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Thanks to thepuz for the graphics.

This TL;DR had slight insight into why the league sports so many bad tacklers.

Yet, unintentional comedy struck mightily.

Quoted:

There used to be a time when ball carriers were easily differentiated -- you primarily had bruisers such as Jerome Bettis, elusive types such as Barry Sanders and hard-charging tough guys such as Emmitt Smith. Now you have more runners who possess all those traits (such as Peterson)

REALLY?

I think they're sorely mistaken on one trend in the NFL. Running backs are not getting more elusive. They're not more well-rounded, either. Adrian Peterson might have great agility, blazing speed, and enough power, but he is not as elusive as Sanders. He isn't as upfield-dazzling as Emmitt. He's definitely not as powerful as Bettis. Like Barry, Jerome, and Emmitt, he has enough power and speed to play on every down, but he's not on their level.

The article implies that RBs have improved. Yet, if you have a top halfback, you don't split carries with someone ... the top running back receives the majority. The 2nd HB only subs in when the premier back tires. The 2nd HB leaves when your top back catches his breath. With a top back in a balanced offense, there is no running back committee.

Instead, the reality shows that RBs are less-well-rounded than they were 10 years ago. To be an every-down back, you need enough power, agility, and speed to get 20 carries a game. Today? The backs are either too weak or not nimble enough for every down. You don't even see a lot of fullbacks anymore because they don't seem to block well enough to be useful.

I also found it amusing that the author included Curtis Lofton and Bernard Pollard. They might be solid tacklers, but Jeffri Chadiha should have just stayed with Patrick Willis and Ray Lewis for quotes.

Solid tackling may continue to be an endangered species, but I'm more concerned with the lost art of accurate estimation of athletes.