The NFL Network had a special on the top 10 teams of all time that have produced the best NFL players over the history of the league. THIS IS NOT MY OPINION. I just thought it was pretty cool. Not sure how many people watched it.
10. Tennessee- Guys like Peyton Manning, Albert Haynesworth, John Henderson, Jamal Lewis, Jason Witten are current players having great success, and then guys from the past like Reggie White, Willie Gault, Carl Pickens, and so on also help put the Vols on the list. In total there have been 37 Pro Bowlers and 2 Hall of Famers.
9. The Mac- I thought this was odd because they list an entire conference instead of a team, which changed the rules a little, but again this was their gig not mine! Current studs include Jason Taylor, Randy Moss, Chester Taylor, Antonio Gates, Ben Roethlisberger, and former players like Jack Lambert put them on the list.
8. Syracuse- This one threw me a little but you have to realize it's ALL TIME. So while there aren't as many current great players to join the likes of Donovan McNabb & Keith Bullock, there are definitely some great names from the past like Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Larry Csonka, Ernie Davis, John Mackey, & Art Monk who will be their 6th Hall of Famer, which is more than Texas, Florida State, and Oklahoma COMBINED.
7. Penn State- "Linebacker U" with LB's past and present like Greg Buttle, Shane Conlon, Jack Hamm, Lavar Arrington, Paul Posluszny, and so on. Past greats like Franco Harris & Mike Munchak, and current studs like Larry Johnson, Tamba Hali, and Levi Brown. Made the list due to 5 Hall of Famers & 34 Pro Bowlers.
6. Alabama- This is DEFINITELY more about the past with guys like Joe Namath, Ozzie Newsome, Bart Starr, Derrick Thomas, Ken Stabler, Dwight Stevenson, & John Hannah. 6 Hall of Famers total. Bama produced more QB's who have won the Super Bowl than any other college in history. Currently the player with the most success being Shawn Alexander.
5. Michigan- Current studs like Tom Brady, Braylon Edwards, Steve Hutchinson, Charles Woodson, Ty Law, and former players like Desmond Howard, Dan Dierdorf, & Benny Friedman. 7 Hall of Famers and 36 Pro Bowlers put them on the list at #5.
4. Ohio State- Current players like Mike Vrabel, Orlando Pace, Will Smith, Nate Clements, Joey Galloway, AJ Hawk, etc, and some legends of the past like Cris Carter, Eddie George, Chris Speilman, & Bill Willis put them in the #4 spot. In total they have produced 53 Pro Bowlers (17 more than Michigan BTW), and 6 Hall of Famers.
3. Notre Dame- Obviously guys like "The Joe's" (Montana & Theisman), Tim Brown, Jerome Bettis, jump out at you. They also have more Pro Bowlers than any other program, and 10 Hall of Famers. While they haven't produced anywhere near the talent they did in the past, it's impossible not to have them up here with what they have done in total.
2. Miami (FL) - I think the 2001-2004 seasons that produced 19 first rounders in a four year time span is pretty amazing. Current players like Reggie Wayne, Vince Wilfork, Kellen Winslow Jr, Jeremy Shockey, Ed Reed, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, Frank Gore, Devin Hester, Ray Lewis, and Edge James. Then of course you look at the past with Michael Irvin, Jim Otto, Ottis Anderson, Ted Hendricks, Warren Sapp, Bernie Kosar, Jim Kelly, Vinnie Testaverde. Very deserving of the #2 ranking.
1. USC- IMO the really big names are from the past with guys like Bruce Matthews, Marcus Allen, Frank Gifford, OJ Simpson, Ronnie Lott, Anthony Munoz, Junior Seau, etc, but also have studs in the present with Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu, Lofa Tatupu, and others. They have the most players in Hall of Fame with 11, and 59 Pro Bowlers.
Blame the NFL Network if you don't like the list, but I'd be interested to hear if anyone can make a really good argument for their team (who obviously didn't make the list above). A combination of good current players, and past Hall of Famers will help your argument. Any thoughts?
