Who Would Make It?
Fans argue about which player was the greatest of all time (GOAT). Others wonder if the players of yesteryear would be successful in today's game. But it is never that simple. You can compare stats, awards, win-loss records, and Super Bowls won. But there is not a true simulation of how they would perform. Madden "experts" can give any attributes they deem accurate. Bleacher Report did something similar with the NBA and created a time-travelling scenario and pitted the likes of Bird vs Durant. It got me thinking, how could we do an NFL version?
We could pit them one-on-one, mono-e-mono. But it's not like NBA where they are attempting the same skills against each other. So then what if we did a version where we insert a great into another decade's roster? We could run scenarios like Dick Butkus is warped to last year's Bears. Or if Justin Fields is shot back to the '85 Bears? Would they still win the Super Bowl? Would his style be helpful? Would these guys be successful? Do their skills translate?
Through the years, the league has been taking precautions in order to protect its players during the games. They have outlawed tackles including clotheslines, horse collars, spearing, and head-to-head contact. Running backs are no longer allowed to put their heads down and run through a defender like they once could. Quarterbacks are next to untouchable. The game has "evolved."
Butkus was sneakily a great pass coverage linebacker, he was just better known for his ruthless aggression and he slowed down when his knees started to go. But the hits he had are illegal today. He would have to change the way he tackled. Even the way he sacked the quarterback, now that you can't put any bodyweight on a quarterback. Is he able to adapt and overcome, playing more like Urlacher? Or does he become a James Harrison who's penalized for playing the way he had for years?
Fields can run with the ball and sling it deep. Now instead of David Montgomery, he has Walter Payton. He has a number one defense. If he were to replace Jim McMahon at quarterback in 1985, how far does he take the Bears? Is their record the same, worse, or better? Does his style look more like Dan Marino, running and gunning, or does he turn into a Mike Vick type player and revolutionize football earlier? He also has to deal with guys like Lawrence Taylor and Lyle Alzado who could end his career by driving him into the dirt every play and getting away with it.
We won't know because the times are different, the game is different, and all of the players are different. Everyone brings their own skills to the table and who you surround them with highlights or diminishes those talents. You can't tell me which of our historic linebackers was truly the best. They were all amazing and all had their own greatness and success. All we can do is dream and reminisce about each player. And argue with anyone who tells us they weren't great.
