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Why was Billy Cannon moved to TE?
Posted on 6/16/11 at 9:31 pm
Posted on 6/16/11 at 9:31 pm
Billy Cannon was a better pro player then I thought. His first year in HOU he led the league (AFL) in rushing as a rookie, just missing 1000 yds in a then 14 game season. Why did OAK move him to TE? He was productive there too though. He was actually considered one of, if not the best TE for about 2-3 years. I was really surprised to found this out. Anyone know more about his pro career?
This post was edited on 6/16/11 at 9:38 pm
8
Posted on 6/16/11 at 9:41 pm to HeadCoach
Harvey Williams too.
Posted on 6/16/11 at 9:47 pm to HeadCoach
Horrific knee injury.
Only LSU guy to make Pro Bowls at multiple positions if I'm not mistaken.
Only LSU guy to make Pro Bowls at multiple positions if I'm not mistaken.
Posted on 6/16/11 at 9:56 pm to HeadCoach
He gained too much weight to remain a running back. The weight slowed him down and he was already a white guy.
Posted on 6/16/11 at 10:09 pm to LSURussian
quote:
The weight slowed him down and he was already a white guy.
Not that big of a deal in the time he played. Pro football was still mostly white until the mid-seventies.
Posted on 6/16/11 at 10:19 pm to johnnydrama
.
This post was edited on 6/16/11 at 10:23 pm
Posted on 6/16/11 at 10:25 pm to Doc Fenton
quote:
Horrific knee injury.
Only LSU guy to make Pro Bowls at multiple positions if I'm not mistaken.
Correct on both counts.
For the record, Cannon lost his ability to cut after th knee injury. He had great speed as a TE and was a deep threat as a TE.
Posted on 6/16/11 at 10:37 pm to HeadCoach
BC was a big part of John Madden's high powered Oakland Raiders offenses in the late 60's-early 70's.
Posted on 6/16/11 at 11:28 pm to HeadCoach
Think he scored five TDs in one game while playing for the Raiders.
Posted on 6/16/11 at 11:32 pm to HeadCoach
I believe it was due to a back injury. It was believed it would be less traumatic to play tight end. He was a good player at both positions.
Posted on 6/16/11 at 11:53 pm to Doc Fenton
quote:
Billy Jr.'s career with the Cowboys ended with a back/spinal injury when he made a tackle against the Saints on October 21, 1984
True, but I believe Billy Sr. had some back problems which led to his position change.
Posted on 6/17/11 at 9:10 am to Doc Fenton
Billy was a good tight end for about 3 years. Due to injury & weight gain he could no longer be a running back in the pro's. 
Posted on 6/17/11 at 9:23 am to HeadCoach
Not to dispute what folks are saying about the move to TE, but more to supplement it:
I remember people saying that Al Davis had a theory about being able to move players from other, typically more athletic positions to TE. I know he did with two former Tigers who were previously RB's, Cannon and Harvey Williams. I heard some say Cannon had a knee injury but I thought I remembered reading that it was a back injury. Regardless, he was productive at both positions.
Cannon also had a pretty significant record for approximately 30 years. He had the most "total yards" (I think that is the term) in a single game. I believe he set the record in the eary 60's while playing for the Oilers and the record was broken, I believe in the 90's by Glyn Milburn.
I remember people saying that Al Davis had a theory about being able to move players from other, typically more athletic positions to TE. I know he did with two former Tigers who were previously RB's, Cannon and Harvey Williams. I heard some say Cannon had a knee injury but I thought I remembered reading that it was a back injury. Regardless, he was productive at both positions.
Cannon also had a pretty significant record for approximately 30 years. He had the most "total yards" (I think that is the term) in a single game. I believe he set the record in the eary 60's while playing for the Oilers and the record was broken, I believe in the 90's by Glyn Milburn.
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