-Coleman's never been one of my faves, because of the lack of hardness/some water, and the gyno. Generally looks too loose. In the late 90s where he was so shredded it almost compensated for most but not all of the above negatives, but shredded and dense aren't the same although equally impressive. If he had stayed as he was in the late 90s he'd have been much better; in the last several years with too much weight he reminds me of Robby Robinson in the '78 Olympia, looking awesome in size but losing too many other qualities.
-I don't know enough about Yates' best years, probably '93 or '94. Though i've never been a fan and find that like Columbu his physique's a little too much like a powerlifter with the exaggerated torso built for strength, i have to admit that some of the shots in the truce thread are really impressive and changed some of my views that were based on less impressive shots. Because unlike most BBs and especially BBs of the last 20 or more years, he had that great dryness and density which is rare, and seems to have been one of the casualties of today's drugs.
The guys in the 60s and 70s were drier in general when at their best, guys like Sipes, Draper, etc. Yates' conditioning reminds me of Robinson first, then Columbu. Robinson was IMO along with Padilla the best post-Schwarzenegger BB until the 90s, better than the 80s guys. Haney was a huge Robinson fan. I think that density and dryness are some of the most impressive attributes and will always be attractive, whereas size now has actually gotten to be too much IMO, which wasn't imaginable in the 70s. An unnatural look and consequence of meddling with the body's fundamental chemistry through GH and insulin, IMO. Yates didn't have a bad look using those drugs when lean in contest shape, the dryness countered some of the negatives.
Now after the truce thread i regret not picking up Yates and his girlfriend here outside the NY contest almost two years ago. They were alone on the other side of the street about 4 blocks from the show, unable to find a taxi as i climbed into a SUV. I should've offered them a lift.