Jim Brown WAS the Greatest Player of All-Time
by Kiya Sabet
According to a great number of analysts and experts when composing their tributary NFL “Greatest of All-Time…” lists, the player most frequently at the top is Jim Brown. Combining speed and power, no running back had ever run around and through the competition like Brown. In a short career, Brown compiled stats considered unnatural and unbreakable for only a nine-year span. Of the top three yards-per-attempt leaders in history, both Randall Cunningham and Mercury Morris carried for over five yards per, though having less than one thousand attempts. Jim Brown averaged 5.2 yards/attempt carrying the ball over 2,300 times. Despite his total rushing yards record being broken several times, no player did it in as few seasons and with such game-changing impact … until now.
LaDainian Tomlinson in six short seasons has done in this generation what Brown did for a previous one in revolutionizing the position to a level previously untouched. No player in history, in such a short time period, has dominated the gridiron in rushing, receiving and passing like the squatty Tomlinson. Jerry Rice never had a forty-yard run breaking tackles, and neither Dan Marino nor Johnny Unitas ever caught seventy yard TD receptions, but Tomlinson has in some ways become the complete player by learning the art of the run, catch and pass. Since his rookie season in 2001, LT has already passed the 10,000 combined yard mark and is on pace to potentially break Brown’s record in one less season than Brown, Payton’s record in two less seasons and Smith’s record in three less. Not to be forgotten is this year’s record setting touchdown march, already crossing the 100 TD mark, and averaging approximately 67 catches for over 500 yards. Additionally, I would be remiss if I did not mention his six passing touchdowns.
Now, many will have you believe that Brown accomplished his feats with a much lesser supporting cast, but Brown’s teams had a .700 win % compared to the Chargers .521 for Tomlinson’s career through the first twelve games of 2006. Brown elevated those around him as has Tomlinson, but with Brown being ahead of his time compared to his peers, Tomlinson is beating athletes that are comparable and even surpassing in athletic ability. The factors that make Tomlinson the game's premier player are size and speed, amazing vision, a motor and heart that do not quit and a savvy, unparalleled knowledge of every aspect of the game (and don’t forget those beautiful powder blue uniforms).
We can spout stats all day but quite possibly the most telling sign of his greatness is in fact that with every feat he has been there before. When LT makes a big play or scores a touchdown, there is no dance, no theatrics and no premeditated celebration. It is business as usual and with a quick hand-off to the referee, LT struts back to the bench to catch his wind and contemplate his next act of genius. Predicting the future is relatively impossible, but it is quite evident that barring injury, which has not affected him to this point, LaDainian Tomlinson will go down as the greatest player in NFL history.
by Kiya Sabet
According to a great number of analysts and experts when composing their tributary NFL “Greatest of All-Time…” lists, the player most frequently at the top is Jim Brown. Combining speed and power, no running back had ever run around and through the competition like Brown. In a short career, Brown compiled stats considered unnatural and unbreakable for only a nine-year span. Of the top three yards-per-attempt leaders in history, both Randall Cunningham and Mercury Morris carried for over five yards per, though having less than one thousand attempts. Jim Brown averaged 5.2 yards/attempt carrying the ball over 2,300 times. Despite his total rushing yards record being broken several times, no player did it in as few seasons and with such game-changing impact … until now.
LaDainian Tomlinson in six short seasons has done in this generation what Brown did for a previous one in revolutionizing the position to a level previously untouched. No player in history, in such a short time period, has dominated the gridiron in rushing, receiving and passing like the squatty Tomlinson. Jerry Rice never had a forty-yard run breaking tackles, and neither Dan Marino nor Johnny Unitas ever caught seventy yard TD receptions, but Tomlinson has in some ways become the complete player by learning the art of the run, catch and pass. Since his rookie season in 2001, LT has already passed the 10,000 combined yard mark and is on pace to potentially break Brown’s record in one less season than Brown, Payton’s record in two less seasons and Smith’s record in three less. Not to be forgotten is this year’s record setting touchdown march, already crossing the 100 TD mark, and averaging approximately 67 catches for over 500 yards. Additionally, I would be remiss if I did not mention his six passing touchdowns.
Now, many will have you believe that Brown accomplished his feats with a much lesser supporting cast, but Brown’s teams had a .700 win % compared to the Chargers .521 for Tomlinson’s career through the first twelve games of 2006. Brown elevated those around him as has Tomlinson, but with Brown being ahead of his time compared to his peers, Tomlinson is beating athletes that are comparable and even surpassing in athletic ability. The factors that make Tomlinson the game's premier player are size and speed, amazing vision, a motor and heart that do not quit and a savvy, unparalleled knowledge of every aspect of the game (and don’t forget those beautiful powder blue uniforms).
We can spout stats all day but quite possibly the most telling sign of his greatness is in fact that with every feat he has been there before. When LT makes a big play or scores a touchdown, there is no dance, no theatrics and no premeditated celebration. It is business as usual and with a quick hand-off to the referee, LT struts back to the bench to catch his wind and contemplate his next act of genius. Predicting the future is relatively impossible, but it is quite evident that barring injury, which has not affected him to this point, LaDainian Tomlinson will go down as the greatest player in NFL history.
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4 comments:
I am not giving up on Brown just yet.
There has never been a rusher that was as far ahead of his peers as was Brown. Despite the fact that Brown played in only 12 and 14 game seasons, Tomlinson’s best single-season rushing mark of 1683 yards in 2002 is still 200 yards shy of Brown’s best of 1863 yards in 1963. More importantly, Brown led his league in rushing in eight of his nine professional seasons while Tomlinson has only been able to do the deed once.
Though Tomlinson has already compiled more than 100 more receptions than did Brown, he is certainly not the better receiver. Remember that in the 1950s and ‘60s defensive backs were actually allowed to cover would-be receivers and that running backs were not used as last resorts for quarterbacks unable to find an open man downfield, as they are used today. Therefore, Browns receptions—-on average—-are much more meaningful than Tomlinson’s. This is showcased by Brown’s 9.5 career yards per reception mark compared with Tomlinson’s 7.3. More revealing is that a reception by Brown was nearly three times as likely to end in the endzone (20 TDs in 262 receptions) as compared with a Tomlinson catch (11 TDs in 393 rec.).
In my opinion, if LT is to surpass Brown he still has a ways to go.
In a league where "flashes in the pan" make such a huge impact, I would love to know which player (flash in the pan or not) had the best three year period during the Free Agent Era. We're talking stats and their impact on a team. Kurt Warner probably ranks up there.
As far as LT surpassing Jim Brown in greatness. This is a bold prediction...but has a better chance than any since Brown.
anybody who is anybody knows that Bronko Nagurski was the greatest football player of all-time. this guy would have been a fantasy stud -- unstoppable on offense, impassable on defense. the only category that jim brown would surpass him poor acting skills.
Bronko’s legend is primarily based on his great college career; his life in the NFL is grossly overrated. A stronger fantasy case could be made for Sammy Baugh who won seven passing titles, intercepted 31 passes, and is still the NFL’s all-time punting leader. (Does punting count in Fantasy sports?)
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