Lett got in to the backfield on almost every play. Not the brainiest of guys he often didn't make the play but his sheer natural ability was undeniable.
The Danimal is a Hall of Famer and was the true heart of the Bears 1980s defenses. Ryan called him "the cornerstone to our 46 defense." He had multiple years over 10 sacks. Fierce tough, played through 10, count 'em, ten knee surgeries and always came back fiercely. His name gets lost by the more flashy Bear defenders but he was as good as I have ever seen.
Although quarterback sacks did not become an official NFL statistic until 1982, Katcavage is unofficially credited with a career total of 96½ sacks, placing him third on the Giants unofficial list.3 All Pros. 3 Pro Bowls and 2 All Conference.
At a time when stats and TV coverage and hype did not exist, this guy was getting it done year in and year out. He was part of the Giant's Fearsome Foursome which included Modzelewski, Greir and Robustelli. Never got the love for the HoF, but as a kid and young Giant fan watching him, I truly admired his play and his fortitude; especially in his later years when the Giants program went in the toilet.
Just my personal preference, but Woodson was a hard nosed sonofabitch who could hit. Deion could cover like nobody's business, but he could barely tackle my daughter and was useless against the run.
I can't wait for the season to start. I can't wait to see Barkley this season, a revamped OLine, and a first round rookie QB. That is as exciting as it gets. I think the Giants are going to get a great year from Eli too. This team is going to surprise.
and the Purple People Eaters were great at getting to the QB, but the reason they never won it all is because they weren't the best vs. the run. Page is the only other Defensive MVP besides LT so that's a hell of an argument, but the way they got killed against the run at certain times is why I'd rank Greene and Lilly ahead of him.
Merlin Olsen was arguably better than Deacon Jones on the same DL, which is why I'd rank Reggie ahead of Deacon all-time at DE. Olsen might just be the best DT. There's like 10 guys in the mix, Randy White looks like he was a freak JJ Watt type of guy too.
Among guys I've seen, I guess Randle/Sapp/Donald are the best pass rushers but maybe not the most complete. Ted Washington was a mammoth of a man. Justin Smith was dominant for a few years for the 49ers, JJ Watt's dominance kind of made people quickly forget Smith but he was the real deal.
the guy was just an animal and his longevity was extremely impressive given that the 350+ pounders typically only have a small window of peak effectiveness. He was a literal 1 man wrecking crew.
Donald IMO is ahead of Sapp/Randle in the more disruptive category, but if you told me I could just draft 1 DT in the last 20-30 years, it would still probably be the steadiness of Wilfork at the nose. I think he was a really rare impact player who gets heavily underrated since he was in the patriots machine.
But he helped extend Ray Lewis' career so much. Lewis was starting to show signs of regression before Ngata ascended iirc. He deserves a mention among guys since 2000 or so, he was always overshadowed by Lewis/Reed.
Although quarterback sacks did not become an official NFL statistic until 1982, Katcavage is unofficially credited with a career total of 96½ sacks, placing him third on the Giants unofficial list.3 All Pros. 3 Pro Bowls and 2 All Conference.
At a time when stats and TV coverage and hype did not exist, this guy was getting it done year in and year out. He was part of the Giant's Fearsome Foursome which included Modzelewski, Greir and Robustelli. Never got the love for the HoF, but as a kid and young Giant fan watching him, I truly admired his play and his fortitude; especially in his later years when the Giants program went in the toilet.
Just ask joe Montana, I’ll never forget that playoff game, pat summerall’s majestic voice : “the word on Montana from the sideline is his return is doubtful, and the report is that “everything hurts”......”
Just ask joe Montana, I’ll never forget that playoff game, pat summerall’s majestic voice : “the word on Montana from the sideline is his return is doubtful, and the report is that “everything hurts”......”
Was a 3-4 DE. Who should Be in the HOF. Not really A DT
when Green and Lilly were in the league. That wasn't off the field.
One year's MVP award doesn't make the guy a better player than Green or Lily. In 1999 The Sporting News constructed a 100 best players ever in the NFL. They wrote then about Lily:
"In 1999, he was ranked number 10 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranking defensive lineman and the highest-ranking Cowboy. The only defensive players ranked ahead of Lilly were Dick Butkus and Lawrence Taylor. Sports Illustrated named him one of the ten most revolutionary defensive players.
Well it's just opinions, we can agree to disagree.
Even though I remember him, because I don't have a clear impression of him from then. For me it was near the end of his career, and I was young. I have seen video of him of course and the video is very impressive.
The Danimal is a Hall of Famer and was the true heart of the Bears 1980s defenses. Ryan called him "the cornerstone to our 46 defense." He had multiple years over 10 sacks. Fierce tough, played through 10, count 'em, ten knee surgeries and always came back fiercely. His name gets lost by the more flashy Bear defenders but he was as good as I have ever seen.
Agreed, tough
agree
Although quarterback sacks did not become an official NFL statistic until 1982, Katcavage is unofficially credited with a career total of 96½ sacks, placing him third on the Giants unofficial list.3 All Pros. 3 Pro Bowls and 2 All Conference.
At a time when stats and TV coverage and hype did not exist, this guy was getting it done year in and year out. He was part of the Giant's Fearsome Foursome which included Modzelewski, Greir and Robustelli. Never got the love for the HoF, but as a kid and young Giant fan watching him, I truly admired his play and his fortitude; especially in his later years when the Giants program went in the toilet.
Reggie lined up everywhere, inside and outside. I would just call him a DL, really, not an end OR a tackle.
Deon Sanders was 3rd.
JMO
Leon Lett is not in the discussion
Merlin Olsen was arguably better than Deacon Jones on the same DL, which is why I'd rank Reggie ahead of Deacon all-time at DE. Olsen might just be the best DT. There's like 10 guys in the mix, Randy White looks like he was a freak JJ Watt type of guy too.
Among guys I've seen, I guess Randle/Sapp/Donald are the best pass rushers but maybe not the most complete. Ted Washington was a mammoth of a man. Justin Smith was dominant for a few years for the 49ers, JJ Watt's dominance kind of made people quickly forget Smith but he was the real deal.
This dude is a monster
Any older Cowboys' fan can tell you Randy White wasn't in Bob Lily's area code, let alone class.
Among others I haven't seen mentioned, Buck Buchannon was a beast.
I thought hte question was going to be best you saw on the Giants...
Mendenhall was an easy choice for me. Keith Hamilton as #2.
In my viewing history, I would have to go with Mean Joe Greene and Randy White.
Donald IMO is ahead of Sapp/Randle in the more disruptive category, but if you told me I could just draft 1 DT in the last 20-30 years, it would still probably be the steadiness of Wilfork at the nose. I think he was a really rare impact player who gets heavily underrated since he was in the patriots machine.
Culp was a beast, and Nose Tackle deserves its own category IMO. Love those ex-wrestlers as interior DL.
Randy White
Loved Mendenhall, but Alan Page was better.
This dude is a monster
And was completely taken out by elite coaching in the Super Bowl.
It's said he was the difference in winning/losing that game.
Although quarterback sacks did not become an official NFL statistic until 1982, Katcavage is unofficially credited with a career total of 96½ sacks, placing him third on the Giants unofficial list.3 All Pros. 3 Pro Bowls and 2 All Conference.
At a time when stats and TV coverage and hype did not exist, this guy was getting it done year in and year out. He was part of the Giant's Fearsome Foursome which included Modzelewski, Greir and Robustelli. Never got the love for the HoF, but as a kid and young Giant fan watching him, I truly admired his play and his fortitude; especially in his later years when the Giants program went in the toilet.
katcavage was not a dt he was a de
For me, I thought Long, Brown, and Kennedy were superb all-around DTs. Gun to my head? I’m riding with Rome Brown...
Good dude whose better play was over shadowed by the clown show Gastineau performed. Borderline HOF guy. Not best ever but underrated for sure
Cortez Kennedy was Better than Sapp IMO. Jerome Brown was a monster too. No old enough for Page. Randy White has to be up there too.
A Just a bit before my time always heard from my older cousins that Troy Archer was amazing.
Donald is up there too.
Was a 3-4 DE. Who should Be in the HOF. Not really A DT
One year's MVP award doesn't make the guy a better player than Green or Lily. In 1999 The Sporting News constructed a 100 best players ever in the NFL. They wrote then about Lily:
"In 1999, he was ranked number 10 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranking defensive lineman and the highest-ranking Cowboy. The only defensive players ranked ahead of Lilly were Dick Butkus and Lawrence Taylor. Sports Illustrated named him one of the ten most revolutionary defensive players.
Well it's just opinions, we can agree to disagree.
Sapp could rush the passer and stop the run. He was an excellent player.
A 3-4 DE is basically a DT, and less like a DE. How many years have you been here and fail to grasp this concept?
His career was tragically too short, but Jerome Brown was a human wrecking ball.