For those of you who saw the recent "A Football Life" on ESPN, you'll know what I'm talking about. Otherwise:
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Thomas wasn't much to speak of in the run game, especially in the back half of his career, but he may have been the best pure pass rusher to play the game. First step, lean, motor, swim move, power, strip...the total package. He got it done off the edge and stunting inside.
Neal Smith, his running mate and a sack collector himself, said that he'd quit watching the snap or listening to the count and just watch Thomas across the line and go when he went.
126 sacks in 11 seasons. I suppose others might have done better. However, throw in the 41 forced fumbles and his record is hard to beat over that length of career.
Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor were better all around players...the best front 7 players in the post-merger era. But we're talking pure pass rushers here.