faba Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 Judge ranks the NFL's top defensive players at each position. Defensive End Player 1. Dwight Freeney, Colts He reminds me a lot of Derrick Thomas the way he rushes to the passer, keeping his body low so there's little for an offensive lineman to block. The guy is durable, missing only one game in three years, and effective with 40 sacks and 17 forced fumbles. 2. Julius Peppers, Panthers One scout complained that he was "too up and down," but I don't see it. Peppers has it all, with long arms, speed, quickness and surprising strength. A year ago he had 11 sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defensed, one touchdown and made a run at the league's Defensive Player of the Year award. 3. Jason Taylor, Dolphins He's a close third behind Peppers, largely because he's been remarkably consistent over the years. He's quick and instinctive and rarely sits down -- playing all 16 games six of the past seven years. In the last five he had no fewer than 8.5 sacks, reaching a career-high 18.5 in 2002. 4. Patrick Kerney, Falcons The Falcons thought enough of this guy that they made him their second highest-paid player. He plays well with his hands, gets off blocks and can turn the corner with the game's best. The numbers reflect it; Kerney produced a team-high 13 sacks, two forced fumbles and seven deflected passes last season. 5. Shaun Ellis, Jets He plays the run better than Peppers and is effective -- though not as effective as Peppers -- as a pass rusher. Forget about John Abraham; Ellis is the steadier defensive end on the Jets. He has 23.5 sacks the past two seasons, and, more important, hasn't missed much time because of injuries. 6. Simeon Rice, Buccaneers All I know is that Tampa didn't get past Philadelphia in the playoffs until Rice showed up, and there's a reason. He's one of the game's best and most disciplined pass rushers, with an explosive first step and the know-how to reach the quarterback. The proof: He has three years with at least 15 sacks, including two of the past three. 7. Jevon Kearse, Eagles The Eagles gambled on him with a $17 million signing bonus, and the move paid off with Kearse staying healthy and the Eagles graduating to the Super Bowl. Kearse is adequate versus the run but is a special pass rusher, with at least 7.5 sacks in five of his six pro seasons. 8. Bertrand Berry, Cardinals Arizona is ready to make a push, and it's because of a defense that soared to 12th overall last year -- with Berry leading the charge. All he did was produce 14.5 sacks, or 9.5 more than the next best Cardinal. For the record, Berry has 26 sacks and seven forced fumbles the past two seasons.. 9. Charles Grant, Saints If New Orleans ever makes the climb up the ladder it will be because of guys like Grant. He can play the run or pass effectively, largely because of great upper-body strength that allows him to fend off blocks and because of his speed off the edge. Grant is young, with only three years' experience, but already has 27.5 sacks. 10. James Hall, Lions After a slow start, Hall has come on in a hurry -- starting the past two years and leading the Lions with 11.5 sacks last year. He has long arms, great strength and an array of pass-rush moves. What you like almost as much is that he plays the run well, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 Kerney?? cmon now. Abraham has got to be on that list somewhere. As big of a wuss he is, he's more talented and done more than james hall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudcat21 Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 Abraham has got to be on that list somewhere. As big of a wuss he is, I agree that when healthy and in the proper frame of mind, Abe has to be in the top 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 What, no Abraham? BLASPEHMY!!! So what if he missed 7 games a year?? He is the best defensive end who ever lived when he's not hurt! Prisco is a moron! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 The guy who plays well and doesn't get enough pub is Grant from NO. I know he's on the list, but he's better than the guys listed after him. And that list is absolute dogsh*t, btw. Freeney, Kerney, Rice and Jason Taylor are all liabilities against the run. Does this author not factor that in? If he wants to rank the top pass-rushers, then that list works, but he states defensive end. That list is crap. For two-way ends, you have to start with Mike Strahan, who plays the run like Reggie White played the run, and can still rush the passer with speed OR power. Then Richard Seymour, then Ellis, then Charles Grant, and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormshadow19 Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 Abraham has got to be on that list somewhere. As big of a wuss he is, he's more talented and done more than james hall. Abraham has no business near that list. At least James Hall played all 16 games last year. He's evolved into a damn good DE. Not only can he get after the QB, he can also stop the run. He's part of the reason why the Lions D line is damn good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 Abraham has no business near that list. At least James Hall played all 16 games last year. He's evolved into a damn good DE. Not only can he get after the QB, he can also stop the run. He's part of the reason why the Lions D line is damn good. Hater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehands Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 The guy who plays well and doesn't get enough pub is Grant from NO. I know he's on the list, but he's better than the guys listed after him. And that list is absolute dogsh*t, btw. Freeney, Kerney, Rice and Jason Taylor are all liabilities against the run. Does this author not factor that in? If he wants to rank the top pass-rushers, then that list works, but he states defensive end. That list is crap. For two-way ends, you have to start with Mike Strahan, who plays the run like Reggie White played the run, and can still rush the passer with speed OR power. Then Richard Seymour, then Ellis, then Charles Grant, and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alk Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 No Seymour? Excuse me while I throw my no respect hissy fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 No Seymour? Excuse me while I throw my no respect hissy fit. Actually, whats even dumber than J. Abe not being listed as a top 10 DE, is richard seymour rated as the #1 DT That is A JOKE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kentucky Jet Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 JAbraham is a slacker who worries about money and is NOT a team player. Who was the last great OT that he beat for a sack? GREAT OTs eat him alive. He makes a reputation with weaker and slower OTs. In the run game if they run at him: FIRST DOWN! He is not as good as ELLIS! Besides ELLIS plays in the rain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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