third year of existence, the Atlanta Falcons drafted Tennessee State defensive lineman Claude Humphrey. While it took Atlanta until 1978 to finally reach its first postseason, Humphrey was easily the brightest star of the Falcons' early years and one of the league's most underrated defensive ends of the 1970s. Humphrey spent the twilight of his career wearing a different set of wings; he was instrumental in helping the Eagles reach Super Bowl XV. A five-time Hall of Fame finalist, Humphrey finally earned his Canton bust as a senior candidate in 2014.

2. Willie Davis, DE
1960-1969 (Green Bay); Five Pro Bowls; Five First-Team All-Pro; NFL All-1960s Team; Pro Football HOF class of 1981; 22 career fumble recoveries

(Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated)

While Bart Starr was the Packers' offensive cornerstone, Green Bay's leader on defense was Louisiana native Willie Davis. Originally drafted by Cleveland in 1958, Davis switched from number 77 to 87 when he arrived in Green Bay in 1960. He led the Packers to five NFL championships in his decade with the team, earning all-pro honors in each of Green Bay's last four championship seasons. Davis was at his best in the first two Super Bowls. His 4.5 career Super Bowl sacks and three sacks in Super Bowl II would both be tied for game records were sacks counted officially in 1967 and 1968. In 1981 he and Jim Ringo became the eighth and ninth members of the 1960s Packers inducted into the Hall of Fame.

1. Reggie Wayne, WR
2001-2014 (Indianapolis); Six Pro Bowls; One First-Team All-Pro; 14,345 career receiving yards (10th all-time)

(Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)

If Reggie Wayne ever enters the Hall of Fame, it will be years from now; nonetheless I would argue that other than Peyton Manning, he is the most important player in the history of the Indianapolis Colts. Playing in his prime alongside Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Wayne spent the latter years of his 14-season career as the primary pass-catcher of young phenom Andrew Luck. With the help of the former Miami Hurricane, Luck reached the playoffs as a rookie and the AFC Championship game two years later. Wayne finished his career eighth all-time in receiving yards, right behind his longtime teammate Harrison, and the Colts have not reached the postseason since he left Indianapolis. Wayne remains his team's leader in total games played, and is second only to Manning in games started for the Colts.