USA Today have recently unveiled their top 100 NFL players of all time, which has been selected by a 19 man panel, and the Packers have been well represented with a total of 10 players who have represented Green Bay making the cut.
We’re going to have a look at those who were rated as the top five in a little more detail.
NUMBER 5 (ranked 42 out of 100) – RAY NITSCHKE
Nitschke, who was a quarterback during his early years of playing football, goes down as one the best defensive players we’ve ever had. His tenacious attitude and fearlessness combined with his leadership skills saw him marshal our defense to back to back Super Bowl wins (the first two) as well as five NFL championships. Not that he needs more evidence to support his case by a career entirely dedicated to the Packers does earn him bonus points in my eyes.
NUMBER 4 (41) – AARON RODGERS
It’s crazy to think that not too long ago a few were starting to question Rodgers, but since Matt LaFleur came on board, the 2005 round one pick has proven his worth – again. Not to say that LaFleur is responsible for the recent achievements of Rodgers, but one thing is certain: he motivates Rodgers to play at his best; something former head coach Mike McCarthy did not do. Rodgers is the only one of the Packers’ top 100 selections who is still playing, which is impressive in itself but if he can help Green Bay to another successful season – and the signs are looking good early on – expect him to climb further up the rankings.
He’s already starred as MVP in the victory at Super Bowl XLV and two season MVP awards have been added to his personal trophy haul as well. If you are backing the Packers to be favorites in the NFL playoff betting odds, you know Rodgers will probably be a key player on that.
NUMBER 3 (26) – BRETT FAVRE
In my opinion, Favre’s overall ranking of 26 isn’t high enough for a man who is one of the greatest quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. During his career, 16 years of which were spent with Green Bay, Favre threw more yards and more touchdowns than anyone else and retired with an impressive 62% pass completion from over 10,000 attempts. 11 pro bowl appearances and a Super Bowl victory aren’t a shabby start to an honors list either; mind you, it’s somewhat easier to wrack up stats like that when you play over 300 games on the spin!
NUMBER 2 (25) – DON HUTSON
Hutson’s influence on the Packers will no doubt pre-date most of the fans’ memories but many of the paths you see in today’s game exist because of him. Hutson had the speed to outrun a horse and when put together with agility and handling you were left with one of the most fabulous receivers the game has ever been witness to. During his Packers career Hutson won a hat-trick of NFL titles, was named MVP twice and turned in consistent performances that saw him retire with a host of records, some of which are still intact today.
NUMBER 1 (7) – REGGIE WHITE
The USA today rankings have White sitting higher than any other Packer in their list and it’s clear to see why. The defensive end was named defensive player of the year on two occasions and registered a phenomenal 198 sacks during his career, including a historic one during his only Super Bowl triumph in 1997 with Green Bay. White had incredible quality but his consistency is what separates him at the front of the pack and being named in the pro bowl for 13 consecutive seasons is proof of that.
There you have it — five players who have given Green Bay so much over the years. Will any of the current team – Rodgers aside – force their way into the reckoning in future? Given how the season started, perhaps they will and, if they do, they’ll be in very good company.
You know there’s a Packer player I thought has been always overlooked. For 3 seasons, he lead the league in passing yardage, touchdowns and passer rating. He played at at time when the QB wasn’t as important as they are today, a time when passing wasn’t very important. But the Packers won consistently when he played because they had a better passing game than any team in the league. He lead the Packers to 4 Championships.
Arnie Herber, a guy from Green Bay. if you see old videos of him, he’s got had a canon for an arm. Had he not died at 59, we probably would have seen him celebrated during games in the ’90s.
Damn straight Deepsky. I remember reading an article that focused on how many years a team had an NFL Hall of Famer at the QB position. The Packers were #1 with just Starr, Favre, and Rodgers at thirty some years. But the article was flawed because they forgot to mention Arnie Herber, another NFL Hall of Fame QB. That would have bumped the Packers total up about ten more years.
Probably stuck to modern era
Modern era, yeah. And there actually was a huge difference in the NFL after the rule changes in 1933. Prior to that, if you passed the ball, you had to be 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage or the ball turned over to the other team. Also, if the receiver dropped it, it was considered a fumble, not an incomplete pass. If the pass hit the ground first before hitting any player, the ball got turned over to the other team. Of course, although there was pass interference, the receiver could be jacked anywhere on his route. Passing was an extremely high risk play prior to 1933 which is why it was rarely attempted and the QB position didn’t really exist. Which is why Herber was considered a running back in his first few years, including the 1930 and 1931 championship teams, although its hard to know how much he played QB vs running back then because the NFL didn’t keep stats until 1932.
Holy shit my man, that’s some serious knowledge.
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This Sunday, help me in celebrating Deepsky’s 108th B-Day.
That was a joke people. Meant no disrespect Deep.
I’m not a historian, but i would guess just Favre and Rodgers might be enough to have the most years.at 27 years and counting. Especially consecutively.
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I’m not a modern Packer fan, but i obviously didn’t follow the team in the 50′ and 60’s. it would be fair to say i wasn’t a die hard fan until late 70’s, early 80’s. At the same time as a kid, as far back as i can remember, i knew i was a life long fan. Maybe that’s why some of us complain about this team when deserved. If someone doesn’t like that, they can kiss my fucking ass, because i earned that right.
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With that said i have deep respect for the 60’s Packers and years prior. Not to mention fans who are true historians of the team. That takes a lot of time, love and dedication.
Had Sterling Sharpe not had his career ended early, he would be top 30 easily.