It’s time for yet another entry in the Grand List, a countdown of the top 1000 players in pro football history, in one fool’s opinion. ^[1]Remember, this list stops after the first hundred years of the NFL. That means I didn’t consider 2020 in my rankings. When I finish the full list, I plan to re-post an update that includes the … Continue reading We’re getting to the part where more quarterbacks are showing up, which often means increased noise from those who disagree. ^[2]I kindly remind you to send all hate mail to deletesansreading@gmail.com. As a person who hates arguing but loves sharing ideas, I have only brought this nightmare on myself and accept my fate.

Previous articles in the series

The Grand List, part 1: Includes honorable/special mentions and players 1000-990.
The Grand List, part 2: Includes players 989-965.
The Grand List, part 3: Includes players 964-940.
The Grand List, part 4: Includes players 939-901.
The Grand List, part 5: Includes players 900-876.
The Grand List, part 6: Includes players 875-851.
The Grand List, part 7: Includes players 850-810.
The Grand List, part 8: Includes players 809-780.
The Grand List, part 9: Includes players 779-750.
The Grand List, part 10: Includes players 749-700.
The Grand List, part 11: Includes players 699-650.
The Grand List, part 12: Includes players 649-600.
The Grand List, part 13: Includes players 599-550.
The Grand List, part 14: Includes players 549-500.
The Grand List, part 15: Includes players 499-450.
The Grand List, part 16: Includes players 449-400.
The Grand List, part 17: Includes players 399-350.
The Grand List, part 18: Includes players 349-300.
The Grand List, part 19: Includes players 299-250.
The Grand List, part 20: Includes players 249-200.
The Grand List, part 21: Includes players 199-150.

Let’s get into it.

The Grand List, continued

149. Jim Thorpe (1915-1928)
Running Back (premodern)
Canton Bulldogs, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, Cleveland Indians, New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals, Tampa Cardinals

Thorpe is the rare player on this list who earned his place almost solely on reputation. By all accounts, his was the best football player prior to the inception of the NFL. He was the greatest athlete in the world and accomplished things in a wide variety of sports that today’s focus on specialization would make nigh impossible for a modern athlete. Thorpe became the first president of the APFA, the forerunner of NFL, because of his already legendary status and the respect that others had for him. ^[3]Want an example of the respect other players had for Thorpe? During a 1917 game, Thorpe’s opponent, Haitian immigrant Henry McDonald, was subjected to increased violence because of his color. This … Continue reading A far better athlete than those with whom he shared the field, contemporaries described him as a fast back who could also run over defenders, even at an advanced age. He was also among the premier kickers and punters of his day. However, his best role was as a defensive back, where his speed and instincts made him difficult to move the ball on. And he wasn’t just a physically talented player, he also had the mental acuity to pick up on nuanced techniques very quickly and implement them into his arsenal. ^[4]Prior to winning the pentathlon and decathlon in the 1912 Olympics, he first had to learn how to throw the javelin. Despite throwing a javelin for the first time just two months before the event, he … Continue reading Thorpe was a college legend at a time when college was the superior brand of football, and Associated Press voters in 1950 voted him the top football player of all time. ^[5]Unfortunately, despite people’s reverence for what Thorpe could accomplish athletically, the majority seemed to deny basic parts of his humanity for most of his life. From 1879 to 1918, over … Continue reading This ranking, just inside the top 150, reveals my belief that Thorpe was the greatest football player to have played in the 1915-1925 time period and, thus, deserves praise for that. At the same time, the ranking reflects my view that his competition was primarily a disorganized mess of marginally talented players (particularly during his prime), and the fact that the world’s greatest athlete stood head and shoulders above them should come as no surprise.

148. Arnie Weinmeister (1948-1955)
Defensive Line
New York Giants, New York Yankees/Brooklyn-New York Yankees, BC Lions

Weinmeister was a big fellow for his era, but he didn’t just stand there and take up space. He was a fast and active player who would chase passers and backs all over the field, similar to someone like Krumrie. Despite his stature and designation as a defensive tackle, he didn’t really play on the interior full time. In a five man front, he would play tackle, but when they sent out the 40 front, he would play on the end and use his quickness to beat tackles around the edge. When he was on the inside, he was adept at getting quick penetration. If a blocker was able to combat his quickness, Weinmeister would use his powerful hands to hold up the lineman and shed him with relative ease. Doing so enabled him to control his gap and maintain integrity against the run while remaining a threat versus the pass.  He split doubles with ease and set the edge with aplomb. In short, when he played, he was in the top three when it came to giving the offensive line headaches. I named him the Mean Award winner for best defensive tackle each year from 1949-1952, with a Godzilla Award for defensive player of the year in 1950. His 1952 performance was also worthy of DPOY consideration.

147. John Randle (1990-2003)
Defensive Tackle
Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks

For years, I have held Randle’s shortcomings against the run against him; however, I have come to realize the inconsistency in my thought process. How can I believe that passing and stopping the pass is the most important thing teams can do while all but dismissing the premier interior pass rusher of his generation? Sure, he wasn’t Mean Joe against the run, but the guy had nine seasons with double digit sacks and retired with 137.5. Among defensive tackles, only fellow Vikings legend Alan Page (148.5) took down quarterbacks more often. His overzealous and berserk style meant he would take himself out of the play now and then, but his impact cannot be denied. Randle was intensity personified, and he required constant attention from offensive lines and usually made life easier on others. At the snap, he fired off the ball quickly and found his way into the backfield in a hurry. If a guard was able to counter his speed, the poor blocker had to deal with Randle’s considerable repertoire of hand moves (and underrated power). He wasn’t a “complete” player. Who cares? So small that he had to secretly wear chains under his clothes during weigh ins just to make the Minnesota roster as an undrafted rookie, he put in the work to build himself into a Hall of Fame caliber player. That level of determination—and the outcome it achieved—should be celebrated, not ignored.

146. Troy Polamalu (2003-2014)
Safety
Pittsburgh Steelers

During his brilliant career, 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, freelanced, 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. Despite not having elite speed, the frenetic legend seemed to be in several places at once. He moved around everywhere and wasn’t held to just a traditional box safety role. A habitual playmaker, Polamalu retired with 32 interceptions, 12 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, and 56 tackles for loss. He was an all pro in six seasons, and he earned the Tunnell Vision Award for best safety in 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2011.

145. Willie Wood (1960-1971)
Safety
Green Bay Packers

Leading a dynasty defense, Wood was the model of consistent excellence, earning selections to an all-NFL team every season from 1962 to 1970. He wasn’t the fastest, but he had terrific instincts and high level understanding of offensive concepts. Thus, he was able to have great range without great speed. Wood was just 5’10” but had an uncanny ability to outjump receivers, and he used that gift to knock away countless deep shots. 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 territory, 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. ^[6]Wood was also a very good return man, especially early in his career. In addition to his fistful of championship rings, Wood earned the Tunnell Vision Award in 1965 and 1967.

144. Ozzie Newsome (1978-1990)
Tight End
Cleveland Browns

The Wizard of Oz was a well-rounded, classic tight end who was an aerial threat as well as a solid blocker. He was remarkably consistent, with high effort and production regardless of the man throwing him the ball. He possessed some of the best hands ever at the position and would have put up huge numbers on a team that featured a Hall of Fame passer and legendary offensive coach. On tape, he looked every bit as good as the more accomplished Winslow. Fast and a clean route runner, Newsome could beat defenses deep or serve as a possession guy with tough catches over the middle. With the ball in his hands, he was trouble after the catch. In his prime, he averaged 83 catches and 1012 yards per 16 games (1981-84). As an older player, Newsome put his toughness and cunning to good use, enabling him to play in 198 consecutive games with a 150-game catch streak. By the time he retired, Newsome was the all-time leader in catches and yards by a tight end. He earned the Gonzo Award for best tight end in 1979.

143. Kellen Winslow (1979-1987)
Tight End
San Diego Chargers

Under Don Coryell, Winslow revolutionized the tight end position. The original Joker tight end, he could line up tight, in the slot, or even split out wide and create mismatches with his unfair combination of size, speed, and athleticism. Even though he wasn’t a natural ball carrier, he was tough to bring down because he was so strong and usually moving fast. Essentially, he was a wild card for an innovative head coach and legendary quarterback. A knee injury cut his rookie campaign to seven games, but he rebounded with a five-year run of modern receiving numbers. Unfortunately, that included a nine-game strike season and another season cut to just seven games due to injuries. The cumulative effects of those knee injuries ultimately cut his career short, but Winslow was as dominant as any receiver in history for the first half of the 1980s. He led the league in catches twice. Between 1980 and 1984, he played in 64 games and gained 4921 yards and 35 touchdowns; that’s 1230 yards and 9 touchdowns per 16 games, which would be an all pro caliber season for a tight end now. His biggest knock is that he was often open because his wide receivers were good enough to require much attention from secondaries. ^[7]The knock is not his blocking. He was an underrated blocker. No one would be foolish enough to call him the best, but he was capable, and he tried hard. I named him the Gonzo winner each year from … Continue reading

142. Claude Humphrey (1968-1981)
Defensive End
Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL is full of phenomenal athletes, but even among the fraternity of freaks, there are men whose athleticism separates them from the rest. Humphrey is one such player. He was 6’4″ and just over 250 pounds, but he could move like a wide receiver and explode from his stance like a sprinter. He had long, powerful arms that delivered wince-inducing shots to blockers to get them off balance. Humphrey set the edge well in the run game and could two gap with the best of them. His role in a 30 front deflated his numbers, but he still managed to amass 127 sacks in his career. A move to a new team and a new scheme saw him get the opportunity to play on a 40 front, and he gave a glimpse of what might have been had he been able to do so for his whole career. At the age of 36, Humphrey brought down opposing quarterbacks 14.5 times. Projecting based on hypotheticals is a fool’s errand, but it isn’t outlandish to think he could have produced over 150 sacks had he spent more time in a scheme more conducive to pass rushing. Back to reality, Humphrey made Dr. Z’s all pro team from 1972-1974, and I named him the Deacon Award winner for best defensive end in 1972. In addition to his prowess on defense, Humphrey was a natural kick blocker, with nine for his career.

141. Jason Taylor (1997-2011)
Defensive End
Miami Dolphins, Washington, New York Jets

Taylor was a superb 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 and 46 forced fumbles in his career. He was a high motor player who faced a great deal of double teams and still won at a high rate. If he couldn’t get home, he’d get his hands in passing lanes and deflect passes—something he managed to do 99 times 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. With six more scores on his 29 fumble recoveries, Taylor just had a knack for making big plays. He earned the Deacon Award in 2000, 2002, and 2006, picking up a Godzilla Award in his age 32 season.

140. Larry Little (1967-1980)
Offensive Guard
Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers

After beginning his career in relative obscurity as an undrafted free agent in San Diego, Little saw his career and legacy turn around when he was traded to Miami. The arrival of Don Shula the following year brought increased team success, which drew attention to the outstanding play of Little and other previously overlooked Dolphins. Little was a fantastic run blocker who had the power to clear a path for Larry Csonka up the middle and the finesse to lead the way for Mercury Morris on outside runs. An elite athlete, he could pull like he was put on earth to do it. His quickness and spatial awareness made him a stellar downfield blocker. During his prime, the Dolphins boasted a dominant ground and pound attack that was a major part of three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, including two victories. Little made Dr. Z’s all pro team every year from 1970-1972, and I named him the Hog Award winner for best guard in the latter two years.

139. Joe DeLamielleure (1973-1985)
Offensive Guard
Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns

The premier member of the Electric Company, ^[8]The very good offensive line people seem to forget existed when lamenting the Juice’s lack of a quality supporting cast. DeLamielleure is among the best all around guards in history. He was technically proficient, displaying impeccable footwork and brilliant use of his hands while making smart use of leverage and angles in order to play with much more power than he had any right to. Getting his shoulder on a hip, he could deliver a defender to the sideline. DeLamielleure was a solid athlete and excelled at pulling and blocking in space, one of the main reasons the Juice was able to get loose as often as he did. His open field blocking ability also came in handy while blocking on kickoff return teams, which he did at a high level. DeLamielleure he didn’t always overwhelm defenders like Hannah (though he could), but he would often do just what it took to win the play. His lack of highlight reel type blocks has caused him to go somewhat overlooked (as overlooked as a Hall of Fame lineman can be), but his success rate on blocks was higher than that of many more celebrated players at his position. ^[9]I named DeLamielleure the winner of the Hog Award 1975, and he was in the running in several other seasons.

138. Pete Henry (1920-1928)
Offensive Tackle (premodern)
Canton Bulldogs, Pottsville Maroons, New York Giants

Fats Henry didn’t look like an athlete, but he had speed and quickness that belied his frame. With a low center of gravity and explosive jump off the ball, Henry found his way into the backfield regularly. He responded to attempts to run directly at him by collapsing his side of the line and stopping the run. On offense, he used his massive frame and natural leverage to clear holes with little trouble. Running behind Fats was a ticket to six yards and a cloud of dust, rather than the normal three. He was among the best kickers and punters in the early NFL, an era when the kicking game was at the height of its importance. His kicking accuracy was stellar for his era, though it wouldn’t impress anyone today. However, his career long 94 yard punt is still impressive a century later, and it will remain impressive a century from now. ^[10]Presuming the NFL still exists or players haven’t been replaced by advanced androids. In 1932, Henry was probably the best player in the game, with a great all around performance on offense, defense, and special teams.

137. Earl Campbell (1978-1985)
Running Back
Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints

The Tyler Rose dominated his opponents with raw power and sheer tyranny of will. His runs were at once violent and poetic, leaving a trail of bodies strewn in his wake. Few have ever brought such savagery to the position. He was the first, second, and third option for his offenses. Defenses knew he was getting the ball, and he ran through them anyway. And he was much faster than you’d think, given his reputation as the game’s greatest bulldozer. He began his career with three straight rushing crowns, averaging 110.5 rushing yards per game. His reckless style ultimately contributed to an abbreviated career, but at his peak he may have been the most feared runner ever to carry a football. Campbell earned an MVP award from a major publication each season from 1978-1980, a span in which he averaged 1767 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns per 16 games. He couldn’t catch or block and was, thus, not as valuable as some; but as a pure runner, he was a nightmare. ^[11]Campbell earned the Supersonic Award for best running back in 1978. In 1980, he added to that award Sweetness and World awards for offensive player of the year and most outstanding player.

136. Gale Sayers (1965-1971)
Running Back
Chicago Bears

The Kansas Comet is perhaps the smoothest runner ever to don a pair of cleats. He could make sharp cuts but was even more impressive in his ability to use subtle jukes without losing speed. A severe injury robbed him of that part of his game, but he modified his playing style and was able to return and play at a high level before further injuries ended his career for good. In his first 50 games before severe injury, he averaged 1610 yards and 13 touchdowns per season and maintained a 5.3 average on the ground. Upon his return, his rushing average dropped to 4.4 (still well above the league average), but he led the NFL in rushing yards. He managed to do this on a team without an abundance of talent, against opponents who knew he was the focal point of the offense. I named him the winner of the Supersonic and Sweetness awards in 1966, when he gained 1678 yards in a 14 game season. ^[12]In his first two seasons, Sayers averaged 34.1 receiving yards per game, and observers felt he could have been a star receiver if the Bears needed him to be. Sayers was a dynamic playmaker who was always a threat with the ball in his hands. He still owns the career record for kick return average (30.6). I named him the Gray and White Award winner for best returner in both 1965 and 1966.

135. Chris Doleman (1985-1999)
Defensive End
Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons

Doleman began his career as a rushbacker but was never quite right for the role. By year three, he began lining up at defensive end, and his career took off from there. In his first year on the edge, he notched 11 sacks in just 12 games, and he forced a league-high six fumbles. Two years later, he was a consensus all pro after leading all players with 21 sacks. ^[13]One of just 23 known 20+ sack seasons in history. Prior to 1982, Deacon did it three times. Baker, Martin, Ford, Klecko, Gastinaeu, Katcavage, Bacon, and Ezra Johnson did it once apiece. All told, he registered eight seasons with at least 10 sacks, retiring with 150.5 for his career. ^[14]Legend has it that he picked up four sacks on Munoz, but the tape doesn’t back that up. He beat Munoz inside on his third sack. On his first sack, Esiason tripped on his own offensive line when … Continue reading That figure is good for sixth or seventh in history, depending on where the count ends up with Atkins. A constant threat to give the ball back to his offense, Doleman’s 44 forced fumbles and 24 recoveries are among both the most ever. He was great speed rusher who could duck under a tackle and come up with his arms around the quarterback. If he didn’t get there on the first try, his endless well of energy and drive enabled him to disrupt passers on second or third effort.

134. Carl Eller (1964-1979)
Defensive End
Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks

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 sacks in 225 regular season games, as well as an incredible 10.5 sacks in 19 postseason appearances. He earned first team all pro nods five times and second team selections another two times. I named him the Deacon and Godzilla winner in 1969, and the NEA named him their defensive player of the year in 1971.

133. Willie Davis (1958-1969)
Defensive End
Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns

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. John Turney estimates that, during his decade in Green Bay, Davis may have topped 120 sacks, including averaging a sack per game from 1963-65. In addition to the sacks, Davis generated pressure on a regular basis, though we don’t have exact figures for the number of times he made quarterbacks panic into mistakes. I named him the Deacon Award winner each season from 1964-1966. In 1965, he earned the Godzilla and World awards. ^[15]1965 is the only split decision I’ve ever gone with, as he tied with Karras for DPOY honors.

132. Mike Munchak (1982-1993)
Offensive Guard
Houston Oilers

Munchak was a stout powerhouse of a blocker who routinely blew opponents off the line, Hannah style. He played with heavy hands and delivered disorienting blows to defensive linemen right off the snap. Upon getting his more athletic foes off balance with his explosive pop, he’d drive them into the dirt ruthlessly. Although he wasn’t a premier athlete, Munchak could move well enough to get out in front of backs and send smaller defenders flying when blocking downfield. What he lacked in straight line speed, he made up for in lateral mobility, which aided him in pass protection, as he was able to match up well with the best interior pass rushers of his era. Munchak made an all pro team in 10 different seasons and earned the Hog Award for his work in 1987.

131. Norm Van Brocklin (1949-1960)
Quarterback
Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles

Norm Van Brocklin was often overshadowed by Otto Graham early in his career, which is a shame. Van Brocklin is the only quarterback in NFL history to throw 2,000 passes and average more than 8 yards per attempt. ^[16]Though Graham probably would have joined him with another few years, and both Patrick Mahomes and DeShaun Watson are on track to join this club, too. An aggressive thrower, he’s one of three players with 2,000 passes and 15 yards per completion. ^[17]Though again, Graham would make the list if he played more than six NFL seasons. Many quarterbacks have been referred to as a “coach on the field”, but in no case has it been more true than Van Brocklin’s. He feuded with a series of coaches in Los Angeles, eventually leaving because—in his own words—”I wanted to coach the team and Gillman wouldn’t let me.” He found a much better fit in Philadelphia under hands-off head coach Buck Shaw, who came out of retirement only after ownership promised him he wouldn’t have to work during the offseason, with Van Brocklin only too happy to pick up the slack. He was the only quarterback to ever defeat Vince Lombardi in the postseason, until 2015 he was the only quarterback to win NFL championships with two different teams, and he’s still the only quarterback to retire after an MVP season; after the Eagles backed out of a deal to name him their next head coach he quit the team and took over as head coach of the expansion Minnesota Vikings, just one month after his final NFL game. ^[18]Thanks to my friend Adam Harstad for this ode to NVB. A quick word from Bryan: I named NVB the Automatic Award winner in 1950, 1954, and 1960. I named him the Slinger winner in 1950 and 1954. Among … Continue reading

Defensive End
Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Dons, Green Bay Packers

An athletic marvel among contemporaries, Ford was like the Julius Peppers of his era. He simply had an athletic advantage over anyone lining up across from him. Ford excelled on both offense and defense for the Los Angeles Dons in the AAFC. ^[19]He produced seasons of 891 and 857 True Receiving Yards. Not bad for one of the best defensive ends in history. 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. 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. Ford’s 1951 campaign is one of the greatest seasons ever from a defensive end, one that saw him bring down quarterbacks 21 times in 12 games. His role was in many ways similar to a rushbacker, given he would rush from a standing position most of the time. Ford could also play in coverage and was adept at sliding to the flat and using his elite athleticism to erase passes to his zone. Personal demons brought an early end to his career, but at his peak he was a marvel. Ford retired with seven all pro nods, and he was an easy pick for DPOY in 1951. I named him the Deacon Award winner every year from 1951-1954.

129. DeMarcus Ware (2005-2016)
Rushbacker
Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos

Ware was an elite pass rusher who twice led the league in sacks and produced eight seasons in double digits. 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 7.5 regular season and 3.5 postseason sacks during Denver’s Super Bowl run, in which he had at least half a sack in each playoff 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. He was a member of six all pro teams and earned the Dobre Shunka Award for best outside linebacker in both 2007 and 2009.

128. Bill George (1952-1966)
Linebacker
Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams

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. He wasn’t the first true middle linebacker, despite the mythology, but he was an early highlight at the position. 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. He could play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. Moving all over the line, George could get pressure or shut down the run from virtually anywhere. 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. He was the leader of some great bears defenses, winning a title on the great 1963 squad. With 18 interceptions, 38 sacks, and 16 fumble recoveries, George seemed determined to put a little bit of ink in every column of the box score. ^[20]Not really. He played to win, and the stats just followed. I don’t think he really played to reach some statistical landmark. He isn’t Aaron Rodgers.

127. Michael Irvin (1988-1999)
Wide Receiver
Dallas Cowboys

The Playmaker was a violent route-runner who initiated contact with defensive backs and thrived on physical confrontation. He had some of the strongest hands in the history of the position, enabling him to snatch jump balls away from defenders seemingly at will. Irvin was a reliable deep threat in his first few seasons before becoming an intimidating chain-mover. He was fearless over the middle to a degree that many with his ego couldn’t match. He often gets knocked for his relatively low touchdowns numbers (65 for his career), but he played for a team that was content to let their automatic running back carry the ball behind a stacked line near the endzone. Anecdotally, he seemed to make a big play and manage to get tackled inside the five every time. Irvin saved his best for the biggest moments, gaining at least 80 yards in ten of his sixteen career playoff games. Irvin’s peak wasn’t particularly long, but it was high. By True Receiving Yards, he ranks ninth in two-season peak, sixth in three-season peak, and fifth in four-, five-, six-, and eight-season peak. ^[21]Those numbers, for the curious: Two season – 3866; three-season – 5690;  four-season – 7424; five-season – 9137; six-season – 10410; eight-season – 12647. He … Continue reading By DYAR, Irvin ranked first, first, first, second, and first from 1991-1995. I named him the Bambi Award winner for best wide receiver in 1991. ^[22]Irvin ranks 25th in career True Receiving Yards (TRY) with 14499. His top TRY seasons: 2009, 1858, 1823, 1735, 1713, 1273, 1120, 1118.

126. Larry Wilson (1960-1972)
Safety
St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals virtuoso is among the most versatile 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 21-25 sacks, which was unheard of for contemporary safeties. 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. I named him the Godzilla winner for DPOY that year. While his pure range wasn’t great, he excelled in his role and made a ton of plays. Wilson returned 52 interceptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns, and he had another two scores on fumble recoveries. ^[23]Wilson was a seven time all pro and earned the Tunnell Vision Award for bet safety in 1966 and 1968.

125. Patrick Willis (2007-2014)
Linebacker
San Francisco 49ers

Willis burst onto the scene with an all pro rookie season in which he led the league in tackles, proved effective at attacking the line of scrimmage, and became the rare rookie middle linebacker who actually excelled in coverage right away. Throughout his career, he was a tackling machine. He was great at getting to the ball carrier because he was blessed with elite speed, rare instincts, and the technical savvy to fight through blocks to get where he needed to go. In fact, he was so good at putting himself in position to make a play, that he would occasionally miss tackles because he found a way to get a hand on a runner when most linebackers wouldn’t have gotten close enough to miss. Willis had strong hands he used to lock out blockers when he didn’t simply knife his way through them when crashing into the backfield. A speed demon who could run with most wideouts, he is one of the best cover backers in history, succeeding in more difficult coverage assignments than are typical for the position. Near the end of his career, his role changed and often saw him playing in the slot or even out wide in coverage and sinking into the defensive line on about ten snaps per game. In his eight years in the NFL, Willis earned seven all pro selections. I named him the winner of the Enforcer Award for best middle linebacker in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012. he was the complete package and was virtually limitless in what he was capable of doing on the field.

124. Warren Moon (1978-2000)
Quarterback
Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Edmonton

Moon’s career stands as a triumph in a face of pervasive racism. Kept out of the NFL coming out of college, he dominated the CFL so completely and thoroughly for six seasons that the bigger league could no longer justify preventing him from playing quarterback. In fact, Moon went from not being allowed to play quarterback in the NFL to having his team lean heavily on his arm. He helped turn around a moribund Oilers franchise, and he scoffed at entanglement, posting consecutive 4000 yard seasons with two different teams and making the Pro Bowl with three different teams. The prolific passer is one of the greatest natural throwers in history, with each brilliant rainbow echoing God’s promise. I named Moon the Slinger Award winner for best quarterback in 1990 and the Automatic Award winner for MVP in 1991. ^[24]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Moon ranks 46th in VAL (2991) and 72nd in TAYP+ (103.9).

123. Curley Culp (1968-1981)
Defensive Tackle
Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers, Detroit Lions

His teammate, the Colossal Buchanan, overshadowed him in Kansas City, but Culp was the superior player. A champion wrestler, he had body control that most men his size can scarcely imagine. ^[25]Similar to Aaron Donald and Tyron Smith as players you look at and think “guys that size shouldn’t have muscles like that.” Culp possessed incredible raw power combined with cat quickness. Though Buck gets the glory, Culp is the one who manhandled Tingelhoff in the Super Bowl (like he tended to manhandle everyone). He had the speed and quickness to have been an all pro defensive end had coaches wanted him to. Instead, he played inside, ultimately becoming far and away the most destructive nose tackle in history. His presence made the Oilers 3-4 scheme work. He didn’t just swallow blockers and let Bethea and Brazile make all the plays (though he certainly drew that assignment often). Instead, he could collapse the middle of the offensive line, disrupting running plays and putting pressure on quarterbacks. As a nose, he earned the NEA’s award for DPOY in 1975 when he had 11 sacks, eight tackles for loss against the run, and six forced fumbles. I named him the Mean Award winner that year, as well as in 1969. Culp retired with 67 sacks and 22 forced fumbles, despite drawing constant attention from centers and guards.

122. Boomer Brown (1964-1973)
Offensive Tackle
Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Rams

Boomer made an immediate impact in the league, becoming the rare offensive lineman to earn rookie of the year honors. While he was technically proficient, it wasn’t purity of technique that made him a nightmare for defenders. He was a hulking behemoth who happened to own one of the game’s nastiest mean streaks. Brown would smother oncoming pass rushers and maul outmatched defenders in the run game. Raiders coach John Madden referred to him as the most aggressive offensive lineman who ever played and intimated that he brought an attitude to the team that rubbed off on fellow linemen Jim Otto, Gene Upshaw, and Art Shell. He took pass pro to the defender rather than playing passively as most do. He lined up with his right foot back like he was getting ready to sprint, then exploded into defenders. With his hyper-aggressive style, he sometimes played out of control and whiffed on blocks. But when he connected, he did so in frightening fashion. On top of his mauling style, Boomer was also terrific athlete who blocked downfield well and had little problem staying in front of his running backs. Brown played well regardless of where he went, taking his weaponized hands with him.^[26]Brown was named OL of the year by the National 1000 Yard Club in 1966 and the NFLPA in 1967. I gave him the Guardian Award for best guard in 1969.

121. Bulldog Turner (1940-1952)
Offensive Line, Linebacker
Chicago Bears

Clyde “Bulldog” Turner is one of the best two-way players in NFL history. Not only was he the top center of his era, but he was also among the best backing the line on defense. Bulldog was the pivot man for one of the great offensive lines in history, one that set up the Bears for a dominant string of offensive seasons. A stout player with a good center of gravity, he excelled at getting leverage on defenders and drive blocking them. He also had the mobility to be a good position blocker and pass protector. On defense, he flashed top notch athletic ability and played well in coverage. Turner had a knack for big plays, pulling in 17 interceptions with two pick sixes and two scores on fumble recoveries. His most impressive season came in 1942, when he picked off eight passes and scored a pair of defensive touchdowns. Turner was effectively the Mel Hein of his era, which is about as big a compliment as one can receive.

120. George Connor (1948-1955)
Offensive Tackle, Linebacker
Chicago Bears

Connor ranks highly based on his versatile play as a very good offensive lineman and all time great outside linebacker. I named him the Dobre Shunka winner in both 1950 and 1955 for his pristine work on defense. The 1950 season, in particular, was a masterpiece. He starred on offense and played the best defense of his career, and his all around play earned him the World Award for most outstanding player in the league. He only played eight seasons (91 regular season games), but he was among the top players in football most years of his career. His rookie year was the only season in which he didn’t find his way onto at least one all pro team from a major publication. With natural intuition in an era in which film study wasn’t quite what it is today, Connor was so in tune with what the opposing offense was doing, it seemed as though he had lined up in the huddle with them. His versatility wasn’t just in his ability to play both sides of the ball. On defense, he would play middle linebacker in a 5-2 and move outside in a 5-3. He would also played end or even tackle, depending on what was needed. Connor could do it all—and do it well.

119. Sonny Jurgensen (1957-1974)
Quarterback
Washington, Philadelphia Eagles

Jurgensen was the greatest pure passer of his era and one of the best of all time. His approach was unorthodox, but he was a natural thrower who could hit his mark from a variety of angles. Jurgensen used that beautiful ball of his to lead the NFL in passing five times and set the single season yardage record on two occasions, on two different teams. He rarely had the full team support afforded to many of the all-time greats, so he lacked sustained team success, but when you watched him play, it was clear he was as good as anyone who’s ever done it. Vince Lombardi once opined that if he had Jurgensen, the Packers never would have lost a game. Given his disregard for turnovers and freewheeling style, it’s hard to see a decade of undefeated seasons, but Jurgensen could generate offense like no one before him. I named him the winner of the Slinger Award in 1961, 1966, and 1967, as well as the Automatic Award for MVP in 1961. ^[27]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Jurgensen ranks 18th in VAL (7386) and 17th in TAYP+ (110.5).

118. John Elway (1983-1998)
Quarterback
Denver Broncos

For many who remember Elway more for his numbers on a page than his play on the field, the unavoidable conclusion is that he was wildly overrated. Over the first decade of his career, he put up almost perfectly league-average statistics on a defense-dominated team, yet he was somehow one of the most-respected quarterbacks in the NFL. How does one reconcile these facts? The usual method is to look at his supporting cast; Jason Lisk estimated the quality of supporting casts and found that Elway’s performance on bad teams was noticeably better than the average Hall of Famer on comparably bad teams, while Chase Stuart compared Elway’s receivers to many of his peers and found them significantly worse. And this is certainly part of the story. But Elway himself had a much simpler hypothesis; he believed that Dan Reeves’ old-school offensive approach was holding him back. And the stats bear this out, too; in 1993, with head coach Wade Phillips and little offensive help beyond Shannon Sharpe, Elway posted one of the Top 10 age-33 seasons in history per era-adjusted ANY/A. In fact, Elway ranks 8th in era-adjusted ANY/A after age 33 and 6th in era-adjusted ANY/A after age 35 (even ahead of Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady). But the people who watched him play didn’t need Elway’s numbers explained. They saw a man who could do anything asked of him on the field, who could carry an offense single-handedly when necessary, and whose legendary competitive drive meant his team was never out of the game. ^[28]Thanks, once again, to Adam Harstad for his note on Elway. A word from Bryan: I named Elway the Automatic Award winner in 1987, in a narrow escape over Kosar. Among qualifying quarterbacks, Elway … Continue reading

117. Raymond Berry (1955-1967)
Wide Receiver
Baltimore Colts

One of the greatest technicians the game has ever seen, Berry is credited with perfecting the timing route, forming an unstoppable tandem with quarterback Johnny Unitas. He possessed near unrivaled work ethic and developed a vast arsenal of moves to win on routes. He had excellent hands (without the use of modern supergloves) and moved the chains down after down in almost tedious fashion. While he didn’t scare defenses with speed, he could still break free over the top because of his ability to crate separation during his routes. Berry seemed to know in advance where the defense would have a weakness in coverage, because he was always available. He elevated his already stellar play in the big moments, most notably in his masterpiece in 1958 Championship Game, in which he hauled in 12 passes for 178 yards. He retired as the career leader in catches and yards, and he trailed only Hutson and McDonald in touchdowns among NFL receivers. I named him the Bambi Award winner in 1957, 1959, and 1960. ^[29]Berry ranks 33rd in career TRY (13765). His top TRY seasons: 1910, 1689, 1523, 1307, 1089, 1035, 1030, 978, 967.

116. Fran Tarkenton (1961-1978)
Quarterback
Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants

Tarkenton was thought of as a scrambler who was too small to be a great QB. It’s true that he was a scrambler; he retired as career leader in rushing yards by a quarterback. However, he also retired as the leader in passing yards and touchdowns, holding both records for an incredible 19 years. No passer has ever held either record for longer, and Tarkenton set it playing primarily in the dead ball era. He helped turn around the fortunes of both the Vikings and the Giants during his storied career. At the same time, he frustrated teammates and coaches by going off script so much. His apparent lack of trust in his surroundings made those around him resentful. This can sometimes happen with playmaker types who have the ability to make big plays. Too often, they will eschew the gameplan and play hero ball, which looks great when it works but is confounding when it doesn’t. Regardless, his talent was too great to knock too much for his freewheeling, and I even named him the Automatic Award winner in both 1967 and 1975. ^[30]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Tarkenton ranks 8th in VAL (10215) and 28th in TAYP+ (108.7).

115. Lou Groza (1946-1967)
Offensive Tackle, Defensive Line, Kicker
Cleveland Browns

Groza used to say he considered himself a lineman who just happened to have the ability to kick, and he spent a dozen years as Cleveland’s primary tackle. He played in an incredible 13 championship games in his 21 seasons, spanning both the Otto Graham and Jim Brown eras. Although Groza was among the better tackles of his era, he earned the most notoriety as a kicker. Appropriately nicknamed The Toe because he is the most dominant kicker in history, relative to his peers, he became the all-time leading scorer in 1957 and held the title until George Blanda took it in 1971. ^[31]Groza retired having scored 1608 points, which ranks 21st now; at the time, he had a 28% lead on second place Blanda (who, himself, had a 32% lead on third place Cappelletti). As a pure tackle, a pure defender, or a pure kicker, Groza would be much lower on this list. However, he was the best kicker of his generation, a great offensive lineman, and a good defender. Readers of Football Perspective probably know that Lowery made field goals at a higher rate above average than any other kicker; that’s not entirely true, because those studies don’t include Groza. His accuracy outstripped the next best kicker in a way that simply isn’t possible today. He led the league in kicking average five times. In 1953, he made 88.5% of his field goals while all other kickers combined to make 41.3% of their kicks (thus the difference of 47.2% was higher than their average). ^[32]Groza made nine Pro Bowls and eight all pro teams, won five Toe Awards for best kicker, and earned MVP honors from Sporting News in 1954.

114. Clarke Hinkle (1932-1941)
Running Back (premodern)
Green Bay Packers

Like all players of his era, Hinkle had to be able to produce on offense, defense, and special teams if he really wanted to keep his spot on a roster. Unlike most players of his era, he was among the best at everything he had to do. On offense, he was a power runner who took the fight to the defense. He loved to lower his shoulder and slam violently into would be tacklers. When he retired, he was the NFL’s career leader in rushing yards. Hinkle was also a quality blocker who would rattle molars with a shot from his strong forearms. He was among the most accurate kickers in the game, and he was also a plus punter. But defense was his real strength. He was a sure tackler with good instincts, and he would lay out prospective receivers in the primitive passing game. In fact, defensively he was probably better than the universally lauded Bronko Nagurski. Bronko is the legend, whom I have referred to as Paul Bunyan in Pads, while Hinkle has faded from memory. In reality, there wasn’t much separating the two. Perhaps if Hinkle had a memorable nickname like Stallion or Crash he’d be better remembered. Also, Nagurski looked the part, whereas Hinkle resembles my electrician.

113. Mike Michalske (1926-1937)
Offensive Guard (premodern)
Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees

The original Iron Mike was the second best guard of the premodern era. He wasn’t very big, even by the standards of his generation, but he was naturally strong and would push opponents around with his powerful hands. Michalske was also nimble and could block from a wide variety of angles, and he had the ability to recover well if initially beaten on a play. Defensively, he had a good burst and made slipping blocks look routine. He was a student of the game and would use his understanding of schemes and concepts to the advantage of his defense. Along with Hubbard, Michalske would confound overmatched offensive lines with stunts that modern lines are used to but early lines weren’t quite ready to combat. The highlight of their union came in their first season together, when their defense allowed 22 points in 13 games (1.7 PPG) and led the Packers to an undefeated championship run. ^[33]While winless, Green Bay did have one tie, a 0-0 contest against Frankford.

112. Jack Christiansen (1951-1958)
Safety
Detroit Lions

The leader of Chris’s Crew, Christiansen was a heady player with tremendous speed in coverage. Similar to the Reed or Thomas of his day, his range was unparalleled in his era and has been matched by few since. He had great instincts and broke on the ball with quickness. In his short career, he led the league in interceptions twice and was a dominant ballhawk at his peak and had two other seasons with eight picks. 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. In his first two years, before opponents managed to adjust to his speed, he had six return touchdowns and averaged 20.2 yards per return. After coverage adjustments, Christiansen continued to shine and retired with a 12.9 average, which remains the highest mark in history. ^[34]Christiansen earned the Gray & White Award in 1952 and the Tunnell Vision Award in 1953 and 1954.

111. Mike Singletary (1981-1992)
Linebacker
Chicago Bears

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 adequate 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. Early in his career, his aggression bit him, as he was easily baited and susceptible to counters. he eventually got it together and started making all the right moves. He wasn’t especially fast, but he read the offense well and played with a level of anticipation that allowed him to play faster than his straight line speed. He was good on run blitzes but playing for the Bears helped hide his deficiencies in coverage. Had he played on a team without a great pass rushing defensive line, his coverage would have been a liability. Singletary was fun to watch for his intensity and big plays, but he wasn’t as consistent as some others at the position. Still, that is a minor demerit to explain ranking him outside of the top 100. ^[35]Singletary won the Enforcer Award from 1984-1986 and in 1988. He won the Godzilla Award in 1985.

110. Mel Blount (1970-1983)
Cornerback
Pittsburgh Steelers

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. He was tall and long, which helped him defend passes over the top, and he had underrated speed. He would rank higher on the list (as he does on most lists), but he did struggle at times with the real burners and quick receivers, seemingly because he wasn’t quite as fluid as some of the premier man defenders. ^[36]Blount earned the AP’s DPOY award in 1975. That year, he took pretty much ever GridFe award a pure defender can get: he nabbed the Prime Time Award for best cornerback, as well as the Godzilla … Continue reading

109. Joe Thomas (2007-2017)
Offensive Tackle
Cleveland Browns

Myriad incredible players have held the tackle position in the NFL. Some had Herculean strength. Others had elite athleticism. Others still had exceptional grace and footwork. Thomas certainly had enough of those to merit mention, but it is technique that has always been his calling card. Without exaggeration, Thomas is the most refined technician the position has ever seen. His footwork and hand placement were perfect, and his body positioning was nigh always correct. His economy of movement allowed him to play well beyond his raw athletic talent. He could mirror speed rushers and anchor against power rushers and reacted deftly to counter moves. Thomas is well-known 10363 consecutive snaps. What many may not know is that he succeeded with much tougher assignments than most tackles, left to solo block at a higher rate than anyone else, and typically for an inept quarterback who held the ball too long while trying to figure out how to read a defense. That he was recognized for his greatness despite playing on generally moribund offensive squads is a testament to his prodigious skill. Thomas is among the great pass blockers in history, consistently saving oblivious passers from themselves. He played in 167 games and held opponents without a sack in 130 of them. He was an underrated run blocker because he didn’t drive defenders into the turf with highlight reel blocks. Instead, he maintained good positioning and kept his man from making the tackle. Edge rushers are freakier athletes than ever, and the depth of solid pass rushers is impressive. Playing left tackle is incredibly difficult. Thomas made it look effortless. ^[37]Thomas made the Pro Bowl in all but his last, truncated season. He was an all pro every year except his first and last. I named him the Guardian Award winner for best tackle in 2009, 2012, 2013, and … Continue reading

108. Champ Bailey (1999-2013)
Cornerback
Denver Broncos, Washington

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 fifth-most pass attempts. ^[38]He earned the Prime Time Award that year after winning the Godzilla Award the previous season. Bailey was also phenomenal in run support and tape of his play was popular for teaching fundamental form tackling. He played forever at a position that is known for high peaks and short primes, and he achieved near universal respect from opponents. Bailey had great speed and rare leaping ability that helped him erase deep shots. Despite his immense and immediately evident talent, Bailey was an up and down player who sometimes seemed to get bored or distracted with how easy it was to shut down a receiver. When that would happen, the result would usually be six points on the board or a big play over the top. Consistency is important for a cornerback, and Bailey’s inconsistent play keeps him out of the top 100. ^[39]I don’t believe this to be an insult, as ranking 108 out of thousands of players is pretty damned high. Your mileage may vary.

107. Richard Sherman (2011-present)
Cornerback
Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers

Sherman is often knocked for being a zone cornerback, but even a basic understanding of the cover 3 scheme in which he played at his peak would reveal that his responsibilities were tantamount to man coverage downfield. Further, zone is the most common form of coverage assignment and has been for some time, so good zone play is, by default, necessary for anyone who wants to be an elite cornerback. And Sherman has absolutely been an elite cornerback. Big and aggressive, like Blount, he thrived on contact and redirecting receivers at the line of scrimmage. With a strong and accurate initial punch in press, his ability to throw off the timing of a route often stopped his man before the receiver ever got into his route. With great length and preternatural football acumen, Sherman has made a habit of creating turnovers and preventing big plays. His ball skills and soft hands have made him adept at picking off passes, and his dedication in the film room has offset his relative lack of speed. Sherman has also been good against the run and is among the top form tacklers ever at the position. I named him the winner of the Prime Time Award in both 2012 and 2013.

106. Darrelle Revis (2007-2017)
Cornerback
New York Jets, new England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs

Perhaps the most glowing review one can give of 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. Many found themselves stranded with no hope of escape; maybe they’d find the occasional fruit to satiate them, but they’d eventually run out and starve. Revis was the rare brand of corner who locked down his man and still invited a high number of targets. Instead of forcing QBs to look elsewhere, he tricked them into just wasting plays altogether. His ability to do this 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 and is easily among the best ever. ^[40]In his 19 games that season, his matchups included Andre Johnson, two games of Randy Moss, Kenny Britt, Marques Colston, two games of Terrell Owens, Steve Smith, Roddy White, two games of Reggie … Continue reading The 2009 Jets had the league’s best defense with a mediocre front seven, and it was primarily because Revis afforded the team the ability to rotate help elsewhere and make the entire defense more sound because of his coverage skill. That year, I gave him awards for best cornerback, DPOY, and most outstanding player in the league.

105. Derrick Thomas (1989-1999)
Rushbacker
Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City icon was a tremendous pass rusher with one of the greatest first steps the game has ever seen. He looked like he was lined up in the neutral zone on every play, even though he wasn’t. Although his career was abbreviated by his tragic early death, he nonetheless was able to amass 126.5 in 169 regular season games. A pass rusher extraordinaire, 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. He had 41 forced fumbles and 19 recoveries, and he was always a threat to stall a drive or end it altogether. Thomas had powerful hands that he used to knock down the hands of would-be blockers. In addition to his great speed and upper echelon quickness, he was also a skilled power rusher who could generate tremendous force into the chest of an offensive lineman and send him into his own passer. 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 gets a high spot on the list. ^[41]Thomas was a six time all pro and earned the Dobre Shunka Award in 1990.

104. Von Miller (2011-present)
Rushbacker
Denver Broncos

Perhaps it feels premature to place Miller alongside the pass-rushing legends of yore at this juncture, and many will consider it sacrilege to [place him above Thomas. But upon examination, Miller’s body of work already holds up against even the all-time greats. He has played ten games or more just eight times but already has as many seasons with double-digit sacks as LT or DT ^[42]7 apiece. Among players who were primarily considered linebackers through their career, only former teammate Ware (8) has more. ^[43]Though it should be noted that positional designations for edge rushers are often fluid. Officially, only Ware and Jared Allen had more career sacks before their thirtieth birthday. ^[44]Taylor also passes him by half a sack if we for a minute stop pretending that pass-rushing was invented in 1982. Also, with an unofficial 106 sacks through 1968, Deacon Jones sits atop the list. Of … Continue reading Miller has made the Pro Bowl and been named a first team all pro by at least one major publication for every healthy year of his career ^[45]With the exception of 2019, when he made the Pro Bowl but did not earn an all pro nod. and was named Super Bowl MVP after he (and Ware) dominated the 2015 postseason. ^[46]Just the ninth time a defender has been so honored. Seemingly the most naturally gifted pass-rusher the league has ever seen, many players are known for one or two dominant moves but in Miller’s arsenal are a genuinely unprecedented number of top-level moves, countermoves, and counter-countermoves, supplemented the quickest first step since Thomas. ^[47]Pause a Broncos game and note how Miller is two yards into the backfield by the time a wide receiver has completed his first step. While many of his fellow pocket-disruptors treat the running game as someone else’s concern, Miller draws praise for his run support, and he is the best rushbacker ever in coverage when the Broncos have him drop away from the line of scrimmage. ^[48]Miller earned Dobre Shunka Awards in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017.

103. Willie Lanier (1967-1977)
Linebacker
Kansas City Chiefs

Known as Contact for his punishing tackling style that jarred ball carriers, Lanier was also a sure tackler whom Dr. Z once referred to as a run stuffer supreme (remember, he played in an era when stuffing runs still mattered). As good as he was against the run, he was arguably even better in coverage. Interceptions are rarely a great stat to point to as proof of such ability, but Lanier’s 27 career picks are a tangible evidence of his work as a cover man. Film shows a player with great quickness and instincts, able to operate well in space and anticipate where the quarterback wanted to throw. Lanier came into the league facing similar racial prejudices that kept African Americans from landing roles as starting quarterbacks. ^[49]It was a widespread belief at the time that white players were the only ones capable of handling the mental burden of playing quarterback, middle linebacker, and center. Even after other positions … Continue reading Fortunately, the AFL realized what he could do on the field and gave him the opportunity to prove traditionalists wrong. He didn’t take long, earning postseason honors his second year as a pro and every year after till he turned 30. ^[50]This isn’t just one of those media creations, where a player is recognized for his uniqueness rather than his greatness; the NFL Players Association named him the AFC’s best linebacker … Continue reading Lanier was a trailblazer whose performance on a championship defense paved the way for future generations of black players to patrol the middle of the defense. ^[51]Lanier earned the Enforcer Award for best middle linebacker in 1968, 1969, 1971, and 1973.

102. George Trafton (1920-1932)
Offensive Center (premodern)
Decatur/Chicago Staleys/Chicago Bears

Before Hein came along, Trafton was the premier center in the game. Even after Bulldog hit his stride, Trafton remained the top non-Hein center before 1950. By all accounts, no one snapped the ball with such perfect placement as he did. In the days with loaded backfields and a great deal of directional snapping, placement was paramount. He was a powerful blocker, and his power was made all the more irksome for opponents because of his tenacity and apparent love for the sheer violence of the game. One suspects that if football hadn’t been an option, Trafton may have taken up bear wrestling. He was also a fearsome defender, playing a position similar to linebacker. He played fast, hit hard, and never seemed to wear down. His relentless play made him look even more impressive as everyone around him grew weary. Passing schemes weren’t complex in the twenties, but coverage was still important for defenders. Trafton was among the better coverage players at the position over the course of his career. When he retired, no one had appeared in as many NFL games.

101. Dutch Clark (1931-1938)
Running Back (premodern)
Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions

Earl “Dutch” Clark is easily the top premodern halfback. A virtuoso talent on offense, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry in the era of three yards and a cloud of dust. Clark was a sudden and slashing runner, like an early version of Sayers or Sanders. Opponents often lamented that they’d have him in their sights only to grab a handful of air while the Dutch darted past them. Similar to Emmitt or Edgerrin, he always seemed to find a hole to get at least some positive yardage on a play. As the primary playcaller for the top rushing offense in history, he was content to serve as a decoy while teammates picked up yards. Similar to having a deep threat receiver, having Clark on the field meant defensive attention typically went his way, allowing others to shine. Clark was a talented passer (for the era) and did his duty distributing the ball in a primitive passing system. He was good on the receiving end of passes as well, though his numbers are meager by today’s standards. He was a power punter who could flip the field for his team, and he was among the top kickers in the land. Clark was a three time scoring champion (and ranked second and fourth in other seasons) and a six time consensus all pro in his seven years in the league. In 1937, he won the Gruen Award, which was the first major MVP award and considered by many historians to be a direct predecessor to the Carr Trophy—the only official MVP award the league has ever had. If voting bodies had been around to name MVPs prior to that, Clark likely would have won two more and been on the shortlist two other times.