NFL All-Time Team

Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, Dick Butkus, Reggie White, it doesn't get any better than this. These are the best that have ever played, and any team would be lucky to have them.

From Red Grange to Randy Moss, or Bronko Nagurski to Brian Dawkins, here is the complete position by position breakdown of the greatest to ever play the game.

Quarterbacks

Joe Montana, Slingin' Sammy Baugh, Otto Graham, Johnny Unitas, Dan Marino.

Starter: Montana.

If you want a guy who knows how to win, Montana is your guy. If you ask who is the greatest ever, the most frequent answer will probably be Montana.

Running Backs

Red Grange, Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Bronko Nagurski, Barry Sanders

Starter: Jim Brown at tailback, and Bronko Nagurski at Fullback.

Bronko was a 230 pound back when offensive tackles were 260 at the biggest. He would run through any defense that got in his way.

I don't think much needs to be said about Jim Brown; 5.2 yards per carry, 12,312 yards, and 106 rushing touchdowns should speak volumes.

Wide Receivers

Jerry Rice, Don Hutson, Randy Moss, Lance Alworth, Marvin Harrison

Starters: Jerry Rice, Don Hutson.

The number of records that Hutson holds is astonishing. He holds records for most seasons leading the league in receptions, most seasons leading the league in receiving yards, and most seasons leading the league in receiving touchdowns.

Rice holds the career marks in all of the above categories.

Tight Ends

Mike Ditka, Kellen Winslow, Shannon Sharpe, Tony Gonzalez, Ozzie Newsome, Antonio Gates

Starter: Tony Gonzalez.

Gonzalez has been productive his entire career, and the numbers speak for themselves; 999 career receptions, 11,807 career receiving yards, and 82 TD's. From the TE position that's pretty good.

Offensive Tackles

Anthony Muñoz, Forrest Gregg, Jackie Slater, Ron Yary, Art Shell

Starters: Muñoz and Gregg.

Dominant. When you think of these guys, that's all there is too it.

Guards

John Hannah, Mike Munchak, Gene Upshaw, Randall McDaniel, Larry Allen

Starters: Hannah, and Upshaw.

Before Upshaw was president of the NFLPA he was a pretty frightening Guard. John Hannah was more than an immovable object, but an unstoppable force. He dominated his era.

Centers

Chuck Bednarik, Jim Otto, Jim Ringo, Mel Hein, Mike Webster

Starter: Mel Hein.

There was never a center as dominant as Hein, and there might never be. He rarely if ever got beat, and just about always was able to open a hole.

Defensive Tackle

Merlin Olsen, Bob Lilly, Joe Greene, Randy White, Alan Page

Starters: Greene and White.

One was mean enough to earn the nickname Mean Joe Greene, and the other was some combination of Man and Monster, so they called him Manster. That has got to tell you something.

Defensive Ends

Deacon Jones, Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Geno Marchetti, Lee Roy Selmon

Starters: Deacon Jones, Reggie White

Sacks weren't a stat when Deacon Jones played but he claims to have had one season of 24, and one season of 26, and there is no reason to doubt him. He was so good they had to make his signature move, the head slap, illegal.

The Minister of Defense was just a monster. He would run over the best offensive linemen in the game, and if you were a quarterback, your only goal was to survive. Not to mention that both could absolutely shut down the running game.

Outside Linebackers

Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, Jack Ham, Ted Hendricks, Dave Wilcox

Starters: LT, Jack Ham

Jack Ham was simply one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game, and was a solid all-around player. LT is called by many to be the greatest defensive player ever. He changed the way offenses play football.

Middle Linebackers

Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Ray Lewis, Jack Lambert, Harry Carson

Starters: Butkus, Nitschke

Butkus was probably the most feared tackler ever. He always made a play and rarely, if ever missed a tackle. Nitschke was as tough as they come, and was the centerpiece for the packers defenses of the 60's and early 70's. Fearsome hitting and 25 interceptions make Nitschke a starter.

Cornerbacks

Night Train Lane, Herb Adderly, Rod Woodson, Champ Bailey, Roger Wherli

Starters: Night Trane Lane, Herb Adderly

Adderly was a shutdown corner for Lombardi's defenses. He was drafted as a running back, but Lombardi switched him halfway through the season to corner due to injury.

Night Train Lane had 68 career interceptions, and was one of the most feared tacklers in the game. Night Train could change any game he was in, and throwing to his side was one of the riskiest things a quarterback could do. It was bad for ball security and for the receiver's health.

Safeties

Ronnie Lott, Ken Houston, Paul Krause, Brian Dawkins, Willie Wood

Starters: Lott, Dawkins

Ronnie Lott was a hitting machine who would intercept any ball that came near him. Lott had part of his finger cut off so he wouldn't miss time. Best safety to ever play the game, Lott had no clear weaknesses.

Dawkins is a game changer. The Eagles defense was nowhere what is was with Dawkins, and he was nowhere near his prime. In his prime, he was the most feared safety in the game.

Kicker/Punter

Ray Guy, Jan Stenerud, Sammy Baugh, Shane Lechler, Adam Vinatieri

Starters: Ray Guy, Jan Stenerud

Ray Guy was probably the only punter that actually could be fun to watch, he was that good at punting the football. Stenerud was a 7 time all pro, and the only kicker in the Hall of Fame. Hard to argue with that.

And yes Sammy Baugh was punter and a quarterback. A record setting punter at that.

Coaches

Vince Lombardi, Bill Walsh, Chuck Noll, Don Shula, Tom Landry

Head Coach: Vince Lombardi

Come on, the Super Bowl trophy is named after the guy. In 10 years as the Packers Head Coach, he won five NFL Titles and two Super Bowls. He coached the Redskins for one year and led them to a miraculous turnaround. Other coaches were great, but there is only one Lombardi.