Image via Complex Original
Hit Squad: The NFL's Hardest Active Hitters
Former Eagle and current Bronco Brian Dawkins has been one of the NFL's baddest men for 15 seasons. Whether he's jacking up wide receivers across the middle or laying out running backs, it's clear that the Jacksonville-bred safety is not to be fucked with. Dawkins turns 37 today, but he's shown scant sign of slowing down. So, in honor of B-Dawk's birthday, we've ranked the NFL's 15 Hardest Active Hitters. Put that chin strap on and get to clickin'...
15. Antoine Winfield
Position/Team: CB, Minnesota Vikings
Complex says: Though only 5'9" and 180 pounds, Winfield is the poster boy for "How NOT to Be a Pussy While Playing Cornerback." Prime Time, where you at?
14. Hines Ward
Position/Team: WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Complex says: Hines' Hit List includes Ed Reed, Keith Rivers, and many more defensive jerktards. It ain't only offensive players that gotta keep their heads up.
13. Sheldon Brown
Position/Team: CB, Cleveland Browns
Complex says: This epic clip, from Sheldon's time with the Eagles, is on repeat in the USC locker room.
12. Owen Schmitt
Position/Team: FB, Philadelphia Eagles
Complex says: Note to NFL: Don't fuck with the crazy West Virginia kid with the cleft palate who busts his own head open before games with his helmet. The fucker is crazy.
11. Zack Follett
Position/Team: LB, Detroit Lions
Complex says: Damn...the economy in the Motor City is even stressing out the Lions...yeesh.
10. Ed Reed
Position/Team: FS, Baltimore Ravens
Complex says: Ballhawk, Headhunter, Bitchmaker—just an all-around bad, bad man.
9. Patrick Willis
Position/Team: LB, San Francisco 49ers
Complex says: This dude might not promote himself as much as the other guys, so let us do the talking for him: Watch your back when you're near #52.
8. Bob Sanders
Position/Team: SS, Indianapolis Colts
Complex says: Question: How does a man built like stone break down like cardboard every season?
7. Ryan Clark
Position/Team: FS, Pittsburgh Steelers
Complex says: All bass, no tremble. Dude hits harder than Waka and Rozay combined.
6. Roy Williams
Position/Team: SS, Cincinnati Bengals
Complex says: He's taken his share of criticism, but never let it be said that he didn't put work in. Not quite sure if he put the Boomer in Sooner, but he can put a Texas-size bruise on you.
5. Brian Dawkins
Position/Team: FS, Denver Broncos
Complex says: Happy birthday, homie. If you manage to tag Fireman Ed on Sunday, we''ll give you the top spot. Capice?
4. LaRon Landry
Position/Team: SS, Washington Redskins
Complex says: It took a couple seasons, but the spirit of Sean Taylor is finally living through LL. BEAST!
3. Troy Polamalu
Position/Team: SS, Pittsburgh Steelers
Complex says: Which NFL player has a $1 million hair-insurance policy? Sorry, Brady. It's this badass Samoan.
2. Ray Lewis
Position/Team: LB, Baltimore Ravens
Complex says: Quoth the Raven from B-more: "You can't hurt this! I'm a machine, jerk!!!" Profound.
1. John Conner
Position/Team: FB, New York Jets
Complex says: Yup, the hardest active hitter in the NFL is a fullback...and a rookie, to boot. Wonder why the Jets RBs are getting holes the size of Kat Stacks? Well, credit Tony Richardson and that OL, but also debutant John Conner. Conner has LBs looking like defenseless WRs going over the middle whenever he's on the field. To all of his jacked-up victims, Conner says: "I'll be BACK."
