In your opinion, who’s the greatest defensive player ever?
Reggie White
Reggie did it all with sleep apnea. Incredible.
while LT did it with coke fuel
And or Prime
Dick Butkus
Butkus could tackle 3 players at once
Ipidomised the position in its truest form I a time of sock'em rock'em no holds bared
Ipidomised
Epitomized.
Ipidomise drink out when I read that!
Holy shit that’s a good effort
He gets forgotten by allot of the “experts”
Maybe because he never went to the playoffs with his team!
Ronnie lott was no slouch.
Hi had half his Pinky removed and went back in the game
Legend has it, he ripped it off with his teeth.
What a beast
From our perspective as kids on the West Coast, we hated LT because it wasn’t fair!
The question should be after LT who is the greatest football player of all time?
LT Smash
Just want to take this opportunity to say... Tarheel!
I don't know what that means.
He played for UNC. We got to take those W's where we can.
Isn't crazy that LT and Michael Jordan were students at UNC at the same time?
There is LT, and everyone else is next tier below.
LT was the first of his kind. Forced the invention of the two tight end offense , made Outside Linebacker/ Edge rusher a priority piece on any defense while also making tackles the most important part of the offensive line.
The unsung part of his game was his ability to take on pass coverage ..
And chase down receivers and running backs across the field. Love watching his highlights and seeing how incredible he was
Absolute monster
I even seen him win a pro wrestling match too!
And Bam Bam Bigelo was no slouch!
LT is the BEST FOOTBALL player ever. No one was better at their position that LT was at his. 1. LT, 2. Rice, 3. Brady
Never watched LT. What made him so great? How apparent was his presence in every game??
LT did this while playing injured - he single handily won the Giants this game 13-6 by forcing three turnovers including a 97 yard pick six at the end of the game.
I remember this it was on thanksgiving. 2 completely inept teams but the giants had this guy and it was all they needed
Wow.
And missed the first quarter because of team suspension.
Incredible football IQ, great size and speed, intense desire to succeed and an intangible that can’t be defined but the greats all have. Also benefitted from excellent coaching (Parcells and Belichick)
Incredible football IQ,
And instincts. He just knew where the ball would be. Didn't even know how he knew sometimes.
Bill Walsh said he was the only defensive player of the opposing team he ever built a game plan around. Joe Gibbs created the H-back position solely trying to nullify Taylor. Which Joe Theismann would probably say was not all that successful.
That’s a snap judgement.
Give him a break.
Ouch 🤕 bruh
Theismann should’ve made a pre-snap adjustment.
He changed the way the game was played.
There was never a game where LT wasn’t the complete focus of the offense. Despite this, he would cause chaos. He was bigger, faster, and stronger than every offensive lineman. He would defeat double teams. There was nothing the offense could do other than go away from him .
LT once forced Ron Jaworski(Eagles QB) to call a timeout because he couldn't locate LT on the field while he was observing the defense before the ball was snapped. LT was on the sideline at the time getting his cleats adjusted.
I remember an SI article about him that started something like this. There are goal line blitzes, corner blitzes and all out blitzes, weak side blitzes and fourth and one blitzes them there are Lorance Taylor blitzes. If that don't tell you who is who then nothing will
He was a menace. He could not be stopped. They should retire the number 12, 80 & 56
And 32. Jim Brown not getting enough love here.
Strength, Power and more than anything else, SPEED. He really did change the way defenses were built. There were counters developed, but he could just wreck offenses. Plus, he played with a great D. Also, he ended Joe Theisman’s career.
Agreed. LT had no bad games
Not able to watch his era of football but Jim Brown has to be in the conversation.
Butkus in the Day!!!
Dick Butkus
Agreed!
Hard for me to get past Ronnie Lott. He was like a linebacker only with 63 INT. Durable too.
Thank you! Lott is definitely my #1 after LT of course.
When he played for ‘SC, I’d scream “what are you doing??!!” Anytime somebody threw a crossing pattern accross the middle against the Trojans.
I literally fretted about him possibly killing somebody
He was drafted as a corner, no? Am I misremembering? I never saw him in college - did he play safety or corner at usc?
Derrick Thomas, taken way too soon. R.I.P
If you wouldn't mind, tell us about that.
That's very cool!
We had season tickets during the DT days. I would go and pretty much just watch him the entire time. Just zone out while we were on offence.
Dick Butkus is a close 2nd to LT.
Correct, there is LT, Then dick the leader of the second tier.
Lawrence Taylor…
Reggie White deserves to be in the conversation.
Bears left tackle Jimbo Covert never gave up a sack to LT. They weren’t in the same division but both teams were very good in the 80’s. They played each other 3 times. Covert never had help.
Not one for Joe Greene? Really? Wow. Lots of all time names here, thought I'd see this one earlier.
Same thought here. I don’t think the Steeler fans found this post yet. Though i’d admit LT is #1.
I’d put Troy on the list too. He was a game changer at Safety which is unheard of.
Hey, kid…
Ronnie Lott is in the conversation.
Decon Jones
“Leads me to my second point. Don’t. Smoke. Crack”
Hahahahaha—I haven’t heard this in a while. The irony.
LT after he retired was once quoted as saying that he failed a drug test, but was using someone else’s piss. He said, “if they had tested my piss I’d probably still be suspended!”
I think it’s Reggie white. 87 strike shortened season in 12 games he had 21 sacks, was poised to absolutely obliterate any sack record and it would still be holding strong today and would probably be unbreakable. Realistically could’ve had 30 that year.
Reggie/Concrete Charlie
That’s frank gifford on the ground, concrete Charlie wearing #60
I once went to a Giants game during LT's heyday, late 80s sometime. We had seats right along the rail behind the Giants bench. The first thing that struck me was how fast these guys are up close. You get used to it on TV, but close up, you realize that they're ALL really fast. Some more than others, of course, which is what struck me about Taylor. You could just see how physically dominant he was, and what a disruptive force he was. He really just plain stood out.
Butkus
Night Train Lane
Glad you brought Dick “Night Train” Lane.
Butkus
Bruce smith
The man had 200 career sacks as a 3-4 Defensive End! Bad things man.
Paul Krause should be a lot closer to the top. 81 picks and another 19 fumble recoveries. You don’t have to light people up to be a game changer.
Jack Tatum
The Assassin
That's a great pic 😂
Jack Lambert.
Lambert was amazing because he never worked out. I think he smoked too. 😅
If 56 is #1, then 51 is #2.
51 is by far the best.
You’re looking at him.
Best player or best player on coke?
Mean Joe Greene. But it’s probably a DB. That’s the hardest job on the field.
Joe Greene he was the building block for the great steeler teams . When he came to the Steelers they were horrible. He left with four rings
Bruce Smith. Go Bills
LT
Richard Dent
Thank you! Dent, was just a freak!
LB. Ray Lewis. Corner Deion. Defensive back Woodson. End Reggie
Which Woodson?
Charles.
Rod
You’re the only person who knows ball itt apparently
Pictured
I really loved the absolutely incredible talent at safety during the late 90's-00's. Reed, Paolomalo(?), BDawk, Harrison, Sharper, Lynch, Woodson and I'm pretty sure I'm missing a few more. Just an incredible concentration of talent at a historically, and currently, undervalued position.
Bill Belichick agrees with the picture you shared. That is enough confirmation for me. He was also my childhood hero, and taught me a good bit about how your heroes aren't perfect. And LT? He was kinda not perfect.
it’s LT, then reggie, then a fight for third
Butkus 22 INTs, 27 Fumble recoveries most of which he caused. Can't run against him, can't pass against him. Played on terrible defenses his entire carrer and dit it all in 8 seasons on two tore up knees.
Jack Lambert
Mean Joe
Not quite old school but where does Troy P rank? His timing was unreal and I’m by no means a Stiller’s fan.
Aaron Donald. Teams had to double and triple team him as a DT on passing downs. Game changing.
Aaron Donald
Imma go with Charles Woodson. A true lockdown corner and freak athlete. Played multiple defensive back positions and he won a heisman as a defensive player! Played 15+ years and was great even late into his career and I think he’s underrated when it comes to all time.
My favorite player ever. LT was better.
No that’s fair lol but everyone saying LT so i wanna show other guys love
He could and did completely dominate games differently than any other player I saw.
When he was a CB - he was lock down. Did that for ten years then move to “safety” but really one of the first “rovers” I remember. Started blitzing and tuning up RBs. So so talented.
And yes. The greatest NCAA DB ever. Never saw a CB dominate NCAA games like him.
Allen Page…only defensive player to win an MVP.
There’s Deion
He owned half of the field.
Damn near the whole field. Punts and kick offs too
Deion was great at covering anybody trying to catch a pass. He was not the best at tackling though and he would tell you that himself!
Haha he was too pretty to tackle, but damn what an exciting player to watch. I was 10-12 and growing up in the suburbs of Dallas when the Cowboys were winning in the early to mid-90s. That team was something else!
LT - no doubt
LT first. Then in no particular order: Bruce smith, Reggie white, Deion, Ronnie Lott, Ed Reed, and Ray Lewis
Joe Greene. Next question
Aaron Donald
I had to scroll way too far to get here, the disrespect is crazy
Aaron Donald
Alan Page, end of Conversation
Troy Polamalu
I can’t tell you where he fits on the list of who is best on defense, I can however tell you where he falls on the list of best hair, it’s at the top, no question.
I’d put my hat in the ring for any guy who played multiple positions on defense.
I’m a Cowboy fan, and I say LT. There is no other answer.
Me when I don’t take my ADHD meds
Dick bukis
L.T.. Lurking!
You are looking at him.
Love this look on the giants
Reggie white or ray lewis.
Ask Joe Theismann who the best and most feared was …
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus!
You mean aside from Dick Butkus, who's the best?
Ray Lewis
I’m partial to Jack Lambert growing up watching him play but I’d have to say Dick Butkus! #51!
Taylor is obviously 1 then I got Donald deacon and Reggie as pass rush is pretty much the most valuable thing in defense atleast imo
Lawrence Taylor, then Ronnie Lott, then Reggie White, then Ray Lewis
I calls em as I sees em
Ray Lewis #52
Ray Lewis
David Deacon Jones!!
Easily Lawrence Taylor
William Wallace
Reggie White.
Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis was fearsome in his early career, super bowl win in 2000. That ravens defense was unreal, and he was shutdown between the tackles. By the time he closed his career out, that intensity has spread and that Baltimore D legacy is cemented, goes out with a second super bowl based on another sick defense.
LT. He changed the game
LT and Aaron Donald. Imagine them on the same defense.
Bruce Smith deserves at least a mention in this debate
Neon Deion Sanders and Jason Taylor
Dak Prescott of course. He throws to the defense all the time.
OJs defense was immaculate
Cocaine is a hell of a drug
I've never been a fan of electing one individual player in football as the greatest ever. In the ultimate team sport, you have several different positions that serve vastly different functions (both offensively and defensively), across multiple generations of play, with a laundry list of evolving rules, agendas, and advancement in sports science, not to mention overall knowledge of the sport itself. It's far more accurate, just, and within the warranted respect of the game to list a "Mt. Rushmore" of players. I also think it's even more applicable to elect a Mt. Rushmore for each position group.
With all of that said, here's my group of defensive Mt. Rushmores that nobody asked for!
D-line/Edge (includes OLB and players whose roles were primarily as pass rushers/defensive line play). Yes, I'm putting LT as an OLB - he was listed as an ROLB his entire career.
Lawrence Taylor Reggie White Bruce Smith Aaron Donald
Off-ball Linebackers
Ray Lewis Dick Butkus Jack Lambert Mike Singletary
Safeties
Ed Reed Ronnie Lott Brian Dawkins Larry Wilson
Cornerbacks
Deion Sanders Darrelle Revis Rod Woodson Charles Woodson
For me, the toughest positions to finalize were Corners and off-ball Linebackers. There's such a wealth of elite level of play over the history of the sport, that I almost listed multiple ties. Players like Mel Blount, Kenny Houston, Junior Seau, and Jack Ham were hard to omit.
Pass rusher is oversaturated with high-volume sack numbers, that I was forced to focus a lot more on players who were regarded as the best of the best during their time, and compare the numbers.
For example, I believe that J.J. Watt from 2012-2015 (4 seasons) is the greatest defensive line play of all time, but I can't place his entire career next to Aaron Donald and give him the edge when Donald embodied durability, while playing with a similar level of dominance at a similar (albeit different) position.
Reggie White was a force of nature. LT revolutionized the linebacker position
Gotta give it to Reggie cuz he did it clean, LT was coked up to gills.
Charles Hailey the only defensive player with 5 rings all consecutive
A picture is worth 1000 words...it's LT
Reggie white or LT And I feel it’s LT.
Taylor, Butkus & Reed, in my humble opinion.
Dick Butkus
Jack Lambert
Derrick Thomas #58…a career cut short
Because I'm a Canes fan, I gotta say either Ray Lewis or Ed Reed.
Probably the guy pictured here. Not even going to down play that.
Lawrence Taylor
Reggie over LT. Aaron Donald 3rd.
LT, Reggie, JJ Watt, Donald
Those are the only 4 options, and each are a perfectly good choice
JJ Watt had four years early on in his career where he was hands-down the best defensive player I’ve ever seen. All of those seasons after where he was injured took away any chance he had at this title, but man was he amazing early on.
Winning DPOY 3 out of 4 years is amazing.
Lawrence Taylor with Reggie White as a close second.
Howie Long was pretty great
Im gonna throw one name in there.
Dick “Night Train” Lane.
Best rookie season ever. Stayed good. The NFL changed a few rules because of him. Mean nasty big fast and talent. Would just tune up WRs at the line of scrimmage.
But really it’s LT.
Reggie White.
The question should be: After LT, who's the greatest defensive player ever?