All Time NFL Team

[52520Andrew]

This is a topic that has been talked about in certain conversations before and since we are in the middle of the offseason, might as well bring it up again. Basically what would your all time NFL team look like? I am sure there are many different opinions on this topic and I can't wait to hear some people's thoughts on an all time team. 

 

An All current NFL team (as in how they are right now, not how they were 5 years ago) is another thing we can get into for people who want to do more. I need to do a little more research before I post my lists but I will get it posted as well as I already have a good chunk of it done.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Offense:

 

QB:  Johnny Unitas

RB:  Barry Sanders

FB:  Jim Brown

WR:  Jerry Rice

WR:  Don Hutson

WR:  Lance Alworth

TE:  John Macley

OT:  Anthony Munoz

G:  Larry Allen

C:  Dwight Stephenson 

G:  Gene Upshaw

OT:  Jonathan Odgen

 

Defense(4-3 scheme):

 

DE:  Deacon Jones

DT:  Alan Page

DT:  "Mean" Joe Greene

DE:  Reggie White

WLB:  Lawrence Taylor

MLB:  Ray Lewis

SLB:  Jack Ham

CB:  Deion Sanders

CB:  Dick "Night Train" Lane

SS:  Ronnie Lott

FS:  Ed Reed

 

Special Teams:

 

K:  Jan Stensrud

P:  Ray Guy

KR/PR:  Gale Sayers

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Offense:

 

QB:  Johnny Unitas

RB:  Barry Sanders

FB:  Jim Brown

WR:  Jerry Rice

WR:  Randy Moss

WR:  Marvin Harrison

TE:  John Mackey

OT:  Anthony Munoz

G:  Larry Allen

C:  Dwight Stephenson 

G:  Gene Upshaw

OT:  Jonathan Odgen

 

Defense(4-3 scheme):

 

DE:  Deacon Jones

DT:  Alan Page

DT:  "Mean" Joe Greene

DE:  Reggie White

WLB:  Lawrence Taylor

MLB:  Ray Lewis

SLB:  Jack Lambert

CB:  Deion Sanders

CB:  Dick "Night Train" Lane

SS:  Ronnie Lott

FS:  Ed Reed

 

Special Teams:

 

K:  Adam Vinatieri

P:  Ray Guy

KR/PR:  Gale Sayers

 

My fix

[Mt. Crushmore]

My fix

 

IMO, it isn't even close with Hutson and Alworth at WR.  They played such a long time ago, but they absolutely dominated and recreated the WR position and helped make it what it is today.  Put them in today's NFL with all the passing and they would put up amazing stat lines.

 

For example: 

In 1942, Hutson caught 74 passes for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games.

 

In 1965, Alworth caught 69 passes for 1,602 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games.

 

All that in a time where passing wasn't used much and teams were run-orientated.

[T3hRaven]

IMO, it isn't even close with Hutson and Alworth at WR. They played such a long time ago, but they absolutely dominated and recreated the WR position and helped make it what it is today. Put them in today's NFL with all the passing and they would put up amazing stat lines.

For example:

In 1942, Hutson caught 74 passes for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games.

In 1965, Alworth caught 69 passes for 1,602 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games.

All that in a time where passing wasn't used much and teams were run-orientated.

That also could've been an advantage since teams weren't set up to stop the run.

In reality, I don't think you can make apples to apples comparisons of old players. If they were in today's league they'd probably be better athletes with modern conditioning.

[Mt. Crushmore]

That also could've been an advantage since teams weren't set up to stop the run.

 

True, but these guys are the true pioneers of the WR position and where amazing players.  I (obviously) feel they are 2 of the best 3 all-time.

[BloodRaven]

QB Peyton Manning
HB LaDanian Tomlinson

 

TE Rob Gronkowski
WR Terrell Owens
WR Jerry Rice
WR Marvin Harrison
 

LT Walter Jones
LG Steve Hutchinson
C Kevin Mawae
RG Larry Allen
RT Jonathan Ogden

LDE Reggie White
DT Cortez Kennedy
DT Warren Sapp
RDE Bruce Smith

OLB Derrick Brooks
MLB Ray Lewis
OLB Lawrence Taylor

CB Champ Bailey
CB Rod Woodson
FS Ed Reed
SS Troy Polamalu

I tried to avoid players who were too one dimensional and some more famous HOF names, the game is more complex now and players are bigger, stronger, faster and more athletic than older generations.

[berad]

I can only speak to guys that I've seen/experienced/know enough to be comfortable with so prepare to see a lot of 'modern' names.

 

QB - Tom Brady

RB - Ladanian Tomlinson

FB - Jim Brown

WR - Jerry Rice

WR - Randy Moss

TE - Antonio Gates

LT - Jon Odgen

LG - Alan Faneca

OC - Matt Birk

RG -  Larry Allen

RT - Orlando Pace

 

LE - Michael Strahan

DT - Warren Sapp

DT - Reggie White

RE - Dwight Freeney

OLB - Derrick Brooks

MLB - Ray Lewis

OLB - Lawrence Taylor

CB - Rod Woodson

FS - Ed Reed

SS - Ronnie Lott

CB - Deion Sanders

 

K - Matt Stover

P - Ray Guy

 

*yes this list includes guys I've never seen play live but I've watched enough after the fact to feel comfortable ranking them

[Malkavian Raven]

QB - Brett Favre

RB - Brett Favre

FB - Brett Favre

WR - Brett Favre

WR - Brett Favre

TE - Brett Favre

LT - Brett Favre

LG - Brett Favre

OC - Brett Favre

RG -  Brett Favre

RT - Brett Favre

 

LE - Brett Favre

DT - Brett Favre

DT - Brett Favre

RE - Brett Favre

OLB - Brett Favre

MLB - Brett Favre

OLB - Brett Favre

CB - Brett Favre

FS - Brett Favre

SS - Brett Favre

CB - Brett Favre

 

K - Brett Favre

P - Brett Favre

 

- John Madden

[BmoreBird22]

Thanks for posting this Andrew. I meant to, but eventually just forgot after I was so busy. Appreciate it.

 

I didn't have a chance to see all of these guys play live, but all these guys I've researched and seen highlights of (when available) and guys that I feel comfortable putting on this list.

 

QB: Steve Young
RB: Barry Sanders

FB: Jim Brown

TE: Tony Gonzalez

WR: Jerry Rice

WR: Randy Moss (Had some trouble deciding between Moss, Harrison, and Carter)

RT: Anthony Munoz

RG: Larry Allen

C: Jim Otto
LG: Gene Upshaw

LT: Jonathan Ogden

 

DE: Reggie White
DT: Joe Green 

DT: Warren Sapp
DE: Bruce Smith

OLB: Lawrence Taylor

MLB: Ray Lewis

OLB: Derrick Thomas

CB: Ronnie Lott
FS: Ed Reed

SS: Adrian Wilson 

CB: Deion Sanders

 

P: Ray Guy 
K: Morten Anderson

PR/KR: Devin Hester 

 

It's really pretty awesome when three Ravens make a team of 22 players. I don't think they were homer picks. They really are just that good.

[Ed_Reed20]

QB - Joe Montana
RB - Barry Sanders
FB - Marcus Allen
WR - Andre Johnson
WR - Terrell Owens

TE - Antonio Gates
LT - Walter Jones
LG - John Hannah
OC - Matt Birk
RG -  Larry Allen
RT - Jonathan Ogden

LE - Julius Peppers
DT - John Randle
DT - Reggie White
RE - Bruce Smith
OLB - Derrick Brooks
MLB - Ray Lewis
OLB - Patrick Willis
CB - Rod Woodson
FS - Ed Reed
SS - Sean Taylor
CB - Deion Sanders

 

K - Matt Stover
P - Ray Guy

[52520Andrew]

QB: Joe Montana

RB: Earl Campbell

FB: Jim Brown

WR: Jerry Rice

WR: Don Hutson

TE: Tony Gonzalez

LT: JO

LG: Larry Allen

C: Jim Otto

RG: John Hannah

RT: Anthony Munoz

 

DE: Deacon Jones

DT: Bob Lilly

DT: Mean Joe Greene

DE: Bruce Smith

OLB: LT

MLB: Ray Lewis

OLB: Dick Butkus

CB: Prime Time

CB: Dick Night Train Lane

FS: Ed Reed

SS: Ronnie Lott

 

K: Adam Vinatieri

P: Ray Guy

Returner: Devin Hester

[Mt. Crushmore]

WR: Don Hutson

 

Finally some love for an old-time WR.

[52520Andrew]

Finally some love for an old-time WR.

 

He absolutely dominated his time, people should look him up but he revolutionized the WR position in a similar way Unitas revolutionized the QB position. Unitas was a very close second my me, also couldn't resist rolling with Earl Campbell, the guy was a monster.

[Malkavian Raven]

QB: Joe Montana

RB: Jim Brown

TE: John Mackey

WR: Jerry Rice

WR: Randy Moss

WR: Calvin Johnson

T: Anthony Munoz

G: John Hannah

C: Jim Otto

G: Gene Upshaw

T: Forrest Gregg

 

E: Reggie White

T: Alan Page

T: Joe Greene

E: Deacon Jones

LB: Lawrence Taylor

LB: Dick Butkus

LB: Ray Lewis

CB: Willie Brown

CB: Deion Sanders

S: Ronnie Lott

S: Ken Houston

 

K: Morten Andersen

P: Ray Guy

Returner: Joshua Cribbs

 

PS: How did John Madden hack my account?

[SecretAgentMan]

QB: Dan Marino

RB: Walter Payton

TE: Tony Gonzalez

WR: Jerry Rice

WR: Chris Carter

WR: Calvin Johnson(yes ahead of Randy Moss)

T: Anthony Munoz

G: John Hannah

C: Jim Otto

G: Gene Upshaw

T: Jonathan Ogden

 

E: Reggie White

T: Alan Page

T: Joe Greene

E: Deacon Jones

LB: Lawrence Taylor

LB: Dick Butkus

LB: Ray Lewis

CB: Darrel Green(seriously, how is he not on more of these)

CB: Deion Sanders

S: Ronnie Lott

S: Ed Reed

 

K: Morten Andersen

P: Ray Guy

 

Note: I did not see half of these people play in person. Many of these are from highlights I've seen on YouTube. 

[T3hRaven]

PS: How did John Madden hack my account?

 

He didn't, otherwise your QB would have been Brett Favre.

[Malkavian Raven]

He didn't, otherwise your QB would have been Brett Favre.

 

You missed my earlier post then.

[arnie_uk]

Still can't wrap my head around someone like crush who is picking people from 1940s or 50s. How can you honestly say they are better than anyone else?

[Gordo52]

I'm only gonna say this. Terrell Owens is a top 3 WR of all time.

[Purple_ICE 81]

IMO, it isn't even close with Hutson and Alworth at WR.  They played such a long time ago, but they absolutely dominated and recreated the WR position and helped make it what it is today.  Put them in today's NFL with all the passing and they would put up amazing stat lines.

 

For example: 

In 1942, Hutson caught 74 passes for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games.

 

In 1965, Alworth caught 69 passes for 1,602 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games.

 

All that in a time where passing wasn't used much and teams were run-orientated.

They definitely dont compare to today's NFL WRs...they were great athletes with good skill but I still wouldnt even consider them as talented as some of the receivers in todays NFL.  Also they were a lot smaller too- Hutson was about 6'0 and 180lbs, and Alworth was around the same exact size too. 

 

Guys like Megatron, Moss, and Wayne are much better choices IMO. But of course Hutson and Alworth are true legends and Megatron and every other WR wouldnt be around if it weren't for them.

[Purple_ICE 81]

I'm only gonna say this. Terrell Owens is a top 3 WR of all time.

He could have been as good as  Rice too...but he ate too much popcorn on the sidelines.

[display name]

Still can't wrap my head around someone like crush who is picking people from 1940s or 50s. How can you honestly say they are better than anyone else?

Compare stats and watch highlights on YouTube.

[arnie_uk]

Compare stats and watch highlights on YouTube.

because stats and highlights give you a true picture

[display name]

because stats and highlights give you a true picture

When put in context (of the era, and of the team) they do.

[arnie_uk]

When put in context (of the era, and of the team) they do.

its still not judging them for yourself

[Mt. Crushmore]

Still can't wrap my head around someone like crush who is picking people from 1940s or 50s. How can you honestly say they are better than anyone else?

Because they were studs IMO.

[Alexir]

QB - Joe Montana

RB - Barry Sanders

FB - Marcus Allen

WR - Andre Johnson

WR - Terrell Owens

TE - Antonio Gates

LT - Walter Jones

LG - John Hannah

OC - Matt Birk

RG -  Larry Allen

RT - Jonathan Ogden

LE - Julius Peppers

DT - John Randle

DT - Reggie White

RE - Bruce Smith

OLB - Derrick Brooks

MLB - Ray Lewis

OLB - Patrick Willis

CB - Rod Woodson

FS - Ed Reed

SS - Sean Taylor

CB - Deion Sanders

 

K - Matt Stover

P - Ray Guy

 

Really?

[display name]

QB - Joe Montana

RB - Barry Sanders

FB - Marcus Allen

WR - Andre Johnson

WR - Terrell Owens

TE - Antonio Gates

LT - Walter Jones

LG - John Hannah

OC - Matt Birk

RG -  Larry Allen

RT - Jonathan Ogden

LE - Julius Peppers

DT - John Randle

DT - Reggie White

RE - Bruce Smith

OLB - Derrick Brooks

MLB - Ray Lewis

OLB - Patrick Willis

CB - Rod Woodson

FS - Ed Reed

SS - Sean Taylor

CB - Deion Sanders

 

K - Matt Stover

P - Ray Guy

A little too centered around the last 20 years. And Sean Taylor? No.

[Ed_Reed20]

Really?

 

Your problem is?

 

A little too centered around the last 20 years. And Sean Taylor? No.

 

 

Basically what would your all time NFL team look like? I am sure there are many different opinions on this topic and I can't wait to hear some people's thoughts on an all time team.

I'm entitled to pick whoever I want on my team, time period be damned. I'm well-aware of the greats at tons of positions and while I've seen highlights of them, I'm not going to select them if I believe there are players who could adapt to the modern game better and/or are better athletes. 

 

You can argue Peppers is a Hall of Famer. Regardless, he's a Hall of Fame talent. Name another DE in league history who could man-handle OTs in his prime and chase down a pre-jail Michael Vick. Willis is building a Hall of Fame career and while I could picked tons of OLBs, I love his game and he'd easily thrive as a 4-3 Will or Sam.

 

As for Taylor, I picked him primarily because was my favourite player; talent-wise, it's not like he's out of place on this team though. I've never seen a safety with his size and athleticism. With that front seven and surrounding secondary players, all he would have to be is a hit-seeking missile. He took his game to another level in '07 and I have no doubt he would become a perennial All-Pro had he not been killed.