So what, do you realize that Atkins was listed among the best DL in college football AND NFL history....he dominated the position like no one else and was easily considered one of the best overall defensive players of all time in the sport pre-1990You putting him over Reggie White?
Over Haynesworth maybe. But Barnett broke the sack in 3 seasons...
So what, do you realize that Atkins was listed among the best DL in college football AND NFL history....he dominated the position like no one else and was easily considered one of the best overall defensive players of all time in the sport pre-1990
Breaking a record or two is nice, but being completely dominant and recognized amongst your peers for decades is more impressive
Doug Atkins was the best defensive lineman to ever play at UT and is in the conversation as being the best DL to ever play in the NFL. In 1975, he was voted the Most Outstanding Player in the SEC for the quarter century 1950-1975. His last season was the 1951 season. That's how great Doug Atkins was. NFL players were scared of him on and off the field.
The only reason he doesn't still hold all of the sack records is: the sack was not a recognized stat in his time.
We may have produced more great defensive linemen than any other position throughout the years. It's hard to pick four, but who would make up your line. I've got Atkins and Barnett at end and White and Henderson at tackle.
I'm gonna go with the '71 Vikings. The Purple People Eaters Carl Eller, Alan Page, Jim Marshall, Gary Larsen and Roy Winston. Close second...'75 Steelers Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Ernie Holmes and Dwight White....and yeah, I know you meant UT lines. Just felt like tossing something different into the mix.
I'll call your Vikings and Steelers.....and raise you the Cowboys '77 DL of Harvey Martin, Randy White, Too Tall Jones, and Jethro Pugh.
I'll add in just for fun----'85 Bears Hampton, McMichael, Frig, and Dent....
True. Was more responding to the more general point of older players and whether they could compete against modern players.
Atkins is that rare player who would've dominated the game no matter when he played......
He had long, strong arms and excellent hand skills with which he could pummel any OT playing today....and keep them from holding him.
Yes, the only difference is that, if Atkins played with the benefits of today’s state-of-the-art strength and conditioning programs, plus nutritional and supplementation protocols, he would be even more powerful than the player who dominated the SEC and NFL for 20 years. He would probably be 6-8, 350 pounds and just as lean as he was in his heyday. It makes you shudder to think of the damage he would inflict on opposing quarterbacks and running backs.
EXACTLY! He would be an absolute terror on the field....make Watts look like a middle schooler
According to Warren Ariail, the Saints’ trainer in 1968-69, “Johnny Unitas told me one time [that] Doug was the only player he was afraid of. Dick Butkus said the same thing. Now if you can imagine Dick Butkus being afraid of someone, you get an idea of how Doug affected people.” Wildman Remembered : Although Doug Atkins Was Not Exactly a Saint, He's Soon To Be in New Orleans' Hall of Fame
Atkins is that rare player who would've dominated the game no matter when he played......
He had long, strong arms and excellent hand skills with which he could pummel any OT playing today....and keep them from holding him.