In what has become an annual tradition, it is time to revisit the NFL Network’s list of the Top 10 Green Bay Packers of all time.
This year, this program is being featured during “Dynasty Week” which has an entire week of Packers programming scheduled to satisfy the need for football in the off season. With this in mind, now seems to be the perfect time to see if the list is accurate, or needs some revisions.
To refresh everyone’s memory, here is the list as they originally came up with:
10: Jim Taylor
9: Jerry Kramer
8: James Lofton
7: Herb Adderley
6: Paul Hornung
5: Ray Nitschke
4: Reggie White
3: Bart Starr
2: Brett Favre
1: Don Hutson
During last year’s revisit of the list, there were a few players who were worth discussing their inclusion on this list, and should be discussed again.
Although he was injured for half of the 2014 season, Aaron Rodgers’ career stats speak for themselves. Has he warranted a spot in this exclusive list yet?
What about Donald Driver, who retired as the team’s all time leader in receptions and receiving yards?
Dave Robinson entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past year. Does this equal a Top 10 all time ranking for the Packers?
After careful consideration, my revisited list last year featured the removal of James Lofton, and the inclusion of Aaron Rodgers:
10: Aaron Rodgers (with a bullet)
9: Jerry Kramer
8: Jim Taylor
7: Herb Adderley
6: Paul Hornung
5: Ray Nitschke
4: Reggie White
3: Bart Starr
2: Brett Favre
1: Don Hutson
This year, I’m going to make a few changes as well:
10: Jerry Kramer
9: Aaron Rodgers
8: Donald Driver
7: Jim Taylor
6: Paul Hornung
5: Ray Nitschke
4: Reggie White
3: Bart Starr
2: Brett Favre
1: Don Hutson
Rodgers deserves a spot on the Top 10 list for hist first five seasons he has been a starter. A Super Bowl champion, an MVP, and a statistical machine, Rodgers may very well wind up at the top of this list when his playing career comes to an end.
Adding Driver to the list makes sense based on having Hutson at number one. Hutson is often considered the best receiver of all time, an innovator at the position. Driver bested all of his records except touchdowns during his playing career. They are bookends of greatness in the franchise.
Jerry Kramer was moved to number 10 to make room for Rodgers and Driver. A vital piece of five championships during the Lombardi Era, Kramer was the best of a great group of offensive linemen, opening holes for Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung and keeping Bart Starr on his feet. While linemen generally don’t get much credit, Kramer deserves every bit he receives.
Did I get the list right? What changes would you make? Leave your changes in the comment area below.
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John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com.
He can also be heard as one of the Co-Hosts of Cheesehead Radio. ---------------------
