Today’s post is the third in a 4-part series that is entirely a re-post from friend of the program Bryan Frye’s site. It is, of course, being republished with his permission and encouragement (as your author takes a small vacation). As regular readers know, Bryan’s fantastic site is always worth a read. You can view all of Bryan’s guest posts here, and follow him on twitter @LaverneusDingle. What follows are the GridFe’s words, with no editing from Chase.
Hall of Fame Defensive Ends
The ideal defensive ends are immovable objects against the run and unstoppable forces against the pass. In reality, the best ends tend to be great at one or the other, or good at both, with a few extraordinary exceptions. As a committee, we strove to recognize those defenders who had few holes in their game, and we had an implicit preference for the guys who excelled in both areas. However, we recognize the importance of the pass relative to the run, and we honor those who excelled in that area more willingly than we honor pure run stuffers. Ultimately, the committee voted in eleven defensive ends, with eight others receiving votes.48 This is a much wider range of disagreement than any other position and demonstrates, perhaps, a wider array of philosophical preferences among voters. Moving forward I suspect the emphasis on pass rushers will be even greater.
Len Ford (1948-1958)
Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Dons, Green Bay Packers
5 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 4 Pro Bowls49; 3 Title Wins; 4 Title Losses; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 6 GridFe Deacon Awards (2 AAFC/4 NFL)
An athletic marvel among contemporaries, Ford excelled on both offense and defense for the Los Angeles Dons in the AAFC. He went to Cleveland after the merger, where Paul Brown had him focus solely on defense. Ford quickly became the best player on one of the great defensive dynasties in history.50 Many speculate that Brown created an early version of the 4-3 defense specifically to get the lightning fast lineman closer to the line of scrimmage and take advantage of his ability to devastate passing attacks.
Gino Marchetti (1952-1966)
Baltimore Colts, Dallas Texans
1 MVP; 9 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 11 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 3 GridFe Deacon Awards
Marchetti was the first superstar pass rusher to fit the archetype of a modern defensive end. He was a technical marvel who employed a host of or moves and counter moves designed to beat offensive linemen and take down opposing quarterbacks. Researcher John Turney estimates Marchetti had between 110 and 120 sacks in 161 career games, which is especially excellent considering the relative paucity of passing plays teams ran during his career. The Colts star was also so stout against the run that legendary coach Sid Gillman opined that running in the direction of Marchetti was a wasted play.
Willie Davis (1958-1969)
Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns
5 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 5 Pro Bowls; 5 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 3 GridFe Deacon Awards
Davis was a devastating pass rusher and a cornerstone of the dynasty Green Bay defense that earned coach Vince Lombardi five NFL championships. At age 33 and well past his physical prime, Davis turned in perhaps his most notable performance: against a formidable Oakland Raiders offensive line in Super Bowl II, Davis made his way into the backfield to sack quarterback Daryle Lamonica three times.51 Turney estimates that, during his decade in Green Bay, Davis may have topped 120 sacks, including averaging a sack per game from 1963-65.
Deacon Jones (1961-1974)
Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 2 GridFe World Awards; 2 GridFe Godzilla Awards; 2 GridFe Deacon Awards
David “Deacon” Jones may be the most feared defender in the long history of professional football. His infamous head slap maneuver rattled the heads of pass protectors and allowed Jones to collect quarterbacks like trophies. The Deacon had little regard for quarterbacks and coined the term “sack” in reference to the idea of putting them in a bag and beating it with a baseball bat. Although he played his entire career before the stats that he named became official, he unofficially recorded 173.5 sacks in his career – a mark that would rank third all time.52 That includes a five-year stretch (1964-68) in which Jones notched 102.5 sacks in 70 games.
Carl Eller (1964-1979)
Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks
5 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 6 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Losses; 1 GridFe Godzilla Awards; 2 GridFe Deacon Awards
Moose Eller made his mark as a stalwart on the left side of the famed Purple People Eaters defensive line that served as the engine for one of the greatest defensive dynasties in NFL history. With long arms and considerable power, he served as an anchor against the run, holding ground against even the mightiest right tackles of the day. Eller was also an elite pass rusher, posting 133 sacks53 in 225 regular season games, as well as an incredible 10.5 sacks in 19 postseason appearances.
Jack Youngblood (1971-1984)
Los Angeles Rams
5 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 2 GridFe Deacon Awards
Youngblood was never the fastest, the quickest, or the strongest lineman. However, he was intelligent and crafty enough to compensate, and he was durable enough to play as hard at the end of games as he did at the beginning of games. His legendary toughness was on display in the 1979 playoffs when he played all three games, as well as the Pro Bowl, on a fractured left fibula. Youngblood played at a high level for a dozen years, picking up at least eight sacks every full season from 1973-84. He retired with 151.5 sacks, which ranked second in history at the time and remains good enough for sixth on the career list.54
Reggie White (1985-2000)
Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers
10 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 13 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 3 GridFe Godzilla Awards; 4 GridFe Deacon Awards; 1 GridFe Mean Award
The greatest defensive end in history, and arguably the greatest defender ever to play, the Minister of Defense possessed an uncanny combination of physical skill and mental savvy. White was an imposing figure, with rare power and even more impressive functional strength. Despite weighing roughly 280 pounds, he reportedly ran the 40 yard dash in 4.6 seconds; and despite being 6 feet 5 inches tall, he could turn the corner like a speed rusher. His legendary hump move embarrassed countless tackles and enabled him to rack up gaudy sack totals and impressive run stops. He retired with 198 sacks in the NFL, and his 23.5 in the USFL suggest he would own the career record had he taken less money to play in the bigger league. In addition to his well-known prowess as a pass rusher, White was a terror against the run; his 1048 tackles as a defensive lineman are a testament to that.
Bruce Smith (1985-2003)
Buffalo Bills, Washington
9 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 11 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Losses; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 4 GridFe Deacon Awards
Smith retired after an illustrious career that saw him post a record 13 seasons with double-digit sacks on his way to becoming the NFL’s career sack leader. With the exception of Reggie White, no other player has come within 26 sacks of his gaudy total of 200.55 He crafted one of the finest spin moves the game has ever seen, and his prowess as a pass rusher is especially remarkable given the amount of time he played as a 3-4 one gap end. Smith was famously adept against opposing rushing attacks as well, posting well over one thousand tackles in his career.
Michael Strahan (1993-2007)
New York Giants
5 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 7 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 4 GridFe Deacon Awards
Strahan is the rare modern defensive end who boasts impressive sack totals while also playing the run at an elite level. It is no exaggeration to say he is the most well-rounded end of his era, and he is arguably a top five 4-3 end in history. Strahan was a relentless penetrator on the strong side of the line, taking down quarterbacks 141.5 times, including an official record of 22.5 in 2001. While the bulk of contemporary pass rushers relied on the speed rush, he stood out as a sack artist who got the job done with raw power as a young player, before slimming down late in his career and adding speed to his repertoire.
Jason Taylor (1997-2011)
Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Washington
3 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 6 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 3 GridFe Deacon Awards
Taylor was a terrific athlete with an uncommonly slender frame and long, accurate arms that allowed him to maintain separation from blockers. His ability to disengage blockers to attack quarterbacks, combined with his uncanny quickness, allowed him to rack up 139.5 sacks in his career. In addition to playing with his hand in the dirt, Taylor also possessed fluid movement in space and could aptly serve in coverage when called upon. To his sack total, he added eight interceptions, including three touchdown returns.
J.J. Watt (2011-present)
Houston Texans
1 MVP; 4 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 4 Pro Bowls; 3 GridFe World Awards; 3 GridFe Godzilla Awards; 3 GridFe Deacon Awards; 1 GridFe Mean Award
Few defenders can claim that they were ever the very best in the league when they played. From 2012 to 2014, Watt wasn’t just the best defender in the league; he was the most outstanding player at any position. He has been an effective edge rusher as a defensive end, but he is a truly magnificent interior penetrator when he sinks to play defensive tackle in nickel situations. He joins Deacon Jones as the only players with multiple seasons of at least 20 sacks, and his ability to understand when to stop rushing and, instead, focus on batting passes at the line is the stuff of legend. Watt set himself apart as a pass rusher while also making his mark as arguably the best run-stopping defensive end in football, an oft-overlooked aspect of his game.
Hall of Fame Defensive Tackles
Manning the interior line, defensive tackles tend to be the biggest and strongest players on the field. Their lower bodies must simultaneously be powerful enough to anchor against the run and quick enough to bypass blockers. Their arms must be both mighty and precise, in order to disengage linemen to make plays (or occupy linemen to allow others to make the plays). More so than their line mates on the outside, defensive tackles tend to have higher expectations to shut down rushing attacks and lower expectations to disrupt the passing game. Our voters brought their own sets of expectations to the table and, ultimately, settled on nine tackles, with eight more receiving votes.56 As with ends, there was a wide range of disagreement among voters. This is likely on account of both differences in philosophy and scarcity of statistics for the position, especially historically.
Leo Nomellini (1950-1963)
San Francisco 49ers
6 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 10 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 2 GridFe Mean Awards
Leo “The Lion” Nomellini, an Italian immigrant and the San Francisco 49ers’ first-ever draft choice, was a formidable force in the trenches – on either side of the line. He earned four first team all pro selections as one of the finest defensive tackles of his generation, while the other two came as an offensive tackle. Nomellini possessed uncanny natural strength that enabled him to exert his will on opponents through sheer physical domination.
Bob Lilly (1961-1974)
Dallas Cowboys
8 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 11 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 2 GridFe Mean Awards
Affectionately called Mr. Cowboy, Lilly was the first draft pick in Dallas Cowboys history. He didn’t cut an impressive figure or particularly look like a dominant athlete, but his performance on the field was about as good as it gets from an interior lineman. Lilly had the power, quickness, and savvy to beat blockers in a number of ways, and footage shows a man who took up residence in opposing backfields. In the regular season and playoffs combined, the legend racked up 99.5 career sacks and countless other plays for a loss or no gain.
Merlin Olsen (1962-1976)
Los Angeles Rams
1 MVP; 6 First Team All Pros; 4 Second Team All Pros; 14 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe World Award; 2 GridFe Mean Awards
Merlin Olsen was a gentle giant off the field and a force of nature on it. With a hulking frame and rare balance, he was incredibly stout against the run. His nimble feet and shocking punch provided him the ability to get quick penetration and leave blocker reeling. At the same time, Olsen was an unselfish player who was willing to sacrifice in the box score for the benefit of the team. He was adept at taking on double teams to allow other members of the famed Fearsome Foursome to make plays.57
Buck Buchanan (1963-1975)
Kansas City Chiefs
4 First Team All Pros (AFL); 3 Second Team All Pros (2 AFL/1 NFL); 8 Pro Bowls (6 AFL/2 NFL); 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 3 GridFe Mean Awards (AFL)
Standing 6’7″ and topping 270 pounds, Junious “Buck” Buchanan carried a monstrous stature for his era. On top of that, he had speed on par with many linebackers of the day. His exceptional blend of size and athleticism gave coach Hank Stram the force he needed in the middle for his innovative defense to thrive. Along with teammate Curley Culp, Buchanan laid siege to the offensive line of the dominant Vikings in Super Bowl IV and helped usher in a new breed of giant defensive tackles.
Alan Page (1967-1981)
Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears
1 MVP; 5 First Team All Pros; 4 Second Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Losses; 1 GridFe World Award; 2 GridFe Godzilla Awards; 4 GridFe Mean Awards
The honorable Alan Page is very likely the greatest interior pass rusher ever to play football. He finished his career with 148.5 sacks, while playing most of his career in the era of 14-game schedules and low volume passing.58 Page was undersized, even for his era, but he possessed uncanny quickness and intelligence and an innate ability to find the football. He is one of just two defensive players to earn the AP’s MVP award,59 and he was able to play at an all star level while earning his law degree from the University of Minnesota.
Joe Greene (1969-1981)
Pittsburgh Steelers
1 MVP; 5 First Team All Pros; 4 Second Team All Pros; 10 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Wins; 2 GridFe World Awards; 2 GridFe Godzilla Awards; 2 GridFe Mean Awards60
Mean Joe Greene is arguably the best defensive tackle of all time. Brought in by legendary coach Chuck Noll, Greene helped change the losing culture in the Steel City and became the cornerstone of a juggernaut. With incredible raw power, unbridled aggression, and a unique approach to attacking offensive lines, Mean Joe was the primary focus of opposing gameplans and the fulcrum on which the Steel Curtain dynasty pivoted. He lived up to his nickname through his tenacious play between the whistles and his added touch of violence in between plays.
Randy White (1975-1988)
Dallas Cowboys
9 First Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 3 GridFe Mean Awards
Randy White was fairly small for a defensive tackle, but he was nonetheless incredibly athletic for his size. He began his career as a linebacker before transitioning to tackle, and he brought the requisite mobility of a linebacker to the interior line. White played with controlled fury, with every play resembling a bareknuckle brawl that usually left offensive linemen down for the count. He found his way into the backfield for 111 career sacks,61 regularly ran down backs sideline to sideline, and occasionally even ran down receivers. Along with teammate Harvey Martin, White was named the MVP of Super Bowl XII, and he is still the only defensive tackle ever to claim the award.
Cortez Kennedy (1990-2000)
Seattle Seahawks
3 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 2 GridFe Mean Awards
Cortez Kennedy, or Tez to Seahawks fans, was a dynamo in the middle of the Seattle defense. He possessed a rare combination of balance, understanding of leverage, explosiveness at the snap, and lower body strength. Tez is among the great run stuffers in history, using his incredible ability to anchor, diagnose, and disengage to ruin opposing rushing attacks. It is a testament to his production that he was named defensive player of the year in 1992, despite playing for a team that finished the season 2-14. He became the third player ever to win the AP’s award for a team with a losing record.62
Warren Sapp (1995-2007)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders
4 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 1 GridFe Mean Award
Sapp was an excellent pass rusher from the 3-technique position, and his ability to consistently generate interior pressure helped the incredible Tampa defenses work. Despite his large carriage, he had excellent speed63 and a legendary first step that he often used to embarrass guards. He had elite production to match his boorish bravado, knifing through the line to bring down quarterbacks 102 times in the regular and postseason combined.
Hall of Fame Middle Linebackers
For a large portion of NFL history, middle linebackers have been referred to as quarterbacks of the defense, and they are expected to possess the football intelligence to match the title. Mike backers must have the ability to do a little bit of everything: make tackles sideline to sideline, stop runs up the gut, maintain coverage (usually on backs and tight ends), run and pass blitz, and get personnel into position and make necessary adjustments.64 With the wide array of skills needed to play at an elite level – and do so for a long time – few men stood out as no brainers for induction. In the end, we agreed on nine middle linebackers to make the inaugural GridFe Hall of Fame class, with three others receiving votes.65
Chuck Bednarik (1949-1962)
Philadelphia Eagles
9 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 8 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Enforcer Award; 3 GridFe Dobre Shunka Awards
Concrete Charlie could have gone into the Hall of Fame as a linebacker or as a center, given his prowess at both positions. Ultimately, his play on defense stood out more than did his blocking. Bednarik was fast and powerful, and he possessed incredible endurance required of the NFL’s last 60 minute man in an era of specialization and free substitution. On offense, he was an especially talented run blocker66 who also held his own in pass protection. On defense, he quickly diagnosed plays and delivered brutal hits; his 1960 tackle of Frank Gifford nearly ended the back’s career and may be the most famous tackle in the history of the sport.
Bill George (1952-1966)
Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams
8 First Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 3 GridFe Enforcer Awards
Chicago legend Bill George is often recognized as the first player to star as a pure middle linebacker, as well as an inspiration for the 4-3 defense that would eventually dominate the league. While he began his career as a middle guard, a position akin to a modern nose tackle, his cunning and athleticism allowed him to back off the line of scrimmage and become a disruptive presence against opposing passing attacks. George was arguably the best in the NFL at his position for nearly a decade, and he was probably the best defender in football in 1956.
Joe Schmidt (1953-1965)
Detroit Lions
1 MVP; 10 First Team All Pros; 10 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 6 GridFe Enforcer Awards
On a Detroit Lions defensive dynasty full of defensive stars, Schmidt was the man they considered their leader. He earned a first-team all pro selection every season from 1954-63, and he was the defensive captain for nine years. On top of that, players voted him the league’s most valuable defensive player in 1960. While Bill George may have been first to star at MLB, Schmidt took the position to another level. He countered quarterback calls with his own adjustments, saw plays coming with the acumen of a chess master, and is among the finest cover linebackers in history.
Ray Nitschke (1958-1972)
Green Bay Packers
3 First Team All Pros; 4 Second Team All Pros; 1 Pro Bowl; 5 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 3 GridFe Enforcer Awards
Ray Nitschke has a unique profile among legendary linebackers: he’s a top ten middle linebacker who only made one Pro Bowl in his career. Powerful and rugged, Nitschke was a superb run stopper who could also hold his own in coverage when called upon. He picked up a respectable 25 interceptions in his career, and he had several key plays in his five championship victories.67 Nitschke was a natural leader and was, thus, the heart and soul of the great defensive dynasty in Green Bay.
Nick Buoniconti (1962-1976)
Miami Dolphins, Boston Patriots
7 First Team All Pros (AFL); 2 Second Team All Pros (1 AFL/1 NFL); 8 Pro Bowls (6 AFL/2 NFL); 2 Title Wins; 2 Title Losses (1 AFL/1 NFL); 1 GridFe Godzilla Award (AFL); 4 GridFe Enforcer Awards (AFL)
Standing just 5’11” and weighing a meager 220 pounds, what Buoniconti lacked in size, he more than made up for in talent and tenacity. He was the centerpiece of the formidable No-Name Defense that led the Miami Dolphins to three consecutive Super Bowls and the NFL’s only undefeated and untied season. On a roster full of legends, Buoniconti was the one named team MVP three times. He was a terror against the run, and his 32 career interceptions are the most of any middle linebacker in history. Perhaps his most important interception occurred in Super Bowl VII, when his pick and 32 yard return set up Jim Kiick‘s deciding touchdown run.
Dick Butkus (1965-1973)
Chicago Bears
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 5 GridFe Enforcer Awards
Butkus is often called the greatest middle linebacker of all time, and a few minutes of watching any Bears game during his prime is all one needs to know why. He possessed the preternatural diagnostic ability to sniff out plays and be where he needed to be, when he needed to be there. Throwing his body around with reckless abandon, he earned nicknames like “The Animal” and “The Enforcer.” Every tackle was a trainwreck that made running backs contemplate early retirement. Highlight reels of his knockout hits have led to the revisionist idea that he wasn’t strong in coverage, but that notion is outlandish. Butkus was among the finest cover backers of his era.
Jack Lambert (1974-1984)
Pittsburgh Steelers
8 First Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Wins; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 5 GridFe Enforcer Awards
The fierce Lambert was an imposing figure who loved lining up right in front of quarterbacks prior to the snap in order to strike fear into their hearts. Despite his legacy of intimidation, it was his ability to both gracefully navigate traffic to make plays on ball carriers and swiftly drop into coverage that stand out on tape. He is among the greatest cover men ever to play middle linebacker, and he changed the way the position is played, manning the hole between the two deep zones in Bud Carson’s Cover-2 defense. With his ability to stymie opposing passing attacks, Lambert was a key cog in the Steel Curtain’s defensive destruction machine that brought four Super Bowl titles to Pittsburgh.
Mike Singletary (1981-1992)
Chicago Bears
8 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 10 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 3 GridFe Enforcer Awards
Earning the nickname Samurai for his singular focus and fervor, Singletary’s career is defined by nearly unrivaled intensity and commitment to destroying the opposition. Named Associated Press defensive player of the year in both 1985 and 1988, he tackled runners with fury and was capable in limited coverage responsibilities. Singletary was the heartbeat of the famed and feared 46 defense that led the 1985 Bears to a 15-1 season and one of the most astounding runs in postseason history on their way to the franchise’s only Super Bowl win.68
Ray Lewis (1996-2012)
Baltimore Ravens
9 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 13 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 2 GridFe Godzilla Awards; 6 GridFe Enforcer Awards
Ray Lewis is one of the few middle linebackers with a claim to the title of greatest of all time. Simply put, he had no holes in his game. He was fast and powerful, with peerless sideline to sideline range. Few could match his technical ability to shed blockers and stuff runs up the middle. His football intelligence is legendary, and it allowed him to excel at a demanding position long after his physical peak. Lewis is in the upper echelon of coverage linebackers in history as well. He played with contagious passion, commanded universal respect and praise, and was the unquestioned leader of Baltimore defenses that were almost always great.
Hall of Fame Outside Linebackers
Even among contemporaries, outside linebackers are difficult to compare with one another. Those who excel in coverage tend to be overlooked for postseason honors in favor of pass rushers, and both (perhaps rightfully) overshadow the pure run pluggers. This problem is exacerbated when trying to assess the relative accomplishments of outside linebackers across different eras. How do you evaluate Dave Wilcox, a run stopping maven from the 1960s, against Seth Joyner, a hypertalented cover backer from the 1980s? And how do you measure either against Von Miller, a destructive pass rusher still in his prime?69 We pooled our collective knowledge to make the most informed decisions possible and came up with eight players for the GridFe Hall of Fame’s inaugural group of outside linebackers.70
Bobby Bell (1963-1974)
Kansas City Chiefs
8 First Team All Pros (6 AFL/2 NFL); 9 Pro Bowls (6 AFL/3 NFL); 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award (AFL); 1 GridFe Godzilla Award (AFL); 4 GridFe Dobre Shunka Awards (3 AFL/1 NFL)
Bell is one of the greatest athletes ever to play in the NFL. His rare blend of strength, speed, agility, and ability allowed him to do whatever he wanted on the field. Bell was a star high school quarterback, a rare college interior lineman to become a Heisman finalist, and a versatile weapon in Hank Stram’s defense. He could rush the passer, and had solid sack numbers despite playing on the side of the line generally not reserved for pass rushing. His ability to set the edge against the run all but ruled out attacking his side of the line. Bell also excelled in coverage and still maintains a linebacker record six interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Ted Hendricks (1969-1983)
Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers
3 First Team All Pros; 6 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Wins; 2 GridFe Dobre Shunka Awards
Cerebral and eccentric, the Mad Stork possessed spectacular intelligence, spatial awareness, and on-field recall. Legendary teammate Howie Long recalled Hendricks sniffing out a play and then telling the offense he knew it was coming because it was the same play they used three years prior. Kick-’em-in-the-Head-Ted didn’t have the build of a typical NFL linebacker. Standing 6’7″ and weighing around 220 pounds, he was lanky and had to pay careful attention to technique to avoid giving up leverage against blockers (and to save his knees). He used his height and instincts to block a record 25 kicks during his career, and he put his big play ability on display with his NFL record four safeties.
Jack Ham (1971-1982)
Pittsburgh Steelers
6 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Wins; 4 GridFe Dobre Shunka Awards
Affectionately called Dobre Shunka, or Good Ham, the Steelers legend is among the brightest players ever to grace the linebacker position. He diagnosed plays seemingly with ease and had the athletic capacity to follow up on the diagnoses. Linebackers in Bud Carson’s defense had significant coverage responsibilities, and Ham’s ability to eliminate receivers – especially tight ends – was a vital component of the Steel Curtain dynasty. It isn’t unrealistic to call him the greatest coverage linebacker of all time.
Lawrence Taylor (1981-1993)
New York Giants
1 MVP; 9 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 10 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 GridFe Automatic Award; 2 GridFe World Awards; 2 GridFe Godzilla Awards; 6 GridFe Dobre Shunka Awards
Few men can honestly say they were ever the most feared player in the league. Some defenders win with skill or power, and some use intimidation to rattle opponents, but rare is the defenseman who can do both with regularity. Taylor is one of those men. He was fast – too fast to be a linebacker. His speed and acceleration didn’t make sense, and they baffled blockers. He was powerful. Despite being the same size as any other linebacker, he seemed to possess the strength of a defensive tackle. He had an uncanny ability to generate force to deliver devastating hits, even in tight spaces. LT was ferocious and terrifying. He seemed to gain strength from pain – his own or his enemy’s. Taylor is a rare defender to earn an MVP award, and he may be the greatest defensive player ever to stride the field.
Derrick Thomas (1989-1999)
Kansas City Chiefs
3 First Team All Pros; 3 Seconds Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Dobre Shunka Award
Kansas City icon Derrick Thomas was a tremendous pass rusher with one of the greatest first steps the game has ever seen. Although his career was abbreviated by his tragic early death, he nonetheless was able to amass 126.5 in 169 regular season games. Thomas holds the official NFL record with seven sacks in one game, and he is tied for second with six sacks in another game. That these games were eight years apart speaks to his sustained dominance as a pass rusher. Exhibiting adequate run defense, and almost nonexistent coverage ability, he has been described as a one dimensional player. However, when that dimension is the most important thing a player at his position can do, and a player is among the best the game has ever seen at that dimension, that player goes into the Hall of Fame.
Junior Seau (1990-2009)
San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins
8 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 12 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 3 GridFe Enforcer Awards; 1 GridFe Dobre Shunka Award
Since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, 22 out of 25 linebackers with multiple AP All-Pro berths either played inside or rushed the passer. Derrick Brooks was one notable exception. Junior Seau was the other, one of the league’s greatest run-stoppers whose career coincided with the last great heyday of the running game, (for now at least). Seau was in many ways a contradiction. He played forever at a position not known for its longevity; his 20 seasons played leads all linebackers, and he’s one of two linebackers to log a snap after his 40th birthday, (joining Clay Matthews). He made twelve Pro Bowls and was named first-team All Pro in eight different seasons despite playing mostly on mediocre teams and lacking highlight-reel appeal. He retired only to sign and play four more one-year contracts. A charismatic presence who played with joy only to fall prey to depression in retirement.71
Derrick Brooks (1995-2008)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 11 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 4 GridFe Dobre Shunka Awards
In the official sack era, about 25 players have been named a first-team All-Pro at linebacker multiple times by the Associated Press (the count is complicated by tweeners who switched between DE and LB). Of those 25 players, 10 were middle or inside linebackers and 12 were full-time edge rushers. Another was Wilber Marshall, an outside linebacker for those ’80s Bears defense where everyone was a part-time pass-rusher at a minimum. And then there’s Derrick Brooks, whose 5 All Pro nods are the 5th-most in that sample despite Brooks playing on the outside and never tallying more than three sacks in a season. Brooks was famous for his coverage abilities at a position celebrated for tackling running backs and quarterbacks. He was the consensus best player on a defense with four potential Hall of Famers. He is one of the rare once-in-a-generation players who managed to be exceptional even among the cohort of the exceptional.72
DeMarcus Ware (2005-2016)
Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos
5 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 2 GridFe Dobre Shunka Awards
Ware was an elite pass rusher who twice led the league in sacks. He spent much of his career toiling on mismanaged teams before a second act with the Broncos saw him win the league title that for so long eluded him. The 33 year old wasn’t just along for the ride; he recorded 3.5 sacks during Denver’s Super Bowl run, in which he had at least half a sack in each game and picked up two in the big game. Although he was best-known for terrorizing quarterbacks, as his 138.5 career sacks illustrates, Ware was also a capable coverage defender when called upon. He also didn’t ignore his run game responsibilities as the expense of chasing sacks. Ware was the complete package in an era of increased specialization.
Hall of Fame Cornerbacks
Cornerbacks have one of the toughest jobs in football. Usually playing in a reactionary posture, they have to rely on technique and savvy to keep some of the most athletic people in the world from catching the ball. They have to do this on every play of every game. Okay, not every play. On running plays, they have to first respect the pass and then react to much larger men coming their way to clear a path for the runner. When they do their job to perfection, few people notice. If they screw up just once, it could result in a long touchdown reception. No other position requires near perfection on every play to avoid disaster. Because of this, cornerbacks must be not only incredibly athletic, but also astoundingly mentally resilient. This often results in careers marked by hills and valleys, with inconsistent play from year to year. That makes the dominance of these men all the more impressive. Among all positions, cornerbacks seemed to generate the most agreement among voters. Of the 16 players receiving votes, 15 made it into the GridFe Hall of Fame.73 Thirteen of those players were unanimous picks, and even the odd man out received three out of six possible up votes.
Night Train Lane (1952-1965)
Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams
6 First Team All Pros; 4 Second Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 2 GridFe Godzilla Awards; 4 GridFe Prime Time Awards
An unheralded player out of high school, Dick “Night Train” Lane played for Western Nebraska Community College for one season before enlisting in the military. After four years in the Army, Lane walked on to the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He made an immediate impression, producing perhaps the greatest-ever rookie season of any NFL player. That year, Night Train hauled in a still-standing record 14 interceptions and made his name as a feared tackler. Infamous for bringing down opponents by the facemask or by pummeling ball carriers with clothesline tackles, he inspired rule changes to remove the activities from the game.
Jimmy Johnson (1961-1976)
San Francisco 49ers
4 First Team All Pros; 4 Second Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe World Award; 3 GridFe Prime Time Awards
While Night Train was the original superstar cornerback, it was San Francisco’s Jimmy Johnson who was the first true shutdown corner, as we think of one today. Rather than beat receivers into submission, Johnson used his incredible speed and length, in concert with refined technique and field vision, to erase opposing receivers. All but the most brazen quarterbacks avoided his side of the field entirely. Perhaps most notable about Johnson is that he spent considerable time studying tape of opponents to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. This studious approach to the game was rare for the cornerback position during his time in the league.
Herb Adderley (1961-1972)
Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys
5 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 6 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 3 GridFe Prime Time Awards
Adderley was a vital piece in the 1960s Packers defense that suffocated opposing passing attacks and led the way for the team to enjoy five title wins. He excelled primarily in man coverage and was especially effective at creating big plays off of turnovers. Playing behind a star-studded front seven and in front of safety net Willie Wood, Adderley was able to take chances, and he flipped heads more often than not. In his first eleven seasons, he recorded 48 interceptions, which he returned for an incredible 1046 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also returned five picks for 97 yards and a score in 15 playoff games.
Willie Brown (1963-1978)
Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos
7 First Team All Pros (3 AFL/4 NFL); 3 Second Team All Pros (AFL); 9 Pro Bowls (5 AFL/4 NFL); 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 2 GridFe Prime Time Awards (1 AFL/1 NFL)
Whether he was playing on the downtrodden Denver Broncos or the powerhouse Oakland Raiders, Willie Brown displayed the ability to overpower wide receivers and create turnovers if anyone was foolish enough to test him. He was ahead of his time as a bump and run coverage defender, using his physicality to redirect routes and trusting in his speed to recover in the rare even he was beaten off the line. Despite scaring passers away, Brown finished his career with 54 interceptions in the regular season and seven more in the playoffs.74 He returned those picks for five touchdowns, most notably to put the nail in the coffin in Oakland’s blowout victory over the Vikings in Super Bowl XI.
Lem Barney (1967-1977)
Detroit Lions
2 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 2 GridFe Prime Time Awards
Barney was a relatively obscure second round pick out of Jackson State, but he made his presence in the NFL known quickly: in his first game, facing legendary quarterback Bart Starr, the rookie intercepted the very first pass that came his way and returned it for a touchdown. That was just the beginning of his defensive rookie of the year campaign, as he finished the season with 10 interceptions, which he returned for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Barney possessed great ball skills and was a fierce fighter for the ball once it was in the air. He used those skills to pick off 56 passes, and he used his talents as a return man to take those interceptions back for a total of 1077 yards and seven touchdowns.75
Roger Wehrli (1969-1982)
St. Louis Cardinals
5 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 7 Pro Bowls
Wehrli never intercepted more than six passes in a single season, and his 40 career interceptions are lower than one might expect from a legendary cornerback from the dead ball era. However, a cursory glance at his box score stats don’t tell the whole story. While earlier cornerbacks intimidated passers and scared them away, it was Wehrli who was the first to receive the moniker of “shutdown corner.” He didn’t haul in gaudy interception totals because quarterbacks smartly avoided him and, instead, challenged his teammate Norm Thompson. Speed was Wehrli’s hallmark, but he wasn’t a pure finesse defender. He had strong hands, excelled with aggressive play at the line of scrimmage, and possessed a terrific instinct for where the ball was going on a play.76
Mel Blount (1970-1983)
Pittsburgh Steelers
4 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Wins; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 1 GridFe Prime Time Award
Most players don’t have significant rules named after them. Mel Blount isn’t most players. With a huge frame, blazing speed, and street fighting mentality, Blount mauled receivers all throughout their routes. His ability to eliminate top receiving threats was a vital part of the Steel Curtain dynasty. The violent manner in which he did it inspired the Mel Blount Rule, which significantly limited the amount of contact defenders could have with receivers on passing plays. A lesser player may have become ineffective after the passing of a rule to mitigate the effect of his style of play. Rather than become ineffective, Blount responded with three more Pro Bowls and all pro selections.
Mike Haynes (1976-1989)
Los Angeles Raiders, New England Patriots
5 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 GridFe Prime Time Award
Haynes was a standout punt returner and respected cover man in New England for the first seven years of his career, but it wasn’t until he went to a Raiders team that allowed him to flourish by playing his own way that he really cemented his legacy as one of the greats. Fast, graceful, and technically proficient, he was built to succeed in the post-Mel Blount Rule NFL against receivers who had more freedom than ever. In Los Angeles, Haynes was able to completely obscure receivers and force passer to test Lester Hayes, the playmaking ballhawk on the other side of the field. Their complementary strengths formed arguably the greatest cornerback tandem the league has ever seen.
Darrell Green (1983-2002)
Washington
4 First Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss
Green’s career stands out as odd because, despite being an all-time great coverage specialist, he is better-known for being the NFL’s fastest man and playing for a long time than for his ability to play cornerback. It is true that Green was in a league of his own when it came to running in pads, and it is also true that he had remarkable staying power; his 20 seasons and 298 games are easily the most of anyone ever to play the position. But focusing solely on those points does his career a disservice. Green was phenomenal in man coverage and was ahead of his time with his use of athleticism and technique rather than brute force intimidation. He was a contemporary of several high-peek peers who often overshadowed his quiet brilliance, but his ability to maintain that brilliance for at least fifteen of his years in the league is a testament to his talent.77
Rod Woodson (1987-2003)
Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 11 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 2 Title Losses; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 4 GridFe Prime Time Awards
Rod Woodson is among the most versatile cornerbacks in NFL history. He was solid in both man and zone coverage, and he could play outside or in the slot. Woodson was an excellent tackler and adept blitzer, finishing his career with over 1000 tackles and 13.5 sacks. After a legendary run at cornerback, he spent the last five years of his career at safety, where he earned four Pro Bowl selections and twice led the league in interceptions. He sometimes gambled in hopes of forcing a turnover, which allowed a few more completions than one may expect from an esteemed cornerback. However, his 71 career interceptions indicate that he guessed correctly far more often than not. And once he had the ball in his hands, he was dangerous. He used the same skills that earned him two kickoff and punt return touchdowns apiece to score an NFL record 13 defensive touchdowns.
Deion Sanders (1989-2002)
Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Washington
9 First Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 3 GridFe Prime Time Awards
Prime Time may be the best pure cover corner in history. He had a reputation for refusing to make tackles, but that knock on his career is largely overblown. Besides, teams didn’t pay him outrageous sums of money to tackle running backs on sweeps; the paid him to remove the other team’s best receiver from the face of the earth. Sanders did that better than any other man ever to play. While critics often bemoaned his concurrent career in professional baseball, it speaks volumes of Neon’s ability that he was able to devote the time and energy it takes to be a successful MLB player and still maintain his place as the premier cover corner in the NFL. His speed was the thing that always jumped off the screen. He used it to bait quarterbacks into making bad choices and to return ball without being touched by potential tacklers.78 Sanders’s braggadocio was arguably as important as his legendary pace. Not only did he get into the heads of opponents, but he also drew attention to a position he redefined and made it attractive for generations of young athletes.
Aeneas Williams (1991-2004)
Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams
4 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 8 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Prime Time Award
Aeneas Williams spent the first decade of his career playing for a talent-starved Cardinals franchise.79 Despite toiling in a desert wasteland, Williams managed to make six Pro Bowls and four all pro teams from 1991-2000.80 He was an excellent force defender, adept at shedding blocks and stopping rushers for minimal gains. While some elite cover men were prime targets for rushing attacks, Williams wasn’t a guy you’d attack on a sweep. He tracked number one receivers and held his own, even without a strong pass rush. Perhaps the brightest feather in his cap is his postseason play. Williams didn’t make the playoffs often, but when he did he was among the best postseason performers in history. He hauled in three interceptions in two separate playoff runs, returning two for touchdowns.81
Charles Woodson (1998-2015)
Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers
4 First Team All Pros; 4 Second Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Prime Time Award
As a fourth-overall draft choice and the only primarily defensive player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Woodson had sky-high expectations entering the league. He more than lived up to the challenge over an 18-year, 271 game career that saw him intercept 66 passes and recover 34 fumbles.82 Woodson was a gifted athlete, but he honed his technique to such perfection that he was able to excel in a variety of roles well after he’d lost a step physically. He was rarely beaten in man coverage, and he was equally adept as a zone defender. His ability to cover both outside and in the slot is well-known. As a tackler, he was so effective that he was able to, in effect, serve as a de facto outside linebacker.83 Woodson had the range and instincts to play safety as well, which he did with aplomb during the latter part of his career. He was the consummate playmaker84 and may be the most well-rounded of all cornerbacks ever to grace the field.
Champ Bailey (1999-2013)
Denver Broncos, Washington
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 12 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 4 GridFe Prime Time Awards
Bailey was a strong man-to-man coverage cornerback in Washington, but also a bit of a gambler who could be beat. A move to Denver saw him start lining him up off the receiver so he could not only cover his man but also help if the play went elsewhere. He thrived in the new scheme, leading to his remarkable 2006 season where he was targeted just 65 times on the team that saw the 5th-most pass attempts.85 Bailey was also phenomenal in run support and tape of his play was popular for teaching fundamental form tackling.86 He played forever at a position that is known for high peaks and short primes,87 and he achieved near universal respect from opponents.8889
Darrelle Revis (2007-present)
New York Jets, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs
5 First Team All Pros; 7 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 2 GridFe Prime Time Awards
Perhaps the most glowing review one can give of Darrelle Revis is that he managed to become a shutdown cornerback during the post-2004 era passing explosion. With the current rules in place to enhance player safety (and stifle defenses), a shutdown coverage defender shouldn’t even be a possibility. Yet Revis exists. Revis Island was an unpopular destination for number one receivers, and it allowed his coaches the freedom to install defensive schemes that other teams couldn’t possibly run, with the knowledge that offenses were effectively playing 10-on-10 rather than 11-on-11. His 2009 campaign is, perhaps, the greatest performance from a cornerback in recent history.90
Hall of Fame Safeties
Expectations for safeties have evolved as offensive trends philosophies have evolved. The earliest pure safeties lived up to their names, acting as safety nets deep behind the rest of their defense, combating the long ball tendencies of the day. As offenses became more sophisticated, roles on defense became more complex. Safeties now had to be able to cover most all areas of the field, as well as run and pass blitz, as well as their requisite support against the rush. The position has seen several talented – and vastly different – players over the years. From the rangy Nolan Cromwell to the thumping Steve Atwater, from the understated brilliance Eric Weddle to the flashy phenom Adrian Wilson, the position offers something for everyone. Because of that, people with different opinions on what safeties should look like will have widely different ideas of who were the best or who most deserve Hall of Fame recognition. Surprisingly, the voting committee, for better or worse, had seemingly homogeneous views regarding enshrinement. The final list included twelve safeties, listed below.91
Emlen Tunnell (1948-1961)
New York Giants, Green Bay Packers
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 3 Title Losses; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 4 GridFe Tunnell Vision Awards; 1 GridFe Gray and White Award
Tunnell was the league’s first great pure safetyman, whose stellar play inspired generations of rangy defenders. He was a key cog in Steve Owens‘s feared Umbrella Defense and patrolled deep to disrupt the long distance passing attacks of the era. Tunnell possessed incredible range, which he used to intercept an astounding 79 passes in his career.92 In addition to his work in coverage, he was also a fierce tackler, capable of jarring ball-carriers. His innate ability to know just where to be on both passing and rushing plays exalted the New York defense and stymied the opposition. Tunnell was also among the best kick and punt returners in the league. His 1951 season was a masterpiece: in 12 games, he intercepted nine passes and scored touchdowns on three punt returns and one kick return.
Jack Christiansen (1951-1958)
Detroit Lions
6 First Team All Pros; 5 Pro Bowls; 3 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 3 GridFe Tunnell Vision Awards; 1 GridFe Gray and White Award
The leader of Chris’s Crew, Christiansen was a heady player with tremendous speed in coverage. In his short career, he led the league in interceptions twice and was a dominant ballhawk at his peak. Between 1953 and 1957, he picked off 41 throws in 56 games while setting the tone for Detroit’s dominant secondary. Christiansen was also a premier punt returner, leading the NFL in return touchdowns four times and finishing his career with eight – one for each season of his brief tenure. His prowess as a punt returner forced opponents to rethink the way they approached punt coverage, prompting them to significantly widen their cover units to account for his speed.
Yale Lary (1952-1964)
Detroit Lions
5 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 3 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 1 GridFe World Award; 1 GridFe Tunnell Vision Award
d Lary was a versatile player whose ability to excel on both defense and special teams provided great value to the dynasty Lions. As a safety, he hauled in 50 career interceptions. With fellow stud defensive back Jack Christiansen patrolling behind the cerebral Joe Schmidt, Lary formed the nucleus of one of the greatest defensive dynasties in the sport. As a punter, he led the NFL in punting average in three separate seasons. He was an all star early in his career, but he missed what would have been his fourth and fifth seasons (1954-55) to military service. Despite missing time, he came back and continued to play at a high level until his 1964 retirement.
Willie Wood (1960-1971)
Green Bay Packers
7 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 5 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 2 GridFe Tunnell Vision Awards
Green Bay legend Willie Wood was the model of consistent excellence, earning selections to an all-NFL team every season from 1962 to 1970. His respect among peers was universal. On a defense full of legends, Wood was the most revered – even the feared Ray Nitschke admitted he didn’t want to disappoint Wood on the field. He led the league in interceptions in 1962 but didn’t otherwise pick off many passes; his career total of 48 is rather low for a safety of his caliber. However, Wood made his mark by dissuading passes in his coverage rather than baiting passers into making mistakes. Despite his lack of picks, his defining career moment occurred on an interception of the normally careful Len Dawson in Super Bowl I. A Packers blitz saw Dawson hurry his throw, and instead of a completion to Fred Arbanas into Green bay terrotiry, the result was Wood snatching the ball and returning it to the Kansas City five. His return set up the Elijah Pitts score that opened the floodgates and drowned the Chiefs.
Larry Wilson (1960-1972)
St. Louis Cardinals
6 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 2 GridFe Tunnell Vision Awards
Cardinals virtuoso Larry Wilson probably had the most defensive versatility of any safety in history. He was excellent in coverage, finishing his storied career with 52 interceptions despite not being a traditional deep coverage specialist. His ability to stop ball-carriers in their tracks is the stuff of legend, and he is rightly regarded as a pioneer of the safety blitz (he didn’t invent it, but he did perfect it). Despite being in coverage more often than not, Wilson finished his career with an unofficial count of 22-25 sacks, which was unheard of for contemporary safeties.93 His 1966 campaign is among the finest a safety has ever produced: he intercepted a pass in seven consecutive games and finished with ten overall. Journalists at the time were so impressed they voted him as the runner up for the Associated Press’s MVP award.
Paul Krause (1964-1979)
Minnesota Vikings, Washington
4 First Team All Pros; 3 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Losses; 2 GridFe Tunnell Vision Awards
Year in, year out, Krause manned the last line of defense for his teams with aplomb. He never had a down year, when healthy, and his eight seasons with at least six interceptions are a testament to his steady excellence. After all was said and done, Krause had intercepted a stunning 81 passes – a record that has stood since 1979. With regulatory changes making it easier than ever to pass without suffering turnovers, Krause’s record may never fall. Though he never won a title, he played well in four Super Bowl losses, and his interception of Len Dawson in Super Bowl IV was one of the few bright spots in a Minnesota loss.
Ken Houston (1967-1980)
Washington, Houston Oilers
7 First Team All Pros (1 AFL/6 NFL); 5 Second Team All Pros (1 AFL/4 NFL); 12 Pro Bowls (2 AFL/10 NFL); 1 GridFe Tunnell Vision Award
With twelve Pro Bowl selections, Ken Houston earned a trip to the NFL’s all star game more than any other player in the history of the position. He had solid speed and a long, tall frame that enabled him to make plays on the ball that many safeties could not. Once he got his hands on a pass (which he did 49 times), his elusiveness made him a serious threat to score. Houston returned nine of his interceptions for touchdowns, and he added three more touchdowns off of returns from a punt, a fumble recovery, and a blocked field goal. An integral fixture on his defenses, Houston was named team MVP four times – once with the Oilers and thrice with Washington.
Ronnie Lott (1981-1994)
San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets
8 First Team All Pros; 10 Pro Bowls; 4 Title Wins; 1 GridFe Prime Time Award; 1 GridFe Tunnell Vision Award
Lott is generally regarded as the greatest safety ever to play. History has remembered him for his ability to lay devastating hits on unfortunate offensive players, but it should be noted that Lott made four Pro Bowls and two all pro teams as a cornerback before moving to safety. A testament to his coverage skills, Lott intercepted 63 passes in the regular season and a record 9 passes in the playoffs. He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but he had incredible instincts that allowed him to maintain man coverage as a corner or deep zone coverage as a free safety. Despite his lack of size, he was one of the most feared hitters in history, and he had the ability to demoralize ball-carriers in run support. He used his terrific leverage and quick twitch ability to uncoil like a mamba striking at its prey, and this ability came in handy as Lott superbly defended near the line of scrimmage in nickel packages. His arrival in San Francisco changed the outlook of the team, as he led arguably the most underrated defensive dynasty in history on his way to four Super Bowl titles.94
Kenny Easley (1981-1987)
Seattle Seahawks
4 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 5 Pro Bowls; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 3 GridFe Tunnell Vision Awards
Easley is among the great athletes ever to play the safety position. Tall and sinewy, he possessed the speed to run with receivers and the length to play the ball, and he had the raw power to stop running backs the way a car windshield stops a bug on the interstate. One doesn’t earn the nickname The Enforcer by merely taking opponents to the ground with form tackles. It seems uncommon for a hard-hitting run support safety to double as a ball hawk, but Easley had a knack for forcing turnovers. In his five seasons before injury, he had 26 interceptions and ten fumble recoveries. That includes a league-leading ten picks in his 1984 defensive player of the year campaign. Easley’s incandescent career was cut short by injury, but he was arguably the best safety in the league at his peak.
Brian Dawkins (1996-2011)
Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos
5 First Team All Pros; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Loss; 3 GridFe Tunnell Vision Awards
Among recent safeties, it seems everyone must be compared to Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. Like Polamalu, Dawkins created mayhem near the line of scrimmage– he ranks 3rd among defensive backs in sacks since 1982 and 2nd in forced fumbles since 1993, as far back as each statistic officially goes– though he wasn’t the instinctual freelancer. Like Reed, Dawkins was also excellent as a deep coverage safety, though he lacked the preternatural range. He had the strengths of both players without the one special attribute that landed them on so many highlight reels, but don’t let that fool you into thinking he wasn’t their equal. He anchored one of the most underrated defenses in recent memory– an Eagles team that won 59 games from 2000 to 2004, making four conference championship games with an average rank in points allowed of 3.4– and then hung around long enough to be named All Pro in Denver at age 36 on the strength of his play rather than his reputation.
Ed Reed (2002-2013)
Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans
7 First Team All Pros; 1 Second Team All Pro; 9 Pro Bowls; 1 Title Win; 1 GridFe Godzilla Award; 2 GridFe Tunnell Vision Awards
Ed Reed is undoubtedly the greatest pure free safety in history, with unmatched range and uncanny instincts. His incredible closing speed allowed him to bait quarterbacks into throwing his way, only to see the savvy defender snatch the ball away a the last moment. His nose for the ball saw him lead the league in picks three times and record a total of 64 interceptions in the most passer-friendly era in NFL history.95 The consummate playmaker, Reed became offense on defense with the ball in his hands, returning seven interceptions and two fumbles for touchdowns. He also scored four times via punt return and blocked punt return. The daring Reed wasn’t content to settle for a touchback; he set an NFL record with a 106 yard interception return in 2004 and then broke his own record with a 107 yard return in 2008.96 Feared and respected, Reed’s reputation was such that opposing quarterbacks made sure to note the whereabouts of number 20 before every snap.
Troy Polamalu (2003-2014)
Pittsburgh Steelers
4 First Team All Pros; 2 Second Team All Pros; 8 Pro Bowls; 2 Title Wins; 1 Title Loss; 4 GridFe Tunnell Vision Awards
During his brilliant career, Troy Polamalu dazzled fans and players alike with his berserk style and otherworldly athleticism. He was a playmaker who could anticipate snap counts to make leaping stops behind the line of scrimmage, knife through traffic to neutralize a running back, destroy short passing patterns, or play the ball deep. Polamalu played with reckless abandon, freelances, and took the kind of chances coaches only allow the best players to take. Occasionally, his risks would backfire, but often they resulted in the sort of game-changing plays that earned him defensive player of the year selections in 2005 and 2010.