As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game
being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from
different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy that
notion.
Considering that the Detroit Lions were founded in 1930, the task becomes
quite challenging. Today, I have taken on the daunting task of compiling an
All-Time Lions team. The Lions are one of the most cursed franchises in the
NFL. The Golden Age of the Lions franchise came from 1952-1957, winning
three NFL championships in that span. Since 1957, however, the Lions have
just one playoff victory.
There are some rigid criteria in making this team. The player needed to have
played at least four seasons as a Lion. Since the free agency era began 30 years
ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this
list. Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is
football, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first
consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-Pro
seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping immensely. While
I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this
discussion.
Generational reminders
All eras matter. Being on the Lions from the Golden Age does not get you a
hall pass on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers
get considered.
To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep format,
which means some worthy players get left off the list. So, if you want to
make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be
there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to
put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that
position?”
OFFENSE
QB -- First team: Bobby Layne. Honorable mention: Matthew Stafford.
Layne quarterbacked the Lions during the Golden Age. He spent nine years
of his Hall of Fame career with the Lions and led them to three NFL
championships. In his career, Layne was a six-time Pro Bowler, seven-time
All Pro (three as a first-teamer), led the league in passing yards twice and
touchdowns once. Layne was one of the last players to play without a
facemask and introduced the two-minute drill. In a sense, Stafford’s
contributions feel empty because of the Lions sporadic team success but it’s
hard to argue with his performance. Stafford, who recently completed his
11th season, is the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach the 40,000
yard mark in passing yardage. Stafford was NFL Comeback Player of the
Year in 2011 and a Pro Bowler in 2014. He holds every franchise record
imaginable.
RB -- First team: Barry Sanders, Billy Sims. Honorable mention: Doak
Walker, Mel Farr.
If Sanders had not retired when early, he might be the NFL’s all-time career
rushing yardage leader. Be that as it may, Sanders turned many runs into
jailbreaks and put defenders on highlight films that made them look
unflattering. Sanders holds numerous records and is one of seven players to
surpass the 2,000 yard rushing mark in a season. Sanders is a Hall of Famer,
10 time Pro Bowler and All Pro (six as a first-teamer), NFL MVP in 1997,
and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1989. Because of a catastrophic
knee injury, Sims’ legacy is “what might have been.” Nonetheless, when
healthy, he made a serious impact. In three of his five seasons, Sims’
surpassed the 1,000 yard rushing mark. Keep in mind, his fifth season ended
before November and the other was a strike-shortened season. Sims was a
three-time Pro Bowler and first-team All Pro in 1980. He was Offensive
Rookie of the Year in 1980. Walker played from 1950-1955, which was
part of the Lions’ Golden age. Walker helped lead the Lions to back-to-back
NFL championships in 1952-1953. Walker made the Pro Bowl in five of
his six seasons and was first-team All Pro twice. By default, Farr rounds out
the list. Two Pro Bowl berths in seven seasons is a pretty solid
achievement regardless of era. Farr was NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
in 1967 and second-team All Pro in 1970.
FB -- First team: Nick Pietrosante. Honorable mention: Cory Schlesinger.
Pietrosante and Schlesinger represent two different eras of fullback
evolution. Pietrosante burst onto the scene and was the NFL Rookie of the
Year in 1959 and remains the No. 5 all-time leading rusher in franchise
history. Pietrosante was a two-time Pro Bowler. Schlesinger was a punishing
lead-blocker, became an accomplished receiver (197 career receptions) and
occasional running threat. He was also a three-time Pro Bowler.
WR -- First team: Calvin Johnson, Herman Moore. Honorable mention:
Gail Cogdill, Johnnie Morton.
Johnson was not known by his real name, he was known as “Megatron.”
He was a physical specimen (6-5, 240) and that is being charitable. Despite
retiring after nine seasons while still at his peak, Johnson holds a bevy of
franchise and NFL receiving records with several catches coming in highlight
film fashion. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All pro as a first-
teamer. Johnson is definitely Hall of Fame bound at some point. Moore held
most of the Lions receiving records until Johnson became a Lion. Moore
and Johnnie Morton formed one of the best receiving tandems of their
generation. In 11 seasons, Moore was a four-time Pro Bowl and first-team
All Pro on three occassions. Speaking of Morton, he is No. 3 in various
categories behind Johnson and Moore. Morton and Moore were the ultimate
“pick your poison” receiving tandem for opposing secondaries. Though
Morton never earned any Pro Bowl recognition, he was plenty deserving.
Cogdill spent eight of his 11 seasons as a Lion. He burst onto the scene in
1960 and was NFL Rookie of the Year. That season was no aberration.
Cogdill was a Pro Bowler three times and second-team All Pro on three
other occasions.
TE -- First team: Charlie Sanders. Honorable mention: Jim Gibbons.
Gibbons and Sanders remain the best tight ends in franchise history. Though
pass-catching tight ends were not mainstream when Sanders played from
1968-1977, he remains No. 1 in career receptions and yardage by a tight end
in franchise history. Sanders was one of the best tight ends of his generation.
He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and first-team All Pro three times.
Gibbons played from 1958-1968 and still ranks No. 2, behind Sanders, on
the franchise’s all-time receptions list. Gibbons was selected to the Pro Bowl
three times.
OT -- First team: Lou Creekmur, Lomas Brown. Honorable mention:
George Christensen, Jeff Backus.
Creekmur played a decade during the Lions Golden Age from 1959-1960
making an outstanding transition from guard to tackle. Creekmur played on
three NFL champions, was a eight-time Pro Bowler and seven-time first-team
All Pro. That feat is impressive in any era. Brown played 11 of his 18 seasons
as a Lion and was a seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All NFC and
six-time All Pro (three as a first-teamer). Brown was a vital cog that blocked
for Barry Sanders. Christensen played at 230 pounds, which was considered
big when he played from 1931-1938. Christensen was a four-time first-team
All NFL performer. Backus never earned any Pro Bowl recognition but earned
huge points for longevity as he played 12 seasons with the Lions, starting
186 consecutive games.
OG -- First team: Dick Stanfel, John Gordy. Honorable mention: Harley
Sewell, Bill Radovich.
Stanfel played four of his seven years with the Lions, two of which culminated
with an NFL Championship. In his career, Stanfel was a five-time Pro Bowler
and five-time first-team All Pro. Gordy played a vital role in the Lions
blocking schemes on the 1957 NFL Championship team. He was a three-time
Pro Bowl performer. Sewell played ten seasons wit the Lions from 1953-
1962. Sewell’s quick feet allowed him to move even big defenders and warn
four Pro Bowl appearances. Radovich played five years and two stints for the
Lions (1938-1941 along with 1945). In between those times, He was serving
the United States in World War II. He was also a two-time All Pro in the
process.
C -- First team: Alex Wojciechowicz. Honorable mention: Kevin Glover.
Wojciechowicz? That name could measure first downs. Wojciechowicz spent
nine of his 14 seasons as a Lion and was a classic throwback, two-way player
that also played linebacker. He is also a Hall of Famers and two-time All Pro
as a first-teamer. Glover played 12 seasons and anchored a line that blocked
for Barry Sanders. Glover was a three-time Pro Bowler and four-time All Pro.
DEFENSE
DE -- First team: Al “Bubba” Baker, Robert Porcher. Honorable mention:
Darris McCord, William Gay.
Baker played 13 years with five teams with his first five being in Detroit. In
that span, Baker was a Pro Bowler three times. He was All Pro in 1978. In
that season, he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Porcher played
all 13 of his seasons with the Lions. Porcher gets points for longevity and
being a three-time Pro Bowler and All Pro. He also became the first Lion in
franchise history to record double-digit sack totals in four consecutive
seasons. McCord played 13 seasons with the Lions, including the 1957
NFL championship team. McCord was versatile in alternating between
defensive tackle and end. He was durable as well, missing just two games.
Gay had an 11-year NFL career, 10 with the Lions. He never earned any Pro
Bowl recognition but longevity gets him ample points.
DT -- First team: Alex Karras, Roger Brown. Honorable mention:
Ndamukong Suh, Doug English.
Some generations most prominently know Karras as a star in the 1980s
sitcom Webster. Karras, however, was a stud defensive tackle for 13 years.
Karras is a Hall of Famer, six-time Pro Bowler and nine-time All Pro (three
as a first-teamer). Brown played seven of his ten seasons with the Lions.
Brown was a six-time Pro Bowler and once sacked Green Bay Packers
legend Bart Starr seven times in one game. Suh was the No. 2 overall pick
in the 2010 draft. He has become well-travelled, playing for four teams in
that span. In five years as a Lion, however, Suh was a Pro Bowler five times
and All Pro on four occasions. English’s career ended after four seasons
because of a neck injury but all four of those seasons were Pro Bowl
campaigns. He was All Pro in 1982.
OLB -- First team: Wayne Walker, Mike Cofer. Honorable mention:
Paul Naumoff, DeAndre Levy.
Walker played 15 seasons with the Lions doubling as an outside linebacker
and placekicker. In the former role, Walker intercepted 14 passes and
recovered 15 fumbles. In the latter role, he mainly handled extra point duties
and scored 345 career points. Walker was a three-time Pro Bowler and three-
time All Pro. Cofer made just one Pro Bowl in 11 seasons but was versatile
enough to play defensive end in a 4-3 and outside linebacker in a 3-4. He
recorded 62.5 sacks and ten fumble recoveries in his career. Naumoff once
played 142 consecutive games. Nauhoff’s best season came in 1970, when
he reached the Pro Bowl. In eight seasons, Levy intercepted 12 passes and
was second-team All Pro in 2014. He also recovered three fumbles and
scored two defensive touchdowns.
ILB -- First team: Chris Speilman, Joe Schmidt. Honorable mention: Mike
Lucci, Stephen Boyd.
Speilman was a defensive stalwart for eight seasons with the Lions, during
which time the team made the playoffs four times and won the NFC Central
twice. Speilman made the Pro Bowl four times and was All Pro twice.
Schmidt enjoyed an excellent 13 year career, two of which were NFL
championship seasons. Schmidt is a Hall of Famer, ten-time Pro Bowler and
ten-time All Pro (eight as a first-team choice). Lucci was best known for his
ability to play through injuries. He made the Pro Bowl once in nine seasons
and was excellent in coverage as he intercepted 21 career passes, four
for touchdowns. After Spielman left as a free agent, Boyd became an integral
cog in the Lions defense. In seven years, he made the Pro Bowl twice and All
Pro once.
CB -- First team: Lem Barney, Dick “Night Train” Lane. Honorable
mention: Dick LeBeau, Jim David.
Regardless of era, Lane is one of the best defensive backs in NFL history.
Lane played 14 seasons with three different teams, including his last six
with the Lions. In his Detroit era, Lane was a Pro Bowler three times and All
Pro on four occasions. Lane is a Hall of Famer, one of the most ferocious
tacklers and fourth in NFL history with 68 career interceptions. Barney was
a career Lion for 11 seasons and was a Pro Bowler on seven occasions. He
was an All Pro twice, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1967 and led the
NFL in interceptions that season. He is second in franchise history with
56 interceptions. Before LeBeau became known as a defensive mastermind,
he was a Hall of Fame defensive back. LeBeau is the franchise’s all-time
leader with 62 interceptions, three-time Pro Bowler and three-time second-
team All Pro. David was known by opponents as “The Hatchett.” David
was a Pro Bowler in six of his eight seasons as a Lion. He also played on
three NFL champions.
S -- First team: Jack Christiansen, Yale Lary. Honorable mention: Benny
Blades, Glover Quin.
Lary and Christiansen played during the Golden Age of Lions football. He
played eight seasons, three of which were NFL championship seasons. He is
a Hall of Famer, five-time Pro Bowler and sox-time All Pro. He led the NFL
in interceptions twice and his 46 career thefts are fourth in franchise history.
Lary played 11 seasons, three on NFL championship teams. In that span,
he intercepted 52 passes, good for third in franchise history. Lary was a nine-
time Pro Bowler and five-time All Pro. In Blades nine seasons with the Lions,
he was considered one of the most physical safeties in the NFL. Blades was
an All Pro as a rookie in 1998 and Pro Bowler in 1991. Quin played six
seasons with the Lions with his best season coming in 2014, when he was a
Pro Bowler and second-team All Pro. Quin recorded 19 of his 24 career
interceptions as a Lion.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- First team: Jason Hanson. Honorable mention: Eddie Murray.
No player in NFL history played more games with one team than Hanson
(327) breaking the previous record of 296 by Bruce Matthews (Houston/
Tennessee). Hanson is Hall of Fame material as he owns seven NFL records
and became the first player in NFL history to score over 2,000 points with
one team. Murray played 12 of his 21 seasons with the Lions. He was a two-
time Pro Bowl selection and first-team All Pro as a rookie in 1980. He is
second in franchise history behind Hanson in points scored.
P -- First team: Jim Arnold. Honorable mention: Sam Martin.
Arnold spent eight seasons with the Lions and was an All Pro twice.
Arnold averaged 42.7 yards per punt. Arnold led the league in punting
three times. Though he was never enshrined, Arnold has been nominated in
the past for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Martin, who is now a Denver
Bronco spent seven seasons as a Lion. He handled both kickoff and punting
duties. Martin averaged 46.0 yards per punt.
RETURN -- First team: Mel Gray. Honorable mention: Terry Fair.
Gray played six of his 12 NFL seasons for the Lions (1989-1994). As a Lion,
he was a Pro Bowler and All Pro four times. Kicking the ball to Gray was
risky business. He averaged 25.8 yards on kickoffs with five touchdowns
and 10.8 on punts with two touchdowns. Fair played his first four seasons
in the NFL. He averaged 24.9 yards on kickoff returns with two touchdowns.
HEAD COACH -- First team: George Wilson. Honorable mention:
Wayne Fontes.
Wilson was the Lions head coach from 1957-1964. In that span, the Lions
went 53-45-6 and throttled the Cleveland Browns 59-14 in the NFL
championship game. Before becoming the head coach, Wilson was the Lions
wide receivers/tight ends coach from 1949-1956. Wilson was the NFL Coach
of the Year in 1957. Fontes was the Lions head coach from 1988-1996. His
record of 67-71 but also under his watch led the Lions to their only playoff
win (1991) between the aforementioned 1957 championship team and today.
The Lions reached the NFC championship game, losing to a Washington
Redskins team that was one of the most underrated champions of the Super
Bowl era.
TEAM -- 1953. This Lions team went 10-2 in the regular season on the
way to winning the second of back-to-back NFL championships. The
offense featured the Hall of Fame talents of Layne and Walker. The defensive
unit was spearheaded by Christiansen and Lary. In the NFL championship,
the Lions rallied to beat the Browns 17-16 in the final minutes with
Layne completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jim Doran. The Lions did
that against a Browns defense that boasted the league’s top defense to score
against throughout the season.
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