For the 100th anniversary of the NFL, the league, teams and all networks associated with the NFL are celebrating in a myriad of ways, including the selection of the 100 best NFL players of all time. As symmetrical as the 100 players for 100 years is, the split among positions and the pure number of 100 fails to take into account how an actual team is constructed. So, leave that to me. I will be selecting the 106 best players of all time by constructing to actual teams (a first and a second team), just as an actual franchise would do. So, not only will I be selecting a 53 man roster for each team, I will have to decide between taking a third QB, a 6th LB, a 7th DB, or a second return man, etc. I will explain my picks where I feel it is necessary, but I will not necessarily explain all of my picks. That being said, I will select the first team as to what I think is the best team, not necessarily just the best
players. Nowhere is that going to be evident than in my Running Backs, as NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith is left of the first team, for reasons I will explain when I post my first team selections. That means, today's post is the second team.
For the record, I understand that my selections may have a bit of recency bias. I try to balance history against that bias, but I cannot unwatch all of the players that I have seen play.
As with similar posts - starters in all capital letters.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (3): JOHN ELWAY, Dan Fouts, Tom Brady
John Elway would honestly start on most people's first teams, so his career does not need any explanation. He is the best of those that did not make my first team, so he deserves the start here. A two time Super Bowl winner, a 9 time Pro Bowler who threw for over 51,000 yards and with arm strength that could make all of the "wow" throws. In addition, he could lead the team back if behind in the 4th quarter as he did 47 times. Fouts is one of those quarterbacks who was well ahead of his time. He would fit right in with today's passing schemes, except he did it in the traditional 2 wide receiver, 1 tight end, 2 running back era. Brady should also need no explanation (except for why not on the first team).
Narrowly missing out: Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Warren Moon, Aaron Rodgers, Johnny Unitas, Steve Young
Running Backs (5): EMMITT SMITH, Gayle Sayers, O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell, Marcus Allen
As the NFL's career leading rusher, the only surprise with Emmitt Smith starting is that he is not on the first team. Gayle Sayers might have more actual talent, but his career was derailed by a knee injury, that likely would have been repaired in 6 to 9 months with current medicinal practices. O.J. Simpson was tough and exciting, even holding the single-season rushing record for 11 years, despite playing 2 fewer games than the other members of the 2,000 yard rushing club. Campbell was strong and tough, perfect for third or fourth and short, or goal-line situations. Allen is on the team for his ability to catch balls out of the backfield and superb blocking abilities, in addition to running abilities (remember, I am trying to create a complete team).
Narrowly missing out: Roger Craig, Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Adrian Peterson, John Riggins, Thurman Thomas
Wide Receivers (6): MARVIN HARRISON, ART MONK, LYNN SWANN, Chris Carter, Don Hutson, Tim Brown
Honestly, this is a helluva receiving corps - much less for a second team. Monk was never as appreciated outside of Washington as he should have been, Lynn Swann was one of the most acrobatic receivers we have ever seen, and all Chris Carter did was "catch touchdowns". Marvin Harrison is fifth in all-time receptions (third among wide receivers). Hutson is the first non-modern era player to make this list, but there is no doubt he could play in an era where more balls would have been thrown his way. As it was, he had 488 receptions from 1935-1945, an era in which most of the bombs thrown were in war. Tim Brown makes the team as a sixth receiver by virtue of his ability to return kicks as well, even though we have an actual starting kick returner.
Narrowly missing out: Fred Biletnikoff, Terrell Owens, Andre Reed, John Stallworth, Julio Jones
Tight Ends (3): ROB GRONKOWSKI, Jason Witten, Ozzie Newsome
Rob Gronkowski is unlike anyone we have ever seen at the tight end position. He has the literal size of an offensive lineman (even if not the actual weight), but the speed and athleticism of a wide receiver. The only reason that he is on the second team is because he retired early. Had he played a few more years, he would be a first teamer for certain. Jason Witten is fourth all-time in receptions, and only isn't a first teamer because of the quality of the players at this position. Ozzie Newsome is on here because he could block as well, if not better, than he could catch passes, which he did at a high rate in an era which focused less on passing than today. He caught passes in 150 consecutive games.
Narrowly missing out: Dave Caspar, Mike Ditka, Travis Kelce, John Mackey, Shannon Sharpe
Offensive Linemen (8): ART SHELL(T), GENE UPSHAW (G), MIKE WEBSTER (C), RUSS GRIMM (G), JACKIE SLATER (T), Orlando Pace (T), Mike Munchak (G), Larry Little (C)
Placing Shell and Upshaw on the same offensive line again just seems right. Mike Webster was the key ingredient to the 70's and 80's Pittsburgh Steelers offensive success running and throwing the ball. Russ Grimm - one of the famous "Hogs", was a tough run blocker and could carve holes by himself. Plus, without Joe Jacoby on this team, the Hogs have to - and I mean HAVE TO - be represented. Slater led the way for Eric Dickerson, who still holds the single season rushing record of 2,105 yards, which he set in 1984. Pace was the left tackle for the record-breaking Rams offenses of Kurt Warner. Munchak and Little also are deserving.
Narrowly missing out: Chuck Bednarik, Joe DeLamielleure, Forrest Gregg, Kevin Mawae, Will Shields, Gary Zimmerman - A special note to Joe Thomas, who was thoroughly dominating, but played on a horrendous Browns team that caused him to retire early. Also a special mention to Matt Birk, who captained not one, but two separate team's offenses that won Super Bowls.
DEFENSE
Defensive Tackles (4): MERLIN OLSEN, RANDY WHITE, Alan Page, Jerome Brown
Merlin Olsen, despite his personality off the field and as an actor, was as tough a player as their ever way. A great anchor for a defensive line. Randy White had 52 sacks despite being primarily an interior defender. Alan Page was also very tough, but smart. He became a lawyer, and then a Judge after his playing career was over. Every team needs a player they can call "The Judge". Jerome Brown easily would have been first team had he not died prematurely. Plus, he singlehandedly stopped a KKK parade/rally in the panhandle of Florida.
Narrowly missing out: Buck Buchanan, Dan Hampton, Too Tall Jones - who I have to say is only edged out because those that vote have yet to put him in the Hall of Fame. Aaron Donald will certainly make the first team once his career is completed.
Defensive Ends (4): CHARLES HALEY, KEVIN GREENE, Jack Youngblood, Chris Doleman
Charles Haley was a cornerstone lineman for 5 Super Bowl teams. Greene had 160 sacks in 15 years. Youngblood played a Super Bowl with a broken leg, part of his 215 consecutive games played. As a Chicago Bears fan, Chris Doleman scared me every time he put his hand in the dirt against the Bears.
Narrowly missing out: Willie Davis, Richard Dent, Carl Eller, LeRoy Selmon, Michael Strahan
Outside Linebackers (4): TED HENDRICKS, DERRICK THOMAS, Andre Tippett, Rickey Jackson
Hendricks, not only was an outstanding outside linebacker in terms of rushing the passer and setting the edge against the run, he was great in coverage (26 interceptions) and will be great on special teams (25 blocked field goals or PATs). Derrick Thomas was an amazing pass rusher, and would likely be on the first team if only he hadn't died in 2000. Andre Tippett was one of the 2 greatest Patriots ever when he retired. Ricky Jackson, honestly, is a homer pick as he is from Pahokee, Florida, in my county. But, he was also an amazing player and a part of one of the greatest linebacking corps of all time - along with Sam Mills, Vaughan Johnson and Pat Swilling.
Narrowly missing out: Willie Lanier
Inside Linebackers (4): BRIAN URLACHER, BILL GEORGE, Ray Nitshcke, Harry Carson
I just love the idea of pairing the two Chicago Bear greats together (in 3-4 packages). Nitschke is a brute, and Harry Carson never truly got the credit he deserves because all of it went to Lawrence Taylor,
Narrowly missing out: Chuck Bednarik
Cornerbacks (5): MEL BLOUNT, AENEAS WILLIAMS, Dick LeBeau, Herb Adderly, Willie Brown
Blount is my toughest inclusion on this team, because he deserves to be on the first team, but the other corner I was debating between also could return kicks, so he made the first team. Williams was amazing, even though he toiled in relative obscurity for the Cardinals. He still made 8 Pro Bowls. LeBeau would be a literal coach on the field and is 10th all time in interceptions. I have to give some love to my main rivals - the Packers, so Adderly and his 48 interceptions, in an era that did not stress passing the football. Willie Brown payed in essence, in 9 Pro Bowls (5 before they were called Pro Bowls).
Narrowly missing out: Champ Bailey, Mike Haynes, Roger Wehrlii
Safeties (4): STEVE ATWATER, JOHN LYNCH, Kenny Easley, Ken Houston
Atwater is one of the absolute hardest hitters that I have ever seen. Lynch could hit, and cover. Easley was often overshadowed by the offense of the Seahawk teams on which he played, but was tremendous (and admittedly this may be part recency bias, as I remember watching Easley). Houston had 49 interceptions, 9 of which he returned for touchdowns.
Narrowly missing out: Brian Dawkins, Willie Wood
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker (1): ADAM VINATIERI
Vinatieri is one of the most clutch kickers of all time, having won Super Bowls for two franchises, including game-winning kicks.
Narrowly missing out: Gary Anderson, George Blanda, Jan Stenerud, Justin Tucker
Punter (1): REGGIE ROBY
When I was young, watching Roby punt with his watch on his arm so he could time the hand on the punt, and watching the ball literally travel over the height of the stadium was astounding.
Narrowly missing out: Jeff Feagles - He punted for 22 seasons and never had a punt blocked. Plus, he went to the University of Miami.
Returner (1): BRIAN MITCHELL
Mitchell is one of the best kick returners of all time, and deserves his spot on this roster as a returner.
LAST PERSON ON THE ROSTER
Wide Receiver/Returner (1) Tim Brown
Although I only need 5 receivers on the roster, Tim Brown can also return kicks with the best of them, so he can give Mitchell a rest when need be, and still be an offensive threat.
Narrowly missing out: Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Willie Lanier, Lee Roy Selmon, Thurman Thomas, Willie Wood - Can you imagine having Too Tall Jones and Ted Hendricks on the field together to attempt to block field goals?
