Poll} The Greatest Defensive Player In History ?...

[Thruthefog]

I love Champ, he's a damn good Dawg and he was a truly great player.

Yep. And it figures. We'd end up with Boss.

 

[darken65]

Too hard for me to figure out. Even by position there can be debates. Years that they played can be an issue ,for instant could Deacon be a major player today?

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Too hard for me to figure out. Even by position there can be debates. Years that they played can be an issue ,for instant could Deacon be a major player today?

Not with the new rules, but in his day he scared the shit out the guy playing across from him.

 

[darken65]

Not with the new rules, but in his day he scared the shit out the guy playing across from him.

So true. He would have to figure out how to be legal in todays NFL.

 

[rtfgbfan]

I voted for LT because he basically created the role of a pass-rushing OLB 20+ years before that became a common use for the position.

Reggie was 1a because Deacon was sacking quarterbacks before the NFL tracked the stat.

 

[rtfgbfan]

As a side note, if I could add a name to this list it would be Dick ""Night Train" Lane.

 

[USCDoom]

I have thought about this.

There is only One Correct Answer. Mean Joe Greene.

The 4-3 Tilted Nose Defense can only be effectively run if Mean Joe Greene is playing. No Other Defender in NFL History can do this. Add to the Fact 4 Super Bowls Behind said Defense, and no other answer is Correct.

While LT can say the same, how many people came after him and did the same thing (from a Defensive Concept Standpoint). Teams had to scrap the Tilted Nose because there were no more Mean Joe, not even Wannbe Mean Joes.

The Only Player that has come close is Warren Sapp and he was Far, Far, behind Mean Joe.

 

[USCDoom]

I voted for LT because he basically created the role of a pass-rushing OLB 20+ years before that became a common use for the position.

Reggie was 1a because Deacon was sacking quarterbacks before the NFL tracked the stat.

Would it not be More Impressive to create a Role No Other Player in 40 years has been able to Fill like Mean Joe?

 

[BallsOfFurry]

Not with the new rules, but in his day he scared the shit out the guy playing across from him.

Jones had the size, quickness, length and motor to be successful today. He couldn't use the head slap, but I expect he'd be very good.
There still hasn't been another player like Reggie White, he'd be every bit as dominant today.

 

[The Oldtimer]

Too hard for me to figure out. Even by position there can be debates. Years that they played can be an issue ,for instant could Deacon be a major player today?

If the NFL would allow the Headslap" today, then Deacon Jones would have been great today.

 

[The Oldtimer]

As a side note, if I could add a name to this list it would be Dick ""Night Train" Lane.

I'm old enough to have seen Dick "Night Train" Lane play. The guy was great in his day.

 

[rtfgbfan]

Would it not be More Impressive to create a Role No Other Player in 40 years has been able to Fill like Mean Joe?

Mean Joe was the centerpiece and leader of the greatest defensive dynasty in pro football history. Of course that is a valid argument. But as you said there have been no more Joe Greenes to talk about. Im just working with what I have

 

[Nosferatu]

Lester Hayes

 

[rtfgbfan]

I'm old enough to have seen Dick "Night Train" Lane play. The guy was great in his day.

From what I've seen, Night Train was Deion and Mel Blount combined. A thumper and playmaker in the same package. I'm too young to have seen him though.

 

[Nosferatu]

Jack Youngblood should be on the list.

Jack Lambert should be on over Mike Singletary.

Alan Page > Joe Greene

 

[rtfgbfan]

Jack Youngblood should be on the list.

Jack Lambert should be on over Mike Singletary.

Alan Page > Joe Greene

Joe Greene could lose 3 rings and still have more than Page.

Just busting your balls man, Page is an all-time great

 

[cdumler7]

As much as it pains me to say this, Champ Bailey is the greatest defensive player to play the game of football.

Very underrated player for sure. His 2006 season should go down as one of the best performances by a CB ever. I think if I remember right he had more interceptions than actual catches given up that year. Throw in during his time he was one of the best tackling CB's in the league. Even with teams not throwing at him that season he still contributed 86 tackles which is unheard of for most CB's.

 

[BallsOfFurry]

Jack Youngblood should be on the list.

Jack Lambert should be on over Mike Singletary.

Alan Page > Joe Greene

I came closer to putting Merlin Olsen and Jack Ham on the list than Lambert and Youngblood.
Olsen would be one of my 11 starters, he'd anchor my DL.

 

[BallsOfFurry]

I'm old enough to have seen Dick "Night Train" Lane play. The guy was great in his day.

He'd have to play without using his signature clothesline tackles.

 

[The Oldtimer]

He'd have to play without using his signature clothesline tackles.

Yes he would.