TheJuice Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Slower, shorter, lighter and physically weaker than the blockers double-teaming him, Tasker used his mind and his will to beat them cleanly, essentially every time. He blocked kicks with regularity, or at least that's how I remember it. These days, "coverage specialists" are pretty common, and more valued all the time. They had to change a rule or two to reign him in. Think about that. Isn't it time Steve Tasker gets inducted into the Hall of Fame? Is anyone who matters actively lobbying for him these days? Any thoughts or memories to share about plays he made? I can think of a few beauties covering punts, including a delightful shoe-string tackle of Dion Sanders in his prime. Pretty sure Sanders lost yards on the return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Yes but he is awful on TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardinalScotts Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 yes not only the block punts but making damn near every tackle it sounds odd to say but underrated is accurate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Yes but he is awful on Tv nobody is perfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Slower, shorter, lighter and physically weaker than the blockers double-teaming him, Tasker used his mind and his will to beat them cleanly, essentially every time. He blocked kicks with regularity, or at least that's how I remember it. These days, "coverage specialists" are pretty common, and more valued all the time. They had to change a rule or two to reign him in. Think about that. Isn't it time Steve Tasker gets inducted into the Hall of Fame? Is anyone who matters actively lobbying for him these days? Any thoughts or memories to share about plays he made? I can think of a few beauties covering punts, including a delightful shoe-string tackle of Dion Sanders in his prime. Pretty sure Sanders lost yards on the return. A couple plays stand out - against the Raiders, Tim Brown, at the time the best punt returner, tripped him up for no gain after the catch, Brown shook his hand on the great play. I think the 2nd Raider playoff game, took a line drive , short kickoff , fielded it cleanly and ran it back to inside the 10. I was at the Meadowlands sitting with Jets fans when Tasker made a great play, the Jet fan sitting next to me said, I love that guy, he's a monster. He was great, should be in the Hall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 When does the EJ bashing start? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Wagon Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 (edited) He's going to have to wait for the Vets committee. It's been too long and there's too many recent flashy guys stacked up now. He's one of my all time favorites and one of the very best at what he did, but he's not getting in over guys like Cris Carter, who had to wait a few years himself. Edited April 2, 2015 by Chuck Wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherrif John Brown Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Loved Tasker...definitely NOT a HOF'er... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaskerTough Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Not sure if he's got the numbers for the hall, but yea, Tasker was the man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in KC Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Since Special Teams players are now making it into the HOF, I definitely think Steve Tasker is worthy. He was a Special Teams phenom. I remember a few times he downed punts near the goal-time that were spectacular. I remember seeing a slow motion replay of him diving with his body parallel over the goal line, pushing the ball back to the 1/2 yard line as he sailed by. It was almost like a clip of an Olympic high jumper clearing the bar, only he had to run down the field not knowing where the bar would be before he launched himself. And this type of play happened enough, it was clearly not a fluke I thought at the time we'd see a new crop of players perfecting this skill, but again and again and again I see punt coverage team bumble near the goal line, unable to reproduce the magic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Since Special Teams players are now making it into the HOF, I definitely think Steve Tasker is worthy. He was a Special Teams phenom. I remember a few times he downed punts near the goal-time that were spectacular. I remember seeing a slow motion replay of him diving with his body parallel over the goal line, pushing the ball back to the 1/2 yard line as he sailed by. It was almost like a clip of an Olympic high jumper clearing the bar, only he had to run down the field not knowing where the bar would be before he launched himself. And this type of play happened enough, it was clearly not a fluke I thought at the time we'd see a new crop of players perfecting this skill, but again and again and again I see punt coverage team bumble near the goal line, unable to reproduce the magic. Tasker deserves the HOF for making special teams players relevant. They were an afterthought before him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOBILLS78 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Serious question: Better receiver -- Tasker or Hogan? Both were trusted immensely in the passing game, it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Serious question: Better receiver -- Tasker or Hogan? Both were trusted immensely in the passing game, it seems. Serious question? I don't think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 He was the Michael Jordan of special teams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kkspike Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Bill Bates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Bill Parcels said they spent a lot of time focusing on Tasker before Super Bowl XXV, I think that says a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 If there are other ST guys that have gotten into the HOF then so should Tasker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DasNootz Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Should Dante Hall and Devon Hester be in the hall of fame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Should Dante Hall and Devon Hester be in the hall of fame? Hester might be the best kick returner of all time. So possibly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepthefaith Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Yes but he is awful on TV. He's better than awful. I think he's good, average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuoteTheRaven83 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Ive always wondered if they've ever thought about moving him to Safety behind Kelso and Jones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Ive always wondered if they've ever thought about moving him to Safety behind Kelso and Jones What has made you wonder that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuoteTheRaven83 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 What has made you wonder that? Just the way he hit, tackled, shed blocks, and played on special teams could've been more useful on the defensive side of the ball rather than at WR. I know Marv rarely used him at WR because he was so valuable to ST but still. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Monkeyhead Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Loved Tasker...definitely NOT a HOF'er... If a ST player is mentioned as a HOFer, Tasker's name would be at the top of many many very short lists. Not just Bills fans....former and current players and coaches included Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigPappy Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I remember one play vividly with the exception of who we were playing. He was covering a punt as the gunner, he came down the field in a blaze of fury and laid a lick on the returner just as he caught the ball. It has to be one of the hardest hits I have seen in football to this day. What was so awesome was that he hit the guy so hard he never hung on to the ball. We recovered as scored a TD. Big Pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 (edited) I remember one play vividly with the exception of who we were playing. He was covering a punt as the gunner, he came down the field in a blaze of fury and laid a lick on the returner just as he caught the ball. It has to be one of the hardest hits I have seen in football to this day. What was so awesome was that he hit the guy so hard he never hung on to the ball. We recovered as scored a TD. Big Pappy There was a game against the Rams, home opener I believe, the punt returner was cut by the Bills and did some talking. Tasker leveled him on the first punt. That might be the play you're referring to. Vernon Turner was the victim. Edited April 2, 2015 by klos63 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 For the young whippersnappers who never saw this man play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donszar Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Link to Tasker belongs in the HOF https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dkb13w4fpuE My favorite memory was watching him arrive at Dion Sanders with the ball and put him down immediately. They sat facing each other and just reached out and shook hands, acknowledging each other as the best. That show of mutual respect is rarely seen today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie's Dead Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 (edited) Steve Tasker changed the way the game was played. That's why he should be in the HOF. He made special teams relevant, and elevated them to true 1/3 status equal to offense and defense. He was also the greatest ST'er of all time. Ray Guy got in because he changed the way punters were viewed. Tasker should get in on the same premise. Also, you gotta love a guy that gets thrown out of his last game and can joke about it. Tasker retold the story about how after he got thrown out, he told the ref "You can't throw me out, it's my farewell game!" to which the ref replied, "Let me be the first to say, 'Farewell!'." Edited April 2, 2015 by Fred Jackson Jockstrap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonborn10 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 He is not a HOF player. There are better kickers and punters than him that deserve the HOF honor. For his era he was a below average WR. Today he might be a six time Pro Bowl player with multiple 100 catch seasons in the right system. He was probably tougher than Welker but maybe just a little slower. 7 blocked punts in over ten years is a ton but is hardly a "regular" occurence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzelaars_lives Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 (edited) When does the EJ bashing start?Just as soon as the EJ excuse making begins I would think. Edited April 3, 2015 by metzelaars_lives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheJuice Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 I remember one play vividly with the exception of who we were playing. He was covering a punt as the gunner, he came down the field in a blaze of fury and laid a lick on the returner just as he caught the ball. It has to be one of the hardest hits I have seen in football to this day. What was so awesome was that he hit the guy so hard he never hung on to the ball. We recovered as scored a TD. Big Pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Monkeyhead Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Link to Tasker belongs in the HOF I thought that was Tim Brown? My favorite memory was watching him arrive at Dion Sanders with the ball and put him down immediately. They sat facing each other and just reached out and shook hands, acknowledging each other as the best. That show of mutual respect is rarely seen today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Link to Tasker belongs in the HOF I thought that was Tim Brown? My favorite memory was watching him arrive at Dion Sanders with the ball and put him down immediately. They sat facing each other and just reached out and shook hands, acknowledging each other as the best. That show of mutual respect is rarely seen today. It was Tim Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 It was Tim Brown Link to Tasker belongs in the HOF I thought that was Tim Brown? My favorite memory was watching him arrive at Dion Sanders with the ball and put him down immediately. They sat facing each other and just reached out and shook hands, acknowledging each other as the best. That show of mutual respect is rarely seen today. Watch the link I posted above, the Deion Sanders play was when he made a shoestring tackle on primetime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uffalo Ills Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 (edited) Should Dante Hall and Devon Hester be in the hall of fame? well I think so... If you`re the best at your position ever, it doesnt matter if youre a long snapper, you should be in the hall Edited April 3, 2015 by Uffalo Ills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prickly Pete Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 He's better than awful. I think he's good, average. The only guy worse was Marv Levy! HOW many "Tasker deserves to be in the HoF"-threads do there need to be each year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mcbride Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Steve Tasker changed the way the game was played. That's why he should be in the HOF. He made special teams relevant, and elevated them to true 1/3 status equal to offense and defense. He was also the greatest ST'er of all time. Ray Guy got in because he changed the way punters were viewed. Tasker should get in on the same premise. Also, you gotta love a guy that gets thrown out of his last game and can joke about it. Tasker retold the story about how after he got thrown out, he told the ref "You can't throw me out, it's my farewell game!" to which the ref replied, "Let me be the first to say, 'Farewell!'." Special teams are not unimportant, but they are most definitely not "one third" of the game. If pressed I'd say about 10-15 percent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Special teams are not unimportant, but they are most definitely not "one third" of the game. If pressed I'd say about 10-15 percent. They may not be 'one third' in the number of plays, but each special teams play probably has more impact on the overall game then many of the plays run from the offense/defense. Every FG attempt involves points, punts/kickoffs involve field position and most every play can be a huge momentum swing and impact then next few possessions. The impact of a downed punt at the one yard line early in the third quarter could impact field position for a few series much more than a 3 and out at the 30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheJuice Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 The only guy worse was Marv Levy! HOW many "Tasker deserves to be in the HoF"-threads do there need to be each year? I am not sure how many previous threads there have been on this topic. I did think about that when I posted it. I am sort of new to posting, so please enlighten me. How best to check for previous threads? Also, by posing this question, it seems you're interested in and perhaps a guru in the area of "TBD posting etiquette". When is it OK to start a new thread if one already exists on the same or similar topic? Also, where should one draw the line on whether the topic differs enough from a previous thread to warrant a new one? Perhaps this should be a new thread? Oh wait, I am quite sure one must already exist! Where do I find that? Lastly, I wanted to express my appreciation for those who are good at posting on this site. I also want to express appreciation for those who are not good. Your work goes a long way to make the work of those who are good possible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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