What Constitutes a Strong Era?

[urban]

In earlier eras, you had imo more players outside the 6-8 top contenders, who were capable of beating and upsetting a favorite without getting through for the whole thing. I would name for the early open era pretty solid and dangerous players like Pasarell, Riessen, Ralston, Taylor, Pilic, Drysdale, Alexander, Graebner, Lutz, Gorman, later Tanner, Mayotte, Gilbert, Wheaton or Larsson. Maybe those dangerous floaters had it easier then, because with a big serve you could upset a favorite on the bad grass or fast carpet or fast hard courts. On clay, you often had a whole armada of grinders, who could make life difficult. Also under the 16 men draw, you could face those floaters earlier.