Hey for ***** and giggles, let’s compare the ’26 team in preview mode and 2001.

Better?

QB – 26. I love Dorsey to death but Mensah has a better arm, is a better athlete, and can make throws from angles and on the move Dorsey just couldn’t. Dorsey was maybe the best defense reader we ever had but Mensah is right there. You’d be shocked how many times in ’01 the offense went stagnant and the defense had to make a big play to wake them up. I don’t think we’ll have that problem this year.

RB – 01. There’s no topping Portis, WMac, and Gore. Although McGahee was hurt most of that season and they didn’t trust Gore til halfway through. I love our stable for 26 but you’re not topping 3 NFL HOF talents. Even though they all won’t make it in.

WR – 26. Even though Dre is the best overall on both teams, besides him everyone else was just serviceable on that 01 team. I’m not sure any of them played a snap in the league. 26 is loaded. Dorsey with this year’s WR crew would have been insane.

TE – 01. Shockey was one of the all time greats. Besides him there was just Robert and David Williams who were basically just blockers but it didn’t matter. This year it’s pretty much Lofton or bust and even he blows up he won’t be anywhere close to shockey obviously..

OL – 01. Mt. McKinnie was the best LT of all time and everyone else was very good. Cantwell may become that but not as a freshman. The rest of the 26 line will be sold but Rodriguez is no Rhomberg and McCoy is no Juaquin.

DL – 01 but closer than you think. McDougle and Andrew Williams were great pass rushers and great edge setters. William Joseph was dominant and Matt Walters was very good, and you had Wilfork amazingly off the bench. Our DEs will be very good this year but we don’t have the DT depth of 01 obviously.

LB – 01 and it’s not close. I hope we have a Vilma and/or DJ on today’s roster but that’s probably a stretch.

DB – 01 obviously, but kinda close just for the depth now. Ed Reed and P-Buch are legends. Bryce could be but not yet obviously. I love today’s corners but they’re not quite 01 level.

STs – 01. Capshaw and Joyce are a push but Sievers was rock solid. Not sure what our PK situation will be this year. P-Buch and Mali are the same kind of threat to house a PR.

Coaching – 26. ’01 team had excellent position coaches but Dawson and Heatherman are better than Chud and Shannon I think. Mario and Butch were similar but Mario is improving.

Clearly the 01 team is superior but it’s a little closer than you’d think, IMO. There’s talent enough to run the table.