greatest linebacker of all time was Lawrence Taylor

[futurefields]

if you don't agree then watch youtube and check yourself

 

[KMFJD]

the one and only LT, not the imposter from SD

 

[CPA]

As much as I don't like the Giants, I would have to agree.

 

[manimal]

LT changed the way they play linebacker.

It became a much different position after he played.

 

[notposting]

Depends on the era and specific position.

OLB in a 3-4 any year? Yeah, could probably make room for him on the roster.

Playing MLB in a 4-3 though? Probably wouldn't be my first pick. Look at '83 when the Giants sucked and he had to sub at MLB. Still good (All-Pro) but pouted and did jack to lead.

 

[zinfamous]

LT was a consummate shitbag.

 

[manimal]

Depends on the era and specific position.

OLB in a 3-4 any year? Yeah, could probably make room for him on the roster.

Playing MLB in a 4-3 though? Probably wouldn't be my first pick. Look at '83 when the Giants sucked and he had to sub at MLB. Still good (All-Pro) but pouted and did jack to lead.

True in a general sense. A great Mike like Singletary or urlacher could have easily played in a 3-4. Now the smaller guys would now become safeties. Game is changing still but LT is cemented as a GOAT because he literally changed the way people play.

LT was a consummate shitbag.

so was Beethoven and Wagner. Doesnt make their art and importance any less relevant.


oh and I agree with you and dislike Ray lewis much more.

LT has had his issues since he stopped playing but while he played he only hurt himself and his behavior is no different than 90 percent of the stars today. Hello Revis...

 

[SP33Demon]

Butt kiss

 

[GagHalfrunt]

LT was a consummate shitbag.

He was damn sure no choir boy. But looking around the NFL these days he'd probably be no worse than 50% of the players.

And yeah, he was a beast on the field. There was nobody in the last 50 years that was such a problem for offensives. He could run over anyone faster and run around anyone bigger. Nobody had a chance to block him one on one.

 

[Gibsons]

Butt kiss

Damn it, what's wrong with you two? We've been in school for over seven months now and every single day when I call Daniel Buttkiss' name you guys start to laugh. (Beavis and Butthead laugh) Is it really still that funny? Doesn't it ever get old? Are you gonna laugh for the rest of you lives every time someone says the name "Buttkiss"? (Beavis and Butthead continue laughing)

 

[Gibsons]

There was nobody in the last 50 years that was such a problem for offensives. He could run over anyone faster and run around anyone bigger. Nobody had a chance to block him one on one.

A big problem being there were very few people faster than him on the field. Running down RBs from behind, before they even got to the line, was a problem offenses just didn't scheme for until he came along.

 

[rh71]

He was definitely the fastest defensive player in Tecmo Bowl.

 

[futurefields]

and i believe he did not use steroids but did do coke

 

[K7SN]

I'll think LT was the best - In a different era - different times so an comparison would be nothing but emotional speculation, not rational comparison, the only player I watched who approached LT's greatness as a line back was Dick Butkus. That said, given the playoff success of LT and the dismal failure of 'Da Bears' to get to the final dance you have to give the nod to Taylor.

It like comparing George Herman Ruth to Henry Aaron, Ruth, like LT, changed the game but Hank Aaron was the class act. Too bad we can't compare Josh Gibson to those two.

Then again, if being a class act influences the discussion add Mike Singletary. The convincing argument is that LT changed how the position was defined. LT showed the Linebackers of the 21st century (like Ray Lewis) the way.

 

[Annisman*]

He was the best because he's the only LB I remember in NES Tecmo Bowl

 

[squirrel dog]

This guy was pretty good ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Nitschke

 

[BUTCH1]

LT was a consummate shitbag.

Yea, no doubt he was a great LB but he was playing in a game vs the Patriots and Steve Grogan was the QB for NE at the time and I remember LT tried to 'clothesline" a 39yr old QB with a neck-brace on, luckily Grogan saw him coming just in time and ducked under it.

 

[Pacfanweb]

and i believe he did not use steroids but did do coke

And statutory rape.

 

[zinfamous]

And statutory rape.

He really liked rape.

and coke.

 

[darkswordsman17]

LT is great, and I could accept him being the best single LBer, although I'd have to look at more analysis (sorry but I struggle with taking coaches going "OMG he's so good!" as analysis). But therein lies the reason I think he's given so much credit. LTs career went right in line with an increase in analysis of the sport, and definitely that position. How LBers were viewed fundamentally changed at that time and I don't think it was because of him (meaning I think it would have happened anyway). He was the first superstar at the position after analysis changed.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that exactly diminishes his play, I just I think if you do a comprehensive look, the reality is less up to the myth.

and i believe he did not use steroids but did do coke

I believe that about as much as I believed Lance Armstrong wasn't cheating.

And I'd say there's a very good chance he was likely on other things. He played like he was on PCP.

 

[etrigan420]

He really liked rape.

and coke.

...but mostly rape.

I was watching that Giants / Redskins game when he ended Theismann's career.

Fucking. Brutal.

 

[Tecmo Bowl]

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said LT was the first defensive player he ever had to game-plan the offense around. For the record, Gibbs offense set the NFL scoring record back in 82/83(?), which I believe stood until the 98 Vikings eclipsed it. bascially Gibbs eluded to the fact that...the tackle struggled to stop LT on the edge. LT had the element of surprise to switch up and bull rush when tackle was off balance expected edge rush. Fullback was too slow to catch LT coming from the edge. Ended up having TE help the tackle, and/or have the RB chip him. At times had 3 guys in succession put a hit on LT.

The 49ers were obviously the team of the decade(80's)...and if you include the 1990 season, Parcell went 3-0 vs SF in the playoffs from 1985-1990! The 49ers really wanted no part of those guys in the playoffs, and LT was a big part of that equation.

With today's strength and conditioning, its more common to find these guys now, but his skill set in the 80's was really unheard of. Bill Parcell recognized the talent of LT and gave him autonomy. Early in his career, If LT didn't know the call or the coverage, he was instructed just to blitz.

LT is as mentioned a terror on Tecmo Bowl. Basically a wrecking ball on legs. Walter Payton and Eric Dickerson are the only RBs that can somewhat consistently put some yards on him in our 2 player games. Because of San Fran's 3 pass/1 run offense and the computer coverage help we get through our schemes, we actually don't use LT vs SF. It's the ONLY match-up in Tecmo Bowl where it's not wise to use him. Then it's a heavy dose of Carl Banks with a little Leonard Marshall t slow down the 49ers.

As for the personal life of LT...reading his book, he was about as wild as it gets off the field. LT recently said football for him was easy, life was not. Definitely a very flawed man in his travel through life. With that said, the player LT was a student of the game. Very smart and instinctive, and a great teammate. Had a real hard time saying no when it matter off the field though, and as he gets further away from his playing days, his transgressions are what he's now remembered for.

There's a couple images of LT that stick with me. After he broke Theisman's leg, the emotion he showed as he implored the trainers to get out there to help really showed a unique side of him in that moment of the game. Another shows him consoling a offensive lineman, after a late season loss that basically ended their season. LT chased the Super Bowl trophy as hard as anyone.

 

[zinfamous]

well, that was strange.

 

[vi edit]

well, that was strange.

LOL. No kidding. Oddest, most useful necro/spam I've seen in a while.

 

[z1ggy]

LOL. No kidding. Oddest, most useful necro/spam I've seen in a while.

hahahah most random thing I've seen all day.