February 9, 2022: Primary Secondary

Let’s fill up the secondary. Although these guys weren’t no brainers necessarily, when I’m done with the DBs, I will have selected the top 4 DBs in HOFm. HOFm is a metric on Pro Football Reference indicating the player’s chance of getting elected to the Hall. I didn’t use this as my deciding factor by any means, but after I picked my 4 guys, to see them 1-4 on this list… I feel pretty confident in my selections.

We already have Ronnie Lott; now to the other safety position. For this selection, we look at what is considered one of the greatest defensive units of all time: the 2000 Ravens. I hate when anybody compares individuals & teams to the great Chicago ones of all time. To mention the 2000 Ravens, and for that matter, any defense in the same breath as the 85 Bears is straight up blasphemy to me. I’m sure fans of other great teams and defenses over the years feel the same way about THEIR great ones. Thing is, I’m right… haha. The 85 Bears were the greatest defense of all time; the 2000 Ravens… not too shabby though. It was lead by 2 main guys: one who is in serious consideration to fill one of the two remaining LB spots, and this guy… Ed Reed. Natural ballhawking abilities enhanced by his film study, Ed was in the right spot back there more times than not. His 5 All Pro selections actually put him LAST in this secondary; crazy how good my DBs will be. Other guys that came to mind at the Safety position were Brian Dawkins, Troy Polamalu, Steve Atwater, John Lynch, and of course Maurice “Mo” Douglass… haha… just kidding on the last one, but I did love his time with the Bears and supposedly he was a male stripper off the field… haha. Anyways, although there were other solid options, and many more guys that I didn’t mention by name, putting Ed Reed next to Ronnie Lott at the safety position, makes me feel… safe.

Let’s get some cornerbacks out there. On one side, we’ll look to another team that has had its share of great defenses over the years. Although he is not from the Steel Curtain, I’m going with Woodson… Rod not Charles, although Charles was no slouch himself. I guess I could have went with Woodson squared on the corners, but I already have one ex-Packer on my team, which is one more than I wanted. Rod Woodson though, man, solid as they come, no? His 71 career picks are 2nd to only Paul Krause… who? Yeah, look him up if you want, another Hall of Famer; if he played in my era, maybe he makes this team. But I saw Rod, and he was second to nobody when it came to career Pick 6s… 12 in his career! 11 Pro Bowls, 6 All Pro selections… no worries with the guy he’s covering. But it’s the other guy that actually came to my mind first when thinking of all-time great corners.

Neon Deion. Yeah, we know all about his big mouth and the flashiness, but guess what? He backed that shit up. I think of Bo Jackson playing both football and baseball, and think, damn, what an athlete. Deion Sanders did the same. They both did it well, extremely well in both cases. So if a baseball game ever breaks out, my all-time NFL team has that covered too. But for his day job, Deion will be locking down the other team’s top WR. Sure, he may not be the best tackling CB around, but he could hold his own, and oh yeah… the speed!!! A part of 2 different Super Bowl teams in San Francisco and Dallas respectively, he was also a winner; he could also return kicks, although I got another guy in mind to do that for my team… but Deion’s return ability is another nice luxury to have on my team.

Deion Sanders on one side, Rod Woodson on the other; Ronnie Lott and Ed Reed covering the backend. And with the pressure my front 7 is going to put on the QB, they’ll only need to cover for a few seconds…. yeah, I’m good. Speaking of that front 7; let’s get back to them now.