Even in a normal year, early to mid-July means that the only sport on in baseball, and by this point, the sexiness of Opening Day has long worn off. But 2020 is very different and we find ourselves yearning for any sports-related content possible. As I write this, I have been awake since 6 AM PT watching the first live MLS is Back Tournament game…it’s something.
That being said, in true sports fashion, I found a way that we can still have some fun. If you listen to The LA Football Podcast, then hopefully you caught the episode last week where my guest and I created the greatest LA Football Team of All Time, using any players from the past and present rosters of the LA Rams, LA Chargers, USC Trojans, and UCLA Bruins. The only disclosure was that the players had to have played in the LA market. So the Greatest Show on Turf Rams were not valid, and the Chargers have a limited list as most of their great players only played in the confines of San Diego.
If you didn’t hear the episode, you can listen to it here!
But then I wanted to take it a step further. So I hit up my buddy Tino Rodriguez, who hosts the NY Football Podcast, and told him to come up with his own greatest NY Football team list (Giants, Jets, Rutgers, Army). I jumped on his podcast and discussed the two teams and who would come out on top.
So now I want to bring it to the people! All of the positions and players are listed below. Use your voice and help us decide which team will reign supreme! A classic West Coast vs. East Coast, The City of Angels vs. The Big Apple, L.A. vs. N.Y.
If you prefer, you can also vote on Twitter as we have created a poll thread at @LAFBNetwork.
Los Angeles
Quarterback
- Troy Aikman (UCLA)
- Matt Leinart (USC)
Running Back
- Eric Dickerson (Rams)
- O.J. Simpson (USC)
Wide Receiver
- Elroy Hirsch (Rams)
- Keyshawn Johnson (USC)
- Keenan Allen (Chargers)
Tight End
- Hal Bledsoe (USC)
Offensive Line
- LT – Jonathan Ogden (UCLA)
- LG – Ron Yary (USC/Rams)
- C – Bruce Matthews (USC)
- RG – Ron Mix (USC/Chargers)
- RT – Anthony Munoz (USC)
Defensive Line
- LE – Jack Youngblood (Rams)
- LT – Aaron Donald (Rams)
- RT – Merlin Olson (Rams)
- RE – Deacon Jones (Rams)
Linebackers
- Will – Eric Kendricks (UCLA)
- Mike – Junior Seau (USC)
- Sam – Richard Wood (USC)
Secondary
- LCB – Casey Hayward (Chargers)
- SS – Troy Polamalu (USC)
- FS – Kenny Easley (UCLA)
- RCB – Adoree Jackson (USC)
New York
Quarterback
- Eli Manning (Giants)
- Joe Namath (Jets)
Running Back
- Curtis Martin (Jets)
- Saquon Barkley (Giants)
Wide Receiver
- Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants)
- Keyshawn Johnson (Jets)
- Amani Toomer (Giants)
Tight End
- Mark Bavaro (Giants)
Offensive Line
- LT – D’Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets)
- LG – Kevin Mawae (Jets)
- C – Nick Mangold (Jets)
- RG – Chris Snee (Giants)
- RT – Rosey Brown (Giants)
Defensive Line
- LE – Michael Strahan
- LT – Justin Tuck
- RT – Osi Umenyiora
- RE – Mark Gastineau
Linebackers
- Will – Lawrence Taylor (Giants)
- Mike – Jonathan Vilma (Jets)
- Sam – Harry Carson (Giants)
Secondary
- LCB – Darrelle Revis (Jets)
- SS – Jamal Adams (Jets)
- FS – Emlen Tunnell (Giants)
- RCB – Devin McCourty (Rutgers)