ESPN: Who is the best defensive player in the NFL?

[superpunk]

Jason Taylor was on a different level last year. He is the best pass rusher in the NFL, and the all-around best defender in the NFL. Obviously, because of his age, you wouldn't start a team with him - but NOONE even came close to his level of dominance last year.

He is an absolute freak, and it's sad to see him languishing away in miami where they can't fix the offense no matter how hard they try.

 

[fortdick]

I would take Urlacher.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I take Merriman pumped up on the ROIDS! I'm going to start calling him M-Roid sorta like the whole baseball A-Rod, I-Rod thing.

 

[SultanOfSix]

I don't get how people give Merriman a free pass with the steroids thing. If Merriman was a Cowboy he'd have been dirt to ESPN. But instead he's a darling. I'm glad we have Ware.

This to me is proof that whatever the media says about TO is lined with slime. They can elevate whomever they want, and denigrate whomever they want, as long as someone believes what they have done "is not that bad."

 

[Wimbo]

Who is the best defensive player in the NFL?

Eric Allen: Shawne Merriman.

John Clayton: Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman


Joe Theismann: The best defensive player in the league is Merriman.

Barry Bonds: 2001: 73 HR's; 2002: 46 HR's
Mark McGuire: 1999: 65 HR's; 2000: 32 HR's
Shawne Merriman: 2006: 17 Sacks; 2007: ???

Methinks we will see a trend.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Barry Bonds: 2001: 73 HR's; 2002: 46 HR's
Mark McGuire: 1999: 65 HR's; 2000: 32 HR's
Shawne Merriman: 2006: 17 Sacks; 2007: ???

Methinks we will see a trend.

Should book mark this for review after last season.

 

[Frozen700]

T New..after this seeason

 

[the kid 05]

Dexter Coakley

 

[burmafrd]

Actually it might be more instructive on Roid man to go by game average:
12 games 17 sacks = 1.4 sacks per game. on a 16 game schedule then he should get 22. In other words next year he should threaten Strahans sack record. If the roids supposedly do not make that great a difference (heh heh)

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

After we start playing Roy Williams closer to the line it will be Roy Boy!

And Ware close behind.

We'll have the top two defensive players in the NFL!!! And we'll have Wade to thank!!!

Yay!

 

[baj1dallas]

Merriman is not a great all around defensive player. Both Urlacher and Peppers are superior.

 

[Aikbach]

I think Dante Hall deserves this honor...I can't even kid like that, I do apologize.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if DeMarcus Ware ends up Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.

He and Newman are actually underrated.

 

[Spectre]

I'd go with Ed Reed.

 

[Spectre]

I think Dante Hall deserves this honor...I can't even kid like that, I do apologize.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if DeMarcus Ware ends up Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.

He and Newman are actually underrated.

I think you meant DEANGELO Hall?

 

[Aikbach]

I think you meant DEANGELO Hall?

Sorry, yeah, for some reason Dante's Inferno and DeAngelo Hall seem to be synonomous in my mind.

 

[Pabst]

Champ hands down, imo.

Theres usually a slight drop-off in talent/performance between the best player at a position and the next person. A difference to be sure, but not that great.

At CB, it's Champ and then everyone else. It just isn't close.

I would put my "second place" vote on Peppers, though. He faces double and triple teams every play and still gets the job done. Remarkable, freakish athlete.

 

[Rampage]

I think Dante Hall deserves this honor...I can't even kid like that, I do apologize.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if DeMarcus Ware ends up Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.

He and Newman are actually underrated.

underrated by opposing fans but overrated especially newman by cowboy fans

 

[stealth]

underrated by opposing fans but overrated especially newman by cowboy fans

you think ware is over rated by fans?

 

[Aikbach]

underrated by opposing fans but overrated especially newman by cowboy fans

In the modern game Newman is easily one of the top three or four corners.

Champ Bailey in my opinion is the overrated one, good, but not all that is advertised.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Sean Taylor...period