Digger vs Ratelle vs Tibesar vs LeClair

[geaux_sioux]

Who was the best out of these guys? All of them are/were great players. But if you had to pick one. And why. I was a little young to remember Tibesar and wasn't born when LeClair was the man so I hope some older fans can weigh in.

[UND1992]

I never saw LeClair play either, my Sioux football days started about the time Tibesar came in.  I don't think Ratelle has done enough yet to be at the top of this list, although he may be the most physically gifted and his legacy could change with more games like last week and some UND victories.  Really hard to pick between Tibesar and Digger.  I guess I would slightly lean towards Digger as I remember him standing out on special teams the first time I saw him.  He was such a good combination of will, athleticism and instincts, but I guess that could be said of all of these guys.  But I guess for a full four years I remember Digger making play after play and was a constant his whole career.  I'll be interested to hear some of the others who go back even farther debate this.  One thing is for sure UND is lucky to have landed all these guys as they most certainly could have all been playing at even higher levels at some point in their careers.

[siouxfan512]

I have to go Digger Anderson, only because he was playing when I was at UND. Really fun to watch, and seriously, what a name.

[ClassB]

Were these guys the phenomenal physical specimen that ratelle is ?  I remember digger being the man, but tough to say whether or not between him and ratelle because ratelle didn't get on the field right away (and my love for UND football hadn't matured yet).

[geaux_sioux]

Ratelle is the heaviest by far. The strongest also.

[gfhockey]

Ratelle playing against better competition

 

bubbs really coached him up

[Northcountry]

All of these guys were/are very good and deserve a place in every Sioux football fan's heart, but I don't think your list is complete if Dean Witkowski is not included in the conversation.  He played in a 4 - 3 scheme and virtually covered sideline to sideline.  It was unfortunate that the teams he played on were not at an elite level (much like what Ratelle is experiencing) and his exposure beyond the faithful was somewhat limited.  I do believe he was drafted by Green Bay.

[Ndamukong_sioux]

What about Dan Hendrickson? He was an absolute animal at linebacker and like Ratelle contributed on special teams a lot. I guarantee you guys there is a few former kick returners we played that still have nightmares of being destroyed by him.

[SiouxVolley]

LeClair starred for Bengals teams that went to the Super Bowl.  Hard to pick against his accomplishments.  Lives in Mayville but his health isn't too good, possibly because of repeated pounding he took, especially with concussions.

All these LBS are from the Cities.

Edited October 3, 2015 by SiouxVolley

[oldskool]

How about that guy from international falls 

[North Dakota]

Jim LeClair. He only played 2 years at UND but was one of the best players to ever put on a Sioux jersey. Tough to compare players from different era's but I'd still put LeClair above the rest.

[Irish]

LeClair had a pro-type game - as shown by his career - strong, agile, smart.  But for impact on the college game, I've got to go with Digger.  And I did watch LeClair play and thought he was a stud.  

[gundy1124]

How about that guy from international falls 

Did he pay you to say that?

[Cratter]

Jim LeClair with this wiki page entry,

 

LeClair then played college football for two years at the University of North Dakota, where as a senior, he was named Little All-American in 1971 as he recorded 187 tackles, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries fumbles, and 11 forced fumbles for the Sundogs.

[iramurphy]

Ratelle playing against better competition

 

bubbs really coached him up

Leclair played against Montana, Momtana State, NDSU, USD, SDSU, UNI, Arkansas State and UNLV.  He was a Linebacker in a 5-2 defense and dominated. He was 6' 3" and 225 lbs and when he hit someone they felt it.  NDSU was ranked #1 and had a 30 some game unbeaten streak and the LeClair led defense held them to -18 total yds.  AC only touchdown was on an interception pick 6.  LeClair hit Steve Nelson so hard that the entire stadium was in awe and Nelson was done.  I think he transferred to Concordia to finish his career. Arkansas State was ranked #1 when we played them and Montana was a ranked and had one of the biggest olines in the country at the time. LeClair dominated from sideline to sideline.  I've seen all of these guys and there was none better.  An All -American, He was drafted by the Bengals and went on to a 10 yr NFL career, Bengals team Captain and pro bowler.  The competition was DII but that was today's FCS teams, and teams like Nevada, Boise State, UNLV, San Siego State etc. Certainly better completion than Drake, Wyoming and Cal Davis.  Note I said none better.  That means each one of these guys  dominated in their era.  Most dominant in my mind is LeClair. You had to double team him if you wanted to run and he could defend the pass.  The other guy at Linebacker was Don McLean who was one of the toughest nastiest LBs in the country. He was an Honorable Mention All- American.  Program was in shambles in 1969.  Conference runner up in 1970 and conference champs in 1971.  One of the reasons I'm not on board with all the excuses about playing young guys and it takes 4-5 yrs to turn a program around.  

[Irish]

Leclair played against Montana, Momtana State, NDSU, USD, SDSU, UNI, Arkansas State and UNLV.  He was a Linebacker in a 5-2 defense and dominated. He was 6' 3" and 225 lbs and when he hit someone they felt it.  NDSU was ranked #1 and had a 30 some game unbeaten streak and the LeClair led defense held them to -18 total yds.  AC only touchdown was on an interception pick 6.  LeClair hit Steve Nelson so hard that the entire stadium was in awe and Nelson was done.  I think he transferred to Concordia to finish his career. Arkansas State was ranked #1 when we played them and Montana was a ranked and had one of the biggest olines in the country at the time. LeClair dominated from sideline to sideline.  I've seen all of these guys and there was none better.  An All -American, He was drafted by the Bengals and went on to a 10 yr NFL career, Bengals team Captain and pro bowler.  The competition was DII but that was today's FCS teams, and teams like Nevada, Boise State, UNLV, San Siego State etc. Certainly better completion than Drake, Wyoming and Cal Davis.  Note I said none better.  That means each one of these guys  dominated in their era.  Most dominant in my mind is LeClair. You had to double team him if you wanted to run and he could defend the pass.  The other guy at Linebacker was Don McLean who was one of the toughest nastiest LBs in the country. He was an Honorable Mention All- American.  Program was in shambles in 1969.  Conference runner up in 1970 and conference champs in 1971.  One of the reasons I'm not on board with all the excuses about playing young guys and it takes 4-5 yrs to turn a program around.  

I was at that NDSU game and you are correct in your assessment of Leclair - Now that you run through his accomplishments I think I will take him over Digger.  Plus, he was the only person to ever take down the famous wrestling bear.  https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=336&dat=19740201&id=ZsdSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AH4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6868,247854&hl=en

[ClassB]

Leclair played against Montana, Momtana State, NDSU, USD, SDSU, UNI, Arkansas State and UNLV.  He was a Linebacker in a 5-2 defense and dominated. He was 6' 3" and 225 lbs and when he hit someone they felt it.  NDSU was ranked #1 and had a 30 some game unbeaten streak and the LeClair led defense held them to -18 total yds.  AC only touchdown was on an interception pick 6.  LeClair hit Steve Nelson so hard that the entire stadium was in awe and Nelson was done.  I think he transferred to Concordia to finish his career. Arkansas State was ranked #1 when we played them and Montana was a ranked and had one of the biggest olines in the country at the time. LeClair dominated from sideline to sideline.  I've seen all of these guys and there was none better.  An All -American, He was drafted by the Bengals and went on to a 10 yr NFL career, Bengals team Captain and pro bowler.  The competition was DII but that was today's FCS teams, and teams like Nevada, Boise State, UNLV, San Siego State etc. Certainly better completion than Drake, Wyoming and Cal Davis.  Note I said none better.  That means each one of these guys  dominated in their era.  Most dominant in my mind is LeClair. You had to double team him if you wanted to run and he could defend the pass.  The other guy at Linebacker was Don McLean who was one of the toughest nastiest LBs in the country. He was an Honorable Mention All- American.  Program was in shambles in 1969.  Conference runner up in 1970 and conference champs in 1971.  One of the reasons I'm not on board with all the excuses about playing young guys and it takes 4-5 yrs to turn a program around.  

I was at that NDSU game and you are correct in your assessment of Leclair - Now that you run through his accomplishments I think I will take him over Digger.  Plus, he was the only person to ever take down the famous wrestling bear.  https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=336&dat=19740201&id=ZsdSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AH4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6868,247854&hl=en

I appreciate this. It's good to have these conversations. Not proud of this but had never really heard of leclair until this thread. If we had that game day experience at the alerus, with UND tradition, it might be a different story.

[geaux_sioux]

Will certainly made a few elite plays yeaterday. When he pile drived their qb on the 3rd and 1 it was a huge play.

[Sodacker]

Ratelle is a special talent. He's smart and under control,  keeping his body weight over his feet and not over committing and then is still big and strong enough to push the ball handler back. 

[Siouxperman8]

Will certainly made a few elite plays yeaterday. When he pile drived their qb on the 3rd and 1 it was a huge play.

he hit the QB so hard on that play that I think it played into PSU decision to punt rather than go for it on 4th down.

[bison73]

Who was the best out of these guys? All of them are/were great players. But if you had to pick one. And why. I was a little young to remember Tibesar and wasn't born when LeClair was the man so I hope some older fans can weigh in.

Le Clair.

[bison73]

That was Dave Nelson. Steve Nelson went on to play for the Patriots.  And you are correct. After that hit he was never the same.

 

[iramurphy]

That was Dave Nelson. Steve Nelson went on to play for the Patriots.  And you are correct. After that hit he was never the same.

 

You are correct, thanks.  I even knew that and still typed it wrong. Dave was from Detroit Lakes.  He was a hell of a high school athlete.  I believe that hit changed his career and he transferred to Concordia.  

[bison73]

You are correct, thanks.  I even knew that and still typed it wrong. Dave was from Detroit Lakes.  He was a hell of a high school athlete.  I believe that hit changed his career and he transferred to Concordia.  

Dave hung around and tried to make it in FB and baseball but just couldnt seem to put it all together. Something always seemed to happen to him.

Yes he ended up transferring to concordia for his last year I think.

[BigGame]

Tibesar, super smart and I think he could tell you what the offense was doing before the ball was snapped.

Anderson, Instinct is what comes to mind and was always near the football. 

Ratelle, I am not certain he is the most physically talented but he is certainly the most physically developed.   I love his consistency and that every time he makes a tackle it is a done deal, the ball carrier is stopped or going backward. 

 

I can't speak for the players before this but I do think the game has changed and that should be taken into account.  LeClair has a son that started at Kansas (Andrew I think) as a true freshman in the mid to late 90's.  Decided to transfer to NDSU and couldn't crack the starting lineup his first year.  Did become a very good starter eventually but it always amazed me a starter at Kansas wasn't good enough to start right away at NDSU.  Sometimes the system the player is in makes a difference as to how good they are.