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Just read an article where Walter Payton was named the Bears best player over the past 100 years and it got me thinking who is the Packers. 

The list has to be Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, and Don Hutson.

I would love to say Rodgers is the best followed by Hutson, Favre, Starr, and Hornung. I never saw Hutson play but the articles I have read make make it seem as though he was a special player and years ahead of his time. Could Rodgers have survived the beatings Qbs took during Starrs era. Could Starr be a HOF player if he had to throw 40 times a game without a running game.  Favre could have played in any era. Hornung probably would not make a team today. Walter Payton seems like a no brainer for Bears fans. I am not sure who I would vote for if given the opportunity for the Packers. 

Maybe it is Hutson, Favre and Rodgers followed by the rest. 

 

 

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Floridarob posted:

Just read an article where Walter Payton was named the Bears best player over the past 100 years and it got me thinking who is the Packers. 

The list has to be Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, and Don Hutson.

I would love to say Rodgers is the best followed by Hutson, Favre, Starr, and Hornung. I never saw Hutson play but the articles I have read make make it seem as though he was a special player and years ahead of his time. Could Rodgers have survived the beatings Qbs took during Starrs era. Could Starr be a HOF player if he had to throw 40 times a game without a running game.  Favre could have played in any era. Hornung probably would not make a team today. Walter Payton seems like a no brainer for Bears fans. I am not sure who I would vote for if given the opportunity for the Packers. 

Maybe it is Hutson, Favre and Rodgers followed by the rest. 

 

 

In no particular order I would go with Hutson, Rodgers, Favre, and Starr being the best Packers of all time.  I also would have to include Reggie White somewhere  in that discussion as well even though he played six or so seasons in GB.

The reason I say Reggie is because not only was he one of the best Packers ever but also his impact on the team to help get them out of the dark years.

I think Rodgers or Favre could have played in any era and done well.  I think their passing ability and command of the field would have made them successful.  I love Bart Starr but I struggle with feeling he could play in any era and won big. 

I wish I could have seen Hutson play but by all the things I have read he was crazy dominant in the passing game and helped get the NFL to pass the ball more.  

So long story short my choice for all time best Packer is Rodgers.  

 

Last edited by The Heckler

I think you have to judge each on their value to the team in their respective eras, then look at comparing them to each other, as well as how they rank in the league. Starr was a coach on the field and able to carry out Lombardi's vision for several years, and helped mold the team into a powerhouse. He was a top-three QB, but probably not THE top QB (I like Johnny U there). Favre was tough as nails (until that cold January day in 2007) with an arm like a howitzer. At his prime, he was the epitome of a leader who carried the team and made everyone better. Rodgers is probably smarter than almost any other player to wear the green-and-gold and his physical gifts are way above average.

Yet, I keep going back to Hutson, who on film looks like he could step into the locker room today and start. Rodgers would love to have him running routes! But the thing that seals it for me is Hutson's ability to play offense and defense. Hutson was without parallel as a split end and was also a talented safety who once led the league in interceptions (1940). He was miles ahead of other receivers during his era and helped create the modern receiver route, and then he'd flip sides and stop the other team's players -- he was great on both sides of the ball.

That makes Hutson without parallel and the greatest Packer to suit up (IMHO).  

In my opinion, a huge measure of greatness is how one compares to their peers from the same era----Ruth and Gretsky literally obliterated records and surpassed them by 30, 40 or 50%. Only Hutson would be in that same discussion, although upon reflection, some of Rodgers #'s are pretty damn impressive, especially his TD/Int ratio. I still would chose Hutson.

Reggie White is arguably the best defensive player in the history of Pro Football. 

Hutson’s best year was nearly 70 years before his numbers would have received All Pro in 2019. He was Gretzky before Gretzky was born. Hutson changed football. 

In closing. I’m going with Aaron Rodgers. Who is the greatest video cheat code at QB I’ve ever watched in my lifetime. 

Last edited by ChilliJon

Colt was slippery when he busted out of jail custody in 2017.

He was found a day later in line for Mike McCarthys TE school for dummies. He said his name was Bostick.

He was found in a heroin house the next morning.  

One of those is correct. Not as clear cut as you’d think. 

Blair Kiel posted:

In my opinion, a huge measure of greatness is how one compares to their peers from the same era----Ruth and Gretsky literally obliterated records and surpassed them by 30, 40 or 50%. Only Hutson would be in that same discussion, although upon reflection, some of Rodgers #'s are pretty damn impressive, especially his TD/Int ratio. I still would chose Hutson.

Good point.

I used to like looking at stats for a given year, such as a year Ruth led in HR's.  I would take the difference between #1 (his total)  and the #2 guy and then subtract that difference from #2 and see how far down the list you have to go until that difference is again reached.

Often, with Ruth, it was never reached.  If you subtracted the difference from the #2 guy, you would be in negative numbers.  So he just obliterated yearly stats.

Rodman did it with rebounds sometimes.  I'll bet Hutson did it with receptions.  Gretzky with scoring.  Chamberlain with scoring.

I always knew how Hutson dominated but I didn't know he still holds some NFL records (well if Wikipedia stats are accurate that is)

As of the end of the 2017 NFL season, Hutson still holds the following records: most seasons leading league in pass receptions (8), most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receptions (5), most seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (7), most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (4), most seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (9), most seasons leading the league in total touchdowns (8), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (5), most seasons leading league in scoring (5, now tied), and most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring (5)

The NFL was hardly a big time passing league in his time and in 1942 he had 74 receptions for 1200 yards and 17 TDs.  And to put that in to perspective the Packers only played 11 games that year.  

If he played a 16 game season he would average about 108 receptions, 1800 yards, and 25 TDs.  

 

Tough choice.  Off the top of my head I would say Hutson.  Maybe Rodgers or Favre.  

But I have to say in all of my time watching the Packers the guy I would go with is Sterling Sharpe.  I realize his career was cut short due to injuries, but by any objective measure he was a dominant player.  And he dominated in an era where he was double teamed and before rule changes that allowed DBs to get physical with receivers.  

Sharpe could run over you or run by you and racked up some crazy stats being literally the only weapon on the field.  To me,  that says a lot.  It’s like they know you are the only guy that can hurt you but they can’t do anything about it.   I feel the same way at times about Rodgers but he’s playing in an era that allows QBs to put up monster numbers. 

Freind in WI got a hamster for his kids in 2004. They named him Ahmad Carroll. Only hamster I’ve ever seen that couldn’t figure out how to run on a wheel.  Just sat in the corner and didn’t do much. Still tell him it was the best pet name ever. 

It's tough to compare guys like Hutson to modern era players but his greatness when he played cannot be disputed.

For me, the best player is Favre before the retirement/no retirement drama and the bitter divorce from the organization.  He was the most exciting football player I've ever seen.  Tough as nails.  Rocket arm.  He did some amazing things and some amazingly stupid things... but damn was he fun to watch. 

Timpranillo posted:

De'Mond Parker!

While a snark answer, will always have a place in my heart for having his career game vs the bears. 19/113 and 2 TDs in the 4th to extend a 21-19 lead.

Fanning his feet was the best. 

Brokenclock posted:

Tough choice.  Off the top of my head I would say Hutson.  Maybe Rodgers or Favre.  

But I have to say in all of my time watching the Packers the guy I would go with is Sterling Sharpe.  I realize his career was cut short due to injuries, but by any objective measure he was a dominant player.  And he dominated in an era where he was double teamed and before rule changes that allowed DBs to get physical with receivers.  

Sharpe could run over you or run by you and racked up some crazy stats being literally the only weapon on the field.  To me,  that says a lot.  It’s like they know you are the only guy that can hurt you but they can’t do anything about it.   I feel the same way at times about Rodgers but he’s playing in an era that allows QBs to put up monster numbers. 

Well I'll be damned.

It's Sharpe.

Ghost of Lambeau posted:

I did not see QB Rich Campbell.  Without him we may not have known what a bad QB looked like in action.  Unless we want to consider Jim Del Gaizo or Randy Duncan.  

And don't forget Jerry Taggee, David Whitehurst, and Randy Wright

Fat Eddie Lacy could have been in the conversation if he had thicker ankles. The amount of mass he was hauling around productively is a feat we likely won't see again. 

Image result for terrence cody running Image result for walter paytonImage result for fat eddie lacy

Last edited by Grave Digger
Grave Digger posted:

Fat Eddie Lacy could have been in the conversation if he had thicker ankles. The amount of mass he was hauling around productively is a feat we likely won't see again. 

Image result for terrence cody running Image result for walter paytonImage result for fat eddie lacy

He keeps getting looks. Last month it was the Ravens that brought him in for a workout. 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/...8-out-of-the-league/

I'm guessing they want to see he's made some commitment to actually trying to be in shape, otherwise his visit will end pretty quick. 

MichiganPacker2 posted:
Grave Digger posted:

Fat Eddie Lacy could have been in the conversation if he had thicker ankles. The amount of mass he was hauling around productively is a feat we likely won't see again. 

Image result for terrence cody running Image result for walter paytonImage result for fat eddie lacy

He keeps getting looks. Last month it was the Ravens that brought him in for a workout. 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/...8-out-of-the-league/

I'm guessing they want to see he's made some commitment to actually trying to be in shape, otherwise his visit will end pretty quick. 

Ravens didn't sign him, did they? That story is from last month.

Best players all-time (takes into consideration length of time with the team and total contribution):

Hutson

Favre

Rodgers

Nitschke

Willie Wood

Willie Davis

Starr

Henry Jordan

Herb Adderley

Forrest Gregg

Now if the question is who was simply the best player when they played it would be a different answer.

Hutson, White, Sharpe, Rodgers, Hornung, Wood, Davis, Willie Buchanon, Adderley, Bahktiari. 

 

AtTheMurph posted:

Best players all-time (takes into consideration length of time with the team and total contribution):

Hutson

Favre

Rodgers

Nitschke

Willie Wood

Willie Davis

Starr

Henry Jordan

Herb Adderley

Forrest Gregg

Now if the question is who was simply the best player when they played it would be a different answer.

Hutson, White, Sharpe, Rodgers, Hornung, Wood, Davis, Willie Buchanon, Adderley, Bahktiari. 

 

Why doesn't Forrest Gregg make this last list?

Something to consider about Reggie White.  He was good in GB but was off the chain awesome with Philly.  How those Eagles with that defense didn’t win a title I have no idea.  Oh wait,  Buddy Ryan you say? 

I would probably put Hutson at the top, but I think Nitschke and Taylor get left out of the conversation too much.  Hornung got all the touchdowns, but Taylor got most of the yards.  The only guy to beat Jim Brown for a rushing title.  

Tschmack posted:

Something to consider about Reggie White.  He was good in GB but was off the chain awesome with Philly.  How those Eagles with that defense didn’t win a title I have no idea.  Oh wait,  Buddy Ryan you say? 

Yeah.  Imagine if Randall Cunningham had an excellent QB coach.  Ryan did not seem to care enough for the offensive side of the ball.

But, a couple things did happen to those Eagles.  One year was effectively over because Cunningham tore his achilles tendon the first game of the season.  That was probably their best defense and I think it was the first year after Ryan.  Another year they lost the fog bowl.  Such a strange game.  I don't think players could see much more than 3 yards downfield.  It was strange and awful.  Finally, of course, was the death of Jerome Brown.

I've watched videos of that defense.  If I had to guess, I would say best defense of all time.  Especially 1991, the year after Ryan was fired.  Budd Carson, who coached the Steeler's 70's defense, was the Eagle's defensive coordinator.  Many Eagles players thought this was their SB team, but it was the year Cunningham got hurt.

This is on the 1991 Eagles Gang Green Defense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V-AZIKwkc0

Last edited by phaedrus

I'm watching that Eagle video.  One of the funniest (to me) statements was something Seth Joyner said.  It was a game against Dallas.  Eagles had 11 sacks.  Every defensive lineman that played got a sack.

"I remember hitting Troy and hearing him squeal like a little girl.  That was worth ten sacks by itself."

I haven't seen any mention of Charles Woodson here, until now. Reggie White, Bart Starr, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers,LeRoy Butler,Henry Jordan, Forrest Gregg, Jerry Kramer, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, Don Hutson, Johnny Blood McNally, Craig Hentrich, Willie Davis, Willie Wood, Herb Adderley, Ray Nitschke, Sterling Sharpe, James Lofton and Charles Woodson all make my list.

 

Last edited by mrtundra

Another year they lost the fog bowl.  Such a strange game.  I don't think players could see much more than 3 yards downfield.  It was strange and awful.

I remember that game.  Aptly described above.  Completely negated any threat to throw.  Cunningham could wing it and I think it really helped soften a D for his scrambling (that's what they used to call it)/running.  Without that threat he was easier to contain.

 

"Another year they lost the fog bowl.  Such a strange game.  I don't think players could see much more than 3 yards downfield.  It was strange and awful."

 

That was a local broadcast for me. I recall the Tribune coverage later quoting players that it wasn't as bad on the field as the broadcast looked. The lights  reflecting off the fog into the cameras amplified the effect.

Tschmack posted:

Something to consider about Reggie White.  He was good in GB but was off the chain awesome with Philly.  How those Eagles with that defense didn’t win a title I have no idea.  Oh wait,  Buddy Ryan you say? 

I could be wrong but I think Ryan was something like 0-3 in the playoffs as the Eagle coach.  Just think with all of their talent on defense if Buddy Ryan had even paid a little attention to the offense how good that team could have been.  

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