Is Ray Lewis the best MLB of all time?

[Senser81]

I would say the 46 was one of the easiest defenses to run. Its effectiveness was its simplicity...bring more players than the offense can block.

Singletary was a great player, but I think the key to the Bears defense was their pass rush. I think they still hold the league record for sacks in 1984, which was mainly the work of Dent, Hampton, & McMichael. The Bears defense became dominant in 1985 and 1986, which coincided with Wilber Marshall's arrival. I would say that Marshall was the Bears best LB in 1985 and 1986, not Singletary. And when Hampton's knees went bad and Marshall went to the Redskins, the Bears weren't even close to being the same defense. To me, Singletary's greatness is too tied into the mid-1980's Bears. Guys like Lewis and Lambert remained great even after their great teammates left them...I don't think we can say the same about Singletary.

 

[jeffx]

I am also one of those guys that thinks the game and players have evolved over the last 30-40 years and the breed of athletes in the NFL today are nothing like we've ever seen before.

But the question is, do today's players(NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) have the same understanding of the game that players from 20, 30, 40 years ago had?

 

[NAHSTE]

Greatest of my lifetime.

 

[Tailback U]

But the question is, do today's players(NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) have the same understanding of the game that players from 20, 30, 40 years ago had?

I would think so. The passing game is more elaborate and defensive schemes are more elaborate. It's hard for me to believe that the NFL was littered with guys like Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Mario Williams, James Harrison, Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers, etc. 30-40 years ago. I'm sure they existed, but not to the extent that we see today. The NFL is littered with physical freaks of nature today, guys that can play DEnd or OLB, safety or up in the box, etc.

Hence why Peyton Manning is considered by many to be the greatest QB of all time. He understands defenses like no one before. And hence why guys like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis pose the greatest challenges to a guy like Manning, who runs as complex as an offense as ever before.

 

[FirstTimer]

I would say the 46 was one of the easiest defenses to run. Its effectiveness was its simplicity...bring more players than the offense can block.

Singletary was a great player, but I think the key to the Bears defense was their pass rush. I think they still hold the league record for sacks in 1984, which was mainly the work of Dent, Hampton, & McMichael. The Bears defense became dominant in 1985 and 1986, which coincided with Wilber Marshall's arrival. I would say that Marshall was the Bears best LB in 1985 and 1986, not Singletary. And when Hampton's knees went bad and Marshall went to the Redskins, the Bears weren't even close to being the same defense. To me, Singletary's greatness is too tied into the mid-1980's Bears. Guys like Lewis and Lambert remained great even after their great teammates left them...I don't think we can say the same about Singletary.

I guess I kind of see your point except Singletary was winning DPOY awards in '88 and making 1st team All Pro all the up until the year before he retired.

 

[Champ]

Harry Carson

 

[Juggernaut]

I like Urlacher better than Lewis, but I'd take Lewis over Urlacher.

Those 2 are the best that I've watched. Pat Willis will imo be as good as those 2 one day.

 

[Senser81]

I guess I kind of see your point except Singletary was winning DPOY awards in '88 and maing 1st team All Pro all the up until the year before he retired.

Point taken. you are 2 for 2 today.

 

[FirstTimer]

Point taken. you are 2 for 2 today.

What was the first? :knubb:

 

[Liquidrob]

From who I have watched, I would say Ray Lewis, Singletary was amazing, I just think Lewis is better, I would say pretty much what Senser is saying

LT is the GOAT linebacker though IMO

sidenote: In Tecmo Bowl you can block pretty much every FG and extra point with either Mike or LT

 

[Champ]

I like Urlacher better than Lewis, but I'd take Lewis over Urlacher.

Those 2 are the best that I've watched. Pat Willis will imo be as good as those 2 one day.

In 2006 or 05 (forgot which one) Brian Urlacher was named the most over hyped player in the NFL by the players and coaches. Just sayin.

 

[FirstTimer]

In 2006 or 05 (forgot which one) Brian Urlacher was named the most over hyped player in the NFL by the players and coaches. Just sayin.

He won DPOY in 2005.

Just sayin'

 

[NAHSTE]

He won DPOY in 2005.

Just sayin'

The NFL was in love with the Tampa 2 in 2005.

Just sayin'

 

[dave]

Ray Lewis is a great linebacker, possibly the best for a LB in his 30s, but he didn't change the game the way Lawrence Taylor did.
I think an argument could be made that Taylor is the best player on either side of the ball in NFL history. His impact was enormous.
That said, he didn't have Lewis' longevity ... which is incredibly rare.

 

[Tailback U]

Ray Lewis is a great linebacker, possibly the best for a LB in his 30s, but he didn't change the game the way Lawrence Taylor did.
I think an argument could be made that Taylor is the best player on either side of the ball in NFL history. His impact was enormous.
That said, he didn't have Lewis' longevity ... which is incredibly rare.

Like I said, I don't think it's fair to compare an OLB like LT to a MLB like Ray Lewis.

It's kinda like comparing Reggie White to Warren Sapp.

 

[dave]

The two MLBs who come to mind are Butkus and Singletary.
Personally, I take Lewis over Singletary.
Singletary was great, but so was that entire D.
While others love the unbeaten Dolphins, I say the 85 Bears were the best team ever ... and their D definitely the best ever.
Still can't figure out why their run was so short.
Butkus is hard to say, because I wasn't even a fetus when he played. You can only go by reputation.

My favourite Jack Lambert story.
During the Steelers' glory days, one of the regular OLBs got hurt and a young guy came into the huddle and said to Lambert: "What should I do?"
Lambert replies: "Just stay out of my fucking way!"

 

[theMINI]

The two MLBs who come to mind are Butkus and Singletary.
Personally, I take Lewis over Singletary.
Singletary was great, but so was that entire D.
While others love the unbeaten Dolphins, I say the 85 Bears were the best team ever ... and their D definitely the best ever.
Still can't figure out why their run was so short.
Butkus is hard to say, because I wasn't even a fetus when he played. You can only go by reputation.

My favourite Jack Lambert story.
During the Steelers' glory days, one of the regular OLBs got hurt and a young guy came into the huddle and said to Lambert: "What should I do?"
Lambert replies: "Just stay out of my fucking way!"

Everyone should listen to dave. He's the only one that's probably lived through a lot of the older linebackers.

 

[dave]

I would listen to Dave... but rumor has it, he's never been laid.

Which gives me more time to watch football. Duh.

 

[Senser81]

Like I said, I don't think it's fair to compare an OLB like LT to a MLB like Ray Lewis.

It's kinda like comparing Reggie White to Warren Sapp.

Yeah, and I don't understand how the thread is titled "Is Ray Lewis the best MLB of all time?" and people keep mentioning Lawrence Taylor. Its like a thread being "Is Tony Gonzalez the best TE of all time?", and people say that Jerry Rice was much better.

 

[Bmore]

Yeah, and I don't understand how the thread is titled "Is Ray Lewis the best MLB of all time?" and people keep mentioning Lawrence Taylor. Its like a thread being "Is Tony Gonzalez the best TE of all time?", and people say that Jerry Rice was much better.

You should know by now that VSN isn't filled with the sharpest tools in the shed.