JOESAM2002

I found this when I was looking for something I thought might keep ya'll busy till training camp. It's an interesting thought.


Which athlete would make the best NFL player?


R. Artest A. Dunn T. Hunter J. Kidd S. Marbury A. Mason T. McGrady C. Patterson G. Payton D. Young

Putting together an NFL 'dream team'


Athletes in other sports good enough to make transition
By Eric Edholm (eedholm@pfwmedia.com)
June 18, 2003
Last week I was back home in Boston for vacation, and I am watching the evening news when I see Patriots Tom Brady and Lawyer Milloy taking batting practice at Fenway Park. It’s the kind of cross-sports story that the local news affiliates, especially in Boston, love: Football heroes try their hands out at sports they haven’t played since high school.

It’s also the kind of story that got me thinking. What athletes today would make good crossover players? Surely there are athletes in the other major sports (insert baseball or golf joke here) who are good enough to make it in the NFL. The problems, of course, would be picking linemen, but I reserve the right to be creative up front. After all, the Broncos have a smaller, quicker O-line, and the Patriots use a 3-4 defense with some less-than-hulking D-linemen in their system.

Everyone knows about Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders and Brian Jordan, so I am excluding both former NFL players, retired or out-of-work players and future NFL players who ride the pine on their school’s college baseball team or something. So here, magically, is our “dream� NFL team, raw as can be but full of potential. I can’t wait for the readers’ suggestions, which are sure to be better than the players I picked.

Offense

The theme of the offense would be speed and strength. Although we would lack great bulk up front, the size at other positions would create mismatches. Leadership is also a strength with two point guards in the huddle.

QB: Jason Kidd, PG, New Jersey Nets, 6-4, 212

Every good team needs a good leader, and every good football team needs a leader at quarterback. Kidd can thread the needle without forcing the issue, and playing through pain and adversity has always been his trademark. Technically, I could pick Drew Henson here, but he still might be an NFL player one day.

RB: Stephon Marbury, PG, Phoenix Suns, 6-2, 205

Marbury’s wiry, sinewy frame and excellent stamina would make him a perfect workhorse back. He has speed and strength, and although he would be one of the taller backs in the league, he has a nice low center of gravity he shows off when he decides to play defense. His improbable shot-making ability would translate into some Barry Sanders-esque runs, turning something out of nothing.

FB: Jeff Bagwell, 1B, Houston Astros, 6-0, 215

Short, stocky type who can bowl straight ahead or catch passes out of the backfield, a la Marc Edwards. Strong hands, smarts and compact movement make him perfect for hitting the hole. Great clubhouse guy too.

TE: Carlos Delgado, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays, 6-3, 235

Vladimir Guerrero is tempting here because of his unbelievable athleticism, but his lack of size (6-2, 220) hurts. Delgado is not the fastest guy in the world, but he has a very strong upper body and great hand-eye coordination. Only one problem: If Delgado hates wearing batting helmets — watch him take BP: he never has one on — how is he going to handle 50 snaps a game with a football helmet?

WR: Torii Hunter, CF, Minnesota Twins, 6-2, 210

Great hands and super anticipation make Hunter the perfect X-receiver in a go-go offense, similar to Laveranues Coles but bigger. Remember his home-run rob of Barry Bonds in the All-Star Game last year? Serious hops make him a great option for jump balls.

WR: Tracy McGrady, SG, Orlando Magic, 6-8, 210

Now this is scary: McGrady is Terrell Owens plus five inches. Actually, McGrady would remind people of former Eagles skywalker Harold Carmichael. Constantly double- and triple-teamed, McGrady uses his body and shiftiness to get away from defenders. He would also be one of the four or five strongest — not to mention one of the most explosive — receivers in the game right away.

OLT: Robert Traylor, PF, New Orleans Hornets, 6-8, 300

A prototype blind-side protector who has the lateral quickness to handle speedy edge rushers. Although Traylor has been accused of being lazy, he simply has to get his arms locked on defenders, and he would be very effective.

OLG: Malik Rose, PF, San Antonio Spurs, 6-7, 255

You have to worry about him being a little upright, but Rose is a battler who could use his smarts and leverage — he does guard Shaq from time to time, after all — to handle bigger D-tackles. Rose also brings the perfect warrior mentality to our undersized line.

C: John Daly, PGA, 5-11, 220 (yeah, right)

His generous weight listing with the PGA doesn’t negate the fact that at 37, Daly can still bring a nasty disposition and a fight-at-all-costs attitude to our makeshift line. Daly would also keep things light during those grueling training-camp days with a few seedy “frat boy� jokes.

ORG: Hal Gill, D, Boston Bruins, 6-5, 235

Gill has the frame to put on another 15-20 pounds of beef, and he is one of the toughest and most solidly built players on ice these days. His lateral movement is good enough to handle playing strong-side guard. Plus, we need a lunch-pail, NHL guy up front.

ORT: Frank Thomas, 1B-DH, Chicago White Sox, 6-5, 275

This former Auburn tight end might not be the fastest or best athlete on the team anymore, but he would fill a role on this squad similar to former Bears ORT James “Big Cat� Williams — a veteran leader with good hands and a big, strong frame.

Defense

I chose a 3-4 alignment up front because this defense is built on taller, faster players — not bulk up front. We might get mauled a little bit at the point of attack, but teams who try to run wide or throw a lot might be sorry.

LDE: Eric Daze, LW, Chicago Blackhawks, 6-6, 240

Angular rusher who attacks well and reads changes. His long arms and good center of gravity make him a tough player to block. Daze has the frame to take on more weight and be a good all-around end.

NT: Elton Brand, C, Los Angeles Clippers, 6-8, 268

Long arms and good anticipation make Brand a good bully up front, albeit a tall one. You would never call Brand lanky, though, and battles against Western Conference big men all season would aptly prepare him for trench warfare.

RDE: Anthony Mason, PF, Milwaukee Bucks, 6-8, 265

Ed “Too Tall� Jones was 6-9, so Mason — who is built like a huge fire hydrant — could fill this role effectively. Mason’s trademark in hoops is his versatility, so he could play the run and the pass equally well.

WLB: Ron Artest, PF, Indiana, 6-7, 247

Artest would be a Julian Peterson-type linebacker who has the long wingspan to deflect passes and enough quickness to get after the passer. He would bring a nasty attitude to the "D" and could double as a fearsome wedge buster on special teams.

ILB: Adam Dunn, RF, Cincinnati Reds, 6-6, 240

Dunn would be a monster inside who does not mind taking a lick (check out one of his home-plate collisions). At 6-6, he would be able to see over even the largest offensive lines and make line calls as he sees them.

ILB: Dmitri Young, OF-3B, Detroit Tigers, 6-2, 235

A truck in the middle of the defense who has enough lateral movement — he plays third and outfield, after all — to make plays all over. Young’s power at the plate would serve him well in head-on collisions with fullbacks and guards.

SLB: Eric Lindros, RW, New York Rangers, 6-5, 240

A bit broken down these days, but Lindros has the speed and quickness to get his hands on tight ends inside of five yards and use his superior strength to throw them off their patterns or blocks.

CB: Gary Payton, PG, Milwaukee Bucks, 6-4, 180

Tough, nasty defender who gets in your face and can handle both fast and tall receivers with good, quick feet and rare height. Tell me “the Glove� is not a great name for a shutdown corner.

FS: Corey Patterson, CF, Chicago Cubs, 5-10, 180

Former prep football star who patrols the outfield with grace but also shows some pop at the plate. He also has a great pedigree: his father, Don, is a former NFL defensive back with the Lions and the Giants in the late 1970s. Height is a concern, but Patterson is well-built for the position.

SS: John Madden, F, New Jersey Devils, 5-11, 195

Selfless and versatile team player who may be a bit small for the position but is sticky as a defender up front; he could play deep or in the box. In the NHL, Madden is one of the best offensive short-handed players; those when-the-chips-are-down intangibles are invaluable in the fourth quarter. Plus, how do you leave a guy named John Madden off any dream football team. Boom!

CB: Alfonso Soriano, 2B, New York Yankees, 6-1, 180

A rare athlete who has all the earmarks of a great corner: strength, height, speed and instincts. He might not be as physical as Payton on the other side of the field, but he could stick with defenders all over the field. Soriano’s baseball pop would also keep receivers attentive.

Special teams

PK: Brandy Chastain, D, Bay Area CyberRays, 5-7, 130

David Beckham probably has the most accurate leg in the world, but he is too much of a head case for this team. And Mia Hamm is the more well-known player, but Chastain is known for her uncanny leg strength and accuracy. Chastain would not only give us a clutch performer (she was, after all, the one who won the World Cup on a penalty kick), but also a bit of publicity as the first female in the NFL.

P: Darin Erstad, CF, Anaheim Angels, 6-2, 210

College punter at Nebraska not only has a strong leg but could also play on other special-teams units with his blue-collar style and fearless mentality. Erstad could also step in for Patterson at free safety if needed.

KR: Allen Iverson, PG, Philadelphia 76ers, 6-0, 170

Iverson has the straight-line speed and vintage shoulder dips to make even the most seasoned of NFL tacklers get faked out of their cleats. Although he has character issues, Iverson would be a role player on this team, diminishing his exposure. But it sure would be nice to use him as a Dave Meggett-like scatback on third downs.

PR: Paul Kariya, RW, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, 5-10, 172

Lightning-fast, change-of-pace returner with some serious skates reminds me of Vai Sikahema. He has incredible timing and seems to sense openings before they are there. Would be especially great on turf. The hit he took in the NHL finals this year shows Kariya can take a lick and keep on ticking.

Special-teams ace: Brad Ference, D, Phoenix Coyotes, 6-3, 210

Enforcer on defense intimidates on the ice. His psycho, hold-nothing-back attitude makes him the favorite for special-teams captain — and demon.

LS: Antonio Alfonseca, P, Chicago Cubs, 6-5, 250

The six-fingered (and six-toed, interestingly enough) man would have an added grip on balls, and his flame-throwing right arm could handle the deep snaps, including punts, effectively.

H: Ivan “Pudge� Rodriguez, C, 5-10, 220

Superior hands and concentration make him an ideal fit as the team’s holder. On bad snaps, his great gun could make for a secret weapon. Pudge would also appear on the “good hands� team up front on kickoff returns. Although, come to think of it, you have to be leading in the fourth quarter to have a good-hands team. Well, never mind ...

Coach: Bobby Knight

Who else? The fire-breathing coach has seen it all on the hardwood, and his defense-preaching, team-first system would be an instant hit for an inexperienced team. He’d also be a box-office hit for sure. Add to the fact that Knight is among the more well-read and well-schooled coaches ever in terms of strategy and motivation, and you’ve got a perfect leader. He has taken teams with far superior talent and coaxed them into believing they can overcome all odds. And don’t forget that Knight coached hoops at Army at the same time that Bill Parcells coached football there. The two are friends (Knight is also close to baseball manager and master strategist Tony La Russa), and Knight is sure to have picked his brain over the years.
:D

nocloning

Where\'s the MDP? I\'m sure Kidd would love to have him at LT.

duece4heisman316

Wheres Shaq? I\'d figure him to be an easy choice for Offensive lineman!

nocloning

Shaq = MDP (Most dominant player, that\'s what he calls himself).
Nice to see we agree though.