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Top 10 NFL Players Teams Gave Up On Too Soon

By Erik Lambert

Nov 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indianapolis Colts place kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) kicks the game winning field goal from the hold of punter Pat McAfee (1) against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Colts defeated the Falcons 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indianapolis Colts place kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) kicks the game winning field goal from the hold of punter Pat McAfee (1) against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Colts defeated the Falcons 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Kevin Greene at press conference to announce the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016 at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Kevin Greene at press conference to announce the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016 at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

#1:  Kevin Greene

Sometimes being a player with a somewhat eccentric personality can wear on a team after a set of years, regardless of production. Kevin Greene was that type of player for the Los Angeles Rams. Despite posting double digit sacks in four of his final five seasons with the team and making a Pro Bowl, he was let go in 1993 with the assumption at 31-years old he was about finished. Turns out he was just getting started.

Greene spent three season in Pittsburgh where he made two more Pro Bowls, collected 37 more sacks and helped them reach the Super Bowl in 1995. Oh, but it gets better. At 34-years old he was again released and signed on with the expansion Carolina Panthers. He made the Pro Bowl again in 1996 and they reached the NFC championship. The next year he moved to San Francisco where he produced 10.5 sacks and then once more went back to Carolina where he had 15 more sacks in 1998 while claiming fifth Pro Bowl at age 36.

His last season as a pro? He had 12 sacks. Yeah, maybe the Rams should’ve waited on cutting that cord for a bit longer.

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