2007-02-22 00:03:43 · 19 answers · asked by djstickylee 3 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
He was absolutely the most dominate player of his time. He changed the way teams looked at the defensive line position. There has been a great debate about old time players not being as good as the current players but Mean Joe probably would still have dominated current day offensive linemen.
2007-02-22 00:28:51 · answer #1 · answered by tumulty02 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There were many great defensive players, from Butkus to Hirsch to Lott to Greene. But the most dominating defensive player I've seen is Lawrence Taylor. Never been a big Giant fan, but that guy ruined offenses and really revolutionized the rushing LB position. I doubt Derrick Thomas or Charles Haley would have had the great careers they had without LT.
2007-02-22 03:07:10 · answer #2 · answered by Bob Mc 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not a chance. While one of my all-time favorite players, "Mean" Joe Green wasn't necessarily even the best defender on his own team. Jack Ham, Jack Lambert and Mel Blount had a larger overall impact on that defense. They set the tempo for the "Steel Curtain".
Lawrence Taylor? Please. One of the great pass rushers ever, and taking a page from Ted Hendricks, became the first true speed rusher. Taylor covering a tight end? Not a chance. Stuffing a big back coming through the hole, not a chance. Taylor was a lot like Urlacher today. Fantastic in pursuit, but a poor point of attack tackler. Still a true Hall of Famer though.
Best defender of our time? It's a tie. Reggie White and Bruce Smith. Either could attack from any position on the line, were relentless on every down of every game. Drew tons of penalties, stuffed big backs, destroyed smaller backs, and hit QB's so hard they wish they'd never heard of football. Ask any coach or player who watched them play.
2007-02-22 15:59:18 · answer #3 · answered by Itzakadoodle 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Mean Joe Green is a great defensive player that transcended sports culture by appearing in an iconic 20th century television advertisement featuring an even more iconic product.
2007-02-22 00:13:28 · answer #4 · answered by gls_merch 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
For his Era he was and he would be close to the top now as well.
When he played there were different rules that gave him more freedom to pummel players that today would be called a penalty.. ie head banging, no 3 point stance etc.. But yeh he was a great player.
2007-02-22 00:08:20 · answer #5 · answered by gregory_usa83 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To settle this hypothetical question look at it from this viewpoint
you are Rex Grossman standing behind center, which of above
mentioned you would NOT .. like to be looking in the eye.
I think I would find Mean Joe intimidating with his game face on..
2007-02-22 13:05:59 · answer #6 · answered by Robert B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was a great player, Greene dominated the position of defensive tackle in his era; the "Steel Curtain" defense wouldn't have existed without him but he is not the greatest.
2007-02-22 01:06:33 · answer #7 · answered by Marvin P 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He with Great Company: Lawrence Taylor, Bill Romanowski, Ronnie Lott, Lester Hayse, Deacon Jones, Jack Lambert...many others.
2007-02-22 00:07:33 · answer #8 · answered by Laughing Man Copycat 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Uh...Hell, no...Andy T has it...The greatest defensive player ever is between Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White...
2007-02-22 01:04:27 · answer #9 · answered by Terry C. 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not even.
But he did make the Steel Curtain what it was...
What about LT, what about Ronnie Lott, Mike Singletary, hard hittin Jack Lambert, good grief...
I'll give Joe Green a slot in the top 20...how about that?.
2007-02-22 01:14:24 · answer #10 · answered by Warrior 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋