HoustonHawk82":1ickt3k6 said:If you ask me, comparing Rice to Johnson is an apples to oranges deal.
It was a different NFL back when Rice was setting all those records. The conventional wisdom of the time, with respect to the size and speed of corners and safeties, was totally different, and so was the way defenses covered. In that era Rice was taller and faster than most, and the system he operated in was not yet fully comprehended and defended like it is now. Erase 20 years off Rice's age and insert him into the Lions lineup with Stafford the gunslinger throwing and his stats are nowhere near what he accomplished in the 80's. Rice was good because of Walsh, Montana, and inept defenses not yet tuned-in to defending the WCO.
Johnson is taller, stronger, and (IMO) faster than Rice, is playing in a completely different offensive system, against defenses that can shut down WC routes, and is being covered by faster and stronger (and better coached) DB's.
I'll take Johnson over any receiver in history.
You're mistaken when you say that He was bigger and faster than CB's and safeties in his day. He ran a 4.7 at the combine. He wasn't a burner. There were plenty of faster/ bigger players he went up against. Furthermore Johnson has it much easier today than Rice did. With the rules changes he has a much easier path to make plays do to the rules being in favor of the offense. defenses are worse today than in the past. Passing defenses are very suspect in today's game. More players are throwing for 300+ yards than at anytime in history.
Lastly Rice was critical in SF winning 4 championships, yet Johnson with all his brilliance has made the postseason just once and his best season came when the team finished a dismal 4-12.
I completely disagree Rice is the greatest WR to ever play the game, and there's an argument to be made that he's the best football player to ever play the game.