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NFL Notebook, Week 13: Miami madness, Ron Rivera firing, Coach of the Year and more

By Zach Cohen

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Jason Sanders #7 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown pass from a fake field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Jason Sanders #7 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown pass from a fake field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots and Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins talk after the Patriots defeated the Redskins 33 to 7 at FedExField on October 6, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots and Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins talk after the Patriots defeated the Redskins 33 to 7 at FedExField on October 6, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Old School vs. New School

As a celebration for the NFL’s 100th season, the NFL’s been announcing their “All-Time Team” featuring a select number of players per position that span the NFL’s entire history. As with anything the league does, this “team” has caused quite a debate.

For example, Marion Motley (1946-1953, 1955) and Steve Van Buren (1944-1951) made the team over Marshall Faulk (1994-2005) and LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-2011). No one is discrediting the greatness of Faulk and Tomlinson, but there are tons of criticism over the two modern-day running backs, among others, not making the team. I can see it both ways.

Modern-Day Players

Stats, stats, stats. Guys like Faulk, Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson were the names to know at the position in an era increasingly defined by quarterbacks. The modern players are much bigger and more athletic than the older players. Besides, guys like these would arguably tear up the league in the 50s. Heck, I’m sure Kalen Ballege would also tear it up, and he posted the lowest yards-per-carry (with a minimum of 70 carries) since 1936.

Old-School Players

The careers of players like Motley and Van Buren shouldn’t be discredited. Nonetheless, those guys dominated opponents. I’m a believer in greatness relative to the time period. What’s important is that a player is considered great during his career, not after it. Matt Stafford might be inching towards passing records, but no one’s viewed him as a top quarterback during his time in the NFL. Stats are not the most important factor: Era dominance is.

Verdict

Both are good arguments, but I’d rather celebrate the greatness of each player, whether he made the list or were considered for it. That’s a distinction to applaud for, not fight over.

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