John L Williams and Mack Strong

[Atradees]

John L was an era. Like the previous Loafo implied John was the only thing going for the Hawks with those teams. He willed yards.

 

[Starrman44]

I'd love to see a full house backfield with John L, Mack, and Marshawn. That's a lot of tough, determined guys coming at ya and all of them capable of running and catching.

For me John L comes out ahead of Mack, but it's one of those things where we don't have to choose. They are both Hawks. I really would like to see John L. Williams in the Ring of honor, and wouldn't be upset if we put Mack Strong up there. Mack epitomizes the toughness, self sacrifice, small ego, and talent that I like to think makes great Seahawks.

 

[Hawknballs]

Love JLW but Strong is the man.

Holmgren didn't employ much of a screen game while he was here, there just weren't many opportunities for Strong to catch the ball. The philosophy was to check down to TE in leaks, not the FB/RB.

Personally I'll take a Fullback who does the best possible job doing what a Fullback is supposed to do, and I think Strong did those things just a little better than Williams.

 

[Smellyman]

Sentimentally everybody loves mack.

But John L was a special kind of Back, great blocker, great receiver and also a very good featured RB when called upon

 

[Bigpumpkin]

Both men were terrific players! However, each had a different role on the Hawk's respective teams. Both men have my great respect.

 

[HawKnPeppa]

They both were great players in their own right. I still remember Walter Peyton's last game, when Krieg hit John L. in the RH flat and he took off like a scalded cat. If I remember right, he took that one to the house. The Hawks won that game in no small part because of John L. I use to love watching him run because there was almost no spool up time. Seemed like he went from zero to top speed in the blink of an eye. I'll have to give the nod to John L. , but I disagree that he blocked as well as Mack.

 

[TCS]

All great points. I don't remember a lot of running plays from JLW that totally blew me away (doesn't mean he didn't have any highlight runs), but his receiving out of the backfield was stellar. Anyone remember how freakishly large JLW's hands are?

Go Hawks!

tcs

 

[ChiefHawk]

These guys were back to back goodness for the team (JLW left in 1993, MS signed 1993).

Each played the role the team needed at the time - John L as an offensive weapon, Mack as a lead blocker and protection specialist.

Both were fantastic in their roles, I don't think there is a wrong choice - both went to two Pro-Bowls, so they were respected by their peers.

My pic goes to Mack Strong, as I think his contributions to the team were bigger than the on field number differences.

His refusal to go elsewhere when he had other contract offers, and wait on the training camp sidelines until the Seahawks re-signed him, and always playing at high levels during periods of questionable transition for the team, tells me he is 100% Seahawk, and that puts him over the top for me.

 

[HawkWow]

John L remains my all time fav Hawk (back). But ML is knocking on that door.