Top-10 defenders of all-time list includes two Cowboys greats

[TwoDeep3]

Some of the best names on the defensive side in NFL history have donned a star on the side of their helmet.

In recent years, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense has not been the best; in short, shoddy. Injuries and failure in talent acquisition on that side of the ball has haunted the Cowboys. This was put on full display in 2013 where the Cowboys featured an historically bad defense giving up 6,645 yards (3rd worst all-time) and 381 first downs (2nd worst all-time). Spinning forward, with three suspensions to starters and injuries to key rookies, the Cowboys stand at a point where they hope the offense will keep the defense off the field in 2016.

read more - short article.

http://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/201...of-all-time-list-includes-two-cowboys-greats/

 

[RS12]

Eh, JJ Watt number 4 all time, all ready? A tad premature. Lilly behind Butkus? Butkus had a very short career compared to Lilly, dominated for a stretch but bad knees left him a shadow of himself the last couple years.

 

[RS12]

No Deacon Jones? No Merlin Olson? No Ronnie Lott? This list is a joke.

 

[MichaelValentino]

No Deacon Jones? No Merlin Olson? No Ronnie Lott? This list is a joke.

Agreed.

And at this stage of his career, JJ Watt has no business being ahead of Olsen, Jones, Lilly, Alan Page or Joe Greene. I'd include Randy White, too.

Woodson might be a top 5 corner, but top 5 defender? In NFL history?

I have no problem with Butkus being that high. He was a phenomenal player. If he had healthy knees and played 14 seasons he would probably be no. 1 all-time on most lists.

No disputing the top two choices.

This list leaves a lot to be desired. <smh>

 

[dogunwo]

No Deion Sanders?

 

[yentl911]

Ronnie Lott is top five - game changer, leader, tough as nails, terrifying hitter, CB and S. Aside from LT the best defensive player I ever watched.

 

[RS12]

Ronnie Lott is top five - game changer, leader, tough as nails, terrifying hitter, CB and S. Aside from LT the best defensive player I ever watched.

You are correct. Never saw players impose their will more than LT and Lott on a field.

 

[HappyOnions]

Not sure why people have such a problem with JJ Watt being on this list.

He's easily the most dominant defensive player of this era and only one of 2 players to win the NFL DPOY award three times. I imagine he'll win another 2 or 3 before his career is over. I'm younger so I can't speak on behalf of some of the guys on this list, but I don't think it's absolutely absurd to include Watt on this list.

I'm glad to see Ed Reed make the list - probably the best safety of all time.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Watt at 4 is a complete joke. He has the potential to be top 10 but come on

 

[TX Cowboy]

You know this a total joke when you put a bum like JJ Watt ahead of an all time great like Charles
Haley, Deacon Jones, Jack Ham, Joe Green and others

 

[jobberone]

10) Ray Lewis

9) Ed Reed

8) Randy White*

7) Bruce Smith

6) Bob Lilly*

5) Rod Woodson

4) J.J. Watt

3) Dick Butkus

2) Lawrence Taylor

1) Reggie White

On that list I'd move LT up to #1 and Lilly To #3.

Butkus was great as was Lewis but Howley was better than either. Not sure many will believe that though. So were Lanier, Lambert, Bell, Jackson and Seau. Lott was better than Woodson or Reed. So was Renfro.

 

[perrykemp]

I'm not ready to put JJ Watt in the top 10 of all time, however, I'm not sure it's possible for a defensive player, never-mind a 3-4 DE, to have had a more dominant first 5 years in the league.

 

[MichaelValentino]

10) Ray Lewis

9) Ed Reed

8) Randy White*

7) Bruce Smith

6) Bob Lilly*

5) Rod Woodson

4) J.J. Watt

3) Dick Butkus

2) Lawrence Taylor

1) Reggie White

On that list I'd move LT up to #1 and Lilly To #3.

Butkus was great as was Lewis but Howley was better than either. Not sure many will believe that though. So were Lanier, Lambert, Bell, Jackson and Seau. Lott was better than Woodson or Reed. So was Renfro.

Howley was a great player and deserves to be in the HOF, but Butkus was the greatest MLB in league history. I love Howley and even would say he was close to Jack Ham as an OLB. But Butkus was a human wrecking ball and shone over every great LBer of his era. Howley deserves Canton but Dick Butkus was transcendent and one of the greatest players ever regardless of position.

 

[MichaelValentino]

Not sure why people have such a problem with JJ Watt being on this list.

He's easily the most dominant defensive player of this era and only one of 2 players to win the NFL DPOY award three times. I imagine he'll win another 2 or 3 before his career is over. I'm younger so I can't speak on behalf of some of the guys on this list, but I don't think it's absolutely absurd to include Watt on this list.

I'm glad to see Ed Reed make the list - probably the best safety of all time.

I'm not sure anyone has a problem with Watt per se. But as you said, you are young. If you saw Alan Page or Deacon Jones or Mean Joe Greene you would know why some of us have a difficult time placing Watt above them.

JJ Watt plays in an era far different from the 60s-70s. Had Watt's career spanned the careers of all the names mentioned above, as well as that of Harvey Martin, Lee Roy Selmon, Jack Lambert, or later, Richard Dent, Bruce Smith and Reggie White, he would not have won DPOY as many times as he has and those 1st team AP nominations would be shared with other HOF DEs.

Lilly didn't make 12-13 1st team AP selections because he competed with Olsen, Page, Greene and others for such honors.

Watt is special. Right now, I take Bob Lilly in a heartbeat over Watt.

 

[jobberone]

Howley was a great player and deserves to be in the HOF, but Butkus was the greatest MLB in league history. I love Howley and even would say he was close to Jack Ham as an OLB. But Butkus was a human wrecking ball and shone over every great LBer of his era. Howley deserves Canton but Dick Butkus was transcendent and one of the greatest players ever regardless of position.

Howley had more impact on his team IMO although Butkus was great just not very long. However, I don't hold it against him even though I think for most longevity comes into play. I have no idea why Howley doesn't get his due though I suspect it is Butkus's reputation built as much on ferocity as play. Butkus would be a two down LB and Howley would be a star today as he was then.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Reggie White was at or near the top unless he was playing Erik Williams. Then he was just another DE.

 

[big dog cowboy]

a bum like JJ Watt

Seriously?

3 time DPOY in 5 years?

I would take that bum on our defense any day of the week.

 

[Longboysfan]

No Deacon Jones? No Merlin Olson? No Ronnie Lott? This list is a joke.

Agreed.

 

[DenCWBY]

Reggie White was at or near the top unless he was playing Erik Williams. Then he was just another DE.

Alleluia!! Can I get an Amen?
E was the best RT to play the game when in his prime. No one could take on EWilliams.

 

[ErikWilliamsHeadSlap]

Reggie White was at or near the top unless he was playing Erik Williams. Then he was just another DE.

You better believe it.