Throwback Thursday: Flea Flicker All-Time NFL Team

With Rob Gronkowski announcing his retirement from football on Sunday, it felt like a fine time for another look at some of the best in NFL history. For most of my early football fan days the tight end was more extra blocker than receiver. The pass-catching talents of Charlie Sanders, Dave Casper. Kellen Winslow, Todd Christensen, Ozzie Newsome opened the eyes of offensive schemers. Gradually, the big guys got leaner and faster and became more receiver than extra blocker. Then came Gronkowski. No other tight end has ever been quite like him. His blocking was old school. His impact in the passing game was new age. He did both like no other. His place among the best to ever play the game, at any position, is secure.

Offense

QB
Tom Brady, New England Patriots

RB
Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

WR
Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers
Lance Alworth, San Diego Chargers

TE
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

T
Jim Parker, Baltimore Colts
Forrest Gregg, Green Bay Packers

G
Randall McDaniel, Minnesota Vikings
John Hannah, New England Patriots

C
Dwight Stephenson, Miami Dolphins

Defense

DE
Reggie White, Philadelphia Eagles
Deacon Jones, Los Angeles Rams

DT
Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings
Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers

LB
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants
Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears
Jack Ham, Pittsburgh Steelers

CB
Deion Sanders, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, etc.
Mike Haynes, Oakland Raiders

S
Ronnie Lott, San Francisco 49ers
Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens

Special Teams

K
Adam Vinatieri, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts

P
Tommy Davis, San Francisco 49ers

Kick Returner
Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears

Punt Returner

Jack Christiansen, Detroit Lions