NFL All-Time Teams

[Minstrel]

Basketball season is over and baseball season may never begin, but football season is in full swing between free agency and the draft. It made me think about how a lot of all-time great players are playing right now, or recently, and then I wondered how I'd construct an all-time team if I assumed I'd be drafting players from the start of their careers.

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes (Yes, it's very early, but he's the most purely talented quarterback I've ever seen. And it hurts to pick him, as a 49ers fan, on multiple levels)
Fullback: Jim Brown
Halfback: Barry Sanders
Flanker (Z): Jerry Rice
Split End (X): Randy Moss
Slot: Larry Fitzgerald (Okay, I cheated here--Fitzgerald spent most of his career as a Z or X, but he proved to be a great slot receiver later in his career and he's simply more talented than a dedicated slot receiver like Wes Welker)
Tight End: Rob Gronkowksi (Tony Gonzalez has a great argument too and probably had the greatest overall career for a tight end, but Gronkowski was the most dominant tight end ever in his prime)
Left Tackle: Art Shell (Could have put either Shell or Muñoz on the left side, but I figured since I was going to choose Shell's linemate Upshaw at guard, I should recreate their legendary left side)
Right Tackle: Anthony Muñoz
Left Guard: Gene Upshaw
Right Guard: John Hannah
Center: Jim Otto

Defensive End: Reggie White
Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald (Again, early in his career, but he's been the most dominant defensive tackle the game has seen so far--he's capable of putting up sack totals in the realm of legendary edge rushers, which shouldn't be possible)
Defensive Tackle: Joe Greene
Defensive End: JJ Watt (He's missed seasons due to injury which will reduce his career value, but he's been uniquely dominant when healthy and if I could take him from the start of his career, only Reggie White would compete with him as my ideal defensive end)
Outside Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor (This is cheating again--he's an edge rusher who's a linebacker in a 3-4 alignment and I'm putting him in as a 4-3 linebacker. But I didn't feel like doing a separate 3-4 alignment just to include him and he must be included)
Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis (Inside linebacker in a 3-4, he'd be a middle linebacker in a 4-3)
Outside Linebacker: Patrick Willis (Another inside linebacker but whether I choose him or Dick Butkus--who was a middle linebacker--the best linebackers tended to be either inside in a 3-4 or middle in a 4-3)
Cornerback: Deion Sanders
Free Safety: Ed Reed
Strong Safety: Ronnie Lott (More positional cheating but, much as with inside/middle linebackers, the greatest safeties tended to be free safeties. Lott's incredible hitting/tackling ability would work perfectly well in a scheme that brought their strong safety into the box and his range and ball skills would work perfectly well in a scheme that had mirrored deep safeties)
Cornerback: Rod Woodson

Thoughts? Hate my cheating? Don't like the current player picks?

Have an even better team?

 

[tlongII]

Basketball season is over and baseball season may never begin, but football season is in full swing between free agency and the draft. It made me think about how a lot of all-time great players are playing right now, or recently, and then I wondered how I'd construct an all-time team if I assumed I'd be drafting players from the start of their careers.

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes (Yes, it's very early, but he's the most purely talented quarterback I've ever seen. And it hurts to pick him, as a 49ers fan, on multiple levels)
Fullback: Jim Brown
Halfback: Barry Sanders
Flanker (Z): Jerry Rice
Split End (X): Randy Moss
Slot: Larry Fitzgerald (Okay, I cheated here--Fitzgerald spent most of his career as a Z or X, but he proved to be a great slot receiver later in his career and he's simply more talented than a dedicated slot receiver like Wes Welker)
Tight End: Rob Gronkowksi (Tony Gonzalez has a great argument too and probably had the greatest overall career for a tight end, but Gronkowski was the most dominant tight end ever in his prime)
Left Tackle: Art Shell (Could have put either Shell or Muñoz on the left side, but I figured since I was going to choose Shell's linemate Upshaw at guard, I should recreate their legendary left side)
Right Tackle: Anthony Muñoz
Left Guard: Gene Upshaw
Right Guard: John Hannah
Center: Jim Otto

Defensive End: Reggie White
Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald (Again, early in his career, but he's been the most dominant defensive tackle the game has seen so far--he's capable of putting up sack totals in the realm of legendary edge rushers, which shouldn't be possible)
Defensive Tackle: Joe Greene
Defensive End: JJ Watt (He's missed seasons due to injury which will reduce his career value, but he's been uniquely dominant when healthy and if I could take him from the start of his career, only Reggie White would compete with him as my ideal defensive end)
Outside Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor (This is cheating again--he's an edge rusher who's a linebacker in a 3-4 alignment and I'm putting him in as a 4-3 linebacker. But I didn't feel like doing a separate 3-4 alignment just to include him and he must be included)
Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis (Inside linebacker in a 3-4, he'd be a middle linebacker in a 4-3)
Outside Linebacker: Patrick Willis (Another inside linebacker but whether I choose him or Dick Butkus--who was a middle linebacker--the best linebackers tended to be either inside in a 3-4 or middle in a 4-3)
Cornerback: Deion Sanders
Free Safety: Ed Reed
Strong Safety: Ronnie Lott (More positional cheating but, much as with inside/middle linebackers, the greatest safeties tended to be free safeties. Lott's incredible hitting/tackling ability would work perfectly well in a scheme that brought their strong safety into the box and his range and ball skills would work perfectly well in a scheme that had mirrored deep safeties)
Cornerback: Rod Woodson

Thoughts? Hate my cheating? Don't like the current player picks?

Have an even better team?

Jim Brown was not a fullback. Best running back in history though.

 

[stampedehero]

Basketball season is over and baseball season may never begin, but football season is in full swing between free agency and the draft. It made me think about how a lot of all-time great players are playing right now, or recently, and then I wondered how I'd construct an all-time team if I assumed I'd be drafting players from the start of their careers.

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes (Yes, it's very early, but he's the most purely talented quarterback I've ever seen. And it hurts to pick him, as a 49ers fan, on multiple levels)
Fullback: Jim Brown
Halfback: Barry Sanders
Flanker (Z): Jerry Rice
Split End (X): Randy Moss
Slot: Larry Fitzgerald (Okay, I cheated here--Fitzgerald spent most of his career as a Z or X, but he proved to be a great slot receiver later in his career and he's simply more talented than a dedicated slot receiver like Wes Welker)
Tight End: Rob Gronkowksi (Tony Gonzalez has a great argument too and probably had the greatest overall career for a tight end, but Gronkowski was the most dominant tight end ever in his prime)
Left Tackle: Art Shell (Could have put either Shell or Muñoz on the left side, but I figured since I was going to choose Shell's linemate Upshaw at guard, I should recreate their legendary left side)
Right Tackle: Anthony Muñoz
Left Guard: Gene Upshaw
Right Guard: John Hannah
Center: Jim Otto

Defensive End: Reggie White
Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald (Again, early in his career, but he's been the most dominant defensive tackle the game has seen so far--he's capable of putting up sack totals in the realm of legendary edge rushers, which shouldn't be possible)
Defensive Tackle: Joe Greene
Defensive End: JJ Watt (He's missed seasons due to injury which will reduce his career value, but he's been uniquely dominant when healthy and if I could take him from the start of his career, only Reggie White would compete with him as my ideal defensive end)
Outside Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor (This is cheating again--he's an edge rusher who's a linebacker in a 3-4 alignment and I'm putting him in as a 4-3 linebacker. But I didn't feel like doing a separate 3-4 alignment just to include him and he must be included)
Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis (Inside linebacker in a 3-4, he'd be a middle linebacker in a 4-3)
Outside Linebacker: Patrick Willis (Another inside linebacker but whether I choose him or Dick Butkus--who was a middle linebacker--the best linebackers tended to be either inside in a 3-4 or middle in a 4-3)
Cornerback: Deion Sanders
Free Safety: Ed Reed
Strong Safety: Ronnie Lott (More positional cheating but, much as with inside/middle linebackers, the greatest safeties tended to be free safeties. Lott's incredible hitting/tackling ability would work perfectly well in a scheme that brought their strong safety into the box and his range and ball skills would work perfectly well in a scheme that had mirrored deep safeties)
Cornerback: Rod Woodson

Thoughts? Hate my cheating? Don't like the current player picks?

Have an even better team?

Like it. The Ravens picks please me.

 

[Minstrel]

Jim Brown was not a fullback. Best running back in history though.

He absolutely was a fullback. That was his official position.

James Nathaniel Brown (born February 17, 1936) is an American former professional football player, sports analyst and actor. He was a fullback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) from 1957 through 1965.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Brown

It's certainly true that the fullback was used differently than fullbacks are today. That's a different thing, though.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'd take Deacon Jones over JJ Watt. Bruce Smith too. Because it's still early in Donald's career, I'd keep Olsen or Sapp in that spot for now (or Randle if I'm being a fanboi).

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I got to Patrick Mahomes, rolled my eyes and said not today internet.

 

[tlongII]

He absolutely was a fullback. That was his official position.

James Nathaniel Brown (born February 17, 1936) is an American former professional football player, sports analyst and actor. He was a fullback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) from 1957 through 1965.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Brown

It's certainly true that the fullback was used differently than fullbacks are today. That's a different thing, though.

Yeah I guess you're right. I consider him as just a running back though. Fullbacks today are primarily blocking backs.

 

[Chris Craig]

I got to Patrick Mahomes, rolled my eyes and said not today internet.

At least he didn't say Brady

 

[Minstrel]

Yeah I guess you're right. I consider him as just a running back though. Fullbacks today are primarily blocking backs.

That's true. While it was convenient for me, I actually don't consider it cheating to put Brown at fullback even if today he'd be the halfback. That's because he usually shared the backfield with another dynamic running back (like Bobby Mitchell and Ernie Green), not a blocking back. No back more dynamic back to share the backfield with Brown than Barry Sanders!

 

[Minstrel]

I'd take Deacon Jones over JJ Watt. Bruce Smith too. Because it's still early in Donald's career, I'd keep Olsen or Sapp in that spot for now (or Randle if I'm being a fanboi).

Deacon Jones would have been my next pick at DE. If it hadn't been Donald, I'd probably have chosen Alan Page. But I didn't necessarily choose the greatest careers to date--I picked the players I felt were the most talented at the position. I don't think Page, Olsen or Sapp were more talented than Donald.

 

[Hoopguru]

Basketball season is over and baseball season may never begin, but football season is in full swing between free agency and the draft. It made me think about how a lot of all-time great players are playing right now, or recently, and then I wondered how I'd construct an all-time team if I assumed I'd be drafting players from the start of their careers.

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes (Yes, it's very early, but he's the most purely talented quarterback I've ever seen. And it hurts to pick him, as a 49ers fan, on multiple levels
Fullback: Jim Brown
Halfback: Barry Sanders
Flanker (Z): Jerry Rice
Split End (X): Randy Moss
Slot: Larry Fitzgerald (Okay, I cheated here--Fitzgerald spent most of his career as a Z or X, but he proved to be a great slot receiver later in his career and he's simply more talented than a dedicated slot receiver like Wes Welker)
Tight End: Rob Gronkowksi (Tony Gonzalez has a great argument too and probably had the greatest overall career for a tight end, but Gronkowski was the most dominant tight end ever in his prime)
Left Tackle: Art Shell (Could have put either Shell or Muñoz on the left side, but I figured since I was going to choose Shell's linemate Upshaw at guard, I should recreate their legendary left side)
Right Tackle: Anthony Muñoz
Left Guard: Gene Upshaw
Right Guard: John Hannah
Center: Jim Otto

Defensive End: Reggie White
Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald (Again, early in his career, but he's been the most dominant defensive tackle the game has seen so far--he's capable of putting up sack totals in the realm of legendary edge rushers, which shouldn't be possible)
Defensive Tackle: Joe Greene
Defensive End: JJ Watt (He's missed seasons due to injury which will reduce his career value, but he's been uniquely dominant when healthy and if I could take him from the start of his career, only Reggie White would compete with him as my ideal defensive end)
Outside Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor (This is cheating again--he's an edge rusher who's a linebacker in a 3-4 alignment and I'm putting him in as a 4-3 linebacker. But I didn't feel like doing a separate 3-4 alignment just to include him and he must be included)
Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis (Inside linebacker in a 3-4, he'd be a middle linebacker in a 4-3)
Outside Linebacker: Patrick Willis (Another inside linebacker but whether I choose him or Dick Butkus--who was a middle linebacker--the best linebackers tended to be either inside in a 3-4 or middle in a 4-3)
Cornerback: Deion Sanders
Free Safety: Ed Reed
Strong Safety: Ronnie Lott (More positional cheating but, much as with inside/middle linebackers, the greatest safeties tended to be free safeties. Lott's incredible hitting/tackling ability would work perfectly well in a scheme that brought their strong safety into the box and his range and ball skills would work perfectly well in a scheme that had mirrored deep safeties)
Cornerback: Rod Woodson

Thoughts? Hate my cheating? Don't like the current player picks?

Have an even better team?

Im thinking Larry Czonka best fullback all time & Jim Brown best running back. But I liked Barry Sanders better than both!
Montana best qb but you'd have to give it to Brady. If you are giving Gronk the best TE , then I submit you must give Brady the best QB, darn it!

 

[Minstrel]

Im thinking Larry Czonka best fullback all time & Jim Brown best running back.

Both were fullbacks and clearly Jim Brown was much better!

Montana best qb but you'd have to give it to Brady. If you are giving Gronk the best TE , then I submit you must give Brady the best QB, darn it!

Montana and Brady are both great options. But, honestly, if I hadn't chosen Mahomes, it would have been Aaron Rodgers. Until Mahomes, Rodgers was the most talented quarterback I'd ever seen (my football viewership starts in the early-80s).

 

[The Professional Fan]

Damn, Minstrel that was an in depth roster. I won't go that deep but I do like the idea.

QB: John Elway (He dragged three mediocre teams to a Super Bowl, then won two, and ripped my heart out several times when Seattle was in the AFC West)
FB: Mike Alstott (I just loved watching him play)
RB: Barry Sanders (Best to ever do it)
WR 1: Randy Moss (Best I've ever seen)
WR 2: Calvin Johnson (Second Best I've ever seen)
Slot WR: Doug Baldwin (Homer pick, but that guy did more with less than most WR's and he was always mad)
TE: Antonio Gates (I know Gonzalez was a basketball convert but Gates really broke the mold in my opinion)
LT: Walter Jones (Maybe a homer pick I don't care he is HOF and my boy)
LG: Steve Hutchinson (Massive homer pick but there was nothing more unstoppable than Shaun Alexander running behind the left side of that O-Line)
C: Kevin Mawae (A pro's pro and was president of the NFLPA)
RG: Richie Incognito (for entertainment purposes)
RT: DJ Fluker (Best locker room interview)
DE: Reggie White (Best to ever do it)
DE: Dwight Freeney (That spin move, man...)
DT: Aaron Donald (Freak of nature)
DT: Cortez Kennedy (Homer pick but that guy was a fucking BEAST)
OLB: Derrick Thomas (He played DE and LB not sure if this is a cheat but this dude sacked my QB 7 times in one game.....Seattle ended up winning though)
OLB: Lawrence Taylor (Might be a cheat don't care he was incredible)
MLB: Bobby Wagner (Had to)
CB: Deion Sanders (The best to ever do it)
CB: Darrelle Revis (Could roam)
FS: Earl Thomas (This list is getting very homer haha)
SS: John Lynch (Hits like a motherfucker)
K: Adam Vinatieri (Most clutch Kicker ever)

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Damn, Minstrel that was an in depth roster. I won't go that deep but I do like the idea.

QB: John Elway (He dragged three mediocre teams to a Super Bowl, then won two, and ripped my heart out several times when Seattle was in the AFC West)
FB: Mike Alstott (I just loved watching him play)
RB: Barry Sanders (Best to ever do it)
WR 1: Randy Moss (Best I've ever seen)
WR 2: Calvin Johnson (Second Best I've ever seen)
Slot WR: Doug Baldwin (Homer pick, but that guy did more with less than most WR's and he was always mad)
TE: Antonio Gates (I know Gonzalez was a basketball convert but Gates really broke the mold in my opinion)
LT: Walter Jones (Maybe a homer pick I don't care he is HOF and my boy)
LG: Steve Hutchinson (Massive homer pick but there was nothing more unstoppable than Shaun Alexander running behind the left side of that O-Line)
C: Kevin Mawae (A pro's pro and was president of the NFLPA)
RG: Richie Incognito (for entertainment purposes)
RT: DJ Fluker (Best locker room interview)
DE: Reggie White (Best to ever do it)
DE: Dwight Freeney (That spin move, man...)
DT: Aaron Donald (Freak of nature)
DT: Cortez Kennedy (Homer pick but that guy was a fucking BEAST)
OLB: Derrick Thomas (He played DE and LB not sure if this is a cheat but this dude sacked my QB 7 times in one game.....Seattle ended up winning though)
OLB: Lawrence Taylor (Might be a cheat don't care he was incredible)
MLB: Bobby Wagner (Had to)
CB: Deion Sanders (The best to ever do it)
CB: Darrelle Revis (Could roam)
FS: Earl Thomas (This list is getting very homer haha)
SS: John Lynch (Hits like a motherfucker)
K: Adam Vinatieri (Most clutch Kicker ever)

Im guessing by this list you’re a 49er fan.

 

[The Professional Fan]

Im guessing by this list you’re a 49er fan.

Hahaha....TOTALLY

 

[handiman]

If injury plagued guys like JJ Watt make the list, then Bo Jackson deserves consideration. A full career at that level of production probably would have made him the best ever.

 

[Minstrel]

If injury plagued guys like JJ Watt make the list, then Bo Jackson deserves consideration. A full career at that level of production probably would have made him the best ever.

Sure, but we already know everything Jackson did. I still expect Watt to play some more. And Watt already has three DPoY awards (only Lawrence Taylor has ever done that). If Jackson had done something like win three MVP awards, I could see tossing him into the conversation.

 

[Minstrel]

Damn, Minstrel that was an in depth roster. I won't go that deep but I do like the idea.

QB: John Elway (He dragged three mediocre teams to a Super Bowl, then won two, and ripped my heart out several times when Seattle was in the AFC West)
FB: Mike Alstott (I just loved watching him play)
RB: Barry Sanders (Best to ever do it)
WR 1: Randy Moss (Best I've ever seen)
WR 2: Calvin Johnson (Second Best I've ever seen)
Slot WR: Doug Baldwin (Homer pick, but that guy did more with less than most WR's and he was always mad)
TE: Antonio Gates (I know Gonzalez was a basketball convert but Gates really broke the mold in my opinion)
LT: Walter Jones (Maybe a homer pick I don't care he is HOF and my boy)
LG: Steve Hutchinson (Massive homer pick but there was nothing more unstoppable than Shaun Alexander running behind the left side of that O-Line)
C: Kevin Mawae (A pro's pro and was president of the NFLPA)
RG: Richie Incognito (for entertainment purposes)
RT: DJ Fluker (Best locker room interview)
DE: Reggie White (Best to ever do it)
DE: Dwight Freeney (That spin move, man...)
DT: Aaron Donald (Freak of nature)
DT: Cortez Kennedy (Homer pick but that guy was a fucking BEAST)
OLB: Derrick Thomas (He played DE and LB not sure if this is a cheat but this dude sacked my QB 7 times in one game.....Seattle ended up winning though)
OLB: Lawrence Taylor (Might be a cheat don't care he was incredible)
MLB: Bobby Wagner (Had to)
CB: Deion Sanders (The best to ever do it)
CB: Darrelle Revis (Could roam)
FS: Earl Thomas (This list is getting very homer haha)
SS: John Lynch (Hits like a motherfucker)
K: Adam Vinatieri (Most clutch Kicker ever)

No Russell Wilson? I'm shocked.

 

[handiman]

Sure, but we already know everything Jackson did. I still expect Watt to play some more. And Watt already has three DPoY awards (only Lawrence Taylor has ever done that). If Jackson had done something like win three MVP awards, I could see tossing him into the conversation.

If Watt doesn't play again at a MVP level, has he done enough in his career to be considered the best ever at his position? The awards are nice, but where's the corresponding success?

I'd also argue against Mahomes. We need to see him without the fastest group of receivers the game has ever seen to know how great he truly is. Brady has 20 years of unprecedented success, mostly with unheralded receivers. The one year he had a great one (Moss, supposedly over the hill at that point), he obliterated records.

 

[The Professional Fan]

No Russell Wilson? I'm shocked.

I couldn't be THAT homer.

 

[The Professional Fan]

If Watt doesn't play again at a MVP level, has he done enough in his career to be considered the best ever at his position? The awards are nice, but where's the corresponding success?

I'd also argue against Mahomes. We need to see him without the fastest group of receivers the game has ever seen to know how great he truly is. Brady has 20 years of unprecedented success, mostly with unheralded receivers. The one year he had a great one (Moss, supposedly over the hill at that point), he obliterated records.

Matt Cassel won 10 games in a season as the starter in NE. Really curious to see what Brady looks like outside of their system.

 

[Minstrel]

If Watt doesn't play again at a MVP level, has he done enough in his career to be considered the best ever at his position? The awards are nice, but where's the corresponding success?

You mean team success? One player is not going to win Super Bowls, no matter how good he is.

If Watt never again plays at that level, he certainly won't have the career value to be considered THE best ever, but he'll still be one of the best ever. But selecting players now, with no reason to believe he's finished, I think his "best ever" talent is worth it.

 

[Wade Garrett]

OK, I'll play....(showing my age!!)
QB- Joe Montana (almost went with Johnny Unitas)
RB- OJ Simpson..(yea, I know, but dam he was good!)
RB Walter Payton
WR- Jerry Rice (duh)
WR- Fred Biletnikoff (stickem!)
T- Art Shell
G- Gary Zimmerman
C- Mick Tinglehoff (i just love the name!)
G- Larry Little
T- Forrest Gregg
TE- Brent Jones (not flashy stats..just dependable)

DE- Richard Dent
DT Mean Joe Green
DT Bruce Smith
DE- Charles Haley
LB- LT
LB- Dick Butkus (you wanna tell him no?)
LB- Ted hendricks (The Mad Stork)
S- Ed Reed
S- Ronnie Lott
CB- Richard Sherman
CB- Eric Young

PK- Adam Vineteri (yea he sucked last year, but geez he's what..72 years old?)
P- Ray Guy
Specialist- Billy "White Shoes" Johnson

Coach- Vince Lombardi

 

[handiman]

Matt Cassel won 10 games in a season as the starter in NE. Really curious to see what Brady looks like outside of their system.

Me too, but he is awfully old to be starting over. I'm not sure how much that will really tell us.

You mean team success? One player is not going to win Super Bowls, no matter how good he is.

If Watt never again plays at that level, he certainly won't have the career value to be considered THE best ever, but he'll still be one of the best ever. But selecting players now, with no reason to believe he's finished, I think his "best ever" talent is worth it.

Just being a sustained top level team, not necessarily winning Super Bowls. JJ has been a big name on a consistently "of no consequence" team.