Greatest NFL Player Tournament - (5) Lawrence Taylor vs (14) Deacon Jones

[iowajerms]

This Week

5th seed - LB Lawrence Taylor vs 14th seed - DE Deacon Jones
6th seed - QB Johnny Unitas vs 11th seed - DB Ronnie Lott

Seeds are based on a ranking from NFL.com. I did not include the two offensive linemen that are in the top 24.

This will be double elimination. Allowed to change votes until deadline. Higher seed advances in case of a tie.

Bracket

Spoiler: ”First Round Matchups”

Barry Sanders vs Ray Lewis thread
Don Hutson vs Bob Lily thread
Joe Greene vs Gale Sayers thread
Deacon Jones vs Brett Favre thread
Ronnie Lott vs John Elway thread
Dick Butkus vs Dan Marino thread
Otto Graham vs Bronko Nagurski thread

Spoiler: 2nd Round Championship Bracket

Jerry Rice vs Barry Sanders thread
Peyton Manning vs Don Hutson thread
Walter Peyton vs Joe Green thread
Joe Montana vs Sammy Baugh thread

 

[HammerDown]

Not many I'd rank above Deacon Jones but LT is the greatest defensive player in my lifetime.

 

[Southieinnc]

Not many I'd rank above Deacon Jones but LT is the greatest defensive player in my lifetime.

Agreed, Deacon was amazing but here he is matched up against the best.

 

[Battlelyon]

Agreed, Deacon was amazing but here he is matched up against the best.

Deacon was the best!

 

[iowajerms]

Deacon was the best!

Deacon was a beast. I don't think he would last long today. He had an amazing club to the side of the offensive lineman's head. No other was near as good at it than Deacon.

But Lawrence Taylor was so dominant, he changed the way offenses played and how coaches called plays on defense. He gave the OLB a new look.

 

[broncosmitty]

I think LT would have been the most dominating defensive player in the league no matter when he played.

 

[Wazmankg]

Agree with most of the above. A 5th seed seems too low for LT.

edit.. maybe not. I see this is just 1 bracket ?

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I always felt that Taylor was using PED. My vote would go to Deacon Jones. He did his way.

 

[Southieinnc]

I always felt that Taylor was using PED. My vote would go to Deacon Jones. He did his way.

Was there ever a time that LT was not on drugs?

 

[iowajerms]

The thing that is making me think of switching vote to Deacon Jones is that he didn't out-strategize the offense. Those that went up against him knew exactly where he was every play, he just clubbed the OL in the side of the head (which was legal during his time) and sacked the QB. They had LT blitz from all directions and confused the offense.

 

[Battlelyon]

The thing that is making me think of switching vote to Deacon Jones is that he didn't out-strategize the offense. Those that went up against him knew exactly where he was every play, he just clubbed the OL in the side of the head (which was legal during his time) and sacked the QB. They had LT blitz from all directions and confused the offense.

You actually believe that? Watch old Deacon and Merlin interviews, Deacon and Merlin weren't sitting in the same spot the whole game.

And your argument about saying he was predictable speaks further of his dominance, you game planned him and he still completely dominating. He was a beast against the run too, the only defensive lineman in history to gather over 100 solo tackles. That is a sick stat, mostly considering it was in 14 games. J.J. Watt is the elite DE now and is not close to 100 solo tackles in a season.

 

[Wamu]

Was there ever a time that LT was not on drugs?

When he's taking a nap?

 

[iowajerms]

You actually believe that? Watch old Deacon and Merlin interviews, Deacon and Merlin weren't sitting in the same spot the whole game.

And your argument about saying he was predictable speaks further of his dominance, you game planned him and he still completely dominating. He was a beast against the run too, the only defensive lineman in history to gather over 100 solo tackles. That is a sick stat, mostly considering it was in 14 games. J.J. Watt is the elite DE now and is not close to 100 solo tackles in a season.

Read what I first said in that post. I was arguing for Deacon Jones, not against him.

Also, my point was, the offense knew where Deacon was coming from. There were times they didn't have a clue where LT was going to blitz.

What is keeping me from switching my vote is the impact LT had on defense. He changed the way coaches called the defense and how the offense put priorities on offense and how they designed plays.

 

[Battlelyon]

Read what I first said in that post. I was arguing for Deacon Jones, not against him.

Also, my point was, the offense knew where Deacon was coming from. There were times they didn't have a clue where LT was going to blitz.

What is keeping me from switching my vote is the impact LT had on defense. He changed the way coaches called the defense and how the offense put priorities on offense and how they designed plays.

Ok sorry, misread it.

 

[BUD]

Was there ever a time that LT was not on drugs?

Now remember kids, don't smoke crack

 

[iowajerms]

 

[TDs3nOut]

I always felt that Taylor was using PED. My vote would go to Deacon Jones. He did his way.

LT's use of recreational drugs (particularly cocaine and alcohol) is obviously well documented. I've never heard or read anything about him taking PEDs, though.

 

[SteveDallas]

I have trouble understanding threads like this. The game changes year to year, day ti day. Just kinda seems pointless to me.

 

[Maximus Rex]

Can't vote in the poll, guess I'm too new or something still. Hard choice here, but even though I'm no fan, gotta go with LT. Probably the most disruptive player I've ever seen, and that includes Mean Joe, Lambert, Ham, etc.