I know that football is the toughest of the sports to ask this question because positions are so varied and it is tough to equate value with each position in any meaningful way.

 

I had an epiphany and I now know who was the greatest NFL player ever- I am curious as to other's opinion.

 

Here is my list of greatest by position:

 

QB- Elway

RB Emmitt Smith

WR- Rice

TE- Tony Gonzalez

OT- Anthony Munoz

OG- Larry Allen

OC- Bruce Matthews

 

DE- Reggie White

DT- Lee Roy Selmon

OLB- LT

MLB- Butkus

CB- Prime

S- Ronnie Lott

 

K- Adam Vinateri

P- Ray Guy

Returner- Devin Hester

 

Prime Time is my greatest player ever- Rice is a close second. Other opinions?

 

 

 

Here is mine by position.

 

QB-Montana

RB-Sanders

FB-Neal

WR-Rice

WR-Moss

TE-Novacheck

LT-Munoz

LG-Matthews

C-Winters

RG-Shields

RT-Roaf

 

DE-White

DE-Bruce Smith

NT-Krumrie

DT-Jerome Brown

MLB-Singletary

OLB-Romanowski

OLB-Haley

CB-Riley

CB-Sanders

SS-Fulcher

FS-Lott

 

K-Janiskowsi

P-

Returner-Bo Jackson

Here is mine by position.

 

QB-Montana

RB-Sanders

FB-Neal

WR-Rice

WR-Moss

TE-Novacheck

LT-Munoz

LG-Matthews

C-Winters

RG-Shields

RT-Roaf

 

DE-White

DE-Bruce Smith

NT-Krumrie

DT-Jerome Brown

MLB-Singletary

OLB-Romanowski

OLB-Haley

CB-Riley

CB-Sanders

SS-Fulcher

FS-Lott

 

K-Janiskowsi

P-

Returner-Bo Jackson

 

I respect that you put together a list even though I disagree with a lot of it.

 

I did not add fullback because it is hard to distinguish between how fullbacks are used now and how they were used in the 50's, 60's and 70's. For instance, Jim Brown was a fullback, as was Larry Csonka, Jim Taylor, Bronco Nagurski, Franco Harris, John Riggins and Earl Campbell. I would say that all of those fullbacks are better than Lorenzo Neal. I would say Moose Johnston is the standard for the modern fullback over Neal.

 

Who would you say is the greatest player ever?

I'd start with Jim Brown or Jerry Rice. I'd love to see Jim Brown in today's NFL.

Jerry Rice isn't even one of the top 5 players overall. How can a player solely dependent on at least 6 other players be considered the greatest ever?

I just cannot say someone is the best at something on the field if they do not do all aspects of the position. Tackling is a huge part of playing QB, although not as important as covering. He's not even an average tackler, I can't say he's by far the best CB. I just can't do it.

 

I doubt I would either. Just saying his second-to-none ability to cover makes up for his sub-par tackling.

Tony Dorsett or John Riggins or Montana so many best players to pick from.

Here is mine by position.

 

QB-Marino

RB- B. Sanders

FB- J. Brown

WR-Rice

WR-Moss

TE-Gonzalas

LT-Munoz

LG-Randall McDaniel

C-Webster

RG-John Hannah

RT-Eric Williams

 

DE-White

DE-Deacon Jones

NT-Mean Joe Greene

DT-Jerome Brown

MLB-Butkus

OLB-LT

OLB-Ham

CB-Rod Woodson

CB-Sanders

SS-Atwater -- soon to be Polumolu

FS-Lott

K-M Anderson

P- Ray Guy

Returner-Hester

Here is mine by position.

 

QB-Montana

RB-Sanders

FB-Neal

WR-Rice

WR-Moss

TE-Novacheck

LT-Munoz

LG-Matthews

C-Winters

RG-Shields

RT-Roaf

 

DE-White

DE-Bruce Smith

NT-Krumrie

DT-Jerome Brown

MLB-Singletary

OLB-Romanowski

OLB-Haley

CB-Riley

CB-Sanders

SS-Fulcher

FS-Lott

 

K-Janiskowsi

P-

Returner-Bo Jackson

 

Really??? Bill Romanowski? He wasn't even the best OLB during his time...

Really??? Bill Romanowski? He wasn't even the best OLB during his time...

 

Better Linebackers during his time: Andre Tippett, Rickey Jackson, Derrick Thomas, Kevin Greene, Junior Seau (he played inside and out), Derrick Brooks, Greg Lloyd to name a few...

Elway would be #2 on my list after Jim Brown.

I think it's hard to say it's a WR but I don't see how you can't look at Rice and not make and argument. I wasn't a huge Rice guy but over time looking at his work ethic and stats nobody else has that kind of seperation. Defense once again not my favorite but I think it has to be Lawrence Taylor. He was absolutly nasty!

My favorite all time...Ronnie Lott! That's who I always tried to play like growing up!

As I'm typing this Bill Bellicheck just told Ed Reed he's the best freen safety he's ever seen and he's seen them all lol. He's my favorite modern day player.