Packer LB Dave Robinson elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

[Fritz]

Fred Carr had the misfortune of following a lot of great Packer linebackers in the '60s. Dan Currie, Bill Forester and Ray Nitschke started out the '60s. Leroy Caffey replaced Forrester, then Robinson replaced Currie. Nitschke, Caffey and Robinson had a long run together until Carr replaced Caffey and Jim Carter replaced Nitschke in the early '70s.

Nitschke was the common thread through the entire decade, but the outside linebackers were just as good. Bill Forester was a first team All-Pro for several years in the early '60s. Currie, Caffey and Robinson all made first team All-Pro different years during the '60s, too. Off course, all were frequent recipients of other awards that were given by the various news services. Fred Carr kept the tradition alive, but the teams of the '70s that he played on did not receive much recognition, even though the defense had some very good players in Carr, Willie Buchanon, etc.

Even Jim Carter, who replaced Nitschke, was a pretty good linebacker who started for most of the '70s. Fans never started warming up to him until after Nitschke retired, and I don't think ever fully appreciated him.

Willie Buchanon was an excellent, excellent player. But the drafts that followed (from '73 on) were pretty bereft of talent. The occasional player was drafted, but not enough of them to make the team much of a contender. They were pretty lacksadaisical-looking for most of the 70's.