CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 10: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game December 10, 1989 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Sanders played for the Lions from 1989-98.(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 10: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game December 10, 1989 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Sanders played for the Lions from 1989-98.(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
This is the greatest offense ever assembled, by position:
Quarterback: Tom Brady
New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady (12) as he completes a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game, 01/19/2002. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images)
The G.O.A.T. with seven Super Bowl rings
Quarterback 2: Joe Montana
PONTIAC, MI – JANUARY 24: Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI on January 24, 1982 at the Silver Dome in Pontiac, Michigan. The Niners won the Super Bowl 26 -21. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
His clutch performances when it mattered most is what you want on your team.
Running Back: Barry Sanders
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eangles during an NFL football game September 15, 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sanders played for the Lions from 1989-98.(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Had he not retired early, he might have broken many records.
Fullback: Mike Alstott
Nov 1, 1998; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Mike Alstott (40) carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings at Raymond James Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
He was as good as it gets at the position and finally won a super bowl in the early 2000’s.
Wide Receiver: Jerry Rice
MIAMI, FL- JANUARY 22: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 20-16. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Never had the greatest speed but also never saw him get caught from behind
Wide Receiver: Randy Moss
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 6: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings races upfield against the New Orleans Saints in the 2000 NFC Divisional Playoff Game at the Metrodome on January 6, 2001 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Saints 34-16. (Photo by Joseph Patronite/Getty Images)
Had the perfect combination of size and speed
Wide Receiver: Calvin Johnson
FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 23 : Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions warms up during pregame warm ups prior to playing the New England Patriots in an NFL football game on November 23, 2014 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Johnson played for the Lions from 2007-2015. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
He was impossible to cover and had he played longer, he could have been the best ever.
Tight End: Tony Gonzalez
Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Former player Tony Gonzalez on field prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Fluid as a receiver and extremely solid as a blocker
Left Offensive Tackle: Jonathan Ogden
Nov 3, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pro Football Hall of Fame member Jonathan Ogden stands field side during the second quarter of the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Was a nightmare matchup for any pass rusher
Left Offensive Guard: Larry Allen
Aug 4, 2013; Canton, OH, USA; Larry Allen (left) is greeted by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) before the 2013 Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Opened the biggest running lanes for Emmitt Smith
Center: Jim Otto
Unknown date & location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders center Jim Otto (00) on the sidelines. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Smart, crafty and solid as a rock
Right Offensive Guard: Joe DeLamielleure
Dec 16, 1973; Flushing, NY, USA, FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills running back (32) O.J. Simpson leaves the field with (68) Joe DeLamielleure after he breaks the single season NFL rushing with 2003 yards against the New York Jets at Shea Stadium. The Bills defeated the Jets 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Opened tons of running lanes for O.J. Simpson in Buffalo
Right Offensive Tackle: Ron Yary
Nov 17, 1974; Bloomington, MN, USA: FILE PHOTO; Minnesota Vikings tackle Ron Yary (73) in action against the Green Bay Packers at Metropolitan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports