Dirtiest Players in the NFL, Past and Present

In my last post, I was serious.  But now it's time once again for a trip down memory lane with good ol' Uncle Jaws...I give you the ten dirtiest current players in the league, plus the ten dirtiest in history.

TOP TEN DIRTIEST CURRENT PLAYERS

10. Jared Allen, DE, Vikings - Another one that's cleaned up his act a little, but if you watch him, he will still go low on his targets from time to time.

9. Richard Seymour, DE, Raiders - Frequently uses head slaps, foot stomps, and even the occasional punch to help himself when he goes up against better o-linemen.  Don't know if he's still doing it in Oakland, but he damn sure did it in New England.

8. Flozell Adams, OT, Steelers - He did most of his dirty work in Dallas, so don't think I'm singling out the Steelers here.  He was famous for tripping, to wit leg wipping, opponents that managed to get around his end.

7. Joey Porter, LB, Arizona Cardinals - His career has since pretty much fizzled out, but his intentional injuring of Todd Heap still lands him on this list.

6. Harvey Dahl, G, Falcons - Always makes the list of the NFL's meanest players.  He is not afraid of anyone and will even fight his own teammates.

5. Richie Incognito, G, Dolphins - He's been on his best behavior so far in Miami, but he's long had one of the worst reputations in the league among offensive linemen.

4. Cortland Finnegan, CB, Titans - Seems to draw a fine every week (3 consecutive in September through October); said he "aspires" to beat out Hines Ward as the dirtiest player in the NFL.

3. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Redskins - Stomped on the unprotected head of Dallas center Andre Gurode...need I say more?

2. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers- Master of the blindside block; famously earholed Keith Rivers of the Bengals, breaking his jaw and ending his season.  Tough, win-at-all-costs little bastard, last year ranked number 1 in this category by his peers.

1. James Harrison, LB, Steelers - Takes over for Ward at number 1 on the list due to his recent actions and Alex Mack's revelation that Harrison was actually doing more, spearing guys on the ground, among other things.  And upon being punished, he reacted like a spoiled little girl and threatened to retire.

TOP TEN DIRTIEST PLAYERS IN NFL HISTORY

10. Johnny Sample, DB, Colts, Jets, Steelers, Redskins - His autobiography is actually called "Confessions of a Dirty Ballplayer;" he once said "I was never dirty, except when I played against you."  A proud, tough son of Philadelphia.

9. Andre Waters, S, Eagles - I love watching Waters' highlights.  Known as "Dirty" Waters, a name bestowed by famed Eagles-Hater Dan Dierdorf, Andre would fly across the middle to try and decapitate his target.

8. Warren Sapp, DT, Buccaneers, Raiders - As a member of the Bucs, laid a cheapshot blindsider on the Packers' Chad Clifton, who was very much removed from the onfield action.  Clifton couldn't walk for five weeks, and Sapp stood over him hooting and hollering afterward.

7. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers - Yeah, he's on here.  He throws nothing but cheap-shot blindside blocks.  He's been flagged, fined, and his hits have led to severe injuries, but he doesn't care.  He'll take out any defender, as long as they don't see him coming.

6. Charles Martin, DT, Packers - Had the numbers of Bears players written on his game towel...a hit list.  Classic.  Had the NFL's longest suspension before Haynesworth danced the Andre Stomp.  Once picked up Jim McMahon and spiked him on the ground, ending his season.

5. Steve Wisniewski, G, Raiders - The third Raider of this list, and we're only on 5...I think the Black Hole would be proud.  A terrific player, but incredibly dirty, Wisniewski would eye-gouge, crackback block, cut-block...the list goes on.  Frequently took opponents out at the knees.

4. Rodney Harrison, S, Chargers, Patriots - Despite numerous fines and suspensions, Harrison flew around the field with reckless abandon, smashing anyone who got in his way.  He showed no remorse or respect, once smashing Jerry Rice helmet-to-helmet.  In his 15-year career, he always topped the dirtiest player list, according to his peers.  He accumulated nearly a quarter million dollars in fines.

3. Jack Tatum, S, Raiders - Nicknamed "The Assassin," Tatum made a point of punishing his opponents with incredible ferocity.  One of the hardest hitters in the history of the league, he infamously paralyzed Darryl Stingley with a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit.

2. Bill Romanowski, LB, Raiders, Eagles, Broncos - What a son of a bitch Romo was...finally left the league after breaking his own teammate's face in camp.  A spitter, a cheap-shotter, a roid monkey, and an alleged racist, Romo embodied the spirit of "dirty."

1. Conrad Dobler, G, Cardinals - He didn't just play dirty, he REVELED in it.  Against defenders who put their hands up to deflect a pass, he'd punch them in the stomach.  Punching, spitting, kicking, gouging...you name it, Dobler did it.  One of the most hated players in the history of the game, he simply did whatever the hell he wanted.  Sort of the "Ogie Oglethorpe" of the NFL.

These lists weren't meant as indictments or as commentary, they were just for fun.  Please share your won thoughts and feel free to add anyone you feel should be on either one.