The landscape of professional football has dramatically transformed over the past three decades. Beyond increased earnings and heightened professionalism, the specialization of player roles and the sheer size and strength of athletes have reached unprecedented levels. This evolution prompts us to Nfl Compare Players across different generations, examining how these changes have shaped the game.
Modern football emphasizes strategic complexity from a young age. High school quarterbacks are now trained to decipher defensive formations, while defenses employ sophisticated blitz packages and line stunts. This early specialization is further honed in college, where many programs adopt pro-style offenses, creating a smoother transition to the NFL.
This increased specialization within the NFL, coupled with evolving offensive and defensive coaching philosophies, has dictated the development of optimal body types for each specific position. Tailored conditioning and nutritional programs are now the norm, designed to sculpt athletes for the precise demands of their roles.
While it’s a common perception that every NFL player is simply bigger and stronger than their predecessors, the reality is more nuanced. Player sizes and body styles have diverged significantly, dictated by the unique requirements of each position. As data analysis has revealed, a player who is 6 foot 3 inches and 280 pounds today might be considered too large for a skill position but too small for a lineman – highlighting the extreme specialization.
Analysis of average player weights by position in 2013 showcased this dramatic range, from cornerbacks averaging 193 pounds to offensive guards at 315 pounds. Height differences, while less extreme, also varied, from approximately 5 foot 11 inches for running backs and cornerbacks to 6 foot 5 inches for offensive tackles.
The most striking divergence in player builds is undeniably seen when we nfl compare players on the offensive and defensive lines.
Back in the early 1980s, Joe Bugel, the Washington Commanders’ line coach, famously told Joe Jacoby, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound offensive tackle from the University of Louisville, that he had NFL potential, but only if he bulked up.
Through rigorous training, Jacoby increased his bench press from 300 to 400 pounds, added 30 pounds of muscle, and improved his 40-yard dash time to five seconds flat. Making the team as an undrafted free agent in 1981, he became a cornerstone of the “Hogs,” one of the most dominant offensive lines in NFL history, powering the Commanders to three Super Bowl victories.
However, when we nfl compare players of the “Hogs” era to today’s linemen, their size is less imposing. Even Jacoby, once described as so large that “Andre the Giant wears his hand-me-downs,” would not necessarily stand out in today’s NFL. By 2013, the median weight for NFL guards and tackles had reached 310 pounds – meaning over half of them were heavier than Jacoby ever was.
Russ Grimm, a Hall of Fame guard and one of the smaller “Hogs,” stood 6 feet 3 inches and weighed 273 pounds. Today, he would be considered one of the lighter guards in the league.
For defensive ends, the need for speed and agility to rush the quarterback can moderate the extreme size increase. In 2013, defensive ends averaged 283 pounds and 6 feet 4 inches tall.
Conversely, defensive tackles, primarily responsible for stopping the run, averaged 6 foot 3 and 310 pounds. To truly nfl compare players across eras, consider legends like Mean Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-81), who played at 6 foot 4, 275 pounds, or Randy White of the Dallas Cowboys (1975-1988), at 6 foot 4 inches and 257 pounds. These Hall of Famers were smaller than the average defensive tackle today.
The assumption that players at every position are universally larger and stronger than previous generations is not always accurate. In some cases, the ideal body type for today’s game is actually smaller. Consider the running back position.
Bronko Nagurski, the iconic power running back of the 1930s, stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 226 pounds. His size and strength were his trademarks, allowing him to bulldoze through defenders.
Modern running backs, however, average just under 6 feet tall and weigh around 215 pounds. On size alone, Nagurski wouldn’t be out of place today. However, today’s runners utilize their size differently, often hiding behind massive offensive lines and focusing on developing explosive acceleration and lower body strength to burst through gaps and fight for extra yards.
When we nfl compare players at quarterback, height isn’t necessarily the defining difference either. Legendary quarterbacks from different eras – Sammy Baugh (6 feet 2 inches), Bart Starr (6 feet 1 inch), and Joe Montana (6 feet 2 inches) – would stand eye-to-eye with many of today’s stars.
However, similar to other positions, body mass has increased for quarterbacks. This likely reflects advancements in training and the need to absorb hits from increasingly larger defensive linemen. The average quarterback weight has risen to around 224 pounds, more than 20 pounds heavier than Baugh, Starr, and Montana during their playing days.
In conclusion, when we nfl compare players across different eras of the NFL, we see a complex picture. While overall player size and strength have generally increased, the most significant development is the extreme specialization of body types tailored to specific positions and evolving game strategies. This specialization, more than just raw size, defines the modern NFL athlete.
