Brandt's Top-12

Gil Brandt has been scouting and judging the talent of football players since the 1950's. First with the Los Angeles Rams. Then with the expansion Dallas Cowboys in 1960. In both instances he worked with general manager Tex Schramm. Tom Landry, Schramm, and Brandt were the decision-makers that guided the Cowboys for thirty years and to two Super Bowl titles. Brandt has worked on the media side of things as a draft analyst since Jerry Jones tossed him, Landry, and Schramm out of Dallas in 1989. Brandt helped pioneer many of the football scouting techniques used today. He knows football. Earlier this week, perhaps inspired Peyton Manning's history-making throw, Brandt tweeted his all-time top-12 football players. Here they are:

1.   Sammy Baugh
2.   Don Hutson
3.   Gale Sayers
4.   Jerry Rice
5.   Jim Brown
6.   Lawrence Taylor
7.   Otto Graham
8.   Bob Lilly
9.   Deacon Jones
10. Roger Staubach
11. Johnny Unitas
12. Peyton Manning

This is an interesting list from a man that has been involved with the NFL for more than half a century. The only player on the list that really surprises me is Staubach. He's certainly a player that Brandt knew well. He drafted the quarterback knowing that Staubach wouldn't be available to play in a Cowboys game until his Navy commitment was complete. When he finally got to the Cowboys, Staubach was a fantastic football player. Especially clutch at the end of games. Although, one particular comeback should not have been! I'm just surprised Staubach is among the top-12 players in history, let alone ahead of Unitas and Manning.

I always enjoy hearing people that were involved with the NFL in the 1960s talk of Gale Sayers. His greatness isn't really appreciated by those that never saw him play. Those that saw him play have him right with Jim Brown among the backs in the history of the game. His career was cut short by injuries so he doesn't always get the respect that he deserves. Everyone of this generation is so fixated on numbers. Sayers was far greater than his numbers. His handful of healthy years were amazing. His running style was so distinctive. So beautiful.

Brandt includes only three post-1980 players. Lawrence Taylor, Jerry Rice, and Peyton Manning. Most lists such as this only have about three pre-1980 players. It's good to see an appreciation for football's past.

Nice work Mr. Brandt but I'd sure like to see Alan Page on this list.