Who is the best defensive player in the NFL

[Xzibit23]

How is DeMarcus Ware not on that list??

 

[Kontradiction]

Can't go for one position so I'll just go over all the positions on the defense:

Lineman - Jered Allen
Linebacker - Brian Urlacher with Willis coming in second
CB - Antonio Cromartie
Safety - Ed Reed

 

[SuperStang83]

I think right now Antonio Cromartie is a serious force, and in the next few years he is really going to shine. He has so much athletic ability and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time.


Jacob

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

IMO When fully healthy Brian Urlacher is hands above any defender in the NFL,Even when he is hurting he is far better than almost all LBs.

Only on the Bears can you consider Lance Briggs as 2nd best LB - Every other team would have him as #1

 

[BritPat]

Why no mention of Jason Taylor?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Why no mention of Jason Taylor?

Did you watch Jason play last year?

The era of JT is over,the dominance is over,He's 34 and declining in talent.

 

[drew4008]

Wow, I'm shocked people are picking Ed Reed. The guy can make plays but he's only average in run support and gives up more big plays than the best player in the league would. I'd have to give the nod to Urlacher, but Sanders has looked awful good lately and no doubt has a HUGE impact on that defense. No defensive lineman should even be on here, one single good lineman doesn't have near the impact a single player at another position can.

And the fact that anybody is mentioning Cromartie is just disgusting and they should be ashamed to call themselves football fans.

 

[Remix 6]

im gonna say Champ Bailey. He does what he has to without any help around him (no pass rush). hes an awesome tackler and a ballhawk and smart.

i think Mario Williams is top 3 in NFL. Hes a monster against run and hes getting sacks too and will only get better

Bailey, Ware and Williams are my top 3

 

[dhamz]

You hate him, I hate him, everyone outside of SD fans and his family hates him and probably most of them do too but no way you can list half the names on this thread over Shawne Merriman.

 

[jays52]

I wish this thread was asking for the best in two years. Then I could continue with my love affair with LaRon Landry...
But, as of right now, I'm gonna come way out of left field here and suggest Kevin Williams.

 

[Stokes]

I've got to agree with Haynesworth, just dominant last year.

Although so was Ty Warren...

Come on, we're allowed to be homers, its a Pats website!

 

[tatepatsfan]

I wonder how many of us might have gone for Samuel had he re-signed here instead of taking the big bucks in Philly. Not me, but I bet some would.

I voted for Champ Bailey. He really does take away an entire side of the field. Of course, the Broncos couldn't do much about the other side of the field. Or the backfield. Or anywhere else on the field. But Champ Bailey's side was shut down.

 

[bradmahn]

Wow, I'm shocked people are picking Ed Reed. The guy can make plays but he's only average in run support and gives up more big plays than the best player in the league would. I'd have to give the nod to Urlacher, but Sanders has looked awful good lately and no doubt has a HUGE impact on that defense. No defensive lineman should even be on here, one single good lineman doesn't have near the impact a single player at another position can.

And the fact that anybody is mentioning Cromartie is just disgusting and they should be ashamed to call themselves football fans.

An all-around great lineman, particularly a dominant tackle, is capable of destroying the running game of the opposition and creating havoc in the passing game. I'd rather have a great lineman over a great corner if you want to talk about dominating the run and pass.

The play of the Colts with Sanders in there is highly overrated. No doubt they play better with him, but that's true of any really good player in the league. In the playoffs of '06 they tinkered with their starters and you absolutely cannot give sole credit to Sanders for their change. His impact was important, but it wasn't the only reason for the change in results. Last season Sanders missed the game against the Buccaneers and we saw the rest of the Colts defense hold the Bucs to 177 total yards (nearly 150 yards below the Bucs' season average and over 100 yards below the Colts' D's average against), 17 yards rushing (100 yards below Bucs average, 89.9 below Colts'), 160 yards passing (49.8 yards below Bucs average, 12.8 below Colts' average) and 14 points (6.9 below Bucs average, 2.4 below Colts' average). Without Sanders in the line up, the Colts were below every single one of those categorical averages.

He's good, but let's not hand him the red cape just yet.

 

[dryheat44]

I've got to agree with Haynesworth, just dominant last year.

Although so was Ty Warren...

Come on, we're allowed to be homers, its a Pats website!

That leads to another question....who was the best defensive player on the Patriots last year?

Wilfork is the first that comes to mind....but I'm not sure it wasn't Seau, age be damned.

 

[Kontradiction]

That leads to another question....who was the best defensive player on the Patriots last year?

Wilfork is the first that comes to mind....but I'm not sure it wasn't Seau, age be damned.

This question deserves it's own thread.

 

[mcgov1]

Ed Reed was the best. Cromartie is the best now

 

[hobbsownscoles]

Demarcus Ware is the best

 

[B5Erik]

Lineman/Linebacker - Shawne Merriman

DB - Antonio Cromartie

I know you guys hate the Chargers, but - come on!

 

[newton_tom_cat]

i voted Ed Reed. even though he may not be the best, of all the players on your list i think he'd have the most value to us

 

[aztecafut]

Jared Allen in my pick. I think he will get better this season too now that he has a little more help.

I hate that the name Antonio Cromartie even comes up. I cant stand that guy. Maybe its because he's a Charger.