Are NFL players of today better than the old school players?

Question

My answer is a big NO! You have people hyping up todays players saying they are faster and stronger and what not. Okay: If thats the case, Why do you have guys that are 40 years old + still in the league or recent ret.? Jerry Rice (the best reicever to ever play the game so far) Made play after play even in his "so called" old age. Warren Moon Started a game at age 44! These where guys that came in the league during the 80's! Same with Tim Brown! another great reciever! You say the boys of today are bigger, faster and stronger? Well Bigger Yes! Faster NO! Stronger? NO! Bigger doesn't mean better. I have personally played some football myself. I'm 6'4 and 220lbs. And I have personally knocked 300lbs+ lineman on their A$$! So size is irrelevant. I know Jerry Rice and Warren Moon have retired. But if you think that the old school are not as good as today's players you are seriously mistakin! If Dick Butkus was in his prime in this generation: Can you say scary?

What ever happened to the "show no mercy mentallity" on the field? Whenever I play I want to think that I'm gonna really do some serious damage! I don't go out there and play like a pussy! I'm gonna be fierce and if I don't put a guy out of the game I'm gonna make him wish he never played football! I don't mean bend the rules. I'm talking about clean hard nosed football!

Answer 1

They cry and whine more. They don't have as much heart, but you can't argue with the talent. GOSH 4.3 40 yard dashes, weighing in at 250lbs, Is just crazy.

However your right. The heart of the oldschoolers, would mop up some of these young pups.

Answer 2

Actually I think they are. The image of the league is tarnished by the media though. Negative equals ratings. Every time a player screws up it's under national scrutiny but when you have a classy player like L.T. or Brett Favre who does tons of good on and off the field it's hardly even mentioned. The images might be worse but without a doubt the performances of todays players outshines the older generation exponentially.

Terrell Owens, minus his horrible conduct, is poised to see a better career than most receivers in history. L.T. when it is all said and done will probably hold every rushing record in the books. Brett Favre is unparalleled as far as longevity and toughness for a quarterback, except for maybe arguably Dan Marino. Marvin Harrison has done unbelievable things. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees do absolutely spectacular things when they get the ball in their hands.

I guess it depends on what you want to judge players on.

Answer 3

Its tough to answer that. I once wrote a paper on how Babe Ruth would do in modern day baseball. The bottem line is there is really no way to know for sure. In general, the atheletes body improves over time just like technology. Players of today are faster, stronger, and have more advantages to improve themselves then players 40 years ago did. However, I think players have less heart and enthusiasm then players did of the older days. Overall skill level is impossible to determine.

I think you were able to take players of 40 years ago and fly them into the future to play todays players they would get beat. But that still doesnt mean the skill level was any different. It just means technolgy has changed and allowed modern players more advantages.

Answer 4

The best players of any group in time will always be the best. Physically people are getting bigger and with newer technical are lasting longer. Records keep track of the physical. Heart has no measuring. The fans will always debate. The athlete who gave his all knows he did the best at that time. I am taller, stronger than my father. Smarter some days yes some days no. Better? In my dreams. My wife and kids say better. But to be better you have to walk in his shoes. The shoes are there but the ground has change. He changed it some, I have changed it some. If you have seen a great player in his prime enjoy that you saw it happen. Because as with this answer you have still missed much.

Answer 5

There is nothing that can be taken away from the heart and courage of the players from my day...older than Rice or Moon...older than Montana.

This was a time when players played for the recognition more than the salary cap achievement.

However, athletically, players today play harder, hit harder, work harder, and have a very different mental-emotional state than in the old days.

Yes there are some exceptions to the rule...I will grant you that...but pit anyone from your version of "back then" in his prime against the prime athlete today and theres an enormoous difference in talent, athleticism, and development.

Answer 6

There are some really fine players these days - Ray Lewis, Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, LaDainian Tomlinson, Zach Thomas and to compare them with Butkus, Jack Lampart, the Tony Dorsets and Y.A. Tittle the gets difficult. They are certainly bigger and faster these days, thanks to better training and diet but, you know, perhaps the hearts of players in the past like Jim Brown, Bob St. Clair, Joe Greene and Paul Hornung were just a wee bit bigger.

Answer 7

As far as talent, the players of today are more talented than those of 20 years ago, but they all had role models which were those guys of 20 years ago. As far as being that role model themselves, they don't even come close. Players of 20 years ago and beyond weren't getting murder and drug charges anywhere like they are today. They weren't covered with disgusting tattoos either. They played for one team through the good years and the bad years and didn't run from team to team for more money. They didn't lay out of games for minor injuries either. Some thing just didn't get better but some did.

Answer 8

The biggest difference about todays football is the money. Guys aren't just playing because they love the game anymore. Players step out of bounds to avoid getting hit drop balls when they feel someone bearing down on them. You are right today's players are a bunch of pussie s.

Answer 9

Just let me say this. If Owens played in the days of Merlin Olsen, Rosie Greer and guys like Dick Butkus. He would have gotten punched right through his face mask for spitting on one of them. Then they would rip his helmet off and beat him to a pulp. Those guys would kick your *** for something like spitting. They were mean and nasty. Added to their talent and there is your answer.

Answer 10

it's hard to compare them on the same scale just because teh rules have changed SOO much. Defensive players are barely allowed to BREATHE on the quarterback wihtout a penalty so they have to tone down the intensity of the game.