I voted for Hampton because he was, statistically the best. Heart may matter in certain situations but in the long run, stats win out.

I told Dave that I think this greatest Falcons team will be 90% of the 1998 team simply because that’s the last “greatest” season we’ve had that qualifies (2008 being too recent).

The simple fact that there is a poll means you are asking for people’s opinions, therefore it will always come down to a popularity contest. If you wanted to base it off of stats alone, then the answers to all positions already exist, just go grab the statistically best player at each position and list them as the all-time greatest Falcon team and stop asking us for our opinions.

My opinion is that Christian is the best fullback as I define that role. Hampton was a RB in every sense of the word. Strictly my opinion though so ymmv.

And I do love Hampton. I thought he should’ve at least garnered some consideration for RB, simply because he was a runner and belonged in a top five list of Falcon running backs.

That said, I really think Christian was a criminally underrated blocking fullback. Roles change, I know that, and Hampton was more of a complete package. There’s still very few fullbacks over the last two decades I’d rather entrust a running game to than Christian, who was also tough as nails. I firmly believe stats should decide most contests, but in this case I think it has a lot to do with how you’re going to view the role of fullback.

Just my two cents.

Maybe the average athlete now is bigger/faster/stronger than past athletes, but one of the best ways to measure greatness is to see how good a player is compared to his peers. That is (one of the reasons) why Babe Ruth is probably still considered the best baseball player ever. For instance, here is his home run numbers and the runner-up in HRs from 1926-1928: 47-21, 60-47, and 54-31. That would be like Tom Brady (50 TDs to 36 for Romo) in ’07 (or Manning in ’04 or Marino in ’84), and doing it for three straight years (or more)! We can see how great the past players were by how much better they were than others playing at the same time, not necessarily by comparing them to current players.

And I’ll say it again – Fullbacks now are used as blockers first. But in the ‘70s (and before) they split carries with the Tailback, were involved in the passing game, and blocked. Just because that is how a FB is used now, doesn’t mean that is the definition of a “true” Fullback…

He invented the Dirty Bird.

Well, I’m there for ya… You’re right – Santiago’s numbers suck. But he does have one thing going for him: 1998.

I’ve got one for you to chew on, though – and the best I can tell, I’d take him ahead of Santiago: Arthur Cox.

Harrowing way to get into the playoffs.

I have a junior miller jersey… lol

my point about the polls. sounds silly but maybe a little research before an answer??? just a thought.