Pat McAfee & Ike Taylor Talk The Ed Reed vs Troy Polamalu Debate

It's hard to compare Ed Reed vs Troy Polamalu since they played so different, but do you think that they are two top safeties in history?
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[@Deondre_Clark]

Ed is the ultimate hybrid corner. Troy is the ultimate hybrid lb.

[@gprawdzik]

Couldn’t have said it better myself

[@italianrambo12]

Which would make Polamalu the better of the two because he can cover and knows everything going on like an elite MLB.

[@getbuck178]

Not bad at all

[@RiccoVanWilder]

@@italianrambo12 Ed Reed knew everything going on on the field also. His legendary study habits and ability to breakdown film is well known around the league

[@nick56677]

I still say they should've converted Troy to MLB late in his career. They used him some like that and he excelled

[@boldtaa]

Let’s not forget Ronnie Lott. Dude cut part of his finger off so he didn’t miss a game.

[@taylorcantly3954]

Damn I didn’t even know that. What a legend lol.

[@Mike__B]

First thing that came to my mind. He was just from a different era, although I think both Reed and Polamalu may have been part of that era they also were around as receivers started getting extra "protection".

[@boldtaa]

@@Mike__B Ronnie would have definitely been fined a lot more lol

[@TroyCrumbley]

"When I'm standing over a man, and he's lying there with snot bubblin' up out of his nose, that's when I know I laid a lick on him." - Ronnie Lott

[@bigfoot163]

He also cut wr and rbs in half lol

[@zachg2523]

RiP Sean Taylor, cant even imagine what a full career highlight reel would have looked like.

[@apgsol9513]

The real goat

[@downtowntommie2652]

Injured dog and I say it in a positive legend way dude was a head hunter killer bro would have eventually ended his own career on a tear tho

[@chowder4118]

jonathan abhram will be the next sean t

[@brett5548]

Just watch Vontaze Burfict highlights that’s pretty much the same

[@timjergans5792]

@@chowder4118 Easy now. Abram was one of the worst starting safeties in football last year, if not THE worst

[@CatWith-AHat]

Don't let that distract you from the fact that Darren Sharper one of the hardest hitting safety in the league couldn't tackle Greg Jennings while he was running with a broken leg.

[@jasonandrews1770]

How are you supposed to stop a man who's putting the team on his back tho?

[@oreox1000]

Amidst a sea of comments I happened upon this gem. Cheers lads.

[@user-ly3tc8qm4b]

That's cool. But not apart of the topic

[@datsthetalk9263]

Love the fact he wore that Fleur-de-lis!! 42 was an animal for the Who-Dat nation. Legal issues made folks forget he was dawg!

[@seanmer5273]

“Cross the plaaaane, touchdoooown”

[@ToneZoneTC]

I die every time Pat talks about Troy lining up in the C gap 😂😂

[@chance4941]

Fax

[@Cynsham]

pat has PTSD from that moment

[@cryptikelementz]

He needs a little Troy muppet Doll extra big hair to talk to. Classic Complex PTSD

[@modifidious7171]

Troy had short area burst and explosion. Reed had the long downfield game. Neither had the other's strength, both were some of the best ever.

[@jeffreymusser8450]

Great comment... Football is not simply about skill set...it’s about scheme fit... How many players have died in the NFL when they could’ve had AMAZING careers in different systems?

[@benjamindaoud9857]

Everything Troy could do, Ed could do better.

[@jk38thelastsamurai55]

Really good very accurate comment

[@benjamindaoud9857]

@@jk38thelastsamurai55 Ed was so good people don’t even know he won DPOY as a strong safety

[@jk38thelastsamurai55]

@@benjamindaoud9857 yeah if I had to choose I'd go with Ed Reed, but Troy was special in his own way

[@JoseRamirez-yh2ll]

Ed Reed wasn't a big dude but he almost never missed a tackle. Even if it was against a TE

[@frandavis1990]

With a bad neck and hip!

[@JoseRamirez-yh2ll]

@Tulouna Le Lagi tell Bob sanders he was a small guy that can't hit lmao

[@VacheChauve]

@Tulouna Le Lagi Bob Sanders is underrated. He was dynamite when he hit you

[@ryanmarshall3487]

If your defense had either one of them, I think you’d be pretty god damn ecstatic about it…But if my team has strong LB’s or Dline, I’d want Ed Reed for sure just preying on QB’s.

[@rio7916]

Can’t throw on that man, gotta account for him every single play

[@BigSteelThrill]

As a Steeler fan, I think its absolutely easier to let Ed Reed be Ed Reed and play CF for a random team.

[@user-nd7rd8jo6h]

@@BigSteelThrill but that's like saying "if your a team that doesn't really care to run, just let Troy do Troy stuff and you should be fine in all honesty." Really troy and Reed both played on awesome defenses and that let them be more special.

[@LiLTiTan914]

Not sure for best, but my favorite will always be Brian Dawkins.

[@justind4763]

Weapon X the GOAT

[@marcusstanley96]

I’m a Ronnie Lott guy

[@ZeR0goth]

So many great safeties.. It's probably my favorite defense position

[@sideshowbob2882]

Love Dawkins and Steve Atwater

[@jasonmurdock1032]

At water dawkins ed reed ronnie lot troy just too many honestly

[@jk38thelastsamurai55]

When troy and ed was playing those were the best years of football

[@ci6516]

Yessir .

[@JeepsCafe]

Indeed!

[@default5790]

My favourite safeties were Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Brian Dawkins. And as a Washington fan, we were robbed of Sean Taylor so early in his career.

[@559makavelidisciple5]

Steelers vs Ravens, greatest rivalry of the last two decades. Absolutely great teams with a plethora of HOF'ers.

[@russs7574]

As a Steelers fan since before Chuck Noll came to town, that Steelers/Ravens rivalry was even better than Steelers/Raiders and Steelers/Cowboys of the 70s.

[@Gearmeshkutt]

Ronnie Lott, Hall of Fame, made pro bowl at every secondary position, 4 super bowl rings, straight-up assassin.

[@DXShy]

They ain’t ready for that debate yet 😭

[@michaelparker6240]

Ronnie is the goat by far

[@hornedhell8077]

I’d say Ronnie was better or as least as good as Polamalu but Reed was just a menace back there with what he could do.

[@Gearmeshkutt]

@@hornedhell8077 Reed is a legend there is no doubt. I watched Ronnie every week in his prime. He was just the best. He was a ball hawk like Reed, but just could intimidate running backs and receivers a like. In his prime he was just making pros not want to play anymore because he inflicted pain regurlarly.

[@hornedhell8077]

@@Gearmeshkutt oh I remember him quite well. In fact I’ll never forget him. I’m a Ram fans from the 80s. The play he made in the NFC championship game to save that TD set the tone for the entire game. You make a valid argument for sure 😂 Edit: Just rewatched that play and Lotts highlights again. You right.

[@h4a2u0s]

He didn’t get a chance to get there but I will always give an honourable mention to Sean Taylor in these debates. Favourite player of all time and I’m a Phins fan. RIP ST21.

[@SomeonesDad2020]

Sean Taylor best safety of all time

[@h4a2u0s]

@@SomeonesDad2020 Watching him destroy Terrell Owens is my happy place.

[@dizzyhart3892]

He will always be my favorite player!! Would have broken Reeds records at the U if he stayed in college longer !!

[@danschriver75]

@@dizzyhart3892 that's college.. sean taylor had 12 career interceptions in the nfl.. never finished a season with more than 5... ed reed had 3 seasons with 8+ Only thing sean was better at was tackling but that's because he was a strong safety and usually played inside the box.. but keep comparing apples to oranges..

[@dizzyhart3892]

dan schriver You can talk about stats all day long! When it comes down to it Sean Taylor would have broken Reeds college records if he would have stayed in college

[@jasonandrews1770]

Give me ed reed vs the pass and troy vs the run. Tho lets be honest they could both do it all

[@darkshinethakid4463]

Right Troy could play deep and Ed could blitz

[@youropinionmeansnothing2825]

But the x factor then would be reed can play special teams and return punts

[@darkshinethakid4463]

@@youropinionmeansnothing2825 god he was the best Special teams defender I've ever seen idk why they didn't try to use Troy like that

[@jasonandrews1770]

@@youropinionmeansnothing2825 see thats what people sleep on with troy. He played some special teams but he was always a rusher not a return guy

[@youropinionmeansnothing2825]

@@jasonandrews1770 ed could do everything troy could do but troy couldn't do what ed did. Ravens fans think reed is the goat , steelers fans think troy is the goat and everyone else wishes they had either on there team .

[@chaoticchaos894]

When they both were in their primes. Is when I first got into football. This is comparing apples to Oranges. Reed was such a fuckin ball hawk and when he got that ball he scored. Polamalu was so instinctive around the line and was a wild card all the way. And he made plays in that backfield like no other.

[@askmiller]

Reed was pretty good at blocking punts and they even had him returning kicks at one point. The difference is he was so valuable in the backfield on passing downs that it would be foolish to have him up on the line of scrimmage most of the time. Polamalu was a freak of nature whereas Reed just somehow always knew where the ball was going.

[@zdr7420]

Reed was a ball hawk, Polamalu was a person hawk

[@Gleeshhh]

Reed and Lewis spent a ton of time in the film room. His instincts were also amazing. He trusted himself in knowing where the ball was going

[@2kolbe010]

@@zdr7420 😂😭😭😭😭

[@Chris-2]

@@zdr7420 except that Reed was just as good of a run stopper/tackler. People forget that, Ed Reed was just as good against the run, and much better against the pass.

[@z4bando421]

“Footballs come to Ed Reed” - Some announcer on a random Sunday

[@nickgeorgiou7770]

Whenever Steelers played Ravens it was men v. men. Football misses that intensity now. That was old time football in the modern era. We don’t see that anymore

[@jwsteelers1]

Yep and Roethlisberger is often called a drama queen and he sometimes earns that name but if you watched that rivalry and saw how the Ravens beat that dude up you can't help but respect him. Those games were wars.

[@flaviusfake271]

Still lots of teams play many man to man defense schemes. It depends on the opponent and their roster. Man to man requires a strong lineup/defense. The Patriots run mostly man to man for most games.

[@nickgeorgiou7770]

@@flaviusfake271 What’s man on man D got to do with anything? I’m talking about the hitting was ferocious v. today. Not the scheme. I’m talking about them trying to eliminate hard hitting out of football

[@valsidentity1582]

Best games I've ever seen

[@alexherrington9142]

@@nickgeorgiou7770 It wasn't just the teams. That 3 year or so era Steelers-Raven games had palpable malice between fans. Some Ravens fans got into it with me at a bar on a LA trip and I wore a Steelers hat coming back through BWI airport to be a jackass. TSA had to get involved. All respect to Reed, Ray, etc though.

[@joshuabraeden4390]

I’ve been saying this for years. WHY TF ARE WE COMPARING STRONG SAFETY TO FREE SAFETY. I never took Troy and Ed debates seriously because they play DIFFERENT positions

[@michaelskummer5680]

But do you know Ed Reed played strong safety first, and all through college, even won dpoy as a strong safety, but he got injured n was asked to do less. He’s literally the goat

[@bigbuffguy9589]

@@michaelskummer5680 Who cares? He was a free safety for almost his entire career. The OP is right. They didn't play the same position. You might as well bring Deion Sanders and Lawrence Taylor into the debate as well.

[@vigilantgopher9563]

@@michaelskummer5680 Troy also won dpoy as a strong safety and had more sacks and TFL’s what’s your point. Troy is the goat Strong safety

[@russs7574]

Why are we comparing? Because we're talking about sports fans here, and they ABSOLUTELY have to have a G.O.A.T., even if the comparisons between Troy and Reed are not really valid. But they just HAVE to rank everything. And besides that, a lot of these people engaging in this debate could not tell you what the difference is between FS and SS. All I know is, I'd love to have either one of them, in their prime, on my defense.

[@spenbro]

I wish Kam Chancellor had a longer career.

[@masonmcconnell9375]

As a 49ers fan man that dude was insane seems like a lot of the guys that retire early or what not could easily been the best ever

[@sophiawilliams8650]

@@masonmcconnell9375 same goes for y'all and pat willis

[@masonmcconnell9375]

@@sophiawilliams8650 miss watching him play wish we would have beat the ravens that year so him and gore could have gotten rings

[@toxiceel4384]

@@masonmcconnell9375 yeah naw Ray needed that one

[@masonmcconnell9375]

@@toxiceel4384 Willis did but he didn't get it

[@zackrass43]

As a Washington fan, I would like to be the person to say RIP Sean Taylor, i think you could say that he was the perfect mix of Ed and Troy. Made plays like a linebacker but also sat back and made great interceptions like a DB

[@vaughanhagen3874]

Bears fan here.. Sean Taylor the GOAT!! Favorite non Bear I've ever watched

[@dizzyhart3892]

Taylor is my favorite player of all time !! I was so upset when I heard the news of his passing… He was Superman on the field and seemed invincible honestly 😎😎

[@willbrown423]

Ppl need to stop calling him the goat, he was a star player for a few years, that’s not enough to earn that title regardless of how it ended

[@hankhill9282]

As a U fan I agree 💯 dash some Dawkins in there as well

[@dizzyhart3892]

Hank Hill Weapon X is underrated!! My 2 favorites honestly! Dawkins was a complete monster on the field !!!

[@elcucuy7987]

Bob sanders will always be my favorite. That dude was an animal

[@steelpenpirate]

If he could have stayed healthy, he very well could have been in this conversation.

[@NobleVagabond2552]

Never heard of him

[@loganowens9546]

@@NobleVagabond2552 defensive player of year and played 10 games , single handedly was the only play maker besides freeney mathis

[@larencedanser5717]

@@NobleVagabond2552 yo I need you to look him up. He was the safety for the Colts during Peyton playing days. He was a absolute monster. He couldn't stay healthy bc he'd pop people to hard. His body betrayed him. But if he had less injuries and stayed on the field more he'd be H.O.F........... Also look up Sean Taylor(another safety, he'd been H.O.F. as well if he wasn't murdered)

[@W4114C3]

Hawkeye boy

[@CurtDiesel81]

IMO Reed is the best Free Safety of all time. Troy was the best SS of all time. And anyone who says Lott or Dawkins are the best arent wrong either. Im glad were all able to witness their talent.

[@joemckim1183]

But did Ed Reed ever line up in the C Gap?

[@LebronTraveled24]

Did troy score TDs on the regular lol?

[@SuperJesse619]

@@LebronTraveled24 lmao yeah he did and took one to the baja against the ravens in the playoffs to send them boys home ✌🏼✌🏼

[@elisportsguy8154]

Yes he blocked so many punts and also returned punts

[@ToneZoneTC]

@@LebronTraveled24 I mean Troy did tho.. both are all times greats at their position.

[@chubbs3119]

Sean Taylor would have definitely been in the running for GOAT safety R.I.P.

[@y_gagaring]

As a life long Giants fan I can concur on this statement.

[@tomryan4253]

Brian Dawkins #20 aka Weapon X aka Wolverine is the greatest to do it. When I was 12 years old I went to my first eagles game and there he was before the game, walking back and forth in the end zone not saying a word, not doing anything, just walking and getting ready. What a player!

[@jordanshumaker4412]

Seeing Troy Polamalu sack Kerry Collins by jumping over the O-line at the exact moment of the snap is one of the most sickest things I've ever seen . . . and it's not the only time he's done it. Ed Reed had amazing instincts but I don't know if he matches Troy.

[@mca217]

I needed that rant about the c gap. 🤣🤣🤣

[@brandonsaunders5892]

I think Brian Dawkins is one of the best safety's ever!

[@kylekissack4633]

He was

[@jarvistraps]

Top 5 for sure

[@Tomyohann]

It's two different styles, and they pretty much modeled the perfect version of a modern safety. Rodney Harrison on the other hand, despite playing in Belichick's system who can put in any safety to do a certain task, was the last safety of that kind, which puts him at the top of my list with those guys.

[@ceebee312]

Ed Reed was crazy So I take him any day of the week

[@ElemiahzFriend]

Troy was “crazy” too! Anyone on an NFL defense that loves that kind of contact, has a lot of crazy in them

[@lionhearted7450]

Appreciate both of them for what they both brought to the game….

[@pirate772009]

I'm a die hard Steelers fan, have been since the days of Jerome Bettis and Kordell Stewart. My best friend is a die hard Ravens fan, born and raised in Baltimore. We came to a mutual agreement years ago that trying to decide who is the greatest between Polamalu and Reed is honestly a mute point because, even though they were both safeties, they were different kinds of safety. Polamalu was a hybrid/box safety who came up in run support or as a pass rusher almost as much as or sometimes more than he covered and Reed was a cover safety. They were both great at what they did but trying to say one was better than the other is kinda dumb because they weren't the same.

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

Moot point

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

And that’s not what it means either.

[@Lakeshow11]

Towards the end of his career, polamalu played more linebacker. But for a guy everyone likes to say played the box, he sure made a lot key plays intercepting the ball. Whether it was the pick against the chargers in the snow or the one against the ravens that sent them to the super bowl.

[@jonant8317]

I always love listening to Pat but there is just something him rant about Polamalu that just has me rolling on the floor

[@Packersfan-us7lg]

Because C Gap

[@Siafa90]

We had some great safeties back in the 2000-2010 era. Reed, Polamalu, Dawkins, Taylor, Lynch, Bob Sanders, Roy Williams when he was a Cowboy, Adrian Wilson, Reggie Nelson. My God we had some animals. Now that the Game has changed, there are only a hand full of safeties that stand out.

[@XxDanny80xX]

Greatest coach of all time said it, I’ve seen them all nuff said Ed Reed. Bill Belichick. You don’t hear him at all talk about Polamalu like that. Steve AtWater and Cam Chancellor was a better player in the box then ray.

[@vincentcoleman4764]

Nuff said bro....Factz

[@DrPhill96]

Than* Ray who? Ray Lewis?

[@alexcharles2716]

I’ve said from time and time again - you can’t compare the two. They were entirely different positions in entirely different schemes and styles.

[@martinelliotedwards1883]

It’s between Ronnie Lott and Ed Reed for me. Hard to choose.

[@himmothy111]

Ed reed fs. I’d consider Ronnie a corner

[@vanillakilla23]

@@himmothy111 Ronnie was definitely a FS during his career and not a corner lol

[@sonsofliberty3081]

How? Troy Polamalu is hands down the best of all time. The instincts are 2nd to none.

[@Drewmack22]

liliberty Troy isn't a better ball hawk than Ed Reed

[@himmothy111]

@@sonsofliberty3081 Ed reed had 64 picks, Troy had 32. Ed’s a better ball hawk for sure

[@brycewilson1909]

they're the kind of players you tell your kids about! they played like heat seeking missiles and were always in the right place at the right time because of their knowledge of the game. i know hyperbole is everywhere especially in sports but they really were legendary players. really fun to watch.

[@rickycope7941]

I truly believe I-Take was one of the most under-appreciated corners in the NFL ever !!

[@Arlong_FishMan]

We definitely can not forget sean taylor. From the 1st game he played in the nfl was an elite status. His life was tragically ended way to short r.i.p.

[@livethroughchemistry3173]

@Robert Barret I think they are doing strictly strong safeties

[@TroySeverinRacing]

My thoughts exactly!!

[@Est-dh2go]

Incredible elite and one of a kind but with that being said I don’t think he played long enough to be the best ever

[@banditpicasso]

I’m a big fan of both!

[@Budkitkat]

Dawkins gets no love

[@utubeutube4761]

Polamalu all day! Any player that has Bill Cowhers blessing to line up wherever the Jesus tells him to, including the C GAP, has my vote 🙏

[@feynmanschwingere_mc2270]

Nah Reed was better

[@crushedscouter9522]

@@feynmanschwingere_mc2270 nope. not even close

[@erikpuka2627]

@@crushedscouter9522 Ed Reed was way better. This is not even close.

[@crushedscouter9522]

@@erikpuka2627 lol reed wasn't in the same galaxy as troy. inferior in every way. not even close

[@ethanpounder6951]

Ed Reed didn’t cover the c gap

[@JAYSMITH-eh7ep]

Troy wasn't a center fielder. Wish a team could of had both of those safeties.

[@ethanpounder6951]

@@JAYSMITH-eh7epthat wouldn’t be fair 😂

[@JAYSMITH-eh7ep]

@@ethanpounder6951 not at all.

[@DartmouthOutingClub]

that’s because he was too busy running back interceptions for tuddies

[@davidvenniro1842]

Brian Dawkins is my guy, they all had their own styles. WEAPON X for life!! #20

[@RealRuler2112]

"The Angel of Death was waiting in the C-gap..." =) XD

[@SK-bw2cv]

Its like comparing a point guard to a shooting guard. They have different strengths, different responsibilities and different skill sets. Unfair comparison and both were two of the greatest at what they did. Respect to both. I couldn't imagine having a defense with both of them out there at the same time. Crazy

[@colts0627]

They're both all time greats but it's Ed Reed all the way . When it comes to GOAT safeties it's Ed Reed and Ronnie Lott as 1a and 1b , and then everybody else .

[@DartmouthOutingClub]

💯

[@preeminent8851]

Dawkins>Lott

[@jtmmmm27]

I’m surprised Pat didn’t include big Bob Sanders.

[@drewschipper1]

What a shame he couldn’t stay on the field. He could of had a heck of a career.

[@johnbradley4130]

Finally a good debate topic!!!!

[@joshhayes777]

Madden 04 man.. used to play with Pitt and Ike.. my favorite madden to this day.. Falcons fan an Vick was on tha cover but damn that was tha best madden to me hands down

[@TheTomruch]

I love both, but where's the Dawkins love?

[@bruceyfruit8904]

He never even gets mentioned in these convos and it blows my mind.

[@TheTomruch]

@@bruceyfruit8904 i know. I know I'm biased cause I'm an eagles fan, but he's definitely one of the best safties in his prime

[@organiclou2516]

They don’t like us and we don’t care!

[@jmielke4341]

Big facts, always been a Denver fan, but loved watching Dawkins play so I have love for philly. Was more than excited when he came to Denver

[@marcusstanley96]

Ronnie Lott should be in this convo too

[@champpayne83]

Ed Reed was also a great return specialist his open field running ability is what I feel sets him apart from Troy.

[@CoHeirMultimedia]

Exactly!!!!! Ed was a threat to score on defense and special teams!

[@rolandjohnson6850]

I think Troy’s TD across the field against Ed’s team when it counted most ends that conversation.

[@champpayne83]

Naw that was one play. As I said both are great but Ed added a return element to the team that Troy didn't. Let's not forget Ed has 2 of the longest TD's in NFL history. One on Defense one on Special Teams.

[@rolandjohnson6850]

Troy got 7 TD’s and 3 in the postseason. I’ll take them when it counts.

[@miketime4290]

@@rolandjohnson6850 Ed has the most post season ints. Including the sb

[@R-KE2023]

Of the 2000s-2010s safeties Reed, Polamalu and Dawkins were monsters, Philly, Pittsburgh and Baltimore created a bermuda triangle where wide recievers, running backs and tight ends went missing.

[@cattywhompus1012]

One was more like a corner that played like a linebacker and one was more like linebacker that played like a corner. Both first ballot HOFers. RESPECT.

[@rickyc1578]

Brian Dawkins! Can’t forget about Weapon X regardless if he couldn’t win it all.

[@RonPProductions]

He left Denver the year before they won and then left his Eagles administration job the year before they won lol poor guy.

[@anthonyluangphasi8800]

Dawk is up there, but he's not in the Polamalu Reed convo.

[@RABJJ52]

@@anthonyluangphasi8800 chill my guy. Dawk has better numbers than both, the only difference is Ed has more Ints. Troy isn’t on Dawks level

[@brandonlubarsky6780]

Bob sanders and Sean Taylor RIP, were by far the best ever in their perspective seasons. Maybe not in length of career/overall performance. But if they played full careers holy cow

[@belld.s5276]

Remember that old AFC All-Pro defense. Monstrous.

[@shoutenry]

Y'all gotta put some RESPECK on BRIAN DAWKINS'S name.

[@walshdog61]

Don’t know why he doesn’t get as much love. He was the best leader of the bunch.

[@sumswaggaming]

great player, Troy and ED defined a whole generation though

[@joesmith2234]

Sumswag Gaming Troy and Ed could of never opened field tackled Barry Sanders.

[@TeamBaconBoy18]

Delusional Detroit Lions fan. Because he's a eagle lol even though his numbers are far better than Ed and troys he gets no love

[@MetalRush666]

Ed Reed is the goat. But if Sean Taylor had been able to play out his career, we would be talking about him. Head and Shoulders above the rest, right Troy 😂

[@KingDizzleLTDinc.]

Sean Taylor would’ve most definitely been at least top 3 of all time

[@nicholasotto3282]

He he died early so he’s definitely top 5 all time because of that

[@vanillakilla23]

So we not gonna mention Ronnie Lott?

[@pumasthebest19]

Charles Woodson if he would of been a safety from the start.

[@haydeislearnstogrow2204]

They’re each the GOAT at what they did. We were lucky to get to watch the two greatest of all time play at the same time in the same division.

[@2blkSSs]

Hahaha “I want you and your whole family to hate me for what I’m about to do to you”... that is a great line

[@zachg5356]

Where are my yinzers at? All I see is Ed Reed Propaganda... Troy effected every play. Ed Reed was a better Center fielder then any in history but no safety could stop you in as many way as 43. Best 2 of my Era easily.

[@JBJucie]

Troy always made big time plays in big time moments

[@jblaze600]

Ed Reed would be blocking FGs, making hits on KO coverage, taking it to the house 100 plus yards. I still remember that one hand INT from Troy. Next level stuff

[@Lakeshow11]

@@jblaze600 Troy was making crazy 1 hand interceptions, jumping over the center or timing the snap count to sack the qb.

[@mca217]

I'm a lifelong Steelers fan but Ed Reed was my favorite safety of all time. He was so cerebral and he was willing to trust his instincts.

[@getbuck178]

I'ma Ravens fan and I hated Troy because he was so dam good at the same time being so unpredictable, it made him so tough . Could pick it of get the big stop smh and single handedly best my Ravens beat my Ravens the one year in the playoffs respect to him

[@jwsteelers1]

Sorry my man but you can't call yourself a Steelers fan and say you liked Ed Reed more than Troy. It's blasphemy. I respect that hell out of Reed and you could even argue that he was as good or better but to say he's your FAVORITE is downright wrong. :)

[@getbuck178]

@@jwsteelers1 respect is respect I love Troy as a Ravens fan but hey gatta be honest I hate Ben with Passion

[@jwsteelers1]

@@getbuck178 Hey I hate Ray Lewis just as much but I respect him as a player. If you don't respect Ben you never watched him battle against that Ravens D for years. He was a warrior.

[@crushedscouter9522]

lol no you're not. stop lying kid

[@waynewilliams5353]

As an unbiased Titans fan…….Troy will always be the goat strong safety. If I’m a free safety (which I played in high school) I’m watching Sean Taylor. Love Ed reed, but it speaks volumes to just how good Sean Taylor was that he even makes it a discussion with his short career before death. Even with his tragically shortened career…..Taylor will always be that FS goat to me

[@letsssgooo4618]

These are def the top two. With honorable mentions to Berry, Thomas, Lott.

[@TylerLovato]

The real debate is Brian Dawkins Vs Troy Polomalu.

[@Frozilla15]

For number 2?

[@timdoyle1638]

@@Frozilla15 yes after Ronnie Lott

[@TylerLovato]

@@Frozilla15 for best SS imo

[@mediatool9596]

The real debate is Ronnie Lott vs ANYONE ELSE

[@nighthawk326]

@@mediatool9596 Yep...Ronnie Lott vs fill-in-the-blank. Ken Houston would be my choice for debate.

[@ba5647]

Sean Taylor is the best safety I ever seen, which other player in the nfl was the hardest hitter and also one of the top 2 safeties against the pass? He was earl Thomas and chancellor in one body

[@ThinkingLoudly25]

My all time favorite player

[@CreamyPesto505]

Man. If he were still here, I don't think it'd be a conversation. Reed, and Polamalu are straight legends, no disrespect to them... But Sean Taylor was Ronnie Lott 2.0. He would have gone down as the best.

[@pedrofiggy7803]

How old are you ??

[@nathanaelharden4330]

Bob Sanders

[@TeamBossNC]

Ed Reed

[@jodyhader7919]

Ravens vs Steelers was the best rivalry of ALL TIME. The hatred was real. The greatness on both sides was real. There wasn't a more exciting game to watch than these two going at it

[@notmarealnameboi]

Emlin Tunnell or either Woodson, Rod or Charles, are in the conversation as well.

[@YurrNext]

Dawkins, Lott, Easley, Reed, Polamalu all at a level where each could be called the Goat.

[@carmelopearman5721]

Brian Dawkins is a good hybrid of them

[@robertcampbell9992]

Both excellent players.

[@6666Imperator]

I love the rivalry between Baltimore and Pittsburgh. It's hard and you don't want to lose to them at all cost but in the end its fair, it stays on the field and you can respect each other

[@robertobustamante9694]

After all the talks how is Paul Krause not in this conversation? He has a record that will NEVER be broken in an Era that was run dominated.

[@Justin-hv7eu]

Because most of the kids don’t even know who he is.

[@russs7574]

Showin' your age, pal. I remember the Purple People Eaters.

[@MikaeIe90]

0:55 Notice how Ike takes it serious when Pat says, “cause Troy was talking to Jesus alongside you on the field.” Yes he was lol

[@donnacochran3335]

Troy is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE PEOPLE and PLAYER! What a kind soul off the field and explosive on the field. You could just not see him then BAM there he is!!

[@johnfinch3790]

I'm not going to pick who's better both are one of the best at there positions and I enjoyed growing up watching these legends they made my childhood

[@joesmith2234]

Brian Dawkins my favorite player to ever watch

[@mikephillips1043]

Ed Reed is the greatest safety in the history of the league

[@razorpat1996]

Safty

[@spidercal9812]

Facts

[@mattf8629]

@@razorpat1996 Nice job trying to correct someone's spelling by just being WRONG. But Ronnie Lott is the SAFETY GOAT.

[@austinking8004]

Before I even start this video, I’m gonna say Ed Reed. Love them both, but Reed is my favorite of these two. Love Brian Dawkins too.

[@zellodavis8453]

Brian Dawkins Really crazy Dawkins, Troy and Reed all played at the same time. Probably the 3 best safeties ever. John Lynch also played in this period, wasn’t on the same level but was damn good.

[@terancem6240]

Polamalu: 32 picks/14 forced fumbles/7 fumble recoveries Reed: 64 picks/11 forced fumbles/13 fumble recoveries I know stats aren't everything but if you watched ed reed play, this guy was the definition of a ball hawk. He was always around the ball. Ed reed is one of the most instinctive players to ever play. Not only the best safety but arguably one of the best defensive players ever.

[@RABJJ52]

And Dawkins beats them both of you going the stat route

[@tsnav8462]

The part that gets overlooked in the statbook comparison is sacks and tackles for loss. Which obviously heavily favor troy polamalu. Especially TKFL. In their Era, FS and SS were very different positions. I think it's fair to say they were both equally incredible. Troy: 56 tkfl, 12 sacks Ed: 32 tkfl, 6 sacks

[@erikpuka2627]

@@tsnav8462 no they wasn't. Ed Reed was galaxies better. If you ever watched them play and I mean relaly watched them - you would know Ed Reed was way better. Just listen to the all time coaches and QBs talk about them. Its not really close.

[@bigbuffguy9589]

@@tsnav8462 Right. Strong safety and free safety aren't the same position just because both have "safety" in their name.

[@tsnav8462]

@@erikpuka2627 That's not really an argument, that's just kind of how you feel.

[@christopherr1827]

This conversation only happens because we never got a full Sean Taylor career.

[@dustinkieffer6810]

Sean would have be the greatest, sad his life was cut short.

[@davonemoses3752]

Sean Taylor and Bob Sanders two guys who controlled the entire field at the safety position whether back in coverage or in the BOX

[@12321jello]

Niner fan but facts

[@nvlaser9084]

Sean was an amazing talent but was not the cerebral player Reed was.

[@ryanbaumgart9837]

Ed reeds first 4 years were better than Sean soooo

[@TommyTuna12]

The comradery between position is more allowed because you'll never go against them... meaning yes you play each other but you won't have that offense vs defense battle on the field

[@chomdale]

Both very different safeties but there is no wrong answer here. Both are absolutely legends.

[@cris-99]

1. Lott 2. Reed 3. Troy 4. Dawkins sean taylor would've been the best thoe!

[@DartmouthOutingClub]

🐐 REEEEEEEEEEEED!!! 🐐

[@kamakoa]

Respect

[@hybridce99]

If you were going to start a team with players from any era using today's rules, I think Ed and Troy would be the two starters at the safety spots. But there's a lot of guys I'd give consideration to; Lott, Tatum, Taylor, Atwater. More recently, maybe Kam...one of the biggest hitters I've ever seen from any era. Harrison Smith, too, he's very similar to Troy. Just one guy's opinion.

[@mansamusa7927]

Gimme Ed reed I love Troy but Ed reed was just a pure ball hawk

[@joshuabraeden4390]

It really all comes down to your personal play style. You want a pick artist then take ed. Want big hits near the line of scrimmage take Troy

[@ToneZoneTC]

You can have both they played different positions.

[@jordanfowler6120]

Troy consistently would show up big late in the 4thhhhhhhhh so many times

[@aaronbrungardt2917]

Eugene Robinson is never ever talked about and I'm not sure why. Tied for 13th in picks, 16th in combined tackles (1st among ALL DBs and more than Brian Urlacher), and had 15 Forced Fumbles (1 less than Lott and John Lynch both HoFers). Troy may not even in my top 5 for safety. Ed Reed is #1 or #2 with Ronnie Lott. Ronde Barber (a cornerback, I know) should be in the Hall, too, no question. When he left the Seahawks and joined the Falcons, it made headlines everywhere and he instantly made that defense among the best that following year.

[@alexanderschooler579]

Two players I would have dreamed of having on my team.. love me some TP

[@Tyler_Evans0411]

Pat and the C gap will be forever remembered

[@shanecoll2043]

Brian Dawkins still my#1

[@boredom247]

Honestly i started watching nfl football in '05 back when i was 11, so if i had to really choose i will have to go with Ed Reed. Based off his pure knowledge and natural instincts of the game. The way he sykes out QBs by making them think their WR is open but their not cuz of the speed he has to catch up with the ball while its in the air to make a pick 6 is nothing like i seen before

[@Bork19]

Would’ve been the best duo in history if they both wound up on the same team but which one you want depends on what your d currently looks like; if my box sucks and my corners are pretty good then I take Troy to cause chaos up front , if my corners suck and then give me Ed reed to cover the entire back end.

[@russs7574]

Troy and E-D Reed in the same defensive backfield? That would have to be illegal.