Jimmy Brown. With his size and speed, he would run through the entire opposing team and score.
The game was different then. You could clamp the ball to your chest and not cradle. The level of athletes he competed against was completely different. As dominant as he was, it is a little hard to compare Jimmy Brown to players in the modern game.
Brown was 6'3" and 230 lbs and in terms of quickness, Brown always said that one of the things he was proudest of was that in high school, college and the pros, he was NEVER caught from behind.
He has an awful lot of competition with respect to field. Jim Brown, Eamon McEneaney, Mike French, Frank Urso, Gary Gait, Mikey Powell, Brodie Merrill, Rob Pannell, Paul Rabil, Lyle Thompson could all make that claim. I'm sure other names could be added.
RE: Peter: I'm not trying to be argumentative, but two questions about
Brown was 6'3" and 230 lbs and in terms of quickness, Brown always said that one of the things he was proudest of was that in high school, college and the pros, he was NEVER caught from behind.
Hard to compare players from the wooden stick era to the plastic stick. I never saw Brown play, but the stick skills of current players is way ahead of anyone using a wood stick. And over the last decade or two speed has increased as well. Kyle Harrison from Hopkins, player of the year back around 2004, was good for a legit 4.5 40. And he wasn't alone. But with respect to quickness rather than speed, nobody has in the 45+ years I've watched the game matched Eamon McEaneaney. He actually played football his senior year to stay in shape for lacrosse. Ended up in the Jets camp as a UDFA WR at 5'9" and about 155 lbs.
He has an awful lot of competition with respect to field. Jim Brown, Eamon McEneaney, Mike French, Frank Urso, Gary Gait, Mikey Powell, Brodie Merrill, Rob Pannell, Paul Rabil, Lyle Thompson could all make that claim. I'm sure other names could be added.
Great list. Steele Stanwick was the greatest "point guard" I ever saw, but I only started watching in the early 2000s
He has an awful lot of competition with respect to field. Jim Brown, Eamon McEneaney, Mike French, Frank Urso, Gary Gait, Mikey Powell, Brodie Merrill, Rob Pannell, Paul Rabil, Lyle Thompson could all make that claim. I'm sure other names could be added.
Great list. Steele Stanwick was the greatest "point guard" I ever saw, but I only started watching in the early 2000s
You missed Eamon McEneaney, best feeding attackman (who could also score goals) I saw in over 45 years. Also the quickest change of direction with the ball when feeding from behind the goal.
Arguably, yes. Tavares was a true legend in Canada and certainly in the indoor game. "Lacrosse athlete," meaning indoor & outdoor combined? I disagree.
IMO, Gary Gait and John Grant Jr are better "lacrosse athletes" than Tavares, since their careers showed dominance in both arenas (indoor & outdoor.) That doesn't take anything away from Tavares - my debate is more on the distinction of "lacrosse athlete."
Plenty of guys are terrific in the outdoor game who cannot withstand the beating in the indoor game. Others are better in box lacrosse and have a style of game that doesn't translate to the field. There are more of the former than the latter... Brian Langtry (Hofstra, Bridgeport Barrage, Denver Outlaws, Colorado Mammoth) was the best American born indoor/outdoor lacrosse player - IMO.
He played lacrosse just to stay in cardiac condition to play football.
The game was different then. You could clamp the ball to your chest and not cradle. The level of athletes he competed against was completely different. As dominant as he was, it is a little hard to compare Jimmy Brown to players in the modern game.
#SiF
Brown was 6'3" and 230 lbs and in terms of quickness, Brown always said that one of the things he was proudest of was that in high school, college and the pros, he was NEVER caught from behind.
Brown was 6'3" and 230 lbs and in terms of quickness, Brown always said that one of the things he was proudest of was that in high school, college and the pros, he was NEVER caught from behind.
Hard to compare players from the wooden stick era to the plastic stick. I never saw Brown play, but the stick skills of current players is way ahead of anyone using a wood stick. And over the last decade or two speed has increased as well. Kyle Harrison from Hopkins, player of the year back around 2004, was good for a legit 4.5 40. And he wasn't alone. But with respect to quickness rather than speed, nobody has in the 45+ years I've watched the game matched Eamon McEaneaney. He actually played football his senior year to stay in shape for lacrosse. Ended up in the Jets camp as a UDFA WR at 5'9" and about 155 lbs.
Great list. Steele Stanwick was the greatest "point guard" I ever saw, but I only started watching in the early 2000s
did you know the Islanders John Tavares was an allstar Lacrosse player as well?
Quote:
He has an awful lot of competition with respect to field. Jim Brown, Eamon McEneaney, Mike French, Frank Urso, Gary Gait, Mikey Powell, Brodie Merrill, Rob Pannell, Paul Rabil, Lyle Thompson could all make that claim. I'm sure other names could be added.
Great list. Steele Stanwick was the greatest "point guard" I ever saw, but I only started watching in the early 2000s
You missed Eamon McEneaney, best feeding attackman (who could also score goals) I saw in over 45 years. Also the quickest change of direction with the ball when feeding from behind the goal.
did you know the Islanders John Tavares was an allstar Lacrosse player as well?
Lot of hockey players also played box lacrosse. Gretzky was reportedly an excellent box lacrosse player.
IMO, Gary Gait and John Grant Jr are better "lacrosse athletes" than Tavares, since their careers showed dominance in both arenas (indoor & outdoor.) That doesn't take anything away from Tavares - my debate is more on the distinction of "lacrosse athlete."
Plenty of guys are terrific in the outdoor game who cannot withstand the beating in the indoor game. Others are better in box lacrosse and have a style of game that doesn't translate to the field. There are more of the former than the latter... Brian Langtry (Hofstra, Bridgeport Barrage, Denver Outlaws, Colorado Mammoth) was the best American born indoor/outdoor lacrosse player - IMO.
Hmmmmm most talented athlete. ..better?