As we’ve stated a few times since the offseason began, this time of year is the time for lists. Networks, analysts and fans all like to converse about their Top 10s or Top 20s at positions currently or historically.
As is the trend of the season, NFL network’s Gil Brandt, who has covered the NFL for many, many years, decided to rank the “31 Greatest Defensive Tackles In NFL History.”
As you would expect, the reason we’re linking such a list is because there is a former Bucs player who is on that list — very deservingly so. However, his place on the list needs some adjusting, if you ask us.
31 Greatest Defensive Tackles in @NFLhistory:
27. @Haloti_Ngata92
12. @AaronDonald97
2. “Mean” Joe Greene
FULL: https://t.co/7fo3238sG9 (via @Gil_Brandt) pic.twitter.com/alTGaXtZxd— NFL (@NFL) July 8, 2018
Warren Sapp ranked No. 16? Behind Aaron Donald, Geno Atkins, Roger Brown and Cortez Kennedy?
Come on.
I get that some of the guys on that list are higher due to what they meant to the game in the eras they played in, but Sapp recorded 96.5 career sacks, 435 tackles, 19 forced fumbles, was a Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, and was an All-Decade selection in two different decades. Plus the only defensive tackle in NFL history with more sacks is John Randle.
The guys I mentioned specifically were great in their own right, and maybe Donald goes down as one of the best defensive tackle to ever play the game.
But right now there’s no way there’s 15 defensive tackles all-time better than Sapp.
What do you think?