Before people start blasting me hear me out. Which one was better? I noticed Maynard did not receive any 1st team AFL All Pro during the 1960's but Sauer received 2 1st team AFL All Pros. Why wasn't Maynard ever a 1st team All Pro during the AFL Years? I know the AFL had guys like Alworth, Art Powell and Lionel Taylor, but I always considered Maynard to be right up there with them while they were all playing? Am I missing something? He certainly seemed to have put up better career numbers. And finally had Sauer continued playing would Maynard still be our All time leader in receptions or would have Sauer over taken him? It seems like we missed out on another HOF with Sauer from what I could tell.
Sauer was a great receiver but I don't think he was better than Maynard. He played only 6 season caught 309 passes, 4,965 yards and 28 TD's. I agree that if he kept playing another 5 years he could have been a Hall of famer.
I'm not sure where you're finding those AFL 1st team All Pro lists, since I can't find any of those on the web. As far as the All-Star game goes, each went to 4 during the 1960s. Sauer might have been a more skilled receiver than Maynard - his route running was fantastic, and he had incredible hands. He was as good a possession receiver as I have ever seen. Maynard was tremendously fast, but probably didn't have skills that Sauer did. (He was my favorite player, and JWN's favorite target, but I'm trying to be fair here). Having said that, the only receiver of the 1960s that I would put above Maynard in either league was Lance Alworth; they were the two guys who really showed for the first time how much a great QB/receiver tandem could stretch the field, and change the entire mindset of an offense. Sauer's problem was that he never really loved to play football, and quit after only 6 seasons. Might he have had a Hall of Fame career if he had continued to play? Maybe, but if you're looking for Jets players who fall more clearly into that category, I would put Al Toon and Freeman McNeil higher up on the list.
It's a shame that old Georgis decided to retire, I was born about 10 years after he retired but from everything I read and was told by my dad Sauer was one of the best recievers to ever put on a Jets/Titans uni. His decision was part of the reason the team was never able to maintain that winning way after they won the SB. I think he retired 1 year after winning the SB, one in which the Jets returned to the playoffs but then began a drought of not making it for a while.
I got them from my Football Encyclopedia. Sauer was 1st team in 1967 and 1968 and 2nd team in 66. I have Maynard listed as 2nd team in 67, 68, 69 and 65 (I'm not 100% positive on if it was 65 or 64 I'm pretty sure it wasn't 66)
Excellent post! The only thing i would add to this extremely accurate post is that I'd consider adding Belitnikoff to the Alworth, Sauer class of the 60s.
That's a tough one. Good thread, by the way. Sauer, Jr. was concussed horribly. Repeatedly. Bad luck. I believe that's why he hung up the cleats. He probably thought it wasn't worth his life in between that decision. Who is to say.
I'm going to bump this up for some of the people that may have not seen this that were there and can give some great insight. Thanks to those who have already responded.
