FanNation

Porkins said 06/02, 03:02 PM
I was wondering whether you'd whip out Marino or Barry Sanders. Now I know. Luckily, I wasn't going to pick either one.

My selection is Alan Cedric Page, 1971 NFL MVP.

Since an MVP award was first given, only TWO defensive players have won the award. Imagine how good you would have to be to win an award that is typically reserved for offensive "skill positions".

Other than Page, the onyl defensive player to win was LT, and we all remember how ridiculously good he was.

Alan Page is arguably the best defensive tackle of all time, and is certainly among the top 3.

I won't try to win this by comparing a DT's stats to those of a QB, but I will note that Page is a Hall of Famer with:

15 Seasons
9 Pro Bowl appearances
11 total All-pro seasons
2 NFL Defensive POY awards
1 NFC Defensive POY award

Page was in the trenches, and yet managed to play in an astronishing 218 STRAIGHT GAMES. In other words, the man NEVER missed a game.

Page is the gold standard for defensive tackles.

I take nothing away from Marino. Fantastic QB. But relative to their respective positions, Page was the better player.

Porkins said 06/03, 07:19 AM
Hey..Marino was great at putting up big numbers. No doubt.
But we're not talking "great". We're talking "the best".

Think of the best defensive players you know:

Butkus
Reggie
Deacon
Lott
Bob Lilly
Lambert
etc. (can't list them all, but...)

TOTAL: ZERO MVPs

Does this give you some idea of how ridiculous you had to be to win and MVP as a DEFENDER?

LT won because he revolutionized the OLB position. And years before, Alan Page had done the same to DT.

He transformed the position into a pass-rushing threat. An unstoppable sack machine, Page is the all-time leader from the DT spot. 2nd all-time in safeties. He MASTERED the DT role.

He was 6'4" 245- underweight for DT even in then, but despite his stature LED one of the greatest defenses EVER.

You may have heard of...

THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATERS

They scared the CRAP out of the league, driving the Vikings to 4 Superbowls, including 3 in 4 years at one point.

Since Page's Purple People Eaters, Minny's D has never been the same, and has not returned to the Superbowl.

Meanwhile:
With Marino- ZERO titles.
Since Marino- ZERO titles.

Sounds to me like they replaced him just fine.

Porkins said 06/03, 10:37 AM
TSN mean nothing. Offensive players are ALWAYS rated higher than defense, which is a central point to my whole argument.

You throw a bunch of numbers up there that LOOK flashy, and rely on the name MARINO to pull this one out. And you say Marino was "head and shoulders above Page"?

HOW?

You never once rebutted my arguments. You barely adressed Page at all.


You know what I call that?

All SIZZLE and no SAUSAGE.

Marino SHOULD have put up big totals. The guy chucked it up there 35 times a game! Miami IGNORED rushing while Marino was in town.

BUT look at his numbers that aren't aggregate totals:

16th in RATING
35th in Yards/ Attempt
31st in completion %
And in his 1 shot at a ring, he barely showed up. 2 picks, 4 sacks

A big part of the QB position is LEADING your team.
Was Marino anywhere close to best at that?

NO.

Page was GROUNDBREAKING. He defined and redefined his position.

Known for his revolutionary pass-rush, kick blocking, and toughness, he owned offenses and was an IRONMAN who didn't miss a SINGLE GAME in his career.

To win an MVP, a DEFENSIVE player has to be BETTER than great. He has to be the BEST.

Just like Page.