Aaron Donald is the Rams all time leader in sacks

[Loyal]

I hadn't really thought about it like that. I think about in terms of the way things were back then. Would AD have had weights in his basement and worked out everyday from junior high back then. No. He probably would have had other priority's back then. He wouldn't have had access to all the things that make him great now.

He had the motivation of his father, who got him off his ass to work out in the home basement gym every day. That wouldn't have changed.

 

[Merlin]

He is the best interior pass rusher ever. No need to compare him to Deacon, different types and both were the best at what they did.

How cool is it that Deacon also coined the term "sack" too. That's like Gerkhe and the horns just some epic shit in league history. Man have we been blessed on both lines in our history.

 

[wolfdogg]

why is this not holding?

Because the linemen are holding each other's arms creating a closed arm ccontainment area around Donald. Technically they are holding each other and Donald is just in the middle of that.

 

[wolfdogg]

Another consideration with deacon is that any of his sacks ending with a horse collar would not be counted today.

Because the rules and the game have changed so much and the year round training is far beyond what it was in the 70s, comparisons are difficult.

All I know for sure is they are 2 of the 3 baddest men to ever play the game.

 

[1maGoh]

Because the linemen are holding each other's arms creating a closed arm ccontainment area around Donald. Technically they are holding each other and Donald is just in the middle of that.

Those linemen are definitely not holding each other. One is grabbing the neck of Donald's shoulder pads. The other just has his arm out, not holding anything. His fingers are curled loosely just shy of resting on, but not holding, the other lineman's Jersey.

They are definitely in no way holding each other's arms.

 

[majrleaged]

Another consideration with deacon is that any of his sacks ending with a horse collar would not be counted today.

Because the rules and the game have changed so much and the year round training is far beyond what it was in the 70s, comparisons are difficult.

All I know for sure is they are 2 of the 3 baddest men to ever play the game.

Horse collar is allowed on the QB as long as he hasn't become a runner. Remember last year when the Bills QB was so upset after AD horse collared him. The TV official said it was allowed.

 

[Ramlock]

Something to consider. Back when Decon and Merlin were racking up sacks that don't count. Not only did Decon get to smack them in the head, the Oline wasn't alowed to hold. it was called not ignored. AD on the other hand would probably have at least 150 sacks by now if those old rules were still being used. So football more than any other sport has changed so much that comparing stats from players of different eras is like comparing apples to oranges. Of course we could list probably 100 other rule changes that affect the stats. Number of games in a season for one. This is just another reason there is no GOAT in football. AD might be the greatest of an era, but you could never realistically call him the GOAT. Same goes for you know who.

Let’s remember that offenses didn’t drop back to pass 55 times a game in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s.

Johnny Unitas had 436 attempts in 1967 during a 14 game season. 31 per game.
And he threw it a lot compared to other QB’s.

Tom Brady has had over 600 attempts most years since 2011 in a 16 game schedule. Closer to 40 a game.

Fran Tarkenton averaged about 25-27 attempted passes per game over his career.

More chances to sack QB’s in today’s game.

Haven’t seen anyone mention that Deacon, Merlin and Jack had fewer chances.

Still, it is fantastic to have had HISTORIC pass rushers as the greats of the Ram franchise as others have pointed out.

 

[Corbin]

View: https://youtu.be/xmjH25A0zjk

 

[wolfdogg]

Those linemen are definitely not holding each other. One is grabbing the neck of Donald's shoulder pads. The other just has his arm out, not holding anything. His fingers are curled loosely just shy of resting on, but not holding, the other lineman's Jersey.

They are definitely in no way holding each other's arms.

Oh I was just giving the only possible explanation from the refs

 

[wolfdogg]

Horse collar is allowed on the QB as long as he hasn't become a runner. Remember last year when the Bills QB was so upset after AD horse collared him. The TV official said it was allowed.

I did not know that

 

[Memento]

Congrats to AD!! I bet he’ll break the record for defensive tackle sacks as well, and he keeps himself in such good shape that I can imagine three more dominant years.

But first, get this man a Super Bowl and a fourth DPotY award!

 

[Mackeyser]

Give Deacon all of the training and nutrition of today's NFL Dlinemen, along with how AD is now. There is no headslap allowed. Holding is often allowed. AD is double and triple teamed inside while Deacon would have the RT and maybe a TE or RB. Maybe Deacon would have learned new moves in todays NFL, that's hard to say. I'm just saying I have never seen the total package like Aaron Donald is...ever before.

I dunno. Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor sure seemed like the total package. I still like AD slightly better due to him working mostly inside (White didn't move inside until late in his career), but he's already in that rarified air.

 

[1maGoh]

Oh I was just giving the only possible explanation from the refs

I thought that was your real stance on that. My bad. I was thinking you were crazy for a minute there. It does track track with that other guy's opinion (he's a ref for HS or college or something) that it's okay to hold as long as your double teaming a guy, because you've made a choice to take that one guy out and committed extra resources. I don't understand that, but it does seem to be holding up.