Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

From 1960-66 Alex Karras and Roger Brown were the Lions' starters at defensive tackle in every game, except for the 1963 season, when Karras was suspended. And in 1960 Brown was a rookie and had only a couple of sacks, so let's just stick with 1961-62 and 1964-66. That's five seasons when they played side by side, and in those five seasons Karras had 59.5 sacks (which we known thanks to John Turney and others) and Brown had 56.5. That's 12 per season for Karras, 11 for Brown.

Most sacks tend to come from the ends rather than the tackles, so these look like really exceptional totals, don't they? For comparison, let's look at two of their contemporaries, Merlin Olsen and Bob Lilly, two of the best ever at the position. In their long and distinguished careers, Olsen reached double figures in sacks twice, Lilly three times.

What about two other all-time greats who came along just a little bit later, Joe Greene and Alan Page? Well, Greene hit double figures just one time. But Page was a different story: In a 15-year career he reached double figures EIGHT times (with a high of 18) and posted 148.5 altogether. So at the very least, I think you'd have to say he was a better pass rusher than Karras or Brown.

But as combination of two outstanding pass rushers from the tackle spots, I wonder if any team could ever match the Lions' duo.

Lilly and Pugh ... combined for 119.5 sacks between 1966-1971 Randle and Thomas ... combined for 77 sacks between 1991 -1994

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Sun Oct 12, 2025 12:41 am Lilly and Pugh ... combined for 119.5 sacks between 1966-1971 Randle and Thomas ... combined for 77 sacks between 1991 -1994

So Lilly and Pugh combined for 20 per season, and Randle and Thomas combined for 19 per season (and in a 16-game season too). Karras and Brown are still comfortably in front, with 23 per season.

Yep, some great duos, though Brown, Pugh and Thomas wont make the HOF ... hopefully, Pugh and Thomas make the HOVG and are deserving ... Thomas did alot of his damage at shade/nose tackle ...

Trying to look at Page-Osborn with the Bears ... I think, 67.5 sacks from 1978 - 1981

Mike Barnes and Joe Ehrmann for the mid-1970s Colts.

Hampton and McMichael as well, though Hampton was all over the line.

Cleveland Elam and Jimmy Webb for a couple years...then poof, broken up and couldn't sustain.

Wall Champobers and Jim Osborne -- until Chambers blew out a knee

Olsenb and Brooks averaged 15 a year from 1972-1976 with Brooks getting Lion's share
by then Olsen was the 'cop' but still a good duo

It appears to only really be one season where both got a lot of sacks, but the 1983 Lions had William Gay and Doug English get a combined 26.5 sacks; 13 for one, 13.5 for the other.