411's NFL Round Up 5.20.08

Posted by Emmett Wilks on 05.20.2008

Taking a peak around the happenings of the NFL. Also, the countdown of the best position players in NFL history, starting with defensive lineman. All this plus reader mail in NFL Round Up.

How's everyone! My apologizes for no article last week. My fiancée and I embarked on a move from Florida to Connecticut. The 9 state trek didn't leave much writing time, but did reinforce a belief of mine. There is nothing, nothing, more tedious and annoying to me than moving. But I digress. Now, onto the Round Up!


QUICK NOTES

Former Carolina Panther linebacker Dan Morgan retired due to injuries. Traded to the Saints this off-season, Morgan was hoping for a fresh start. But injuries to his Achilles and knees have taken their toll. Drafted in the first round in 2001 out of University of Miami, Morgan, when healthy, was among the NFL's most complete linebackers, garnering a Pro Bowl in the 2004 season. I wish him all the best.

The release of Bengals Odell Thurman was the wrong move done to the right guy. Thurman, who rejoined the team on April 20 following a suspension for substance abuse, was released after the Bengals and he had a dispute over his time away from the team to be with family after the death of his grandmother. If any team has a zero tolerance policy this year, it's the Bengals. But the situation here may not have warranted the reaction. I'll be very surprised if a grievance is not filled to the NFLPA for this one. I still see Thurman getting another chance with a different organization.

If there is one unit who will be on a zero tolerance mess-up policy next year, it will be the Miami Dolphins offensive line. With the signing of veteran Steve McKinney, who is expected to compete for the guard position, the Dolphins have revamped their offensive line to make up for the sub-par unit it was last year. With head coach Tony Sparano (former O-line coach) and the notoriously offensive lineman demanding Bill Parcells running the show, this unit in particular will likely see a massive turnaround from last season.

Spygate just won't seem to die. I have already stated several times that this story is overblown and overanalyzed, and now. For whatever reason, PA Senator Arlen Specter wants to have a football version of the Mitchell Report. I respect the Senator from my home state immensely, and appreciate the fact that he wants to keep are most important game clean. But I am satisfied, along with the vast majority of people that the Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have acted with the utmost prudence in this situation. Bill Belichick will forever be tainted by his actions and other accusations. But the issue needs to be put to rest now.



THE TOP DOGS

For the next several weeks, NFL Round Up is going to countdown the 10 best players at their positions in NFL history. The list will be complied from a variety of factors: stats, longevity, accolades, championships, reputation and overall impact to the game. We start the countdown with defensive lineman.

The one tricky aspect with the defensive line was to decide to divide defensive tackles from defensive ends. I elected not to, as the two positions are so interwoven together in terms of scheme that it is impossible to separate them. The list includes 4 tackles and 6 ends. Though I wanted to go 5 and 5, these men were the ones who warranted the recognition in my book.



10.) Warren Sapp Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995-2003) Oakland Raiders (2004-2007)

He played his entire NFL career with a chip on his shoulder. After being assessed to be a top 5 pick in the 1995 NFL draft, Sapp fell to 12 among suspicions of marijuana use. He would use that snubbing as a catalyst to become the best defensive lineman of the 1990's. Selected by Tampa Bay, he quickly asserted himself as a force along the defensive line. A Pro Bowler 8 times and 6 times All-Pro, Sapp was the quintessential "three technique," lining up on the outside shoulder of the guard. No other player in his era required as many double teams. The Bucs Super Bowl triumph in 2003 would not have been made possible without Sapp's play and leadership. The only member in the top 10 not yet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Sapp will soon be inducted in 2012.

9.) Alan Page Minnesota Vikings (1967-1978) Chicago Bears (1978-1981)

At 6-4 245 LBS, he was small for a defensive tackle in 1970. But like all sports, speed kills. And Page had it in abundance. He led the Vikings defense to four conference championships, 9 Pro Bowls and amassed 149 unofficial sacks during his career. I believe that he would be the best DE/OLB in the NFL if he were playing today. His post football career is nothing short of inspirational. Page began a legal career which has now placed him on the Minnesota Supreme Court. The ruling on his NFL career was easy. He is one of the best ever.

8.) Gino Marchetti Dallas Texans (1952) Baltimore Colts (1953-1966)

He is today known as "the prototype," the model in which all defensive ends are based. Quick, powerful, and smart, Marchetti was the one of the greatest down lineman of the pre-Super Bowl era. Rams coach Sid Gillman said it was simply "a waste of time" to run at his side of the ball. Eleven Pro Bowls and 7 times All NFL selections, his 89 jersey was retired by the Colts following his retirement in 1966.

7.) Randy White Dallas Cowboys (1975-1988)

When Bob Lilly retired after the 1974 season, the Cowboys were left with a big hole to fill at the defensive line. Never was a hole filled quicker than with Randy White. Originally drafted as a middle linebacker, Tom Landry soon saw the folly of his ways and put White on the line. In his first season at tackle he earned his 1st Pro Bowl (one of nine), his first All-Pro (also one of nine) and a Super Bowl XIII MVP award. He would miss only one game in his entire NFL career.

6.) Merlin Olsen LA Rams (1962-1976)

His impact is hard to translate into words. With his teammate Deacon Jones, he led the Rams defense with such power, ferocity and gusto that one could only sit back and wait for the tide to come. An NFL record 14 Pro Bowl appearances, Olsen was a master technician who helped develop pass rush moves that are now standard for all players learning defensive line. Though a championship alluded the Rams during his time, it could never be denied that Olsen or the "Fearsome Foursome" on the defensive line, who also included Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy, were the greatest unit of any position in NFL history.

5.) Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills (1985-1999) Washington Redskins (2000-2003)

If I could have film of one player to teach kids how to rush the quarterback, it would be of Bruce Smith. Blessed with great speed and superlative strength, Smith made consistent greatness his trademark. Twice NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1990 and 1996), he would go to 11 Pro Bowls and earn 12 All Pro distinctions. His 200 sacks is the NFL record. Though he did stay around too long just to get the award, nothing can diminish the impact he had on defenses throughout this career.


"Mean" Joe Greene was perhaps the single most important player on the "Steel Curtain" defense.

4.) "Mean" Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-1981)

If "Mean" Joe Greene was not a Pittsburgh Steeler in the 1970's, they would not have won a single Super Bowl. A very bold statement, but one I will stick by. Greene is best remembered for his furious, aggressive play and temper. But what really made him so great was his burst through the line of scrimmage. His quickness off the ball required 2 or 3 blockers every play, allowing linebacker greats Jack Lambert and Jake Ham to make big plays. Twice named Defensive Player of the Year, Greene also nabbed 5 All-Pro awards to go along with 10 Pro Bowls.


3.) David "Deacon" Jones LA Rams (1961-1971) San Diego Chargers (1972-1973) Washington Redskins (1974)

Tom Brady is more than likely going to go down as the biggest draft steal of all time. But when it comes to steals, this guy is not far off. Selected in the 14th round (pick number 186), this well built player out of Mississippi Valley State (6-5, 270 LBS) quickly became the most dominating pass rusher the NFL had ever seen. His "head slap" was so powerful it knocked out players. Though the sack had yet to be officially counted, Jones and his supporters have assessed he recorded 173.5 sacks in his career. In an era where the running game dominated, Jones could easily be seen as one of the reasons why.


2.) Bob Lilly Dallas Cowboys (1961-1974)

He was the first Dallas Cowboy. History would have remembered him well enough for just that. But Bob Lilly would be so much more. His coach, the equally legendary Tom Landry called him a "once in a lifetime player." With quickness and desire, Lilly garnered 11 Pro Bowl bids in his 14 year career. His 29 yard sack of Dolphins' QB Bob Griese in Super Bowl VII remains his defining play, sealing the first championship of the Dallas Cowboys.


Reggie White is the best defensive lineman in NFL history. Period.

1.) Reggie White Philadelphia Eagles (1985-1992), Green Bay Packers (1993-1998) Carolina Panthers (2000)

Then, now, and forever, White is the purest definition of a defensive lineman. Playing at the left end spot, White dominated the line of scrimmage like no one before or since. Talented beyond comparison in both the run and passing game, he charged at quarterbacks with an athleticism unseen in a player his size(6-5 290 LBS). In a NFL career that lasted 15 seasons, White was named to the All-Pro team 13 times, and was invited to the Pro Bowl 13 times as well. After 8 mega successful seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the championship starved White went to Green Bay, where he led the Packers to a Super Bowl XXXI victory with a magnificent three sack performance that should have won him an MVP. His victory lap around the field after the game has become an iconic moment in NFL history. His untimely death in 2004 at the age of 43 shocked everyone. His performance throughout his career will speak volumes for years to come, as he is the best defensive lineman in NFL history.

Future Consideration- Kevin Williams Minnesota, Dwight Freeny Indianapolis, Richard Seymour New England


READER MAIL

Bryan writes-

we all know that college football, especially the SEC has a fondness for the spread offense and the option.. my question is ...since it isn't used very much at all in the pros...and guys who were great in college using it, ie Chris Leak, don't do well in the pros. Ill predict Tim Tebow wont be good in the pros either,,,so why do some good players go to schools that use it, knowing that it does little if anything to prepare them for playing on Sundays?

Firstly, there is a difference between a spread offense, an option offense, and a spread option. Spread relies mostly on a traditional pocket passer, a la Louisville. But other players, like Drew Brees have come out with very good success in the NFL. An option, for me, will always be Tom Osbourne's Nebraska teams of the 1990's, which utilized a running QB whom passed rarely. Those QB's have been non-existent factors in the NFL, but for the OL's and skill players, they still very well. Spread option is the new, en Vogue thing today. It encompasses both spread offenses use of three or four wide receivers, as well as a quarterback who can also run the football. Boise State, West Virginia and Florida have been great with this style of offense. Vince Young and Mike Vick has been the best example of guys coming out of those systems and being successful in the NFL.

To finally answer your question, I believe that most of these kids, and let's face it, they are 17 and 18 year old kids making these decisions, believe that their talents will translate to the NFL game. One of the biggest factors for most any kid selecting a school is "Do they win?" And the SEC schools running these offenses are in fact winning. Winning gets you noticed. The players from the teams that win are going to be noticed more by the NFL. And alas, the aforementioned examples of Mike Vick and Vince Young have to come into mind, as players believe (as do some coaches) that they will develop their passing skills well enough to then translate on Sunday. Those guys did (enough to get drafted, but still not enough to satisfy many so-called expert). For most kids who want to make it to the NFL, the best ticket is going to be one of the big time universities. The draft proves that. This does not mean that only big school guys are successful in the NFL, of course not. But playing on national TV at West Virginia or Florida is still better for an athlete that playing at a more traditional offense at a less recognized school. Another factor to remember, and this struck me recently, is that a kids decision for a college is not entirely based on NFL prospects. That is why many kids stay in state, or relatively close to home. If you look at University of Miami's roster, 2/3 of the team is within 50 miles of the campus! NFL futures may be a primary concern of many, but it is not always the chief concern. Liking the coach, the school (most still attend class), and the overall environment of the area can be just as important as running a west coast, run-shoot, or spread option offense.

That's going to do it for this week. Leave one down below if you want. Until next week.