NFL Networks Top 100 Players Of All-Time

[Coltsfan]

Maybe Elway is great because of his stellar Super Bowl performances. Lets see in Super Bowl 32 Elway was 12/22 with 123 yards and one interception - zero TD's. No wonder they won that game.

Now he did have a great game in Super Bowl 33. He was 18/29 with 4 TD's and an interception.

My point is that sometimes guys from way back when become "legends" and the legend grows over time. I'm not saying that they aren't great players but people think that the guys who played years prior must be better than the guys who play now. It's natural to do that and it's done that way in other sports too. But there just isn't much evidence to support the case, that's all.

Yes I'm a Colts homer but that doesn't mean I can't be objective.


Wayne

[bald is beautiful]

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:
quote:Originally posted by KyThunder:
my Top 5 RB's ALL TIME

1 Jim Brown
2 OJ
2 Gale Sayers
2 Barry Sanders
5 Payton This is interesting Bill. I won't criticize any player here and I certainly think Walter Payton was the toughest RB around. But I'm not sure he was the fifth best player in NFL history or the second best back ever. He was DAMN GOOD and nobody ran harder, but the second greatest ever?

Again, I'm not criticizing him. He was such a great player, such a great person and he died sooooooo young. But man, in the open field or to build a team around, OJ (before he killed someone), Sayers and Sanders were so awesome. I'm with you, I'd almost have to put them ahead of Walter. [/QUOTE]You are right about those two being better in the open field, Greg. But Payton did it all. He was a fantastic blocker and receiver and would punish you in many ways.

[Coltsfan]

Greg,

I never saw Unitas play - I just barely missed him so all I can go back is old footage and what people tell me. Montana was absolutely amazing! The guy was all world.

I do realize that things change from one era to the next but I do believe that the level of play in the NFL today is far superior to that of 30 years ago. Guys are bigger, stronger, faster, and the skill set to play is just far greater. Offenses are more complex and the game moves fast. If you plugged Terry Bradshaw into the game today with his skill set from back then I think he would have struggled until he caught up. I could be wrong here but I don't think so.

Wayne

[Coltsfan]

Originally posted by GK:
...I agree with Greg's first statement in his last post 100% WHOLEHEARTEDLY!...GK You should agree with that because you have zero case for your point unless you do agree with this. You have to know me Glenn - I'm Mr. Analytical. Numbers rule my world. I don't do well in the stratosphere where numbers are irrelevant.


Wayne

[Greg Ambrosius]

Originally posted by Bald is Beautiful:
quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:
quote:Originally posted by KyThunder:
my Top 5 RB's ALL TIME

1 Jim Brown
2 OJ
2 Gale Sayers
2 Barry Sanders
5 Payton This is interesting Bill. I won't criticize any player here and I certainly think Walter Payton was the toughest RB around. But I'm not sure he was the fifth best player in NFL history or the second best back ever. He was DAMN GOOD and nobody ran harder, but the second greatest ever?

Again, I'm not criticizing him. He was such a great player, such a great person and he died sooooooo young. But man, in the open field or to build a team around, OJ (before he killed someone), Sayers and Sanders were so awesome. I'm with you, I'd almost have to put them ahead of Walter. [/QUOTE]You are right about those two being better in the open field, Greg. But Payton did it all. He was a fantastic blocker and receiver and would punish you in many ways. [/QUOTE]Agreed. He was a PUNISHING blocker on blitzes. He was a complete team player. He also played on some horrendous teams and still excelled. Heck, he was all they had for many, many years. I loved him even though I HATED the Bears. I have nothing but respect for Payton, but Simpson, Sayers and Sanders were unbelievable game-breakers. They're all great, but it depends on your preference, I guess.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Originally posted by Coltsfan:
Greg,

I never saw Unitas play - I just barely missed him so all I can go back is old footage and what people tell me. Montana was absolutely amazing! The guy was all world.

I do realize that things change from one era to the next but I do believe that the level of play in the NFL today is far superior to that of 30 years ago. Guys are bigger, stronger, faster, and the skill set to play is just far greater. Offenses are more complex and the game moves fast. If you plugged Terry Bradshaw into the game today with his skill set from back then I think he would have struggled until he caught up. I could be wrong here but I don't think so.

Wayne Wayne, I don't even believe you can compare players in that context. The size and speed of the game has changed dramatically over the years. Hall of Famers from the 1960s were like 240 pound linemen. Today they'd be smaller than most QBs. When comparing greats, you compare them to how they did against their peers of that age, how their stats stood up during those times, etc. Football is harder to compare than baseball where anything outside of the steroid era is equally comparable. You can't do that with football athletes because of the way the game has changed.

Bart Starr couldn't start in the NFL today. I don't believe his arm would be strong enough for today's game. But he excelled during his era and led a dynasty to several World Championships in the 1960s. He was a Hall of Fame quarterback for his era. Today he couldn't hold a candle to some of these QBs. Perfect time. Perfect player.