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the Best Offenses in NFL History

CMicks3110 : 5/17/2018 8:36 pm
and what made them unique?

the Giants have potentially 3-6 elite players on offense (beckham, barkley, engram, shepard, solder, hernandez)....I don't think we'll have an all-time great offense this year, but since the core of playmakers is so young, with another draft and year of free agency, I could see us truly being elite in 2019.

when i think of other elite offenses, the teams that come to mind include:

1998 Vikings
1999 Rams
2007 Patriots
2013 Broncos
1994 49ers
1983 Redskins

but is there a common denominator to all of these offenses? elite elite playmakers? dominant o-lines? dynamic quarterback play? it seems that all of them have at least 2 of those 3..

The giants, with another draft, could reach those heights. What are your thoughts?
I don't think Solder  
pjcas18 : 5/17/2018 8:41 pm : link
is elite, I don't think Shepard is elite and Hernandez hasn't taken an NFL snap and neither has Barkley.

I think there's some projection and mild homerism in your post.

plus, after another draft Beckham may not even be in NY.


I'd actually..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 5/17/2018 8:44 pm : link
settle for having the best Giants offense in the past three years.
totally there is homerism  
CMicks3110 : 5/17/2018 8:45 pm : link
but fun to dream, especially this time of year. And more to analyze what are the components of the elite of the elite offenses of all time.
I would add the 1989 49ers and the 1962 Packers  
Big Blue Blogger : 5/17/2018 9:07 pm : link
Ram fans contend their offense was actually better in 2000 than in 1999. They just couldn't play defense.
Of the modern era:  
mittenedman : 5/17/2018 9:28 pm : link
The Colts offense with:

QB - Peyton Manning
RB - Edgerrin James
WR - Marvin Harrison
slot - Brandon Stokley
WR - Reggie Wayne
TE - Dallas Clark
TE - Marcus Pollard
LT - Tarik Glenn
C - Jeff Saturday

You could pick several years but in 2004, Manning won league MVP and threw 49 TDs. All 3 WR's had 1,000+ yards and 10+ TDs and Edge had 2,031 yards from scrimmage. For whatever reason they flopped in the Playoffs but this was an offense firing on all cylinders and testing the limits.
Dolphins 1984, Chargers 1981, Giants 1963  
Ivan15 : 5/17/2018 9:30 pm : link
Do they all fit your model?
Those teams certainly stretched the field  
Jimmy Googs : 5/17/2018 9:32 pm : link
vertically...
Whichever great offense you select...  
bw in dc : 5/17/2018 9:53 pm : link
they all have an identity. And they have sustained excellence.

The Dallas offense of the '90s. Identity? Power running game.

Bills offense of the '90s. Identity? Quick strike, and dynamic scoring threats from everywhere.

9ers of the '80s. Identity? Multi-faceted. They nicked, sliced and carved you up with a controlled passing game that was essentially a running game. Then once they broke you with that, they could broke you with either an inside and outside running game. And they were tremendous at rallying.

Patriots since 2001. Identity? Chameleon. Should be excluded because they are a true football unicorn.

But my main point is that a team needs to form an identity. This Jints team won't likely know what it is until and around the 10th week.

However, on paper, it feels like it's a vertically driven offense; an offense that may have the capability to score quite a bit from 50+.

Much of the success will hinge on Manning, and right now that is one of the league's biggest mysteries heading into 2018.
Not for nothing, but the 1970s Steelers with  
baadbill : 5/17/2018 10:01 pm : link
won 4 Super Bowls. They are probably mostly known for their defense but that's just wrong... that offense had five players who would later enter the HOF (I mean holy crap - FIVE):

Terry Bradshaw,

Franco Harris,

John Stallworth,

Lynn Swann,

and Mike Webster
Maybe a great offense is like basketball  
Coach Red Beaulieu : 5/17/2018 10:13 pm : link
You need two great offensive skill players to be great. Most of those offenses had a deep threat and short threat. Heck, Welker was in two of those offenses in different teams. The Vikings had kind of a pick your poison, Carter was more allround, but focus on intermediate and short.

Maybe we can get back to that with OBJ and SB.
RE: Not for nothing, but the 1970s Steelers with  
Jimmy Googs : 5/17/2018 10:24 pm : link
In comment 13967081 baadbill said:
Quote:
won 4 Super Bowls. They are probably mostly known for their defense but that's just wrong... that offense had five players who would later enter the HOF (I mean holy crap - FIVE):

Terry Bradshaw,

Franco Harris,

John Stallworth,

Lynn Swann,

and Mike Webster


Lord, they were so good at almost every position. Even guys that weren't HOFs were solid as hell...
RE: RE: Not for nothing, but the 1970s Steelers with  
baadbill : 5/17/2018 10:33 pm : link
In comment 13967096 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
In comment 13967081 baadbill said:


Quote:


won 4 Super Bowls. They are probably mostly known for their defense but that's just wrong... that offense had five players who would later enter the HOF (I mean holy crap - FIVE):

Terry Bradshaw,

Franco Harris,

John Stallworth,

Lynn Swann,

and Mike Webster



Lord, they were so good at almost every position. Even guys that weren't HOFs were solid as hell...



This was a team that won four Super Bowls in a six year stretch. And it was the defense - the Steel Curtain - that most people remember.
Warner Rams were best ever.  
x meadowlander : 5/17/2018 10:40 pm : link
Fucking undefendable and the KEY. Was Marshall Faulk, IMO. Giants potentially have that sort of player in Barkley.
I would be thrilled  
Jay on the Island : 5/17/2018 10:47 pm : link
with the 2011 offense with a better OL and running game.
I agree with the 99 Rams  
Jimmy Googs : 5/17/2018 10:53 pm : link
they basically did anything they wanted to do.

I went to that SuperBowl here in ATL that year, and the Titans did a good job that day of stopping touchdowns but they still gave up a fair amount to Kurt Warner thru air.

good game...
If  
kes722 : 5/17/2018 11:03 pm : link
And its a big IF.

The 3 additions to the o-line pan out we could have a very strong O.

ODB
Barkley
Shepard
Engram

That is an elite group

We have the potential to have the best WR and best RB this team has ever had on the field at the same time.

I think the next few years could....COULD be very special


I love Eli and the RB we picked  
mpinmaine : 5/17/2018 11:13 pm : link
but ELITE!

I noticed you kept Eli off of that list, I am hoping for the best....but you cannot say elite about rookies,,,etc
I agree on Rams 99-01  
BSIMatt : 5/18/2018 12:11 am : link
I know he wasn't a "weapon", but that team also had one of the best offensive tackles to ever play in Orlando Pace.
The Most Potent Offense in NFL History | The Timeline: Greatest Show on Turf - ( New Window )
RE: Maybe a great offense is like basketball  
chopperhatch : 5/18/2018 12:59 am : link
In comment 13967090 Coach Red Beaulieu said:
Quote:
You need two great offensive skill players to be great. Most of those offenses had a deep threat and short threat. Heck, Welker was in two of those offenses in different teams. The Vikings had kind of a pick your poison, Carter was more allround, but focus on intermediate and short.

Maybe we can get back to that with OBJ and SB.


Wait whaaaat?

That Minny offense was as vertical as it got. Moss was practically unstoppable, Jake Reed became a household name, and an offensive line that I consider top 7 all time.

Intermediate and short? They had it all. Defense was fairly solid too.
RE: I love Eli and the RB we picked  
chopperhatch : 5/18/2018 1:02 am : link
In comment 13967123 mpinmaine said:
Quote:
but ELITE!

I noticed you kept Eli off of that list, I am hoping for the best....but you cannot say elite about rookies,,,etc


Yes rookies can absolutely be elite:

Jevon Kearse
Von Miller
Khalil Mack
Beckham
Joe Thomas
Etc....I could go on and on. Such a silly and poorly thought out comment.
If I'm picking a skins team  
Banks : 5/18/2018 1:59 am : link
it's the 91 Skins team. That year they were firing on all cylinders.
3-13  
markky : 5/18/2018 4:42 am : link
can't score 30 points.

until we prove it, we're the opposite of elite. i'd say we have potential but until we put points on the board it's just hope.
We are a solid RT and solid #2 WR from being a GOOD offense  
SGMen : 5/18/2018 6:20 am : link
First, I do believe our OL ill be better as last year's group was likely the NFL's worst.

Second, I do believe Eli's "lack of mobility" will show more this year than last as he ages. He will produce better but not elite.

Third, it takes time for a new offense to gel so I would not be surprised if we started 0 - 2 (Jags & Cowboys) as we struggle with missed plays, penalties, new defense so offense won't have ball enough early on.

I do believe that skill positions key a great offense and we have one elite WR in OBJ; one very good inside slot WR (Shepard); and I predict an elite HBack / TE type in Engram who will grow. Barkley will be elite as well. That is BETTER than most teams.

We need to get through camp with minimal injuries and pray the offense clicks early. If we could somehow get out of the 1st quarter of the season 2-2 we may have a shot at 9 - 7 or even 10 - 6, but not if injuries hit our elite or very good players.
We see it. We can taste it.  
x meadowlander : 5/18/2018 9:21 am : link
Presuming health - a massive presumption with this team - the potential here is bananas. Offense is dare I say - 2 pieces away from having on paper, the most dangerous offense the NY Giants have ever fielded.

And yes, I love preseason optimism.
RE: I love Eli and the RB we picked  
Coach Red Beaulieu : 5/18/2018 10:19 am : link
In comment 13967123 mpinmaine said:
Quote:
but ELITE!

I noticed you kept Eli off of that list, I am hoping for the best....but you cannot say elite about rookies,,,etc

2008 Giants offense was ELIte. Derrick Ward ran nearly 1000 yds/5 ypc ffs, now that's f*cking elite in my book!
All those teams you listed had.....  
njm : 5/18/2018 10:30 am : link
at a minimum an above average OL and 3 elite skill players. I can easily see the Giants having 3 elite skill players, but I'm not sure the OL is above average at this point.
94 49ers  
crick n NC : 5/18/2018 10:59 am : link
Started off slow, the OL was allowing young to get hit, even though the ball typically came out fast in that offense. Young took a beating in the first four games or so, but once they took off they were a fun team to watch.

Of course they utilized the field horizontally vs vertically. The Rams were also awesome at stetching you horizontally with their speed on crossers and dig routes, but they certainly could hit you vertically as well. Another fun offense to watch.
I think the  
chopperhatch : 5/18/2018 7:30 pm : link
'97 Broncos are highly underrated as far as all time offenses. That line was absolutely awesome, Davis out of the backfield, Rod Smith and McCaffrey out wide, and nobody could cover Shannon Sharpe. This is without even mentioning Elway.
That Bronco offense...  
bw in dc : 5/18/2018 9:48 pm : link
was really good from '96 to '98.
The Giants need to show me something  
gidiefor : Mod : 5/19/2018 6:51 am : link
at Center, Right Tackle and Right Guard

Brett Jones is a feisty player -- but he gets pushed around

the right side was subject to stunts in every game last year and couldn't pick them up

I do think Beckham, Engram and Barley are elite

I think that Sheppard is competent and above average

I think Hernandez will be a good player for us in the Chris Snee mold, and Solder is a good player

I also think Eli is vastly under-rated and is capable of operating a very good offense - but he needs Offensive line support -- he does not play well when under pressure constantly -- and unfortunately -- in the past three years that was pretty much a given.

you give Eli the protection and a serious three pronged weapon attack with reasonable bit players like Shep and Rhett and he knows how to use them
Mid 80s Jets were fun  
Coach Red Beaulieu : 5/19/2018 10:48 am : link
Hector, McNeil, Toon, Walker, let alone that defensive lines. Jets being Jets couldn't put it together and make the SB.
The best offenses I've ever seen are (in no particular order)  
PatersonPlank : 5/19/2018 11:15 am : link
1) Chargers "Air Coryell" - 1981 ish
- Fouts, Winslow, Joiner
- only stopped by freezing weather or they would have
made the SB
2) Houston Oilers - Original "Run and Shoot" - early 1990's
- Warren Moon & Gilbride as the OC
3) Buffalo Bills - early 1990's (Kelly, Thurman Thomas, etc.)

In fact who can forget the great 41-38 playoff game between the two in 1993, when the Oilers were ahead 38-3.

4) Finally 1999 Rams - Greatest Show on Turf.
Patterson: The Oilers led 35-3.  
Big Blue Blogger : 5/19/2018 12:36 pm : link
Buffalo actually went ahead, 38-35 in regulation. Houston had a chance to win on their last drive, but had to settle for a short field goal and overtime.

The craziest thing about that comeback was how fast it happened. After Houston scored just after halftime to make it 35-3, Buffalo knocked the lead down to 35-31 by the end of the third quarter. If an Oilers fan took a leisurely dump and fetched a beer from the fridge, he returned to find himself in an alternate universe.
RE: Warner Rams were best ever.  
Big Blue Blogger : 5/19/2018 12:42 pm : link
x meadowlander said:
Quote:
Fucking undefendable and the KEY. Was Marshall Faulk, IMO. Giants potentially have that sort of player in Barkley.
On the other hand, Indy had Faulk for five years and did nothing.
RE: The best offenses I've ever seen are (in no particular order)  
GMen23 : 5/20/2018 10:27 am : link
In comment 13968290 PatersonPlank said:
Quote:
1) Chargers "Air Coryell" - 1981 ish
- Fouts, Winslow, Joiner
- only stopped by freezing weather or they would have
made the SB
2) Houston Oilers - Original "Run and Shoot" - early 1990's
- Warren Moon & Gilbride as the OC
3) Buffalo Bills - early 1990's (Kelly, Thurman Thomas, etc.)

In fact who can forget the great 41-38 playoff game between the two in 1993, when the Oilers were ahead 38-3.

4) Finally 1999 Rams - Greatest Show on Turf.


I'll take the easy route, and add Marino's 54 TD pass season To Patterson's, and call it a top 5. Maybe even make Miami 2nd. But I couldn't go with an offensive list that did not have "Air Coryelll" and Dan Fouts on top.
NFL Network  
GiantGiantsFan : 5/20/2018 10:33 pm : link
did a special on this topic a couple weeks ago. '99 Rams were ranked #1, followed by the '07 Patriots (who were of course beaten in the SB by you know who :) ) and then the '13 Broncos. Link attached. It would be awesome (though potentially wishful thinking) if the '18 Giants were to be on this list!
NFL.com top offenses - ( New Window )
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