Greatest DE of All Time

[fknhippie]

Can't say I've ever seen a DE take over a game like I have Julius Peppers. Didn't get to see him often in his prime, but he sure was fun to watch.

 

[shopson67]

Merlin Olsen and Mean Joe Greene come to mind. I'll say Alan Page.

Olsen was a tackle. Fearsome foursome DEs were Deacon Jones and Lamar Lundy.

 

[femurov]

Charles Haley should be on the list.

Depends on how big the list is. If it is more than 10 or 20, then sure. If we are talking about greatest of all time, as in singular, he probably doesn't get mentioned.

 

[fknhippie]

Best DT/DE teammates

What a great picture...I loved football back then.

 

[PDay8810]

Depends on how big the list is. If it is more than 10 or 20, then sure. If we are talking about greatest of all time, as in singular, he probably doesn't get mentioned.

is the greatest of all time a list?
Sir Charles would make the top 10 all time and I think that was the point

 

[Shanemansj13]

is the greatest of all time a list?
Sir Charles would make the top 10 all time and I think that was the point

Top 15 most likely IMO

 

[femurov]

is the greatest of all time a list?
Sir Charles would make the top 10 all time and I think that was the point

I would say that is not a slam dunk for him to be top 10.

 

[Shanemansj13]

1. Reggie
2a. Bruce Smith
2b. Deacon
4. Youngblood
5. Strahan
6. Doleman
7. Selmon
8. Peppers
9. Watt
10. Eller
11. Long
12. Taylor
13. Allen

Really...4-6 could be any order and you could move up other guys but I don't see Haley being ahead of any of those guys. Plus Haley was used as an 3-4 OLB for some of this career.

Never saw Gino Marchetti play but some could say he is top 10.

 

[Sir Robin Of Camelot]

I agree 100%
No way in hell a DE had 100 tackles....just ain't buying that one
and
the head slap was legal but no player did it with the force Jones did. All the old o-tackles talked about their head ringing by mid second QTR when playing Deacon.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to recall Rayfield Wright saying that the Jones head slap and accompanying head ringing was his introduction to the league as a rookie.

 

[PDay8810]

Top 15 most likely IMO

opinions vary. Not sure how anyones opinion of a top 10 all time would be more informed than the other guy.
Your list is lacking greatly IMO

 

[PDay8810]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to recall Rayfield Wright saying that the Jones head slap and accompanying head ringing was his introduction to the league as a rookie.

you are correct. Rayfield said he saw stars.

Think about it....Jones woulda still been great cause he was cat quick off the ball, but the head slap catapulted him

 

[PDay8810]

I would say that is not a slam dunk for him to be top 10.

nope...not a slam dunk at all

 

[Shanemansj13]

opinions vary. Not sure how anyones opinion of a top 10 all time would be more informed than the other guy.
Your list is lacking greatly IMO

You're right they do vary and I put together a quick list so it isn't very accurate. I would move down Selmon and some other guys but I am not moving Haley into the top 10. IMO his career, while great, is not top 10 worthy. I would have him in the 11-14 range tbh.

 

[PDay8810]

All time D-Tackle would be just as subjective if not more
Olsen, Greene, Page, Lilly, R. White

 

[Battlelyon]

Man an all time Ram defensive line would be sick to deal with. Deacon, Olsen, Donald, and Youngblood, who could contain those guys. Qb will get three seconds to make a play.

 

[PDay8810]

Man an all time Ram defensive line would be sick to deal with. Deacon, Olsen, Donald, and Youngblood, who could contain those guys. Qb will get three seconds to make a play.

That would be sick.
Dallas would fill a pretty good group too
Haley, Lilly, R. White, Harvey Martin

 

[Judge Fudge]

Cliff avril and Mike Bennett gotta be in top 20

 

[GNG]

Is it fair to say that Deacon Jones spent most of his career surrounded by talent? That Rams Dline as a whole was no joke.

That defensive line was called the "Fearsome Foursome".

 

[GNG]

Cliff avril and Mike Bennett gotta be in top 20

Why?

 

[Stomp]

When did he have 100 solo tackles in 12 games?

The requirements for what is considered a tackle have changed i remember having a Reggie White football card that had 240 tackles 180 solo listed for one of his earlier seasons`