Top 10 Packers from 1965 on

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In putting together a list of the top 10 players from each NFL team from 1965 forward, there are unique challenges for each team.  For example, the Packers had some great teams from the 60s.  What do you do about player that had great years before and after 1965?  I pretty much took it on a case by case basis.  Also, while the Bears had no quarterbacks on their top 10 list, the Packers have three.  Life isn’t fair.  And we’re off.

10. Forrest Gregg:  The Pack had some great offensive linemen during the 60s.  I considered Jerry Kramer but ultimately went with Gregg. It’s hard to do a statistically analysis on NFL offensive linemen, especially from 50 years ago.  Gregg played with the Packers from 1956 through 1970.  He was an All Pro seven times, three times from 1965 onward.  Gregg was a member of the Packers teams that won the first two Super Bowls.

9. Willie Davis:  Willie is the defensive counterpart of Forrest Gregg.  Davis played with the Pack throughout the whole decade of the 60s.  Statistics for defensive linemen from the 60s are also scarce.  The biggest argument for Davis to be on this list is the fact he was a five-time All Pro.  Since Davis’ career spanned about the same time period as Forrest Gregg he was also a part of 5 NFL titles and two Super Bowls.  Davis was also named to the NFL Hall of Fame’s All 60s Team.

8. Sterling Sharpe:  When a team has had as many great QBs as the Packers, it stands to reason some guys are going to catch a lot of passes.  One of those guys was Shannon Sharpe.  Sterling spent seven seasons with the Packers before injuries cut his career short. Sharpe led the NFL in receptions three times in those seven seasons.  In 1992 Sharpe led the NFL in catches with 106, receiving yards with 1461 and receiving  TDs with 13.  In 1993 he had his career high in receptions with 112.  He also led the league in TD catches in his final season, 1994, with 18.  A lot of Packer receivers got consideration for a spot on this list including Jordy Nelson and Donald Driver, but Sharpe gets the nod.

7. Charles Woodson:  In seven seasons with the Pack, Woodson played 100 games and picked off 38 passes and returned nine off them for TDs. Twice he led the NFL in interceptions while in Green Bay.  He was a real force on defense. Charles was named to the Pro Bowl four times and named to the All Pro team twice while with the Packers.  Woodson was a member of 2011 Super Bowl champion Packers.

6. Bart Starr:  Bart was another one of those guys who played on those great Packers teams of the 60s.  Starr put up nice numbers for the 60s.  Actually they don’t look bad, even today.  Four times Starr led the NFL on passer ratings.  In 1966 he reached his personal best with a rating of 105.  When I think of Starr, I think of him pulling a play action pass on a third and one and hitting a big gainer to Bowd Dowler, Carroll Dale or even Max McGee. Bart played on five Packers championship teams, including two Super Bowl winners.  In 1968 Bart was the NFL’s MVP, as well as the Super Bowl MVP.  While Bart wasn’t as spectacular as some other QBs coming up on this list, he was the biggest winner of the three.

5. Willie Wood:  Another great player form the 60s, Willie Wood was one of the greatest safeties in the history of the NFL.  Wood was an eight time pro bowler and five time all pro.  Wood’s tenure with the Packers extended from 1960-1971.  During that time he picked off 48 passes and had 699 yards in interception return yards. Like other teammates of his, Wood was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s all 60s team. 

4.  Reggie White:  After signing as a free agent after his glory days with the Eagles, White showed he still had something left in the tank during his six seasons in Green Bay.  While in Green Bay The Minister of Defense recorded 68.5 sacks.  White’s full value extended beyond his stats.  White was a team leader and  helped legitimize the Packers as a Super Bowl contender.  Reggie was a member of the Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI.  Reggie was named to the Pro Bowl team six times and the All Pro team twice while with the Pack.

3. Herb Adderly:  Herb was another Packer great from the 60’s.  He was perhaps the premier cornerback of the decade.  Adderly played for the Packers from 1961-69.  While with the Pack Adderly picked up 39 passes and recovered 12 fumbles.  He returned seven of those interceptions for TDs.  Herb led the NFL in interception return yards in 1965 with 175 and again in 1969 with 169 yards. Like some of his teammates, Adderly was named to the All 60s team by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

2. Brett Favre:  First of all, Brett’s durability was amazing.  He started every game at QB for the Packers for 15 consecutive seasons.  If you look at his QB rating, it’s probably not as high as you would think.  It was 85.8. That doesn’t mean Favre wasn’t a great quarterback, he was.  It’s just the game was played a little differently in Brett’s prime.  Plus, Brett’s gunslinger mentality led to a few more interceptions than some coaches and fans would have liked.  Favre was named to the Pro Bowl nine times as a Packer and was three times named to the All Pro team.  Favre led the Packers to two Super Bowls and one Super Bowl victory.

1. Aaron Rodgers:  Aaron Rodgers is the most gifted quarterback I’ve ever seen.  He’s a great passer, is mobile, has an excellent grasp of the game and is extremely clutch.  The only reason Tom Brady is the greatest of all time, in my opinion, is the amount of Super Bowls he’s won, five.  Aaron Rodgers has won one, but that’s really not on Rodgers.  As I’m writing this Aaron’s career passer rating is 103.1.  He’s also thrown 336 TD passes against only 80 interceptions.  His passer ratings in the playoffs is a hefty 99.4.  He’s also a decent runner, having scored 25 TDs himself during the regular season.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen one player carry his team as much as I’ve seen Aaron Rodgers carry the Packers.