Throwback Thursday: All-Time Rushing Leaders

It's often interesting to check on the All-Time Rushing list, or any all-time list. Here are the Top-25 runners in NFL history through the 2015 season.

Rank	Player (age), + - HOFer, Bold - Active	Yds	Years	Teams
1.	Emmitt Smith+	18,355	1990-2004	2TM
2.	Walter Payton+	16,726	1975-1987	chi
3.	Barry Sanders+	15,269	1989-1998	det
4.	Curtis Martin+	14,101	1995-2005	2TM
5.	LaDainian Tomlinson	13,684	2001-2011	2TM
6.	Jerome Bettis+	13,662	1993-2005	2TM
7.	Eric Dickerson+	13,259	1983-1993	4TM
8.	Tony Dorsett+	12,739	1977-1988	2TM
9.	Jim Brown+	12,312	1957-1965	cle
10.	Marshall Faulk+	12,279	1994-2005	2TM
11.	Edgerrin James	12,246	1999-2009	3TM
12.	Marcus Allen+	12,243	1982-1997	2TM
13.	Franco Harris+	12,120	1972-1984	2TM
14.	Thurman Thomas+	12,074	1988-2000	2TM
15.	Frank Gore (32)	12,040	2005-2015	2TM
16.	Fred Taylor	11,695	1998-2010	2TM
17.	Adrian Peterson (31)	11,675	2007-2015	min
18.	Steven Jackson (32)	11,438	2004-2015	3TM
19.	John Riggins+	11,352	1971-1985	2TM
20.	Corey Dillon	11,241	1997-2006	2TM
21.	O.J. Simpson+	11,236	1969-1979	2TM
22.	Warrick Dunn	10,967	1997-2008	2TM
23.	Ricky Watters	10,643	1992-2001	3TM
24.	Jamal Lewis	10,607	2000-2009	2TM
25.	Thomas Jones	10,591	2000-2011	5TM

Once LaDanian Tomlinson is honored in Canton next year, the Top-10 rushers will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And 13 of the Top-14.

The push to get Edgerrin James in the Hall of Fame could gain some momentum in the coming years. Terrell Davis is the back on the outside of the Hall that probably generates the most debate. He'd be inducted already if injuries hadn't limited his career to just over four outstanding seasons. He actually played seven seasons but only started 16 games in his final three. He finished his career with 7,607 yards. Both James and Davis should be in the Hall of Fame.

Fred Taylor might have gained the most quiet 11,695 yards in the history of the game. He was a terrific runner for the Jacksonville Jaguars for 11 seasons. He was one of the best in the game but rarely seemed to be recognized as such.

Frank Gore is another runner that has quietly gained a lot of yards. And he's still gaining yards. He's a remarkable back.

Adrian Peterson should join the Top-10 this season. An average-Peterson season should get him past Tony Dorsett at #8. He'd probably be joining the Top-4 if his 2014 season hadn't been taken from him.

Corey Dillon, Warrick Dunn, Ricky Watters, and Thomas Jones might be surprises to some to be among the Top-25 rushers of all-time. Dillon was very consistent with the Cincinnati Bengals to start his career. From 1997-2002 he never gained less than 1129 yards. Then he had his excellent 1,635 yard season in 2004 to help the New England Patriots win their third Super Bowl. Because of his small stature Warrick Dunn always felt like a complimentary back but he had a terrific career carrying the ball. Ricky Watters was also remarkably consistent and he was consistently productive for three different teams. Thomas Jones took a few years with a couple of teams before he hit his stride with the Chicago Bears. Then he was the sort of runner that you'd expect to find among the Top-25.

The NFL has become such a pass-happy league that running back has become a somewhat disposable position. An every down back simply isn't valued like he once was. Hopefully it's a cyclical thing because it was/is so much fun to watch the above running backs do their beautiful thing.

Vikings Receivers Again

I can't stop pondering the potential of the Minnesota Vikings receiver group. Perhaps that's because the team hasn't had any sustained quality at the position since they regrettably shipped Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders in 2005. The Vikings have a strong receiving tradition. Paul Flatley, John Gilliam, Sammy White, Ahmad Rashad, Anthony Carter, Cris Carter, Jake Reed, Randy Moss. Cris Carter is the only one of the bunch in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Moss will join him soon. Rashad and Anthony Carter might have found their way to Canton if they had found their way to Minnesota a little earlier in their respective careers. The Vikings have had some talented receivers since they traded away Moss. Nate Burleson, Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin. The funny thing about those three is that each went to and floundered with the Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings receiving situation has been so bad since they traded away Moss that the likes of Travis Taylor, Robert Ferguson, Bobby Wade, and Marcus Robinson started games. Very sad. They started games because they were at the top of the depth chart at the time. Not because injuries kept more skilled receivers out of those games. The Vikings receiving situation was so bad that they were forced to select Troy Williamson with the seventh pick of the 2005 NFL Draft. A fast receiver that couldn't catch. The Vikings receiving situation was so bad that they overpaid Bernard Berrian to be their #1 receiver. He had a nice first season with the Vikings but he was hardly the difference-making receiver that he was paid to be. Basically, the talent at receiver has been lacking in Minnesota for about a decade. That might be changing.

The Vikings currently have 11 receivers on the roster.

Stefon Diggs
Charles Johnson
Jarius Wright
Laquon Treadwell
Cordarrelle Patterson
Adam Thielen
Isaac Fruechte
Moritz Boehringer
Terrell Sinkfield
Marken Michel
Troy Soudermire

Barring injuries and/or stunning surprises, the top six will probably be the receivers on the final roster. It's a young, talented, versatile, and very under-the-radar group. Stefon Diggs and Charles Johnson took most of the first string reps in the offseason workouts and likely enter training camp at the top of the depth chart. The Vikings drafted Laquon Treadwell in the first round of the recent draft to be a top target for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Treadwell has the size, physicality, and hands to make an early impact. It's expected that he'll join Diggs in the starting lineup soon. Jarius Wright is the top slot receiver. He's effective outside the numbers as well. At 26, Wright is the veteran leader of the group. An indication of the youth of this group. Cordarrelle Patterson is the wildcard of the bunch. He's an unbelievable natural athlete that has pretty much skated by on his physical gifts. He's the best kick returner in the league but the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft to be much more than that. He's never really worked at the nuances of the receiver position possibly because the game has always come so easy for him. The NFL is a different beast. Every player in it is an athletic marvel. Patterson has finally worked at those receiving nuances this offseason. Route running, timing, coverages. Being where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be there. His work of the past few months showed in the recent OTAs and mini-camp. Maybe he's finally going to become the receiver that he was drafted to be. If he is, the Vikings receiver group could be dynamite. Adam Thielen might be at the bottom of the depth chart but he's a very valuable member of the receiver group and the team as a whole. Every week, he seems to make a game-altering play on special teams. Thielen isn't just a special teams standout. He's also a dependable, productive receiver. He probably would have been a starter a decade ago.

Diggs, Treadwell, and Wright are the Vikings future at receiver as they are each signed through at least 2018. Johnson, Patterson, and Thielen are in contract years. It's no real stretch to think of Diggs and Treadwell as the long-term faces of the franchise at receiver. Both are very young. Both are very talented. And both appear to have the work ethic and commitment to end the Vikings long, sad drought at receiver.

A Few of My Favorite Things...

After yesterday's post on the pathetic state of the relationship between the NFL and the NFLPA I need some happy football thoughts. Here are a few of my favorite things.

Larry Fitzgerald catching a football.

Von Miller coming off the edge.

J.J. Watt wrecking offenses.

Mike Zimmer coaching.

Darrelle Revis in coverage. Still.

Antonio Brown running routes.

Harrison Smith.

Frank Gore slipping through gaps.

Adrian Peterson running.

Jamaal Charles healthy. And slashing through defenses.

Aaron Donald.

Marshall Yanda blocking.

Joe Thomas and Tyron Smith too.

Julio Jones.

Aaron Rodgers throwing.

Mike Zimmer coaching.

Geno Atkins in opposing backfields.

Odell Beckham.

Allen Robinson's contested catches.

Patrick Peterson.

Tyrann Mathieu healthy. And blowing up offenses.

Drew Brees' touch.

Tom Brady playing football.

Peyton Manning's career, class, and humor.

Mike Zimmer's ears.

Linval Joseph in the middle.

Luke Kuechly.

Philip Rivers' mechanics.

Khalil Mack rushing the passer.

Richard Sherman battling receivers.

DeAndre Hopkins.

Anthony Barr.

Rob Gronkowski being Rob Gronkowski.

The smoothness of A.J. Green.

Teddy Bridgewater developing.

Mike Zimmer coaching the Minnesota Vikings.

Those are just a few of my favorite things.

Arena of Idiots

The 2011 offseason/lockout was a nightmare due to the inability of the NFL and NFLPA to see eye-to-eye on anything. The daily "they said, they said" and finger-pointing was nauseating and infuriating. The casual fan might not have been aware but the 2011 NFL season was in serious jeopardy. It was that looming possibility that finally got something done. There was some hope that the agreed-upon CBA that came out of that nightmarish offseason might ease the tensions between the league and the players but all it really did was make things worse. Much worse. The players probably felt like they got the short end of things and commissioner Roger Goodell decided to take greater advantage of powers that he already had. Basically, the league and players drew lines in the sand and decided to battle on everything. These are grown men that throw tantrums and inflammatory words at each other like children. Actually they don't even come close to acting with the maturity of children. They act more like the idiots in congress that are tasked with running this country. Debate, dialogue, empathy, compromise are among the steps or qualities that lead to progress in life, in government, and in the NFL. No one's doing that right now. The NFL and the NFLPA currently have nothing to say to each other. Certainly nothing nice. It's sad that supposed adults just want to bunker down on their side of the arena and lob shots at each other.

The most recent issue between the NFL and the NFLPA is over the interviewing of players implicated in the Al Jazeera documentary on sports doping. The NFL wants to interview Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers at the start of training camp. Free agent defensive end Mike Neal is also involved but since he's not currently with a team no one seems to care about him. Peyton Manning was the big name among the players implicated in the report but he's retired now. In a case such as this, protocol calls for the NFL to coordinate with the NFLPA to arrange interviews. The NFL says that they have been ready to do the interviews for some time but the NFLPA is stalling. The NFLPA says that since statements made in the Al Jazeera report have since been re-canted the NFL must submit additional evidence supporting their investigation of the players. Typical NFL-NFLPA interaction. Everything is contentious. The funny thing about the NFL's path to where they are now on this issue is the pace at which they proceeded. On January 11, 2016 the league notified the players implicated that an investigation into the matter had been initiated. NFL Senior VP of labor policy and league affairs Adolpho Birch informed the players by letter that "with the their full and timely cooperation, the investigation would be conducted expeditiously and with minimal disruption." The NFL claims that they have been trying to arrange these critical interviews since early April. What did they do from January to April? There is nothing timely or expeditious about this ridiculous investigation. More often than not, the NFL, and especially commissioner Roger Goodell, seems to do things simply because they can without ever considering whether they should. The Al Jazeera report was found to be more nuisance than fact almost as soon as it came to light. The NFL should have been clued into that. Maybe Goodell and his little pack of clowns should bring in Ted Wells again. The NFL lost any credibility to investigate anything when they paid $2.5 million for Wells' crayon-stained report on that little issue of football deflation. While the NFL often comes across as the bully in this pathetic and constant squabble, the NFLPA is far from innocent. Perhaps it's because they agreed to a shitty CBA but NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith and the rest of the union decision-makers routinely make things even more difficult for themselves, the league, and the game. The more it happens, the worse it gets. At this rate, the next CBA negotiations will make the last one look like a skip through the park on a sunny day. Something has to change.

The problem that I have with all of these idiots is that they all want the same thing. And it's a very simple thing. Football on Sundays. And Mondays. And Thursdays. Actually, not Thursday but that's a personal cause for another day. Today's cause is the NFL and NFLPA getting along for the good of the game. If the leaders of the sport would only drop their personal issues and simply do their jobs they'd all be better for it. The group of people caught in the middle of it all are the ones that pay for it all. They also have no say at all. The fans. Roger Goodell too often says that he does what he does for the fans. The problem with that is that he has no clue what the fans want. The majority of fans want him out of the league and there's no way that he goes along with that. The NFL is the strongest, most profitable professional sports league around. The only weakness is the arena of idiots that currently run it. The NFL, and to a slightly lesser extent the NFLPA, take the fans for granted. That's a big mistake. If the fans don't trust the league they will stop following it. If the games each week are no longer fun because of all the garbage that surrounds it, the fans will find something else to do.

Vikings Projected Starting Lineup

It's way too early to be doing this. We're at the start of the end of the NFL's offseason. The one true break in the league's calendar. So, why not? Here's a Flea Flicker look at what could be the starting lineup of the 2016 Minnesota Vikings.

WR	Stefon Diggs
TE	Kyle Rudolph
T	Matt Kalil
G	Alex Boone
C	John Sullivan
T	Andre Smith
WR	Laquon Treadwell
QB	Teddy Bridgewater
RB	Adrian Peterson
FB	Zach Line
DE	Everson Griffen
DT	Linval Joseph
DT	Sharrif Floyd
DE	Brian Robison
SLB	Anthony Barr
MLB	Eric Kendricks
WLB	Chad Greenway
CB	Xavier Rhodes
CB	Trae Waynes
S	Harrison Smith
S	Anthony Harris
K	Blair Walsh
P	Jeff Locke
LS	Kevin McDermott

Some explaining.

Offense
The hope and expectation is probably for Laquon Treadwell to be one of the starting receivers. After all, the Vikings did spend a first round pick on him. Charles Johnson might have something to say about those expectations. He was terrific through the offseason workouts and enters training camp on top of the depth chart. Despite lacking timed speed, Treadwell is a special talent and could be a special football player. No matter which receivers are on the field for the first offensive snap of each game a lot of receivers will play.

Andre Smith is far from a certain start at right tackle. His competition with Phil Loadholt will probably be one of the more interesting competitions of training camp. Actually, there will be competition at nearly every spot on the offensive line. Alex Boone is probably the only lineman assured of starting.

Defense
Second-year defensive end Danielle Hunter was a rookie surprise last year. The Vikings drafted him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the understanding that he was a raw player and as a result a bit of a project. He proved to be quick study and was a dynamite pass rusher down the stretch last season. He'll throw a serious challenge into Brian Robison's five-year hold on the left defensive end spot.

Chad Greenway has been a Vikings defensive fixture at linebacker since 2007. He returns for what is expected to be his final season. He's no longer an every-down player but he's still an effective player. He's always been a team leader. Emmanuel Lamur may poach some of Greenway's snaps this season.

I hope that Trae Waynes wrestles the starting cornerback spot from veteran, and 2015 starer, Terence Newman simply to shut up all of the people proclaiming Waynes a bust. There's nothing wrong with a player sitting for a season as he learns and adjusts to the NFL. Waynes was a first-round rookie corner last season and looked like a first-round rookie corner in preseason. Newman was a solid, veteran presence all season. He's also played in Mike Zimmer's defense for about a decade. Waynes could have learned on the job but why force it? Especially when you have a talented, veteran player doing a fine job in front of him. Waynes was solid when he got a few snaps late in the season. He was better than solid when injuries forced him on the field in the playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. He even collected his first interception in that game. Waynes has the natural, physical skills to be a top-notch corner and he should get his starting shot this year.

The Vikings have been looking for a talented safety to pair with Harrison Smith since they drafted Smith in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The training camp competition for that spot should rival the offensive line competitions in interest and importance. Veteran Michael Griffin was signed in the offseason to be that talented safety for a year or two. He'll face competition from incumbent Andrew Sendejo and youngsters Anthony Harris, Antone Exum, and Jayron Kearse. I give Harris the edge in this projection simply because he does everything right. Coaches like that.

There it is. A way too early projection of the Vikings 2016 starting lineup. This is a talented football team with excellent depth. While most of the starting spots are fairly set there will be a lot of competition throughout the roster. That should make this year's stay in Mankato one of the most interesting and intense in recent memory.

Vikings 53-man Roster Projection

ESPN Staff Writer Ben Goessling is one of the better writers on the Minnesota Vikings beat. Here's his recent projection of the Vikings 53-man roster. As well as my thoughts on his decisions.

Quarterbacks (3): Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Taylor Heinicke (cut: Joel Stave).

Flea Flicker thoughts: No objections here.

Running backs (3): Adrian Peterson, Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata (cut: C.J. Ham, Jhurell Pressley).

Flea Flicker thoughts: Approved.

Fullback (1): Zach Line (cut: Blake Renaud).

Flea Flicker thoughts: Absolutely.

Wide receivers (6): Laquon Treadwell, Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright, Adam Thielen, Cordarrelle Patterson, Charles Johnson (cut: Moritz Böhringer, Isaac Fruechte, Marken Michel, Terrell Sinkfield, Troy Stoudermire).

Flea Flicker thoughts: The only question here is whether the Vikings keep 5 or 6 receivers and I agree with Goessling's projection of 6.

Tight ends (3): Kyle Rudolph, MyCole Pruitt, David Morgan (cut: Brian Leonhardt, Kyle Carter; PUP list: Rhett Ellison)

Flea Flicker thoughts: Rhett Ellison is recovering from a late season torn patellar tendon injury. His health for the season is the one thing that could alter this projection. If healthy, will the Vikings keep 4 tight ends? That's quite a luxury.

Offensive line (9): Matt Kalil, Alex Boone, John Sullivan, Brandon Fusco,Andre Smith, Joe Berger, Mike Harris, T.J. Clemmings, Willie Beavers (cut: Phil Loadholt, Nick Easton, Zac Kerin, Jeremiah Sirles, Austin Shepherd, Carter Bykowski).

Flea Flicker thoughts: I think that it's more likely that Phil Loadholt or Nick Easton makes the roster over Mike Harris.

Defensive line (8): Everson Griffen, Sharrif Floyd, Linval Joseph, Brian Robison, Danielle Hunter, Tom Johnson, Shamar Stephen, Justin Trattou.

Flea Flicker thoughts: There will be a few contenders for the fourth defensive end spot. I don't see Justin Trattou taking it. I think that competition will come down to Scott Crichton or Zach Moore. Maybe even rookie Stephen Weatherly. Although I think that he might be best served with a year on the practice squad.

Linebackers (7): Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Emmanuel Lamur, Chad Greenway, Edmond Robinson, Audie Cole, Kentrell Brothers (cut: Brandon Watts, Jake Ganus).

Flea Flicker thoughts: I can see it playing out this way. The one thing that could alter this projection is if the Vikings go with six linebackers. If that's the case, Audie Cole might be looking for work.

Defensive backs (10): Xavier Rhodes, Terence Newman, Captain Munnerlyn,Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Marcus Sherels, Harrison Smith, Andrew Sendejo, Michael Griffin, Anthony Harris (cut: Melvin White, Tre Roberson, Keith Baxter, Jabari Price, Antone Exum, Jayron Kearse).

Flea Flicker thoughts: The only issues that I have here are at safety. If Michael Griffin wins the starting spot opposite Harrison Smith I can see it playing out this way. I actually think that Anthony Harris will be named the starter. If that does come to be, I don't think that Griffin makes the team. I think that the Vikings will keep a youngster like Antone Exum or rookie Jayron Kearse over the veteran Griffin. At 6'4" and terrific athletic ability for that size, it will be a real gamble to try and sneak Kearse onto the practice squad.

Specialists (3): Blair Walsh, Jeff Locke, Kevin McDermott.

Flea Flicker thoughts: This could change only if the Vikings bring in another punter to challenge Jeff Locke. And, if that challenger wins the job.

Just over a month until training camps open!

NFL Top 100: 30-21

Here's this week's reveal of the NFL's Top 100. Players ranked 30-21.

30. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
29. Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
28. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Arizona Cardinals
27. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
26. Justin Houston, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
25. Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets
24. Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets
23. Joe Thomas, T, Cleveland Browns
22. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams
21. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

The highlight of this week's episode is that Joe Thomas spoke. He's been one of the best, if not the best, tackles in the league from the moment that he first stepped onto an NFL field in 2007. In all that time I'm not sure if I've ever heard him speak. He spoke of the football skills of Geno Atkins when the Bengals terrific defensive tackle was revealed at #29. Thomas was wired for sound when he was revealed at #23. Joe Thomas speaks!

I like this group of ten as it includes some of my favorite football players in the league. Geno Atkins, Tyrann Mathieu, Larry Fitzgerald, Justin Houston, and Brandon Marshall, in particular. Marshall is much easier to appreciate with the Jets than he ever was with the Chicago Bears.

This was Tyrann Mathieu's first appearance on the Top 100. It won't be his last. If he can avoid injuries he'll be a Top-15 staple for years. He's a special football player.

Larry Fitzgerald is simply a pass-catching tutorial. Any kid with dreams of catching footballs in the NFL has to watch Fitzgerald doing just that.

Justin Houston is a pass rushing nightmare for offenses. He also drops back in coverage more often than most pass rushing linebackers. That makes one wonder if he could hit 25-30 sacks if he was set loose on quarterbacks more often.

Just when you think that Darrelle Revis is about to start losing a step or losing something in coverage he does out and shuts down receivers. He's still the standard.

Joe Thomas speaks! He's also a beast of a blocker.

Todd Gurley was great as a rookie. Decent size, decent power, fast, explosive. If he can stay healthy he should be a dynamite back for the rest of the decade. Hopefully longer. I just don't like seeing a rookie propped up this high. But, this is the player's list and that's where they have him.

The Steelers has some unbelievable offensive talent. Even without receiver Martavis Bryant due to his off-the-field stupidity. Ben Roethlisberger will still have an excessive number of offensive weapons. When talk drifts to the elite throwers in the league some combination of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees is most often mentioned. Roethlisberger is often an afterthought. It's a puzzle. Only Brady has more Super Bowl wins and appearances. Roehlisberger is one of the best.

Another week. Another ten. Next week: 20-11. 

Throwback Thursday: NFL "Mount Rushmores"

I've had NFL "Mount Rushmore" players on my mind lately. Jim Reineking's excellent series of college Mount Rushmores of NFL players on NFL.com has put them on mind. So has the recent talk of LeBron James' place in NBA history after he brought a title to Cleveland. Actually, I don't really need much to trigger thoughts of the players and men that have played tremendous roles in the grand history of football.

If this "Mount Rushmore" thing is an unfamiliar thing it's the recent practice of tapping the four most significant players in the history of a team or league. Just like the four great American leaders whose likenesses are chiseled into a mountain in South Dakota.

In an effort to start slowly, here's a Flea Flicker look at a Minnesota Vikings Mount Rushmore.

Bud Grant
Alan Page
Cris Carter
Adrian Peterson

Bud Grant has to be included on any Vikings Mount Rushmore but if you want a "players only" Mount Rushmore here's one possibility.

Alan Page
Cris Carter
Adrian Peterson
Fran Tarkernton

It's real tough to leave out Jim Marshall, Randall McDaniel, John Randle...

Now, on to the brutal task of selecting an NFL Mount Rushmore. It's so brutal that I'm starting with a a pre- and post-merger Mount Rushmore. It's the best way to include the greatest number of deserving players.

Pre-AFL-NFL Merger (1920-70)  Mount Rushmore.

Red Grange
Sammy Baugh
Mel Hein
Jim Brown

There's no denying Grange's importance in the NFL's history. His impact was felt more off the field than on. The league needed attention. He brought it. The league needed fans. He attracted them. Due mostly to injuries that robbed him of his incredible running ability, Grange didn't have the playing career of other players in line for Mount Rushmore recognition. Ernie Nevers is one of those players. One could even go so far as to say that Nevers would have done for the NFL what Grange did if Grange never did. For the purpose of this Mount Rushmore, Grange is on it.

Picking only four players leaves out so many. Dutch Clark, Wilbur Henry, Bronco Nagurski, Mike Michalske, Clarke Hinkle, Don Hutson, Bulldog Turner, Sid Luckman, Otto Graham, Marion Motley, Bobby Layne, Night Train, John Unitas, Gino Marchetti, Deacon Jones... There really are too many combinations of four to single out an ultimate one.

Post-AFL-NFL Merger (1971-present) Mount Rushmore

Walter Payton
Lawrence Taylor
Jerry Rice
Joe Montana

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Reggie White, Jonathan Ogden, Ed Reed, Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith... How do you whittle down the list? In my opinion, Lawrence Taylor and Jerry Rice are the players that have to be part of any combination of four.

All-Time Mount Rushmore

Jim Brown
Sammy Baugh
Lawrence Taylor
Jerry Rice

I have Sammy Baugh as the one quarterback simply because he pushed the passing game so far forward. There were some talented throwers that came before him. Benny Friedman and Arnie Herber in particular, but Baugh was the one that really set the passing game on the path to our present day, pass-happy NFL.

It's so tough to pick only four that there really is no right answer. It would probably be most just to to all of the game-changing players in NFL history to do a Mount Rushmore for each position. Maybe next week.

All-Time Mount Rushmore (coaches)

Paul Brown
Vince Lombardi
Bill Walsh
Bill Belichick

It doesn't feel right to not have Don Shula among the four. Or Tom Landry. Or George Halas.

All-Time Mount Rushmore (contributors)

George Halas
Joe Carr
Bert Bell
Pete Rozelle

George Halas has to be on one of these Mount Rushmores. The not even be an NFL for which to do a Mount Rushmore if not for his dedication and presence.

For all that he did for football rules and officiating, Hugh "Shorty" Ray should have a spot on this Mount Rushmore but there's so little room. Maybe one of the commissioners should be booted.

The important thing to remember about any football Mount Rushmore is that there's no right Mount Rushmore.