Who is the goat in NFL Football?

[TrillXHippy]

[MuddyMole]

Randy Moss.
Quarterbacks are always unfairly rated above other players, just because it's the position where an individual player can have the most visible impact, and where a player's career can be lengthy enough for them to build up impressive statistics. It's hardly surprising no running-back has 7 super bowl rings, when their average career length is only 2.5 seasons - and yet, for a few years, players like Shaun Alexander and Ladainian Tomlinson were at least as dominant as Brady.

[Diodoro]

Agree quarterbacks are unfairly rated above players. That said. Receivers are more or less reserved to scoring based on a quarterbacks decision.

I'd rate defensive players that score more valuable. The Ray Lewis and Sean Taylor RIP types.

You got a guy that dominates the other side. Rips the ball. And scores on them, allowing his team to do work. That's true MVP MVP. That's also a shorter career because of what it does to your body.

Which is part of the reason what Ray Lewis did was so spectacular. How long he did it. To me the real battles are between QBs/Running Backs and Defensive players

[MuddyMole]

@Diodoro Well, it's a team game, so WRs are only dependent on QBs in the same way that QBs are dependent on WRs and their OL, RBs are dependent on their OL, and all of them are dependent on their team strategy and play-calling. The poor linemen never get any credit.

The thing with Randy Moss, was that with his speed, he was seemingly always wide open, and even if he was well covered, you could still just throw the ball anywhere in his general direction and he'd come down with it - so the QB really didn't need to do anything special. I'd watch him play and I'd just be thinking "That's not fair!"
I know what you mean though. Brandon Marshall was probably the second best receiver I've ever seen, and while he was was amazing, his stats benefited from the fact that Jay Cutler would always just force *everything* to him, whether he was open or not.

That's why I don't pay so much attention to player stats - I base my opinions only on what I've actually seen. I'm not going to say Jerry Rice or Dan Marino, because I'd just be basing that on statistics and a few highlight reel plays, which isn't fair (plus, it was a different game back then anyway).

I'd agree with you on the defensive players though. Troy Polamalu is definitely way up there, along with Ray Lewis (still got my #52 jersey), Ed Reed and Richard Sherman.

[Diodoro]

For sure. To me you can only count players whose actions strongly effect the game. Such as Kyrie Irving on Cleveland. Bron only "carried" the Cavs in the Finals when Kyrie dropped 40+ points in a game.

Players like him are in the discussion for that reason. Similarly to football, while O Line doesn't get the respect they deserve it's also a one in a million player that's worth mentioning because the job description is to basically be a walking refrigerator.

When someone goes above and beyond you notice and they get respect

[MuddyMole]

I remember watching Shaun Alexander in his prime, and he was probably the only player I've watched where every time he touched the ball, I was almost *expecting* him to score. Watching his highlights back now of course, it's clear that his OL was pretty phenomenal as well...

And some receivers are pretty physical too. Hines Ward obviously springs to mind, but this is fairly standard Brandon Marshall:

[MuddyMole]

I'm not even going to attempt to comment on basketball (?), and I've never heard of the players you mention. Last time I paid any attention at all, I think Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Scotty Pippen were the biggest stars... XD

[Diodoro]

Lmaoooo I can respect that

[spartan55]

Wth is a picture of Trevor Lawrence doing there? 😂😂😂

[TrillXHippy]

I don’t know I don’t remember adding any pictures 🤷‍♂️

[katiesmuff]

Bret Farve for sure. He was great and look what he taught Arron Rogers! Tom Brady unfortunately can never hold this title after dumping a very pregnant girl friend before chasing after that model and current breeder of his children. Shows he has ZERO when it comes to morals so all he is, is a good football player.

[why_would_you_ask]

Literally everyone is saying Tom Brady, which I get I guess, but the guy's ancient. And not as good as everyone says. My opinion would be Jonathan Taylor. But I might be biased, because I just REALLY DON'T LIKE TOM BRADY. But that's my life.

[zagor]

GOAT means greatest of all time, so it could be someone retired or dead, so being ancient is irrelevant.

[why_would_you_ask]

@zagor very true. My brain is thinking MVP, but then you could just go back and back, and I don't no football history so y'all are on your own

[Diodoro]

Not as good as everyone says. Takes a losing team and makes them a Champion team his first season in his later years lol

Usually age is an excuse for doing poorly

[Curiousgirl2414]

My opinion with this and every sport tends to be unpopular. There isn’t one.

You really can’t compare today’s NFL with the NFL or the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Tom Brady is an amazing quarterback for today’s NFL. He’s the greatest for today’s NFL. But it’s highly unlikely that Tom Brady has the success he has in the 1970s. Today, it’s roughing the passer if a linebacker sacks the quarterback with his full weight. It’s pass interference with the smallest hint of contact from a safety or cornerback. There are limitations in the types of hits you can deliver on the defensive side of the ball.

Can you imagine Tom Brady playing against the defense of John Madden’s Oakland Raiders? Or the Steel Curtain? Perhaps even the 85 Bears? I mean, Jack Tatum of the Raiders made sure a guy never walked again.

The same logic can be applied to other sports as well. Sidney Crosby vs Wayne Gretzky…Jeff Gordon/Dale Earnhardt vs Richard Petty…Michael Jordan vs Lebron. Sports and the way they’re played just change with time.

This of course is not a knock on Brady or any other great. Brady has done amazing things for being drafted 6th round severely out of shape. And he’s been the best. Just can’t compare to everyone who has ever played the game.

[Ez-Bri-Z]

It's Brady and it isn't even close. There have been a lot of great players and all time players, but nobody did more with less than Brady. He rarely had All-Star offensive players in their Prime other than Moss and Gronkowski. He was a few plays on the defense from winning 10 super bowls and a perfect season.

10!

That's insane.

[OlderAndWiser]

It is difficult to deny Tom Brady that title, although I am not a personal fan. . . and I wouldn't argue if anyone wants to disqualify him becase of deflate-gate.

[NathanDavis]

come on... even those who hate Brady, genuinely recognize it... this discussion is over before it even starts

[mike5150]

I was never a big Tom Brady fan but the dude is in his mid 40's changed teams and still keeps winning rings.

[zagor]

Hard to argue with some who has more Super Bowl titles than any one TEAM.

[RobT312]

Not a fan but I have to say Brady

[Diodoro]

Can't argue against 7

[Iron_Man]

Probably Tom Brady as usual

[FadoraTheExplorer]

Bart Starr

[Wise4myage]

Tom Brady.

[emperor90]

None of them at all