Does anyone actually believe that a team from the 70's like the Steelers or Dolphins could actually beat the Patriots? I don't ask this as a fan of the Patriots, but as a realist. Today's athletes are simply far better trained and conditioned for whatever sport they are in. I honestly believe that a team like the 78' Steelers or the 72' Dolphins would have a very hard time betting a playoff team from this year, let alone the Patriots. Today's players are simply far more talented and better trained, the 07' Steelers would beat the 78' Steelers. Agree? Disagree?
2007-12-25 18:28:34 · 14 answers · asked by suspendedagain300 6 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
While I certainly believe that today's athletes are superior in their strength and conditioning...I have to also think that those teams in the 70's were just tough as nails. They were not playing for Million dollar contracts. They were playing for pride.
It would not be a fair game on two accounts.
1. the conditioning and nutrition of today's players is superior.
2. the 70's teams would get penalized on every play for some sort of sissy leading with the helmet, block below the knees, roughing the passer penalty, etc..
It is just a completely different game.
If you sent today's pats back in time to when the rules were different and they faced the 70's steelers...well, they would get their a$s kicked period. But that is not a knock against the Pats...Bring the 70's Steelers into now to play the Pats and they would get their a$s kicked, due to penalties and conditioning.
Make it somehow equal....The 70's Steelers would beat today's Pats. End of story. The reason...Passion and heart.
2007-12-25 18:44:48 · answer #1 · answered by Robert C 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Completely agree.
Today's athletes are all bigger/faster/stronger than yesterday's athletes in any sport. The best way to see this is to catch an ESPN classic replay of any NBA game in the 80's. Every player is skinny as hell. Steroid scandal aside, the same is true for baseball.
However, you have to look at talent. If those 70's Steelers, or 60's Packers teams played today, they WOULD have access to today's science/technology/medical breakthroughs/nutritionists/etc.
Just think about if Dick Butkus or Mean Joe Green or Jack Lambert had 24/7 access to the weight room year round like today's athlete's do. You have to appreciate their TALENT, and then you can imagine what they would be in today's league.
But yes, as is, if you had a magic wand and a time machine, the 08 Pats (and probably even the 08 Dolphins) would simply overpower ANY team from the 60's or 70's, great or not, simply with physical size/strength and conditioning.
2007-12-25 18:45:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Players are stronger and faster than they use to be. Sometimes its better conditioning, training and sometimes its better drugs. Look at the weight of the Offensive and Defensive Line between then and now. The rate of change in strength and size is decreasing. There is an upper limit to how strong and fast people can become.
Now, if you adjust for the strength and size of players, the '07 Pats are outclassed. I know all the Pats fans do not want to hear it, but before you give me a thumbs down, answer this question... how many HOF in THEIR PRIME do the Pats have on their team...3. The '78 Steelers had 9 in their Prime. FYI: I am not a Steeler Fan.
2007-12-25 18:42:55 · answer #3 · answered by J B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
when comparing teams from different Era's is very hard to do. like comparing Jordan to Kobe. or Jim Brown to LT. the game first of all has changed to what it used to be.
todays players are not more talented just better trained. im pretty sure most of the players back in the 70's, 80's and 90's would of had the treatment and training that players go through now they would be the same athletically.
but the players from the early Era's have and played with more heart than players today. when did you ever hear the leagues top reciever say he plays when he feels like it back then? never and if you did he would prolly be cut the next day.
but comparing different era's and player's is just impossible to do in my eyes.
2007-12-25 18:39:07 · answer #4 · answered by buddy_z34 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is just ESPN trying to waste time leading into week 17. Honestly, I'd put LSU or OSU up against some of the teams from the 70's, the athleticism is just far superior (not because of better genetic or anything like that) but everything athletes do on a daily basis is geared toward being stronger and faster. Also, preparation is more in-depth with extra game film, 2nd and 3rd party analysis groups, more trainers, more assistant coaches.
I think ESPN is trying more to compare the schemes of today's Pats to the scheme of the all-time great teams. Of course Randy Moss can out run anyone from the '72 dolphins, but think of it this way: Moss is one of the top 3 recievers in football (probably the TOP). So take one of the top 3 receivers from the '72 season and put him against the all-time great defenses of that season, you see where I'm going here? That's ur comparison...
2007-12-25 18:37:40 · answer #5 · answered by Oh Yea Its Af 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
bill Parcels. i'm a pats fan yet i'm ill of the "genius of belichick." Belichick grew to become right into a crappy HC till finally he have been given to the Pats. Ask a browns fan approximately bill Belichick. seem at Tuna, fulfillment with greater suitable than a million team, and finally a plenty greater advantageous decide of skills and greater advantageous at "purchasing the groceries and making the meal" there is not any previous best for a head coach. they arent on the sector enjoying soccer.
2016-10-19 22:45:46 · answer #6 · answered by vukcevic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The suits with the bad hair plugs in the ESPN corporate suite have to find some way for Parcells to fulfill his contract before he stars in the updated version of Mission Impossible. This is mindless banter that keeps Parcells on the set, but away from real player/coaching talk that could be considered tampering/controversial by other clubs/league officials.
2007-12-25 19:21:16 · answer #7 · answered by Zombie Birdhouse 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
agree.. football is almost like track.. as time goes on athletes get better and faster.... no 70's team could compete w todays athletes... if u ask any coach about average speed and strength from then and now its not even comparable...but its not fair to compare genres ... so u cant realli say that... but any1 who says that is just a football fan... they dont think about science and athletic training... any decently educated person who likes to consider facts and research and isnt just gonna watch tv knows that is a joke....
todays athletes are better than the 70s
2007-12-25 18:50:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you kidding me the Steel Curtain was absolutely dominating-- to see these two compete would be plain stupid mabye I could order you some highlights of these teams
The Pattoits could hang for awhile but in the long run the game would greatly favor the 70's
We will see what Parcells says?
Plus who have the Patriots played I mean come on the COlts is about it
THe Curtain had to match up with teams like the Raiders who were great
2007-12-25 18:35:00 · answer #9 · answered by feralad 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Remember this, QB's were much tougher back in the 70's due to lack of rules to protect them. Players didn't help opponents off the ground. It was a much more violent game thirty years ago. Some of today's pretty boy players would be in for a rude awakening. The game is softer now.
2007-12-26 00:44:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋