Dr Pepper - Fansville

[General Hooker]

It would be difficult to describe his play. He was relentless and as tough of a football player as I've ever seen. He never let up. Teams feared him.

A couple of candidates for #3

Robin Seindlen (77-80)

Kiki DeAyala (79-82)

Ty Allert (82-85)

Bill Hamilton (73-76)

Kiki DeAyala belongs at No. 3. He was a tackling machine.

 

[java]

My dad saw all of those guys, except Johnson. He died in 2004, with a very sharp mind.  He knew football.

He was named one of the Eleven Iron Men in high school, and played in college, before leaving for WWII.

He always said Nobis was the best. Loved Bobby Layne, and fully supported replacing Bradley with Street.   (Believe it was Bradley)

He laughed at hype with no substance.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I'ma say this: I understand the aura and legend of Nobis. And no doubt he was great. But I promise he wasn't the freak athlete DJ was. And when you consider the era Nobis  played, you really can't compare. DJ is the greatest LB to ever play at Texas. And it's not even close...

Good point, DBut82. Nobis did what he did without the benefit of having Johnson's size.

An even greater accomplishment, IMO.

But being bigger doesn't really mean squat now does it? If that were so, then "Big" would have won everything everywhere, ever. He was 6'7, 360 lbs. Good lineman for us, but not even best ever despite the size.

I'd say it is a little arrogant of the newest generation to think football didn't start being played until 15 years ago. People today may eat more ding dongs and get heavier as a result or whatever, but that doesn't help them play better football. Jim Brown would set the same record today that he did years ago.

Why?

Because he was tough. Nobis was tough. Lily was tough. They played hurt. They dished out punishment. Today, players skip games due to a hamstring twinges and the slightest of things, we're told "out of precaution." Players skip bowls because they fear getting hurt. Some even skipped half of this season.

My God, we used to have a college all-star team play the super bowl winner at the beginning of each season. Ohhh, we can't do that anymore. So and so might get hurt.

So unless you enjoy a feminine touch to your football style, I don't think you can say its better today than it once was. We watch it despite the BS. 

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

I'ma say this: I understand the aura and legend of Nobis. And no doubt he was great. But I promise he wasn't the freak athlete DJ was. And when you consider the era Nobis  played, you really can't compare. DJ is the greatest LB to ever play at Texas. And it's not even close...

It's always tricky when you compare players from different eras. I am with you on the fact that Nobis was before my time and is more legend that a player I can actually say I've watched. Having said that DJ played in an era where he could take advantage of better training, nutrition, etc. During Nobis' time some guys were performing at a high level while chugging a couple of tall boys and smoking a pack of cigarettes before the game.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

 

[oldhorn2]

I'ma say this: I understand the aura and legend of Nobis. And no doubt he was great. But I promise he wasn't the freak athlete DJ was. And when you consider the era Nobis  played, you really can't compare. DJ is the greatest LB to ever play at Texas. And it's not even close...

DBut...I consider you one of the best posters  on here...but I cannot disagree more. I will grant that DJ was awesome...and a better athlete than Nobis...but nobody....nobody had a better motor than Nobis, not even Singletery. Nobis was also strong beyond belief.

Not for nothing was he the nber one draft pick.

 

[Eastexhorn]

Did Noblis also start at OG.

 

[83Dee]

I’m going to throw something out there, slightly off topic, although concerns Nobis.  I loved the tradition we had going of giving great LBs #60.   I thought it was a wonderful tribute to Nobis.

For that matter, I think the practice of retiring numbers is silly.   Put jerseys on display somewhere…. a “wall of fame” so to speak.   Otherwise, eventually there won’t be any numbers left.   

 

[UTfish]

Nobis is your top LB from Texas. Johnson is easily #2. Ford is going to be down the list some. Hager would be in top 15.

I was fortunate enough to see both. I was at UT when Tommy was there. Johnson and Nobis were both great, but Tommy was the best, IMO. He absolutely dominated a game. 

Nobis just had the misfortune to play for one of the worst teams in pro football history, so his greatness was overlooked. 

Here's an interesting video on Tommy Nobis:

 

[General Hooker]

Good point, DBut82. Nobis did what he did without the benefit of having Johnson's size.

An even greater accomplishment, IMO.

But being bigger doesn't really mean squat now does it? If that were so, then "Big" would have won everything everywhere, ever. He was 6'7, 360 lbs. Good lineman for us, but not even best ever despite the size.

I'd say it is a little arrogant of the newest generation to think football didn't start being played until 15 years ago. People today may eat more ding dongs and get heavier as a result or whatever, but that doesn't help them play better football. Jim Brown would set the same record today that he did years ago.

Why?

Because he was tough. Nobis was tough. Lily was tough. They played hurt. They dished out punishment. Today, players skip games due to a hamstring twinges and the slightest of things, we're told "out of precaution." Players skip bowls because they fear getting hurt. Some even skipped half of this season.

My God, we used to have a college all-star team play the super bowl winner at the beginning of each season. Ohhh, we can't do that anymore. So and so might get hurt.

So unless you enjoy a feminine touch to your football style, I don't think you can say its better today than it once was. We watch it despite the BS. 

Uh oh, you got me started thinking about my childhood hero, Bob Lilly. Lilly last played almost 40 years ago. But he was a man among boys in the NFL. I remember every team double teamed him on almost every play. Some teams triple teamed him and he still made tackles. In Super Bowl 5, I think it was Norm Buliach who Lilly caught from behind on an almost breakaway run. Buliach was a fast back who may still have some rushing records for the Colts. 

I've never seen a better DL than Bob Lilly. JJ Watt was great, but I'd trade JJ in his prime for Lilly in his prime in a minute.

Rant over.

 

[DBut82]

I get it; we all have an affinity for the era of football we grew up watching or the era we came of age and witnessed. And if it weren't for great, legendary players like Nobis there would be no DJ. But if we're honest today's athletes are bigger, stronger, faster than those of back in the day. Doesn't mean those guys weren't phenomenal. While I believe you could drop DJ off in 1965 and he would absolutely dominate. I don't believe you could drop Nobis off in 2004 and he would. I think he'd be good; hell possibly even great because of all the intangibles Mark mentioned. But, again, the fact of the matter is he wasn't the athlete DJ is. And the game has evolved. Can you imagine asking Nobis to cover Bijan out of the backfield? Burnt toast! Lol! Vince Young was bigger than Nobis...think about that...

 

[oldhorn2]

DBut...sorry, but you just don't get it. Did you know that he also made AA as an Olineman?

He literally threw around 270 linemen. He was relentless. Did you miss that part about averaging 20 tackles a game?

..that's well over 500 tackles and je only got to play 3 years...

 

[Rotty22]

Kiki DeAyala (79-82)

Ty Allert (82-85)

Weren't these two defensive lineman not linebackers?

 

[UTfish]

I get it; we all have an affinity for the era of football we grew up watching or the era we came of age and witnessed. And if it weren't for great, legendary players like Nobis there would be no DJ. But if we're honest today's athletes are bigger, stronger, faster than those of back in the day. Doesn't mean those guys weren't phenomenal. While I believe you could drop DJ off in 1965 and he would absolutely dominate. I don't believe you could drop Nobis off in 2004 and he would. I think he'd be good; hell possibly even great because of all the intangibles Mark mentioned. But, again, the fact of the matter is he wasn't the athlete DJ is. And the game has evolved. Can you imagine asking Nobis to cover Bijan out of the backfield? Burnt toast! Lol! Vince Young was bigger than Nobis...think about that...

True, DBut82, but I witnessed both. Not enough difference in size to matter. Johnson was 6'3" and 242 and Nobis was 6'2" and 240. Neither had to tackle Robinson or Earl Campbell, so no comparison there. 

I'm good with your thinking that Johnson was the best, he was awesome. No good way to compare though. But it's a stretch to assume that one is better than the other without seeing both play. Even then it's a matter of opinion. 

Love ya, DBUT82, but I'll still choose Nobis. 

 

[oldhorn2]

DJ was 6'3" and weighed245.

Nobis was 6'2" and weighed 240.

Nobis still holds the IT record for interceptions...that's UT...and is Third on the UT altime list overall.

.where is DJ?

 

[Wayne]

Good point, DBut82. Nobis did what he did without the benefit of having Johnson's size.

An even greater accomplishment, IMO.

But being bigger doesn't really mean squat now does it? If that were so, then "Big" would have won everything everywhere, ever. He was 6'7, 360 lbs. Good lineman for us, but not even best ever despite the size.

I'd say it is a little arrogant of the newest generation to think football didn't start being played until 15 years ago. People today may eat more ding dongs and get heavier as a result or whatever, but that doesn't help them play better football. Jim Brown would set the same record today that he did years ago.

Why?

Because he was tough. Nobis was tough. Lily was tough. They played hurt. They dished out punishment. Today, players skip games due to a hamstring twinges and the slightest of things, we're told "out of precaution." Players skip bowls because they fear getting hurt. Some even skipped half of this season.

My God, we used to have a college all-star team play the super bowl winner at the beginning of each season. Ohhh, we can't do that anymore. So and so might get hurt.

So unless you enjoy a feminine touch to your football style, I don't think you can say its better today than it once was. We watch it despite the BS. 

The guys who played in the 70s and 80s wouldn’t play today. Unless they could add the weight. They’d get thrown around like rag dolls. Some would have put on the weight and muscle some couldn’t. But maybe 10% who played them would play now without a lot of work. There were know 290 pounders running 4.6 40s. Hell there weren’t too many 290 lbers. The first 300 lber was Refrigerator Perry in 1986. 
 

I came up during that era. It wasn’t the same. As far as skipping games. This is a different era. These guys have something to lose. Back in the 70s and 80s the players worked jobs in the off-season to make ends meet. And not everything was better in those days for football. Tommy Nobis didn’t get to see his kids or grandkids because of CTE. I played in high school and in the Marine Corps. We were wusses if we didn’t play after we had our bell rung. I’m damn sure that wasn’t smart and wasn’t in our best interest. 
 

I get sick of everyone my age and older looking back in the past as if it was perfect and the football was better. That’s nostalgia not the truth. 

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Weren't these two defensive lineman not linebackers?

No

 

[Sirhornsalot]

The guys who played in the 70s and 80s wouldn’t play today. Unless they could add the weight. They’d get thrown around like rag dolls. Some would have put on the weight and muscle some couldn’t. But maybe 10% who played them would play now without a lot of work. There were know 290 pounders running 4.6 40s. Hell there weren’t too many 290 lbers. The first 300 lber was Refrigerator Perry in 1986. 
 

I came up during that era. It wasn’t the same. As far as skipping games. This is a different era. These guys have something to lose. Back in the 70s and 80s the players worked jobs in the off-season to make ends meet. And not everything was better in those days for football. Tommy Nobis didn’t get to see his kids or grandkids because of CTE. I played in high school and in the Marine Corps. We were wusses if we didn’t play after we had our bell rung. I’m damn sure that wasn’t smart and wasn’t in our best interest. 
 

I get sick of everyone my age and older looking back in the past as if it was perfect and the football was better. That’s nostalgia not the truth. 

No, it's the truth.

What is not true is that anyone has said anything about football back then being perfect. You're complaining about something you had to make up.

What happened was a defense of football of yesteryear. A defense.

What wasn't a fair comparison was the vastly superior equipment and safety, medical staffs and even football fields of today.

 

[UTfish]

The guys who played in the 70s and 80s wouldn’t play today. Unless they could add the weight. They’d get thrown around like rag dolls. Some would have put on the weight and muscle some couldn’t. But maybe 10% who played them would play now without a lot of work. There were know 290 pounders running 4.6 40s. Hell there weren’t too many 290 lbers. The first 300 lber was Refrigerator Perry in 1986. 
 

I came up during that era. It wasn’t the same. As far as skipping games. This is a different era. These guys have something to lose. Back in the 70s and 80s the players worked jobs in the off-season to make ends meet. And not everything was better in those days for football. Tommy Nobis didn’t get to see his kids or grandkids because of CTE. I played in high school and in the Marine Corps. We were wusses if we didn’t play after we had our bell rung. I’m damn sure that wasn’t smart and wasn’t in our best interest. 
 

I get sick of everyone my age and older looking back in the past as if it was perfect and the football was better. That’s nostalgia not the truth. 

Lol. That's the wonderful thing about nostalgia, you can remember things like you want to. 

I  thought we were just debating who we thought was the greatest linebacker, Johnson or Nobis. As I said before, I personally like Nobis but I'm not saying I'm right, just my choice. It's true that the competition wasn't as good as it is now, but Nobis was almost the same size as Johnson and he had the heart of a lion. I just can't see how anyone could know that he wouldn't also have been great in the early 2000's. Truth is, it's just an opinion and nothing more. Can't go wrong with either. 

 

[Coot]

Every time I see this thread title, I think of "Guys. It's a game. A bunch of kids with a ball." which always makes me very happy.