Best Front Four In NFC East

[RiggoForever]

I was curious what you all thought, and will leave the Cowboys out because the 3-4 only has three down linemen.

I think the Commanders have the best run-stopping ability, Giants pass-rush, but as much as this pains me, I vote for the Eagles because they have 2 number 1s (Patterson and Bunkley) who are going to improve as well as legitimate pass rushing threats in Howard and Kearse.

Btw the last name in the Giants rotation should be Strahan obviously, not sure how to edit the poll though. Also I know Clancy is gone to Arizona, but I'm not sure who his replacement will be.

I'd probably say:

1. Eagles (Howard and Kearse are solid rushers and athletes, Patterson and Bunkley are big, fast, young, and strong).
2. Commanders (Stout run stoppers in Griffin and Salave'a, Daniels is streaky, Carter has potential for double digit sacks)
3. Giants (If Osi and Strahan are blocked, they can be pounded down the middle)

 

[Manster68]

I was curious what you all thought, and will leave the Cowboys out because the 3-4 only has three down linemen.

Well, they are all good. I would probably rank it this way:

Eagles - led by Kearse and now Darren Howard
Giants - led by Strahan and Osi
Skins - led by Daniels

I give the Eagles the edge because I think Bunkley will give more of an impact than Kiwi.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I was curious what you all thought, and will leave the Cowboys out because the 3-4 only has three down linemen.

I think the Commanders have the best run-stopping ability, Giants pass-rush, but as much as this pains me, I vote for the Eagles because they have 2 number 1s (Patterson and Bunkley) who are going to improve as well as legitimate pass rushing threats in Howard and Kearse.

Btw the last name in the Giants rotation should be Strahan obviously, not sure how to edit the poll though. Also I know Clancy is gone to Arizona, but I'm not sure who his replacement will be.

Your Giants front four only has three.

I like the Giants front seven, by the way.

 

[RiggoForever]

Well, they are all good. I would probably rank it this way:

Eagles - led by Kearse and now Darren Howard
Giants - led by Strahan and Osi
Skins - led by Daniels

I give the Eagles the edge because I think Bunkley will give more of an impact than Kiwi.

I agree, Kiwi is great depth to have at DE, but the Giants are already stocked at DE.

Two first rounders at DT are going to be very tough to run on.

 

[RiggoForever]

Your Giants front four only has three.

I like the Giants front seven, by the way.

Yeah if we go front 7, I definately would give the Giants the edge. Do you know who Clancy's replacement is going to be at DT?

 

[ghst187]

I'd say its a pretty tight race, esp with the iggles adding Howard...however
I'd rank it:
1)Giants on top because they are by far the best at getting to the QB but they aren't as good at stopping the run as the skins
2) Skins because Salavea is one of the most underrated DL in the game
3) Igglets Kearse is overrated and overpaid but still not bad, adding Howard will definitely improve them dramatically...however can't rank them any higher until Bunkley proves something

I think when the Cowboys go nickel we put:
Ware, Fergi, Canty, and Spears/Ellis .....I honestly think this rotation will be the best in the division and better at getting to the QB than we have been since the days of Haley, Tolbert, Lett, and Norton.....

 

[burmafrd]

Really cannot say what a rookie will do. Kearse is going downhill; Howard is good now but for how long? Realistically the same could be said for Strahan.

 

[RiggoForever]

I'd say its a pretty tight race, esp with the iggles adding Howard...however
I'd rank it:
1)Giants on top because they are by far the best at getting to the QB but they aren't as good at stopping the run as the skins
2) Skins because Salavea is one of the most underrated DL in the game
3) Igglets Kearse is overrated and overpaid but still not bad, adding Howard will definitely improve them dramatically...however can't rank them any higher until Bunkley proves something

I think when the Cowboys go nickel we put:
Ware, Fergi, Canty, and Spears/Ellis .....I honestly think this rotation will be the best in the division and better at getting to the QB than we have been since the days of Haley, Tolbert, Lett, and Norton.....

Do you think Spears and Canty can be legitimate pass rushing threats this year?

 

[theogt]

I picked Giants, but I'd bet good money that ol' gap tooth goes down with a season ending/possibly career ending injury pretty early on this season. That's vaults Philly to #1 spot. Skins would still retain 3rd.

 

[superpunk]

Giants - definitely. The Skins lone cap-feather is Griffin, who is phenomenal. But that's all they got. Granted, their DL are called upon to do different things, it would almost be better to compare them to 3-4 linemen, with how they almost act as blockers for the LBs...The Eagles...ugh. Kearse has been underachieving for the past 5 years. Howard isn't even on Greg Ellis level. I'm supposed to believe that a mediocre end and a rookie DT are gonna turn that group around? I doubt it.

 

[ghst187]

Do you think Spears and Canty can be legitimate pass rushing threats this year?

I think they will be...
I was watching some gamefilm from last season and those two REALLY jumped out at me and got better and better as the year wore on. Now they have a year under their belts, a year of pro offseason S&C, and should have even better technique. One thing I kept saying watching Spears closely was that this guy is a freak for his size.
Certainly, the strength of the Dallas DL is predicated upon these two becoming "willie McGuinnest" types that can get to the passer AND stop the run. I think they can and they will. If they do, with Ware and Ellis still burning around the corner....we will be ferocious. I also expect Fergi to play better and Stanley to contribute.
Granted, I said what I said about where I'd rank Dallas based on speculation rather on where I'd rank the teams after the last regular season game plus offseason additions. Otherwise, I'd probably put us tied with the skins. Salavea > Fergi but Ware > whomever you guys have rushing IMO...
tradeoff...going to be a ferocious division with some evil defenses
(although you guys better pray that ST gets to play the season)

 

[RiggoForever]

I think they will be...
I was watching some gamefilm from last season and those two REALLY jumped out at me and got better and better as the year wore on. Now they have a year under their belts, a year of pro offseason S&C, and should have even better technique. One thing I kept saying watching Spears closely was that this guy is a freak for his size.
Certainly, the strength of the Dallas DL is predicated upon these two becoming "willie McGuinnest" types that can get to the passer AND stop the run. I think they can and they will. If they do, with Ware and Ellis still burning around the corner....we will be ferocious. I also expect Fergi to play better and Stanley to contribute.
Granted, I said what I said about where I'd rank Dallas based on speculation rather on where I'd rank the teams after the last regular season game plus offseason additions. Otherwise, I'd probably put us tied with the skins. Salavea > Fergi but Ware > whomever you guys have rushing IMO...
tradeoff...going to be a ferocious division with some evil defenses
(although you guys better pray that ST gets to play the season)

Good post. For your 3-4 to approach the level of the Parcells Giants 3-4, I think Spears and Canty have to raise their play (which they should, as they were both rookies last year).

I agree about ST. If he's not able to play it changes the dynamic of the defense, and even with the cap relief that would result, there wouldn't be anyone of even remotely the same ability to replace him.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The best front 4 in the NFC East isn't even listed as an option. What kind of poll is that???

 

[Hostile]

I fixed your poll and added Strahan, whom you forgot.

Eagles 1.
Giants 2.
Commanders 3.

And none of them are pushovers, so no one needs to get all butt sore about the diss.

You could have gone front 7 and had all 4 teams. Just a thought.

 

[Hostile]

Giants - definitely. The Skins lone cap-feather is Griffin, who is phenomenal. But that's all they got. Granted, their DL are called upon to do different things, it would almost be better to compare them to 3-4 linemen, with how they almost act as blockers for the LBs...The Eagles...ugh. Kearse has been underachieving for the past 5 years. Howard isn't even on Greg Ellis level. I'm supposed to believe that a mediocre end and a rookie DT are gonna turn that group around? I doubt it.

No, but a Jim Johnson Defensive system sure can.

 

[Eskimo]

The two best players amongst the 12 listed belong to the Giants and they are extraordinary pass rushers. The Giants easily best everyone else in the division here.

 

[RiggoForever]

The best front 4 in the NFC East isn't even listed as an option. What kind of poll is that???

I didn't put it because you have a 3-4 base, so the only think we could compare are front seven.

If we go front seven I say:

1. Giants
2. Commanders
3. Cowboys
4. Eagles

If we go secondary I say:

1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Commanders (but close to number 2)
4. Giants

If we go total defense I say:

1. Commanders (Solid line, LBs, secondary)
2. Cowboys (Probably the most talented, but can Zimmer get the most out of them)
3. Eagles (Great secondary, promising line, questions at linebacker).
4. Giants (I don't think Tim Lewis is that great of a coordinator and the defense was giving up alot of yardage (until the Commanders game) even before Pierce got hurt.)

 

[big dog cowboy]

I didn't put it because you have a 3-4 base, so the only think we could compare are front seven.

If we go front seven I say:

1. Giants
2. Commanders
3. Cowboys
4. Eagles

If we go secondary I say:

1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Commanders (but close to number 2)
4. Giants

If we go total defense I say:

1. Commanders (Solid line, LBs, secondary)
2. Cowboys (Probably the most talented, but can Zimmer get the most out of them)
3. Eagles (Great secondary, promising line, questions at linebacker).
4. Giants (I don't think Tim Lewis is that great of a coordinator and the defense was giving up alot of yardage (until the Commanders game) even before Pierce got hurt.)

I'll buy that for now. By the end of this year. Our front 7 won't be third best in the division.

 

[RiggoForever]

I fixed your poll and added Strahan, whom you forgot.

Eagles 1.
Giants 2.
Commanders 3.

And none of them are pushovers, so no one needs to get all butt sore about the diss.

You could have gone front 7 and had all 4 teams. Just a thought.

One of the reasons this offseason is so friggin long is because of the uncertainty. Any of these defenses can dominate in any given week, but the offenses in the division are solid enough that they can also be dominated if they don't play with smarts and emotion.

The way I see it, in 2006 the Eagles and Cowboys want redemption for the disappointing end to last year. The Giants and Commanders are out to prove their performance last year wasn't a fluke.

I haven't seen it this solid top to bottom since the early 90s.

 

[Hostile]

One of the reasons this offseason is so friggin long is because of the uncertainty. Any of these defenses can dominate in any given week, but the offenses in the division are solid enough that they can also be dominated if they don't play with smarts and emotion.

The way I see it, in 2006 the Eagles and Cowboys want redemption for the disappointing end to last year. The Giants and Commanders are out to prove their performance last year wasn't a fluke.

I haven't seen it this solid top to bottom since the early 90s.

I don't disagree with that at all. Some folks are saying the Eagles are dead. I don't think they're near as dead as these people think.

I don't see the Giants as pushovers either. They were the best offense in the division last year and added pieces. Eli has a chance to take the next step up.