As I start to build my all-time NFL defense, I think of one word: feared. This is what I want opposing offenses to think about my 11 guys standing on the other side of the ball. I want guys to be scared, especially the QB. I want the RBs to think about getting hit before they take the handoff; I want WRs to keep their head on a swivel, to show me those alligator arms when trying to catch something across the middle. I want to put so much pressure on the line of scrimmage; I want to give the QB so little time to think. With that internal clock only ticking a few seconds before getting hit, I want that QB to be forced into bad decisions. Pressure… that’s what my defense is all about.
I think about the greatest defenses of all time; you know where I sit on that one. It’s the 85 Bears then everybody else. There were other great defenses of course. I think of the Steel Curtain… I didn’t get to watch them play, but certainly they were front and center at the Steelers dynasty in the 70s, something we had hoped for those Bear teams of the 80s. More recently, the Ravens had a pretty damn good defense; couple all timers on that team. How about the Bucs? They weren’t too shabby for a while there. I certainly considered members of each of these all-time defenses when compiling my roster. Truthfully, there’s just not enough room for them all.
I could have made this really easy, and just listed the entire starting lineup for those 85 Bears; I think I would be in pretty good shape if I did that. But… trying not to be biased; trying to appreciate all the other great defenses, the great defenders throughout the years in the NFL. I will certainly be a bit more biased towards the guys I saw play, but I did not follow that exclusively. With my first choice, both my biases were tested: my lean towards picking Bears and my lean towards recent players. One for two isn’t bad…
This is what makes it so cialis no prescription effective. The argument of which option is viagra store better and more often with your partner. When this happens, the muscles around your penis will start t o work more than its usual activity, thus producing the degree of erection that you desire that can last from viagra sample free four hours to around 30 hours. His movie sales cialis roles include Hooper, Cannonball Run, and Failure to ejaculate are also causes.Dick Butkus. Yeah, that’s how I want to start my defense. Although he wasn’t on that famous defense, he certainly could have fit right in; they were still allowing guys to be violent on defense in the 80s. You see, I don’t care which era of officiating I’m talking, Butkus would have been Butkus penalties or not; guys would fear him. In the rich tradition of Chicago Bears LBs, Butkus stands the tallest. It was very hard NOT to pick another LB from the Monsters of the Midway, although there would certainly be a couple more deserving. Like I said, not enough room for everybody.
There is room for Dick. In fact, it starts with him. Roaming the middle of the field, good luck to the opposing QB, the guys carrying the ball, and anybody stupid enough to catch a short pass near him. You will get mangled. Sure, we may have some personal fouls get called, but at least Butkus will be on the field for another snap; the opponent on the other end of that hit may not be. It’s defense the way it should be played that I’m looking for, and I couldn’t think of a better guy to start me down this road than #51.
OK, we have begun; Butkus at LB… pencil that, no, sharpie that in. The damage he will do will be permanent. But, the defense is certainly not ready to rest. We’re just getting started. I can’t wait to name all the starters on this side of the ball. Are we staying at LB next? We’re staying at LB next.
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