Dallas Cowboys CB DaRon Bland just made NFL history on Thanksgiving. In a blowout win over the Washington Commanders, Bland had his fifth interception return for a touchdown this season. That set an NFL record for the most in one season.
Bland has been getting consideration for Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY). However, there may be early discussion about him being one of the best DBs in NFL history. Who does he have to surpass to achieve this? Let’s take a look.
Dick “Night Train” Lane
When you have an epic nickname like this, you know we are talking about one of the greatest DBs ever. He played in the NFL from 1952-65. Dick “Night Train” Lane had a notable record in his career.
On top of this, it took place during his rookie season. He still holds the record for most interceptions in one season (14). Considering he is fourth on the all-time interceptions list (68), “Night Train” certainly earned his place in NFL history.
Mel Blount
Our next DB comes from the famous “Steel Curtain” teams in the 1970s. Blount won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers and even influenced a big NFL rule change. That is because he had a reputation of essentially getting in a street fight with any wide receiver whom he lined up against.
Many argue Blount was a big influence on a critical rule change that the NFL made in 1978. This was when the “illegal contact” rule we know today was introduced. It banned DBs from making contact with WRs beyond five yards down the field. As a result, Blount could not get nearly as physical with WRs as he had in years past.
Still, Blount had a legendary career and was a staple in an all-time great defense. He even got the best of Bland’s Dallas Cowboys in one classic Super Bowl. Blount finished his career with 57 interceptions.
Rod Woodson
Getting to more recent names, we can’t forget Rod Woodson. For starters, Woodson is third on the all-time interceptions list (71). On top of this, Woodson made his mark on a legendary defense.
It took Woodson 14 years to become a Super Bowl champion. It finally happened in Super Bowl XXXV with the Baltimore Ravens. Many consider the 2000 Ravens to have one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. Woodson being part of that secondary certainly helped them earn that status.
Ed Reed
Reed is the most recent player on this list and for good reason. Often referred to as the “Ball Hawk,” Reed certainly made his mark in the NFL. For starters, he set the record for the longest interception for a touchdown in NFL history (107 yards). Ironically, when he set that record in 2008, he broke his own record of 106 yards back in 2004.
Reed finished his career with 64 interceptions. On top of this, he became a Super Bowl champion late in his career with the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore made an improbable run toward Super Bowl XLVII that season.
Paul Krause
We saved the best name for last. Younger readers may not know who Krause even is. Well, he is only the NFL’s all-time interceptions leader (81).
Krause spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He played with Minnesota from 1968 to 1979. Historians should know that the Vikings had many good teams during those seasons.
They even had a defensive line known as the “Purple People Eaters.” While Krause played free safety, he certainly made his own mark on that defense. Unfortunately, Minnesota never captured a Super Bowl title.
Their most notable loss was in Super Bowl IV to the Kansas City Chiefs. Krause and the Vikings appeared in the Super Bowl three more times after that and lost them all. Still, Krause deserves his place as an all-time great DB.
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