All-time Best 11 Players by Team-AFC West_NFL.com
 

It's the offseason so clickbait but whaddya' think? Are there enough Olinemen on the picks for KC? How does San Diego not have a SB with all the studs they've had? Doyou agree that Elway should have been on the Denver list twice because he's just that good? **** the Faiders.

Kansas City Chiefs
1) Derrick Thomas, OLB (1989-1999)
2) Tony Gonzalez, TE (1997-2008)
3) Len Dawson, QB (1962-1975)
4) Willie Lanier, LB (1967-1977)
5) Will Shields, OG (1993-2006)
6) Bobby Bell, LB (1963-1974)
7) Buck Buchanan, DT (1963-1975)
8) Priest Holmes, RB (2001-07)
9) Emmitt Thomas, DB (1966-1978)
10) Eric Berry, S (2010-present)
11) Johnny Robinson, S (1960-1971)
Coach: Hank Stram (1960-1974)


As historic as Dawson's contributions are to the Chiefs franchise, and as iconic as this hardcore picture of him smoking a cig during Super Bowl I's halftime is, Thomas and Gonzalez are the superior players. The two were statistical marvels and matchup nightmares in their time and are both top-five all-timers at their respective positions.

After the top six, it's tough sledding. As with Larry Johnson and Jamaal Charles, Holmes had a brief-but-historic run of play with Kansas City after the turn of the century. Of the three tailbacks, Holmes' three-season stretch of 6,566 total yards stands out as the most noteworthy accomplishment. That and his three first-team All-Pros.

The back end is dominated by secondary studs, including Berry, the lone active Chief on this list. Seven years into his career, Berry (who is apparently nicknamed the Fifth Dimension?) has already earned a spot, thanks to his consistent play, leadership ability and one hell of a comeback story.

I ran out of room for fan favorites like Charles, Christian Okoye and Otis Taylor.

DT Tribute video included in article:
http://www.nfl.com/m/share?p=%2Fvide...Derrick-Thomas


http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...amers-stack-up

Denver Broncos
1) John Elway, QB (1983-1998)
2) Terrell Davis, RB (1995-2001)
3) Steve Atwater, S (1989-1998)
4) Shannon Sharpe, TE (1990-99, 2002-03)
5) Rod Smith, WR (1995-2007)
6) Floyd Little, RB (1967-1975)
7) Champ Bailey, CB (2004-2013)
8) Karl Mecklenburg, LB (1983-1994)
9) Peyton Manning, QB (2012-15)
10) Von Miller, LB (2011-present)
11) Randy Gradishar, LB (1974-1983)
Coach: Mike Shanahan (1995-2008)


No debate at the top. This one's for John. The Bowlens might own the Broncos, but Elway is the Broncos. The Mile High legend's resume: seven division titles, five Super Bowl appearances, two Lombardis -- and, as Denver's general manager, one massive free-agent signing. Speaking of which ... For a QB who brought a franchise to two Super Bowls in just four years, Manning is objectively a little low on this list. But come on -- he's a horse of a different color -- a Colt -- and to honor him as a top-five Bronco would be to belittle the contributions of Atwater, Little, Smith and Mecklenburg, who were nearly all career-long Broncos.

Davis' run in the pros was short but Super, Super sweet: The three-time All-Pro and SB XXXII MVP is one of just seven backs rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Before he spent his mornings shutting up Skip Bayless, Sharpe was Elway's target of choice, and one of the game's most prolific tight ends. Miller has just seven years in the league, but the chicken farmer already has a Super Bowl MVP and three All-Pro selections to his name.

By a half-vote on my super-secretive closed ballot, Orange Crush fixture Gradishar edges out Gary Zimmerman, Demaryius Thomas and Tom Jackson. Sorry, Boom!

Don't watch this one KC Fan:
http://www.nfl.com/m/share?p=%2Fvide...QBs-John-Elway

Los Angeles Chargers
1) LaDainian Tomlinson, RB (2001-09)
2) Junior Seau, LB (1990-2002)
3) Lance Alworth, WR (1962-1970)
4) Dan Fouts, QB (1973-1987)
5) Antonio Gates, TE (2003-2017)
6) Kellen Winslow Sr., TE (1979-1987)
7) Philip Rivers, QB (2004-present)
8) Charlie Joiner, WR (1976-1986)
9) Leslie O'Neal, DE/OLB (1986-1995)
10) Ron Mix, OT (1960-69)
11) Eric Weddle, S (2007-2015)
Coach: Sid Gillman (1960-1971)

Oakland Raiders
1) Jim Otto, C (1960-1974)
2) Gene Upshaw, OG (1967-1981)
3) Howie Long, DE (1981-1993)
4) Art Shell, OT (1968-1982)
5) Ken Stabler, QB (1968-1979)
6) Fred Biletnikoff, WR (1965-1978)
7) Marcus Allen, RB (1982-1992)
8) Tim Brown, WR (1988-2003)
9) Willie Brown, CB (1967-1978)
10) Cliff Branch, WR (1972-1985)
11) Ted Hendricks, LB (1975-1983)
Coach: John Madden (1969-1978)

http://www.nfl.com/m/share?p=%2Fvide...re-Autumn-wind

We have the worst team


Also, Shields is our franchise leader in AV over at pro football reference

Charles was better than Holmes by a country mile. He just played on shit ass terrible teams.


Shields is top shelf.

What's the feeling among KC fans re: do you consider Roaf a Chief? If so it seems like he'd maybe be in there?

Oh yeah they should have special honor for when they skewed the Cap $

Agreed. Shields was great in every way and JC istbe best RB we have ever had. Only Thomlinson was better in the history of the division.

Top 5 Broncos...

Roids
HGH
Crisco
Under the table cash
Corporate Shill

Roaf is a Chief. I would've put him at 11 instead of Robinson.

In terms of value, I see Kelce pretty similar to Eric Berry.

Can you imagine our offense these last 4 years without Kelce? Think about the second half of the Titans game....

I’d have to say Marcus Allen was better than Jamaal too.

I'd take Terrell Davis over Charles any day of the week.

As a Chief?

http://rupertapproves.com/wp-content.../stupidity.gif

For some reason Albert Lewis is always forgotten. He absolutely belongs on that list - somewhere in the middle imo.

I can't argue with the names on the list, but can not agree with the order.

As great as DT was, Bobby Bell should be number 1 , with Willie Lanier, my favorite player ever, at 2.

DT comes in at 3 for me, and as much as I dislike TG, he would have to come in at 4.

While I would agree that Charles was the mote talented RB, if you include impact, Holmes does belong on this list ahead of him.

The only people that remember that Peyton Manning was a Colt is Colts fans. For years to come when they show Peyton at the top of his game he'll be wearing orange. The Colts were Galacticly stupid to cut him.

Davis was good, but he benefited from one of the best offensive lines ever, and the offense also had great skill position players (Shannon Sharpe and the wife -beater)

With Denver Peyton set the NFL record for average points in a season while winning the West 5 years in a row and going to two Superbowls and winning one of them.
But he's a Colt.

Priest had one of the best 3 year runs by a RB behind that OL and he wasn’t as talented as Charles.

I can’t even imagine what Jamaal would have done with Priest Holmes OL.

Yes he did. But he wasn't good he was great imho. For four years.
Though he's in the HOF he's not in the conversation with the all-time greats because he didn't prove it for as long as they did.

Eric Berry has no business being on this list

One of the most overrated chiefs players ever

No way Manning is below those guys.

Just because he sucked ass the final year doesn't mean he wasn't historically great for the other 4.

True but I don't disagree with the OP in leaving Manning lower because he's not a full Bronco and the other guys are (though Champ had a cup of coffee in Washington first).

Frankenmanning should never have been allowed to play a snap in Pile High. Using banned substances negates him from any list or accomplishments during that time.

I'd be fine if they allowed HGH fountains on the sidelines and players could bathe in it in the training room.

But he isn't. He did play for the Colts you are correct. They cut him because they thought he was done to pick up an underachieving Young Gun. Watch when they show highlights of him if he's in the news or something. There's a little bit of blue there but it's mostly and predominantly Orange. Peyton Manning's achievements in Denver are unique. Never has a quarterback gone to another team and won a Superbowl. It Breaks the Rules.

First of all DT is not the greatest, he's not even the greatest LB in team history...Bell and Lanier were great all around LB's and went to two Super Bowls (remember sacks weren't a stat when they played) Also, list loses credibility wit the comment after the first six...total BS...Buchanan is on any greatest Chiefs list no questions asked Finally Priest had great numbers no doubt but in Leonard is so high up how did he get there...Taylor has to be on that list in place of Holmes.

Good points all and since it's completely subjective there isn't any right answer. I think that if surveyed the majority of NFL fans would say he's a Colt and I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be close. Including his Denver teammates and coaches.

Wow bro just how old are you? :D

Why do you dislike TG?

When you aren't good enough to get over the hump...cheat. The El Way.

I'm feelin' ya' mang.

Where is Sabby Piscatelli on this list?

He's #7 on Prison Bitch's all time list

Priest basically averaged 1600 rushing yards, 600 receiving yards and 20 TDs from 2001-2003. Then if you extrapolate the 8 games he played in 2004 before going down with injury, he was on pace for another 1800 yards and 28 TDs. It's insane.

this is like saying if Trent Green had any of Alex Smith's defenses that held teams to only field goals in the playoffs or under 20 points per game then Trent probably takes us to a Super Bowl and is the Chiefs GOAT at QB.

Here's my list. I'm assuming that "best players" means the best at their position and not the most important to the franchise.

Chiefs:

1. Tony Gonzalez
2. Will Shields
3. Buck Buchanan
4. Len Dawson
5. Willie Lanier
6. Derrick Thomas
7. Bobby Bell
8. Albert Lewis
9. Jamaal Charles
10. Deron Cherry

Chargers

1. Ladainian Tomlinson
2. Ed White
3. Kellen Winslow
4. Phillip Rivers
5. Antonio Gates
6. Junior Seau (who leaps about in joy at hearing his name)
7. Leslie O'Neal
8. Lance Alworth
9. Ron Mix
10. Dan Fouts

Raiders

1. Art Shell
2. Gene Upshaw
3. Marcus Allen
4. Cliff Branch
5. Jim Otto
6. Shane Lechler
7. Willie Brown
8. Tim Brown
9. Ben Davidson
10. Howard Long

Broncos

1. Rod Smith
2. Thannon Tharpe
3. Karl Mecklenburg
4. Randy Gradishar
5. Al Wilson
6. Trevor Pryce
7. Steve Watson
8. Champ Bailey
9. Riley Odoms
10. Dennis Smith

Also of note: Priest's longest runs in each season were 41, 56, and 31 yards. The man had 2000+ yards from scrimmage and damn near 30 TDs in 2003 yet his longest run was 31 yards. Also insane.

He had only 6 rushes of 40+ yards in his entire career. For comparison, Jamaal had two separate individual seasons in which he had 5 runs of 40+ yards.

Well thought-out lists. I especially enjoy you including Lechler for the Faid and excluding Elway from Denver’s list.

The list on the Chiefs is flawed, because two Chiefs who are in the Pro Football HOF aren't even included: Curly Culp and Jan Stenerud.

Otis Taylor should be on the list as well. It's criminal that he's not in the HOF. Johnny Robinson is starting to get some run now by the old timers committee.

I worked hard to stay true to my rule of only picking the best players.

Should do a AFCW 11 biggest busts for each team.

Agree 100% on Bell. Dude simply was ahead of his time. I'm convinced that if he played in the sack era, he would be that reference LB and not Lawrence Taylor.

He and Buchanan don't get the love they deserve. I've watched that stitched together copy of Super Bowl 1 numerous times, and Buck was practically unstoppable in that game. He was killing it. And when you hear Hog Hannah talk about him, he was a monster. Those two guys are my 1 and 2 with Lanier at 3. That defense, with those 3 guys, and 2 more (possibly a 3rd) HOFers on it was an all time great team.

Deron Cherry was a good safety, but I don't think he was as good as Johnny Robinson.

The only omission that really stuck out to me. Roaf may not have been here for his entire career but he was the best lineman to don the red and gold for sure. Dude was on another level.

I look at Roaf like Montana or Allen. All are HOF guys, but all three made their reputations elsewhere before coming to KC. Their time with the Chiefs helped cement their HOF careers, but they'll all be remembered with their original parent team.

I've been screaming for years about Otis Taylor being inducted, but deaf ears. They'll probably put him in a year after he dies, which is a damn shame.

No Ray Guy for the Raiders seems odd to me

Building a list of "Best" is very hard, because skill position players tend to carry more perceived value; but then a player may come along that defines a position for generations -like Stenerud's kicking style. So here's my shot at the great 11:

1: Bobby Bell OLB
2: Tony Gonzalez TE
3: Len Dawson QB
4: Derrick Thomas OLB
5: Willie Lanier MLB
6: Jan Stenerud K
7: Will Shields G
8: Buck Buchanan DT
9: Curley Culp DT
10: Emmitt Thomas CB
11: Otis Taylor WR
Coach: Hank "The Mentor" Stram

Rationale: Bobby Bell was the best all around athlete and football player to suit up. He was the first outside linebacker from the AFL days inducted into the HOF. He deep snapped and played on special teams his entire career. TG is a consensus first ballot HOFer. Dawson QBed our team in 2 Super Bowls and is the only Chief to be a Super Bowl MVP. Seven of the remaining eight are HOF members and the final nominee Otis Taylor, should be.

Damn, Rain Man. That's a pretty good list considering you have to leave Elway off of it. Nice to see Mecklenburg getting some love.

I wondered what Broncos fans would think about my placement Al Wilson. As an opponent, I thought he was very underrated. He was one of those guys who was kind of scary to face. What do you think about his placement on the list?

Heh, I'm biased. I only have two jerseys and one of them is Al Wilson. He'd be in my top ten.

He gets docked for having an all time OL, and he didn't have as much pure athletic ability as Charles or even Larry Johnson, but he'd hold his own against either of those guys. Way more than people think. His acceleration in those first 10 yards was elite, and it helped him rack up those stats you posted. He just didn't have the breakaway speed.

In some ways it was more deadly because he was so good at picking up chunks and controlling the TOP. But he was also a very smart runner with great quickness, wasn't afraid to give up his body at the goal line and it made him unstoppable there. He could also catch the ball better than those other guys, and he rarely turned it over. That's not as exciting as a guy who can bust a 90 yard run at any time but it's still a dangerous weapon because he could do so many things and do them efficiently.

I wasn't trying to disparage him or anything. It's just pretty incredible that he could be so effective while essentially rarely ever being explosive.

Priest had elite vision, patience and ball security. He was a great receiver with a compact body.

Priest should be at least 3 positions higher.

I assume I'll probably get hate for this, but I think Tamba Hali had a better career with the Chiefs than Berry has - so far at least. He didn't quite have Berry's absolute peak (though Hali's 14.5-sack season wasn't far off), he doesn't have the comeback story (though people underrate his life story IMO), he doesn't have the same affection that came from draft day and he's just generally less liked, I guess, but his performance from 2009-2013 was a better run than Berry's had, considering the injuries and inconsistencies earlier in his career, and on top of that he bookended it with some decent play.

Oof. Paragraph time.

And what about Derrick Johnson - at least compared to Berry. Kind of similar. Peak isn't so high, but much more longevity.

IDK, Berry's actually pretty overrated career-wise. You can't blame him for completely missing 3 years out of 8 in the league, but you also can't give him any credit. You can only really judge 5 years' worth of play, and they damn sure weren't all nearly as good as his best year or 2.

Solid point Gblowfish.

His patience combined with that line was an absolute thing of beauty to watch.

Here's my list of most despised d-bags on the other AFC West squads:

Denver Donks:
1) John Elway, QB - He could be pick 1 thru 5...
2) Steve Atwater, S Makes one good hit on Okoye and he's a hero...
3) Thannon Tharpe, TE Mush Mouth Trash Talker
4) Tom Jackson LB - Always poor talked the Chiefs on ESPN
5) Floyd Little, RB - Bow legged MoFo....he was a good back though.
6) Tombstone Jackson, DE - With a name like Tombstone...
7) Aqib Talib, CB Extra hatred points because he's a Jayhawk.
8) Karl Mecklenburg, LB - I video'ed him at an FCA camp once. Giant douche.
9) Peyton Manning, QB - Roided up Five Head. He blows Papa John.
10) Neil Smith, DE - Screw him. Traitorous Bastard. I mean it, man.
11) Randy Gradishar, LB He was a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
Coach: Mike Shanahan - Shana RAT.

Los Angeles Chargers
1) Rodney Harrison SS - King of the cheap shot. Major asshole.
2) Shane Merriman LB - Roided up out of his freaking mind.
3) Junior Seau LB - Roids and head trauma make him kill himself.
4) Dan Fouts, QB - Major asshole. Hate him doing color on Chiefs games.
5) Natrone Means RB - Single handedly knocked KC out of the playoffs once.
7) Phyllis Rivers, QB - Whiner, loser.
The rest of these guys I'm OK with:
8) Lance Alworth, WR Almost as good as Otis Taylor. Almost.
9) Kellen Winslow, TE: MIZ-ZOU
10) Ron Mix, OT - His nickname was "The Silent Assassin."
11) Speedy Duncan, CB: Gotta love a guy named "Speedy."
Coach: Sid Gillman - Wore bowties. Father of the West Coast Offense.

Oakland Raiders
1) Jack Tatum, SS: Criminal. Period.
2) Ben Davidson, DE: Taught Rodney Harrison how to cheap shot.
3) Marv Hubbard, RB: Smart mouth no talent douche.
4) Dan Connors, LB: Nickname was "Crybaby Connors."
5) Jamarcus Russell, QB: Purple Drank Druggie...he BEAT US ONCE!!
6) Willie Brown, CB: Had Pass Interference down to an artform.
7) Lyle Alzado, DE: Another Roided up criminal.
8) Rich Gannon, QB: Should have kept him. He made us pay for our mistake.
9) Todd Marijuanavich, QB: He was stoned and he missed it...
10) Barrett Robbins, C: Psychopath. Sad Story.
11) Howie Long, DE: I don't hate Howie, he was a monster to face.
Coach: Al "Squiggy" Davis. Just sue, Baby...

Heck no. OP stated that Jamaal was the second best RB in the history of the division behind LT. I disagree with that.

No Charles is criminal, he's my all time favorite Chief and I grew up with priest (who I love aswell but JC is better IMO)

How scary good would have Charles been behind Priest Holmes' OL? :eek:

Most would say different styles of running, which is true. Holmes trusted his HOF OL and let his blocks develop, Charles hit his hole with a crap OL and boom he was off to the races. There are very few RB's that got into the 2nd level as fast as Charles did.

UT has sure put out a lot of very good RB's over the yrs.

Priest was the most productive, Larry Johnson was the most physically gifted, Jamaal was the most talented. All were A+ guys at their peak.

Dude! Dude! You forgot Bill Romanowski!

Love it

No Mahomes? FAIL

I watched Charles, multiple times, run around and utilize linemen who were on the ground as blockers. He'd angle defenders into them. That's good vision.

If he had a good OL, he'd have dominated more than he did (when his body allowed him).

I don't like TG.

1. He's pretty notorious for being an asshole to fans.

2. He's a pompous prick and I can't stand listening to him in retirement.

3. I learned from Hard Knocks that TG is THAT GUY who complains 24/7. Just bitch bitch bitch. You could tell Jason Dunn hated listening to him bitch all goddamn day. Ever worked with that guy? Yeah, nobody likes working with that guy even when he's great at his job.

4. He asked to be traded AT LEAST five times when he wasn't getting the ball enough in games, and sometimes even did this after KC won.

Tony was a great player but a pretty easy guy to dislike. Totally a me first guy from start to finish.

TG is a winner in life despite being a loser in his profession. If he's a dick, that means he's furious about the past.

He transcends the list as he's not only a Roided Up psycho, but he's an ex Donk and ex Raider. He's in his own category of deplorable.

Dewey Cheatem and Howe. Elways newest acquisitions

:clap: Spot on.

Eddie McCaffrey honorable mention?