The Bobcat Nation

Just kind of curious as to who everyone feels is the best MSU football player, of the modern era, is? Can be defensive or offensive, or even by position if you really want to get technical. Let me know what you all think.

Great question... but when would you consider the "modern era" to have started?

Frosty Peters if modern era is 1900 to present

Joey Thomas if modern era is 2000 to present

Tough choice, my preference's (in no particular order):

Ryan Johnson
John Borchardt (sp?)
Bill Kollar

I am really drawing a blank on the DE that played for the Cats and started at MLB for the Giants

By modern era I am speaking of nothing farther back then the '50s.

Based largely on his subsequent success at the pro level (which I know isn't necessarily the best measure, hence the eternal arguments over the approach to the Heisman Trophy), I would have to go with Corey Widmer. Sean Hill should get some mention based on that measure as well, but not to the same extent.

Joey Thomas is a great athelete, he really has it all, strength, speed, agility. The one thing that I question by putting him on the list of one of the greatest ever is his intelligence. If he had the intelligence of Ioane he would definitly be the complete package.

I apologize for all my spelling errors, not my strong point.

Thanks BAC I just couldn't remember Cory Widmer's name.

Do you really mean intelligence, or rather, temperment? In reading about and listening to Joey, he seems like a pretty bright guy. I think he made some "stupid" plays on the field relating to personal fouls, but that really isn't intelligence related so much as it is temperment.

I don't have either of their grades of SAT's sitting in front of me, so what do I know....

Of course, if you would have compared him to one of our many recent Academic All-Americans, then I would completely understand the distinction based on pure intelligence.

Jan Stenerud...though he is known more for NFL career.

Nice add, Maroon. How could we have forgotten him? Even as an NFL Hall of Famer, the kicker can't get any respect.

If you go by NFL career (other than Jan Stenerud), you really have to say Bill Kollar. MVP of the Senior Bowl and a first round draft choice, approximately a 10-12 year NFL career. Lived next to him in the dorms for one quarter-he was a pretty nice guy also.

HelenaCat wrote:If you go by NFL career (other than Jan Stenerud), you really have to say Bill Kollar. MVP of the Senior Bowl and a first round draft choice, approximately a 10-12 year NFL career. Lived next to him in the dorms for one quarter-he was a pretty nice guy also.

Who did Bill Kollar play for. I remember when he got drafted but I can't remember anything about his Pro days.

I beleive Bill Kolar started his pro NFl caree with the Cinc Bengals. He played a year or two in the old AFL pior to the merger.
Over the last 30 years I would say Kolar would be my choices with Don Hass number two.

The Kicker cant think of his name.

As far as Joey's intelligence goes I am not talking about the 15 yard penalties he added up. Also I am not too sure how he did with his school work. There were a number of times on the field where he would simply not follow the defensive scheme, this includes his role in certain blitzes the defense would attempt. This could simply be immaturity I really dont know, just a few things I picked up on.

Here's some names that come to mind that have not already been mentioned in previous posts. (Disclaimer - any omissions are not intended to diss any player or any era. These are just names that come to mind, by position):
OL - Sonny Holland; Joe Tiller; Ron Warzecka
TE - Joe Bignell
WR - Sam McCollum
QB - Dennis Erickson
RB - Delmar Jones
PK - Pat Bolton
DL - Mark Fellows
S & P Stuart Dodds

A little off topic, but you guys seem to know past players pretty well. Does the name JIM STARR sound familiar to anyone? He was "Laser" on American Gladiators and from what I have heard played for the cats in the '80s. Anyone have any info on him??

It's gotta be either Kollar or Mark Fellows for the total impact they had. Fellows really stood out on the '84 championship team. He was also drafted by san diego and started for them his rookie year until he broke his pelvis.