Lawrence Taylor is arguably the greatest and most-feared defensive player in NFL history.
It’s interesting to think about how LT, and other old-school defensive greats, would fare in today’s “modern” NFL.
Intimidation and bone-crushing hits were a major part of their game. LT himself admitted that he wouldn’t be able to have nearly the same impact in today’s softer world of football.
Appearing on Tom Brady’s “Let’s Go!” podcast, Taylor told Brady that he would have a very difficult time adjusting his style of play.
“The game has changed a bit, you know? Just a couple weeks ago I saw a running back get fined for trucking. What the hell is trucking? He got fined for running over the guy. I don’t understand that,” he said.
“The game has changed a little bit. I like the era that I played in because if I was playing nowadays, I probably wouldn’t last the game.”
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Giants legendary pass rusher Lawrence Taylor says that if he played in today’s era of #NFL football that he probably owe the league money from fines due to how the game has changed, he said on @TomBrady’s podcast.
“The game has changed a bit, you know? Just a… pic.twitter.com/mivtcQujpM
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 5, 2023
When Brady’s co-host, Jim Gray, questioned whether Taylor would have adapted to the current landscape, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year vehemently objected.
“Have you ever known me to conform to anything? I would get thrown out. It’d been hard for me to play. I may have ended the season owing them money,” he said.
Tom Brady on his Let's Go! podcast talking about Lawrence Taylor
"And I just think I'm so happy I never had to play against you because you would try to break my back."
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) December 5, 2023
Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion and widely considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history, echoed Taylor’s sentiments on the podcast.
Brady had criticized the game’s “mediocrity” just two weeks prior. While Taylor argued that Brady benefitted from these changes, the quarterback contended that the rules have undergone significant alterations since the beginning of his career.
“The quarterbacks need to learn how to throw the ball away,” Brady asserted. “They need to learn how to read defenses so that they can get the ball out of their hands.”
“Even in my day, it would’ve been hard for you to sack me just because I knew how great you were and how fast I needed to throw the ball that day,” he added.
Everyone please check this out from @TomBrady and @JimGrayOfficial great episode with our guy Lawrence Taylor this was awesome @LT_56 @JeremyFishman2 @Harley_YankeePR @AmyTrask @WBridgeco01 @WoodbridgeNJ @LeonardMarsh70 @GarrettGang2💯🏈👍🏾🚀🔥🏆🐐 #NRMedia #TheNRHour pic.twitter.com/aysB7PGFaj
— NR Media Nithin (@TheNRHour_) December 6, 2023
It is interesting, and frustrating at times, to think about how much the game has changed over the years.
What are your thoughts on modern day football?
Has it become too soft?
Do you think the feared defensive stars of the past, such as LT, would be able to survive in today’s NFL???