Do you think these former NFL greats would be stars today?

Question

Jack Lambert MLB Pittsburgh 6'4", 219

Lawrence Taylor OLB NYG 6'4" 238

Randy White DT Dallas 6'4" 260

All of these guys were considered the best at their respective positions when they played, but today's players are so much bigger. JaMarcus Russel the LSU QB is 6'5" weighs 260, do you think Jack, Randy, and LT could hang or would they have to change positions? Also, looking back at the players from just 15-20 years ago offensive and defensive linemen, linebackers, and tight ends the size differences are so pronounced. DB's, WR's, and RB's are just slightly bigger. All players are heavier that is I guess from more weightlifting and such. Honestly, I think Randy White could play at 30-40 pounds heavier and be dominant, but LT who was one of the biggest LB's when he started his career would be just average to undersized and Lambert more than likely would be tried at safety at his playing weight.

Not high just offering comparisons in size I think great players from the 20's would still be great but they would certainly have to modify their game. Consider this Walter Payton was 5'10" and weighed 200 pounds, thats smaller than Tiki Barber. I don't consider myself that old, but the player's size has grown very fastin the last few years.

Answer 1

It's the age old question. Would stars of yesteryear be stars today? It's a hard question to answer because the game was different then from today. Your right players are bigger today because it is a year round thing now. Twenty years ago they stopped playting in Decenber or January and picked it back up in July. Now days they train year round from grade shool or high school on. Naturally they are going to be faster and bigger than before. But to answer your question, yes they would still be stars but they as todays players do, would train year round and they themselves would be bigger and faster, Just think if they were that big and that good doing it for six months out of the year what would they have been like if they had worked at it year round?

Answer 2

LT without a doubt would still dominate. He has power and he had the best nose for the football than any current player. If LT played today he would most likely cheat i.e. Shawn Merriman. The NFL makes it to easy to cheat. Don't forget LT was big and fast. He would as good a healthy Lavar Arrington. Beastly.

Lambert was pure old school anger. He would compair to todays player like a Zach Thomas in ability and talent. Which is pretty high. He also has the determination and good point of a attack like a John Lynch (S).

Randy White would stuggle because of his weight. But he would possibly make that up with his technique. He knew how to get off the ball and shed blocks. Size in The DT position is key so he would be hindered but look at a Dwight Freeney. he is still very sucessful for not your typical sized DE.

Answer 3

You're talking about 3 of the meanest muthaf*ckers to ever play the game. If you think they couldn't bring down JaMarcus Russell, you must be high. Lambert is probably the best MLB to play the game, along with Butkus of course. And LT was a football masterpiece. Size doesn't mean sh*t. Look at Dexter Coakley. What is he, 5'10" 210lbs., maybe. And he's a great linebacker. Like I always say, It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

Answer 4

LT would dominate if he could stay off the crack. Seriously though these former NFL stars would still be great today, i fact I think they could do even better today. Jack Lambert was an animal and such a tough player. He would be such a great physical player in todays game. LT would be amazing still even though the game has changed the rules of today are for the players and this would help these though players, who were extremely physical, dominate the players of today. I would love to see these guys playing now.

Answer 5

I agree. Players of the past do not compare with today's athletes. It doesn't mean they weren't still great, but the game and players change, and someday today's players will too seem overmatched by the athlete of the future.
How many NBA players can make dunks like only MJ, Dr. J. or Dominique Wilkins could do in their day? Probably three on every team. There are power forwards playing like guards.
Do you think Joe Montana would even be drafted? The NFL relies too much on the combines and size of QB.
And Babe Ruth would be considered too slow and too out of shape to even be considered a MLB player.

Answer 6

Yes they would be stars today. With todays training they could easily gain weight and improve speed. Training is stressed in high school now. Their drives would make them stars. They have what a lot of players don't have today. Hard work, determination and dedication. Plus hearts of champions that got them in the HOF in the first place. Lastly all 3 of them were tough and mean on the field.

Answer 7

You make a good point about size.

The NFL player continues to grow every season.

However, LT was dominant because of his speed and skill sets. He was also powerful, but his defensive lineman also helped to cover up his small-ish size (by today's standards)...guys like Pepper Johnson and Leonard Marshall weren't easily moved.

I don't know about the other guys.

Answer 8

Jason Taylor (best defensive lineman in the game today)
6'6" 255 lbs.

Lambert and Randy White would be stars today

Lawrence Taylor would not, as he would be banned from the NFL for repeated failed drug tests.

Answer 9

It's hard to say. When these guys were stars, they were about average size at their position. At their time it was all about speed. These days it's all about size. I guess that depends...

Answer 10

Nope they would be average at best, the game has gotten faster an stronger then it was in there time.