NFL 100 All-Time Team (1 Viewer)

[Yogibear]

I don't know if anyone's been paying attention, but for the past six weeks, NFL Network has been revealing the NFL 100 All-Time Team.  Well, they just completed the list last night.  And now, without further adieu, here's the NFL 100 All-Time Team, along with the honorable mentions for each position.

Running Backs

Jim Brown

Emmitt Smith

Eric Dckerson

Barry Sanders

O.J. Simpson

Gale Sayers

Earl "Dutch" Clark

Steve Van Buren

Lenny Moore

Walter Payton

Marion Motley

Earl Campbell

Honorable Mentions

Marcus Allen

Jerome Bettis

Tony Dorsett

Marshall Faulk

Harold "Red" Grange

Franco Harris

Hugh McElhenny

Bronko Nagurski

Adrian Peterson

Jim Taylor

Thurman Thomas

LaDainian Tomlinson

Linebackers

Ray Lewis

Derrick Brooks

Junior Seau

**** Butkus

Bobby Bell

Willie Lanier

Lawrence Taylor

Joe Schmidt

Chuck Bednarik

Ted Hendricks

Jack Ham

Jack Lambert

Honorable Mentions

Harry Carson

Bill George

Kevin Greene

Clarke Hinkle

Sam Huff

Luke Kuechly

Von Miller

Ray Nitschke

Dave Robinson

Mike Singletary

Derrick Thomas

Brian Urlacher

Dave Wilcox

Defensive Ends

Doug Atkins

Bruce Smith

Reggie White

Bill Hewitt

Gino Marchetti

Deacon Jones

Lee Roy Selmon

Honorable Mentions

Willie Davis

Carl Eller

Len Ford

Howie Long

Julius Peppers

Andy Robustelli

Michael Strahan

DeMarcus Ware

J.J. Watt

Jack Youngblood

Defensive Tackles

Junious "Buck" Buchanan

John Randle

Joe Greene

Merlin Olsen

Bob Lilly

Randy White

Alan Page

Honorable Mentions

Curley Culp

Art Donovan

Cortez Kennedy

Gene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb

Leo Nomellini

Warren Sapp

Tom Sestak

Ernie Stautner

Bill Willis

Cornerbacks

Deion Sanders

**** "Night Train" Lane

Mike Haynes

Willie Brown

Mel Blount

Rod Woodson

Darrell Green

Honorable Mentions

Herb Adderley

Champ Bailey

Lem Barney

Jimmy E. Johnson

Patrick Peterson

Mel Renfro

Darrelle Revis

Aeneas Williams

Charles Woodson

Safeties

Emlen Tunnell

Larry Wilson

Ken Houston

Ed Reed

Jack Christiansen

Ronnie Lott

Honorable Mentions

Brian Dawkins

Kenny Easley

Paul Krause

Yale Lary

Troy Polamalu

Johnny Robinson

Donnie Shell

Willie Wood

Kickers

Adam Vinatieri

Jan Stenerud

Honorable Mentions

Morten Andersen

Lou Groza

Punters

Ray Guy

Shane Lechler

Honorable Mentions

Yale Lary

Jerrel Wilson

Return Specialists

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson

Devin Hester

Honorable Mentions

Mel Gray

Brian Mitchell

Offensive Tackles

Walter Jones

Jonathan Ogden

Roosevelt Brown

Cal Hubbard

Anthony Munoz

Art Shell

Forrest Gregg

Honorable Mentions

Bob "The Boomer" Brown

Lou Creekmur

Dan Dierdorf

Ron Mix

Orlando Pace

Willie Roaf

Bob St. Clair

Joe Thomas

Ron Yary

Offensive Guards

Larry Allen

Randall McDaniel

Bruce Matthews

Gene Upshaw

John Hannah

Dan Fortmann

Jim Parker

Honorable Mentions

Joe DeLamielleure

Jerry Kramer

Larry Little

Tom Mack

Mike Michalske

Mike Munchak

Will Shields

**** Stanfel

Tight Ends

Tony Gonzalez

Kellen Winslow

John Mackey

Mike Ditka

Rob Gronkowski

Honorable Mentions

Dave Casper

Antonio Gates

Ron Kramer

Ozzie Newsome

Charlie Sanders

Shannon Sharpe

Jason Witten

Centers

Mel Hein

Dwight Stephenson

Mike Webster

Jim Otto

Honorable Mentions

Dermontti Dawson

Jim Langer

Jim Ringo

Mick Tingelhoff

Clyde "Bulldog" Turner

Wide Receivers

Jerry Rice

Randy Moss

Lance Alworth

Paul Warfield

Elroy Hirsch

Don Hutson

Raymond Berry

Larry Fitzgerald

Steve Largent

Marvin Harrison

Honorable Mentions

Fred Biletnikoff

Cris Carter

Tom Fears

Bob Hayes

Michael Irvin

Calvin Johnson

Charlie Joiner

Dante Lavelli

James Lofton

Don Maynard

Terrell Owens

Pete Pihos

John Stallworth

Charley Taylor

Quarterbacks

Tom Brady

Brett Favre

Peyton Manning

Joe Montana

Sammy Baugh

Otto Graham

Johnny Unitas

Roger Staubach

John Elway

Dan Marino

Honorable Mentions

Troy Aikman

Terry Bradshaw

Drew Brees

Dan Fouts

Bobby Layne

Sid Luckman

Joe Namath

Aaron Rodgers

Bart Starr

Fran Tarkenton

Norm Van Brocklin

Steve Young

Coaches

Paul Brown

Bill Belichick

Chuck Noll

Joe Gibbs

George Halas

Tom Landry

Curly Lambeau

Vince Lombardi

Don Shula

Bill Walsh

Honorable Mentions

Guy Chamberlin

Tony Dungy

Weeb Ewbank

Sid Gillman

Bud Grant

Marv Levy

John Madden

Steve Owen

Bill Parcells

Fritz Pollard

 

[Cowboysfan8]

That’s a lot to take in

Singletary as an honorable mention instead of an all timer at LB seems odd

 

[Ghost Rider]

I don't necessarily disagree with his inclusion, but I was surprised to see Favre make it.  I think many have forgotten how great he was at his peak, but it's clear the voters on this did not.  I would have put in Brees or Steve Young above him, but I am fine with it. 

 

[Koya]

I don't necessarily disagree with his inclusion, but I was surprised to see Favre make it.  I think many have forgotten how great he was at his peak, but it's clear the voters on this did not.  I would have put in Brees or Steve Young above him, but I am fine with it. 

Just posted in the all time QB thread that I'd put Bradshaw in, Brees next, Favre behind both. Just threw away too many games to be top 10, imo.

 

[Koya]

First blush snubs imo (I've watched all the episodes, except some of the WR one).

Marshall Faulk: The most complete offensive weapon I've ever seen during my lifetime. He was the best player, and the glue, of arguably the most potent offense in history.  Quick, fast, exceptional hands, good blocker, smart, consistent, excellent nose for the endzone.  Had enough longevity, if not enough to compile ala Emmitt.  (He was also simply a better football player and RB than Smith, but I get why Smith is on the list).

In terms of better/more talented/more dangerous RBs I'd only put the following ahead of him:

Jim Brown

Gale Sayers

Maybe Walter Payton, as he played on some atrocious teams and did EVERYthing so well. Barry Sanders was a better "runner" but not a better back.

Mike Singletary: Can't believe he's not on the list. The best interior LB and defensive field general of his entire generation.  I get the sentimentality that put in Seau, but Singletary was a better player (which doesn't mean Jr. wasn't awesome... but Singletary is the best overall interior LB I've seen, perhaps with the exception of Ray Lewis... but those two are above all others I've seen, easily)

Warren Sapp: Hated the guy, still can't stand him.  But again, the best at what he did for a good long period of time.  Perhaps over Green, or Randle. Perhaps is douchebaggery cost him, but Sapp should be there.

WRs: I'd not have put Warfield in, not as a top 10 ever.  Probably go Owens (but I'm torn - top 3 EVER talent, but his destructive behavior literally hurt the teams he played on, and those "losses" or "lost wins" have to count strongly against a player... personally, I'd put Calvin Johnson for his sheer dominance on crap teams. Obviously had little time to compile.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Just posted in the all time QB thread that I'd put Bradshaw in, Brees next, Favre behind both. Just threw away too many games to be top 10, imo.

I view Bradshaw in the same way I do Aikman: a good QB who was not really capable of carrying an average team, but was fortunate to be on a team loaded with stars and got rings as a result.  To the credit of both, they played big when they needed to in the playoffs, but I can't put either in the top 10. 

 

[Koya]

I view Bradshaw in the same way I do Aikman: a good QB who was not really capable of carrying an average team, but was fortunate to be on a team loaded with stars and got rings as a result.  To the credit of both, they played big when they needed to in the playoffs, but I can't put either in the top 10. 

I get that take, but Aikman was already in a different era, where the physical skills meant more because of the growing emphasis on the passing game.  Bradshaw was as much coach as passer, and in that era, the most important player on the decade's greatest dynasty. 

If not him, I put Brees ahead of Favre (and neither Brees nor Bradshaw put the teams in a position to lose as often as Favre)

 

[Fear The Turtle]

Sammy Baugh should've been listed at punter as well as at QB.

 

[Koya]

Sammy Baugh should've been listed at punter as well as at QB.

Don't think they put anyone in more than 1 position. Otherwise, Gale Sayers beats out just about any kick return by a mile.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I get that take, but Aikman was already in a different era, where the physical skills meant more because of the growing emphasis on the passing game.  Bradshaw was as much coach as passer, and in that era, the most important player on the decade's greatest dynasty. 

If not him, I put Brees ahead of Favre (and neither Brees nor Bradshaw put the teams in a position to lose as often as Favre)

Fair point, regarding Bradshaw, but I still can't put him that high.  Maybe it's not fair to penalize him for having such a great team around him, but I've lost count at how many Hall of Famers and Pro Bowlers were on those Steelers teams.  

 

[Koya]

Fair point, regarding Bradshaw, but I still can't put him that high.  Maybe it's not fair to penalize him for having such a great team around him, but I've lost count at how many Hall of Famers and Pro Bowlers were on those Steelers teams.  

I agree... but give Bradshaw the nod over the others (especially on offense) as the most integral part of that machine.  Without his ability to manage that team, make the calls and the throws, there aren't four SBs, neither WR likely makes it (some question as to how great among greats they were as is), and we have a different team for best of the 70's (probably the Cowboys?)

 

[Tau837]

Running Backs

1. Jim Brown
   
2. Emmitt Smith
   
3. Eric Dickerson
   
4. Barry Sanders
   
5. O.J. Simpson
   
6. Gale Sayers
   
7. Earl "Dutch" Clark
   
8. Steve Van Buren
   
9. Lenny Moore
   
10. Walter Payton
    
11. Marion Motley
    
12. Earl Campbell
    

Honorable Mentions

1. Marcus Allen
   
2. Jerome Bettis
   
3. Tony Dorsett
   
4. Marshall Faulk
   
5. Harold "Red" Grange
   
6. Franco Harris
   
7. Hugh McElhenny
   
8. Bronko Nagurski
   
9. Adrian Peterson
   
10. Jim Taylor
    
11. Thurman Thomas
    
12. LaDainian Tomlinson
    

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. Don't know enough about Clark, Van Buren, Moore, Motley, Grange, McElhenny, Nagurski, or Taylor to really comment intelligently on whether or not they deserve their selections among the top 12 or honorable mentions. I will assume the committee got it right on them.
   
2. IMO Faulk is the most deserving guy left out, but I don't necessarily have a problem with him being #13.
   
3. Brown and Payton were the only 2 unanimous selections. I am surprised that Sanders was not unanimous, same for Sayers, and, to a slightly lesser degree, Campbell. That means some voter(s) left those guys out of their top 12. SMH.
   
4. Interesting that they ignored OJ's non-football issues and selected him. Meanwhile, they did not select Terrell Owens. Not exactly the same thing, since Owens' diva issues affected his NFL teams, but still interesting.
   
5. The fact that Bettis was included among the top 24 should be an indicator that the frequent bashing of him as a HOFer is unwarranted.
   

 

[Tau837]

Linebackers

1. Ray Lewis
   
2. Derrick Brooks
   
3. Junior Seau
   
4. **** Butkus
   
5. Bobby Bell
   
6. Willie Lanier
   
7. Lawrence Taylor
   
8. Joe Schmidt
   
9. Chuck Bednarik
   
10. Ted Hendricks
    
11. Jack Ham
    
12. Jack Lambert
    

Honorable Mentions

1. Harry Carson
   
2. Bill George
   
3. Kevin Greene
   
4. Clarke Hinkle
   
5. Sam Huff
   
6. Luke Kuechly
   
7. Von Miller
   
8. Ray Nitschke
   
9. Dave Robinson
   
10. Mike Singletary
    
11. Derrick Thomas
    
12. Brian Urlacher
    
13. Dave Wilcox
    

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. The panel selected 6 OLBs and 6 MLBs/ILBs. It isn't apparent that they tried to represent 4-3 vs. 3-4 schemes evenly, and that is probably fine in a group this small.
   
2. Hard to believe Singletary, Nitschke, and George didn't make the cut. The problem appears to be that the MLB/ILB group was quite a bit stronger than the OLB group. I would take all of those guys over Hendricks, but he is OLB. Very stiff competition here.
   
3. Butkus and Taylor were the only 2 unanimous selections. I am surprised some others like Lambert were not unanimous... but like I said, this is a group with very stiff competition.
   

 

[Koya]

1. The fact that Bettis was included among the top 24 should be an indicator that the frequent bashing of him as a HOFer is unwarranted.
   

I still believe he's overrated. Good back in a great situation.  Curtis Martin should be there ahead of Bettis imo, without even giving the issue much thought. Heck, if Tiki Barber played two more years and got into the Hall, HE might well be ahead of Bettis in terms of overall production and skill (this post fumbling issues... and I can't STAND the whining woe is me Tiki Barber).

 

[Ghost Rider]

The fact that Bettis was included among the top 24 should be an indicator that the frequent bashing of him as a HOFer is unwarranted.

On the bright side, there was no sign of Frank Gore. 

 

[Tau837]

Defensive Ends

1. Doug Atkins
   
2. Bruce Smith
   
3. Reggie White
   
4. Bill Hewitt
   
5. Gino Marchetti
   
6. Deacon Jones
   
7. Lee Roy Selmon
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Willie Davis
   
2. Carl Eller
   
3. Len Ford
   
4. Howie Long
   
5. Julius Peppers
   
6. Andy Robustelli
   
7. Michael Strahan
   
8. DeMarcus Ware
   
9. J.J. Watt
   
10. Jack Youngblood
    

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. Don't know enough about Hewitt or Robustelli to really comment intelligently on whether or not they deserve their selections among the top 12 or honorable mentions. I will assume the committee got it right on them.
   
2. I suspect J.J. Watt would have made it with better health, perhaps displacing Selmon (?).
   
3. Jones and Marchetti were unanimous selections, which is completely deserved IMO. But Reggie White was not unanimous. WTF?!? He is arguably the best defensive player of all time. That means some voter did not include him in the top 7 DEs of all time. IMO that is absurd, and shows that the votes should be made public so the voters can be publicly ridiculed for stupidity where applicable.
   

 

[Tau837]

Will comment on the other position groups later.

 

[rockaction]

There's a lot of nuance in this. Not nuanced: Rob Gronkowski is an instant Hall of Famer and maybe the best ever at the position, and the experts seem to agree. That jumps out at me for some reason.

 

[Ilov80s]

There's a lot of nuance in this. Not nuanced: Rob Gronkowski is an instant Hall of Famer and maybe the best ever at the position, and the experts seem to agree. That jumps out at me for some reason.

I’ve said him, Moss and Calvin were the 3 most important skill players of the last 15-20 years. Their presence just totally alters the entire game plan of every defense. I might have to add Lamar to it now. 

 

[rockaction]

I’ve said him, Moss and Calvin were the 3 most important skill players of the last 15-20 years. Their presence just totally alters the entire game plan of ever my defense. I might have to add Lamar to it now. 

Huh. Interesting. One thing that pops into mind: Gronk and Lamar might be harder to adjust for than Moss and Calvin because they come out of positions defenses aren't naturally used to adjusting personnel so greatly to have to stop. You can always at least to attempt to bracket Moss and Calvin with defensive back personnel that are accustomed to that sort of thing. Trying to double Gronk or spy Jackson just becomes a headache at a different level. It tilts the defense in a way the greatness of those receivers don't.

But that's sort of my own warblings. YMMV. 

 

[Koya]

Huh. Interesting. One thing that pops into mind: Gronk and Lamar might be harder to adjust for than Moss and Calvin because they come out of positions defenses aren't naturally used to adjusting personnel so greatly to have to stop. You can always at least to attempt to bracket Moss and Calvin with defensive back personnel that are accustomed to that sort of thing. Trying to double Gronk or spy Jackson just becomes a headache at a different level. It tilts the defense in a way the greatness of those receivers don't.

But that's sort of my own warblings. YMMV. 

Lamar obviously has a LONG ways to go to even be considered for these types of lists, but in terms of "just one game in his prime" the fact that he's a QB that brings so much mayhem makes it all the more difficult to defend.  We've seen bigger, more athletic tight ends, especially in the passing game.  We've seen some bigger, more athletic DBs to counter that.  You can put two guys or focus a defense on a TE, even Gronk... but shoot, with Lamar, you literally don't have someone fast enough to even be a spy (and many believe such a defense is a significant disadvantage). 

 

[JetMaxx]

Is there a way to rewatch the episodes?

 

[Koya]

Is there a way to rewatch the episodes?

I know they are "on demand" via Sling, not sure about other services. Qbs might not yet be available for a few days, not sure.

 

[Tau837]

Defensive Tackles

1. Junious "Buck" Buchanan
   
2. John Randle
   
3. Joe Greene
   
4. Merlin Olsen
   
5. Bob Lilly
   
6. Randy White
   
7. Alan Page
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Curley Culp
   
2. Art Donovan
   
3. Cortez Kennedy
   
4. Gene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb
   
5. Leo Nomellini
   
6. Warren Sapp
   
7. Tom Sestak
   
8. Ernie Stautner
   
9. Bill Willis
   

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. Pretty surprised Sapp didn't make it... but I'm not sure he deserved to bump any of the 7 who did.
   
2. Page and Lilly were the only 2 unanimous selections. I am surprised that Greene was not unanimous.
   

 

[Tau837]

Cornerbacks

1. Deion Sanders
   
2. **** "Night Train" Lane
   
3. Mike Haynes
   
4. Willie Brown
   
5. Mel Blount
   
6. Rod Woodson
   
7. Darrell Green
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Herb Adderley
   
2. Champ Bailey
   
3. Lem Barney
   
4. Jimmy E. Johnson
   
5. Patrick Peterson
   
6. Mel Renfro
   
7. Darrelle Revis
   
8. Aeneas Williams
   
9. Charles Woodson
   

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. Extremely surprised that Green made it over several of the others, especially Bailey, Revis, and Woodson (in no particular order). Green is a deserving HOFer but IMO is generally overrated. He was selected 1st team All Pro just 1 time. IMO his resume just does not measure up to some of the others.
   
2. Blount, Haynes, and Lane were unanimous selections. I am surprised Haynes was unanimous. If he was unanimous, both Deion and Blount deserved to be IMO.
   

 

[Tau837]

Safeties

1. Emlen Tunnell
   
2. Larry Wilson
   
3. Ken Houston
   
4. Ed Reed
   
5. Jack Christiansen
   
6. Ronnie Lott
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Brian Dawkins
   
2. Kenny Easley
   
3. Paul Krause
   
4. Yale Lary
   
5. Troy Polamalu
   
6. Johnny Robinson
   
7. Donnie Shell
   
8. Willie Wood
   

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. No real issues with these groups. Very pleased to see Easley recognized.
   
2. Lott was the only unanimous selection. He deserved that. Surprised none of the others were unanimous, especially Reed.
   

 

[Tau837]

Kickers

1. Adam Vinatieri
   
2. Jan Stenerud
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Morten Andersen
   
2. Lou Groza
   

Punters

1. Ray Guy
   
2. Shane Lechler
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Yale Lary
   
2. Jerrel Wilson
   

Return Specialists

1. Billy "White Shoes" Johnson
   
2. Devin Hester
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Mel Gray
   
2. Brian Mitchell
   

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. I think it is really unfortunate that the NFL chose to allocate 6 of their top 100 spots to special teams players. I would have allocated zero. But if they felt it absolutely necessary, they should have limited it to 2 players -- a single PK and a single P. They already chose Gale Sayers for their team, and he is the best returner of all time, so no need to waste additional spots on that. Meanwhile, they left out guys like Mike Singletary, Warren Sapp, Terrell Owens, etc. SMH.
   
2. Disappointed this voting group fell for the Ray Guy reputation. He is completely overrated and IMO should not be in the HOF.
   

 

[Tau837]

Offensive Tackles

1. Walter Jones
   
2. Jonathan Ogden
   
3. Roosevelt Brown
   
4. Cal Hubbard
   
5. Anthony Munoz
   
6. Art Shell
   
7. Forrest Gregg
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Bob "The Boomer" Brown
   
2. Lou Creekmur
   
3. Dan Dierdorf
   
4. Ron Mix
   
5. Orlando Pace
   
6. Willie Roaf
   
7. Bob St. Clair
   
8. Joe Thomas
   
9. Ron Yary
   

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. Really surprised Ron Mix was not among the top 7. He was 1st team All Pro his first 9 seasons in the league.
   
2. Not sure I get why Walter Jones would make it when Orlando Pace did not. What separates them? Jones had 1 more 1st team All Pro selection, but Pace was a key member of one of the greatest offenses of all time and helped that team win a Super Bowl. For that matter, I'm not sure why Jones made it over Joe Thomas.
   

 

[Mr. Mojo]

The one I agreed with most was the Quarterbacks. I think they nailed that one.

And I've always thought that Staubach>>>Aikman and they apparently agreed.

 

[Tau837]

Offensive Guards

1. Larry Allen
   
2. Randall McDaniel
   
3. Bruce Matthews
   
4. Gene Upshaw
   
5. John Hannah
   
6. Dan Fortmann
   
7. Jim Parker
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Joe DeLamielleure
   
2. Jerry Kramer
   
3. Larry Little
   
4. Tom Mack
   
5. Mike Michalske
   
6. Mike Munchak
   
7. Will Shields
   
8. **** Stanfel
   

Converted to lists to condense the quote. No issues with these groups, though admittedly I don't know a lot about some of the older players.

 

[Tau837]

Tight Ends

1. Tony Gonzalez
   
2. Kellen Winslow
   
3. John Mackey
   
4. Mike Ditka
   
5. Rob Gronkowski
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Dave Casper
   
2. Antonio Gates
   
3. Ron Kramer
   
4. Ozzie Newsome
   
5. Charlie Sanders
   
6. Shannon Sharpe
   
7. Jason Witten
   

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. IMO it is a travesty that Gates didn't make it. He is more deserving than Winslow (and arguably also Gronk), but obviously they did not want to overrepresent the past 25 years.
   
2. I would have also had Casper in ahead of Ditka or Gronk.
   
3. Mackey was the only unanimous selection. Meaning someone actually did not include Tony Gonzalez in their top 5 TEs of all time. SMH.
   

Rob Gronkowski is an instant Hall of Famer and maybe the best ever at the position, and the experts seem to agree. That jumps out at me for some reason.

That is a really difficult thing to evaluate. Gronk played 131 games, including postseason games. Let's say he played at the highest level of any TE ever. But Tony Gonzalez played in 311 games. Even though he didn't play at Gronk's level, he was one of the few best to ever play the position... and he did that for 180 more games than Gronk did... that is more than 11 seasons' worth of games. Longevity of play at a high level has a lot of value. It seems to me that more than counters the higher peak value Gronk provided.

 

[Tau837]

Centers

1. Mel Hein
   
2. Dwight Stephenson
   
3. Mike Webster
   
4. Jim Otto
   

Honorable Mentions

1. Dermontti Dawson
   
2. Jim Langer
   
3. Jim Ringo
   
4. Mick Tingelhoff
   
5. Clyde "Bulldog" Turner
   

Converted to lists to condense the quote. No issues with these groups.

 

[Tau837]

Wide Receivers

1. Jerry Rice
   
2. Randy Moss
   
3. Lance Alworth
   
4. Paul Warfield
   
5. Elroy Hirsch
   
6. Don Hutson
   
7. Raymond Berry
   
8. Larry Fitzgerald
   
9. Steve Largent
   
10. Marvin Harrison
    

Honorable Mentions

1. Fred Biletnikoff
   
2. Cris Carter
   
3. Tom Fears
   
4. Bob Hayes
   
5. Michael Irvin
   
6. Calvin Johnson
   
7. Charlie Joiner
   
8. Dante Lavelli
   
9. James Lofton
   
10. Don Maynard
    
11. Terrell Owens
    
12. Pete Pihos
    
13. John Stallworth
    
14. Charley Taylor
    

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. Even though I don't like him at all, Owens looks like an obvious snub here. I would have selected him over Fitzgerald.
   
2. Very pleased to see Largent and Alworth selected. Both are very deserving.
   
3. Rice, Hutson, and Berry were unanimous selections. Seems about right.
   

 

[Tau837]

Quarterbacks

1. Tom Brady
   
2. Brett Favre
   
3. Peyton Manning
   
4. Joe Montana
   
5. Sammy Baugh
   
6. Otto Graham
   
7. Johnny Unitas
   
8. Roger Staubach
   
9. John Elway
   
10. Dan Marino
    

Honorable Mentions

1. Troy Aikman
   
2. Terry Bradshaw
   
3. Drew Brees
   
4. Dan Fouts
   
5. Bobby Layne
   
6. Sid Luckman
   
7. Joe Namath
   
8. Aaron Rodgers
   
9. Bart Starr
   
10. Fran Tarkenton
    
11. Norm Van Brocklin
    
12. Steve Young
    

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. Very difficult to choose 10. Obviously, the voters were attempting to spread selections over different generations of players, which is why some of the best QBs ever, like Brees and Young, only got honorable mention.
   
2. Surprised Baugh made it over Luckman. I would have expected it to go the other way. (And choose Baugh for the stupid punter position since it was required...)
   
3. Brady, Montana, Unitas, and Graham were unanimous selections. IMO Graham tends to be a bit overrated, but for that reason I'm not surprised he was unanimous, and the other 3 all clearly deserved it. I'm a bit surprised Peyton was not unanimous.
   

 

[Tau837]

Coaches

1. Paul Brown
   
2. Bill Belichick
   
3. Chuck Noll
   
4. Joe Gibbs
   
5. George Halas
   
6. Tom Landry
   
7. Curly Lambeau
   
8. Vince Lombardi
   
9. Don Shula
   
10. Bill Walsh
    

Honorable Mentions

1. Guy Chamberlin
   
2. Tony Dungy
   
3. Weeb Ewbank
   
4. Sid Gillman
   
5. Bud Grant
   
6. Marv Levy
   
7. John Madden
   
8. Steve Owen
   
9. Bill Parcells
   
10. Fritz Pollard
    

Converted to lists to condense the quote. Comments:

1. IMO the top 10 is the right group, though admittedly, I don't know much about Chamberlin, Owen, or Pollard.
   
2. The fact that Dungy is in the honorable mention group suggests to me that political correctness was a factor in the voting, and he made it in part because of his race. I think that is disappointing if true. I certainly do not think of him as one of the top 20 coaches of all time.
   

 

[Tau837]

Here are the position totals:

Offense (55)

• QB - 10
  
• RB - 12
  
• WR - 10
  
• TE - 5
  
• T - 7
  
• G - 7
  
• C - 4
  

Defense (39)

• DT - 7
  
• DE - 7
  
• LB - 12
  
• CB - 7
  
• S - 6
  

Special Teams (6)

• PK - 2
  
• P - 2
  
• Returner - 2
  

Obviously the NFL has evolved into an offense first league, as can be seen by the rules and salary allocations. But I wish they had been more balanced. They should have had just 1 PK and 1 P, and 0 dedicated returner positions. Add those 4 positions to defense, and I would expect guys like Sapp, Singletary, and another 1-2 CBs to have made it. That would still leave it as 55-43 in favor of the offense.

All that said, overall I think they got it mostly right, and it was entertaining.

 

[Ghost Rider]

That is a really difficult thing to evaluate. Gronk played 131 games, including postseason games. Let's say he played at the highest level of any TE ever. But Tony Gonzalez played in 311 games. Even though he didn't play at Gronk's level, he was one of the few best to ever play the position... and he did that for 180 more games than Gronk did... that is more than 11 seasons' worth of games. Longevity of play at a high level has a lot of value. It seems to me that more than counters the higher peak value Gronk provided.

Agreed.  Gronk's 2011 season was probably the best season any TE ever had, but Gonzalez is the best TE ever by a comfortable margin.  Heck, just comparing the two alone: 

TD catches:
Gonzalez 11
Gronk 79

Receiving yards:
Gonzalez 15,127
Gronk 7,861

All-Pro 1st Team:
Gonzalez 6
Gronk 4

Catches:
Gonzalez 1,325
Gronk 521

Durability:
Gonzalez - missed two games in 17 seasons (WOW)
Gronk - missed 29 games in 9 seasons

It really isn't close. 

 

[Anarchy99]

PFR recently came out with a HOF evaluation tool. LINK
I will save people the trouble and will post the scores / rankings for the players on the Top 100 List, broken down by position.
Bear in mind the tool only includes players from the past 65 years, not all 100 years.

Average score for a HOF RB = 99

Running Backs
Jim Brown - 179.63 (2)
Emmitt Smith - 138,78 (4)
Eric Dickerson - 116.83 (7)
Barry Sanders - 154.08 (3)
O.J. Simpson - 129.92 (5)
Gale Sayers - 95.50 (12)
Earl "Dutch" Clark - NA
Steve Van Buren - NA
Lenny Moore - 108.33 (8)
Walter Payton - 184.39 (1)
Marion Motley - NA
Earl Campbell - 93.93 (13)

Honorable Mentions
Marcus Allen - 83.65 (18)
Jerome Bettis - 58.38 (29)
Tony Dorsett - 65.74 (22)
Marshall Faulk - 101.61 (9)
Harold "Red" Grange - NA
Franco Harris - 86.74 (17)
Hugh McElhenny - NA
Bronko Nagurski - NA
Adrian Peterson - 81.35 (19)
Jim Taylor - 97.88 (11)
Thurman Thomas - 89.49 (15)
LaDainian Tomlinson - 119.32 (6)

Other HOF RB:
Terrell Davis - 99.68 (10)
Leroy Kelly - 86.85 (16)
Paul Hornung - 76.58 (21)
John Riggins - 63.63 (23)
Curtis Martin - 60.43 (27)
Larry Csonka - 50.25 (35)
Flloyd Litte - 38,75 (67)

Other RB:
Edgerrin James - 93.72 (14)
Roger Craig - 77.43 (20)
Shaun Alexander - 63.00 (24)
Ricky Watters - 61.62 (25)
Larry Brown - 61.13 (26)
John David Crow - 59.40 (28)
Priest Holmes - 56.30 (30)
Tiki Barber - 54.22 (31)
Frank Gore - 53.76 (32)
LeSean McCoy - 52.24 (33)
Jamal Lewis - 51.93 (34)
Marshawn Lynch - 49.41 (38)

 

[kyoun1e]

Agreed.  Gronk's 2011 season was probably the best season any TE ever had, but Gonzalez is the best TE ever by a comfortable margin.  Heck, just comparing the two alone: 

TD catches:
Gonzalez 11
Gronk 79

Receiving yards:
Gonzalez 15,127
Gronk 7,861

All-Pro 1st Team:
Gonzalez 6
Gronk 4

Catches:
Gonzalez 1,325
Gronk 521

Durability:
Gonzalez - missed two games in 17 seasons (WOW)
Gronk - missed 29 games in 9 seasons

It really isn't close. 

Gronk was a superior blocker. No stats there. 

 

[Anarchy99]

Average score of a HOF ILB = 114
Average score of a HOF OLB = 104

Linebackers
Ray Lewis - 195.43 (ILB - 1)
Derrick Brooks - 164.15 (OLB - 2)
Junior Seau - 118.75 (OLB - 5)
**** Butkus - 133.68 (ILB - 4)
Bobby Bell - 108.10 (OLB - 7)
Willie Lanier - 61.78 (ILB - 18)
Lawrence Taylor - 210.43 (OLB - 1)
Joe Schmidt - NA
Chuck Bednarik - NA
Ted Hendricks - 133.53 (OLB - 4)
Jack Ham - 141.98 (OLB - 3)
Jack Lambert - 149.00 (ILB - 3)

Honorable Mentions
Harry Carson - 61.23 (ILB - 19)
Bill George - NA
Kevin Greene - 86.23 (OLB - 10)
Clarke Hinkle - NA
Sam Huff - 70.93 (ILB - 12)
Luke Kuechly - 72.75 (ILB - 10)
Von Miller - 68.30 (OLB - 19)
Ray Nitschke - 88.38 (ILB - 9)
Dave Robinson - 78.55 (OLB - 12)
Mike Singletary - 171.00 (ILB - 2)
Derrick Thomas - 97.85 (OLB -  #8)
Brian Urlacher - 113.98 (ILB - 5)
Dave Wilcox - 49.40 (OLB - 40)

Other HOF LB:
Nick Buoniconti - 95.05 (ILB - 7)
Ricky Jackson - 70.30 (OLB - 17)
Chris Hanburger - 69.20 (OLB - 18)
Andre Tippett - 66.23 (OLB - 21)
Robert Brazille - 59.93 (OLB - 26)

Other LB:
Zach Thomas - 111.70 (ILB - 6)
Chuck Howley - 96.28 (OLB - 9)
Patrick Willis - 89.60 (ILB -  #8)
Terrell Suggs - 85.20 (OLB - 11)
James Harrison - 75.35 (OLB - 13)
Randy Gradishar - 71.08 (ILB - 11)
NaVorro Bowman - 68.55 (ILB - 13)
Bobby Wagner - 63.53 (ILB - 16)
Khalil Mack - 54.88 (OLB - 29)
Clay Matthews - 54.75 (OLB - 30)

 

[Anarchy99]

Average score of a HOF DE = 100

Defensive Ends
Doug Atkins - NA
Bruce Smith - 196.35 (2)
Reggie White - 223.63 (1)
Bill Hewitt - NA
Gino Marchetti - NA
Deacon Jones - 117.35 (6)
Lee Roy Selmon - 68.18 (20)

Honorable Mentions
Willie Davis - 127.10 (3)
Carl Eller - 105.70 (7)
Len Ford - NA
Howie Long - 91.70 (12)
Julius Peppers - 94.75 (11)
Andy Robustelli - NA
Michael Strahan - 121.13 (5)
DeMarcus Ware  - 113.88 (Listed as OLB - 6, would have been DE - 7)
J.J. Watt - 102.83 (8)
Jack Youngblood - 123.10 (4)

Other HOF DE:
Jason Taylor - 95.88 (10)
Dan Hampton - 85.85 (14)
Chris Doleman - 82.55 (16)
Charles Haley - 64.25 (21)
Richard Dent - 61.25 (22)
Claude Humphrey - 47.53 (40)
Fred Dean - 44.35 (43)
Elvin Bethea - 39.45 (62)

Other DE:
Richard Seymour - 96.15 (9)
Jared Allen - 90.00 (13)
Dwight Freeney - 84.50 (15)

 

[Anarchy99]

Average score of a HOF DT = 119

DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Junious "Buck" Buchanan - 61.65 (17)
John Randle - 128.60 (7)
Joe Greene - 134.95 (5)
Merlin Olsen - 146.98 (3)
Bob Lilly - 164.85 (1)
Randy White - 140.95 (4)
Alan Page - 153.50 (2)

Honorable Mentions
Curley Culp - 49.03 (32)
Art Donovan - NA
Cortez Kennedy - 103.93 (8)
Gene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb - NA
Leo Nomellini - NA
Warren Sapp - 128.73 (6)
Tom Sestak - 61.70 (16)
Ernie Stautner - NA
Bill Willis - NA

Other HOF DT:
Henry Jordan - 100.33 (10)

Other DT:
Kevin Williams - 103.28 (9)
Alex Karras - 80.05 (11)
Aaron Donald - 76.15 (12)
Haloti Ngata - 65.70 (13)
Vince Wilfork - 59.35 (19)
Ndamukong Suh - 53.93 (28)

 

[IHEARTFF]

Cortez 

 

[Anarchy99]

Cortez 

Typo. Should have been 103 not 203.

 

[IHEARTFF]

Typo. Should have been 103 not 203.

That makes more sense. Carry on with this good info. 

 

[Anarchy99]

Average score of a HOF DB = 103

CORNERBACKS
Deion Sanders - 164.40 (DB - 2)
**** "Night Train" Lane - NA
Mike Haynes - 97.88 (DB - 16)
Willie Brown - 100.3 (DB - 15)
Mel Blount - 111.98 (DB - 11)
Rod Woodson - 176.28 (DB - 1)
Darrell Green - 79.00 (DB - 29)

Honorable Mentions
Herb Adderley - 132.63 (DB - 5)
Champ Bailey - 104.55 (DB - 14)
Lem Barney - 90.28 (DB - 21)
Jimmy E. Johnson - 89.80 (DB - 23)
Patrick Peterson - 58.53 (DB - 48)
Mel Renfro - 71.30 (DB - 35)
Darrelle Revis - 92.28 (DB - 18)
Aeneas Williams - 80.95 (DB - 27)
Charles Woodson - 122.00 (DB -  #8 )

SAFETIES
Emlen Tunnell - NA
Larry Wilson - 125.55 (DB - 7)
Ken Houston - 89.93 (DB - 22)
Ed Reed - 150.40 (DB - 4)
Jack Christiansen - NA
Ronnie Lott - 163.60 (DB - 3)

Honorable Mentions
Brian Dawkins - 96.18 (DB - 17)
Kenny Easley - 105.15 (DB - 13)
Paul Krause - 89.10 (DB - 24)
Yale Lary - NA
Troy Polamalu - 121.23 (DB - 9)
Johnny Robinson - 91.23 (DB - 19)
Donnie Shell - 71.18 (DB - 36)
Willie Wood - 130.63 (DB - 6)

Other HOF DB:
Ty Law - 72.63 (DB - 34)
Roger Wehrli - 66.65 (DB - 39)

Other DB:
LeRoy Butler - 113.78 (DB - 10)
Steve Atwater - 90.63 (DB - 20)
Cliff Harris - 84.85 (DB - 25)
Ronde Barber - 83.58 (DB - 26)
John Lynch - 70.80 (DB - 37)

 

[Anarchy99]

Average score of a HOF OT = 103

OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Walter Jones - 119.35 (5)
Jonathan Ogden - 125.08 (3)
Roosevelt Brown - NA
Cal Hubbard - NA
Anthony Munoz - 152.88 (1)
Art Shell - 89.63 (13)
Forrest Gregg - 137.40 (2)

Honorable Mentions
Bob "The Boomer" Brown - 107.60 (7)
Lou Creekmur - NA
Dan Dierdorf - 62.55 (24)
Ron Mix - 89.95 (12)
Orlando Pace - 81.83 (16)
Willie Roaf - 112.70 (6)
Bob St. Clair - NA
Joe Thomas - 94.18 (11)
Ron Yary - 106.28 (#8 )

Other HOF OT:
Jim Parker - 121.13 (4)
Gary Zimmerman - 104.93 (9)
Rayfield Wright - 86.73 (14)
Jackie Slater - 51.53 (30)

Other OT:
Tony Boselli - 84.33 (15)
Matt Light - 57.48 (27)

 

[Anarchy99]

Average score of a HOF OG = 104

OFFENSIVE GUARDS
Larry Allen - 127.58 (5)
Randall McDaniel - 142.30 (3)
Bruce Matthews - 153.23 (1)
Gene Upshaw - 112.83 (9)
John Hannah - 143.85 (2)
Dan Fortmann - NA
Jim Parker - 121.13 (Listed as OT - 4)

Honorable Mentions
Joe DeLamielleure - 82.25 (14)
Jerry Kramer - 115.18 (8)
Larry Little - 121.23 (6)
Tom Mack - 61.25 (22)
Mike Michalske - NA
Mike Munchak - 71.73 (16)
Will Shields - 87.08 (11)
**** Stanfel - NA

Other HOF OG:
Gene Hickerson - 86.25 (12)
Russ Grimm - 82.58 (13)
Billy Shaw - 69.70 (17)

Other OG:
Alan Faneca - 141.43 (4)
Jahri Evans - 101.63 (10)
Steve Wiesniewski - 76.28 (15)

 

[Anarchy99]

Average score of a HOF TE = 93

TIGHT ENDS
Tony Gonzalez - 175.74 (1)
Kellen Winslow - 112.61 (2)
John Mackey - 79.61 (8)
Mike Ditka - 56.61 (13)
Rob Gronkowski - 86.48 (7)

Honorable Mentions
Dave Casper - 106.91 (3)
Antonio Gates - 101.13 (5)
Ron Kramer - 25.20 (listed as WR - 178)
Ozzie Newsome - 69.55 (9)
Charlie Sanders - 61.21 (12)
Shannon Sharpe - 106.53 (4)
Jason Witten - 89.90 (6)

Other HOF TE:
Jackie Smith - 66.52 (10)

 

[Anarchy99]

Average score of a HOF C = 106

CENTERS
Mel Hein - NA
Dwight Stephenson - 107.90 (5)
Mike Webster - 112.03 (3)
Jim Otto - 108.45 (4)

Honorable Mentions
Dermontti Dawson - 124.13 (1)
Jim Langer - 117.50 (2)
Jim Ringo - NA
Mick Tingelhoff - 72.28 (8)
Clyde "Bulldog" Turner - NA

Other HOF Centers:
Kevin Mawae - 98.00 (6)

Other Centers:
Jeff Saturday 74.03