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The rich get richer as Minnesota tops the charts
By Doug Kretz
Scouts Inc.
(Archive)
Updated: July 14, 2008
The Giants proved last year that defense wins championships, so their defensive line is ranked among the elite heading into the 2008 season. But the Vikings lead the way thanks to one key offseason addition, which makes them a force against the pass as well as the run. Here's how the rest of the top 10 shakes out.
1. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings owned the best run defense in 2007, in large part because of their defensive tackles, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. They gave up a paltry 74.1 yards per game, which forced opponents to become pretty much one-dimensional. Now that they have added DE Jared Allen, who led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last season while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, they should be able to put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks as well. This will, in turn, take a lot of pressure off of LDE Ray Edwards and force teams to concentrate on their pass-blocking schemes to the right side of Minnesota's defense. Kevin Williams also is one of the best defensive tackles in terms of getting to the quarterback; he's earned 34 sacks the past five years.
2. New York Giants
The Giants led the NFL in sacks in 2007 with 53, and their front four played a major role in their Super Bowl run. Losing DE Michael Strahan to retirement will affect the Giants' defense, but surprisingly the run defense will feel his absence more than the pass defense. Last year, as a sub, Justin Tuck had 10 sacks. Plus, he has the ability to slide inside and allow LB Mathias Kiwanuka to put his hand on the ground and rush off the edge as a designated pass-rusher. Interior linemen Barry Cofield, Fred Robbins and Jay Alford provide depth and different personnel looks, so they make it difficult for offensive coordinators to plan against them.
3. New England Patriots
The Patriots have one of the most dominating nose tackles in the NFL in Vince Wilfork. He has the short-area quickness and agility to control the middle of the line, but he also has the bulk and power to keep both guards and the center away from the linebackers. Add to that New England's defensive ends Ty Warren, Richard Seymour and Jarvis Green, who also can stop the run and occupy their share of double-teams. They make it very difficult for offensive lines to create running lanes. The Patriots get most of their pass rush from their blitzing linebackers, but their front three also can cave in the pocket with enough power to keep offensive lines honest. This is a group that knows how to play within the system and with technique and effort.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens owned the second-best defense when it came to stopping the run last season, holding teams to just 79.3 yards per game. They hope to get LDE Trevor Pryce back to full health, but Dwan Edwards will be waiting in the wings and can fill in admirably as he did in 2007. RDE Haloti Ngata is more of a run-stopper than a pass-rusher, but he slides inside to defensive tackle when they go with an even front and have LB Terrell Suggs rush off the edge as a defensive end. Ngata and Kelly Gregg are extremely stout at the point of attack but also have the agility and quickness to rush the passer from the inside. Suggs had a down year in 2007 with just five sacks, and he needs to rebound with a big year. This group can give offenses several different looks and create mismatches with its speed and power.
5. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are one of the toughest teams in the league to run against when DT Albert Haynesworth is healthy and playing well. Haynesworth is one of the few interior defensive linemen who can almost single-handedly control the line of scrimmage. He has the power and lateral agility to make plays at the point as well as down the line and can rush the quarterback from the inside with his quickness and powerful bull rush. DT Tony Brown, who lines up next to Haynesworth, came into his own in 2007 and gives the Titans an athletic presence. DE Kyle Vanden Bosch returned to his 2005 form as he consistently pressured the pocket and sacked quarterbacks 12 times. Bringing back DE Jevon Kearse also should give the Titans another speed rusher coming off the edge.
6. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys utilize a three-man front most of the time, but the outside linebackers will rush the passer from the defensive end position during obvious passing downs. DEs Marcus Spears and Chris Canty give the Cowboys great size on the edge and do a good job of getting their hands up in the air to alter passing lanes. NTs Jay Ratliff and newly signed Tank Johnson give Dallas quickness and agility on the inside and can shoot gaps to penetrate and cause problems in the backfield. Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart will blitz his linebackers from every angle at any point in the game.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers owned the No. 1 overall defense last year and are probably the team that has been using the 3-4 defensive front longer than any team in the league. The success of their front is because of NT Casey Hampton's ability to anchor the middle. Hampton has a naturally low center of gravity thanks to his build (6-foot-1, 330 pounds) and can be extremely difficult to root out. He also has the speed and agility to shoot gaps and penetrate when asked. DEs Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel are better at stopping the run than rushing the passer and do a great job of tying up blockers to free their linebackers to blitz or run and make plays. But the one thing the Steelers appear to lack is depth across the front. A key injury to one of their starters could seriously affect this defense.
8. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers struggled a bit during the early part of the 2007 season as they tried to learn the scheme under new defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. Their front seven is built more for an attacking defense as opposed to the reading style Cottrell asked for early on. As the season progressed, Cottrell began to blitz outside linebackers Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman, which put more pressure on the passing game. Their starting front three of NT Jamal Williams and DEs Igor Olshansky and Luis Castillo is more adept at holding up at the point of attack and stuffing the run than pressuring the pocket. All three can cave in the pocket with a powerful push while forcing the offensive linemen to play honest, which frees up the linebackers to blitz off the edge.
9. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have a very solid front four that can pressure the pocket off the edge and hold up at the point of attack versus the run. DEs Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins both play the run effectively while Kampman (12 sacks) and backup DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (9.5 sacks) can be explosive off the edge on passing downs. DT Corey Williams signed a big contract to play for the Cleveland Browns, but Johnny Jolly should be back and healthy, andRyan Pickett is a good technician and solid DT who understands the defensive scheme. This is an effective front four that plays well together while understanding its role and what is expected of it. This is a solid group without a lot of big names.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars took a major hit when DT Marcus Stroud signed with the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. When combined with John Henderson, Stroud gave the Jaguars a massive presence on the inside. He'll be replaced by seasoned veteran Rob Meier. He lacks the power and ability to stack things up at the point but is probably more athletic. Henderson is a huge tackle (6-7, 330 pounds) who can hold up at the point of attack or pressure the pocket with a strong bull rush. Meier will give the Jaguars a good rush from the inside on passing downs, yet he understands the scheme and is a solid technician. Jacksonville used its first two draft picks on DEs Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves, who are expected to improve an already-solid group of ends who can pressure the pocket off the edge.
Scouts Inc. has ranked every defensive line unit in the NFL, and NFC East contenders Philadelphia and Washington are knocking on the door of the top 10. Below is a look at how lines 11 to 32 shake out.
11. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles rely on quickness and agility up front to force offensive lines into mismatches and confuse their blocking schemes. Undersized defensive tackles Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley can be explosive off the ball and shoot gaps, making it difficult to create running lanes; however, they primarily are run-stoppers who don't get a lot of pressure on the pocket but get the odd sack when the quarterback is flushed up the middle. Defensive end Trent Cole has improved his numbers in each of his three years in the league, all the way to 12.5 sacks last season. Cole is explosive off the ball and has good burst around the edge, and he has developed several counter moves when his first move is stymied. On the other side, the undersized Juqua Parker (formerly Thomas) sometimes struggles to hold his ground at the point of attack, but he has exceptional speed and acceleration off the edge.
12. Washington Commanders
The Commanders made a huge improvement in 2007, finishing the year as the fourth-ranked run defense (91.3 yards per game allowed) in the league. Veteran tackle Cornelius Griffin is a solid run-stopper, and third-year man Anthony Montgomery had a breakout year last season. Both have a lot of girth and do a good job in Washington's two-gap defense, tying up blockers and freeing the linebackers to run and make tackles. Defensive end Phillip Daniels is on the downside of his career but still provides leadership and know-how, while Andre Carter is the Commanders' most consistent lineman and gave them 10.5 sacks off the edge in 2007. The key will be how this unit responds to a new defensive coordinator and a new scheme in 2008.
13. Cleveland Browns
The Browns spent a lot of money to revamp what was one of the worst defensive lines in the NFL in 2007, adding inconsistent NT Shaun Rogers and a relatively unproven DE Corey Williams. Rogers has the size, bulk and athleticism to dominate the middle but has performed at a consistently high level only when he is up for a new contract, so it remains to be seen how he will play after getting a huge new deal from Cleveland. Rogers can tie up two or three blockers at a time and can use his quickness and agility to shoot gaps and cause havoc in the backfield. Williams, meanwhile, had two successful years with Green Bay and brings a good combination of size, quickness and agility to the unit. He can use power or athleticism to disrupt things in the backfield or play a strong two-gap role. His issues have been inconsistency and an inability to stay healthy for an entire season. Robaire Smith will hold down the other end spot, and he is a solid veteran who came over in 2007 after disappointing seasons in Houston and Tennessee.
14. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts had the worst run defense in the league by a wide margin in 2006 but moved to the middle of the pack last season. They have an undersized front four that relies on quickness, agility and the ability to hit gaps, penetrate and move up and down the line of scrimmage. Indianapolis owns one of the most-feared pass-rushers in the league in Dwight Freeney, but it was fellow DE Robert Mathis who led the team in sacks (seven) last season. The Colts used fewer stunts and twists than any other team in the league, relying mainly on speed and athleticism to pressure the pocket. They do not have a 300-pound lineman on the roster and as a result can't play a straight two-gap defense, but when they penetrate and make plays in the backfield, they can create a lot of problems for blocking schemes.
15. Houston Texans
The Texans have had one of the worst defensive lines in the league for years but finally are making huge strides along the defensive front. Third-year DE Mario Williams is turning into the player Houston envisioned when making him the No. 1 overall pick in 2006, showing the athleticism and speed to pressure the pocket as well as the size and strength to run effectively. Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye was a first-round pick last year, and at just 21 years old, he will be younger in his second year in the league than most incoming rookies. Okoye is improving rapidly for such a young player, and 2005 first-rounder Travis Johnson had his best year to date in 2007. Fellow DE Anthony Weaver rounds out the group and is more of a run-stopper than a pass-rusher.
16. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are another team making progress up front, thanks in part to young DTs Gabe Watson and Darnell Dockett. Watson is a mammoth space eater who is hard to root out, while Dockett is more athletic and led the team with nine sacks in 2007. On the outside, DE Antonio Smith appears to be finding himself and gives the Cardinals speed and athleticism off the edge, but he needs to work on his ability to locate the level of the ball against the run. Bertrand Berry is a seasoned veteran at the other end spot, and though he is not flashy, he plays with great technique and a solid motor. When the Cardinals need more speed coming off the edge, they can bring in newly signed DE Travis LaBoy, who had six sacks for the Tennessee Titans in 2007.
17. Seattle Seahawks
The loss of DT Marcus Tubbs to injury last season was a big blow to the Seahawks, as Tubbs can be a dominating force when healthy. He has played in just five games in the past two seasons, though, and last year Brandon Mebane and Rocky Bernard did their best to pick up the slack. Bernard is a quality player but does not have any one outstanding characteristic and can run hot and cold, while Mebane is a blue-collar worker who has a good motor and solid technique but limited athletic ability. Neither provides much pass-rush pressure from the inside. Veteran DE Patrick Kerney gives Seattle good speed off the edge, while third-year DE Darryl Tapp is slightly undersized but explosive off the ball, and he's developing an array of counter moves. First-round pick Lawrence Jackson should work his way into the action at defensive end and is expected to give the Seahawks a solid pass-rusher who also can play the run.
18. Chicago Bears
Chicago's defensive line production fell off dramatically in 2007, as the Bears gave up 122.9 yards per game on the ground. The loss of DT Tank Johnson allowed offenses to concentrate on Tommie Harris on the inside. DTs Darwin Walker and Jimmy Kennedy were lost to free agency during the offseason, so Anthony Adams looks to line up next to Harris. Adams is a bit undersized and has to play on the edges of blockers to have any success, as he can struggle to disengage. On the outside, DE Adewale Ogunleye not only rushes the pocket but also is solid against the run, while fellow DE Mark Anderson is very athletic but lacks the bulk and lower-body strength to hold the point of attack against the run.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers had the second-best overall defense (278.4 ypg) in the league last season, but that is largely because of the way the back seven plays Monte Kiffin's vaunted Tampa 2 scheme. Tampa Bay lacks the massive space eaters whom many teams like to have up front. Chris Hovan plays with a big motor and is a good technician in the middle, while Jovan Haye is extremely undersized but very athletic. DEs Gaines Adams and Marques Douglas are explosive off the edge, but Douglas lacks ideal height and Adams lacks bulk and strength. The Bucs put an emphasis on speed up front, which shows in their ability to pressure the quarterback, but they struggle to hold up against power running teams.
20. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers should have had one of the best defensive lines in the league last season, but their star, DE Julius Peppers, never found his stride and struggled through his worst season as a pro. He managed just 2.5 sacks and was ineffective against the run, and he must rebound if Carolina is to be successful on defense this year. Massive DT Kris Jenkins departed via free agency but will be replaced by the more athletic Damione Lewis, who will team with the huge Ma'ake Kemoeatu (6-foot-4, 350 pounds). The Panthers will look to either Tyler Brayton or Charles Johnson to fill the other end spot. Brayton plays with a great motor and is stronger against the run, while Johnson is better against the pass but is still unproven.
21. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have steadily improved against the run since Gary Gibbs took over as defensive coordinator, and they have relied on the trio of Brian Young, Hollis Thomas and Antwan Lake to hold down the middle. All rely on athleticism and quickness more than bulk and power. DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith are consistent and dependable but offer more against the run than they do as pass-rushers. This unit understands the concepts and schemes that Gibbs has installed and does an excellent job of playing as a group.
22. Buffalo Bills
The Bills made a big splash with the offseason acquisition of DT Marcus Stroud, whose physical presence will improve a run defense that ranked 25th in the league in allowing 124.6 ypg) last season. Stroud not only can defeat the double-team, he also should provide an upfield push that should throw off the timing of the ground game. He will take a lot of pressure off DT Kyle Williams, who is a short, powerful player who shows intensity and solid technique. DEs Chris Kelsay and Aaron Schobel do a good job of getting upfield to pressure the pocket, although Kelsay had a down year in 2007 and probably is a better run-stopper than he is an edge pass-rusher.
23. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins will be making the transition from an even front to a 3-4 defense, and it will take time for the players to learn a new scheme. Bringing in NT Jason Ferguson will give them a powerful presence on the inside, while DEs Matt Roth and Vonnie Holliday should fit the new scheme nicely. Roth is a high-motor type who plays with intensity and good technique but will need to gain strength. Holliday, who played both end and tackle in Miami's four-man front, should make the transition quickly. First-round pick Phillip Merling could be an impact player as a rookie, and his contributions will be needed if the Dolphins hope to improve what was the worst run defense (153.5 ypg) in the NFL last season.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals slipped a bit up front last season, but DT Domata Peko had a solid season in his first year as a starter. Peko can stack effectively at the point of attack and teams with John Thornton to form a solid duo against the run. Justin Smith was lost on the outside, and his speed off the edge will be missed, but Cincinnati added Antwan Odom after he had a breakout 2007 season in Tennessee. Robert Geathers, who had a roller-coaster season in 2007, will play opposite Odom. Cincinnati is decent against the run but needs a more potent pass rush from the front four.
25. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs lost the most dynamic pass-rusher in the NFL when Jared Allen was traded to the Vikings, and they'll have a hard time replacing Allen's production off the edge. The addition of first-round DT Glenn Dorsey will help against the run and the pass, though. Dorsey, Ron Edwards and Alfonso Boone should help the Chiefs improve last season's 28th-ranked run defense (130.6 ypg) as they plug up the middle. Defensive end Tamba Hali recorded 7.5 sacks from the outside last season, but Turk McBride, who will look to replace Allen, had just one sack in 2007. McBride has a lot of potential but is still very raw and will need to develop quickly if the Chiefs are to avoid a major drop-off.
26. St. Louis Rams
The Rams have focused on the defensive front during the past two drafts, and that attention should begin to pay dividends in 2008. Defensive tackle Adam Carriker was a first-rounder in 2007 and showed flashes of dominance in the middle, while incoming rookie DE Chris Long will be counted on to step right in and provide the same kind of leadership and production his father, Hall of Fame DT Howie Long, gave the Raiders for so many years. La'Roi Glover is an athletic presence in the middle and can pressure the passer from the inside. Defensive end Leonard Little hopes to rebound after missing most of the 2007 season, but when healthy, he is a dynamic pass-rusher. On the other side, fellow DE James Hall is beginning to show his age but can still be effective in spots.
27. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders' defensive line was a disappointment in 2007 as injuries to starting defensive tackles Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sandsled to struggles against the run. Sands is a massive tackle who can occupy a lot of space but is not a great technician and tends to be inconsistent. Kelly played in only seven games in 2007 and was replaced by Gerard Warren, a former first-round pick of the Browns who has been a consistent underachiever throughout his career. On the outside, DE Derrick Burgess still can rush the passer off the edge, but he lacks the size and power to defend the run on a consistent basis. Opposite Burgess, Jay Richardson showed flashes of talent but needs to work on his still-raw techniques.
28. Detroit Lions
The Lions will look to replace Shaun Rogers with the newly signed Chuck Darby, who lacks the size and power of Rogers but probably is more consistent. Darby will be a nice complement to fellow DT Cory Redding, who is most effective when penetrating and creating problems in the backfield. On the outside, longtime backup Jared DeVries got his chance to start as Redding moved inside last season, and responded with the most productive season of his career. Veteran DE Dewayne White is still an effective edge rusher as well.
29. New York Jets
The Jets added much-needed bulk in the middle by bringing in Kris Jenkins from Carolina. Jenkins is a massive (6-5, 349) nose tackle who can occupy the middle of the offensive line and free up DEs Shaun Ellis and Kenyon Coleman to rush from the edge. Coleman has been a bit of a disappointment but was solid last season in his first year as a starter, especially against the run. Ellis is a solid player who is effective against the run and does enough as a pass-rusher to keep the offense honest. Jenkins' presence alone should improve the run defense, which in turn will allow the outside linebackers more freedom to blitz from the edge in third-and-long situations. New York still needs to improve its depth up front.
30. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons hope to rebound defensively by staying healthy and developing some of their younger defensive linemen. Montavious Stanley and Jonathan Babineaux started just six and nine games, respectively, but they give the Falcons an athletic presence in the middle. Stanley and Babineaux lack the strength to play a powerful two-gap defense, however. Defensive ends Jamaal Anderson and John Abraham give the Falcons speed off the edge and are excellent when it comes to pressuring the pocket. Anderson showed a lot of promise last season as a rookie and should be even better this season, while Abraham remains one of the most explosive pass-rushers in the NFL.
31. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers signed DE Justin Smith away from Cincinnati in free agency. NT Aubrayo Franklin takes up a lot of space and can occupy multiple blockers, but he's not a highly productive player. Incoming rookie DT Kentwan Balmer could supplant Franklin, who would be better suited as a backup anyway. Isaac Sopoaga is more of a run-stopper on the outside, and Smith will be counted on to provide most of San Francisco's pressure off the edge.
32. Denver Broncos
The Broncos were a major disappointment on defense last season, ranking 30th against the run (142.6 ypg). They've done little to address the situation during the offseason. Defensive tackles Marcus Thomas and Alvin McKinley are decent players but have not shown the ability to dominate or become players who command special attention. Neither is a physical presence who can overpower blockers or force double-teams. Defensive ends John Engelberger and Elvis Dumervil are both undersized. Engelberger is a bit of a tweener who is not explosive off the edge and lacks the size, strength and bulk to be a top run defender, while Dumervil has excellent burst and acceleration off the edge but struggles when teams run right at him. Thomas and DEs Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder, all of whom were drafted in 2007, must become more productive if the Broncos hope to play better than last year. Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
By Doug KretzScouts Inc.
(Archive)
Updated: July 14, 2008
The Giants proved last year that defense wins championships, so their defensive line is ranked among the elite heading into the 2008 season. But the Vikings lead the way thanks to one key offseason addition, which makes them a force against the pass as well as the run. Here's how the rest of the top 10 shakes out.
1. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings owned the best run defense in 2007, in large part because of their defensive tackles, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. They gave up a paltry 74.1 yards per game, which forced opponents to become pretty much one-dimensional. Now that they have added DE Jared Allen, who led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last season while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, they should be able to put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks as well. This will, in turn, take a lot of pressure off of LDE Ray Edwards and force teams to concentrate on their pass-blocking schemes to the right side of Minnesota's defense. Kevin Williams also is one of the best defensive tackles in terms of getting to the quarterback; he's earned 34 sacks the past five years.
The Giants led the NFL in sacks in 2007 with 53, and their front four played a major role in their Super Bowl run. Losing DE Michael Strahan to retirement will affect the Giants' defense, but surprisingly the run defense will feel his absence more than the pass defense. Last year, as a sub, Justin Tuck had 10 sacks. Plus, he has the ability to slide inside and allow LB Mathias Kiwanuka to put his hand on the ground and rush off the edge as a designated pass-rusher. Interior linemen Barry Cofield, Fred Robbins and Jay Alford provide depth and different personnel looks, so they make it difficult for offensive coordinators to plan against them.
The Patriots have one of the most dominating nose tackles in the NFL in Vince Wilfork. He has the short-area quickness and agility to control the middle of the line, but he also has the bulk and power to keep both guards and the center away from the linebackers. Add to that New England's defensive ends Ty Warren, Richard Seymour and Jarvis Green, who also can stop the run and occupy their share of double-teams. They make it very difficult for offensive lines to create running lanes. The Patriots get most of their pass rush from their blitzing linebackers, but their front three also can cave in the pocket with enough power to keep offensive lines honest. This is a group that knows how to play within the system and with technique and effort.
The Ravens owned the second-best defense when it came to stopping the run last season, holding teams to just 79.3 yards per game. They hope to get LDE Trevor Pryce back to full health, but Dwan Edwards will be waiting in the wings and can fill in admirably as he did in 2007. RDE Haloti Ngata is more of a run-stopper than a pass-rusher, but he slides inside to defensive tackle when they go with an even front and have LB Terrell Suggs rush off the edge as a defensive end. Ngata and Kelly Gregg are extremely stout at the point of attack but also have the agility and quickness to rush the passer from the inside. Suggs had a down year in 2007 with just five sacks, and he needs to rebound with a big year. This group can give offenses several different looks and create mismatches with its speed and power.
The Titans are one of the toughest teams in the league to run against when DT Albert Haynesworth is healthy and playing well. Haynesworth is one of the few interior defensive linemen who can almost single-handedly control the line of scrimmage. He has the power and lateral agility to make plays at the point as well as down the line and can rush the quarterback from the inside with his quickness and powerful bull rush. DT Tony Brown, who lines up next to Haynesworth, came into his own in 2007 and gives the Titans an athletic presence. DE Kyle Vanden Bosch returned to his 2005 form as he consistently pressured the pocket and sacked quarterbacks 12 times. Bringing back DE Jevon Kearse also should give the Titans another speed rusher coming off the edge.
The Cowboys utilize a three-man front most of the time, but the outside linebackers will rush the passer from the defensive end position during obvious passing downs. DEs Marcus Spears and Chris Canty give the Cowboys great size on the edge and do a good job of getting their hands up in the air to alter passing lanes. NTs Jay Ratliff and newly signed Tank Johnson give Dallas quickness and agility on the inside and can shoot gaps to penetrate and cause problems in the backfield. Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart will blitz his linebackers from every angle at any point in the game.
The Steelers owned the No. 1 overall defense last year and are probably the team that has been using the 3-4 defensive front longer than any team in the league. The success of their front is because of NT Casey Hampton's ability to anchor the middle. Hampton has a naturally low center of gravity thanks to his build (6-foot-1, 330 pounds) and can be extremely difficult to root out. He also has the speed and agility to shoot gaps and penetrate when asked. DEs Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel are better at stopping the run than rushing the passer and do a great job of tying up blockers to free their linebackers to blitz or run and make plays. But the one thing the Steelers appear to lack is depth across the front. A key injury to one of their starters could seriously affect this defense.
The Chargers struggled a bit during the early part of the 2007 season as they tried to learn the scheme under new defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. Their front seven is built more for an attacking defense as opposed to the reading style Cottrell asked for early on. As the season progressed, Cottrell began to blitz outside linebackers Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman, which put more pressure on the passing game. Their starting front three of NT Jamal Williams and DEs Igor Olshansky and Luis Castillo is more adept at holding up at the point of attack and stuffing the run than pressuring the pocket. All three can cave in the pocket with a powerful push while forcing the offensive linemen to play honest, which frees up the linebackers to blitz off the edge.
The Packers have a very solid front four that can pressure the pocket off the edge and hold up at the point of attack versus the run. DEs Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins both play the run effectively while Kampman (12 sacks) and backup DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (9.5 sacks) can be explosive off the edge on passing downs. DT Corey Williams signed a big contract to play for the Cleveland Browns, but Johnny Jolly should be back and healthy, andRyan Pickett is a good technician and solid DT who understands the defensive scheme. This is an effective front four that plays well together while understanding its role and what is expected of it. This is a solid group without a lot of big names.
The Jaguars took a major hit when DT Marcus Stroud signed with the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. When combined with John Henderson, Stroud gave the Jaguars a massive presence on the inside. He'll be replaced by seasoned veteran Rob Meier. He lacks the power and ability to stack things up at the point but is probably more athletic. Henderson is a huge tackle (6-7, 330 pounds) who can hold up at the point of attack or pressure the pocket with a strong bull rush. Meier will give the Jaguars a good rush from the inside on passing downs, yet he understands the scheme and is a solid technician. Jacksonville used its first two draft picks on DEs Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves, who are expected to improve an already-solid group of ends who can pressure the pocket off the edge.
Scouts Inc. has ranked every defensive line unit in the NFL, and NFC East contenders Philadelphia and Washington are knocking on the door of the top 10. Below is a look at how lines 11 to 32 shake out.
11. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles rely on quickness and agility up front to force offensive lines into mismatches and confuse their blocking schemes. Undersized defensive tackles Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley can be explosive off the ball and shoot gaps, making it difficult to create running lanes; however, they primarily are run-stoppers who don't get a lot of pressure on the pocket but get the odd sack when the quarterback is flushed up the middle. Defensive end Trent Cole has improved his numbers in each of his three years in the league, all the way to 12.5 sacks last season. Cole is explosive off the ball and has good burst around the edge, and he has developed several counter moves when his first move is stymied. On the other side, the undersized Juqua Parker (formerly Thomas) sometimes struggles to hold his ground at the point of attack, but he has exceptional speed and acceleration off the edge.
The Commanders made a huge improvement in 2007, finishing the year as the fourth-ranked run defense (91.3 yards per game allowed) in the league. Veteran tackle Cornelius Griffin is a solid run-stopper, and third-year man Anthony Montgomery had a breakout year last season. Both have a lot of girth and do a good job in Washington's two-gap defense, tying up blockers and freeing the linebackers to run and make tackles. Defensive end Phillip Daniels is on the downside of his career but still provides leadership and know-how, while Andre Carter is the Commanders' most consistent lineman and gave them 10.5 sacks off the edge in 2007. The key will be how this unit responds to a new defensive coordinator and a new scheme in 2008.
The Browns spent a lot of money to revamp what was one of the worst defensive lines in the NFL in 2007, adding inconsistent NT Shaun Rogers and a relatively unproven DE Corey Williams. Rogers has the size, bulk and athleticism to dominate the middle but has performed at a consistently high level only when he is up for a new contract, so it remains to be seen how he will play after getting a huge new deal from Cleveland. Rogers can tie up two or three blockers at a time and can use his quickness and agility to shoot gaps and cause havoc in the backfield. Williams, meanwhile, had two successful years with Green Bay and brings a good combination of size, quickness and agility to the unit. He can use power or athleticism to disrupt things in the backfield or play a strong two-gap role. His issues have been inconsistency and an inability to stay healthy for an entire season. Robaire Smith will hold down the other end spot, and he is a solid veteran who came over in 2007 after disappointing seasons in Houston and Tennessee.
The Colts had the worst run defense in the league by a wide margin in 2006 but moved to the middle of the pack last season. They have an undersized front four that relies on quickness, agility and the ability to hit gaps, penetrate and move up and down the line of scrimmage. Indianapolis owns one of the most-feared pass-rushers in the league in Dwight Freeney, but it was fellow DE Robert Mathis who led the team in sacks (seven) last season. The Colts used fewer stunts and twists than any other team in the league, relying mainly on speed and athleticism to pressure the pocket. They do not have a 300-pound lineman on the roster and as a result can't play a straight two-gap defense, but when they penetrate and make plays in the backfield, they can create a lot of problems for blocking schemes.
The Texans have had one of the worst defensive lines in the league for years but finally are making huge strides along the defensive front. Third-year DE Mario Williams is turning into the player Houston envisioned when making him the No. 1 overall pick in 2006, showing the athleticism and speed to pressure the pocket as well as the size and strength to run effectively. Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye was a first-round pick last year, and at just 21 years old, he will be younger in his second year in the league than most incoming rookies. Okoye is improving rapidly for such a young player, and 2005 first-rounder Travis Johnson had his best year to date in 2007. Fellow DE Anthony Weaver rounds out the group and is more of a run-stopper than a pass-rusher.
The Cardinals are another team making progress up front, thanks in part to young DTs Gabe Watson and Darnell Dockett. Watson is a mammoth space eater who is hard to root out, while Dockett is more athletic and led the team with nine sacks in 2007. On the outside, DE Antonio Smith appears to be finding himself and gives the Cardinals speed and athleticism off the edge, but he needs to work on his ability to locate the level of the ball against the run. Bertrand Berry is a seasoned veteran at the other end spot, and though he is not flashy, he plays with great technique and a solid motor. When the Cardinals need more speed coming off the edge, they can bring in newly signed DE Travis LaBoy, who had six sacks for the Tennessee Titans in 2007.
The loss of DT Marcus Tubbs to injury last season was a big blow to the Seahawks, as Tubbs can be a dominating force when healthy. He has played in just five games in the past two seasons, though, and last year Brandon Mebane and Rocky Bernard did their best to pick up the slack. Bernard is a quality player but does not have any one outstanding characteristic and can run hot and cold, while Mebane is a blue-collar worker who has a good motor and solid technique but limited athletic ability. Neither provides much pass-rush pressure from the inside. Veteran DE Patrick Kerney gives Seattle good speed off the edge, while third-year DE Darryl Tapp is slightly undersized but explosive off the ball, and he's developing an array of counter moves. First-round pick Lawrence Jackson should work his way into the action at defensive end and is expected to give the Seahawks a solid pass-rusher who also can play the run.
Chicago's defensive line production fell off dramatically in 2007, as the Bears gave up 122.9 yards per game on the ground. The loss of DT Tank Johnson allowed offenses to concentrate on Tommie Harris on the inside. DTs Darwin Walker and Jimmy Kennedy were lost to free agency during the offseason, so Anthony Adams looks to line up next to Harris. Adams is a bit undersized and has to play on the edges of blockers to have any success, as he can struggle to disengage. On the outside, DE Adewale Ogunleye not only rushes the pocket but also is solid against the run, while fellow DE Mark Anderson is very athletic but lacks the bulk and lower-body strength to hold the point of attack against the run.
The Buccaneers had the second-best overall defense (278.4 ypg) in the league last season, but that is largely because of the way the back seven plays Monte Kiffin's vaunted Tampa 2 scheme. Tampa Bay lacks the massive space eaters whom many teams like to have up front. Chris Hovan plays with a big motor and is a good technician in the middle, while Jovan Haye is extremely undersized but very athletic. DEs Gaines Adams and Marques Douglas are explosive off the edge, but Douglas lacks ideal height and Adams lacks bulk and strength. The Bucs put an emphasis on speed up front, which shows in their ability to pressure the quarterback, but they struggle to hold up against power running teams.
The Panthers should have had one of the best defensive lines in the league last season, but their star, DE Julius Peppers, never found his stride and struggled through his worst season as a pro. He managed just 2.5 sacks and was ineffective against the run, and he must rebound if Carolina is to be successful on defense this year. Massive DT Kris Jenkins departed via free agency but will be replaced by the more athletic Damione Lewis, who will team with the huge Ma'ake Kemoeatu (6-foot-4, 350 pounds). The Panthers will look to either Tyler Brayton or Charles Johnson to fill the other end spot. Brayton plays with a great motor and is stronger against the run, while Johnson is better against the pass but is still unproven.
The Saints have steadily improved against the run since Gary Gibbs took over as defensive coordinator, and they have relied on the trio of Brian Young, Hollis Thomas and Antwan Lake to hold down the middle. All rely on athleticism and quickness more than bulk and power. DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith are consistent and dependable but offer more against the run than they do as pass-rushers. This unit understands the concepts and schemes that Gibbs has installed and does an excellent job of playing as a group.
The Bills made a big splash with the offseason acquisition of DT Marcus Stroud, whose physical presence will improve a run defense that ranked 25th in the league in allowing 124.6 ypg) last season. Stroud not only can defeat the double-team, he also should provide an upfield push that should throw off the timing of the ground game. He will take a lot of pressure off DT Kyle Williams, who is a short, powerful player who shows intensity and solid technique. DEs Chris Kelsay and Aaron Schobel do a good job of getting upfield to pressure the pocket, although Kelsay had a down year in 2007 and probably is a better run-stopper than he is an edge pass-rusher.
The Dolphins will be making the transition from an even front to a 3-4 defense, and it will take time for the players to learn a new scheme. Bringing in NT Jason Ferguson will give them a powerful presence on the inside, while DEs Matt Roth and Vonnie Holliday should fit the new scheme nicely. Roth is a high-motor type who plays with intensity and good technique but will need to gain strength. Holliday, who played both end and tackle in Miami's four-man front, should make the transition quickly. First-round pick Phillip Merling could be an impact player as a rookie, and his contributions will be needed if the Dolphins hope to improve what was the worst run defense (153.5 ypg) in the NFL last season.
The Bengals slipped a bit up front last season, but DT Domata Peko had a solid season in his first year as a starter. Peko can stack effectively at the point of attack and teams with John Thornton to form a solid duo against the run. Justin Smith was lost on the outside, and his speed off the edge will be missed, but Cincinnati added Antwan Odom after he had a breakout 2007 season in Tennessee. Robert Geathers, who had a roller-coaster season in 2007, will play opposite Odom. Cincinnati is decent against the run but needs a more potent pass rush from the front four.
The Chiefs lost the most dynamic pass-rusher in the NFL when Jared Allen was traded to the Vikings, and they'll have a hard time replacing Allen's production off the edge. The addition of first-round DT Glenn Dorsey will help against the run and the pass, though. Dorsey, Ron Edwards and Alfonso Boone should help the Chiefs improve last season's 28th-ranked run defense (130.6 ypg) as they plug up the middle. Defensive end Tamba Hali recorded 7.5 sacks from the outside last season, but Turk McBride, who will look to replace Allen, had just one sack in 2007. McBride has a lot of potential but is still very raw and will need to develop quickly if the Chiefs are to avoid a major drop-off.
The Rams have focused on the defensive front during the past two drafts, and that attention should begin to pay dividends in 2008. Defensive tackle Adam Carriker was a first-rounder in 2007 and showed flashes of dominance in the middle, while incoming rookie DE Chris Long will be counted on to step right in and provide the same kind of leadership and production his father, Hall of Fame DT Howie Long, gave the Raiders for so many years. La'Roi Glover is an athletic presence in the middle and can pressure the passer from the inside. Defensive end Leonard Little hopes to rebound after missing most of the 2007 season, but when healthy, he is a dynamic pass-rusher. On the other side, fellow DE James Hall is beginning to show his age but can still be effective in spots.
The Raiders' defensive line was a disappointment in 2007 as injuries to starting defensive tackles Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sandsled to struggles against the run. Sands is a massive tackle who can occupy a lot of space but is not a great technician and tends to be inconsistent. Kelly played in only seven games in 2007 and was replaced by Gerard Warren, a former first-round pick of the Browns who has been a consistent underachiever throughout his career. On the outside, DE Derrick Burgess still can rush the passer off the edge, but he lacks the size and power to defend the run on a consistent basis. Opposite Burgess, Jay Richardson showed flashes of talent but needs to work on his still-raw techniques.
The Lions will look to replace Shaun Rogers with the newly signed Chuck Darby, who lacks the size and power of Rogers but probably is more consistent. Darby will be a nice complement to fellow DT Cory Redding, who is most effective when penetrating and creating problems in the backfield. On the outside, longtime backup Jared DeVries got his chance to start as Redding moved inside last season, and responded with the most productive season of his career. Veteran DE Dewayne White is still an effective edge rusher as well.
The Jets added much-needed bulk in the middle by bringing in Kris Jenkins from Carolina. Jenkins is a massive (6-5, 349) nose tackle who can occupy the middle of the offensive line and free up DEs Shaun Ellis and Kenyon Coleman to rush from the edge. Coleman has been a bit of a disappointment but was solid last season in his first year as a starter, especially against the run. Ellis is a solid player who is effective against the run and does enough as a pass-rusher to keep the offense honest. Jenkins' presence alone should improve the run defense, which in turn will allow the outside linebackers more freedom to blitz from the edge in third-and-long situations. New York still needs to improve its depth up front.
The Falcons hope to rebound defensively by staying healthy and developing some of their younger defensive linemen. Montavious Stanley and Jonathan Babineaux started just six and nine games, respectively, but they give the Falcons an athletic presence in the middle. Stanley and Babineaux lack the strength to play a powerful two-gap defense, however. Defensive ends Jamaal Anderson and John Abraham give the Falcons speed off the edge and are excellent when it comes to pressuring the pocket. Anderson showed a lot of promise last season as a rookie and should be even better this season, while Abraham remains one of the most explosive pass-rushers in the NFL.
The 49ers signed DE Justin Smith away from Cincinnati in free agency. NT Aubrayo Franklin takes up a lot of space and can occupy multiple blockers, but he's not a highly productive player. Incoming rookie DT Kentwan Balmer could supplant Franklin, who would be better suited as a backup anyway. Isaac Sopoaga is more of a run-stopper on the outside, and Smith will be counted on to provide most of San Francisco's pressure off the edge.
The Broncos were a major disappointment on defense last season, ranking 30th against the run (142.6 ypg). They've done little to address the situation during the offseason. Defensive tackles Marcus Thomas and Alvin McKinley are decent players but have not shown the ability to dominate or become players who command special attention. Neither is a physical presence who can overpower blockers or force double-teams. Defensive ends John Engelberger and Elvis Dumervil are both undersized. Engelberger is a bit of a tweener who is not explosive off the edge and lacks the size, strength and bulk to be a top run defender, while Dumervil has excellent burst and acceleration off the edge but struggles when teams run right at him. Thomas and DEs Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder, all of whom were drafted in 2007, must become more productive if the Broncos hope to play better than last year. Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
