All-Time All-NFL team?

What if it actually WAS Deion Sanders? While I can't stand the guy, I think he has to go on the team as a cornerback and return specialist.

Other than that, this is a pretty good team you put together. Minor points...

- I'd probably start Unitas over Elway
- I'd start Bavaro over Winslow, but only because I'm a Giants homer
- Didn't Lott play most of his career as a safety? Or am I just confused?

Definitely with you on Lambeau. Domes and warm weather are weak.

 

OK, qualify these statements with the fact that I am, indeed a Packers fan.

One WR I thought was missing from your list was Don Hutson. The first star wideout, and held the touchdowns record for a long, long time before it was broken by Steve Largent.

I think I would take Joe Montana over Marino. I know Marino put up some huge numbers, but I think it was more because Montana had Roger Craig running for him and Marino didn't. I do think Brett Favre will belong on this list by the time he's done, but I can't really fault this list too much.

At CB, I don't think Woodson really has been around long enough to merit placement on this list. I'm sure he's a very good player, but let him get 7 or 8 years in before we put him on. I too, would omit Deion, but basically because of how many games he missed due to baseball. What a player, though. I don't know who to suggest in Woodson's place, maybe Rod Woodsen?

Overall a great list. One could make an argument for every person on here, which is about all you can say in a league with as many great players as the NFL has had over the years.

 

I'd order the QB's with the starter as Marino, and his backups Elway and Montana. Marino was flat out simply... The Man. Unfortunately Ricky Williams didn't come along 10 years sooner.

I'd also at least put Derrick Thomas on the LB's backup list. Who else got 7 sacks in one game? He also got 6 in another and only 1 person had done that. He was 1.5 sacks short of Strahan's 21.5 sacks record, which should be 20.5. Gunther Cunningham devised his "Falcon" defense with DT as the centerpeice in a free roaming position. But most importantly, he could have made a run at White's 198 sacks had he not died.

First we deal with Bo Jackson being robbed from the Royals, then we get DT robbed from the Chiefs. Sucks to be a KC sports fan. No doubt they would have gone down as the greatest athletes this city had known.

The NFL needs to hire a few guys sit down and watch every NFL game ever recorded on video and count the sacks before 1982 and make those stats official. I'd love to see someone like Deacon Jones' sack totals.

It's all opinon, and you could argue the replacement of probably half of those players for other candidates left off the list. But good list though.

 

That would be really cool if they did that, I've got to say.

 

Well to be honest I think Deion Sanders doesn't get enough credit,I know he was a sissy when it came to tackling,but he was one of the best cornerbacks of his time, if not the best cornerback of his time.I think if he would have committed himself solely to football he would've been a sure pick for the Hall of Fame,and he would've had a longer career.

 

Great roster, i'd only make the following changes:

LB: trade Greg Lloyd for Ray Lewis
WR: trade Art Monk for Lance Alworth
TE: Trade Mark Bavarro for John Mackey

Couldnt agree more about rugs and domes, they should be banned. I'd luv to have seen a Super Bowl played at the old Met in Bloomington Minnesota!

 

First, great list.

Second, what year is this team playing? If it's before 1979 where the five yard chuck rule did not exist and DB's didn't get called for interference by coughing on WR's, I don't think Deion would make the roster. Can you imagine Deion trying to tackle Jim Brown, or facing the Packer power sweep? He'd p!ss himself.

Even though I'm a huge Bears fan, I'd rather have Art Rooney own this team over George Halas. But Halas does belong somewhere.

 

I stopped reading right here.

 

"How the hell I got in here before John Mackey, I'll never know".
-Mike Ditka in his HOF induction speech.

I'd also start Michael Irvin ahead of Largent. Largent wasn't just Seattle's go-to guy for most of his career, he was really the ONLY guy, thus the numbers. Stallworth and Swann had to split their receptions AND play in a run-oriented offense with Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, like Charlie Joiner, John Jefferson and TE Kellen Winslow did to a lesser degree with Chuck Muncie. Irvin, Drew Pearson, Paul Warfield and even Jerry Rice had to share the ball with other receivers and running backs. None of them really had the opportunity to be their team's main threat for as many seasons as Largent did. All respect to Steve's numbers, but he'd play behind most of these guys, as well as the ones you listed that I have not.

If you're making a case for Montana, then perhaps a stronger one can be made for Bradshaw. If Marino, then an equal one for Tarkenton. I'm not disagreeing with your QB choices, but there are too many to choose from, no matter what the criteria, to really go wrong. Elway and Unitas should be consensus, tho.

 

I was thinking DT would surely show up on somebody's list. Being an Alabama fan, I saw DT's collegiate career, and you know someone is incredible when they make you forget Cornelius Bennett was there just a few years prior.

 

I put Ronnie Lott somewhere, but I forgot his position. He was a FS, right?

 

Yeah, he was a free safety.

And he belongs starting on any best-of team complied by anyone.

 

Deion Sanders. In 1996, he should have been league MVP without making an interception. They just didn't throw at him, period. Which allowed Darren Woodson to roam the line. Which meant the Cowboys stuffed the run into near extinction that year. If you wanted to snuff out receiver for one game (or sixteen receivers for sixteen games), you would choose him first.
Cliff Harris needs a mention as a safety.
Allworth definitely should be on the team. First AFL player nominated for the HoF.

 

I cant be more specific right now, but IIRC, someone somewhere did take a look at historic sack totals. I believe it was used for a story in the official NFL magazine ca. 1998-99. The Rams of Deacon's day did keep unofficial sack stats and he came out with 180, I think, the only problem is that they did not award half sacks. Someone did review Deacons tapes and he had 170 or there abouts. I do remember hearing from Deacon and other sources that he still holds the unoffical single season record with 26 sacks, cant remember the year, but once again he got whole sacks instead of half ones according to the Rams statkeepers, and it was the standard anyway.

 

I made some changes. Took Derrick Brooks as my modern reach (who covers AND pursues better?) Moss is the best player in the L now, and merits a mention as one of the best deep threats ever, start the hating, but he doesnt do anything that other players in the league do (take plays off...T.O.?!?!?!). Match up Moss to a corner from the past and he burns them, only Deion has the speed to keep up and even he would lose the jump ball. Blount was a CB, and Lott played MOST of his career at safety. Slater was a highly dubious HoFer and does not belong on this list. Sacks are overrated and few players can rise above them to define a career see Chris Doleman, Kevin Greene, Bruce Smith. Perhaps Smith less so, but Reggie White and LT are the only players in my mind who had lots of sacks but that doesnt define them as a player. Jimmy Johnson is up there with Haynes and Sanders as a cover corner. I understand that most of the linebackers that are in the HoF are indside/middle, and while most of them could cover, some very well, I just like "The Mad Stork" in there. Dont hate too much on Larry Allen, he deserves a backup spot, and so does Bruce Matthews, but Jim Parker belongs in the starting lineup. Flutie is flat out not one of the greatest NFL players of all time, but arguably the best CFLer ever and I think he a perfect back up to spark a come back if needed. Elway could do that too, but he isnt 5' 10". Charles Woodson is overrated now, he hasnt been that good for a couple years and if he doesnt get his career back on track, he will never approach this list. A good football team needs a fullback, and while many consider Jim Brown a fullback, I will put Motley there. He lead the league in rushing from there and had a great career while being one of the first to break the color barrier in the NFL. Heck Payton would make an HoF caliber FB, but I'll keep the sanctity of positions with Motley. Tell me Im not the only one who wonders what Veeck would do with a Football Franchise. Greg Lloyd was not good enough for long enough, but in his time he was awesome, but not quite HoF material. Strahan has had some dominant years, but he needs a couple more. Marchetti belongs there over Strahan.