Bronco Rob
05-21-2009, 02:52 PM
Here's the thing to remember about the defensive ends: It's not only about the pass rush. That's where many NFL ends make their impact plays, but players who can also defend the run, drop in zone schemes and play full-time are the guys who rise to the elite level. RealScouts, Sporting News' team of former NFL scouts, rank their top 20 defensive ends for '09:
1. Jared Allen, Vikings. Not only does Allen have 30 sacks over the last two seasons, he is a stout run defender who plays with a lot of heart and hustle. His ability to draw protection schemes helps Kevin and Pat Williams inside.
2. Julius Peppers, Panthers. After a poor 2007, Peppers re-established himself as a dominating force and elite pass rusher last season. He is a two-way end who has recorded double-digit sacks in five of his seven seasons and sets the edge in the run game.
3. Dwight Freeney, Colts. Speed and quickness have always been Freeney's calling cards as an edge rusher. He has also learned to use his initial burst when filling running lanes and on inside pass-rush moves.
4. Mario Williams, Texans. Williams has established himself as a top-tier pass rusher and has made great strides as a run defender. He's an explosive athlete who can dominate offensive tackles and has the athleticism to chase down plays from sideline to sideline.
5. Richard Seymour, Patriots. After a few productive but unspectacular seasons, Seymour put up his highest tackle and sack numbers since 2003 last season. Back at full health, he should again be a force as a run stuffer and inside pass rusher.
6. Aaron Smith, Steelers. A prototypical 3-4 end, Smith has great size and strength and is a reliable run stuffer. But he also is a powerful bull rusher who keeps his legs moving and works to the whistle.
7. Osi Umenyiora, Giants. The good news about Umenyiora's knee injury in '08 was that it happened before the season started. With a whole year to heal, he is more than ready to get back in the mix. His athleticism and natural instincts as a pass rusher will be featured on a revamped Giants line.
8. Justin Tuck, Giants. Tuck went from situational pass rusher to full-time starter in 2008 and filled the void left by the retired Michael Strahan and the injured Umenyiora. Tuck's unique combination of quickness and strength allows him to rush from any line position.
9. Patrick Kerney, Seahawks. Though his '08 season was cut short by injury, Kerney has thrived in the Seahawks one-gap system. He's an athletic pass rusher who can play on either side of the line and attacks the line as a pass rusher and run defender.
10. Kyle Vanden Bosch, Titans. Vanden Bosch had not missed a game in three seasons in Tennessee before missing six last year. This season will be a "prove it" year for him, as the Titans will need him to be a leader for a unit that will be without playmaker Albert Haynesworth. Strong and smart, Vanden Bosch has the tools to fill that role.
11. Igor Olshansky, Cowboys. His move to Dallas reunites him with Wade Phillips, the defensive coordinator during Olshansky's first three years with the Chargers. He knows the 3-4 well, has great strength and has learned to use his hands well and play with leverage.
12. John Abraham, Falcons. Abraham is still an elite pass rusher, but his play against the run is limited. As he gets older, he will be used more as a situational player.
13. Adewale Ogunleye, Bears. An excellent athlete, Ogunleye is not particularly big or strong, but he has excellent quickness and burst and gets off the edge very quickly. He's coming off a down year, like most members of the Bears' defense, but look for new line coach Rod Marinelli to get the best out of Ogunleye and his linemates.
14. Andre Carter, Redskins. A speed pass rusher who hasn't gotten much help in Washington, Carter is at his best when he can work in space and use his long arms to keep blockers off his body. With the addition of Haynesworth and rookie Brian Orakpo, Carter will have more freedom to show off skills.
15. Trent Cole, Eagles. Cole is extremely athletic, which makes him a perfect fit in the Eagles' zone blitz scheme. He does so many good things within the system against the run and in coverage -- and he has 29 1/2 sacks over the past three seasons.
16. Brett Keisel, Steelers. Injury and age are beginning to catch up to Keisel, but he is an effective pass rusher for a 3-4 end and shows a lot of versatility within the Steelers' scheme.
17. Shaun Ellis, Jets. Ellis is not an explosive player but has good size and strength for a 3-4 end. He has been one of the Jets' most durable and consistent players and uses his experience and savvy to put himself in position to make plays against the run and pass.
18. Cullen Jenkins, Packers. Jenkins has the size, strength and experience inside to excel in the Packers' new 3-4 scheme. He has a nice array of pass-rush moves, is a sure tackler in the run game and has the agility to make plays on the perimeter.
19. Gaines Adams, Buccaneers. Adams is a natural pass rusher who relies on speed to do his best work, though he has improved his play against the run and has developed more pass-rush moves. He is a player on the rise.
20. Aaron Schobel, Bills. Schobel is coming off injury, but the Bills will rely heavily on him to help restore their pass rush. He's a high-effort player who has the strength to hold up at the point of attack and the instincts and pass-rush moves to lead the Buffalo pass rush.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=550635
No Elvis?
1. Jared Allen, Vikings. Not only does Allen have 30 sacks over the last two seasons, he is a stout run defender who plays with a lot of heart and hustle. His ability to draw protection schemes helps Kevin and Pat Williams inside.
2. Julius Peppers, Panthers. After a poor 2007, Peppers re-established himself as a dominating force and elite pass rusher last season. He is a two-way end who has recorded double-digit sacks in five of his seven seasons and sets the edge in the run game.
3. Dwight Freeney, Colts. Speed and quickness have always been Freeney's calling cards as an edge rusher. He has also learned to use his initial burst when filling running lanes and on inside pass-rush moves.
4. Mario Williams, Texans. Williams has established himself as a top-tier pass rusher and has made great strides as a run defender. He's an explosive athlete who can dominate offensive tackles and has the athleticism to chase down plays from sideline to sideline.
5. Richard Seymour, Patriots. After a few productive but unspectacular seasons, Seymour put up his highest tackle and sack numbers since 2003 last season. Back at full health, he should again be a force as a run stuffer and inside pass rusher.
6. Aaron Smith, Steelers. A prototypical 3-4 end, Smith has great size and strength and is a reliable run stuffer. But he also is a powerful bull rusher who keeps his legs moving and works to the whistle.
7. Osi Umenyiora, Giants. The good news about Umenyiora's knee injury in '08 was that it happened before the season started. With a whole year to heal, he is more than ready to get back in the mix. His athleticism and natural instincts as a pass rusher will be featured on a revamped Giants line.
8. Justin Tuck, Giants. Tuck went from situational pass rusher to full-time starter in 2008 and filled the void left by the retired Michael Strahan and the injured Umenyiora. Tuck's unique combination of quickness and strength allows him to rush from any line position.
9. Patrick Kerney, Seahawks. Though his '08 season was cut short by injury, Kerney has thrived in the Seahawks one-gap system. He's an athletic pass rusher who can play on either side of the line and attacks the line as a pass rusher and run defender.
10. Kyle Vanden Bosch, Titans. Vanden Bosch had not missed a game in three seasons in Tennessee before missing six last year. This season will be a "prove it" year for him, as the Titans will need him to be a leader for a unit that will be without playmaker Albert Haynesworth. Strong and smart, Vanden Bosch has the tools to fill that role.
11. Igor Olshansky, Cowboys. His move to Dallas reunites him with Wade Phillips, the defensive coordinator during Olshansky's first three years with the Chargers. He knows the 3-4 well, has great strength and has learned to use his hands well and play with leverage.
12. John Abraham, Falcons. Abraham is still an elite pass rusher, but his play against the run is limited. As he gets older, he will be used more as a situational player.
13. Adewale Ogunleye, Bears. An excellent athlete, Ogunleye is not particularly big or strong, but he has excellent quickness and burst and gets off the edge very quickly. He's coming off a down year, like most members of the Bears' defense, but look for new line coach Rod Marinelli to get the best out of Ogunleye and his linemates.
14. Andre Carter, Redskins. A speed pass rusher who hasn't gotten much help in Washington, Carter is at his best when he can work in space and use his long arms to keep blockers off his body. With the addition of Haynesworth and rookie Brian Orakpo, Carter will have more freedom to show off skills.
15. Trent Cole, Eagles. Cole is extremely athletic, which makes him a perfect fit in the Eagles' zone blitz scheme. He does so many good things within the system against the run and in coverage -- and he has 29 1/2 sacks over the past three seasons.
16. Brett Keisel, Steelers. Injury and age are beginning to catch up to Keisel, but he is an effective pass rusher for a 3-4 end and shows a lot of versatility within the Steelers' scheme.
17. Shaun Ellis, Jets. Ellis is not an explosive player but has good size and strength for a 3-4 end. He has been one of the Jets' most durable and consistent players and uses his experience and savvy to put himself in position to make plays against the run and pass.
18. Cullen Jenkins, Packers. Jenkins has the size, strength and experience inside to excel in the Packers' new 3-4 scheme. He has a nice array of pass-rush moves, is a sure tackler in the run game and has the agility to make plays on the perimeter.
19. Gaines Adams, Buccaneers. Adams is a natural pass rusher who relies on speed to do his best work, though he has improved his play against the run and has developed more pass-rush moves. He is a player on the rise.
20. Aaron Schobel, Bills. Schobel is coming off injury, but the Bills will rely heavily on him to help restore their pass rush. He's a high-effort player who has the strength to hold up at the point of attack and the instincts and pass-rush moves to lead the Buffalo pass rush.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=550635
No Elvis?