With the 50th anniversary Super Bowl matchup set, we're going to have our traditional two weeks of buildup before the Broncos and Panthers finally take the field. Among the things we're going to see, which I think is appropriate considering the game number, is all-time Super Bowl teams.
Most of the all-time teams that will be announced this week will include 50 players (it's only fitting to do 50 players for the 50th Super Bowl, after all). However, the 50 "greatest" players will mainly be quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers, with some defensive players mixed in. It's highly doubtful that any of these all-time teams will include offensive linemen or specialists (although, I'm sure Adam Vinatieri will be on a few).
I'm not saying that all of the quarterbacks and running backs aren't deserving (most of the Super Bowl MVPs do come from those two positions for a reason). But a team of all offensive skill position guys isn't exactly a "team." So I'm gonna do things a little differently. My all-time Super Bowl team will be 50 players, but I'm building a full team. That means I've got a full complement of offensive and defensive linemen, a kicker, a punter, and return men. I've broken this up into two posts. Today it's the offense, with the defense coming tomorrow. It wasn't done intentionally, but there are 25 players on each side of the ball.
Quarterback: Tom Brady (Patriots-36, 38, 39, 42, 46, 49), Joe Montana (49ers-16, 19, 23, 24), Terry Bradshaw (Steelers-9, 10, 13, 14)
This was the easiest position of them all. They're the only three quarterbacks who've won four Super Bowls, and Brady and Montana are the only three-time MVPs. Brady is also one of only two players to appear in six, and the only one to start six. He's 4-2, of course, while Bradshaw and Montana are both 4-0.
Running Back: Franco Harris (Steelers-9, 10, 13, 14), Roger Craig (49ers-19, 23, 24), Emmitt Smith (Cowboys-27, 28, 30), Larry Csonka (Dolphins-6, 7, 8), John Riggins (Redskins-17, 18)
It was really tough to keep Marcus Allen off, but these five hold the slight edge. Four of them were MVPs, while Craig (who should be in the Hall of Fame) was the first player ever to score three touchdowns in one Super Bowl (XIX) and is third all-time in all-purpose yards.
Wide Receiver: Jerry Rice (49ers-23, 24, 29; Raiders-37), Lynn Swann (Steelers-9, 10, 13, 14), Deion Branch (Patriots-38, 39, 46), Cliff Branch (Raiders-11, 15, 18), Hines Ward (Steelers-40, 43, 45)
Jerry Rice is the greatest wide receiver ever. It's only natural that he holds every Super Bowl receiving record. Most of the records he broke were Lynn Swann's. Deion Branch gets on because he had 24 catches in three games and was MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX. Cliff Branch was on all three Raiders championship teams and Hines Ward won two with the Steelers.
Tight End: Jay Novacek (Cowboys-27, 28, 30), Shannon Sharpe (Broncos-32, 33; Ravens-35)
Tight end was a surprisingly difficult position to come up with two. Jay Novacek gets on because of his importance to the Cowboys' dynasty. Shannon Sharpe is one of the greatest tight ends ever, and he won a ring his first year in Baltimore after winning two in Denver.
Tackle: Rayfield Wright (Cowboys-5, 6, 10, 12, 13), Art Shell (Raiders-11, 15), Joe Jacoby (Redskins-17, 18, 22, 26)
Wright played on all five Cowboys teams that got to the Super Bowl in the '70s. I don't care what position you play, that's an impressive stat. Art Shell and Gene Upshaw were one of the most dominant offensive line duos in NFL history. Joe Jacoby, who, like Roger Craig, isn't in the Hall of Fame but should be, represents all of the "Hogs."
Guard: Nate Newton (Cowboys-27, 28, 30), Gene Upshaw (Raiders-2, 11, 15), Jerry Kramer (Packers-1, 2)
That Cowboys dynasty might've had the Triplets, but they won three Super Bowls in four years because of that offensive line. Gene Upshaw's career was so long that he played in Super Bowl II and was still a starter when the Raiders won 13 years later. And somebody from the Vince Lombardi Packers had to be on there, so why not Jerry Kramer?
Center: Mike Webster (Steelers-9, 10, 13, 14), Bart Oates (Giants-21, 25; 49ers-29)
Just like the Cowboys' offensive line was the most under-appreciated part of their dynasty, the same can be said about the Steelers. And no one on that Pittsburgh line was better than Hall of Famer Mike Webster. Bart Oates played in three Super Bowls and won them all, and let's not forget how much the Giants' running game dominated Super Bowl XXV.
Kick Returner: Desmond Howard (Packers-31)
The easiest call behind quarterback. Howard was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXI, when his 99-yard return broke the game open. He had 244 all-purpose yards in that game (154 kick return, 90 punt return) to set a record.
Punt Returner: John Taylor (49ers-23, 24, 29)
Such a tough call between Taylor and Troy Brown. But it's Taylor that holds the Super Bowl records for punt returns and return yardage, so he gets the nod. Then there's Montana to Taylor, one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history.
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