# Who's the Best Aggregate Football Team Ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 16, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498 "2014-10-16T16:01:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/1 "2014-10-16T16:01:39Z")
If you were to take all 32 NFL Franchises and create a team that features the best player at each position, in the prime of when they played, from any player that has ever played for that team, who would be the best team? Some caveats to my thoughts: - I’m talking about the starting 22 players. We don’t need to go any further than that since we don’t need to talk about subbing or any of that nonsense - The same player can be on multiple teams. Remember, as long as that player spent time on the field for that team, they qualify. Yes that means the Niners AND the Chiefs have Joe Montana, Niners, Raiders, and Hawks all have Jerry Rice, etc. - For the sake of argument and to make this a little more challenging, and to make it more fun, let’s put all of the players in TODAY’s game with TODAY’s rules. That means that Deacon Jones CANNOT use his head-slap because that would incur a penalty. Also none of those facemask grabs that they used back in the '50s. - That last rule being said, the players know this and can play by today’s rules (they don’t have to learn them or anything) but keep this in consideration if you want to have a certain player over another I’ll weigh in on this eventually (I want to see how the thread goes first) ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/2 "2014-10-16T16:07:03Z")
So the Jets, Vikings, and Packers all get to start prime-of-his-career Brett Favre? ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/3 "2014-10-16T16:20:00Z")
Atlanta, too. But the Packers would probably be better off with Aaron Rodgers. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/4 "2014-10-16T16:40:26Z")
As a random data point, the Bears have the most players in the Hall of Fame (32). ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/5 "2014-10-16T18:07:53Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > So the Jets, Vikings, and Packers all get to start prime-of-his-career Brett Favre? Yup! So the Viking fan could ask do they want prime-of-his-career Favre (INTs and all…) or POIC Cunningham? Same with Atlanta, want Favre? Vick? Steve DeBerg? > [@Enginerd](#): > > Atlanta, too. But the Packers would probably be better off with Aaron Rodgers. And therein is the debate for each teams fans! ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/6 "2014-10-16T19:09:12Z")
I notice you only list players, but what about the coach? They’re the ones calling the plays and deciding the scheme, and a player that works well in one scheme might be crap at another. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/7 "2014-10-16T19:35:58Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > I notice you only list players, but what about the coach? They’re the ones calling the plays and deciding the scheme, and a player that works well in one scheme might be crap at another. Oh wow, I never thought about that. I think that we should include coaches and schemes should be taken into account ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/8 "2014-10-16T19:48:31Z")
Well, if we stick JUST to Hall of Famers, the Packers have Hall of Famers at 15 positions: Coach: Vince Lombardi QB: Bart Starr (Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers may be better) RB: Paul Hornung RB: Jim Taylor WR: Don Hutson Center: Jim Ringo Guard: Forrest Gregg DT: Henry Jordan DT: Cal Hubbard DE: Reggie White DE: Willie Davis ILB: Ray Nitschke OLB: Dave Robinson Free Safety: Willie Wood Strong safety: Emlen Tunnell Cornerback: Herb Adderley ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/9 "2014-10-16T19:55:23Z")
As you might imagine, the Steelers ain’t too shabby either. They have Hall of Famerrs at 13 positions. And a Coach: Chuck Noll QB: Terry Bradshaw RB: Franco Harris WR: John Stallworth WR: Lynn Swann C: Either Dermontti Dawson or Mike Webster DT: Ernie Stautner DT: Joe Greene ILB: Jack Lambert OLB: Jack Ham Safety: Rod Woodson CB: Mel Blount CB: Jack Butler Seems like a safe bet Jerome Bettis will be in soon, too. ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/10 "2014-10-16T19:56:58Z")
I’ll give it a shot for Da Bears Offense: C – Jay Hilgenberg G – Stan Jones G – Tom Thayer (when in doubt, pick someone from the ‘85 team) OT – Joe Stydahar OT – Jimbo Covert WR – Brandon Marshall WR – Alshon Jeffrey TE – Mike Ditka RB – Walter Payton QB – Jim McMahon (this was a tough call. Sid Luckman is the consensus best Bears’ QB, but in the modern game, I doubt he could compete with Cutler or the punky QB. Jim McMahon’s main problems were staying healthy – his performance was quite good as long as he was on the field, so I say give him a shot) I guess for the final OFF position, we’ll go with Marcus Robinson as a 3rd WR Defense: DE – Richard Dent DE – Julius Peppers DT – Tommy Harris (his peak was ever so brief but he was a monster) DT – Dan Hampton LB – Dick Butkus LB – Mike Singletary LB – Brian Urlacher CB – Charles Tillman CB – Donnell Woolford (but keep an eye on Jennings and Fuller, those guys are good) SS – Mike Brown FS – Gary Fencik Special Teams: K – Kevin Butler KR/PR – Devin Hester ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/11 "2014-10-16T20:02:48Z")
For my Giants: QB: Y.A. Tittle RB: Frank Gifford RB: Tuffy Leemans C: Mel Hein DE: Michael Strahan DE: Andy Robustelli OLB: Lawrence Taylor ILB: Harry Carson ILB: Sam Huff FS: Emlen Tunnell I can probably add Tiki Barber down the road ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/12 "2014-10-16T20:06:51Z")
For the Raiders: RB: Marcus Allen WR: Fred Biletnikoff TE: Dave Casper G: Gene Upshaw OT: Art Shell C: Jim Otto DE: Howie Long LB: Ted Hendricks CB: Willie Brown CB: Mike Haynes ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/13 "2014-10-16T20:10:35Z")
Colts: Coach: Don Shula QB: Johnny Unitas RB: Eric Dickerson RB: Lenny Moore WR: Raymond Berry TE: John Mackey DE: Gino Marchetti DT: Art Donovan LB: Ted Hendricks ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/14 "2014-10-16T20:15:31Z")
The Washington, er, R-words QB: Sammy Baugh or Sonny Jurgensen RB: John Riggins RB: Cliff Battles WR: Charlie Taylor WR: Art Monk Guard: Russ Grimm LB: Chris Hanburger Strong Safety: Ken Houston CB: Darrell Green ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/15 "2014-10-16T20:39:10Z")
So let’s do something with this. Let’s put our heads together and put together each team. Then we can have the teams play it out and see who the champ is. This’ll probably be a lot of work on my part…so if I can formally organize it, would anyone want to play? Could be a fun debate ---
**Author:** ![zoog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ea924/32.png) [@zoog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoog)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/16 "2014-10-16T20:41:40Z")
> [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > I’ll give it a shot for Da Bears > > Offense: > C – Jay Hilgenberg > G – Stan Jones > G – Tom Thayer (when in doubt, pick someone from the ‘85 team) > OT – Joe Stydahar > OT – Jimbo Covert > WR – Brandon Marshall > WR – Alshon Jeffrey > TE – Mike Ditka > RB – Walter Payton > QB – Jim McMahon (this was a tough call. Sid Luckman is the consensus best Bears’ QB, but in the modern game, I doubt he could compete with Cutler or the punky QB. Jim McMahon’s main problems were staying healthy – his performance was quite good as long as he was on the field, so I say give him a shot) > I guess for the final OFF position, we’ll go with Marcus Robinson as a 3rd WR > > Defense: > DE – Richard Dent > DE – Julius Peppers > DT – Tommy Harris (his peak was ever so brief but he was a monster) > DT – Dan Hampton > LB – Dick Butkus > LB – Mike Singletary > LB – Brian Urlacher > CB – Charles Tillman > CB – Donnell Woolford (but keep an eye on Jennings and Fuller, those guys are good) > SS – Mike Brown > FS – Gary Fencik > > Special Teams: > K – Kevin Butler > KR/PR – Devin Hester Nice team. One change I’d make for sure is on that 11th offensive player. I’d figure out a way to scheme with two RB’s and add Gale Sayers. I’d probably go with Luckman at QB, but really, with a backfield featuring Payton and Sayers who cares who the QB is? ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/17 "2014-10-16T20:56:13Z")
Cleveland Browns: QB: Otto Graham RB: Jim Brown RB: Marion Motley WR: Paul Warfield WR: Dante Lavelli TE: Ozzie Newsome C: Frank Gatski OT: Mike McCormack DE: Len Ford DT: Bill Willis ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/18 "2014-10-16T21:01:31Z")
Minnesota Vikings QB: Fran Tarkenton WR: Cris Carter OT Ron Yary G: Randall McDaniel DT: Alan Page DT: John Randle DE: Carl Eller DE: Chris Doleman FS: Paul Krause ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/19 "2014-10-16T21:04:19Z")
San Diego Chargers QB: Dan Fouts WR: Lance Alworth WR: Charlie Joiner TE: Kellen Winslow OT: Ron Mix DE: Fred Dean ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498/20 "2014-10-16T21:55:12Z")
The Baltimore Ravens don’t have a lot of history to work with, but they’re better than I expected them to be. QB: Steve McNair RB: Jamal Lewis, with Priest Holmes as a change of pace back WR: Steve Smith, Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason TE: Shannon Sharpe, Todd Heap OT: Jonathon Ogden, Orlando Brown G: Marshall Yanda, Edwin Mulitalo C: Matt Birk DT: Kelly Gregg, Haloti Ngata DE: Rob Burnett, Michael McCrary MLB: Ray Lewis OLB: Terrell Suggs, Peter Boulware CB: Deion Sanders, Chris McAllister S: Ed Reed, Rod Woodson PR: Jermaine Lewis KR: Jacoby Jones K: Matt Stover P: Kyle Richardson There are a lot of players who had their best years with other teams (McNair, Sharpe, all three wideouts), and a few who made the team by default (e.g. Heap, Mulitalo). The right side of the o-line (Brown and Mulitalo) is pretty shaky, but the defense is awfully strong. Not a bad lineup for a team that’s been around less than 20 years. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-best-aggregate-football-team-ever/701498.md?page=2)