Sep 15, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Bill Parcells (left) talks with New York Giants hall of famer Lawrence Taylor during 1st quarter against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
Often times it bugs many that offensive players get all the love. Today, however, we salute the 30 greatest defensive players in NFL history.
The Most Valuable Player, the Heisman Trophy, even Fantasy Football. Why is it always the flash of the offense that receives the absurd amount of the attention in football?
Actually, it’s extremely annoying at times.
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Unless Roger Goodell pulled off some of his identifiable sneaky stuff recently and completely eliminated one side of the game, I do believe defense counts for almost 50 percent of the snaps in the NFL.
Right? Well, let me think for a moment. After all, I don’t want to rush to judgement.
We have the quarterback who leads his offense onto the field for an average of 60-65 snaps a game. I don’t want to discount special teams (although the NFL would love to eliminate them all together). They account for a few kickoffs, field goals and punts.
Yup, the defense does still play football. I know at one point I saw J.J. Watt make a great defensive play in 2014 (although he’s turned to that offensive darkside as of late).
Luckily here at NFL Spin Zone, we realize defense is as important as offense. Most might say, more important.
Offense put the fannies in the seats. Defense wins championships.
It’s a cruel reality for defensive football players. Throughout their life, and seemingly for the entire lifespan American Football has graced our country, the average fan is much more enamored with the grace of elusiveness over grittiness; receptions over interceptions; touchdowns over perfect form-tackles.
While some of you fantasy nerds still think offense rules all, I dare you to tell Ray Lewis your thoughts on the subject. Go ahead, tell him it’s fair that only two defensive players have ever won the AP NFL MVP (Alan Page in 1971 and Lawrence Taylor in 1986).
I dare you.
Nevertheless, here are the 30 Greatest Defensive Players in NFL History including the Defensive All-Time NFL Team at the end of this slideshow:
Teaser: There are 11 defensive lineman, 10 linebackers and 9 defensive backs on the list.
Next: Notables
Notables
*Represent Top Snubs
Listen, don’t get on me about having 50 guys in the notables section.
I don’t want to hear it.
This is a list of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. It’s not broken down by position, era, or any other conceivable way. The notables section needs to be this large when we’re discussing it in such general terms. It’s as simple as that.
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Another issue when gauging the top defenders of all-time comes into play when trying to decide on pre-modern guys.
Statistical information is very scarce when thinking about pre-modern, or even pre-merger times. Also, guys frequently played both sides of the ball. Guys like Bulldog Turner, Dan Fortmann and Turk Edwards are just impossible to try to fit into a list like this.
For crying out loud, even guys “Slinging” Sammy Baugh and Don Hutson played defense in those days. Baugh collected 31 career interceptions.
Aside from pre-modern, the toughest players to keep out of the Top 30 were these 10: Junior Seau, Derrick Thomas, Ernie Stautner, Leo Nomellini, Darrelle Revis, Kenny Houston, Mike Haynes, Larry Wilson, Sam Huff and Ray Nitschke.
Seau and Thomas, a pair of contrasting dominating linebackers from the 1990s, were especially tough to leave off. Nomellini, a two-day lineman stalwart for the San Francisco 49ers, is also quite deserving.
Hayes, Houston and Nitschke were all named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team in 1994.
Furthermore, if it hadn’t been for Revis missing a full season and taking another full year in Tampa Bay to get back to superstar status, he’d be in the Top 30 as well. Quite honestly the only better pure cover corner in the history of the NFL has been Deion Sanders. Revis just hasn’t done it long enough yet.
There’s no question he’d be in the top 50.
Although these 50 are all deserving, it’s now time to get on to the big show:
Note: let’s completely avoid the need to utter the phrase “Hall of Fame” at all during this list. All of these guys either are already Hall of Famers, or will be Hall of Famers. No need to even bring it up.
Next: Number 30
30. Ed Reed, S
- Baltimore Ravens (2002-12), Houston Texans (2013), New York Jets (2013)
- 2004 Defensive POY / 2012 Super Bowl Champion / 5-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Why it always shakes down like this I’ll never know, but when discussing the greatest all-time defensive players in NFL history the men upfront are usually higher on the list.
Ed Reed makes our No. 30 spot as one of the few true safeties on this list.
The younger generation was fortunate to watch him roam the deep middle third of the Baltimore Ravens defense for a decade. Perhaps nobody in the game’s history roamed the middle-third as spectacularly as Reed.
Reed collected 64 career interceptions which ranks him sixth all-time. He also has an insane nine career defensive touchdowns.
Reed’s best attribute was his mind. Nobody had a knack for being in the right spot at the right time.
Anticipation and a nose for the ball is what the safety position is all about. Nobody did it better than Ed Reed.
Next: Number 29
29. Willie Lanier, MLB
- Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77)
- 1969 Super Bowl Champion / 3-Time 1st Team All-Pro
After the American Football League (AFL) finally broke through in 1968 with Joe Namath’s New York Jets stunning the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, defensive star Willie Lanier decided to help his Kansas City Chiefs do the same a year later.
While Hank Stram was telling Lenny (Len Dawson) to keep “matriculating the ball down the field,” Lanier led a nasty defense to a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
Lanier was as sure a tackler as there was during that era. Of course tackle statistics didn’t become official until a couple decades ago, so many of these old-school guys need to pass the eye and Hall of Fame test to get on the list.
Lanier’s nickname was “Contact” due to his bruising hits on opponents. Additionally his leadership qualities could be described as spectacular.
It’s a travesty that Lanier is the only member of that terrific Chiefs defense in the late 60s/early 70s to find his way on this list.
Next: Number 28
28. J.J. Watt, 3-4 DE
- Houston Texans (2011-Active)
- 2012 and 2014 Defensive POY / 3-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Yes, this guy has only played four-seasons in the NFL, but it’s tough to argue this selection.
How could you when he’s already taken home two Defensive Player of the Year awards during his four-seasons?
The Houston Texans freak of an interior defensive lineman is batting 50 percent as far as Defensive POY honors is concerned. That’s amazing.
The only other active NFL player who was considered for the Top 30 was Darrelle Revis. Due to the speed bump after his ACL, he just barely misses the cut in favor of some other greats at the position.
Simply put, Watt is a monster and I’m absolutely confident the man is on his way to a Hall of Fame career.
With 57 career sacks, the man is averaging 14.25 sacks per season and is already tied for 120th on the all-time list. He is still only 26-years old.
Next: Number 27
27. Paul Krause, S
- Washington Redskins (1964-67), Minnesota Vikings (1968-79)
- 3-Time 1st Team All-Pro
How could the guy who doesn’t hold the interception record not be in the top 30?
Paul Krause played for both the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings during the Purple People Eater days of four NFC Championships. While the guys upfront received all the attention, Krause remained the backbone of a phenomenal defense for more than a decade.
While oftentimes Krause was criticized for being too slow, his mind and football sense ruled the field.
81 career interceptions in 16 seasons is Krause’s claim to fame and will be until somebody can finally sniff the record.
Next: Number 26
26. Willie Brown, CB
- Denver Broncos (1963-66), Oakland Raiders (1967-78)
- 1976 Super Bowl Champion / 5-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Is there a better highlight in NFL than the one that shows Willie Brown dashing down the sidelines in Super Bowl XI?
That highlight – brought so famously to you by NFL Films – was the most famous shot of that unbelievable Oakland Raiders team led by John Madden.
Brown was ahead of his time.
He was a five-time AFL All-Star and four-time NFL Pro Bowler. His cover abilities could arguably give him the mantle of first pure cover corner in NFL history.
Nobody during his era could lock down a receiver with the athletic ability Brown did and he has often been called the father of the bump and run coverage.
Brown collected 54 career picks during his 16-year NFL career.
Next: Number 25
25. Mel Blount, CB
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1970-83)
- 1975 Defensive POY / 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979 Super Bowl Champion / 2-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Speaking of cover corners, Mel Blount was most definitely one of those guys. Although, he did it in a slightly different manner.
Blending in beautifully with the rest of the Steel Curtain, Blount brought the physical nature of the game to the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary which Chuck Noll reveled in.
In fact, Blount was so physical that he actually changed the rules of the game. It was mainly his play that led to the five-yard bump and run rule to be implemented. No longer could you hammer a receiver down the field.
Prior to 1978 – which is when the 5-yard no contact rule was implemented – Blount would destroy receivers as they made cuts in their routes.
Blount is still tied 13th in history with 57 career interceptions.
Next: Number 24
24. Joe Schmidt, LB
- Detroit Lions (1953-65)
- 1957 NFL Defensive POY / 1953 and 1957 NFL Champion / 8-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Nasty, consistent and just plain mad. That’s how Detroit Lions linebacker Joe Schmidt could be described as a player.
Schmidt was the best tackler of his era, helping him win the NFL’s version of Defensive Player of the Year back in 1957.
The Lions defense during the 1950s was so good. Much of their success was thanks to Schmidt and his leadership abilities, who quarterbacked the unit during his entire 13-year career.
Eight times he was named an NFL First-Team All-Pro.
Next: Number 23
23. Emlen Tunnell, DB
- New York Giants (1948-58), Green Bay Packers (1959-61)
- 1956 and 1961 NFL Champion / 4-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Perhaps the first legendary safety the NFL laid eyes on was New York Giant’s defensive back Emlen Tunnell.
The reason Tunnell became the first great at the position was largely due to the era he played in. Finally, thanks to guys like Johnny Unitas, the forward became somewhat regular which forced defenses to assemble real secondaries.
Tunnell ended his career as the all-time leader in interceptions with 79. That was until Paul Krause passed him with 81.
Tunnell is still second all-time in interceptions and had the great honor of becoming the first African-American to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.
Next: Number 22
22. Ted Hendricks, 4-3 OLB
- Baltimore Colts (1969-73), Green Bay Packers (1974), Oakland-LA Raiders (1975-83)
- 1970, 1977, 1980 and 1983 Super Bowl Champion / 4-Time 1st Team All-Pro
“The Mad Stork” as many know him by was a four-time Super Bowl Champion with two different squads.
Standing at 6-7, Ted Hendricks was a mad man on the football field – a mad man who never missed games and played an incredible 215 consecutive games.
He was an eight time Pro Bowler and blocked an absurd 25 kicks with his amazing wingspan. That is obviously an NFL record.
This Oakland Raider had more all-around ability than anybody we’ve ever encountered: 60.5 sacks, 16 fumble recoveries and 26 interceptions during his career.
Next: Number 21
21. Andy Robustelli, DE
- Los Angeles Rams (1051-55), New York Giants (1956-64)
- 1951 and 1956 NFL Champion / 6-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Wherever Andy Robustelli went, he won. In each of his first seasons in Los Angeles and New York he won an NFL Championship.
Incredibly being named to the NFL’s 1st Team All-Pro six times, it’s a shame sacks weren’t recorded back in Robustelli’s day. He was one of the best pass rushers in the history of the sport.
As hard as it is to receive recognition in the sport, Robustelli took home the Bert Bell award in 1962 which is given to the league MVP in the eyes of Maxwell Club (Green Bay Packers running back Jim Taylor won the AP NFL MVP that year).
The only other two defensive players to win the Bert Bell award are Lawrence Taylor and Merlin Olsen.
Next: Number 20
20. Jack Lambert, MLB
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-84)
- 1976 Defensive POY / 1974 Defensive ROY / 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979 Super Bowl Champion / 6-Time 1st Team All-Pro
He turned out to be that last missing ingredient the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to get over the hump.
Once Jack Lambert came to town, the “Steel Curtain” became whole and the Steelers won four championships in six seasons.
It’s a tough chore to decide which member of the “Steel Curtain” should be placed higher on the list than the next. Lambert comes in at the not too shabby spot of No. 20.
In 1976 he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award with an obscene eight fumble recoveries and many, many tackles.
There was nothing finesse about Lambert. He either overpowered blockers to get to the tackler or they wilted under the pressure knowing Lambert was coming.
Next: Number 19
19. Mike Singletary, MLB
- Chicago Bears (1981-92)
- 1985 and 1988 Defensive POY / 1985 Super Bowl Champion / 7-Time 1st Team All-Pro
The lone member to make this list of perhaps the greatest defensive unit ever assembled is Chicago Bears middle linebacker Mike Singletary.
There was no doubt he’d make the list. Where to fit him in was another story all together.
Winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice, Singletary quickly established himself as one of the greatest defensive quarterbacks in league history.
The word to describe the man is “heart.” He was the fire behind Buddy Ryan’s 46, record setting defensive unit in 1985.
While he was undersized, and not chosen in the first round because of his smallish stature for the position, Singletary willed his way to the Hall of Fame.
Next: Number 18
18. Night Train Lane, CB
- Los Angeles Rams (1952-53), Chicago Cardinals (1955-59), Detroit Lions (1960-65)
- 3-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Simply one of the most devastating defensive backs to ever play football was Dick “Night Train” Lane.
He started with the Los Angeles Rams. Once he got to Chicago and started playing for the Cardinals, however, is when the entire league started to really take notice.
His freakish athletic abilities in those days were awe inspiring. Not only could he roam in the defensive backfield while covering receivers, but he would destroy ball carriers with his patented closed-line, high neck area tackle (later to be outlawed of course).
Lane finished his career with 68 interceptions, currently good enough for fourth all-time. He was also a 10 time All-Pro.
Next: Number 17
17. Chuck Bednarik, LB
- Philadelphia Eagles (1949-62)
- 1949 and 1960 NFL Champion / 5-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Center on offense, linebacker on defense, there was nothing Philadelphia Eagles football player Chuck Bednarik couldn’t do.
The man who never left the field struck fear into every opposing player.
His play took nastiness to an all-time high in the league and Bednarik didn’t allow it to hurt his game as he only missed three games during his entire 14-year career.
He is still revered in the city of Philadelphia for he was a member of their last two championship teams. If tackles were recorded during Bednarik’s day, he could’ve been the all-time leader.
Next: Number 16
16. Jack Ham, 4-3 OLB
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1971-82)
- 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979 Super Bowl Champion / 6-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Jack Ham receives the nod over Jack Lambert by a basic flip of a coin.
While Lambert was that final missing piece of the Steel Curtain puzzle, Ham was the heart and soul of the team.
Playing a 4-3 outside linebacker, Ham did it all for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If head coach Chuck Noll needed Ham to rush the passer, he did it. If he needed him to plug the run, he did it. If he needed him to drop into coverage, he did it.
Ham finished his career with 25 sacks, 21 fumble recoveries and 32 interceptions. His interception total ranks him third all-time among linebackers.
Next: Number 15
15. Bruce Smith, DE
- Buffalo Bills (1985-99), Washington Redskins (2000-03)
- 1990 and 1996 Defensive POY / 8-Time 1st Team All-Pro
If there was ever a chance an offensive tackle would be allowed to wet himself, it would be on the Sunday he faces Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith.
Not only was Smith one of the more dominating defensive players in the history of the league, those scary pair of eyes of his used intimidation to its fullest effect.
Skills and intimidation worked to the tune of 200 career sacks, good enough for the most sacks in NFL history.
Because Smith played 19 seasons and ultimately became a “compiler,” he finds himself out of the top 10. No question he was one of the best pure pass rushers ever – with two Defensive Player of the Year honors to boot – but there’s a few lineman who deserve a higher ranking.
Smith helped Buffalo win four straight AFC Championships – an accomplishment that has always remained very underrated and under-appreciated.
Next: Number 14
14. Randy White, DT
- Dallas Cowboys (1975-88)
- 1977 Super Bowl MVP / 1977 Super Bowl Champion / 7-Time 1st Team All-Pro
One of the guys who can’t touch Bruce Smith’s sack number yet ranks higher is former Dallas Cowboys legend Randy White. One of the reasons was because sacks were yet to be an official stat.
Coming to Dallas at the perfect time (as Bob Lilly was starting to slow down), White oftentimes single-handedly dominated football games.
White incredibly only missed one game during his entire 14-year NFL career. Not only was he big enough for the defensive tackle position, he was perhaps the quickest defensive tackle the league ever laid eyes on.
Only one other guy on this list has taken home a Super Bowl MVP award.
Next: Number 13
13. Rod Woodson, DB
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-96), San Francisco 49ers (1997), Baltimore Ravens (1998-2001), Oakland Raiders (2002-03)
- 1993 Defensive POY / 2000 Super Bowl Champion / 6-Time 1st Team All-Pro
If you’d like to discuss versatility, then Rod Woodson is your man. Despite starting as a cornerback, Woodson moved to safety midway through his career.
Hey, do you need anymore evidence than this: Woodson was named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team in 1994 as one of the safeties while still an active player in the league.
In 1993 he won the Defensive Player of the Year. His career stat-line is absurd. First of all he’s first all-time with 32 fumble recoveries. Furthermore, he collected 71 interceptions which ranks third all-time and ran back four kick/punt returns for touchdowns.
His savvy for knowing where the play was going to happen rivals anybody we’ve ever watched.
Coming to Baltimore turned out to be the ingredient that put that 2000 Ravens defense over the top.
Next: Number 12
12. Merlin Olsen, DT
- Los Angeles Rams (1962-76)
- 5-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Merlin Olsen was the cog in a fierce Los Angeles Rams defensive line for over a decade.
The line was so fierce that they were dubbed “The Fearsome Foursome.” While the edge guys did their job by getting to the quarterback, Olsen took the role as the man who did the dirty work by taking on double-teams frequently.
Some might know him better as an actor and broadcaster, but make no mistake about it, Olsen was one of the greats of all-time.
In 1974 he took home the Bert Bell award as the league’s MVP. Only two other defensive players throughout history have ever done that.
Next: Number 11
11. Bob Lilly, DT
- Dallas Cowboys (1961-74)
- 1971 Super Bowl Champion / 7-Time 1st Team All-Pro
While many of the younger generation Dallas Cowboys fans could slightly remember Randy White’s dominance, the old-school guys revealed in the fact Bob Lilly was their stud.
As the leader of the 1971 Super Bowl champions, Lilly was a one-man wrecking crew for Tom Landry’s “Doomsday Defense.”
With 196 consecutive games played, there are very few Cowboys in history who are more fondly remembered. Lilly was the first Cowboy to ever be inducted in the famous Ring of Honor and is known simply as “Mr. Cowboy.”
Lilly is arguably the best defensive tackle in NFL history.
Next: Number 10
10. Deacon Jones, DE
- Los Angeles Rams (1961-71), San Diego Chargers (1972-73), Washington Redskins (1974)
- 5-Time 1st Team All-Pro
One of the guys Merlin Olsen helped spring to so many unofficial sacks was Deacon Jones – who by many accounts was the best pure pass rusher in the history of football.
Jones had it all. He had size, explosiveness, attitude and a mind for the game.
Because sacks weren’t recorded during his day, many speculate that Jones would be the all-time leader in the category if they had been. The number that’s often thrown around is 179.5 sacks during his 14 seasons.
Although it’s unofficial, that would place him third all-time if accurate.
Next: Number 9
9. Deion Sanders, CB
- Atlanta Falcons (1989-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994), Dallas Cowboys (1995-99), Washington Redskins (2000), Baltimore Ravens (2004-05)
- 1994 and 1995 Super Bowl Champion / 1994 Defensive POY / 6-Time 1st Team All-Pro
During the 1970’s guys like Mel Blount and Willie Brown led the position of cornerback in two totally contrasting styles. Then, Mike Haynes came in the 1980’s with an entirely new prototype for the position.
Haynes was the first true “cover corner” with the athleticism to potentially shutdown any offensive weapon.
When Deion Sanders came to the NFL in 1989, he threw away the prototype and created another.
Sanders made an immediate impact. Actually, as fans we felt like this guy was playing sandlot football at times. He would actually get so bored of no action that he’d leave a receiver open on purpose and jump the route for a pick-six.
Deion still managed to pick up 53 career interceptions despite quarterbacks never throwing his way. Additionally, the man is arguably the greatest return man in NFL history. His 23 total touchdowns between defense, special teams and a little offense is a phenomenal feat.
If he had given up the baseball dream sooner and could actually make a tackle, Sanders would’ve found his way in the top-five.
Darrelle Revis – who almost made the Top 30 – is the only other guy since “Primetime” to perform as as true shutdown corner.
Next: Number 8
8. Gino Marchetti, DE
- Dallas Texans (1952), Baltimore Colts (1953-64, 1966)
- 1958 and 1959 Super Bowl Champion / 7-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Playing in what was later dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” Baltimore Colts defensive lineman Gino Marchetti helped in a major way.
While Johnny Unitas and Alan Ameche received all the attention, it was Marchetti and that superb Baltimore defense who shutdown a phenomenal New York Giants offense on that day in 1958.
A wave of defensive lineman grew fame once sacks started to hit the public as a major stat during the 1980’s. Still though, Marchetti will forever be remembered as one of the greatest defensive ends in NFL history.
Admittedly it’s difficult to gauge Marchetti’s place in history with very little statistical evidence. Remember though, the men who claim Marchetti was the best defensive player of his era mean everything in the world.
He is absolutely deserving of a Top 10 spot.
Next: Number 7
7. Ronnie Lott, DB
- San Francisco 49ers (1981-90), Oakland Raiders (1991-92), New York Jets (1993-94)
- 1981, 1984, 1988 and 1989 Super Bowl Champion / 6-Time 1st Team All-Pro
If losing a part of your finger doesn’t stop you from playing the game then nothing will.
For safety Ronnie Lott, the man is an all-time old-school football player as he once cut off the tip of a finger so he wouldn’t have to endure surgery and miss games.
Much like Rod Woodson, Lott was also drafted as a cornerback and played four-plus seasons with the San Francisco 49ers in that spot before moving to safety. He was as athletic as he was brilliant.
Where Lott truly gained recognition was due to his vicious style of hitting offensive playmakers. He literally made offensive players fear their lives.
Lott led a very unheralded defense which helped Joe Montana and the rest of the 49ers to four Super Bowls during the 1980’s. In fact, that first championship in his rookie year had more to do with the defense than anything Walsh and Montana did on offense.
More than a hitter, Lott’s 63 career interceptions shows what a great center fielder he truly was.
Next: Number 6
6. Alan Page, DT
- Minnesota Vikings (1967-78), Chicago Bears (1978-81)
- 1971 NFL MVP / 1971 Defensive POY / 6-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Only two men in NFL history have won the AP NFL MVP award playing defense.
One of these guys was Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page.
In 1971 he took home both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award. Playing in the roughest area of the game, the interior, Page played an insane 218 consecutive games for a defensive line known as “The Purple People Eaters.”
While he could never get that ultimate trophy, appearing in the Super Bowl four times is an incredible achievement.
Page made the Pro Bowl nine times.
Next: Number 5
5. Reggie White, DE
- Philadelphia Eagles (1985-92), Green Bay Packers (1993-98), Carolina Panthers (2000)
- 1987 and 1998 Defensive POY / 1996 Super Bowl Champion / 8-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Reggie White was unlike any football player we laid eyes on previously. For “The Minister of Defense,” Sundays meant two things: god and football.
Because of his championship success in Green Bay – and taking unrestricted free agency to new heights for the NFLPA – White was a dominant figure for Buddy Ryan with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Everything ran through him.
Offenses had to regularly put together gameplans that featured a double-team on White for every play. As good as he was rushing the passer, he was just as superb against the run.
Still though, he was pretty damn good rushing the passer.
Only Bruce Smith has more sacks in NFL history than White’s 198. It took Smith three more seasons to surpass White in the category.
White was an all-pro an obscene 13 seasons during his 15 year NFL career and was one of the very few to win the Defensive Player of the Year award twice.
Next: Number 4
4. Ray Lewis, MLB
- Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012)
- 2000 Super Bowl MVP / 2000 and 2003 Defensive POY / 2000 and 2012 Super Bowl Champion / 7-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Passion, intensity, reckless behavior and controlled insanity – this is how Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis played football.
Even though most of the NFL knew Lewis was going to be good, nobody knew he was going to turn out to be a living legend.
Rivaling the 1985 Chicago Bears, Lewis’ 2000 Ravens defense is arguably the greatest unit ever assembled. He was a tackling machine who never featured an “off” button. Lewis amassed 1,562 tackles and 41.5 sacks during his illustrious 15-year NFL career and was Super Bowl XXXV’s Most Valuable Player.
There’s only a few middle linebackers who could claim to be on Lewis’ level.
A fantastic heart and soul-type leader, Lewis defined an era for the NFL.
Next: Number 3
3. Dick Butkus, MLB
- Chicago Bears (1965-73)
- 6-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Green Bay fans won’t like this submission, but they must respect it.
It’s funny, some think Packers legend Ray Nitschke was a better overall player, but regardless of who you root for, Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus can easily be called the greatest quarterback on defense in NFL history.
Nitschke played with a flock of legends on defense. Butkus had very little around him. I believe this is what has separated the two and given Butkus all of the fame while Nitschke took home the titles.
The cover boy of the article, Butkus had a look that screamed grittiness. He pounded NFL running backs on a weekly basis – and he loved it. Some of the most wicked hits this league has ever seen were laid down by Butkus during his “Monsters of the Midway” days.
Because of injuries Butkus only played nine seasons. Nevertheless, those seasons propelled him to one of the best defenders of all-time.
Next: Number 2
2. Joe Greene, DT
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-81)
- 1972 and 1974 Defensive POY / 1969 Defensive ROY / 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979 Super Bowl Champion / 5-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Perhaps the only time the public saw “Mean” Joe Greene smile was during that epic Coca-Cola commercial as the little kid tossed a Coke in Joe’s direction.
Maybe that’s because he didn’t need to smile, as his play did all the talk.
Sheer nastiness was the calling card for Greene. Sheer nastiness was the calling card for that Pittsburgh Steelers defense who took home four Super Bowl Championships.
No doubt Greene was rough around the edges. It was this attitude though that helped Greene set a tone for his team he so desperately loved.
Two Defensive Player of the Year awards; four Super Bowl championships; eight Pro Bowls; eight total All-Pro honors; the accolades for “Mean” Joe Greene go on and on.
He was unblockable.
Next: Number 1
1. Lawrence Taylor, 3-4 OLB
- New York Giants (1981-93)
- 1986 NFL MVP / 1981, 1982 and 1986 Defensive POY / 1981 Defensive ROY / 1986 and 1990 Super Bowl Champion / 8-Time 1st Team All Pro
I went into this exercise looking to find somebody to top Lawrence Taylor as the greatest defensive player of all-time.
No matter how I went about that challenge, I simply couldn’t find the right angle.
New York Giants outside linebacker Lawrence Taylor is the best defensive player in the history of the National Football League.
Taylor played 13 seasons. Putting aside his last three, the man was the most dominant force any defensive player has ever been.
He just didn’t dominate games, he changed the way we’ll look at football forever.
In the past we viewed defensive lines as a whole. Blocking schemes would normally be gameplanned on a total team-defense level. However, when Taylor made his mark in 1981 as a rookie, he started to force offenses to make sure their left tackle was as stud.
If that left tackle wasn’t up to snuff, the quarterback would soon feel the wrath.
L.T. compiled 132.5 sacks which currently places him 11th on the all-time list. It’s not about the sheer numbers with LT, it’s about when, where and how Taylor got those numbers.
He could do it all: rush the passer, drop into coverage, and even come up with the biggest tackle of the game on a moment’s notice. When the stage was built bigger, Taylor’s game grew larger.
In 1986, he took home AP NFL MVP honors, only one of two men to ever win the award from the defensive side.
Next: Defensive All-Time Team
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
NFL’s All-Time Defensive Team
The Coaches:
- Bill Belichick
- Tom Landry
- George Halas
The Team:
- Lawrence Taylor (LE/LOLB)
- Alan Page (LDT)
- Joe Greene (NT)
- Reggie White (RE)
- Ray Lewis (SAM)
- Dick Butkus (MLB)
- Jack Ham (WILL)
- Deion Sanders (LCB)
- Rod Woodson (FS)
- Ronnie Lott (SS)
- Night Train Lane (RCB)
Sub Packages:
- Deacon Jones (Sub Rusher)
- Bob Lilly (Sub Inside Rusher)
- Merlin Olsen (Sub DT Goalline)
- Gino Marchetti (Sub DE Goalline)
- Chuck Bednarik (Sub LB Goalline)
- Mike Singletary (Sub LB Pass)
- Mel Blount (Nickelback)
- Willie Brown (Dimeback)
- Emlen Tunnell (Quarter Safety)
As far as coaches are concerned, there are too many to count.
Chuck Noll, Buddy Ryan, Bud Grant, Hank Stram, George Allen, Bill Arnsparger and Dick LeBeau are just several of the guys who could’ve made the cut.
Belichick, Landry and Halas will do the job just fine.
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Belichick has not only experienced ridiculous success with the New England Patriots, he enjoyed an entire career molding one of the better defenses in NFL history with the New York Giants. Some of gameplans he came up with were brilliant. This includes the gameplan to go Big Nickel is all situations against the Jim Kelly’s K-Gun Offense in Super Bowl XXV. The genius forced the Buffalo Bills run more than they wanted to.
The team speaks for itself. I ran it out of a 4-3 scheme, so some edge outside linebackers needed to be shifted to defensive end. If Belichick wants to run a few 3-4 sets, he shifts his guy, Lawrence Taylor, to his more familiar role and the rest of the front-seven can still pull it off (even Jack Ham would have had to rush the passer a little).
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- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens