The Ronnie Lott Appreciation Thread

[bigbluedefense]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=u6CjgwMp35o
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Lott

Yes, another appreciation thread. The season is slow, and I think its important that you look back at the greats in NFL history. It helps you appreciate the position they played, how the position has changed over time, and how they impacted the way the position is played.

Safety play has become extremely relevant in the NFL today. No longer is the safety the filler position on defense. With athletic TEs becoming the norm, having safeties who can cover the TE and play the deepball has become very important. In a league that is seeing more spread sets, 3 WR sets etc, you need a safety who can come up and support the run as well.

They are asked in today's league to be the most versatile player on defense. They have to know how to cover like big CBs and tackle like linebackers.

Also with the rule changes, your best defense against the deepball lies with your safeties. Having a safety like Dawkins and Reed is a priceless commodity. Ive stated before in many threads that to be a SB team, you need a playmaker at the safety position. And the proof is in the pudding. Look at al the SB winning teams of the past 8 or so years.

Ronnie Lott set the standard for what the prototypical Safety must be. He played CB, FS, and SS. He hit like a linebacker. He covered like a corner. He was a playmaker who can change the game. He can cover the TE. He might not have been the first great safety, but he is the measuring stick.

Ronnie Lott's game was beyond era. You could transplant him into today's game, and he'd still be the best at what he does. Not many players in NFL history can say that. Only a handful. And thats why he deserves his own thread.

I know highlight videos aren't the best way to evaluate a player. But its all we got.

[YAYareaRB]

I appreciate Ronnie Lott.. I also appreciate your sig.. SHO'NUFF!

[yourfavestoner]

Ronnie Lott was an absolute beast. One of the few players where you could say he is pretty much the undisputed best ever at his position.

[49ersfan_87]

One of my favorite players of all time. I sure appreciate what he did for the niners.

[bored of education]

He was the reason why i wore 42 in pee wee football

[bored of education]

Not a reach to me, but I will say the greatest defensive player I ever seen.

[neko4]

Originally Posted by bored of education

He was the reason why i wore 42 in pee wee football

Probably the same reason alot of people(possible Darren Sharper) wear 42. Ronnie was the George Washigton of S's. Like Washington who set the standard for future presidents, Ronnie set the standard for S's. (PS you'll probably hear me make lots of player comparisons to El Preisdante Washington)

[BigDawg819]

Ronnie Lott we salute you sir! He was just a presence in the secondary, and the QB had better known where he was or it was trouble. I don't think he got enough credit, but being on a team with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice that will happen.

Speaking of appreciation, since Marshall Faulk has retired, I saw some comments about him as revolutionizing the game at running back and while he was a great player I question where the love is for Roger Craig? Roger Craig was doing in the late 80's what Faulk was doing and yet you hardly ever hear him being mentioned as a great multi-dimensional running back.

[Zim3031]

He had the tip of his left pinky finger amputated late in the 1985 season so he wouldn't risk injuring it in the future and miss more football games.

Now that is a football player

[RaiderNation]

Originally Posted by Zim3031

Now that is a football player

10 characters

[YAYareaRB]

I sure wish Keith Lewis is the 2nd coming.. He's a smacker!

[49ersfan_87]

Originally Posted by YAYareaRB

I sure wish Keith Lewis is the 2nd coming.. He's a smacker!

Keith Lewis is awesome.

[elway777]

And what college did Ronnie Lott go to again? :)

[BigDawg819]

Originally Posted by elway777

And what college did Ronnie Lott go to again? :)

UCLA? :p :D

[elway777]

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

UCLA? :p :D

Actually his son, Ryan Nece, went to UCLA. I believe he's still on the bucaneers today.

[BigDawg819]

Ok I'll guess again, Florida State? :D

[bored of education]

tOSU? Michigan? LOLL

[CC.SD]

USC...the gamecocks of course. :D

[neko4]

Andre Lott related to him?

[cunningham06]

Ronnie Lott is the man, he was so tough and such a huge hitter. One of the fiercest competitors in any sport.

[BigDawg819]

Originally Posted by ChargerCohen

USC...the gamecocks of course. :D

LMAO! :D :D Someone remind me to positive rep this post when I can rep again.

[Caddy]

Originally Posted by elway777

Actually his son, Ryan Nece, went to UCLA. I believe he's still on the bucaneers today.

He has been starting strong side for the last 2 years with some spot duties before that. Doin a pretty decent job as well.

[flave1969]

Sorry but this is the man who set the standard for safety play.

If there was a man who would be alongside Ronnie Lott as his fellow safety it would be this man.

Paul James Krause. . .Redskins’ No. 2 draft pick, 1964. . . Outstanding rookie year, led league with 12 interceptions, named All-Pro. . .Retired as history’s all-time interception leader with 81. . . Traded to Vikings for player and draft pick, 1968. . .Played in eight Pro Bowls. . .All-NFL four times. . .All-Eastern Conference 1964, 1965. . .All-NFC five times. . . Started at free safety in four Super Bowls, five NFL/NFC championship games. . .Born February 19, 1942, in Flint, Michigan.

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/me...?player_id=116

Krause is the career leader in Interceptions and overall Turnover totals recording 100 takeaways in 226 games.

It is quite simply the worst thing we ever did as a team to let him go to Minnesota. In his first four seasons in Washington he had 28 Interceptions.

He was a great player and probably goes under the radar of most people here.

[ElectricEye]

He could cover, he could hit, and he could make plays. Perfect safety. He set the standard for safeties. Not that he was limited to that position. He could play anywhere on the field. Really ahead of his time.

[bigbluedefense]

Originally Posted by flave1969

Sorry but this is the man who set the standard for safety play.

If there was a man who would be alongside Ronnie Lott as his fellow safety it would be this man.

Paul James Krause. . .Redskins’ No. 2 draft pick, 1964. . . Outstanding rookie year, led league with 12 interceptions, named All-Pro. . .Retired as history’s all-time interception leader with 81. . . Traded to Vikings for player and draft pick, 1968. . .Played in eight Pro Bowls. . .All-NFL four times. . .All-Eastern Conference 1964, 1965. . .All-NFC five times. . . Started at free safety in four Super Bowls, five NFL/NFC championship games. . .Born February 19, 1942, in Flint, Michigan.

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/me...?player_id=116

Krause is the career leader in Interceptions and overall Turnover totals recording 100 takeaways in 226 games.

It is quite simply the worst thing we ever did as a team to let him go to Minnesota. In his first four seasons in Washington he had 28 Interceptions.

He was a great player and probably goes under the radar of most people here.

There definately were safeties that were great before him. You can even say that Jack Tatum helped influence Ronnie Lott's approach to defending the middle of the field etc. So Ronnie Lott wasn't the first.

But he is the gold standard by which all safeties are compared to. And yes, the Redskins definately made a mistake. We also made a mistake trading Huff. I don't know what the Giants were thinking.