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

[TEK2000]

I'd go with Ed Reed.

Based on giving up more catches, more yards, and allowing a higher completion percentage than Roy Williams?

 

[Spectre]

Based on giving up more catches, more yards, and allowing a higher completion percentage than Roy Williams?

I guess I'm more speaking in terms of guys who can change a game's direction any given play.

But at S, he's not involved in enough plays at the line to be the "best defender" per say. But he is the best at doing what he is paid to do.
I guess you can't really build a team around any DB no matter how good they are.

So, Peppers, Merriman, Ware, Taylor... all good candidates.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Peppers on a bad defense.
Merriman on a good defense.
Lets not forget Freeney.
Not to mention J. Taylor.


Ware, Newman, Williams, Bailey any Commanders defender (unfortunately) etc., are not in this "who is the best defensive player in the NFL" discussion right now.

Not that there arent other guys that deserve some credit for what they can do, but they still havent reached that point to me.

 

[Wimbo]

Peppers on a bad defense.
Merriman on a good defense.
Lets not forget Freeney.
Not to mention J. Taylor.


Ware, Newman, Williams, Bailey any Commanders defender (unfortunately) etc., are not in this "who is the best defensive player in the NFL" discussion right now.

Not that there arent other guys that deserve some credit for what they can do, but they still havent reached that point to me.

Agreed. They may be our favorites as fans, but they are not the NFL elite. If I had to pick one to build my defense around, it would be Peppers.