The Rules - All guys must actually play in the same position as the do with their normal team. This effects defensive players the most since if they are a middle-bottom linebacker they only qualify as a middle-bottom linebacker, not anywhere on the line. Top and bottom safties also count as seperate positions. Sorry, no Lott and Dixon at safety. The only exception is that teams that feature 4-3 defense (CHI, DAL and WSH) can have their MLB qualify as either top or bottom middle linebacker. And no, DTs on 4-3 teams do not qualify as DEs, that means you Mongo.
The Offense
At QUARTERBACK from Pittsburgh U, the Miami Dolphins' #13 DAN MARINO - Yeah Elway is a bigger winner, Montana is cooler, but you really can't justify anyone other then Marino to be the QB on the All-Tecmo Team. His unmatched arm strength that can rocket passes to a receiver in the blink of eye is arguabely the best weapon in the game. Marino gives the All-Tecmo a deadly air attack that will give any defense fits.
Starting at RUNNING BACK from Auburn, the LA Raiders' #34 BO JACKSON - The prospects of 2 Bo running plays. Imagine the possiblities. Go ahead. Scary isn't it? While Dickerson, Walker, and Payton are all great backs this is a total no contest, you'd have to be crazy not to take Bo Jackson to run the ball for you. Crazy.
TOP WIDE RECEIVER from JMU, the Washington Redskins' #83 GARY CLARK - Some pretty stiff competetion for this coveted spot on the All-Tecmo Team. Seattle's Steve "The Congressman" Largent, and Minnesota's Anthony Carter, and even Miami's Super Duper all can make a solid case for this spot, but Clark's combination of speed and big play ability give him the advantage and the spot on the team.
BOTTOM WIDE RECEIVER from Mississippi Valley State, the San Fran 49ers' #80 The Greatest of All-Times JERRY RICE - Quicker then most running backs Jerry Rice is a game-breaker, capable of devastating jukes, massive cuts, and has the ability to make a defender hit 4 walls before tearing on by him for the major. The Greatest of All-Times sums it up really.
The TIGHT END from Notre Dame, the New York Giants' #89 MARK BAVARO - In contention with Tim Brown for the honour of being 2nd best to Jerry Rice in the best receiver catergory. Blazing fast for a TE, Bavaro gives the All-Tecmo Team a good secondary option and provides plenty of power and winning experience. Only the Raider's Christenson comes close.
OFFENSIVE LINE - These guys don't seem to make that big of a difference, but if we're going to have an all-star team might as well stack the line too. The 4 best O-lineman in the game: Minnesota's IRWIN , Miami's STEPHENSON , and Indy's SOLT and DONALDSON . These guys should provide good blocking for Bo, even though Bo knows he doesn't need blocking, and should give the All-Tecmo Team some great special teams blocking.
The Defense
Starting at pivotal RIGHT END from Oklahoma State, the Washington Redskin's #72, one half of the Doom Combo DEXTER MANLEY - Ah, the Run Assassin. The class of the RE field, with only the Giants' Marshal providing any real competition. Manley provides the All-Tecmo Team with the much needed all-star defender at the most important defensive position in the game.
The NOSE TACKLE from SMU, the San Fran 49ers' #95, MICHAEL CARTER - The clear best nose tackle in the game, with the Raiders' Pickel comes in a distant 2nd. Carter has blazing speed and explosive quickness, always getting all over the opposing QB in record time on a play call. While Carter lacks power he more then makes up for it with his great speed and strong defensive ability.
The LEFT END from Nevada, the Washington Redskins' #71, CHARLES MANN - A pretty weak field of left ends, Charles Mann edges out Howie Long in a close race for the spot. Long is just too inconsistant to land a spot on the All-Tecmo squad. With Mann on board the All-Tecmo team has the Washington Doom Combo on the line and is looking mighty imposing against the run.
At TOP OUTSIDE LINEBACKER from Michigan State, the New York Giants' #58, CARL BANKS - The definitive top outside linebacker in Tecmo Bowl, really the only truely talented player at the position, Banks easily makes the squad and provides amazing speed and ability to the All-Tecmo linebacker corps. Teaming with LT all those years doesn't hurt either.
The starting TOP MIDDLE LINEBACKER from New Mexico State, the Seattle Seahawks' #50, FREDD YOUNG - Slightly over-rated with his 18 sacks, Young however still manages to be the best top middle LB in the game, edging out Denver's Karl Mecklenburg. Young can be very effective against both the oppositions air and ground game in the right situations.
Starting at BOTTOM MIDDLE LINEBACKER from Baylor, the Chicago Bears' #50, MIKE SINGLETARY - A truely awe-inspiring talent Singletary is finally freed from the devastating 4-3 defense of the Chicago Bears, ready to bust some heads on the All-Tecmo Team. Their is no competetion here, Singletary is miles ahead of the rest. Blazing fast and capable of huge game-breaking plays Mike Singletary is a welcomed addition to the All-Tecmo Defense of Doom.
Starring at BOTTOM OUTSIDE LINEBACKER from North Carolina, the New York Giants' #56, LAWRENCE TAYLOR - LT by himself is a whole team but surronded with this much talent what LT will be able to do is scary. The captain of the defense, LT provides leadership and championship experience. LT will also man FG blocking thank you very much, meaning the most points the All-Tecmo Team will ever allow is 0. Take that offenses.
The TOP SAFETY from USC, the San Fran 49ers' #42, RONNIE LOTT - AKA Spider-Man. Although there is a lot of talent at top saftey in Tecmo Bowl (Cleveland's Hanford Dixon, Chicago's Deverson, Minnesota's Browner even) Lott is the clear class of the field, giving the defense added protection against anyone brave enough to attempt running the ball. The 2nd best defender in the game, Ronnie Lott can do it all.
Starting at BOTTOM SAFTEY from the University of Louisville, the Cleveland Browns' #31, FRANK MINNIFIELD - The bottom saftey position is kind of weak in Tecmo, most of the star safties play the top position leaving the bottom pretty void of all-star calibre talent. Frank is the best of a poor crop. Washington's Green is the only other real condidate and he isn't on Minnifield's level. The weakest player on this mega defensive unit Minnifield will still provide solid play and do a ok job.
The Special Teams
The KICK RETURNER from Baylor, the Chicago Bears' #29, MIKE GENTRY - The best returner in the game Gentry is a maniac always capable of taking one all the way to the house on any given kick. The only competetion is Cleveland's Gerald McNeil, who is pretty awesome as well, but just not as good as Mike Gentry. The All-Tecmo team will be starting with a lot of good field position with Gentry returning the kicks.
The KICKER from Western Carolina, the Indianapolis Colts' #5, DEAN BIASUCCI - Biasucci has the strongest leg in the game capable of 46 yard field goals. Biasucci is undeniabely the man you want to have attempting that 45 yard field goal to win the game in the dying seconds. Although with this team's offense he'll probably only be seeing a lot of PATs.
The PUNTER from Towson State, New York Giants' #7, SEAN LANDETA - Easily the best punter in the game Landeta can hit 76 yard bombs that demoralize the opposition and always gives his team great field position. The number of punts he gets to try with this team however might be pretty minimal.
The All-Tecmo Chart