GOAT Tourney: MLB Finals

[femurov]

#1 Dick Butkus vs #2 Ray Lewis


Ray barely made it past Jack Lambert. Not sure if that is a tribute to the greatness of Lambert or the great hatred of Lewis. Either way, I'm pretty sure I know how this one will end.

[femurov]

I am voting for Butkus.

[MPilaf]

Butkus

[Xulu Bak]

Lewis. I don't think this should be close, but Butkus will probably win because the rules allowed him to play with greater physicality. Today's offenses are vastly more complex, OLs are a hell of a lot bigger (and every bit as athletic), MLBs are asked to do a hell of a lot more, and I think Lewis had a greater impact on his team and game. I don't know if any defensive player in history has had more impact on their team winning a championship than Lewis in '00.

Also, when comparing players across eras, I think you have to look at how each guy stacked up vs their peers. I'd argue the gap between Lewis and the next best MLB of his era (not even sure who thiat would be; Urlacher?) is quite a bit greater than Butkus and the next best MLBs of his era (Lanier, Nitschke).

[McGruffHawk]

Willis is the next great linebacker after Lewis, and I don't think the gap is that big.

Butkus.

[Xulu Bak]

Willis is the next great linebacker after Lewis, and I don't think the gap is that big.

Their careers overlap, but I wouldn't consider them from the same era. Lewis had already been in the league 11 years when Willis was drafted. Lewis had won DPotY twice, SB MVP once, had 5 first-time all-pros, and been to the pro bowl 8 times by then. That nicely illustrates another thing in Lewis' favor though, longevity.

Ravens were top 5 in defense nine times during Lewis' career. Bears were top 5 in defense twice during Butkus' career. (keep in mind, being top 5 wasn't even that much of an accomplishment for a good chunk of Butkus' career, including both years they managed that)

[Jim in NYC]

Butkus, Butkus, Butkus.

[janos_51]

Ray Lewis has never made someone cry on the football field (on the street after he drove by once, but never on the football field).

BUTKUS

[janos_51]

Their careers overlap, but I wouldn't consider them from the same era. Lewis had already been in the league 11 years when Willis was drafted. Lewis had won DPotY twice, SB MVP once, had 5 first-time all-pros, and been to the pro bowl 8 times by then. That nicely illustrates another thing in Lewis' favor though, longevity.

Ravens were top 5 in defense nine times during Lewis' career. Bears were top 5 in defense twice during Butkus' career. (keep in mind, being top 5 wasn't even that much of an accomplishment for a good chunk of Butkus' career, including both years they managed that)

Interesting use of stats to look retarded. There is so many ways that what I bolded means absolutely diddly, that I don't know where to begin.

[Darrell Green Fan]

I gotta go Butkis too.

[Anointed One]

Ray Lewis for me... For Ray to have played 17 years as such a high level is amazing in itself for a MLB.. Butkus played 9 years... I just think Ray Lewis faced much much tough talent than Butkus did...

[Canada]

Butkus.