Tag: Kevin Greene

2 Steelers make 33rd Team’s greatest pass rushers of all time

Where does T.J. Watt rank among the best pass rushers in NFL history?

There is a commonly held truth in the NFL that if you have a player who can consistently hit the other team’s quarterback, your entire defense will be better. This has always been true of the Pittsburgh Steelers who have had some of the best pass-rushing outside linebackers of all time on their rosters over the last handful of decades.

But in terms of just pass rushers, where do the best of the Steelers stand? The 33rd Team put together their list of the 10 best pass rushers of all time, and two Steelers made the cut.

Checking in at No. 8, they have T.J. Watt. Already the franchise sack leader and still not 30 years old, Watt is the best all-around defender in the league right now. He’s won Defensive Player of the Year, holds the single-season sack record along with the guy who is No. 2 on this list and is the only player in NFL history to lead the league in sacks three different times.

At No. 5 is Kevin Greene. Technically Greene only played a small portion of his Hall of Fame career with Pittsburgh but in just three seasons he was named an All-Pro twice and had 35.5 sacks.

We have no qualms with any ratings on this list and doubt we would change much of anything. But if Watt can keep playing at this current level for a handful more seasons, he’s going to keep climbing up this list.

6 best free-agent signings in Panthers franchise history

They’ve never been known as big spenders in free agency, but the Panthers have found some great value on the open market in the past.

With free agency inching closer, let’s take a fond look into the past.

Here are the six best free-agent signings in Carolina Panthers history:

Sam Mills named Panthers’ best Hall of Famer

Panthers legend Sam Mills was named the franchise’s top Pro Football Hall of Fame member.

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The Carolina Panthers don’t have a whole lot of representation over in Canton, Ohio. But what they do have, like the man you’re going to read about, packs quite a punch.

Franchise icon Sam Mills was recently named the Panthers’ best Hall of Famer. The 33rd Team senior writer Barry Wilner complied his list of the NFL’s premier 32 reps, and wrote the following of the inspirational linebacker:

Sam Mills was too small and slow to make an NFL impact. Yeah, right. The 5-foot-9 Mills went from Montclair State (it’s in New Jersey) to USFL stardom when the NFL ignored him. That changed in 1986 when he joined New Orleans and was a major factor on the Saints’ defense.

But it was in his last three pro seasons with the Panthers that Mills solidified his Canton candidacy with 331 tackles, six forced fumbles and the kind of leadership that lands you in the Hall of Fame.

Mills was officially (and finally) enshrined into the Hall of Fame last summer, in what was his final year of eligibility. His work for the organization as a player, coach and legendary source of motivation now has him immortalized amongst the game’s very best.

Carolina’s very best in Canton also includes prolific pass rushers Kevin Greene and Reggie White. But with both men spending a combined three seasons in Charlotte, Mills’ impact makes him the clear choice for this relatively young franchise.

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Building a defense out of the All-Time Saints Villains

How would you build a defense from the Saints’ all-time rivals? Our picks include Deion Sanders, Kevin Greene, Ronde Barber, and Aaron Donald:

Who would you pick for a defense stocked with the New Orleans Saints’ all-time rivals? Which players would you choose to highlight as the most challenging opponents the Saints have ever lined up against?

There’s a surprising amount of Hall of Fame talent to choose from. Deion Sanders is the big name, but Kevin Greene deserves recognition. Ronde Barber will soon join them in enshrinement. Eventually Aaron Donald will get in, too. But they’re just some of the defenders who have given New Orleans trouble over the years. Here are our picks:

All-Time Saints Villains: Which pass rushers had the most sacks against New Orleans?

All-Time Saints Villains: Which pass rushers had the most sacks against New Orleans? Hall of Famer Kevin Greene is just one star that challenged them:

New Orleans Saints quarterbacks and offensive linemen have been terrorized by some pass rushers over the years; some more than others. The Saints have had the bad luck to share a division with a Hall of Fame talent like Kevin Greene, only to see him join a new team in another conference while they’re leaving to form a new rivalry with the expansion-era Carolina Panthers — only for Greene to return and bully them with Carolina for a few more years to close out his career.

And that’s just one story. We’re continuing to highlight the Saints’ most challenging opponents, rivals, and villains over the years, this time putting a focus on the many sack artists who have lined up against the black and gold:

Panthers rookie Derrick Brown shares tribute to Kevin Greene

Brown shared a video of that along with a message thanking Greene for his mentorship on Twitter.

Former Panthers outside linebacker Kevin Greene died today at the age of 58. Greene played for Carolina three seasons in the 1990s and finished his career ranked third in NFL history in sacks.

Like Greene, Panthers rookie defensive tackle Derrick Brown also played his college ball at Auburn, so they shared a similar football background. Brown also got some one-on-one mentoring from Greene during the run-up to the 2020 NFL draft. Brown shared a video of that along with a message thanking Greene for his mentorship on Twitter.

Our condolences to Greene’s family, friends and everyone else he impacted during his life.

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Twitter mourns the death of Auburn legend, NFL Hall of Famer Kevin Greene

Auburn legend and NFL Hall of Famer Kevin Greene passed away at the age of 58 on Monday.

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Former Auburn linebacker, NFL Hall of Fame legend, and WCW veteran Kevin Greene passed away on Monday at the age of 58.

Greene walked on Auburn’s football team in 1983 and led the team with 11 sacks in his senior season. The Los Angeles Rams drafted Greene in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft which marked the beginning of his successful 15-year career. He played for five teams from 1985-1999 and earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1996 while playing for the Carolina Panthers. Greene finished his career ranked third all-time among NFL sack leaders. He was a 5-time Pro Bowler and a 3-time First-Team All-pro.

Greene was inducted to the NFL Hall of Fame in 2016. In honor of his induction, NFL Films released a program devoted to the Class of 2016 titled, “A Football Life.” During this, late Auburn head coach Pat Dye reminisces about the first time he saw Kevin Greene:

“I see this guy that’s winning every race and winning every competition, and he looks like a Greek god. I called one of the coaches. I said, ‘Who in the hell is that? They said, ‘That’s Kevin Greene.’ I said, ‘Where’d he come from?'”

Dye continued to say,

“He had the physical tools and ability, and he came with a vengeance,” Dye said. “But the thing that set him apart is what he had inside of him. He played the game with every molecule in his body.”

The news of Greene’s passing came as a shock to the sports world today. Fans, players, coaches, colleagues, and friends all took to social media to share tributes as well as mourn the loss of a legend.

I echo the sentiments of many here. What a player, what a man, and what a loss. Gone way too soon. RIP Mr. Greene. Our condolences go out to all of his family and friends.

Former Packers assistant coach Kevin Greene passes away

The former Packers OLB coach, who won a Super Bowl ring while on Mike McCarthy’s staff in 2010, passed away at age 58.

Hall of Fame pass-rusher and long-time Green Bay Packers assistant coach Kevin Greene passed away at the age of 58.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed his passing.

Greene played 15 seasons and 228 games in the NFL, tallied 160 career sacks, made the Pro Bowl five times and was named to the 1990s All-Decade team.

In Green Bay, Greene will be remembered as one of the most recognizable and influential position coaches from Mike McCarthy’s staff.

After retiring as a player, Greene spent five seasons (2009-2013) with the Packers as the outside linebackers coach for Dom Capers’ 3-4 defense. He helped develop Clay Matthews into a star and won a title with the Packers in Super Bowl XLV.

With Greene as his position coach, Matthews tallied 50 sacks and made four Pro Bowl teams.

Greene played for the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers. He had 10 seasons with at least 10 sacks and twice led the NFL in sacks. The Packers beat Greene and the Panthers in the NFC Championship Game to advance to Super Bowl XXXI.

Greene was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Rams legend Kevin Greene dies at 58

Kevin Greene finished his career with 160 sacks, 72.5 of which came with the Rams.

Los Angeles Rams legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Greene died at the age of 58 on Monday. Heralded as one of the best pass rushers in NFL history, Greene left his mark on the field as a fearsome edge defender for 15 seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016 and ranks third all-time with 160 career sacks.

Greene began his career with the Rams after being a fifth-round pick in the 1985 NFL draft. After being a backup for three years, he finally broke through as a starter in 1988. That year, he recorded 16.5 sacks in 16 games, forcing two fumbles and racking up 51 total tackles.

He spent eight years with the Rams, playing 119 games, recording 72.5 sacks and forcing 13 fumbles. Though he never won a Super Bowl, he did play in seven playoff games with the Rams and 17 total in his career.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Kevin Greene,” Pro Football Hall of Fame President and CEO David Baker said in a statement released Monday. “I regarded him as a personal friend and a true Hall of Famer in every sense. He possessed the most incredible can-do attitude of anyone I ever met. He was a great player, but more than that, he was a great man. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s wife, Tara, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Kevin’s memory.”

Greene finished his career with the Steelers, Panthers and 49ers. In addition to his 160 sacks, he recorded 734 total tackles and forced 23 fumbles. He led the league in that sacks twice (1994 and 1996) and was named Player of the Month once (November 1994). Greene was selected to five Pro Bowls with two first-team All-Pro honors.

His cause of death was not announced.

Hall of Famer Kevin Greene, ex-Jets coach, dead at 58

Legendary pass-rusher and ex-Jets coach Kevin Greene died Monday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced. He was 58.

Legendary pass-rusher Kevin Greene died Monday at his Alabama home, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced. He was 58. No cause of death was announced.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Kevin Greene,” Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker said in a statement. “I regarded him as a personal friend and a true Hall of Famer in every sense. He possessed the most incredible can-do attitude of anyone I ever met. He was a great player, but more than that, he was a great man. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s wife, Tara, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Kevin’s memory.”

Greene’s Hall of Fame career began in 1985 and ended in 1999. He spent eight years with the Los Angeles Rams before moving on to Pittsburgh, Carolina and San Francisco. While his uniform changed over the years, his ability to bring down opposing quarterbacks never did. Greene recorded double-digit sacks in 10 of his 15 seasons and ended his career with four straight seasons of at least 10.5 sacks.

A fifth-round pick out of Auburn, Greene retired in third-place on the all-time sack list with 160. The five-time Pro Bowler was named to the Hall of Fame’s All-1990s Team.

Greene, who also dabbled in professional wrestling, returned to the NFL as coach nearly a decade after he retired. He started off as an intern with the Steelers before being hired as Green Bay’s outside linebackers coach in 2009. He won a Super Bowl there and stayed with the Packers until 2013. Then, after another hiatus, he took the same job with the Jets in 2017.

Working for Todd Bowles, Greene stayed in New York through the 2018 season.

“Our thoughts are with the family of NFL legend Kevin Greene,” the Jets said in a statement of their own. “A former Jets coach, Kevin made a positive impact on everyone he met. He’ll be missed.”