BEST ALLAROUND DEFENDER IN NFL (1 Viewer)

[Nihilist Pig]

Way too much love for safeties here. History's greatest safeties have less impact on both the game and the opposition's gameplan than slightly above average DT's, LB's and CB's have.

The entire position exists to get "good athletes" on the field, when they don't have the body or skill set necessary to perform more specific tasks. They can't cover like even a below-average CB, they can't disrupt the run or the pass like a real LB. They are football's versions of Jacks of All Trades, Masters of None.

That's not to say versatility isn't a valuable thing, too. But not in the sense that this poll seems to be asking.

If you're a GM, and you have the option of taking Polamalu or Reed for a million bucks, or the 20th best CB in the league for three times as much, you better be taking the CB, or you're Matt Millen.

The list of top 50 best all around defenders contains exactly zero safeties. There's a reason older, slower, formerly great CB's go there to die.

 

[Boston]

Taking Troy over Seymour would be like taking hitting over pitching. The foundation of any great team is the trenches (or pitching). While Troy is a definite differencemaker if he's playing with a weak front what he does really doesn't matter as much. He needs those guys to really perform to get what he brings to the table. On the flipside if you have a strong front than you don't need a big time secondary (not that it hurts). It all starts up front and if you have a building block like Seymour everyone else's job is far easier.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

What you guys are totally missing about Polamalu is that he is not a safety. He's a free safety/strong safety/LB/ slot corner/blitz specialist. He actually knows all of those positions/roles in the defense and has the tools, head, and instincts to do all of them well. When the defensive huddle breaks, the QB/OC really has to play a guessing game about what Troy is going to do in that set, no matter where Troy lines up.

Go back and watch the Indy-Pittsburgh game. Why does Pittsburgh get so much pressure on the edge? Because every time Polamalu gets close to the LoS in the middle of the line, the Colt responsible for blitz pickup is OBSESSED with Polamalu. You would see a guard and FB/TE slide over to get Troy, only to let Haggans/Porter/Farrior fly right past them. Much like a great rush end, his ability and versatility create all kinds of externalities for the defense to take advantage of. And thats just analyzing his ability as a blitzer. He's got the speed and loose hips of a top WR in coverage. He's got the "fly to the ball" instincts of a great LB in run support.

Troy has off the charts athletic ability. He has off the charts instincts and football smarts. He has an off the charts motor and dedication to the game. And he's just entering his prime.

 

[Boston]

What you guys are totally missing about Polamalu is that he is not a safety. He's a free safety/strong safety/LB/ slot corner/blitz specialist. He actually knows all of those positions/roles in the defense and has the tools, head, and instincts to do all of them well. When the defensive huddle breaks, the QB/OC really has to play a guessing game about what Troy is going to do in that set, no matter where Troy lines up.

Go back and watch the Indy-Pittsburgh game. Why does Pittsburgh get so much pressure on the edge? Because every time Polamalu gets close to the LoS in the middle of the line, the Colt responsible for blitz pickup is OBSESSED with Polamalu. You would see a guard and FB/TE slide over to get Troy, only to let Haggans/Porter/Farrior fly right past them. Much like a great rush end, his ability and versatility create all kinds of externalities for the defense to take advantage of. And thats just analyzing his ability as a blitzer. He's got the speed and loose hips of a top WR in coverage. He's got the "fly to the ball" instincts of a great LB in run support.

Troy has off the charts athletic ability. He has off the charts instincts and football smarts. He has an off the charts motor and dedication to the game. And he's just entering his prime.

Don't disagree...yet, I'd still rather have a 300+ stud who can play every position in a 3-4 or 4-3 and commands double teams and dominates against the run and pass.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

There are quite a few guys in this poll that have literally no business being anywhere near this topic.

Actually a great posting. The lack of acumen here is remarkable.

 

[Phlash]

Seymour is god

 

[Bob_Magaw]

in general i agree that safeties are not as good an athlete as CBs...

but lott & easley were exceptions...

lott not only could cover like a CB, he was a CB... easley was great in coverage... & those guys hit harder than most LBs & would seriously jack up ball carriers in the run game...

why did sean taylor receive such a high grade from scouts if there were 30 DL or CBs more valuable than him? virtually any position can be filled via trade, FA or draft in many rounds... EVERY YEAR... why take a mediocre CB just to reach for a positional need if you can get a once in a decade, generation talent like sean taylor...

if people don't think taylor has ball skills of a CB & stones RBs like a LB, they need to take a closer look.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Polamalu. The dude can play 4 different positions. Well.

I just voted other. I thought of Troy immediately and no one else came to mind. Urlacher would be my second choice.

 

[facook]

I know he's getting older, but if 'all-around' is the criteria, I think you have to go with Derrick Brooks, LB, Tampa. Tackles, can rush the passer, and is excellent in pass coverage.

Donnie Edwards, LB, San Diego is close to the top for the same reasons.

 

[jacklejack]

 

[trader jake]

there has been a lot of talk about polamalu vs the colts but what about him vs. the seahawks? he CAN be schemed out of a game - holmgren did it in the superbowl

how far are we going to go before really discussing the BEST defensive player in the NFL? dwight freeney is the choice for me.

no scheme, double team with a chip, or situation stops the guy. look what he does ve the best (like jonathan ogden, etc) every year. the colts defense would be in a lot of trouble if he ever gets injured

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

there has been a lot of talk about polamalu vs the colts but what about him vs. the seahawks? he CAN be schemed out of a game - holmgren did it in the superbowl

I think Troy's ankle injury was worse than they let on in the super bowl. He just lacked that explosion that has become his trademark.

 

[-OZ-]

there has been a lot of talk about polamalu vs the colts but what about him vs. the seahawks? he CAN be schemed out of a game - holmgren did it in the superbowl

how far are we going to go before really discussing the BEST defensive player in the NFL? dwight freeney is the choice for me.

no scheme, double team with a chip, or situation stops the guy. look what he does ve the best (like jonathan ogden, etc) every year. the colts defense would be in a lot of trouble if he ever gets injured

Freeney is a disruptive force, perhaps the most disruptive force in the league, but his skills against the run are less stellar. Freeneys stats vs. Baltimore this year - 3 tackles, no sacks

St. Louis - zero (1 assist) and zero sacks

New England - nada

Cincy - zilch

Jax - nothing

I know, he forced the offense to block him.

Sure Polomalu can be schemed out of a game, but what happened when they did?

 

[cstu]

Richard Seymour. An absolutely dominating force who would be the foundation of any defense. He's a huge guy who's incredibly athletic and versatile. He plays the run and rushes the passer equally well. He's equally adept at every position on the line in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme. The fact he has three rings and is a team leader are other factors in his favor. Also, he has no problems sacrificing individual totals for team success. He's asked to do a lot of dirty work that doesn't show up in the stat sheet but never complains about it.

There are other great defenders out there who may do one thing better than Seymour but no one brings the total package he does.

Gotta agree, he's very under-rated and was a huge reason for the Pats' dominance.

 

[trader jake]

there has been a lot of talk about polamalu vs the colts but what about him vs. the seahawks?  he CAN be schemed out of a game - holmgren did it in the superbowl

I think Troy's ankle injury was worse than they let on in the super bowl. He just lacked that explosion that has become his trademark.

solid point

 

[trader jake]

Freeney is a disruptive force, perhaps the most disruptive force in the league, but his skills against the run are less stellar. Freeneys stats vs. Baltimore this year - 3 tackles, no sacks

of the game syou listed this is the only one i know that i watched the colts play...and freeney DOMINATED that game. 3 tackles and 0 sacks doesn't look like much on the stat sheet, but (make no mistakle) freeney was a beast

 

[trader jake]

maybe this is a stretch, but if all defensive players were free agents...which one would sign the biggest contract?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Freeney is definitely one of the few defensive players that can singlehandedly take over a game. he's the only reason the colts had any chance to beat the chargers and keep their undefeated season going. You basically hold your breath when he is rushing your QB on 3rd down. He looks like he is fired out of a gun out of a 3 point stance.

 

[massraider]

Wow, Woodson and Burgess?

What, no Stuart Schweigert option?

 

[Despyzer]

ironic that the NFL's best DT: Shaun rogers was left off the list.

That IS ironic, but his name is spelled Jamal Williams.

 

[Borat]

Richard Seymour. An absolutely dominating force who would be the foundation of any defense. He's a huge guy who's incredibly athletic and versatile. He plays the run and rushes the passer equally well. He's equally adept at every position on the line in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme. The fact he has three rings and is a team leader are other factors in his favor. Also, he has no problems sacrificing individual totals for team success. He's asked to do a lot of dirty work that doesn't show up in the stat sheet but never complains about it.

There are other great defenders out there who may do one thing better than Seymour but no one brings the total package he does.

Gotta agree, he's very under-rated and was a huge reason for the Pats' dominance.

I'm going with Seymour as well.

 

[Assani Fisher]

I think its interesting that the 3rd leading vote getter has not been mentioned one time in any post in this thread.

 

[Despyzer]

maybe this is a stretch, but if all defensive players were free agents...which one would sign the biggest contract?

I think it would be Freeney or Peppers, but that doesn't necessarily make either of them the "best all-around defender."

 

[Bri]

Strahan

 

[Bri]

maybe this is a stretch, but if all defensive players were free agents...which one would sign the biggest contract?

I think it would be Freeney or Peppers, but that doesn't necessarily make either of them the "best all-around defender."

To me, I don't think they cut the field in half like Strahan. I don't think those young DEs have reached that pinnacle in their run stopping yet.

 

[Despyzer]

To me, I don't think they cut the field in half like Strahan. I don't think those young DEs have reached that pinnacle in their run stopping yet.

I was talking about who would probably get the highest contract if all the defensive players were suddenly FAs. I think youth would help Peppers and Freeney in that situation.I kind of lost some respect for Strahan when they played the Chargers this last year. San Diego's OL was sub-par and banged up yet were able to make Strahan a complete non-factor. He obviously had a good season other than that, but I went away thinking he was entirely unimpressive.

 

[Bri]

To me, I don't think they cut the field in half like Strahan. I don't think those young DEs have reached that pinnacle in their run stopping yet.

I was talking about who would probably get the highest contract if all the defensive players were suddenly FAs. I think youth would help Peppers and Freeney in that situation.I kind of lost some respect for Strahan when they played the Chargers this last year. San Diego's OL was sub-par and banged up yet were able to make Strahan a complete non-factor. He obviously had a good season other than that, but I went away thinking he was entirely unimpressive.

Tomlinson was incredible that day. Wasn't that the day he ran for a few TDs and threw another? Geesh I'd bet he'd have made any NFL D look bad on that day, he was phenomenal

 

[TitusIII]

Taking everything into consideration, and three years of league pass, I'll take Urlacher. You could pretty much line him up anywhere on the defensive side of the ball and he would cause problems. The homer in me loves Seymour , and if I was a GM I'd go with a DL, but I can't deny the fact that Urlacher is a disruptive force who changes gameplans/forces teams to gameplan around him.

 

[Borat]

Taking everything into consideration, and three years of league pass, I'll take Urlacher. You could pretty much line him up anywhere on the defensive side of the ball and he would cause problems. The homer in me loves RS, and if I was a GM I'd go with a DL, but I can't deny the fact that Urlacher is a disruptive force who changes gameplans/forces teams to gameplan around him.

Who is RS?

 

[Despyzer]

Tomlinson was incredible that day. Wasn't that the day he ran for a few TDs and threw another? Geesh I'd bet he'd have made any NFL D look bad on that day, he was phenomenal

Yeah, Tomlinson played out of his mind that day:192 yards and 3 TDs on 21 carries, 6 catches, and a passing TD.

Strahan finished tied for 13th on his own team in tackles that week (1) with no other appreciable stats.

 

[Bowbiejuke]

ed reed by far the best

 

[Big Score]

You guys will all be struck down by lightning. Can't believe on this Holy week, God's other son hasn't gotten one vote.

Tedy Bruschi

 

[-OZ-]

Freeney is a disruptive force, perhaps the most disruptive force in the league, but his skills against the run are less stellar.

Freeneys stats vs. Baltimore this year - 3 tackles, no sacks

of the game syou listed this is the only one i know that i watched the colts play...and freeney DOMINATED that game. 3 tackles and 0 sacks doesn't look like much on the stat sheet, but (make no mistakle) freeney was a beast

This is why IDP leagues are quite complicated. Freeney certainly deserves consideration here. But in FF, he's merely a good DE.

I'm going with Seymour as well.

Who is RS?

 

[trader jake]

To me, I don't think they cut the field in half like Strahan. I don't think those young DEs have reached that pinnacle in their run stopping yet.

I was talking about who would probably get the highest contract if all the defensive players were suddenly FAs. I think youth would help Peppers and Freeney in that situation.

and those are the top 2 defensive players on my list...just like they would be on most GM's lists

 

[Borat]

To me, I don't think they cut the field in half like Strahan. I don't think those young DEs have reached that pinnacle in their run stopping yet.

I was talking about who would probably get the highest contract if all the defensive players were suddenly FAs. I think youth would help Peppers and Freeney in that situation.

and those are the top 2 defensive players on my list...just like they would be on most GM's lists

Peppers, maybe, but Freeney?

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I'm a big fan of Richard Seymour, and now that PIT is finally housing the Lombardi hardware all of my spite and bitterness towards the Pats is gone.

I say all this to clear the air -- I have no agenda at all when I say I'd take Peppers of Richard Seymour in a heartbeat.

Am I in the minority? I'm going to start a new poll.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

Way too much love for safeties here.  History's greatest safeties have less impact on both the game and the opposition's gameplan than slightly above average DT's, LB's and CB's have.

The entire position exists to get "good athletes" on the field, when they don't have the body or skill set necessary to perform more specific tasks.  They can't cover like even a below-average CB, they can't disrupt the run or the pass like a real LB.  They are football's versions of Jacks of All Trades, Masters of None.

That's not to say versatility isn't a valuable thing, too.  But not in the sense that this poll seems to be asking.

If you're a GM, and you have the option of taking Polamalu or Reed for a million bucks, or the 20th best CB in the league for three times as much, you better be taking the CB, or you're Matt Millen.

The list of top 50 best all around defenders contains exactly zero safeties.  There's a reason older, slower, formerly great CB's go there to die.

So you're saying that Roy Williams and Troy P are outside the top 50? Should we take Ronnie Lott out of the Hall of fame too? In theory you are correct that traditionally CBs are the best athletes but the game is changing quickly. These kids are coming out of high school now and college coaches are putting a kid who has a linebacker body at safety. Safety was always a position where you didn't have your best defensive players but that is all changed now.

If you would take any CB of the Ronnie Lott generation over Lott, you are crazy. I'd say Kenny Easley was top five DB during his stint as well. Reed, Polamalu, Roy Williams, and Sean Taylor are big like linebackers and have the speed of a corner. I think they are easily, by a wide margin better for their teams than any cornerback in the league right now. I think you seriously miss the way the game has evolved and the new safeties are probably as good of an athlete than any player at any position.

Matt Millen would have a lot less problems if he had any of those four.

 

[-OZ-]

Way too much love for safeties here. History's greatest safeties have less impact on both the game and the opposition's gameplan than slightly above average DT's, LB's and CB's have.

The entire position exists to get "good athletes" on the field, when they don't have the body or skill set necessary to perform more specific tasks. They can't cover like even a below-average CB, they can't disrupt the run or the pass like a real LB. They are football's versions of Jacks of All Trades, Masters of None.

That's not to say versatility isn't a valuable thing, too. But not in the sense that this poll seems to be asking.

If you're a GM, and you have the option of taking Polamalu or Reed for a million bucks, or the 20th best CB in the league for three times as much, you better be taking the CB, or you're Matt Millen.

The list of top 50 best all around defenders contains exactly zero safeties. There's a reason older, slower, formerly great CB's go there to die.

So you're saying that Roy Williams and Troy P are outside the top 50? Should we take Ronnie Lott out of the Hall of fame too? In theory you are correct that traditionally CBs are the best athletes but the game is changing quickly. These kids are coming out of high school now and college coaches are putting a kid who has a linebacker body at safety. Safety was always a position where you didn't have your best defensive players but that is all changed now.

If you would take any CB of the Ronnie Lott generation over Lott, you are crazy. I'd say Kenny Easley was top five DB during his stint as well. Reed, Polamalu, Roy Williams, and Sean Taylor are big like linebackers and have the speed of a corner. I think they are easily, by a wide margin better for their teams than any cornerback in the league right now. I think you seriously miss the way the game has evolved and the new safeties are probably as good of an athlete than any player at any position.

Matt Millen would have a lot less problems if he had any of those four.

Agreed DD, although I'm not certain I'd take all 4 over any corner (Hall would be arguable), Corner isn't as big a factor these days. Now, Lott vs. Darell Green or Deion... I might take Deion.Seems to me the logic here applies to tight ends as well as safeties. There used to be a time when TE was an afterthought, basically a 6th lineman that could occasionally catch a pass. Those days are over.

 

[Godsbrother]

Polamalu. The dude can play 4 different positions. Well.

Ed Reed is also an amazing defensive player when healthy.

 

[BlueOnion]

Polamalu. The dude can play 4 different positions. Well.

Seriously flawed list if Troy is not on the list but Charles Woodson is. Polamalu has few peers and the peers he should be compared to are Peyton Manning and T.O..

 

[BassNBrew]

Come on...where's the Reggie Bush option???

 

[DoctorDetroit]

Way too much love for safeties here.  History's greatest safeties have less impact on both the game and the opposition's gameplan than slightly above average DT's, LB's and CB's have.

The entire position exists to get "good athletes" on the field, when they don't have the body or skill set necessary to perform more specific tasks.  They can't cover like even a below-average CB, they can't disrupt the run or the pass like a real LB.  They are football's versions of Jacks of All Trades, Masters of None.

That's not to say versatility isn't a valuable thing, too.  But not in the sense that this poll seems to be asking.

If you're a GM, and you have the option of taking Polamalu or Reed for a million bucks, or the 20th best CB in the league for three times as much, you better be taking the CB, or you're Matt Millen.

The list of top 50 best all around defenders contains exactly zero safeties.  There's a reason older, slower, formerly great CB's go there to die.

So you're saying that Roy Williams and Troy P are outside the top 50? Should we take Ronnie Lott out of the Hall of fame too? In theory you are correct that traditionally CBs are the best athletes but the game is changing quickly. These kids are coming out of high school now and college coaches are putting a kid who has a linebacker body at safety. Safety was always a position where you didn't have your best defensive players but that is all changed now.

If you would take any CB of the Ronnie Lott generation over Lott, you are crazy. I'd say Kenny Easley was top five DB during his stint as well. Reed, Polamalu, Roy Williams, and Sean Taylor are big like linebackers and have the speed of a corner. I think they are easily, by a wide margin better for their teams than any cornerback in the league right now. I think you seriously miss the way the game has evolved and the new safeties are probably as good of an athlete than any player at any position.

Matt Millen would have a lot less problems if he had any of those four.

Agreed DD, although I'm not certain I'd take all 4 over any corner (Hall would be arguable), Corner isn't as big a factor these days. Now, Lott vs. Darell Green or Deion... I might take Deion.Seems to me the logic here applies to tight ends as well as safeties. There used to be a time when TE was an afterthought, basically a 6th lineman that could occasionally catch a pass. Those days are over.

Sanders and Lott crossed but Lott had already been in the league 8 years so I don't really consider those two time peers. But if they were, I would also take Sanders. Rod Woodson would probably be second and then Lott. But still, Lott was one of the best defensive players of his time (some pretty damn good players in that era) and one of the five best defensive backs in the past thirty years. I mean is that even a question?

Now we see some really great young safties in the league who are serious impact guys. College programs are taking athletes they use to use at RB and putting them in the secondary straight away. Someone above joked about Stuart Schweigert in here but that guy won the Michigan State HS 100 and 200 meter title and believe me, Michigan has some pretty good track athletes (Charles Rogers was second). Schweigert was all state in three sports, a great athlete who goes to Purdue to be a WR. Purdue makes him a safety and the guy has the speed, the size, and the smarts to be a very good NFL safety.

But I'll guarantee you that when Schweigert came into Purdue for his Freshman year he was one of the three best incoming athletes. They made him a safety and this is my point. Times are changing.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Regarding the impact of safeties in today's game, check out the recent contracts signed by Adam Archuleta and Chris Hope. These aren't Pro Bowl safeties.

Hope's deal- 6 yrs for $30 mill ($10 mill SB)

Archuleta's deal- 7 years for $32 mill ($10 mil SB)

Ed Reed is a year away from becoming a free agent, Troy Polamalu is 2 years away. It will be interesting to see how their new contracts compare with the top CBs.

 

[B-Deep]

Flawed poll without Ed Reed IMHO.

Having Charles Woodsen up there and not Ed Reed is insane.

 

[Super King]

Polamalu. The dude can play 4 different positions. Well.

concur

 

[fatness]

If Lavar Arrington is on this list his name should be way over to the right, out of position.