By Mike Jacquart
In celebrating the Green Bay Packers’ 100th anniversary, one thought kept coming to my mind: Who are the 100 greatest Packers of all time? At first, this didn’t seem like this would be that big a task, but a quick online search on The Football Database (www.footballdb.com) revealed nearly fifty current and former Packers in the “As” alone! Clearly, determining the 100 greatest Packers ever would involve more research than I had envisioned!
Greatest Packers 90-100
Greatest Packers 80-89
Aaron Kampman, DE, LB (2002-09). With 54 career sacks – fifth on the Packers’ all-time list — including 15-1/2 in 2006, it might be just a matter of time before Kampman is in the Packers’ Hall of Fame.
78. * Bob Jeter, CB (1963-70). A former running back and wide receiver, Jeter was converted to cornerback in ’65. The move proved well worth it as he recorded 26 career interceptions as a steady corner opposite HOFer Herb Adderley.
77.Charles “Buckets” Goldenberg, G-RB (1933-45). A native of the Ukraine, Goldenberg is not in the NFL HOF even though he was a member of the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team. He is often credited as originating the draw play as his blitzing caused Bears QB Sid Luckman to hand off instead of pass.
76. * Ken Ruettgers, OT (1985-96). The Packers’ #1 pick out of USC in 1985, Ruettgers was a fixture at tackle on the offensive line but, sadly, injuries did not allow him to finish what ended up being a Packers championship season in ’96.
75. Tim Harris, DE, LB (1986-90). Even though he hasn’t worn the Green and Gold in nearly 20 years, Harris still ranks fourth all-time in sacks (55, just ahead of Kampman), and his 19-1/2 sacks in 1989 remains the club’s single-season record. (Ezra Johnson recorded an unofficial 20-1/2 sacks in 1978, but this was before official sack records were kept.)
74. * Mark Murphy, S (1980-85, 87-91). It might surprise some to learn the Packers had a player named Mark Murphy – and a pretty darn good one at that – long before there was a Packers’ CEO by the same name. Murphy led Green Bay in interceptions three times, and paced the team with total tackles twice. Not bad for an undrafted free agent.
73. * Marco Rivera, G (1997-04). A sixth-round draft pick out of Penn State, Rivera continued to elevate his game until he became a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
72. * Don Majkowski, QB (1987-92). While injuries led to a “what-might-have-been?” type career, there is no disputing that Don was “Majik” in 1989, when his 27 touchdowns, and 4,318 passing yards paced the Cardiac Pack to a 10-6 record that just missed a playoff berth. The most notable victory was the famous “instant replay” win over the hated Bears.
71. * Chad Clifton, T (2000-11). A second-round draft pick out of Tennessee, Clifton had the good fortune of blocking for three HOF quarterbacks (Peyton Manning in college, and Favre and Rodgers in GB). He was a two-time Pro Bowler and outstanding pass blocker.
70. * Lee Roy Caffey, LB (1964-69). Caffey was acquired by the Packers in the famous Jim Ringo trade, and went on to start 80 out of 84 games and named an All-Pro. The Packers’ linebacking trio of Nitschke, Robinson, and Caffey was often considered the best in the game.
Mike Jacquart is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Iola, Wisconsin with his wife, Deb; and dog, Pepper Ann. He can be reached at [email protected].