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Dick LeBeau


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Congrats to former DC and Bengals Head Coach, Dick LeBeau who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame today as a player with the Detroit Lions.

LeBeau elected to Hall of Fame

The 33-year wait for Dick LeBeau to become a Hall of Famer ended on Saturday when the former Bengals head coach and defensive coordinator was elected as a senior nominee. He is the fourth player or coach with some type of ties to the Bengals to be elected to Canton. The others are Paul Brown, Anthony Munoz and Charlie Joiner. Brown and Munoz's ties to the Bengals are clear but Joiner was an assistant after being inducted to the Hall. LeBeau needed an 80 percent positive vote from the 44-person selection committee to be elected.

LeBeau, currently the Steelers defensive coordinator, had two coaching stints with the Bengals (1980-91 and 1997-2002). He is considered the creator of the zone blitz, which he created in the late 80s as the Bengals defensive coordinator. He replaced Bruce Coslet as head coach after three games in 2000 and had a 12-33 record.

None of LeBeau's coaching credentials were supposed to be considered by the 45-man selection committee. But his 14 seasons with the Lions established a pretty convincing resume even though he was never a modern era finalist.

LeBeau's 62 interceptions remains a Detroit team record. Of those picks, seven apiece were against Hall of Famers Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr. He attended Ohio State and was drafted by the Browns in 1959 before being released. He then was picked up by Detroit and the rest is history. Last year LeBeau was also inducted into Ohio State's Athletic Hall of Fame.

All five Modern Era finalists and both senior nominees were elected.

Headlining the Class of 2010 will be Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice, who are the NFL's all-time leading rusher and receiver. Also elected were Russ Grimm, Floyd Little, Rickey Jackson and John Randle.

Former Ohio State standout Cris Carter was knocked out in the first round of cuts, when the list was reduced from 15 to 10. On the next round, former UK standout Dermontti Dawson was eliminated.

The 2010 inductions will be on Aug. 7 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton.

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It has always frustrated me that we have had three of the most innovative coaches of the modern (merger era) on our team at various times during the history of the franchise. And somehow we have nothing to show for it and have to listen to other teams boast about how their team developed these changes.

Bill Walsh was WR coach and defacto offensive coordinator during the late 60's thru the mid 70's. He would go on to win three Super Bowl and is credited with developing the West Coast offense and dozens of NFL coaches.

Sam Wyche developed offensive variations including the hurry-up offense, the no huddle and the sugar huddle during his tenure as Bengals head coach.

Dick LeBeau was the DC here in two separate periods. I think I remember reading that he developed the Zone Blitz in order to pressure and confuse the QB as a result of the game winning drive by Joe Montana in SB XXIII.

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From NFL.com

http://www.profootba...2010-announced/

Video:
/>http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-hall-of-fame/09000d5d8163fc5c/2010-HOF-Dick-LeBeau

DICK LEBEAU

Cornerback … 6-1, 185 … Ohio State … 1959-1972 Detroit Lions … 14 playing seasons, 185 games … Selected by Cleveland Browns in 5th round (58th overall) in 1959 draft … Cut by Browns during rookie training camp … Signed with Lions, earned place in starting lineup final six games of rookie year … Didn't miss another game until late in 1971 season … Started 171 consecutive games, an NFL record for his position … In 1960, began to make mark by intercepting four passes, starting string of 12 straight seasons with three or more interceptions … In 1963, intercepted five passes which he returned for career-high 158 yards, including 70-yard TD return against Rams … It was one of three interceptions he returned for touchdowns in career … The following year, intercepted five passes and was voted to first of three consecutive Pro Bowls … Also earned All-NFL second-team accolades, an honor earned again in 1965, 1966, 1970 … Finest season came in 1970 when he recorded NFC-leading nine interceptions for 96 yards … In all, recorded 62 picks for 762 yards … Ranked second among pure cornerbacks at retirement with 62 interceptions, third overall … Currently ranks third all-time among pure cornerbacks … Born on September 9, 1937 in London, Ohio.

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Bengals.com article:

http://www.bengals.c...01-06e745c93292

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Enquirer article:

http://news.cincinna...es+Hall+of+Fame

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Glad for LeBeau, he deserved it. Now if we can do something about Kenny Anderson.

...then throw in Isaac Curtis and Ken Riley too. Then all will be good with the HOF.

Riley for sure plus Lemar Parrish, Curtis was very good but I dont think HOF.

The Steelers D-Coordinator at the time created the Cover 2 defense to try to stop Curtis. When guys literally redefine the game or create a change out of necessity, then I think they are more than worthy. But I know I am biased.

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http://news.cincinna...ream+come+true+

....Said LeBeau about his time with the Bengals: “I have no regrets. I am still thankful to the Brown family for giving me a chance to be with the organization. I wish I would not have left but those things happen. Unfortunately we didn’t win enough games.”....

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