I was watching one of NFL Network’s many, many Top 10 shows today — something about the [...]]]> I’ve resisted griping about this issue for a long time, since one of the first things they teach you in communications classes is to recognize biases and how they corrupt perceptions. But I’m going to go with it anyway.

I was watching one of NFL Network’s many, many Top 10 shows today — something about the Top 10 college football factories of all time — and it was like every player they showed was doing something against the Packers. I mean, Shaun Freaking Alexander, who went to Alabama and played for Seattle, only meeting up with the Packers a few times, got all of his highlights in the 2004 NFC Divisional Playoff Game. Really? He ran for 45 yards on 20 carries in that game. Three chip-shot touchdowns don’t do much for me.

Now, the Packers got their share of highlights, too (a few of Reggie from Tennessee, Starr and Hutson from Alabama, one shot of Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson each from Michigan, and one – or one more than there should have been- of A.J. Hawk from Ohio State). But if you’re going to show two Heisman winners from Michigan who had their best NFL moments with the Packers, is it too much to ask to get more than one shot? And one of Paul Hornung? One? The Packers should get some love in these things because they’ve had great players. That’s the point of them.

And this just scrapes the surface of the issue. Every time I see a highlight clip from the Vikings, it’s against the Packers -especially now that they’ve got ESPN’s favorite son. I might be totally wrong on this, but I see one team after the next getting feted by ESPN and the like with highlights of things they did against the Packers.

Is it because Green Bay has the smallest media market in pro sports, and theoretically the least to offer the New York media types? Maybe. But this is a national – nay, international – fanbase, and while Green Bay itself is tiny, the entire state of Wisconsin is watching every week. It’s one of the three or four marquee franchises in the league. Having seen enough New York media members look like they’re going to be sick every time they have to step outside the Big Apple, slighting Green Bay makes sense. Because why would anyone leave New York for the cold, snowy cow towns in Wisconsin? Oh, what’s that? Vince Lombardi would?

I have no data to prove any of this, and I apologize for the fanboy rant vibe of this post. The frequent visitors to OBOD know we don’t roll like that very often. But I’ve talked to enough Packers fans who are bugged by this trend that I wanted to throw it out there.

You know what we need? A Packers lobbying firm to count how many positive and negative images are shown of the Packers during a given week, kind of like they do with poltical ads during an election.

I’d love to hear from some others who have seen the anti-Packers bias on highlight shows. Unburden your soul. We’re here for you. Or tell me I’m completely wrong; that’s fine, too.

Just needed to get that off my chest. Good talk. Thanks.

–Gene Bosling

I’m going to make it up to you this week, though, as we will finish our all-time roster.

(I’m Chris Lempesis and I approve this message.)

Anyways, I know that cornerback was supposed to be the next position on [...]]]> So, I know I’ve been a little, um, delayed in getting these posts up. I’m sorry – I really am.

I’m going to make it up to you this week, though, as we will finish our all-time roster.

(I’m Chris Lempesis and I approve this message.)

Anyways, I know that cornerback was supposed to be the next position on our list. However, I’ve decided to switch things up and go with the safeties for part six. We like to keep you on your toes here at OBOD.

Any more that needs to be said? Nope – let’s tee this thing up.

Safeties

Starter: LeRoy Butler (1990-2001) – The great safeties of today do it all. They cover. They stop the run. They blitz and hit like a ton of freakin’ bricks. Of course, it wasn’t always that way.

‘Til a badass cat named LeRoy came on the scene.

In my mind, Butler was a chief pioneer of the mentality that safeties could be multi-faceted threats. Look at what he did during his career: fourth in team history in total tackles, unassisted tackles and interceptions. He’s 12th in sacks with 20.5 (imagine if he played today). He went to four Pro Bowls for his efforts, a number that would have been higher had he not been forced to retire at the age of 34 because of a shoulder injury.

He was the soul of those great defenses in the mid-to-late 1990s (Reggie White was the heart and, as a reader pointed out last summer, Wayne Simmons was indeed the fire. Can you believe the “heart” and “fire” are both no longer with us?). Plus, there’s that little “Lambeau Leap” thing that Butler invented back in 1993. That doesn’t hurt his case, either.

Starter: Willie Wood (1960-1971) – Before we get into the numbers, let’s talk about who Willie Wood was, as a player. He was tough. Really tough. Played in 166 straight games (only behind Brett Favre and Forrest Gregg on the team’s all-time list).

He could tackle. In fact, Vince Lombardi called him the surest tackler the Packers had, quite an honor if guys named Davis and Nitschke play on the same unit. And he didn’t even play safety at USC, but rather quarterback.

Okay, now let’s talk numbers: Second on the team’s all-time list in picks (48). Led the team in interceptions five times. Still holds the career mark for interceptions returned for touchdowns (seven). Named All-Pro six times. A 1989 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Need I say more?

Backup: Bobby Dillon (1952-1959) – For almost any other team, Dillon would be a surefire starter. The fact that he’s a backup on this team has less to do with his play than it does the franchise’s amazing history at the position.

After all, Dillon was a monster talent, even if he only could see out of one eye.

In seven seasons, guess how many times he led the team in interceptions? Yep, you guessed it – seven. His 52 career picks are still good enough to put him at the top of the team’s all-time list. He returned five of those picks for scores, putting him in a tie with a guy you’ll hear more about in a minute for second on the team’s all-time list. He was a five-time All-Pro, as well.

He’s not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and, to me, that’s always been sort of a mystery.

Backup: Darren Sharper (1997-2004) – Many people forget this now, but Sharper was originally drafted as a cornerback/safety out of William & Mary in 1997. He was quickly converted to free safety – he wasn’t really fast enough to play corner, I’ve always felt – and there, he made a huge mark.

In eight seasons, Sharper – known for his intelligence and great closing speed - picked off 36 passes, returning five of them for scores. He also had six sacks and six forced fumbles. He led the league with nine interceptions in 2000 and his career mark was good enough for fifth on the team’s all-time list.

His play earned him two Pro Bowl spots. He was released after 2004 in a salary cap move and has since gone on to success with both Minnesota and his current team, New Orleans. He’s been to a total of five Pro Bowls.

That’s all for our look at the safeties. Check back Wednesday as we (finally) list off the cornerbacks on our roster.

-Chris Lempesis

Now, it’s time to head to the second level and look at the linebackers.

I have to say that the linebacking corps was one of the toughest positions to narrow down. This team has had more than its share of great ‘backers throughout its history. [...]]]> Okay, so we’ve covered the guys up front for the all-time defense.

Now, it’s time to head to the second level and look at the linebackers.

I have to say that the linebacking corps was one of the toughest positions to narrow down. This team has had more than its share of great ‘backers throughout its history. That, of course, meant I had some tough decisions to make. In all honesty, that was the biggest reason this list was delayed by a day. I wanted to make sure I made the best choices possible.

Will you agree with all my decisions? I doubt it, but let’s find out, shall we?

Outside linebacker

Starter: Dave Robinson (1963-1972) – Playing alongside a guy you’ll be hearing more about a little later, Robinson was one-half of the greatest inside-outside linebacker tandem in team history.

Robinson, who also played tight end at Penn State, brought that athleticism – along with his 6-feet, 3-inch, 245 pound frame – to the position. He was a do-it-all type of OLB; he could cover (21 interceptions), stuff the run and get to the quarterback (they didn’t keep stats for sacks, obviously, but he was known for it, trust me).

He earned three Pro Bowl berths and a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1960s.

Starter: Mike Douglass (1978-1985) - If you’re a little unclear on Douglass’ skills, just know this – his nickname was “Mad Dog.” That should give you some indication of what type of player he was.

In short, Douglass was a lunatic, known for his non-stop motor and knack for making big plays, oftentimes by himself (he led the team in unassisted tackles three times). He still ranks third on the team’s all time tackles list and was named All-Pro three times during his career.

He now owns a “Health Concept Restaurant” in Alpine, California. Surprising for a guy nicknamed, “Mad Dog.” You wouldn’t think those two things go together, but apparently they do. 

Backup: Bill Forester (1953-1963) – That Forester made this list at this position is somewhat of a surprise, considering he began his green and gold career as interior lineman (guard/d-line).

He was moved to outside linebacker early in his career and quickly found a home there. Much like Robinson, Forester brought size (6-feet, 3-inches, 240 pounds) and a diversified set of skills to the table. He recovered 21 fumbles, picked off 15 passes and was selected to four Pro Bowls.

Backup: John Anderson (1978-1989) – The Packers clearly had an outstanding draft in 1978. That year, they took Douglass in the fifth round and James Lofton with one of their two first round picks. The other first round selection? You guessed it – Anderson.

Despite numerous injuries throughout his career, Anderson teamed with Douglass to give the Pack a nice OLB tandem during a largely forgettable time. Anderson was a solid, well-rounded player who became one of the team’s leaders.

He got it done on the stat sheet, as well. Anderson is still the team’s all-time leader in total (1,020) and unassisted (783) tackles.

Middle linebacker

Starter: Ray Nitschke (1958-1972) – Last summer, I listed Nitschke as the No. 7 greatest player in team history. At that time, I wrote this about him:

“Numbers and honors? Sure, Ray Nitschke had them.

He was named an All-Pro five times. He was named the Most Valuable Player in Green Bay’s 1962 NFL Championship Game win over the New York Giants. He was a member of both the 50th and 75th anniversary all-NFL teams. He picked off 25 passes. He recovered 20 fumbles, second best in team history. He was, in short, the best linebacker of his generation (cram it, Bears fans. Nitschke, not Butkus, was tops).

But if you were to look at all those lofty achievements – oh yeah, he was a 1978 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, too – and those alone, you would absolutely be missing the point on the demon from hell that was Raymond Ernest Nitschke.

Nitschke – whose picture should sit in the dictionary next to the words “mean” and “nasty” – supplied the grit and toughness to a Packers defense that held opponents to just over 15 points (regular season) and 12 points (postseason) a game during the Lombardi era.

His ferocious demeanor and appearance on the field terrified opponents and, perhaps, teammates alike.

His sheer physical toughness didn’t fade later in life, either. I had a chance to meet and have my photo taken with Nitschke in the winter of 1998 – just before his all-too-soon death at the age of 61 – and when he went to put his arm around my shoulder, it was readily apparant that tell this was a guy who could still kick some ass.”

I tried to think of something else to add to that, but I just couldn’t. And I don’t feel bad about that. Frankly, I kind of think that says it all.

Backup: Bernardo Harris (1995-2001) – On the great Packers’ defenses of the mid-to-late 90s, much of the attention went to players like Reggie White, LeRoy Butler and Gilbert Brown.

Those players were certainly deserving of such praise, but the rock in the middle of all that was Harris. He was a solid, steady presence for those teams. He was very good against the run and had underrated pass-rushing skills (when he was allowed to do so, anyways). He led the team in total tackles four times.

That’s all for our look at the linebackers. Check back Friday as we list off the cornerbacks for the all-time defense.

-Chris Lempesis

After a brief hiatus (does four days count as a hiatus?), we’re back to bring you the second part of OBOD’s all-time 53-man roster for the Green Bay Packers.

(Note: You might be wondering why we didn’t write anything about OTAs. Because they are incredibly boring and mean nothing, in the [...]]]> Hope you missed us, we’re baaaack!!

After a brief hiatus (does four days count as a hiatus?), we’re back to bring you the second part of OBOD’s all-time 53-man roster for the Green Bay Packers.

(Note: You might be wondering why we didn’t write anything about OTAs. Because they are incredibly boring and mean nothing, in the end – that’s why.)

Last week was all about the offense. This week, we’re moving over to the other side of the ball.

That’s right – defense, baby, defense!!

For part one of our look there, we’ll be talking about the front four on the defensive line. Even though Green Bay currently runs a 3-4 scheme, for the purposes of this series, I’m going to have them run a 4-3. It fits in better with the history of the team, you know?

Alright, is there anything else that needs to be said? Nope – let’s rock.

Defensive end

Starter: Willie Davis (1960-1969) – Playing in an era where defensive stats (sacks, tackles, etc.) went largely unkept, Davis – who played his first two seasons with the Cleveland Browns – still made a massive impact for the Lombardi Era Packers.

Davis was known for his ability to burst into the backfield against both the run and the pass. He was so good, Lombardi once used him as a way of describing a great player.

Said Lombardi: “You look for speed, agility and size. You may get two of these qualities in one man and when you have three, you have a great player. In Willie Davis, we have a great one. For a big man, 6-3 and 240 pounds, he has excellent agility and he has great sincerity and determination.”

There are, of course, a few pertinent numbers on Davis: five Pro Bowls, a franchise-record 21 fumble recoveries and a 1981 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Starter: Reggie White (1993-1998) – No one – and I mean no one – expected the Packers to land White during the free agency period of 1993. But Green Bay did just that, in a move that singlehandedly changed the course of the franchise from that day forward.

White, simply put, legitimized the entire operation in Titletown. The Packers were on the up before his arrival; once he got there, Green Bay officially re-entered the national sporting conscious. Yep, it was that important.

In six seasons with the Pack, White recorded 68 sacks and went to the Pro Bowl every year (part of his streak of 13-straight Pro Bowl appearances). Again, though, the numbers were really the least of what he did. He made everyone better and made everyone believe the team could win. You can’t quantify that in stats.

I’ll never forget hearing about his death on the day after Christmas in 2004 (at just 43 years old). It felt like a family member had passed. Roughly five and a half years later, I still can’t believe Reggie’s gone.

Backup: Ezra Johnson (1977-1987) – Playing on some so-so squads (perhaps that’s putting it lightly), Johnson still managed to be a pass-rushing force for the Packers.

In 11 seasons with the team, Johnson – who, like Davis, had great size and speed - recorded 41.5 sacks, making him the franchise’s all-time leader by the time he’d left Green Bay (he’s since been passed on the list). Of course, that number doesn’t include the 20.5 unofficial sacks he recorded in 1978, a year in which he was voted to the Pro Bowl.

There might have been an incident involving him eating a hot dog on the sidelines during a preseason game in there, too, but we won’t go into that. 

Backup: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (2000-2008) – For a franchise that has had its share of great pass rushers, it is Gbaja-Biamila (or, as he was known to us fans, “KGB”) who sits alone as the all-time leader in sacks with 74.5.

He wasn’t the player he’d been towards the end of his career (knee injuries played a part in that, as well), but for a four-year stretch, KGB was amongst the best pass rushers in the league. From 2001-2004, he hit double-digits in sacks every year, recording 49 sacks in all. The Packers foolishly tried to turn him into an every-down player after that, another aspect that hurt his overall production.

Still, KGB’s quick first step and amazing closing speed gave us a lot of great memories.

Defensive tackle

Starter: Henry Jordan (1959-1969) – Jordan, like Davis, came to Green Bay via a trade with the Cleveland Browns (thanks again, Cleveland). And like Davis, Jordan found a place to make a huge impact in Green Bay.

Considered undersized for his position at 6-feet, 2-inches and 248 pounds, Jordan used his knowledge gained from being a top-flight collegiate wrestler (University of Virginia) to find success in the NFL. Well, that and his outstanding speed and toughness, but you get my point.

Again, defensive stats weren’t kept in Jordan’s era, but regardless of lack of numbers, people certainly noticed his mark. He was a six-time All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler and a 1995 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Starter: Gilbert Brown (1993-1999, 2001-2003) – Stats? Brown never had many. In his 10 years with the Packers, Brown totaled just 257 tackles and seven sacks.

He sure had one number that played into his favor, though: 340.

That’s Brown’s weight, in case you were wondering, and that was indeed his biggest asset at the pro level. Brown used his weight to anchor himself, forcing constant double-teams his way as it was near impossible to block him with just one man without having that man hold him (cough, 1997 Denver Broncos, cough, cough).

Double-teaming Brown opened things up for the rest of Green Bay’s d-linemen and linebackers, allowing them to make plays all over the field. In many ways, Brown was just as crucial as White on those great defenses of the mid-to-late 1990s. Plus, he was “The Gravedigger,” had one of the coolest post-tackle/sack shimmies of all-time and is the namesake for “The Gilbert Burger,” one of the most lethal burgers ever devised. Look it up if you don’t believe me. 

Backup: Dave Hanner (1952-1964) – Brown and Jordan were both great players, but it is Hanner who is the franchise leader in games played by a d-tackle (160).

In fact, “Hawg” only missed four games in his entire career, only one of which came after his rookie season. Once again, we have no real numbers for Hanner, in terms of stats, but we do know that he was voted to the Pro Bowl twice.

And, for his 42-year career in pro football, Hanner only worked for one team: the Pack. After he retired, Hanner worked as an assistant coach and then scout.

You’ve got to love a guy who spent 42 years with the team, right? 

Backup: Santana Dotson (1996-2001) – Dotson did not begin his career with Green Bay (no, he didn’t start in Cleveland, either, but rather Tampa Bay). Once he arrived in Titletown, though, he found himself right at home playing next to Brown.

Dotson was the perfect compliment to Big Gilbert, a quick, agile, pass rusher who knew just how to take advantage of being single-blocked. In six years with the Packers, Dotson recorded 26 sacks and six forced fumbles, very good numbers for a d-tackle.

That’s all for our look at the d-line. Check back Wednesday, as we’ll list off the linebackers on the roster. Hannibal Navies need not apply.

-Chris Lempesis