The most dominant player of the 1970's

The 1970's were to me, the most dominant era of professional football. Player skill was at it's highest, the league was not watered down with expansion, though they did add 2 teams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks. The television era was at it's peak, and the game was not the corporate spectacle it is today. That was emerging and while the corporate direction was obviously coming, the league still relied on it's fan base as the top priority, corporate interests were secondary.

Ask the average fan of that day, who was the greatest player of 1970's NFL. Most would say Roger Staubach, OJ Simpson (before he became a killer) Mean Joe Green or Larry Csonka. Few would say Ray Guy. I however, say Ray Guy.

Ray Guy was the greatest punter in NFL history. Bar none. The punter is the afterthought of the team. Not a player of zero value, a good punter can make the difference on many occasions, but a punter will not change the course of a game the same way a great quarterback, running back or defensive star is able to. Teams are content with a solid punter, choosing to invest in the other areas of the roster, and for good reason. There are very few great punters in the history of the league, solid is good enough.

Ray Guy was different. He WAS a dominant punter. For the first 9 years of his career he didn't a kick blocked. Ray showed that a punter can be a dominant member of the roster, and while seeking a punter, you have to take your scouting as seriously as you would a wide receiver or any other position player.

Why was Ray Guy the most dominant player of the 70's? Because taking every other position into account, there was always a question as to who was the greatest in the league. Was Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, Bob Griese or Roger Staubach the greatest QB in the league? Was Walter Payton, OJ, or Franco Harris the greatest RB in the league? With every position, this question is asked. Even Place kickers. Was Garo Yepremian or Jan Stenerud the greatest? But with Punters, there was no doubt. It started and ended with Ray Guy.

That's why Ray Guy dominated the 70's.