Scouting 101: NFL Defensive End Rankings

I think next year Phillip Merling is top 40. Year after that top 20.

 

Thanks Anthony, interesting read. Nice to see JT get a little love with all the negative press he's been getting, deservedly so in many cases.

 

Torbor also plays the end in the 34?

It's safe to say that this list is better than the other one where JT wasn't even in the top 50.

 

Still don't think Freeney belongs up there. I mean, 2006 5.5 sacks. 2007 on pace for ... 6.2 sacks. If he was a tackling playmaking machine, maybe. But then, 29 tackles, and in 2007 on pace for 37.

Jared's a beast though huh? 15.5, 60+. I know stats aren't everything. But if you're not racking up stats, what the hell are you doing?

 

Interesting.

 

Drawing defenders/double teams.

I don't think you can really judge Freeney on stats. All he is asked to do is get to the QB, that scheme isn't designed to stop the run, its designed to stop the long pass, which it has done better than anyone.

When you are looking at Freeney, you need to look at the adjustments offenses need to make when going against him.

 

But you can say that about all the top DEs on that list, and they still rack up those numbers. They're doubling Freeney but not Jared? JT? All he is asked to do is get to the QB. I understand that. That's great. But has he done that?

Get to the QB, forget about the run. Fine. But it's put up or shut up at that money, at that ranking, at that "reputation."

 

Honestly, why isnt JT #1? Id love to see some of these guys produce for you know, maybe ooooooooooooh, more than one year? Or maybe without Strahan opposite him? Not saying Allen/Williams etc arent good, but JT has been posting all star numbers for years and years. Now that defenses have a year to study Allen and the like at the top of their games, lets see what happens.

 

Mario Williams 2nd best De in the league?
No way.
Merling Philip may take time to develop...(see Umenyiora, Osi)

 

I think he could be, but I want to see another year like the last one before I say hes the second best in the league indeed. Same for Allen.