THE ULTIMATE FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE UNIT

In a time where we live in a generation with a QB who has won six Super Bowls, the conversation of the G.O.A.T. constantly is in discussion. Thankfully, for the real fans, regardless of Super Bowls, Tom Brady is hated and is constantly argued against as the G.O.A.T. due to the the allegations the Patriots cheating. In my opinion though, in football the conversation of the G.O.A.T. is pointless. The positions are so different that signifying one G.O.A.T. is insane in the ultimate team sport. With that being said, what would the ultimate offensive unit look like???

LET'S FIND OUT

OFFENSE (Going to follow a Spread based offense QB, RB 3 WR, TE)

QB Drew Brees

Might as well start this with a surprise. The undersized Drew Brees statistically has put up numbers at a consistent rate that the NFL has never seen. Drew Brees has literally abolished the notion that to be successful in the NFL you have to be a 6'3 and up to be successful in the NFL. Drew Brees success has opened the doors for QBs like Russel Wilson and Baker Mayfield. Before Brees, QBs in that stature didn't stand a chance. Now in this years NFL draft the talk of the QB's is the 5'10 Kyler Murray out of Oklahoma. When talking about the G.O.A.T. you are usually looking for a player who changed the game, statistically great, and a champion. Drew Brees checks off every box and why he leads this ultimate team.

Others considered: Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady

RB Walter Payton

When people talk about being built different, Walter Payton was just that. The moment he stepped on an NFL field he was arguably the best player the moment he stepped on it. The once All-Time NFL leading rusher was a threat to take it to the house anytime he got the ball in his hands. Could you imagine what his numbers would like today in the NFL? The way RBs are used in the passing game now, Walter Payton would flourish. I know what you're thinking... how would I know anything about Walter Payton when I never saw him play? And to that I say, gotta love NFL Films.

Others considered: Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith, LaDainian Tomlinson

WR Calvin Johnson Jr.

MEGATRON! With a nickname like that you'd have to be beast. While the Detroit Lions consistently under performed Calvin Johnson Jr. level of play never faltered. In one of the few consistent bright spots on the Lions, Megatron performed at a high level. Megatron's best statistical year, he had 122 catches 1,964 yards and 5 TDs. The TD number is a dud, but productivity like his 2012 was unreal. At 6'5 with 4.3 speed is something the NFL wasn't anything like anyone has seen since our next WR.......

WR Randy Moss

Ah Packer faithful, I'm sure the thought of Randy Moss scoring a touchdown and mooning you is a memory you will never forget, but don't worry even though you took a lot of Randy Moss punishment he was a force the NFL wasn't prepared for. Randy Moss's career was a roller coaster as the ever entertaining WR was always good for a good quote. Nonetheless, Randy Moss would not only "MOSS" opposing defenders, he had the ability to take a slant to the house with his speed. Randy Moss was a mismatch nightmare. He is a player that would have dominated in any generation. Just throw it up and watch him work.

WR Jerry Rice

For an ultimate team to even be credible, especially at the WR spot Jerry Rice has to be mentioned. The man who perfected catching the football by catching bricks in his youth, may be the gold standard of football player. His productivity as a WR is second to none and he was a WR who wasn't as physically imposing as Johnson and Moss, but Rice knew how to get often. The knock on Rice's resume is he did benefit from having two Hall of Fame QBs throwing him the ball for the bulk of his career, but nonetheless, Rice was as dominant as they have come.

Others considered: Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, Lance Alworth, Don Hutson

TE Tony Gonzalez

Excluding the QBs, it's hard to argue that with the pass happy NFL transition the TE position has benefited more than others. Traditionally, the TEs were used as primarily for blocking and catching the occasional pass, but with the way the NFL was heading the description of the position had to change. The top receiving threat for most his career, Gonzalez brought a different dynamic to the position. His ability to work all areas of the passing game made him a threat. Statistically speaking the numbers he put up were like nothing the NFL has ever seen from that position.

Others considered: Antonio Gates, Shannon Sharpe, Rob Gronkowski

Now before I start on the offensive line I am not going to specify on left or right for the tackles and guards.

Tackle Joe Thomas

The Cleveland Browns have been a dumpster fire for such a long time, that the greatness of Joe Thomas may have been overlooked. He never once made it to the postseason, the most wins he ever saw in a season was 10 in his rookie year, and he finished his career on an injury. Even with all the bad in Cleveland Joe Thomas was dominant. He is an offensive tackle who protected in what seems like a 100 different Browns QBs. None the less he was a model of consistency.

Tackle Jonathan Ogden

The dumpster fire that was the Cleveland Browns created the Baltimore Ravens and their first ever draft pick Jonathan Ogden. A huge man who wasn't the most exciting draft pick an expansion franchise could have made, but nonetheless Ogden was a plug and play player who turned into a HOF. Ogden was a model of consistent dominance.

Others considered: Anthony Munoz, Walter Jones, Jim Parker

Guard Larry Allen

Big, athletic, strong, and tough. Isn't that the criteria for every offensive lineman? Larry Allen was a monster and the definition of a force. There wasn't a defensive player who enjoyed a down block or seeing Allen on a pull cause all the meant was a collision with a wall.

Guard Bruce Matthews

The ageless productive wonder. A 19 year career that consisted of Matthews playing all along the offensive line is something we may never see again. The physicality an offensive lineman has to play with for as long as Matthews did is crazy. Out of 296 career games he started 293 from 1983-2001.

Others considered: Randall McDaniel, Gene Upshaw, John Hannah

Center Jim Otto

I was once told by a friend that everyone concentrates way to much on the QB position. And my answer to him was he always has the ball in his hand and literally the QB gets the offense going. And without missing a beat, he told me "Good luck getting the ball to the QB without a center, he touches the ball first and the most, without him no one gets the ball. " Well it couldn't get much better then having the infamous DOUBLE 0 touch the ball to start every play. An offensive lineman who led and played on arguably one of the greatest collection of offensive lineman ever assembled in the history of the NFL was a dominant force for the Raiders. A first team All-Pro 10 times Otto was the standard at the center position.

Others considered: Mike Webster, Kevin Mawae, Dan Dierdorf

Say what you want, but the idea of Drew Brees handing it off to Walter Payton or passing it to Calvin Johnson Jr., Randy Moss, Jerry Rice, and Tony Gonzalez while being protected by Joe Thomas, Jonathan Ogden, Larry Allen, Bruce Matthews, and Jim Otto is a site defensive units would have never wanted to see. I look forward to your opinions and will gladly hear your ultimate offensive units!