Fansided

10 best Michigan alumni in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – CIRCA 1980: Ed Jones #72 of the Dallas Cowboys gets blocked by Dan Dierdorf #72 of the St. Louis Cardinals during an NFL football game circa 1980 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Jones played for the Cowboys from 1974-78 and 1980-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – CIRCA 1980: Ed Jones #72 of the Dallas Cowboys gets blocked by Dan Dierdorf #72 of the St. Louis Cardinals during an NFL football game circa 1980 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Jones played for the Cowboys from 1974-78 and 1980-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

7. Dan Dierdorf

He eventually became a staple when it came to the NFL broadcasting community. But make no mistake. Canton, Ohio native Dan Dierdorf was a superb offensive lineman who could play at any position in the trenches and he proved that during his Pro Football Hall of Fame career.

The 1971 second-round pick from the University of Michigan stated his philosophy when it came to those battles in the trenches (via the Pro Football Hall of Fame). “I look at the first couple of plays as being of extra importance. In those first few plays, I try to remove any thought my opponent might have had that that was gonna be his day.”

That mindset served the former Wolverine well. Dierdorf was primarily a right tackle during his days with the Cardinals. He also saw action at guard early in his career and at center in his final years in the league. He was a vital part of those Don Coryell teams that won the NFC East in 1974 and ’75.

The versatile performer was named to a total of six Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro honors three consecutive years from 1976-78. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

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