Throwback Thursday: Dr. Z's All-Time All-Pro Team: Defense and Special Teams

Last week I posted Dr. Z's All-Time Offense. This week it's the defense. This look back at Zimmerman's All-Time Team has been inspired by the ongoing reveals of the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

This Flicker was originally posted on July 3.2016

Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback website spent the week celebrating the great football writing career of Paul Zimmerman. Dr. Z. Part of that celebration was Dr. Z's All-Time All-Pro Team. Yesterday was for the offense. Now, it's time for Dr. Z's All-Time All-Pro defensive team.

Defensive End
Reggie White
Deacon Jones
Richie Jackson
Howie Long

"Tombstone" Jackson. I discovered Jackson years ago through a great NFL Films profile of the former Denver Broncos defensive end. Perhaps because some of his best days were the last days of the old AFL he's been forgotten. Zimmerman has long been one of Jackson's most vocal Hall of Fame supporters. Hopefully, some day.

Defensive Tackle
Merlin Olsen
Joe Greene
Bob Lilly

Linebacker
Ted Hendricks
Jack Ham
Lawrence Taylor
Dave Wilcox
Dick Butkus

Wilcox, despite being in the Hall of Fame, is a player that's somewhat forgotten through time. It took him a long time to be inducted and Zimmerman's support was a big reason for it.

Cornerback
Deion Sanders
Jimmy Johnson

Like Wilcox, Johnson is another 49er Hall of Famer that often gets forgotten. Also like Wilcox, Johnson waited way too long for his much deserved induction. And again, Zimmerman was a big reason for it.

Safety
Ken Houston
Willie Wood
Larry Wilson
Brian Dawkins
Cliff Harris

The differentiation of the roles and traits of free and strong safeties seem quite important to Zimmerman. He mentions Ed Reed but brushes him aside for inclusion on this team because he played both free and strong safety. Often switching between the two on a down-to-down basis. It's good to see Cliff Harris on the team. He should be in the Hall of Fame.

Kicker
Adam Vinatieri

Punter
Tommy Davis

Kick Returner
Gale Sayers

Punt Returner
Deion Sanders

Zimmerman also singled Jack Christiansen as a punt returner but favored Sanders if his team absolutely needed a big return.

Great stuff from Dr. Z. The MMQB includes Zimmerman's reasoning behind all of his choices. It's a great read.