Eric Willians > Larry Allen?

[john van brocklin]

Now I know Larry had a better career than Eric.

But my question is :

If Eric would not have torn his knee up in that car accident do you think he would have

had a career equal to or better than Larry's ?

I remember Eric just total dominating Reggie White one home game agaist the Eagles,

to the point he was named NFC Offensive player of the week. A very rare honor for a lineman.

What do my fellow Zoners think ?

 

[AbeBeta]

Why do people ask questions that can't ever have a meaningful answer?

 

[Fredd]

impossible to say...but, EW is without a doubt my favorite NASTY player of all time...he is the type of guy that would rip you head off and **** down your neck...he didn 't care....loved him

 

[links18]

Why do people ask questions that can't ever have a meaningful answer?

In order to start endless debates that can never be resolved.

 

[joseephuss]

I think Williams was great, but Lett was all-time great.

 

[CowboysPhan]

A big part of Eric Williams' game was playing really nasty, hands to the face, etc. As the league started cracking down on that kind of stuff, I think Williams would have become less effective, even if not for the accident. I think he was an amazing player before the accident, maybe as good as LA, but I don't think he would have had the same long career of excellence as LA did. JMO

 

[SWG9]

Erik Williams could potentially have been close to Allen's level, but I just don't think he had the desire to be THAT great.

Larry was an all time talent with an all time work ethic.

And let's not forget Allen played 4 of the 5 positions on the line at an all pro level or close to it. No way E. Williams could have done that.

 

[03EBZ06]

Larry Allen was a freak, so strong and fast for a lineman, EW was strong as well but had mean streak about him, he want to hurt opposing linemen from what I remember, it's really too bad that he was injured with his car accident. Troy was very lucky to have great O-Line.

 

[mrmojo]

EW was just nasty. He played the position like a boxer. He did have a long career but was never the same after the accident. Larry was just a freak of nature he had size, speed and strength...could play any o line position... probably could have played center an d line too. I would have to go with Larry... but EW should have been in the HOF too if not for the injury.

 

[BAZ]

Why do people ask questions that can't ever have a meaningful answer?

Ah irony my old friend, good to meet you again.

 

[john van brocklin]

In order to start endless debates that can never be resolved.

You know, why can't we just have some fun discussing 2 of our all time great players ?

 

[khiladi]

Now I know Larry had a better career than Eric.

But my question is :

If Eric would not have torn his knee up in that car accident do you think he would have

had a career equal to or better than Larry's ?

I remember Eric just total dominating Reggie White one home game agaist the Eagles,

to the point he was named NFC Offensive player of the week. A very rare honor for a lineman.

What do my fellow Zoners think ?

he dominated Reggie all the time. They invented the Erik Williams rule cause he kept abusing Reggie...

 

[khiladi]

Kevin Smith's career as a CB got shortened by the achilles.. He was a TRULY dominant corner that people forget about and when he covered Jerry Rice, he frustrated Rice to no end.

 

[BigStar]

Now I know Larry had a better career than Eric.

But my question is :

If Eric would not have torn his knee up in that car accident do you think he would have

had a career equal to or better than Larry's ?

I remember Eric just total dominating Reggie White one home game agaist the Eagles,

to the point he was named NFC Offensive player of the week. A very rare honor for a lineman.

What do my fellow Zoners think ?

You have an argument at Tackle but LA's true greatness was his versatility. I couldn't see EW playing at LA's level @ the guard position but he surely would adapt I'm sure Loved both players, misty eye ova er...

 

[BigStar]

Why do people ask questions that can't ever have a meaningful answer?

Nostalgia...leave us alone

 

[RS12]

EW really only had 3 domanant years before recking his knee in that car accident. He was never was the same player after.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Big E's car accident stopped him from realizing his hall of fame potential, this I know.

 

[scottsp]

Who could say, but I do remember EWI being widely regarded as the best offensive lineman in the NFL prior to that accident after the team returned from Tempe in 1994. After the wreck on the DNT, that focus sort of shifted from Williams to the rookie, Larry Allen.

Didn't hurt that the Cows were the national game most weeks and Madden absolutely fell over himself when it came to either guy. With him in their corner, pretty much everyone else followed.

This is one I often wonder about, too.

 

[Pabst]

Larry Allen made grown men look like infants. I cannot stress that enough. We will probably never again see that level of strength and athleticism from that position.

 

[Phoenix]

Larry Allen all day over this "Eric" guy.