Thread: best NFL drafts ever.. 1983? 1957?1981?

Originally Posted by soulman

Thinking back on those "Black and Bruise Brothers" Olines most of those guys came in within one or two years of one another didn't they? I think Covert and Van Horn were a year apart. Hilgy and Becker were a bit before and I thought and Thayer and Bortz a little after. But they all came on board between around 81-83 didn't they?

yep 1981 - van horne( #1), 1982 becker( 6th), 1983- covert(1st),thayer(4th), bortz(8th) and hilgy was a UDFA( wow what a pick up!) in 1981

Originally Posted by soulman

The Bears could have had a dynasty anyway and damn near did. If Mugs had survived his dad and Mikey would never have gotten his hands on the wheel they probably would have. Jerry Vainisi, the guy who succeeded Finks, was also a very good GM and also did a lot to propel them into the mid 80's but McCaskey's FU's and Ditka's ineffective playoff coaching did them in.

The injuries to McMahon didn't help either. If he'd have stayed healthy we'd have had at least one if not two more SB wins.

Though Do think an interesting debate "IF" finks had his way( and mugs by all accounts really liked finks and defered to him) and bears had hired George allen instead of ditka, what would have happened? and had finsk do a few more drafts.. Personally think bears may have been less "madison avenue and endorsement rich"... but would have won more and had more superbowls with the Allen/ryan combo then ditka/ryan... and do think allen would ahve found a way to keep buddy on team at least a few more years.. but we will never know

Originally Posted by Dagan81

George Allen would have been too busy trading for old, over-the-hill players.

jim finks would have been the GM.. allen just a coach and motivator NOT the personal guy : )

Originally Posted by dabears54

Though Do think an interesting debate "IF" finks had his way( and mugs by all accounts really liked finks and defered to him) and bears had hired George allen instead of ditka, what would have happened? and had finsk do a few more drafts.. Personally think bears may have been less "madison avenue and endorsement rich"... but would have won more and had more superbowls with the Allen/ryan combo then ditka/ryan... and do think allen would ahve found a way to keep buddy on team at least a few more years.. but we will never know

Allen + Ryan = two all time defensive gurus. Do you think there would've been enough ego room for both?

Originally Posted by dabears54

yep 1981 - van horne( #1), 1982 becker( 6th), 1983- covert(1st),thayer(4th), bortz(8th) and hilgy was a UDFA( wow what a pick up!) in 1981

LOL, many cobwebs but some memories are still intact. Could we ever get that lucky on an Oline rebuild these days? Bortz and Hilgy were absolute steals.

Originally Posted by soulman

Allen + Ryan = two all time defensive gurus. Do you think there would've been enough ego room for both?

good question and just IMO, allen learned when had his clashes with halas- what NOT to do with a DC.. So yes, do think he would have found a way and respect ryan- inlike how halas treated allen, who wanted to stay and coach bears in late 60's

Originally Posted by dabears54

good question and just IMO, allen learned when had his clashes with halas- what NOT to do with a DC.. So yes, do think he would have found a way and respect ryan- inlike how halas treated allen, who wanted to stay and coach bears in late 60's

Yeah but Allen burned his bridges with the old man when he decided to leave for the Rams only to have Halas prevent it when he won in court. The laugher is when, after he won, he tore up Allen's contract and let him go. Maybe Halas was a bit cantankerous but by doing that he did a lot of good for the NFL by setting a court precedent that I'm sure is still effective today.

Wonder how many guys remember that story? LOL