Michael Vick and the 50 Most Exciting Players in NFL History

Here's a list that should get your blood stirring and get some debates going as well.

And before we get too far let me state we went from the modern football era on, starting with Jim Brown and the 1950s.

So all of you 1930s Red Grange lovers, don't hate me, because I've got much love for the "Gallopin' Ghost" too.

Name alone makes him the man.

Now back to the list.

The criteria for being exciting is one of two things that lead to the same thing.

You either have incredible athletic ability or you are clutch in tight, game-winning situations. The truly breath-taking guys have both.

And either one leads to heart palpations.

Now without further ado, here is the top 50.

50. John Jefferson

As the lead receiver of one of the most explosive and exciting offenses in NFL history, Jefferson put up ridiculous numbers in a short period of time.

Through "Air Coryell", the passing attack crafted by offensive passing genius Don Coryell and executed by Dan Fouts at quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, Jefferson recorded three straight 1,000-yard seasons and scored 36 touchdowns from 1978 to 1980.

Jefferson became the first receiver in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons in the league.

He made four Pro Bowls and first team All-Pro three times from 1978-1980.

What puts in on the list was how he did all that. He was the master of the diving catch, the one-handed and the leaping grab. He was Randy Moss before Moss ever knew what straight cash was.

Jefferson made you wonder what he would do next, not if he could do it. He was an aerial delight.

49. Peyton Manning

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Colts defeated the Broncos 27-13. (Photo by Doug P

At first thought you might think Manning doesn't belong on this list. And if so, you might want to think about what he has done to your team in the two-minute offense with a game on the line.

The no-huddle drill, the quick passes to Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison or Dallas Clark.

He has over 35 fourth quarter comebacks and over 40 game-winning drives.

Exciting enough for you?

48. Lynn Swann

Has there ever been a NFL player with a more perfect name?

Swann was graceful and acrobatic and could jump out of the stadium.

Growing up anytime you heard his name, you would see him making a crazy catch with defenders draped on him. How do you get Super Bowl MVP with only four catches? By making them for 161 yards.

Most people think that it was the Steel Curtain and the great running game that won four Super Bowls for those great Steeler teams.

Go check again what carried them during the playoffs. It was Bradshaw hitting John Stallworth underneath or Swan on a fly pattern.

And he'd make some catch he had no business making.

47. Steve McNair

Steve "Air" McNair carried the mantle of all purpose quarterback as well as many of the all time greats.

He got his nickname for his passing skills but the man often had to carry the team on the ground as well.

During his best years with the Tennessee Titans McNair would throw for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 400 yards three different times.

The former NFL MVP still has one of the highest rushing seasons by a quarterback in history (674 in 1997).

At times he would dominate games so completely you would wonder if he was going to toss the ball up and catch it himself.

And no one can forget the great Super Bowl battle between his Titans and the St. Louis Rams, where McNair lead his team this close to winning it all.

46. Tom Brady

Everyone knows about his 50-touchdown passing season.

And if you follow football you know he's been to a bunch of Pro Bowls and has won the NFL MVP.

The numbers and the playoff wins will get him to the Hall of Fame.

But that's not why we're here.

When you lead your team to four Super Bowls (winning three of them) and they are all decided by three points, that has to be considered on most exciting lists.

The excitement comes in watching him carve up a prevent defense. Give him 96 yards and 40 seconds and you are toast.

45. Emmit Smith

A lot of folks who consider themselves NFL running back experts will say to you that Emmit Smith was boring, and he only got all those yards because of the Cowboys' huge offensive line.

I would argue that Smith was not boring, just more subtle that the other great ones.

He didn't break ankles like Barry Sanders or stiff arm like Walter Payton, but no back in history was more clutch than Smith when you needed yards.

Can you be a north-south runner and still be excitiing? Google Emmitt Smith's game against the Giants when he ran for 168 with a shoulder separation to help the team clinch the division.

If winning is exciting, if rushing titles and clutch runs are exciting, then Smith was one of the most exciting ever.

44. Dan Fouts

He wasn't fast or mobile. And he didn't even go out of the shotgun.

But he had a gun and a whole lot of bullets.

During the Air Coryell days, the San Diego offense was their best defense. Before the greatest show on turf, there was Don Coryell and his passing game during the late 1970s through the 1980s.

And Dan Fouts was the guy running the show.

Fouts threw for 4,000 three consecutive seasons making household names of all his receivers: Kellen Winslow, Charlie Joiner, Wes Chandler and John Jefferson.

You were both excited and filled with dread when Fouts brought his offense to town. You weren't getting beat with a field goal. Fouts made sure it was a perfect-spiral, 70-yard strike that stuck the dagger in your heart.

43. Dick Butkus

Obviously a most exciting list would be dominated by running backs, kick returners and wide receivers with great elusive moves.

But there are defensive players who brought their own type of excitement to the game.

Guys like Dick Butkus. Even the name scares you.

You think of Dick Butkus and you think of cold winter games of the past where linebackers controlled everything. Every highlight I have ever seen of him it was snowing, he was breathing hard and hitting someone really, hard. Then spitting blood on them.

Any and every great linebacker will at some point be compared to Butkus. Seeing his hits on film, I know why—they still make me cringe.

Even in this picture it seems like the ref is trying to talk him into not doing something painful to someone.

42. Roger Staubach

Before Romo and Aikman and even Danny White, there was Roger Staubach. He started his career late because he had to serve his years in the Navy.

But when he got the job, he did something with it.

In nine seasons as the starter he led Dallas to six NFC Championship games.

But why is he on here?

Try stopping a guy who could run and throw so well.

He finished his career with over 2,200 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns to go with over 22,000 yards passing and over 150 passing touchdowns.

The guy was a winner and a clutch performer. His calm and steely glare made you know magic was always possible.

41. Ronnie Lott

What could be scarier than playing receiver and having Lott roaming the secondary?

Most people know him for either his crushing hits or the notorious legends that have come up about his medical priorities.

Most notably the one where he had a choice of surgery on his finger that was smashed during a game or cutting it off, and he umm, chose to cut it off.

Yeah, wow. That is intense.

He was old-school tough and an all-time hitter and playmaker.

40. Lance Alworth

Any football player who doesn't mind having the nickname "Bambi" is all right with me.

Quick stats to let you know how deadly this guy must have been on the field. In his 11-year career, he had 85 touchdowns and averaged 19 yards per catch.

I repeat, 19 yards a catch, for his career. And we're talking over 500 catches.

So basically he went deep, his whole career.

He's one of those guys you wish you had a time machine for. His speed and athleticism deserves HD.

39. Fran Tarkenton

They say he is the blueprint for the all-everything scrambling quarterback.

The guy who could throw it the length of the field and if nothing was open, take off and run for 30 yards.

I don't really have to say more, just a quick glimpse of his stats tells you everything you need to know as to why he is on the list.

Over 47,000 yards passing, 342 passing touchdowns, over 3.600 yards rushing, and 32 touchdowns.

Don't judge him by his put-you-to-sleep performances on "That's Incredible" (Google it, kids).

His elusiveness and Big Ben-esque caginess made him one of the first Modern Era superstars.

38. Mel Gray

Mel Gray is on here because he was great at one thing. Returning balls.

Whether they were punted to him or kicked off, Gray knew what to do with them.

A four-time Pro Bowler, three-time first team All-Pro, Gray ended his career with over 12,000 return yards and 10 touchdowns.

When the ball was kicked off and he got a hold of it, you had to hold your breath. He didn't need a wedge. By the time any defender got to the wedge, Gray was past you.

37. Chad Ochocinco

Because of his many antics on and off the field as well as his crazy interviews and Twitter postings, it's easy to forget how good Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson can be at times.

He has great hands and deceptive speed and has great chemistry with his quarterback of many years, Carson Palmer.

He holds several franchise records and is a six time Pro Bowler.

With over 60 career touchdowns and around 700 catches and over 10,000 yards he is definitely one of the most exciting receivers the league has seen.

If you don't believe me, just ask him.

The beauty is that he has some of the great trash talk of all time and backed it up against everyone not named Revis.

36. Mark Gastineau

The New York Sack Exchange was not only one of the best nicknames in NFL history, but one of the most productive.

With the help of his other members of the NYSE, Gastineau put up sack numbers that should still be standing now (if not for a Michael Strahan and Brett Favre conspiracy).

Lead the NFL in sacks, two straight years, collect 22 sacks in one year, finish your career with over 100 sacks, that makes you eligible for most exciting list.

Having the best sack dance ever seals it. He lived a fast life off the field with the starlets and was even faster to the QB on the turf.

35. Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis could have played in any era. He could have lined up next to Lawrence Taylor, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, anybody.

Leather helmets, no pads. you name it.

You can see the fear in some of the guys' eyes the first time they go across the middle.

Even at 35 years old, Jets tight end Dustin Keller hopes to never see him again.

You add in all of his big plays, sprinkle in the huge, bone crushing hits and then top it off with his psycho entrance dance and you see why he is on here.

34. Walter Payton

Sweetness was said to be a great human being off the field, but he was anything but sweet to foes on the field.

There were times when I would watch him play on film or as a kid and I would swear he was looking for guys to hit as he came out of the backfield.

He had style (holding the ball like a loaf of bread) and power and he had the rushing title before Emmitt Smith took it.

Anyone outside of the greater metro Dallas area knows Payton is the true legend in comparison to Smith.

33. Troy Polamalu

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NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 19: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Nate Washington #85 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field on September 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Phot

The best way to describe the way Polamalu plays on the field is to assume he has a twin brother that also plays safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There will be plays where you will see him rush the quarterback, and then make the tackle of the wide receiver 20 yards down field.

He ran a 4.3 forty before being drafted and holds the record for most sacks by a safety in a game (three).

People talk about the Steelers having a middle-of-the-pack defense without him and top two or three in the league with him, that's how good the guy is.

He hits hard, makes plays, runs fast and has the best hair in the business.

32. John Elway

When your nickname is Captain Comeback, you know that you belong on a most exciting list.

I won't get into all the fourth quarter dives and last second wins that Elway lead his Denver Broncos to. Cleveland fans have been through enough this year.

I'll just give you one stat to show you how Elway got it done. He's the only quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for over 200 yards for seven straight years.

Chances are he beat your team during that run, and they were probably leading at some point when he did it.

And here's one of those weird stats you could only get from NFL stat geeks: Elway was responsible for 82 percent of the points Denver scored during his 16-year career.

He either threw it, ran for it or caught it. That stat is absolutely ridiculous.

31. Adrian Peterson

He hasn't been in the league that long, but if you have seen him run, you know he belongs on this list.

In fact a few years from now, he'll be on the short list.

What does he do well? The punishing runs, the breakaway speed, the wannabe tacklers who he hits first then leaves lying on the field.

How to describe him? Only after watching him run could you make up your own description.

Here's my attempt, If Jim Brown, Dick Butkus, Earl Campbell, O.J. Simpson, Barry Sanders and Gayle Sayers donated DNA and it was all mixed into a petri dish ...

You'd get Adrian "All Day" Peterson.

30. LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson is sometimes known as LT, but that nickname is taken already.

Even though his nickname wasn't original, his moves were. He has a new career with the Jets now, but during his heyday with the Chargers he was unstoppable.

No one was deadlier running the ball, catching it out of the backfield or scoring. His 150 career touchdowns speak for themselves.

LT's highlight films could be put up there with any one else on this list. He shatters ankles just by the visor pointing in your direction.

29. Charles Woodson

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 03: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the field against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Im

He's been doing the impossible since before he joined the NFL, including winning the Heisman Trophy as a defensive player.

Last year he proved to everyone that he wasn't over the hill by winning the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Over the span of his career he has been a tackling, sacking, intercepting menace on defense.

You want excitement? Ask him about the "Tuck Rule."

28. "Bullet" Bob Hayes

Because of his track accomplishments he was often called the fastest alive.

He used that speed on the football field, scoring 71 touchdowns and averaging close to 20 yards per catch on over 370 receptions.

Yep, he was fast as a bullet.

He made even the most tried and true Cowboys haters want to root for Dallas just to see what he would do next.

27. Chris Johnson

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans breaks for a long run during a game against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on September 26, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

Here's another guy who hasn't been at it long.

But that shouldn't keep him off the list, just lower than he'll probably end up years from now.

Breakaway speed on any play from anywhere on the field.

Speed and more speed. Then throw in his ability to make defenders miss and you'll realize why he has already joined the short list of 2,000 yard rushers and plans to do it again.

There's a burst that almost feels criminal. We're all cynics these days. He must be on steroids, right?

No, he's just otherworldly.

26. Terrell Owens

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IRVING, TX - DECEMBER 20: Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at Texas Stadium on December 20, 2008 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Terrell "TO" Owens has had so many careers it's tough to put them all together for the sake of this list.

He was Jerry Rice's precocious protege in San Francisco, then becoming Jeff Garcia's nightmare.

Then he was the guy who brought Philly to the Super Bowl before tearing all that down.

Then he was the Dallas Cowboy who told you to get your popcorn ready.

TO has done it all and it's been exciting the whole way.

That excitement didn't always come on the field and that's what makes him so despised by fans.

Corners just despise him because at any moment, he could make the cut or the burst that would have them on the practice squad by Monday morning.

25. Ed Reed

Ed Reed can be exciting but a bit annoying if you aren't a Baltimore Ravens fan.

It doesn't matter who fumbled it, or who tipped the pass in the air, you will see Reed end up with it and start heading towards the end zone.

The man has eight defensive touchdowns.

And he's not done yet.

Annoying.

24. Bobby Douglass

In baseball they used to have a saying: "Good field, no hit."

Which pretty much meant what you think it did. Bobby Douglass was a quarterback who couldn't pass too well.

But boy could the guy run.

All the rushing records that Michael Vick is breaking belong to him, including 968 rushing yards by a quarterback in 1972. 

He also threw for over 6,000 yards in his career. But it came with 36 passing touchdowns and 64 interceptions.

His excitement wasn't always a good thing.

23. Billy White Shoes Johnson

Nobody made kick returning cooler than Billy "White Shoes" Johnson.

Of course, if you are going to have a nickname like that you better be good at what you do.

He had over 10,00 career all-purpose yards and scored on eight return touchdowns.

He was also an innovator in touchdown celebrations.

Nobody had more fun scoring than White Shoes. Except maybe the fans.

22. Rod Woodson

He is most likely the most versitile defensive back in the history of the the NFL.

I can't name anyone else who has made the pro bowl as cornerback, kick returner and a safety.

He has the all time record in interception return yards. Meaning not only would he intercept your QB, but the guy had the nerve to try and run with it.

Quite simply, he was one of the best to ever play in the secondary.

21. Desmond Howard

If you think back to the only Super Bowl Brett Favre won as a Packer, he wasn't the MVP.

It was Desmond Howard.

For a few years in the league, Howard dominated games from his return spot like no other.

In that Super Bowl Win he had 244 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.

As a Patriots fan I still can't figure out why they kept kicking to him.

20. Devin Hester

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears returns a punt 62-yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Nothing can take the air out of a defense than watching a team score without even getting on the field to stop them.

And even though he has stopped returning kickoffs, Hester will go down in history as one of the most explosive and exciting return men ever.

He was drafted to be a cornerback but once coaches saw how elusive and dangerous he was with the ball in his hand they moved him to wide receiver.

He holds the NFL record for punts returned for touchdowns in a season and already has over 10 return touchdowns in just over four seasons, including this one this season.

19. Eric Metcalf

Metcalf was another one of the return specialists on the list. He could demoralize your team by taking a punt all the way back to the end zone.

In fact he did that several times, becoming the NFL all-time leader in punt return touchdowns with 10.

Before Sunday Ticket, he was the only reason you wanted to see a Browns highlight.

18. Marcus Allen

All you have to do is remember back to his Raiders years and his Super Bowl star turns and Marcus Allen makes his case.

He probably is one of the more underrated all-time greats in the game.

No one talks about him much. Then the projector turns on and the film starts and you see what you should be talking about.

17. Dan Marino

No quarterback has ever had a quicker release. Nor ever has there been one with as much intensity.

He held pretty much every passing record when he retired and he did it explosively.

You knew Marino was going to be passing the ball and you still couldn't do anything about it.

He ended with over 400 touchdown passes, first play to every throw for 5,000 yards in a season, 13 seasons with 3,000 yards passing ... the stats are insane.

If you don't think Marino's aerial attack makes him one of the most exciting players ever, I am doubting your football knowledge.

16. Eric Dickerson

The man ran straight up, which is exactly what the coaches tell you not to do if you are a running back.

But I guess if you have world class speed you can get away with it.

He had goggles, extra pads and jherri curls. No part of that last sentence says exciting.

But as far as pure running backs go, I argue he is top three with Barry Sanders  and Jim Brown.

Fast, elusive and productive.

He still holds the season rushing record of 2,105.

Everyone wants it, but the record is over 25 years old now.

15. Jim Brown

He is still considered the coolest football player ever. He was one of the strongest and most have called him the greatest football player ever.

I just love watching him run through guys and carry them on his back to the end zone.

That was one mean mofo.

It's not fair that most of what we see now is Brown in some multi-colored beady hat. He still looks scary, but this generation needs more exposure to Brown in an orange helmet.

Parents could show their kids some Brown film and singlehandedly turn around the wussiness trend in today's youth.

Everyone doesn't deserve a trophy. Jim Brown earned trophies.

14. Dante Hall

He was like a shooting star in the league. Here for a minute, dominating for a while, and then gone.

At 5'8" and barely over 180 pounds, you knew George Blanda's longevity records were safe.

They called him the "X" Factor and the Human Joystick because of all of his moves.

Hell, he even made it into a Lil Wayne rap song.

The man could return balls and he has over 12,000 yards and 12 return touchdowns to prove it.

13. Jerry Rice

Everyone always brings up how slow Jerry Rice was and how he didn't have many moves.

The stats don't show any of that to be true. The man was a fierce competitor and could take a five-yard slant to the house at any time.

You don't score over 200 touchdowns in your career as receiver without having skills and without being exciting.

As far as this list goes, Rice is probably underrated.

12. Brett Favre

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the

It doesn't matter if Favre plays for 10 more years, he will always move the needle.

As many people cared what Favre did as they did LeBron James, an athlete in his prime who is more than fifteen years younger than Favre.

Why? Because football fans will always love a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve and slings the ball around like a flag football game.

The guy has never played for any team that I follow but I will watch a Favre game before I watch a whole bunch of other folks.

You never know what he is going to do.

The NBA stole his unspoken slogan. We always watch exciting happen with No. 4.

11. Marshall Faulk

I think the more time passes, the more people appreciate Marshall Faulk. When he wasn't in uniform you would think he was an usher at the game.

The guy looked like a regular joe until he got on the field.

And then he did things no other running back has ever done.

He caught more balls than most receivers and still outran every running back.

He was two players in one. There was no "Greatest Show on Turf" without him.

I remember playing fantasy football and everyone wanted that first pick. If you had Marshall Faulk in one of his peak years you could pretty much put anyone else out there and you were fine.

One of the best all-purpose backs to ever play the game. Possibly should be higher on the list.

10. Lawrence Taylor

No. 56, Lawrence Taylor changed the position of linebacker.

He came up with new ways to rush the quarterback and would get there almost every play.

Offensive coordinators made players point out where he was on every down.  His karate chop rush move was legendary.

He even broke poor Joe Theismann's leg accidentally.

Ex- Philadelphia quarterback Ron Jaworski loves to kick out a one liner about people thinking his number was 56 because Taylor was always on his back.

I think Jaws was only half joking.

9. Randall Cunningham

It's weird to see Vick in an Eagles uniform because before there was Vick there was Randall Cunningham.

He was a freak of nature who could throw the ball the whole length of the field but could have easily played wide receiver or running back.

He also punted sometimes, holding the Eagles record for longest punt ever.

With his many Pro Bowl invites and other awards, some say he is borderline Hall of Famer.

I think if it was based on ridiculous skills and excitement, he would be first ballot.

8. Randy Moss

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots participates in pregame drills before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

There will never be a receiver like Randy Moss in the league again. The combination of attitude, skill, jumping ability and speed made him unstoppable with the Vikings and again with the Patriots.

He rankled people off the field but teams had to account for him where ever he lined up on the field.

When he retires he'll have taken down some of Jerry Rice's untouchable records.

Every time his quarterback cocked back and threw it as far as they could, you held your breath to see if Moss would get it.

Plus, he's one of the only survivors from Revis Island.

7. Steve Young

Young had to overcome a lot of things to get to where he ended up. First he was a running quarterback.

Then he was an overpaid USFL quarterback.

Then he was a backup quarterback which led to him being the guy who ran Joe Montana out of town.

After a while he just became a Hall of Fame quarterback who could beat you with his legs, arm, and head.

The more you saw him blow your mind, the less you could hate him for making Montana obsolete.

6. Michael Vick

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 28-3. (Photo by Doug

No one knows how Michael Vick's final chapters will end, but what we do know is what we see with our eyes.

Every time it looks like he is sacked, he's gone.

Every time it looks like the pocket is collapsing, good bye.

Every time we see a receiver break open 50 yards down field and he can't make the throw, he makes the throw.

He might not be the best quarterback ever, but he is definitely, without a doubt, the most exciting.

5. Bo Jackson

The man played two sports and was an all star in both.

Football was his hobby and most coaches would have traded their full-time back for him part of the time.

To paraphrase Ice Cube, he was built like a tank, yet hard to hit.

For a guy that didn't play that long, everyone knows his best runs and his commercials.

The man's whole career was a highlight.

4. Deion Sanders

It's not about stats when it comes to Deion Sanders.

He isn't the most prolific cornerback when it came to interceptions because teams didn't throw his way.

It was about him prancing around, high-stepping to the end zone on punt and kick returns.

It was about him setting up his blocks before even making the pick so he could take interceptions to the house.

It was about him making the crowd chant "PRIME TIME, PRIME TIME" before his punt returns.

That was excitement.

3. O.J. Simpson

The man ran like he had somewhere to go. Being form USC you would think he wouldn't have been able to run in the cold Buffalo weather.

Not the case, he was constantly shaking and cutting and breaking tackles.

The first man to break the 2,000-yard barrier, and it didn't take him 16 games like it does these young boys these days.

A glove and a white Bronco ride erased his football legacy. Now that he's behind bars again and can't tarnish the rep anymore, hopefully we can start remembering the football genius.

2. Gale Sayers

He was before most of our times, and there isn't much footage of him doing what he does best, but of what there is, you can see that the guy was ridiculously exciting to watch.

To be named to the Hall of Fame, 75-year anniversary team, the 1960s all decade team and to make four Pro Bowls in a six-year career is all I have to hear to know he was special.

Where is the time machine when you need it?

1. Barry Sanders

Sanders lost over 3,000 yards during his career, reversing field and looking for holes.

How crazy is that if you think of how many yards he ended up with, (15,269 yards)?

Add on those 3,000 and he would be the all-time leading rusher.

But if you watched him run you would know every one of those backwards yards was worth it.

Sort of like a boxer setting up his victim with jabs.

He'd lose yards on consecutive carries and then shoot through the middle on his way to an ankle-breaking 80-yard run where he would leave defenders shaking their heads wondering where he went.

No one has a better highlight film than Barry Sanders.