Would you agree that Lawrence Taylor is the greatest Defensive Player to ever play in the NFL?

Question

I have never seen a defensive player control the outcome of a game like LT did. I don't know if I'll ever see that kind of dominance again.

Answer 1

If he wasn't the best, I have no idea who it could be. Teams would run away from him, but he could chase the play down. He had running back speed in a linebacker's body.

Answer 2

He is hands down the greatest defensive player of all time. He changed the game and made a defense work. The only other guy that could be argued is Deacon Jones. Ronnie Lott, Reggie White and a few others here were great players but they didnt change the game. The 3-4 defense was a gimmick until LT came along. After he retired it went away again as a popular defense, only just recently getting a mini revival. But no one ever put as much fear in their opponents as LT.

Answer 3

Lawrence Taylor was a close second. Dick Buktus of the Chicago Bears (1965-1973) imposed terror on whole opposing teams, both offensive and defensive. Yes, the Bears had only two victorous seasons under his tenure. But those
teams that beat "Da Bears" usually lost players
for weeks or the rest of the season when they
crossed Buktus.

Lawrence redefined the role of the defensive
player in the NFL. He was menacing and fear-less
. He had the speed Of Barry Sanders, and the
force of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers of the 70's.
Bill Parcell's May have been the brains of the Giants on route to two superbowl victories. But with players like Lawwrence Taylor, Mark Bravaro,
Phil Simms, Jeff Hostelleter, Joe Morris, Carl
Banks, Harry Carson, Jim Burt to name a few
they were the heart and soul of those superbowl
victories.

Reggie White had will and faith. The game
has not recover from his passing. Some
may take exception to his views, But Reggie
White played this game like he lived his live
with vigor and determination.

Ray Lewis is the best player in the game today.
He can motivate his teamates better than most
coaching staffs.He has combined on field excellence with grit, force, speed and finese.

Ronnie Lott hurt more people than freigh trains.
in superbowl twenty-three he hit Icky Woods
with such force that the Bengals lost their momentum and lost another superbowl to the
49ers. After that hit Icky Woods was just a player
on a roster in the NFl.

Ray Nietzke defined the 1960's. He was whirl-wind, loud and was Lombardo's general for that
great packer defense.

Jack Lamber, Jack Ham, Mean "Joe" Green,
LC Greenwood, Mel Blount, Mike Webester
had a reign of terror in the 70's and early 80's.
No one stirred more destruction and chaos since
Ghengis Khan.

Answer 4

LT was a monster on the field. He would race from sideline to sideline just to join in on a gang tackle. Never saw a more aggressive, quick, and hard hitting linebacker as LT. Despite his greatness, however, you have to give a lot of credit to Harry Carson and Gary Reasons, the Giants had excellent linebackers besides LT.

Answer 5

history repeats itself...you know Urlacher will be in on every play defensively, covers decently when a back releases or a wideout crosses, which is pretty rare but I believe he played offense in college... Reggie white is often mentioned and was a huge impact player, Ronnie Lott got the tip of his finger cut off so he could continue playing rather than come out and would always be in on the hit...a great run stopper from corner then from safety later in his career, but your choice is a four star pick...LT could really play, and if he hadnt put his hardhat on roger craig the niners just might have won three rings in a row...good choice pard...

Answer 6

Lawrence Taylor or Deon Sanders

Answer 7

He's the most dominant in recent memory and definitely in the discussion for all time, but there are some others. Carl Eller, Alan Page, Jim Marshall in Minnesota, LC Greenwood, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert,etc in Pittsburgh, Dick Butkus in Chicago. LT was awesome, but he had great teammates in Carl Banks and Pepper Johnson, too.

Answer 8

I would amend that to greatest weakside line backer ever. Kinda hard to compare a line backer with a DE or NT or CB or FS.:)

(That is not even going back to old two way guys who besides playing LB were TEs and punters.:))

Answer 9

Great yes, best of all time? LT is no better or worse than a number of Bears LBs I could mention.

Answer 10

How about Butkus, Rosie Greer, Carl Ehler, Lily, Cole, Pugh to name a few?

Answer 11

taylor is one of the greatest defensive players in the history of pro foot ball. yes. i watched him play thru his career. i'm a big giants fan.