Sure, I could write about some things that actually involve the current incarnation of the Green Bay Packers. But now doesn’t seem like the best time to write such posts – better to [...]]]> As I write this, the calendar sits on July 11. That really didn’t leave me a whole lot of options for this space.

Sure, I could write about some things that actually involve the current incarnation of the Green Bay Packers. But now doesn’t seem like the best time to write such posts – better to save those for the days leading up to the start of training camp (20 days away!). After all, we’re all sort of thinking about football, but not quite yet, you know?

We had some great suggestions from you guys, the faithful OBOD readers, on some possible series ideas. But, honestly, we haven’t been able to flesh them out fully yet. Maybe soon.

That being the case, I’ve decided to give you guys and gals a glimpse into my daily life. See, I’m a Packers fan living in the dark heart of Minnesota Vikings country – Minneapolis, to be exact.

I’ve lived here, off and on, for almost five years. I graduated from college here (University of Minnesota). Some of the best experiences of my life have happened here. All in all, I love it.

But, being the extremely proud Packers fan that I am, there’s a flipside to that: I have to deal with a lot of crap from Vikings fans. If you don’t deal with these people on a daily basis, you have no idea how ridiculous they truly are.

I do, though, and I’ve decided to share some of my thoughts/experiences with you now. Think of this as a companion piece to Gene’s “How to deal with Steelers fans” post from last summer.

Consider the following:

• They think their history is right on par with ours. Seriously.

Ask almost any Vikings fan to compare the respective histories of the two franchises and they’ll tell you they are pretty much equal.

An actual recent exchange between myself and a female Vikings fan (who claimed that “Brett Favre rocks”):

Woman: “The Packers suck.”

Me: “Yeah, all those world championships are really the earmarks of an awful organization. Wait, how many have we won? 12?”

Woman: “And how many of those were won before we had automobiles or television?”

Me: “Okay, even if I give you that and take away all those early titles, my squad’s still got three. Yours has none.”

A co-worker of mine (a Vikings fan) to the woman: “Just stop. He’s got us there.”

He understands. Believe me, he’s in the minority out here. It’s like these people live in an alternate reality, one where going 0-for-4 in Super Bowls is just as good as going 3-for-4. It’s baffling.

• They believe their level of passion and support for their team is equal with ours. Dead serious.

The Packers? A team with a 30-plus year wait for season tickets, a team that has sold out each of its past 285 home games. Good times and bad, Lambeau Field is packed to the brim. We care.

The Vikings? A franchise that has had trouble selling out games, including a home playoff game, as recently as 2008 (often relying on their sponsors/television station of choice to buy up the remaining seats). They care…if their team is good. Wait – scratch that. That’s not even true.

Should I write more? Naaaaah, that kind of says it all.

• Almost universally, they all claim that they never hated Brett Favre. No, I’m not kidding.

Ever since last August, I’ve heard some variation of the following quote roughly seven million times: “I never liked Brett Favre. But I always respected him.”

That respect was shown in a myriad of ways to us Twin Cities Packers fans during Favre’s time in Titletown. And by “respect” I mean calling him a booze-swilling, pill-popping, overrated, interception-prone loser (he was no Brad Johnson, I guess). By “respect” I mean getting flipped off by passing motorists for wearing his jersey. By “respect” I mean having some lard ass in a Randy Moss jersey yell “(expletive deleted) you!” at you in a bar for wearing his jersey.  

In other words, a really healthy respect, to be sure.

What’s been really funny is to see all these people jump into Favre’s backpocket so quickly. After spending years accusing us of covering for him at every turn (guilty), it took less than six months for them to do the exact same thing. All of them – every single one – still blame Adrian Peterson for the loss to the Saints. Nevermind the fact that Favre threw yet another backbreaking pick. Nope – it was Peterson’s fault. Hilarious.

• They can’t understand why you don’t switch allegiances, even though you’re not from there. Not making that up.

Another one I hear a lot: “But you live in Minnesota. You should be a Vikings fan.”

You try explaining it to them: “Well, I’m not originally from here. I’ve been a Packers fan my whole life. I would never switch. Ever.”

They don’t get it. They really think you should switch.

I’ve gone so far as to turn the tables: “Say you moved to San Diego. You’re telling me you’d become a Chargers fan? Or if you moved to New York, you’d all of a sudden root for the Giants or Jets?”

One guy actually told me that he would, in fact, switch. My response: “No you wouldn’t. Shut the hell up.”

Yeah, it gets that tense sometimes. They really leave you no other choice.

In honor of Vikings fans’ newfound love of Judas – again, they never liked him, but always respected him – I’ve decided to stop at four points and move to my conclusion.

You might be asking yourself: How do you do it, Chris? How do you put up with such seemingly awful people?

Well, actually, it’s rather easy for people like myself (and Adam, who also lives out here). See, we know the truth.

We know that, in no way, shape or form, do the Vikings (or their fans) stack up with the Packers and their fans.

We have history. They don’t. We care. They only care during the good times.

And we know why they hate us so much: Jealousy. Pure, uncut jealousy.

Minneapolis very much looks at itself as the New York City of the upper midwest. It’s a great place, for the most part, but there’s an obvious undercurrent of arrogance here, too. And it drives them nuts – absolutely nuts – that they just can not hang with the football team from the tiny paper-mill town of 100,000 people five hours east of here.

Knowing that makes it really easy to brush Vikings fans off when they yell curse words at you or kick a chunk off your Packers tailgate cover (which actually happened to Adam awhile back).

And this last fact makes it really easy: In two years from now – at most – Judas will be done. Peterson will be nearing empty. The defense will be much older and completely past its prime. A Tarvaris Jackson-Toby Gerhart backfield will be led by head coach Brad Childress.

Meanwhile, we’ll have a 28-year old star quarterback, an extremely talented group of skill position players under 30, a franchise left tackle and a defense full of players hovering around their primes. All of this will be led by head coach Mike McCarthy.

Yeah, that’ll be a fun rivalry – even if the Vikings are in Los Angeles.

-Chris Lempesis

It’s been a wild ride, but here were are – at the finish line, at long last.

The first seven parts [...]]]> (Before we begin: We understand the importance of the ongoing Brandon Underwood situation and will definitely write about it, once something happens. But we’re not going to get into the speculation game here. That’s not our style.)

It’s been a wild ride, but here were are – at the finish line, at long last.

The first seven parts of this series covered, obviously, the offensive and defensive players. That covered 50 of the available spots. But we’ve still got to get to the three special teams guys – I’m not including a holder and will only have one return man - and we’re going to do that now.

Before we do, though, I’d just like to say thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts (and, sometimes, disagreements) with my selections, both at OBOD and over at PackerChatters. It’s always a great reminder of just how passionate a fan base we really are and I love it.

Okay, let’s wrap this thing up. And I promise I won’t cut to black near the end of the final selection like some people (looking at you, David Chase).

Kicker

Ryan Longwell (1997-2005) – I know many of you will be upset by this selection, as Longwell is now the enemy. Believe me, the site of him booming kicks – where did this big leg come from, all of a sudden? Anyone know? – in purple makes me as sick as it does you.

But we have to give the man his due.

He had his ups-and-downs, yes, but he’s still the franchise’s all-time leading scorer (1,054 points). He also connected on 81.6 percent of his field goal attempts and hit his share of clutch kicks as a Packer.

And, yes, that’s all I’m going to say about him.

Punter

Craig Hentrich (1993-1997) – Funny we should mention PackerChatters, because over there right now, there’s an interesting article by C.D. Angeli which lists Ron Wolf’s 10 greatest moves.

I can tell you one of Wolf’s worst moves: Failing to re-sign Hentrich following the ‘97 season.

Hentrich, still the franchise’s all-time leader in gross average for a career (42.8 yards) and a season (45.0 yards, in ‘97), was an extremely good – maybe even elite – punter. He also handled kickoffs from time-to-time.

He went to two Pro Bowls with the Tennessee Titans and didn’t retire until after the 2009 season. Think of all the B.J. Sanders, Derrick Frosts and Jeremy Kapinos’ we could have been spared of had Wolf simply paid Hentrich.

That would have been nice. 

Return Man

Desmond Howard (1996, 1999) – I know, I know – Howard only played 24 games in a Packers uniform. But, I mean…come on, who else could earn this spot?

Remember how good – make that, electrifying – Howard was during the 1996 season? If not, here’s a reminder: 875 punt return yards on just 58 returns (an average of 15.1 yards per return, which is just astounding). Three of those returns went for scores. And that was just in the regular season.

There was also his 71-yard punt return touchdown that opened Green Bay’s scoring in the divisional round win over San Francisco. He then had 104 yards in kick returns in the NFC Championship Game win over Carolina. Those only set the table for his true masterpiece: Super Bowl XXXI.

In 10 total returns (punt and kick), Howard had 244 return yards. Included in that was his 99-yard kick return for a touchdown that busted the game wide open for the Packers. It was Green Bay’s last touchdown in the 35-21 win over New England and it also was the big reason Howard earned Super Bowl MVP for his efforts. Think about that for a second: Howard scored the first and last Green Bay touchdowns of the ‘97 playoffs as a returner.

He left for Oakland after that season (the Raiders promised him he’d get a shot as a wideout, which he never really did) before briefly returning to the Pack in ‘99. He didn’t do much for Green Bay the second time around, but for one season, he was absolutely magical. And, really, he’s the perfect player to end this list.

Again, that’s all for our series. We’ll resume regular OBOD activities Wednesday.

-Chris Lempesis

I’m serious, guys!

Also, please note that this closes out the offensive and defensive part of the roster. There are three special teams spots left – you didn’t really think I’d leave those guys off, did you? – and they will be unveiled [...]]]> Okay, no more stalling. It’s time to unveil the cornerbacks for the all-time defense.

I’m serious, guys!

Also, please note that this closes out the offensive and defensive part of the roster. There are three special teams spots left – you didn’t really think I’d leave those guys off, did you? – and they will be unveiled later in the week.

Alright, everyone ready?

And, here…we…go!

Cornerbacks

Starter: Herb Adderly (1961-1969) – Yesterday, I made an error in writing that Willie Wood was drafted as a running back. Actually, that was Adderly.

(Although Wood played quarterback in college before converting to safety, so I was at least kind of correct. Sorry for the error.)

The presence of Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor allowed the Green Bay coaching staff to move Adderly over to corner. He re-paid them by becoming the best cornerback in franchise history.

The guy was, simply put, a playmaker of the highest order. Seven of his 39 interceptions (third all-time for the team) went back the other way for touchdowns. That touchdown mark was tops in team history until Adderly was tied last year by a guy you’ll hear more about later. He led the team in picks four times and was rewarded with seven All-Pro selections.

He capped off his sterling career with a 1980 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Starter: Bob Jeter (1963-1970) – It’s hard to earn any notice when you’re playing opposite a guy like Adderly. It’s even harder when you played running back in college and earned your first pro duty at wide receiver.

But Jeter, who became a cornerback before the 1965 season, was ultimately able to earn plenty of attention.

His speed and hands made him a major threat at the position. Jeter used those assets to pick off 23 passes in six years as a corner with the Pack (returning two for scores). He earned two Pro Bowl trips for his efforts.

How good was Jeter? So good that I’m willing to overlook the fact that he ended his career as a member of the Chicago Bears. That’s not easy to do, but for Jeter, it was well worth it.

Backup: Al Harris (2003-Present) – Okay, so Harris has a tendency to get too keyed up for certain big games (see: 2008 NFC Championship Game).

That does not erase the fact that, week-in and week-out, he’s one of the most consistent corners in the league – remember, Chad Ochocinco once said Harris was the toughest corner to face in the entire league – and has been since he arrived in Titletown. A physical, bump-and-run specialist, Harris has never been a big factor on the stat sheet (just 14 interceptions in seven seasons with the team). But he’s always been a master at keeping the other team’s top guy off the sheet, as well.

And, for good measure, his walk-off pick-six of Matt Hasselbeck in the 2004 NFC Wild Card Game at Lambeau is one of my all-time favorite moments as a fan. Here’s to hoping Harris, who turns 36 in December, can return from last season’s gruesome knee injury and return to form.

Backup: Charles Woodson (2006-Present) – If you had told me, shortly after Woodson signed with Green Bay in 2006, that he’d one day make this list, I likely wouldn’t have believed you. After all, Woodson seemed to have no interest in being a Packer, even after he signed on.

My, how things change.

Woodson has been an absolute force of nature in Green Bay’s secondary throughout his four years with the team. He’s intercepted 28 passes (returned seven for scores, tying him with Adderly atop the team’s all-time list), forced eight fumbles and had five sacks. He’s proven himself to be one of the smartest players in the league, thriving in multiple formations and playing well against a variety of offenses.

Last season was his best yet, as he was named 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He turns 34 in October and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Backup: Willie Buchanon (1972-1978) – Buchanon’s time as a Packer was certainly filled with ups and downs.

On the downside, he broke his left leg – twice. Those injuries – a broken leg is still one of the most wince-inducing injuries, isn’t it? – caused him to miss time in two different seasons.

There were plenty of ups, as well, though. They come in the form of 21 career interceptions (including four in a 1978 game against the San Diego Chargers, tying him for the NFL record for picks in a single contest). There’s also three Pro Bowl selections and the 1972 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. 

Backup: Bob Forte (1946-1950, 1952-1953) – Like many players in his day, Forte was a multi-purpose threat for the Pack. At various times, he played quarterback, running back and wide receiver.

But cornerback was where Forte really excelled (you could even say it was his “forte,” but that would be waaaay to ridiculous to write, even by OBOD standards).

Blessed with excellent size for his era (6-feet, 195 pounds), Forte totaled 22 interceptions in his time with the team (which was interrupted by Forte’s service in the Korean War).

That’s all for our look at the corners. Again, check back later in the week for our special teams players.

-Chris Lempesis

I’m going to make it up to you this week, though, as we will finish our all-time roster.

(I’m Chris Lempesis and I approve this message.)

Anyways, I know that cornerback was supposed to be the next position on [...]]]> So, I know I’ve been a little, um, delayed in getting these posts up. I’m sorry – I really am.

I’m going to make it up to you this week, though, as we will finish our all-time roster.

(I’m Chris Lempesis and I approve this message.)

Anyways, I know that cornerback was supposed to be the next position on our list. However, I’ve decided to switch things up and go with the safeties for part six. We like to keep you on your toes here at OBOD.

Any more that needs to be said? Nope – let’s tee this thing up.

Safeties

Starter: LeRoy Butler (1990-2001) – The great safeties of today do it all. They cover. They stop the run. They blitz and hit like a ton of freakin’ bricks. Of course, it wasn’t always that way.

‘Til a badass cat named LeRoy came on the scene.

In my mind, Butler was a chief pioneer of the mentality that safeties could be multi-faceted threats. Look at what he did during his career: fourth in team history in total tackles, unassisted tackles and interceptions. He’s 12th in sacks with 20.5 (imagine if he played today). He went to four Pro Bowls for his efforts, a number that would have been higher had he not been forced to retire at the age of 34 because of a shoulder injury.

He was the soul of those great defenses in the mid-to-late 1990s (Reggie White was the heart and, as a reader pointed out last summer, Wayne Simmons was indeed the fire. Can you believe the “heart” and “fire” are both no longer with us?). Plus, there’s that little “Lambeau Leap” thing that Butler invented back in 1993. That doesn’t hurt his case, either.

Starter: Willie Wood (1960-1971) – Before we get into the numbers, let’s talk about who Willie Wood was, as a player. He was tough. Really tough. Played in 166 straight games (only behind Brett Favre and Forrest Gregg on the team’s all-time list).

He could tackle. In fact, Vince Lombardi called him the surest tackler the Packers had, quite an honor if guys named Davis and Nitschke play on the same unit. And he didn’t even play safety at USC, but rather quarterback.

Okay, now let’s talk numbers: Second on the team’s all-time list in picks (48). Led the team in interceptions five times. Still holds the career mark for interceptions returned for touchdowns (seven). Named All-Pro six times. A 1989 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Need I say more?

Backup: Bobby Dillon (1952-1959) – For almost any other team, Dillon would be a surefire starter. The fact that he’s a backup on this team has less to do with his play than it does the franchise’s amazing history at the position.

After all, Dillon was a monster talent, even if he only could see out of one eye.

In seven seasons, guess how many times he led the team in interceptions? Yep, you guessed it – seven. His 52 career picks are still good enough to put him at the top of the team’s all-time list. He returned five of those picks for scores, putting him in a tie with a guy you’ll hear more about in a minute for second on the team’s all-time list. He was a five-time All-Pro, as well.

He’s not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and, to me, that’s always been sort of a mystery.

Backup: Darren Sharper (1997-2004) – Many people forget this now, but Sharper was originally drafted as a cornerback/safety out of William & Mary in 1997. He was quickly converted to free safety – he wasn’t really fast enough to play corner, I’ve always felt – and there, he made a huge mark.

In eight seasons, Sharper – known for his intelligence and great closing speed - picked off 36 passes, returning five of them for scores. He also had six sacks and six forced fumbles. He led the league with nine interceptions in 2000 and his career mark was good enough for fifth on the team’s all-time list.

His play earned him two Pro Bowl spots. He was released after 2004 in a salary cap move and has since gone on to success with both Minnesota and his current team, New Orleans. He’s been to a total of five Pro Bowls.

That’s all for our look at the safeties. Check back Wednesday as we (finally) list off the cornerbacks on our roster.

-Chris Lempesis

Now, it’s time to head to the second level and look at the linebackers.

I have to say that the linebacking corps was one of the toughest positions to narrow down. This team has had more than its share of great ‘backers throughout its history. [...]]]> Okay, so we’ve covered the guys up front for the all-time defense.

Now, it’s time to head to the second level and look at the linebackers.

I have to say that the linebacking corps was one of the toughest positions to narrow down. This team has had more than its share of great ‘backers throughout its history. That, of course, meant I had some tough decisions to make. In all honesty, that was the biggest reason this list was delayed by a day. I wanted to make sure I made the best choices possible.

Will you agree with all my decisions? I doubt it, but let’s find out, shall we?

Outside linebacker

Starter: Dave Robinson (1963-1972) – Playing alongside a guy you’ll be hearing more about a little later, Robinson was one-half of the greatest inside-outside linebacker tandem in team history.

Robinson, who also played tight end at Penn State, brought that athleticism – along with his 6-feet, 3-inch, 245 pound frame – to the position. He was a do-it-all type of OLB; he could cover (21 interceptions), stuff the run and get to the quarterback (they didn’t keep stats for sacks, obviously, but he was known for it, trust me).

He earned three Pro Bowl berths and a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1960s.

Starter: Mike Douglass (1978-1985) - If you’re a little unclear on Douglass’ skills, just know this – his nickname was “Mad Dog.” That should give you some indication of what type of player he was.

In short, Douglass was a lunatic, known for his non-stop motor and knack for making big plays, oftentimes by himself (he led the team in unassisted tackles three times). He still ranks third on the team’s all time tackles list and was named All-Pro three times during his career.

He now owns a “Health Concept Restaurant” in Alpine, California. Surprising for a guy nicknamed, “Mad Dog.” You wouldn’t think those two things go together, but apparently they do. 

Backup: Bill Forester (1953-1963) – That Forester made this list at this position is somewhat of a surprise, considering he began his green and gold career as interior lineman (guard/d-line).

He was moved to outside linebacker early in his career and quickly found a home there. Much like Robinson, Forester brought size (6-feet, 3-inches, 240 pounds) and a diversified set of skills to the table. He recovered 21 fumbles, picked off 15 passes and was selected to four Pro Bowls.

Backup: John Anderson (1978-1989) – The Packers clearly had an outstanding draft in 1978. That year, they took Douglass in the fifth round and James Lofton with one of their two first round picks. The other first round selection? You guessed it – Anderson.

Despite numerous injuries throughout his career, Anderson teamed with Douglass to give the Pack a nice OLB tandem during a largely forgettable time. Anderson was a solid, well-rounded player who became one of the team’s leaders.

He got it done on the stat sheet, as well. Anderson is still the team’s all-time leader in total (1,020) and unassisted (783) tackles.

Middle linebacker

Starter: Ray Nitschke (1958-1972) – Last summer, I listed Nitschke as the No. 7 greatest player in team history. At that time, I wrote this about him:

“Numbers and honors? Sure, Ray Nitschke had them.

He was named an All-Pro five times. He was named the Most Valuable Player in Green Bay’s 1962 NFL Championship Game win over the New York Giants. He was a member of both the 50th and 75th anniversary all-NFL teams. He picked off 25 passes. He recovered 20 fumbles, second best in team history. He was, in short, the best linebacker of his generation (cram it, Bears fans. Nitschke, not Butkus, was tops).

But if you were to look at all those lofty achievements – oh yeah, he was a 1978 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, too – and those alone, you would absolutely be missing the point on the demon from hell that was Raymond Ernest Nitschke.

Nitschke – whose picture should sit in the dictionary next to the words “mean” and “nasty” – supplied the grit and toughness to a Packers defense that held opponents to just over 15 points (regular season) and 12 points (postseason) a game during the Lombardi era.

His ferocious demeanor and appearance on the field terrified opponents and, perhaps, teammates alike.

His sheer physical toughness didn’t fade later in life, either. I had a chance to meet and have my photo taken with Nitschke in the winter of 1998 – just before his all-too-soon death at the age of 61 – and when he went to put his arm around my shoulder, it was readily apparant that tell this was a guy who could still kick some ass.”

I tried to think of something else to add to that, but I just couldn’t. And I don’t feel bad about that. Frankly, I kind of think that says it all.

Backup: Bernardo Harris (1995-2001) – On the great Packers’ defenses of the mid-to-late 90s, much of the attention went to players like Reggie White, LeRoy Butler and Gilbert Brown.

Those players were certainly deserving of such praise, but the rock in the middle of all that was Harris. He was a solid, steady presence for those teams. He was very good against the run and had underrated pass-rushing skills (when he was allowed to do so, anyways). He led the team in total tackles four times.

That’s all for our look at the linebackers. Check back Friday as we list off the cornerbacks for the all-time defense.

-Chris Lempesis

After a brief hiatus (does four days count as a hiatus?), we’re back to bring you the second part of OBOD’s all-time 53-man roster for the Green Bay Packers.

(Note: You might be wondering why we didn’t write anything about OTAs. Because they are incredibly boring and mean nothing, in the [...]]]> Hope you missed us, we’re baaaack!!

After a brief hiatus (does four days count as a hiatus?), we’re back to bring you the second part of OBOD’s all-time 53-man roster for the Green Bay Packers.

(Note: You might be wondering why we didn’t write anything about OTAs. Because they are incredibly boring and mean nothing, in the end – that’s why.)

Last week was all about the offense. This week, we’re moving over to the other side of the ball.

That’s right – defense, baby, defense!!

For part one of our look there, we’ll be talking about the front four on the defensive line. Even though Green Bay currently runs a 3-4 scheme, for the purposes of this series, I’m going to have them run a 4-3. It fits in better with the history of the team, you know?

Alright, is there anything else that needs to be said? Nope – let’s rock.

Defensive end

Starter: Willie Davis (1960-1969) – Playing in an era where defensive stats (sacks, tackles, etc.) went largely unkept, Davis – who played his first two seasons with the Cleveland Browns – still made a massive impact for the Lombardi Era Packers.

Davis was known for his ability to burst into the backfield against both the run and the pass. He was so good, Lombardi once used him as a way of describing a great player.

Said Lombardi: “You look for speed, agility and size. You may get two of these qualities in one man and when you have three, you have a great player. In Willie Davis, we have a great one. For a big man, 6-3 and 240 pounds, he has excellent agility and he has great sincerity and determination.”

There are, of course, a few pertinent numbers on Davis: five Pro Bowls, a franchise-record 21 fumble recoveries and a 1981 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Starter: Reggie White (1993-1998) – No one – and I mean no one – expected the Packers to land White during the free agency period of 1993. But Green Bay did just that, in a move that singlehandedly changed the course of the franchise from that day forward.

White, simply put, legitimized the entire operation in Titletown. The Packers were on the up before his arrival; once he got there, Green Bay officially re-entered the national sporting conscious. Yep, it was that important.

In six seasons with the Pack, White recorded 68 sacks and went to the Pro Bowl every year (part of his streak of 13-straight Pro Bowl appearances). Again, though, the numbers were really the least of what he did. He made everyone better and made everyone believe the team could win. You can’t quantify that in stats.

I’ll never forget hearing about his death on the day after Christmas in 2004 (at just 43 years old). It felt like a family member had passed. Roughly five and a half years later, I still can’t believe Reggie’s gone.

Backup: Ezra Johnson (1977-1987) – Playing on some so-so squads (perhaps that’s putting it lightly), Johnson still managed to be a pass-rushing force for the Packers.

In 11 seasons with the team, Johnson – who, like Davis, had great size and speed - recorded 41.5 sacks, making him the franchise’s all-time leader by the time he’d left Green Bay (he’s since been passed on the list). Of course, that number doesn’t include the 20.5 unofficial sacks he recorded in 1978, a year in which he was voted to the Pro Bowl.

There might have been an incident involving him eating a hot dog on the sidelines during a preseason game in there, too, but we won’t go into that. 

Backup: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (2000-2008) – For a franchise that has had its share of great pass rushers, it is Gbaja-Biamila (or, as he was known to us fans, “KGB”) who sits alone as the all-time leader in sacks with 74.5.

He wasn’t the player he’d been towards the end of his career (knee injuries played a part in that, as well), but for a four-year stretch, KGB was amongst the best pass rushers in the league. From 2001-2004, he hit double-digits in sacks every year, recording 49 sacks in all. The Packers foolishly tried to turn him into an every-down player after that, another aspect that hurt his overall production.

Still, KGB’s quick first step and amazing closing speed gave us a lot of great memories.

Defensive tackle

Starter: Henry Jordan (1959-1969) – Jordan, like Davis, came to Green Bay via a trade with the Cleveland Browns (thanks again, Cleveland). And like Davis, Jordan found a place to make a huge impact in Green Bay.

Considered undersized for his position at 6-feet, 2-inches and 248 pounds, Jordan used his knowledge gained from being a top-flight collegiate wrestler (University of Virginia) to find success in the NFL. Well, that and his outstanding speed and toughness, but you get my point.

Again, defensive stats weren’t kept in Jordan’s era, but regardless of lack of numbers, people certainly noticed his mark. He was a six-time All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler and a 1995 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Starter: Gilbert Brown (1993-1999, 2001-2003) – Stats? Brown never had many. In his 10 years with the Packers, Brown totaled just 257 tackles and seven sacks.

He sure had one number that played into his favor, though: 340.

That’s Brown’s weight, in case you were wondering, and that was indeed his biggest asset at the pro level. Brown used his weight to anchor himself, forcing constant double-teams his way as it was near impossible to block him with just one man without having that man hold him (cough, 1997 Denver Broncos, cough, cough).

Double-teaming Brown opened things up for the rest of Green Bay’s d-linemen and linebackers, allowing them to make plays all over the field. In many ways, Brown was just as crucial as White on those great defenses of the mid-to-late 1990s. Plus, he was “The Gravedigger,” had one of the coolest post-tackle/sack shimmies of all-time and is the namesake for “The Gilbert Burger,” one of the most lethal burgers ever devised. Look it up if you don’t believe me. 

Backup: Dave Hanner (1952-1964) – Brown and Jordan were both great players, but it is Hanner who is the franchise leader in games played by a d-tackle (160).

In fact, “Hawg” only missed four games in his entire career, only one of which came after his rookie season. Once again, we have no real numbers for Hanner, in terms of stats, but we do know that he was voted to the Pro Bowl twice.

And, for his 42-year career in pro football, Hanner only worked for one team: the Pack. After he retired, Hanner worked as an assistant coach and then scout.

You’ve got to love a guy who spent 42 years with the team, right? 

Backup: Santana Dotson (1996-2001) – Dotson did not begin his career with Green Bay (no, he didn’t start in Cleveland, either, but rather Tampa Bay). Once he arrived in Titletown, though, he found himself right at home playing next to Brown.

Dotson was the perfect compliment to Big Gilbert, a quick, agile, pass rusher who knew just how to take advantage of being single-blocked. In six years with the Packers, Dotson recorded 26 sacks and six forced fumbles, very good numbers for a d-tackle.

That’s all for our look at the d-line. Check back Wednesday, as we’ll list off the linebackers on the roster. Hannibal Navies need not apply.

-Chris Lempesis

Enough about the pretty boys – let’s talk about the grunts, the hogs, the guys in the trenches. After all, they’re the real reason games are won and lost.

With that said, here’s part three of OBOD’s all-time 53-man roster: the offensive line.

(Note: I [...]]]> The first two parts of our series covered the “skill players” on offense.

Enough about the pretty boys – let’s talk about the grunts, the hogs, the guys in the trenches. After all, they’re the real reason games are won and lost.

With that said, here’s part three of OBOD’s all-time 53-man roster: the offensive line.

(Note: I did not worry so much about whether the player played on the right or left side. I strictly focused on finding the best players at each position.)

Offensive tackle

Starter: Forrest Gregg (1956, 1958-1970) – Gregg was the anchor of Green Bay’s legendary rushing attack, playing in 187 consecutive games. That stood as the franchise record until Brett Favre broke it in 2003.

But did Brett Favre earn “finest player I ever coached” status from Vince Lombardi? No, he did not – Gregg did.

With good reason. Thought to be undersized at 6-feet, 4-inches and 249 pounds, Gregg used his otherwordly athleticism to key the Packers to an average of 151 yards per game on the ground during Lombardi’s time as head coach.

That was enough to earn him nine trips to the Pro Bowl and a 1977 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Starter: Robert “Cal” Hubbard (1929-1933, 1935) – A tackle in college at Centenary and Geneva, Hubbard moved to d-line while playing for the New York Giants. After being traded to Green Bay in 1929, Hubbard moved back to his natural position.

It was there that he shined. Hubbard helped turn the Packers’ running game into a force as they won world championships in each of his first three seasons.

He was an All-Pro every year from 1931-1933, a member of the NFL’s All-50 Year Team (1970) and a 1963 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Perhaps the coolest thing about Hubbard, though, is this: After his career was over, in 1958, Hubbard became the American League’s umpire-in-chief. His work in that role was so good that, in 1976, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. And, yes, he is the only person ever to be in both hallowed halls. 

Backup: Bob Skoronski (1956, 1959-1968) – Gregg was so good at right tackle, it’s often forgotten who manned the left side for the Lombardi Era Packers. That man was Skoronski.

While never a standout, per se, Skoronski was a tough, solid, durable tackle, playing in 146 games during his time in Green Bay. He played in both Super Bowl wins and five world championships (and earned one Pro Bowl spot). Clearly, Lombardi understood his value.

On an offense with so many stars, it was Skoronski who served as offensive captain from 1965-1968.

Backup: Chad Clifton (2000-Present) – Some will be surprised by this selection, no doubt. After all, we often look at the things Clifton struggles with (injuries, false starts, etc.)

That’s a major mistake, though.

While never dominant, Clifton has been a steady, solid presence at left tackle for over a decade. He played the key position on a line that was amongst the best in the league at both protecting the passer (think of how few times Favre was sacked in the 2000s) and running the ball (see: Ahman Green’s totals from 2001-2004). Obviously, Favre’s quick release and Green’s massive skill set had something to do with that, as well. But you can’t deny Clifton’s ability to excel.

And remember this: Clifton’s career should have been over after the devastating cheap shot he took from Warren Sapp back in 2002. Not only did that hit not end his career, it seemed to make Clifton a better player. To me, anyone who can bounce back from that has to be on this list.

Offensive Guard

Starters: Jerry Kramer (1958-1968) and Fred “Fuzzy” Thurston (1959-1967) – So far, I’ve been listing these players one-by-one. For this spot, I’m making an exception. Some things are just meant to be together.

Such is the case with Kramer and Thurston.

In short, they were the two crucial pieces in the famed “Packers sweep,” one of the most dominant offensive plays in the history of pro football. It’s true that Lombardi’s vision and dedication to running the play correctly were big reasons for its success. But those things would have meant nothing had he not been able to find two players with the total package, in terms of skills, to be able to execute it.

He found them in Kramer and Thurston. Both players complimented their solid size with outstanding athleticism and toughness. Both players earned two All-Pro spots apiece for their efforts and have retained their status as massive fan favorites 40-plus years after their respective retirements.

Neither is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But, really, you can’t always measure impact or importance by a bust in Canton.

Backup: Mike Michalske (1929-1935, 1937) – After playing fullback at Penn State, Michalske transitioned to guard upon entering the pro game (his first two years were spent with the New York Yankees football team. Yes, that was a football team, too, once upon a time.)

As it turned out, his fullback skills were perfect for his new position. Michalske used his quickness and athleticism to become, arguably, pro football’s first truly great guard (he was the first guard inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in 1964).

And talk about toughness. Michalske, nicknamed “Iron Mike”, played 60 minutes of almost every game he was in as a Packer, playing on the defensive side, as well. And how many games did he miss attempting such a brutal feat? Nine out of a possible 104. Wow.

Backup: Gale Gillingham (1966-1974, 1976) – Okay, before we go any further, let’s just get this out of the way: I did not select Gillingham because he and I share an alma matter (the University of Minnesota). That’s not how I roll…although, it is cool. We haven’t produced too many great pros at the U lately.

Gillingham was drafted to follow the legendary footsteps of Kramer and Thurston and he did just that.

Gillingham had it all: durability (played in every game in all but one season), versatility (played both left and right guard) and, of course, outstanding success (five-time Pro Bowler).

That’s why he’s on this team.

Center

Starter: Jim Ringo (1953-1963) – By now, we all know the infamous story of Ringo’s raise demands/near instant trade to the Philadelphia Eagles at the hands of Lombardi. Let’s not focus on that here, though.

Instead, let’s focus on who Ringo was, as a player, for the Packers.

Like Gregg, Ringo was considered undersized at 6-feet, 2-inches and 235 pounds. And, also like Gregg, Ringo used his supreme athleticism and technique to find success. Lombardi knew how to use those skills, too, as Ringo was a key figure in the famous “Packers sweep” until he was traded.

The league certainly took notice. Starting in 1957, Ringo was voted to seven straight Pro Bowls and, in 1981, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Backup: Frank Winters (1992-2002) – Ringo was an obvious selection. Finding his backup proved a bit more difficult as I had to choose between Winters and Larry McCarren. McCarren was “The Rock”, a tough-as-nails player who holds the franchise record for games played at the position.

But, I mean, come on – you didn’t really think we’d leave off our site’s namesake, did you?

And it’s not as though Winters couldn’t player, either. Far from it. A hard-working, hard-nosed player, Winters used his smarts and toughness to become an elite center for the great Packers teams of the mid-to-late 90s. He earned a Pro Bowl spot in 1996 and his fun-loving ways and sharp wit – he once joked that “pizza and beer” were the secrets to his longevity – earned him a spot in the hearts of Packers fans everywhere.

Frankly, I can’t think of a better way to close out the offensive portion of our roster.

That’s all for week one. Starting Monday, we’ll begin listing off the defensive players so make sure to head back here.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

-Chris Lempesis

For part two of OBOD’s all-time 53-man roster, we’ll fill out the remaining “skill positions.”

(Side note: I put that in quotation marks because I’ve never understood why that term is used. Doesn’t it take skill to play offensive line? How [...]]]> In part one of our series, we gave you the offensive backfield. Boy, was that fun, huh?

For part two of OBOD’s all-time 53-man roster, we’ll fill out the remaining “skill positions.”

(Side note: I put that in quotation marks because I’ve never understood why that term is used. Doesn’t it take skill to play offensive line? How bout defensive line or linebacker? It does, right? It’s a dumb term – hence the quotation marks.)

So, here they are: the wide receivers and tight ends.

Wide receivers

Starter: Don Hutson (1935-1945) – Where does one even begin to describe Hutson, pro football’s first superstar and arguably still the greatest receiver in the history of the game?

You know what? I’m just going to link to what I wrote about him last summer when I ranked him No. 2 on my “12 greatest players in team history” list.

That pretty much says it all. And, looking back, I was flat-out wrong to put him second. There’s no question he’s No. 1.

Starter: Sterling Sharpe (1988-1994) – Plenty of good, and even great, receivers donned the green and gold after Hutson hung up his spikes. But none have been better, post-Hutson, that Sharpe.

Sharpe was a truly dominating presence at the position, despite being just 6-feet tall. He had very good speed, ran picture-perfect routes and caught damn near everything thrown his way (oftentimes, with little help on the other side). He averaged 85 catches and nine touchdowns over his seven seasons, leading the league in receptions three times (with three All-Pro appearances, as well).

His career ended at just 29 years old because of a neck injury. Had he stayed healthy, Sharpe would have been a near-lock for Canton, especially when you consider that Brett Favre was just hitting his prime at the time of Sharpe’s retirement.

No. 3: James Lofton (1978-1986) – My choice of Sharpe over Lofton for last summer’s “12 greatest players” series drew the ire of some readers. I, of course, have nothing against Lofton. He was a great, great wideout while in Green Bay, despite playing on some truly bad teams.

A perfect combination of size (6-feet, 3-inches) and speed, Lofton recorded 9,656 yards and 49 touchdowns as a Packer. Those numbers were enough to earn him seven consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl. He’s still the franchise’s all-time leader in receiving yards, although he’ll likely be passed this season (more on that in a bit).

When he retired following the 1993 season, his 14,004 career yards put him at the top of the NFL’s all-time list (he’s since been passed) and he is a 2003 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

No. 4: Donald Driver (1999-Present) – Lofton holds the Packers’ career mark for receiving yards. But, really, he’s just keeping the seat warm for this guy, who will, in all likelihood, pass him in 2010 (he sits just 606 yards away and already holds the team’s all-time mark for receptions).

From obscure, seventh round pick in ‘99 to where he is now has certainly been an astounding journey for Driver. Driver is so often credited for his hard-working ways – absolutely warranted – it’s easy to forget how much natural talent he has. He’s lightening fast (and hasn’t lost a step) and has fantastic hands and smarts, the most underrated part of his game.

Throw in his natural charisma and obvious love for the game and the fans and it’s easy to see why Driver is one of the franchise’s most beloved players. He’s got at least two years left in the tank and here’s to hoping he can cheat time a little longer than that.

No. 5: Boyd Dowler (1959-1969) – Like Lofton, Dowler was a great combination of size (6-feet, 5-inches, 225 pounds) and speed (a former sprinter). That indeed made him a massive contributor for the Lombardi Era Packers.

While in Titletown, Dowler recorded 6,918 career yards and 40 touchdowns (he also saw time as a punter in three seasons). He led the team in receiving seven times and was sent to two Pro Bowls for his efforts. My favorite aspect of Dowler’s career, though, is this: He didn’t do much of anything in Super Bowl I after being knocked out extremely early in the game. As frustrating as that was, Dowler bounced back a year later, catching a 62-yard touchdown pass from Bart Starr early in the second quarter of Super Bowl II.

That score gave the Packers a commanding 12-0 lead. They never looked back, going on to defeat the Oakland Raiders, 33-14.

Tight ends

Starter: Paul Coffman (1978-1985) – Like Donald Driver, you can file the start to Coffman’s career in the “unheralded” category. In fact, Coffman might have been even more so.

While working out a teammate of Coffman’s at Kansas State, Coffman approached Green Bay assistant John Meyer and asked if the Packers would give him a tryout. After going undrafted in ‘78, the Packers gave Coffman a shot.

Good call.

In seven seasons – he played eight yet recorded no stats in his rookie season – Coffman averaged 46 catches, just over 603 yards and over five touchdowns. He was rewarded with three trips to the Pro Bowl.

Backup: Ron Kramer (1957-1964) – The star tight ends of today’s NFL are known for being big and strong with great speed and hands.

Such was not the case in the late 1950s – that is, until Kramer came along.

At 6-feet, 3-inches and 240 pounds – big even for today’s standards – Kramer was a massive force in his final four seasons as a Packer (military time and injuries slowed him for the first part of his career). Over that time, he averaged over 34 receptions, just over 550 yards and just under four touchdowns a season. There’s one trip to the Pro Bowl in there, too.

For his career: 170 catches, 2,594 yards and 15 touchdowns. And a cool nickname: “Oaf.”

No. 3: Ed West (1984-1994) – Ah, West – “The Toolbox.” Thinking about him just brings a smile to your face, doesn’t it?

(Note: If it doesn’t, you’re clearly a Bears or Vikings fan. And, seriously, if you are, I’m not even sure why you’re here or who let you in.)

West went undrafted in ‘84, but still found a way to make a significant impact for the Packers.

At 250 pounds (while being just over 6-feet tall), West was a rumbling, “rolling stone gathers no moss” type of tight end. While certainly never the fastest guy on the field, West used his hands and cunning to make his mark. He holds the franchise record for games played by a tight end (167) and recorded 202 receptions for 2,321 yards and 25 touchdowns.

For some strange reason, he’s not in the Packers Hall of Fame. I don’t know why, but I do know that that needs to be rectified. Like now.

That’s all for part two. Check back Friday for part three: the offensive line.

-Chris Lempesis

We’re going a different way here at OBOD.

The Green Bay Packers have been around since 1919 – roughly 91 years – but that isn’t stopping us from selecting OBOD’s All-Time [...]]]> Organizations like to pick nice, even-numbered years to go with all-time teams. Teams will roll these lists out at such grandiose mile-markers as 50 and 75 years.

We’re going a different way here at OBOD.

The Green Bay Packers have been around since 1919 – roughly 91 years – but that isn’t stopping us from selecting OBOD’s All-Time 53-man roster for the Pack.

(See? I told you this series would be a doozy.)

A few notes before we begin:

• This is an idea I’ve had since during the season, but I didn’t begin the process of selecting the names until about six weeks ago. It took a little longer than I first expected.
• In terms of number of players at each position, I’ve tried to duplicate the average NFL roster. That means three quarterbacks, three running backs, etc. I definitely did not keep three fullbacks, for example.
• That, of course, meant there were some tough decisions that needed to be made (imagine having to do this in real life…it must be damn near impossible sometimes). You won’t like my groups for every position, I can guarantee, but just know that I put a lot of time into it and hopefully made the best choices I could. I’m always cool with differing opinions and, hopefully, we can avoid any controversy like we had with last summer’s “12 greatest players” series.
• This series will run over the course of the next two weeks. The offense will be on display this week and next week I’ll shift to the defense/special teams.

Okay, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s tee this thing up, shall we?

Without further adieu, here is part one of our roster: The backfield.

Quarterbacks

Starter: Bart Starr (1956-1971) – If you want to talk “sexy” numbers, Starr isn’t necessarily your guy. In 16 seasons, he put up 24,718 yards passing, 152 touchdowns and 91 interceptions. Not overwhelming, by any stretch.

But if you want to talk efficiency – a huge stat for quarterbacks – Starr is definitely your guy. His 57.4 percent completion rate was, at the time of his retirement in 1971, the best the NFL had ever seen. For good measure, let’s throw in four Pro Bowls, the 1966 Most Valuable Player award and a 1977 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The real reason Starr is the starter for my team, however, is this: his leadership. On a team full of colorful – and powerful – personalities, Starr was never once doubted as the leader. He was also the only guy unafraid of standing up to head coach Vince Lombardi (speaking of strong personalities) if he felt he was in the right.

That’s who I’d want running this show.

Backup: Brett Favre (1992-2007) – No synopsis or description here. And you all know why.

No. 3: Arnie Herber (1930-1940) – By today’s standards, Herber’s numbers just wouldn’t stand up. He never threw for more than 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns in a season.

Then you remember that he played in the 1930s and, well, Herber’s impact becomes a little clearer. Herber was indeed the first truly great QB the Packers had – despite his tiny hands that forced him to palm the ball when he threw it instead of using the laces - and, along with that guy named Hutson, formed the NFL’s first lethal quarterback-to-wideout connection. Herber-to-Hutson has a lovely ring to it, wouldn’t you say?

He led the league in passing three times and finished his time in Green Bay with 6,749 yards passing and 66 touchdowns (okay, he threw 90 interceptions, too, but come on – they were still figuring out that whole “forward pass” thing back then). Roughly 70 years after his time in Green Bay concluded, his touchdown pass total is still good enough for fifth on the team’s all-time list (although I have a feeling he’ll drop to sixth sometime this season).

The NFL certainly recognized his impact as Herber was a 1966 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Running backs

Starter: Ahman Green (2000-2006, 2009) – I can almost guarantee this is the first choice people will disagree with. But, before you go losing your cool, hear me out. First, it’s important to note that Green is the franchise’s all-time leading rusher (for this franchise, that’s really saying something) with 8,322 yards. He also hit paydirt 54 times and went to the Pro Bowl four times.

Secondly, Green was able to do his damage as, really, the second-option on the team (with Favre, of course, being top dog). For him to be able to do that, that just shows how special he really was. Plus, he wasn’t just a pure runner, either, as he was also an extremely dangerous receiver (2,726 yards).

Finally, remember the skill set Green had. He was lightening fast, for sure, but he possessed very good power, as well. It’s pretty rare to find a guy with both qualities. He had fumble issues, yes, but I’d still feel very comfortable with him being the main ballcarrier on my squad.

Backup: Paul Hornung (1957-1962, 1964-1966) – Players like Cleveland’s Josh Cribbs and Minnesota’s Percy Harvin are looked at as do-it-all players in today’s NFL. Those guys have nothing on Hornung (aka, “The Golden Boy”).

While he never ran for more than 681 yards in a season (1959), Hornung is my No. 2 running back because of his ridiculous versatility. In addition to running the ball, Hornung caught it (1,480 career receiving yards), threw it (383 passing yards and five touchdowns) and even kicked it (66 field goals, 190 PATs). His nose for the endzone (62 touchdowns) doesn’t hurt my case, either. Add it all up and you’ve got the franchise’s fourth all-time leading scorer.

He went to two Pro Bowls, won the 1961 Most Valuable Player award (weirdly, he didn’t get voted to the Pro Bowl that year) and is a 1986 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His fun-loving ways would keep the team loose, too. I feel good about this one.

No. 3: Tony Canadeo (1941-1944, 1946-1952) – Green and Hornung were obvious choices. Selecting my No. 3 was a tough call between Canadeo and Johnny “Blood” McNally. I wanted to pick McNally – for God’s sake, the man lept from a balcony to head coach Curly Lambeau’s window ledge to pick up an advance…and Lambeau was staying on the eighth floor! – but, in the end, I had to go with Canadeo (aka, “Grey Ghost of Gonzaga”).

After spending this first half of his career playing multiple roles (running, passing, defense, punting, returns), Canadeo became the top dog in the backfield upon his return to the game after serving in World War II (can you imagine ANY athletes doing that nowadays?).

Canadeo was a tough, hard-nosed runner, with his career year occurring in 1949 as he ran for 1,052 yards and four touchdowns. His 1,000 yard season was the first by a Packer (and only the third ever in the history of the league at that point). His 4,197 career rushing yards still rank him fourth on the team’s all-time list, he is one of only five players to have had his number retired by the team and he is a 1974 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Fullbacks

Starter: Jim Taylor (1958-1966) – Hornung was “The Golden Boy” for the Lombardi Era Packers, the smooth runner with the nifty footwork. There wasn’t much “Golden”, smooth or nifty about his backfield counterpart, Taylor.

Taylor was a devastating, punishing human being with, to quote an old NFL Films piece on him, “a singular approach to straightfoward mayhem.” He could run around you, yes – but he’d rather go right through you.

That stuff is all great, for sure, but we can’t forget his numbers. Taylor eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark every year from 1960-1964 (recording 66 touchdowns in that time). Those numbers were enough to get him voted to the Pro Bowl in each of those years, as well, and earn him the 1962 Most Valuable Player award.

His 8,207 career rushing yards had him first on the team’s all-time list for 43 years, until Green passed him just last season. And, oh yeah – he’s a 1976 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Backup: Clarke Hinkle (1932-1941) – Hinkle, like Hornung and Canadeo, was extremely versatile. Throughout his career, he played linebacker, kicker and punter in addition to being a brusing ballcarrier and decent receiver.

He racked up 3,860 rushing yards for his career, still good enough for sixth on the team’s all-time list. He also recorded 44 total touchdowns (35 rushing, nine receiving) and even led the league in scoring in 1938.

With Hinkle, though, two things really stand out. First, his mark on the organization was so great that, in 1997, the Packers re-named their practice field in his honor.

And then there’s this: Hinkle was only one of a handful of linebackers tough enough to actually tackle legendary Chicago Bears running back Bronko Nagurski with any regularity. The two had some famous battles in their day, but respect was always there, so much so that when Hinkle was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964, guess who gave his induction speech?

That’s right – Bronko Nagurski. 

Anyone who can earn that type of respect has to be on this list.

That’s all for part one. Check back Wednesday for part two: wide receivers and tight ends.

-Chris Lempesis

This particular post, while not part of any series, is really the first of those special posts. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for quite some time now.

Question: IF the Green Bay Packers never existed – and everything else [...]]]> Last week, I wrote about some special posts/series we’d be rolling out during the dead zone period.

This particular post, while not part of any series, is really the first of those special posts. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for quite some time now.

Question: IF the Green Bay Packers never existed – and everything else was the same in my life, meaning I’m still a huge, sick NFL fan from Marquette, Michigan currently living in Minneapolis, Minnesota - who would I root for?

First, let me just say that being an NFL fan would suck if the Packers never existed. I mean, seriously.

Again, though, I have to pick some team.

The most obvious route would be to pick a team from the NFC North. I’m a midwestern boy, after all, and regional pride should count for something, shouldn’t it? Well, that doesn’t work for the following reasons.

1. As I wrote back in November, I could never root for the Detroit Lions.
2. I’ve crossed off the Minnesota Vikings because they wear purple and have had far too many despicable characters. Plus, they have this guy as their announcer.
3. I could never root for a team from Chicago (i.e., the most overrated city in the United States). That’s right. I said it.

So, that left me with roughly 28 options. I have to assume, for the purposes of this discussion, that I’ve been rooting for said team my entire life. Since I became a football fan in the early 1990s, that eliminates the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns (part two) and the team they became, the Baltimore Ravens.

Down to 23. I also have to assume the team was, at the very least, decent when I began watching football. Otherwise, why would I root for them in the first place? Not saying I’d be a front-runner – that eliminates you, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers – but there’d have to be more wins than losses.

There couldn’t be any sort of geographic movement involved, either, as I hate, hate, hate it when teams move. Goodbye St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders. For good measure, let’s throw the Indianapolis Colts in there, too, as they used to be in Baltimore. My father looked at the Colts as his second team of sorts in his younger days – he was a huge Johnny Unitas fan – and it has always bothered him that they left.

The list now stands at 16 (I’m updating the numbers for myself as much as you; I went to a Big Ten school so my math obviously sucks). Here’s a stipulation that should whittle that number considerably: The team’s history. Namely, do they have one?

The team I’d pick would have to be a team with a great tradition. Again, that doesn’t mean they’d be in the Super Bowl or even the playoffs every year, but there’d have to be a solid past. Even when I was a kid, that sort of stuff mattered to me. San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots – please make your way to the exits.

We’ve reached the final eight. Those teams are: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

You know what? Take the Dolphins off of there. They fit the criteria, up ’til now, but they play in Florida. I grew up in the U.P. No warm weather teams for me. Plus, we always laughed at the Dolphins when they struggled in cold weather, which was, well, always.

We now stand at seven. Here’s where it gets tricky.

When trimming the final seven, I decided to factor in marketability, meaning they’d have to be a team that was shown on television where I lived. Pittsburgh wasn’t on much, from what I remember, so it’s gone. Down to six. The other teams all got their share of time where I was at, but four teams really stand out: the Giants, Redskins, Eagles and Broncos.

And those teams indeed are the final four on my list.

Denver is the first team to fall from that group. Even then, the AFC always felt foreign to me. It was like the NFC, but just a little off. Sort of like Canada.

Three is now the magic number and if you followed football back then, it makes sense that the Giants, Eagles and Redskins would be the last teams standing. The NFC East was very much the power division back when I started watching football and many of those divisional games were the late, national games, broadcast on CBS (for our younger readers, CBS was the NFC Network back then; NBC had the AFC games). Even as a kid, I loved those games, especially later in the year as the weather got nastier. And, boy, did those teams get jacked up for those games. The Packers stunk back then, so it was nice to see two teams that actually, you know, had something to play for.

Philadelphia had Randall Cunningham and, man, he was impressive to watch, especially if you were a young kid back then. But there was something about that defense – and head coach Buddy Ryan in particular – that always bothered me. They seemed mean, dirty, illegal. I hope no one pelts me with snowballs for saying this, but sorry Philly, you’re gone.

And then there were two: Washington and the New York Giants.

The ‘Skins have a lot going for them – Joe Gibbs was an honorable man, the offense was fun to watch, they had the fastest man in football (corner Darrell Green), they played in the nation’s capital and had a great, great history.

Ditto for the Giants – Bill Parcells was a great coach (and even better quote), the defense was tough, yet clean, they had marquee players (Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor), they played in a cool stadium (come on, Giants Stadium? Forget about it) and had an epic history. 

I had one more factor to consider: The “buzz” factor. Which team consistently carries more buzz? It’s there with the ‘Skins, sure, but not always. Lately the “buzz” surrounding them has been about what a trainwreck they are, for example.

With the Giants, though, it’s always there. No matter what, the Giants just have this thing, this appeal, to them. Part of it stems from playing in New York, no doubt, but it’s more than that. I can’t explain it, but for whatever reason, that team just matters, whether you live in New York, Cleveland, Kansas City, San Diego or Marquette, Michigan. When they’re on, you’re wondering how they’re doing, whether you want them to win or lose. Even if you don’t care about the result, you’re interested in the score. 

They’ve got it – and that’s why they are my choice.

 What say you, OBOD readers? Who would you choose? We’d love to hear from you on this one. Comment, baby, comment!!

-Chris Lempesis