DD to Break Sterling's Catch Record. Best WR EVER in GB?

[Cleft Crusty]

I respectfully disagree with the heavily medicated Cleft Crusty. I think Sharpe was better than Lofton.

I respectfully think you are full of it. Clefty watched years of Packer football with James Lofton getting open against double teams only to have pathetic sorts like Jim 'bounce pass' Zorn Randy 'they're coming!' Wright, David 'touch pass' Whitehurst, or Vince 'noodle arm' Ferragamo throw garbage Lofton's way. Still, Lofton was always a huge long ball threat - probably averaged more than 5 yards/catch more than Sharpe., must have had 6 or 7 years with a yard per catch over 20; career was over 18/catch. So had thousand yard receiving seasons on far fewer receptions. Sharpe was a very fine receiver but isn't even close to Lofton as a game breaker. Was far more featured receiver; in his best years had similar numbers to Lofton but required 40 more receptions to get there.

[cheesner]

I respectfully disagree with the heavily medicated Cleft Crusty. I think Sharpe was better than Lofton.

Gotta go with the Crust on this one.

Except I would put Hutson as the best by a good margin. Hutson was #1 or #2 in the NFL for all time. I would put loften around #15ish all time.

[falco]

any poll that does not list antonio chatman is obviously incomplete

[esoxx]

Where's Sanjay Beach

[Brandon494]

Don Hudson was good not doubt but his stats are misleading. All the records he holds are for leading the league for consecutive seasons for yards gained, TDs, etc. but its not like he had anyone really to compete against. Donald Driver on the other hand does not get as much credit as other WRs in the league. He is also a olympic class high jumper. Driver has been a lock for 80+ catches and 1000+ yards the past 5 seasons and shows no sign of slowing down yet. He is the Hines Ward of the NFC.

[mmmdk]

sharpe was a beast, maybe one of the best ever if it wasn't for the neck injury. he revolutionized the position

but not as much as hutson. he was the best ever

hutson, sharpe, lofton, driver

and thats no knock on driver

I agree yet voted Sharpe; never seen Hutson play. The rest I've got on dvd.

It would be cool with some Hutson stories too Post'em if you got'em.

[Fritz]

Listen, sonny boy Brandon, if you're basic argument is that someone can't be good because he didn't have anyone to compete against, you're showing your ignorance and you ought to sit this one out.

Hutson's last years were during the WWII era, but I'm not buying Cleft Crusty's argument - not sure Hutson can help it if some guys were off to WWII. Besides, he posted big numbers before then anyway.

Just because these guys played before your time and you don't know them doesn't prove they weren't "anybody;" it only proves you haven't bothered to do your homework. So allow me to assist you.

Here are some of Hutson's stats - receiving only, as btw he was also a defensive back and kicker.

His longest catches in his 11 year career range from a "short" of 36 yards in 1940 to longer, more "average" gains like 83, 92, 79, and 78 yards. How's that for YAC?

In an era of ten and eleven game seasons, Hutson had 74 catches in 1942, 58 in 1941 and 45 in 1940 (note that both those years were pre-US entry into WWII, Cleft). He had over 1200 yards receiving in 1942 and was over 800 yards in two other seasons. Again, recall that this was before passing was de rigeur in the NFL, and remember that these are 10 or 11 game seasons.

He was 6'-1" and went about 180, which today would be light but at the time was a large size for an "end," as receivers were called.

He helped revoultionize the game and there was no one in his class at that time.

I would - on another note - argue aliong with Cleft that Lofton was better than Sharpe. Sharpe was, as Snake notes, a beast. He was incredibly strong. But he had everything thrown his way as Holmgren tried to give a young Favre a security blanket in the form of Sterling Sharpe. Lofton was a deep threat, he had sweet hands, he could go over the middle - he was, all around, a better receiver than Sharpe.

But Hutson was the King.

[MJZiggy]

Listen, sonny boy...

Excellent post. They did do it all back then, didn't they?

[Brandon494]

Listen, sonny boy...

Excellent post. They did do it all back then, didn't they?

I laughed myself when I read that.

[The Leaper]

I love Don Hutson. He was an absolute beast. However, if you put Sterling Sharpe on the field in Hutson's place, he would've put up even better numbers.

If Sterling Sharpe had not had his career cut short, he would probably have become one of the top 5 most prolific receivers of all-time. He was an absolute monster...capable of beating you deep or going across the middle and breaking tackles for extra yards. He was also a pretty good blcoker.

All around, Sharpe was the best receiver to ever play in Green Bay. Hutson earns a well deserved 2nd place IMO.

[The Leaper]

Lofton was a deep threat, he had sweet hands, he could go over the middle - he was, all around, a better receiver than Sharpe.

Sorry...but Sharpe was a far more physical player than Lofton anywhere on the field...and could also beat you deep. I'd agree that Lofton had better hands, but not that he was an all-around better receiver.

Yeah, Sharpe got all the passes in the Holmgren offense...because the rest of the WRs were crap by and large. Other teams consistently doubled Sharpe, and he still put up 100 catch seasons. Some of that you can say is because he had Favre...but Favre was also still young and not quite at his peak.

It isn't even a contest between Lofton and Sharpe IMO.

[MJZiggy]

600 for DD!!

[The Leaper]

Also...to me Hutson was dominating because defenses simply weren't used to someone with his skills and talents. He had an advantage...and it is to his credit that he used that so effectively. If you asked a question as to who the best PLAYER Green Bay ever had was...I would say Hutson because of the other aspects he also contributed in addition to his dominant receiving ability.

However, a receiver like Sharpe who dominated in the modern era...when secondaries were far and away more talented and prepared to stop talented WRs, is more impressive to me.

[Zool]

Back in Hutsons day the DB's could basically tackle the WR at the LOS. No 5 yard contact rule. There were no unnecessary roughness penalties. I'd put Hutson in any era and he'd succeed. Athletic freaks are good no matter what.

[The Leaper]

Back in Hutsons day the DB's could basically tackle the WR at the LOS. No 5 yard contact rule. There were no unnecessary roughness penalties. I'd put Hutson in any era and he'd succeed. Athletic freaks are good no matter what.

True...but secondaries also weren't very organized because the passing game had hardly become a threat in professional football yet. Also...it works both ways. Hutson could be very physical and get away with it as well.