The Packers are a franchise blessed with incredible riches.  They have left a long-lasting mark on the NFL in three separate eras which have totaled in the franchise capturing 13 World Championships.  Many iconic names have run onto the field to represent the Packers and left their mark on the franchise.  These players have given us many magical plays, big wins, unbelievable comebacks, and iconic moments that will remain with us for the ends of time.  

This franchise is a vital part of the community.  What other franchise has their players ride a local neighborhood kids bike to training camp practices at the Don Hutson Center?  In the times that I have made the treck to Lambeau Field, locals have told me story after story of Packer players involvement in the community, legends gracing local establishments (I have an awesome Brett Favre story), I have seen alumni come back home to Lambeau for alumni weekend, playoff games, or just to retire as a Packer (This year TJ Lang and Josh Sitton ran into our group on more than one occasion).

This is what makes the Packers such a unique and special franchise; each player, past and present has a unique connection with the fan base.  When I was trying to come up with a list of 25 finalists to vote on for the ten greatest Packers players of all-time, I had to leave off some personal favorites like Jordy Nelson and Clay Matthews.  I think everyone thinking about their top ten list at some point, will have to leave off one of their personal favorites.

As I was thinking about the list of finalists we compiled, three names caused me to go back and give them a second look which is why I am writing about the list of the honorable mentions one week before naming the top ten Packers of all-time.

The first player I wanted to give a second look was Charles Woodson.  I guess for me, Woodson played the majority of his career with the Raiders and unfortunately finished his career there.  (Personal bias right? I think so).  I just had to suck it up and let the homecoming with the Raiders go and not let it cloud my judgement.  It's not like he pulled a Brett Favre move out of his hat and engineered a trade to the hated Minnesota Vikings. (I probably need to let that go as well, maybe next week).

Upon further review Woodson stats with the Packers are ridiculous.  Let's take a look at his four year peak: 2008-2011, Super Bowl Champion, 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, 2x All-Pro (3x for career), Average INT Per season: 6.25, Average Passes Defensed: 16.25, Average Forced Fumbles: 2.75, Average Turnovers Forced: 9, Average Defensive Touchdowns: 1.75, Great Punt Returner.  Woodson peak four seasons compare favorably with both Herb Adderly and Willie Wood so for that reason he deserves to be a finalist and quite frankly should have been from the beginning.

The second player I wanted to talk about was Woodson's teammate in the backfield, Nick "the pick" Collins.  I witnessed Nick's return to Lambeau against the 49ers in the home opener and it was just so sad to think about what could have been if he had remained healthy.  I think Nick Collins is one of two players whose biggest impact on the franchise was suffering a career ending injury (Sterling Sharpe is the other).  I have gone over time and time again in my head how a healthy Nick Collins would have changed the fate of the Packers in 2012, 14, and 16.  I think it is safe to say that the Packers would have won another 1-2 Super Bowls, Charles Woodson may have taken a home town discount and ended his career in Green Bay, and Mike McCarthy would have been a Packer for life.

Sound crazy? Let's look at Collins four year peak: Collins was a 6 year starter, started 16 games his rookie season, and was a three time pro-bowler during that time, his four peak was from 2006, 2008-10, Average INT Per Season: 5, Average Passes Defensed: 13.5, Average Forced Fumbles: 0.75, Average Tackles: 69.25, Average Touchdowns: 1 (Forced to Retire at age 28).  He could conservatively have had three to five more very productive seasons.

Finally, I wanted to talk about the second Packer great to have his career cut short by injury, Sterling Sharpe.  Sharpe's case is very similar to Nick Collins in that his career ended in its prime and Packer fans are left wondering what if Sharpe had five more peak years with the Packers.  If you look at the entirety of Sharpe's career you could make the case that he is already on the cusp of the Hall of Fame.  His peak four seasons (1989, 1992-1994, 3x All-Pro) were absolutely incredible averaging 101 receptions, 13.5 yards per reception, 1,319.25 receiving yards per season, and 13.5 Touchdowns per season.  Imagine Brett Favre armed with Sharpe for the two Super Bowl runs and the years that followed.  

When you compare Sharpe's peak four seasons with James Lofton's, Sharpe beats him in every category except average yards per reception (19.975 vs. 13.5).  I think Sharpe definitely can hold his own with Lofton's career especially because Lofton was fortunate enough to play more NFL seasons.  

In terms of impact on the organization; I think the argument can be made that two healthy careers from Nick Collins and Sterling Sharpe could have monumentally shifted the Packers position in the modern era because their injuries could have realistically cost the Packers an additional two to three Super Bowls.  With these two to three additional Super Bowls, the Packers would have been considered the most successful NFL franchise of all-time with 15 or 16 World Championships (Nine NFL Championships and Six or Seven Super Bowls).  That translates into the best NFL franchise of all-time without an argument.