Canadian Bills Fan Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 IMO, tackling is an important aspect of football. Yes but that wasnt a tracked statistic until 2001 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murra Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 As for tennis requiring more athleticism than basketabll, that is impossible to say. They are two vastly different sports. Any time you have a team sport, you are going to have role players who can only do certain things. Obviously, an athlete can't be a role player in an individual sport. This doesn't mean one sport is more athletically superior. It's just an opinion question so their is really no right or wrong. Lebron is just the first name that came to thought for me. I'll agree with that point. The two, because of their sports are difficult to compare. The individualism of tennis of course does bring up an entirely separate category of athleticism that Lebron does not have to deal with and that's the mental aspect. Sure there is pressure in the NBA, especially when you're a franchise player. But to win 7 matches in order to take a title, and to have time to think in between each point is intense. It usually can make or break athletes. Andy Roddick as probably more physical tools than Federer, but you can't compare them athletically because Roddick can't just get into a rhythm the way Fed can. As for Federer slipping. Yes, he was the world number one for 4 years running, but he lost to Nadal at Wimbledon and then all those French Opens, that's it. Really though, He's much more complete than Nadal and having won the French (albeit avoiding , though he took him on clay in Madrid two weeks before the French) he has proven he's on top. He seems the most poised for a victory at Wimbledon, which I assure you will be the BEST tournament in sports this year. So many stories, it's really exciting. All this typing makes me feel biased as hell though, considering I watch almost as much tennis as I do hockey or football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzelaars_lives Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Rob Van Dam has to be considered. When he was in his absolute prime in ECW, nobody could touch his TV title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Angel Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Dint you guys see Trent Edwards at Batting Practice in Toronto? He is a shoe in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HereComesTheReignAgain Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 I heard Aaron Schobel proclaim he is one of the greatest whiffle ball players ever in addition to his football skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 IMO, tackling is an important aspect of football. Not arguing that. But Sanders was more than adeqaute in that regard anway. He didn't have any problem turning plays into the pursuit. I can't recall any runner turning the corner on him though. And I don't recall him getting run over that often, if at all. If I'm the coach of someone as athletically gifted and intelligent as Sanders was as a CB, and who is also a valuable weapon on STs, I don't want him coming up and knocking the snot out of people anyway. Turn the run back into the pursuit and he's done his job. Simple fact is that NOBODY before or since has done what Sanders did in terms of coverage. He single handedly took away a third of the field. I don't have to explain how much of a luxury that is for the other 10 guys out there. Ever wonder why he had so many INT returns for TDs? He baited more QBs into making throws to what they thought were open receivers than any CB of his era. That's why he will be a first ballot HOFer. Do I even NEED to mention his artistry as a punt/kick returner? I have a simple question for you: who do you want on your team more, Sanders or the greatest tackling CB in history? GO BILLS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willis990 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 He isn't even the best player in the NBA... Also, if we're bringing in other sports, James doesn't hold a candle to Roger Federer. Now that guy is a freak. Consistency, precision, endurance, and strength. If you put those two players in a sport neither plays, such as soccer or anything where being born incredibly tall doesn't give you a distinct edge, Roger will beat LeBron in every category. He clearly is the best all around player in the NBA and I find him annoying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 He clearly is the best all around player in the NBA and I find him annoying. That is correct. James is in rare and elite company in terms of statistical history as well. Only the Big O and Jordan share the same all around measures. He's also extremely intelligent on the floor. On another note, I remember an NFL scout years ago saying that all the great tightends were playing power forward in the NBA. I agree. GO BILLS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Yes but that wasnt a tracked statistic until 2001 I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic but regardless whether tackles are tracked as a stat or not, tackling has been and always will be a basic fundamental aspect of football. If you play defense, you have to know how to tackle. End of discussion. GO BILLS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PushthePile Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Not arguing that. But Sanders was more than adeqaute in that regard anway. He didn't have any problem turning plays into the pursuit. I can't recall any runner turning the corner on him though. And I don't recall him getting run over that often, if at all. If I'm the coach of someone as athletically gifted and intelligent as Sanders was as a CB, and who is also a valuable weapon on STs, I don't want him coming up and knocking the snot out of people anyway. Turn the run back into the pursuit and he's done his job. Simple fact is that NOBODY before or since has done what Sanders did in terms of coverage. He single handedly took away a third of the field. I don't have to explain how much of a luxury that is for the other 10 guys out there. Ever wonder why he had so many INT returns for TDs? He baited more QBs into making throws to what they thought were open receivers than any CB of his era. That's why he will be a first ballot HOFer. Do I even NEED to mention his artistry as a punt/kick returner? I have a simple question for you: who do you want on your team more, Sanders or the greatest tackling CB in history? GO BILLS!!! I would never try to downplay Sanders ability to help a team. He is one of the all-time great cover corners. Personally, I think he is a bit overhyped and mythical, but that doesn't mean he wasn't great. I'd take him on my team that's for sure. However, I do think he was a liability in regards to the run. It was well documented that Sanders loathed physical contact. His defensive partners knew this and had to compensate to his side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoner7 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Steve Nash could have went pro in 3 sports, Bball, Soccer, Tennis. He had an offer to play for Man. U. I believe, but choose the court. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 I would never try to downplay Sanders ability to help a team. He is one of the all-time great cover corners. Personally, I think he is a bit overhyped and mythical, but that doesn't mean he wasn't great. I'd take him on my team that's for sure. However, I do think he was a liability in regards to the run. It was well documented that Sanders loathed physical contact. His defensive partners knew this and had to compensate to his side. Please provide evidence from a former teammate or coach and not some reporter spewing an opinion and I'll take it under advisement. GO BILLS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Rick Dudley!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PushthePile Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Please provide evidence from a former teammate or coach and not some reporter spewing an opinion and I'll take it under advisement. GO BILLS!!! I must admit I can't provide a linky. I just finished reading the book "Boys Will Be Boys" by Jeff Pearlman. His distain for physical play was touched on a few times. The book is comprised of stories and accounts from players and coachs during the Cowboys last dynasty. I don't recall the specific players who were quoted or interviewed on the subject but it was no secret amongst the team. Take it for what it's worth, I apologize for not having more. Even during Sanders playing days, it was no secret he was sheepish against the run. It was something the opposition tried to exploit. I guess the only real proof is in the game film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Bo Jackson was a superstar in both baseball and football. Deion had a journeyman type baseball career and was essentially a KR/ cover specialist. Bo played the most grueling position in football and had some of the most amazing talent ever to step on a baseball field. If he probably devouted his time to one or the other, he could have had a HOF type career. Deion did have a few good years early on in baseball. I can remember him taking a helicopter from the football game he played in for the Falcons, to Fulton County Stadium to join the Braves for a playoff game. If memory serves me right he homered in the game that night. He was a decent leadoff man his first couple years. He was an incredible cover corner for the begining of his career as well. I think alot of people forget what he did those first 3-5 years out of FSU. Due to the fact that he continued to play football for so long.Bo was good dont get me wrong. But my money is on Deion. Part of being a great athlete is longevity. IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 IMO, tackling is an important aspect of football. For a CB, it certainly is, and Deon sucked at it. But that really doesn't address his athleticism. As much as I don't like Sanders, I'm sure he was athletic enough to tackle, he just avoided all contact when possible. While his coverage was as bold as it comes, he was a huge kitty when it came to contact. But he was very athletic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOBILLS78 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Deion did have a few good years early on in baseball. I can remember him taking a helicopter from the football game he played in for the Falcons, to Fulton County Stadium to join the Braves for a playoff game. If memory serves me right he homered in the game that night. He was a decent leadoff man his first couple years. He was an incredible cover corner for the begining of his career as well. I think alot of people remember what he did those first 3-5 years out of FSU. Due to the fact that he continued to play football for so long.Bo was good dont get me wrong. But my money is on Deion. Part of being a great athlete is longevity. IMO And Tim McCarver called him "selfish" for whatever reason. Sanders got him back with a post-series Champagne shower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Just doing a little research on Primetime and found the following: From SI columnist Jeff Pearlman. here's a bit from the article: For all his Jim Thorpe-esque skills, Sanders was sleeping-dog lazy. In practices, he went all-out every third or fourth play and refused to wear shoulder pads because, he would say, “I’m not gonna tackle anyone anyway.” In meeting rooms, he was known to doodle and doze off. Told early on that Cowboys who refused to participate in the team’s weight training regiment would be fined, Sanders dramatically whipped out his checkbook and jotted down a five-digit figure. I just found it interesting and don't intend to bash the guy, because he was a great athlete. I was a the Bills game when he took a kick-off back and started to high step into the end zone from about the 15 yard line, he was definitely a cocky SOB. Luckily the Bills were up something like 28-0 at the time, still was a cool thing to see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PushthePile Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 For a CB, it certainly is, and Deon sucked at it. But that really doesn't address his athleticism. As much as I don't like Sanders, I'm sure he was athletic enough to tackle, he just avoided all contact when possible. While his coverage was as bold as it comes, he was a huge kitty when it came to contact. But he was very athletic. It all depends on your definition of athletic. I think physicality and strength should be a factor in judging athletes. Lawrence Taylor just came to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOBILLS78 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Just doing a little research on Primetime and found the following: From SI columnist Jeff Pearlman. here's a bit from the article: I just found it interesting and don't intend to bash the guy, because he was a great athlete. I was a the Bills game when he took a kick-off back and started to high step into the end zone from about the 15 yard line, he was definitely a cocky SOB. Luckily the Bills were up something like 28-0 at the time, still was a cool thing to see... And speaking of Jeff Pearlman, he may be a good writer, but he sure doesn't have game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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