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The top 25 college football defensive units over the past decade+
I have only been really paying attention to college football since 1997, so the time span I am looking at is between 1997 and 2011, so a little more than a decade.
This is what I could think of in terms of the best defensive units I have seen in that time span. Overall defensive depth, talent level and on the field performance was taken into consideration. And yes if a team stock pile four or five future NFL players at one position, yes that was a major factor in the rankings as well. Enjoy. *Ongoing editing ;o) Now updated to the top 63 1) 2001  DE J. McDougle DT V. Wilfork, M. Waters DT W. Joseph, O. Harris DE A. Williams, T. Carroll OLB DJ Williams, L. Williams ILB J. Vilma OLB H. Clark, R. McIntosh CB P. Buchanon, A. Rolle CB M .Rumph, K. Jennings SS E. Reed, M. Sikes FS S. Taylor 2) 2011  DE J. Williams, Q. Dial NT Josh Chapman DE D. Square, E. Stinson OLB C. Upshaw ILB D. Hightower, N. Johnson ILB CJ Mosley, T. Depriest OLB J. Harris, A. Hubbard CB Dre Kirkpatrick CB D. Milliner, D. Menzie SS M. Barron FS R. Lester 3) 2007  DE C. Matthews, K. Moore DT S. Ellis DT F. Moala, A. Spicer DE L. Jackson, E. Griffen OLB B. Cushing, T. Williams ILB R. Maualuga, C. Gailippo OLB K. Rivers, K. Maiava, M. Morgan CB C. Harris, K. Thomas CB T. Thomas, J. Pinkard SS K. Ellison, W. Harris FS T. Mays, McCurtis 4) 2004  DE M. Spears, M. Oliver, T. Johnson DT K. Williams, C. Wroten DT G. Dorsey, M. Favorite DE C. Pittman, T. Jackson OLB A. Highsmith ILB L. Turner, L. Sanders OLB C. Vaughn CB C. Webster, J. Zenon CB T. Daniels, Prude Jr, C. Jackson SS L .Landry, C. Taylor FS J. Daniels, C. Steltz 5) 2011 DE K. Adams, B. Mingo DT B. Logan, J. Downs DT M. Brockers, A. Johnson DE S. Montgomery, L. Edwards OLB R. Baker ILB K. Minter OLB S. Francois CB M. Claiborne, R. Brooks CB T. Mathieu, T. Simon SS E. Reid, C. Loston FS B. Taylor 6) 2002  DE W. Smith, S. Fraser, Kudla DT D. Scott, Pitcock DT T. Anderson, M. Green DE K. Peterson, J. Richardson OLB B. Carpenter, Hawk ILB Wihelm, M. D'Andrea OLB C. Grant, R. Reynolds CB C. Gamble CB D. Fox, Underwood SS Doss, T. Everett FS W. Allen, Nickey, Salley 7) 1997  DE J. Hall DT J. Williams DT R. Renes DE G. Steele OLB D. Jones ILB S. Sword OLB I. Gold CB C. Woodson CB A. Weathers, J. Whitely SS T. Hendricks FS M .Ray 8) 1998 DE R. Bailey DT Collins DT Pickett DE J. Cotton OLB N. Diggs ILB Katzenmoyer OLB J. Cooper CB Winfield, D. Ross CB Plummer, N. Clements SS Berry FS D. Moore 9) 1997  DE D. Warren, Seymour DT C. Simon DT L. Smith, J. Johnson DE G. Spiers, J. Reynolds OLB Polley ILB S. Cowart, B. Jennings OLB B. Allen CB S. Rolle CB T. Cody, C. Thomas SS D. Gibson FS D. Jackson, S. Key 10) 1999  DE C. Brown DT A. Adams DT J. Kennedy DE J. Kurpeikis, M. Haynes OLB L. Arrington ILB B. Short OLB M. Morrison CB D. Macklin CB B. Jue SS J. Boyd FS D. Fox 11) 2009 DE M. Dareus DT T. Cody, Chapman DE Deaderick, L. Washington OLB C. Reamer ILB R. McClain ILB N. Johnson, D. Hightower OLB E. Anders, Upshaw CB K. Jackson, M. Johnson CB J. Arenas SS M. Barron FS J Woodall, R. Green 12) 1999  DE Overstreet, O. Hand DT J. Henderson, R. Moore DT D. Walker, A. Haynesworth DE S. Ellis OLB R. Thompson, K. Whiteside ILB D. Stevenson, E. Moore OLB E. Westmoreland CB A. Lott CB D. Goodrich SS T. Gaines FS D. Grant 13) 2006  DE Harvey, Estopinan DT M .Thomas, J. Cohen DT R. McDonald, S. Harris DE J. Moss, J. Cunningham OLB B. Spikes, R. Stamper ILB B. Siler OLB E. Everett CB R. Lewis CB R. Smith SS R. Nelson FS T. Joiner, K. Jackson 14) 1997  DE G. Winstrom DT J. Peters DT J. Wiltz, C. Warren DE M. Rucker, Vanden Bosch OLB T. Ortiz ILB J. Foreman OLB C. Polk CB R. Brown CB E. Swiney, J. Walker SS M .Brown FS E. Warfield, B. Harrison 15) 2008 DE Gibson, L. Wilson DT Denlinger, R. Rose DT Larimore, Worthington DE Heyward OLB M. Freeman, B. Rolle ILB Laurinaitis, A. Spitler OLB R. Homan, C. Terry, Moeller CB M. Jenkins, Chekwa CB D. Washington, D. Torrence SS K. Coleman, J. Hines FS A. Russell, J. O'Neal 16) 2002 DE K. Udeze DT S. Cody, M. Wright DT M. Patterson DE O. Nazel, F. Rucker OLB M. Grootegoed, D. Sartz ILB L. Tatupu OLB M. Simmons, O. Lua CB J. Wyatt CB M. Allmond, R. Nunn SS T. Polamalu FS D. Bing, J. Leach 17) 1997 DE T. Beauchamp, T. Bullard DT E. Chester, B. Gurley DT R. McGrew, A. Mitchell DE D. Chambers, W. Cohens OLB J. Kearse ILB M. Peterson, T. Sims OLB Rutledge CB F. Weary CB E. Williams SS T. George, R. Graddy FS T. Brown, M. Manuel 18 ) 2003  DE J. Ratliff DT S. Johnson DT D. McNeil DE R. Torbor OLB K. Dansby, A. Williams ILB D. Thomas OLB T. Williams CB C. Rogers, CB M. Pitts, G. Williams SS W. Herring FS J. Rosegreen 19) 2004 DE K. Wimbley DT B. Bunkley DT Fluellen DE C. Davis OLB E. Sims ILB B. Davis OLB AJ. Nicholson, Timmons CB A. Cromartie, L. Smith CB B. McFadden, T. Carter SS J. Carter FS P. Watkins 20) 1999  DE C. Moore DT C. Bradley DT D. Pugh DE J. Engelberger OLB B. Taylor, M. Hawkes ILB J. Houseright OLB J. Smith CB I. Charlton CB A. Midget SS R. Whitaker, C. Bird FS W. Pile 21) 2009 DE B. Turner DT N. Suh DT J. Crick, Steinkuhler DE P. Allen OLB P. Dillard ILB W. Compton OLB S. Fisher CB Amukamara CB Dennard, Gomes SS Asante FS O'Hanlon, Hagg 22) 2002  DE D. Cody DT D. Dvoracek DT T. Harris, K. Klein DE J. Wilkerson OLB T. Lehman ILB L .Mitchell OLB C. Ingram CB D. Strait, A. Perkins CB A. Woolfolk SS B. Pool FS B. Everage 23) 2005 DE D. Tapp O. Martin DT J. Lewis DT C. Powell DE C. Ellis Burchette OLB X. Adibi ILB V. Hall OLB J. Anderson CB J. Williams, V. Harris CB B. Flowers SS A. Rouse, D. Parker FS J. Hamilton 24) 2005 DE Hali DT Alford DT J. Shaw, E. Johnson DE J. Gaines OLB Connor, Hull ILB P. Posluszny, T. Shaw, S. Lee OLB T. Shaw, Sales CB A. Zemaitis, J. King CB A. Phillips SS C. Lowry, Scirrotto FS McCready, T. Davis 25) 1998  DE D. Howard DT D. McIntosh DT A. Rowe DE J. Clements, C. Johnson OLB M. Simoneau ILB J. Kelly OLB T. Ochs, B. Leber CB G. Neasman CB D. Carter, J. Butler SS J. Cooper FS L. Chapman, C. Scott Just missed the cut................... 26) *Michigan Wolverines 2006 DE Woodley, T. Jamison DT Branch DT T. Taylor DE Biggs, B. Graham OLB S. Crable, C. Graham ILB D. Harris OLB P. Burgess CB L. Hall CB M. Trent SS Adams, R. Mundy FS Englemon, Barringer 27) *Florida Gators 2000 DE A. Brown, B. McCray DT G. Warren DT D. Chambers, B. Gurley DE LaFavor, T Bullard OLB M. Nattiel, T. Carroll ILB A. Davis OLB B. Hardmon CB L. Sheppard CB B. Alexander, R. Cromartie SS M. Manuel, L. Norwood FS T. Johnson, D. Dixon 28 ) *Iowa Hawkeyes 2003 DE M. Roth, H. Hodges DT Clauss DT J. Babineaux DE Iwebema, Mattision OLB E. Miles, Humpal ILB A. Hodge, Klinkenborg OLB C. Greenway CB J. Johnson CB A. Allen SS B. Sanders, S. Considine FS Paschal, Merrick 29) *Oklahoma 2007 DE English DT G. McCoy DT D. Granger, A. Taylor DE J. Beal, F. Alexander OLB L. Baker ILB C. Lofton OLB D. Pleasant, T. Lewis CB R. Smith, L. Holmes CB M. Walker, B. Jackson, Franks SS N. Harris, Q. Carter FS DJ. Wofle 30) *Alabama 2005 DE W. Gilberry, E. Knight DT B. Greenwood DT J. Clark, D. Lee DE M. Anderson OLB D. Ryans ILB F. Roach, P. Hall OLB J. Simpson CB S. Castille, R. Robinson CB C. Peprah, A. Madison SS R. Harper FS J. Dukes, R. Johnson 31) *Texas 2009 DE S. Kindle DT L. Houston DT Randall DE Acho OLB K. Robinson ILB Muckelroy OLB J. Norton CB Ch. Brown, Cu. Brown CB A. Williams, D. Beasley SS E. Thomas FS Gideon, N. Brewster 32) *Texas 2000 DE Redding DT Hampton DT S. Rogers, M. Tubbs DE Pittman OLB T. Jones ILB D. Lewis OLB Rawls CB Q. Jammer, N. Vasher CB R. Babers, A. Brooks SS J. Walker FS C. Brown, D. Pearson 33) *Michigan State 1999 DE R. Smith DT D. Bernard DT D. Thomas DE J. Hendricks OLB J. Peterson ILB TJ. Turner OLB J. Thornhill CB A. Cambell, B. Nelson CB R. Hill, C. Henry SS T. Wright FS R. Newsome 34) *Illinois 2007 DE D. Walker, Pilcher DT C. Norwell DT Lindquist DE W. Davis OLB A. Steele ILB J. Leman OLB B. Miller CB V. Davis CB A. Ball, D. Hicks SS K. Mitchell FS J. Sanders, J. Harrison 35) *Alabama 1999 DE King DT C. Griffin DT R. Grimes K. Smith DE Moorhead OLB M. Merritt ILB S. Rasheed OLB D. Gilbert CB T. Dixon CB M. Lewis SS Spencer FS R. Myles 36) *Texas A&M 1998 DE R. Bernard DT R. Edwards DE Flemons OLB C. Anthony ILB D. Nguyen ILB J. Glenn OLB W. Holdman CB J. Webster CB S. Curry SS M. Jameson FS R. Coady 37) *Georgia 1998 DE D. Evans DT Seymour DT Stroud, DE Luckie OLB W. Witherspoon, O. Grant ILB K. Bell OLB B. Bailey CB C. Bailey CB J. Henderson SS J. Phillips FS Chambers 38 ) *Miss State 2000 DE E. Wyms DT W. Blade DT D. Davis, T. Golliday DE C. Stephens OLB J. Clark ILB M. Haggan OLB R. Knight CB F. Smoot CB S. Byrdsong, E. Clinton SS P. Prather FS J. Morgan 39) *Iowa 2008 DE A. Clayborn DT M. King, Klug DT M. Kroul DE C. Ballard, B. Binns OLB AJ. Edds ILB P. Angerer, J. Coleman OLB J. Hunter CB B. Fletcher CB A. Spievey SS T. Sash FS B. Greenwood 40) *Wake Forest 2006 DE M. Robinson DT B. Robinson DT J. Smith DE J. Thompson OLB A. Curry ILB Abbate OLB S .Arnoux CB A. Smith, B. Ghee CB R. Swanson SS P. Ghee, C. Vaughn FS Gattis 41) *South Florida 2007 DE G. Selvie DT T. McClain DT A. Harris DE Buie OLB T. McKenzie ILB B. Moffitt OLB Momperimer CB M. Jenkins CB T. Williams, J. Murphy SS N. Allen, L. Gachette FS C. Williams 42) *Kansas State 2001 DE C. Coffman DT T. Reese DT R. Berry DE Shull, B. Hickman OLB B. Leber ILB T. Pierce, T. Sims OLB J. Buhl CB T. Newman CB D. Faggins SS J. McGraw FS R. Washington, M. Proctor 43) *UNC 2009 DE R. Quinn, Q. Coples DT M. Austin DT C. Thomas, T. Powell DE EJ. Wilson, M. McAdoo OLB B. Carter ILB Q. Sturdivant OLB Z. Brown CB K. Burney CB C. Brown SS M. Williams, M. Merletti FS D. Williams, D. Searcy 44) *UCLA 2001 DE K. Coleman DT R. Leisle DT Fletcher DE D. Ball, M. Ball OLB B. Chillar ILB R. Thomas, M. Reese OLB S. Havner, R. Nece CB M. Ware, M. Cassell CB R. Manning, J. Hunter SS M. Anderson FS B. Emanuel 45) *Miami Hurricanes 2006 DE B. Atkins, B. Pata DT A. Dixon DT K. Brown DE C. Campbell. V. Franklin OLB J. Beason, C. McCarthy ILB G. Cook OLB T. Gooden, R. Davis CB B. Johnson CB G. Sharpe, R. Phillips SS B. Meriweather, A. Reddick FS K. Phillips, W. Cooper 46) *NC State 2005 DE M. Williams, L. Wright DT D. Pressley, A. Cash DT J. McCargo, D. Tyler DE M. Lawson, W. Young OLB S. Tulloch ILB O. Hoyte OLB P. Lowery CB AJ Davis CB M. Hudson SS G. Heath FS L. Rumph, D. Morgan 47) *Notre Dame 2003 DE Tuck DT C. Hilliard, D. Landri DT T. Laws DE V. Abiamiri, D. Stephenson OLB M. Goolsby ILB B. Hoyte OLB D. Curry, C. Watson CB A. Wooden CB V. Duff SS Zbikowski FS G. Earl 48 ) *Louisville 2004 DE E. Dumervil DT Okoye, Graddy DT M. Stanley DE M. Jones OLB B. Johnson ILB R. McCune, L. Myles OLB M. Jackson, J. Jackerson CB R. Council, A. Sharp CB W. Gaay, G. Smart SS K. Rhodes FS B. Sharp 49) *Purdue 2003 DE S. Phillips DT C. Terrill DT B. Villarreal DE R. Edwards, E. Bright OLB L. Johnson ILB Koutouvides, G. Hall OLB G. Gardner, S. Keglar CB J. Reeves CB A. Rogers SS B. Pollard FS S. Schweigert 50) *UNC 2001 DE J. Peppers DT R. Sims DT E. Davis DE J. Evans, J. Dumas OLB D. Thornton ILB Q. Monk OLB S. Williams CB E. Hood CB M. Waddell SS D. Reid FS D. Coleman 51) *TCU 2007 DE T. Blake, J. Hughes DT Christopher DT J. Vess DE C. Ortiz OLB J. Phillips ILB D. Hawthorne OLB R. Henson, D. Washington CB R. Priest CB N. Sanders SS S. Hodge FS D. Roach, B. Bonner 52) *Washington State 2002 DE I. Brown DT R. Long DT Tupai DE Acholonu OLB K. Sperry ILB W. Derting OLB P. Bennett CB M. Trufant CB K. Paymah, J. David SS E. Coleman FS H. Abdullah 53) *Wisconsin 2000 DE Welsh DT W. Bryant DT Sprague DE E. James OLB R. Knight ILB N. Griesen OLB J. Mack CB J. Fletcher CB M. Echols, BJ Tucker SS B. Brown FS J. Doering 54) *Cal 2006 DE Ma'afala DT Mebane DT T. Alualu DE Tafisi OLB A. Felder ILB D. Bishop OLB W. Williams, Z. Follett CB D. Hughes CB T. Mixon SS B. Hicks FS T. DeCoud 55) *Tennessee 2008 DE R. Ayers DT D. Williams DT D. Bolden DE W. Brown, B. Martin OLB R. McCoy ILB Myers-White OLB L. Thompson CB D. Willingham CB M. Johnson SS E. Berry FS D. Morley, A. Gaines 56) *Georgia Tech 2006 DE M. Johnson DT J. Anoai, D. Robertson DT D. Richard, V. Walker DE A. Oliver OLB K. Hall ILB P. Wheeler OLB G. Guyton CB K. Scott, A. Roberson CB Word-Daniels SS J. Lewis FS D. Jones 57) *Virginia 2005 DE C. Canty DT A. Hoffman DE C. Long OLB Blackstock ILB A. Brooks, J. Cooper ILB K. Parham, J. Dias OLB C. Sintim CB M .Hamilton CB T. Franklin SS M. Weeks FS J. Hardy 58 ) *Arizona 1998 DE Tafoya, K. Fraser DT D. Greer DT I. Haroon DE M. Robertson OLB D. Polk ILB M. Bell OLB Sprotte A. Pierce CB C. McAllister CB K. Hunter SS G. Payne FS R. Jones 59) *Utah 2008 DE P. Kruger DT Talamaivao DT Filiaga DE K. Misi OLB Sylvester ILB M. Wright OLB Fotu CB S. Smith CB B. McCain, R, Stanford SS J. Dale FS R. Johnson 60) *LSU 1999 DE J. Green DT K. Allen DT J. Mitchell DE K. Mitchell OLB B. James ILB T. Faulk OLB C. Smith CB M. Roman CB F. Booker, D. Hookfin SS C. LeBlanc FS R. Clark, D. James 61) *Kansas 2005 DE C. Keith DT C. Blakesley DT J. McClinton DE J. Wheeler OLB J. Mortensen, B. Perkins ILB N. Reid OLB M. Rivera, J. Holt CB A. Talib CB C. Gordon SS J. Kemp FS D. Stuckey, J. Thornton 62) *Oregon State 2006 DE D. Smith DT Silvira DT W. Vea DE Van Orsow OLB D. Doggett ILB A. Darlin, K. Kristick OLB LaRocque CB B. Hughes, J. Dockery CB K. Lewis SS S. Piscitelli FS Afalava 63) *Oregon 2007 DE N. Reed DT R. Harris DT Linehan DE Tukuafu OLB Paysinger, Matthews ILB Bacon OLB Tuitele CB Byrd, Glasper CB Thurmond SS Chung FS T. Ward *Note the rosters are as exact as I could get, it is quite hard however to find a up to date and accurate roster from the late 90's |
I think you missed the boat with Iowa.
2008 defense DE- Clayborn DT- King (Klug backing up) DT- Kroul DE- Ballard (Binns backing up) OLB- Edds MLB- Angerer OLB- Hunter CB- Fletcher CB- Spievey FS- Greenwood SS- Sash Overall, the DL and Secondary are much better than the 05 team. 05 was probably better at LB, but only because Hodge and Greenway were machines. But Edd and Angerer aren't too far behind. On the 08 defense, there are already 4 draft picks, and likely Clayborn, Ballard, Binns, Sash, and probably Hunter will all get drafted, the first 3 in the first 3 rounds I'm sure. Granted, King and Kroul weren't NFL prospects really, but as college DTs they were ridiculous despite being tiny. Overall, the 08 defense > 05 defense, imo. |
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Yes it is debatable however, but again Greenway and Hodge are the closers in my book for the debate. |
Ohio State's National Championship Defense nowhere to be found...
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I would agree on depth in the secondary in 08, but first Shada shouldn't count for anything because he was worthless. Also, if we are going to say Clayborn and Sash (will get to him) weren't the players in 08 that they are now, then you can't say Godfrey and Fletcher were good depth because neither really saw the field in 05, to my recollection. So, you really can't say in 05 that they would be good backups knowing what we know now. If you do, then you have to say the same for Clayborn and Sash. As for Sash, his frosh year in 08 may not have been as good as 09, but he is still better than either safety in 05 by a lot. I believe he led the Big XI in INTs in 08, but don't know his tackle numbers off the top of my head. The one thing I will say is that in 08 Greenwood was pretty terrible. To the corners, both pairs were very good for Iowa. However, I'll take Spievey over the other 3. He was probably our best CB in 08, and while not lockdown like 09, he was still well above average, but was overshadowed by a "career" year by Fletcher. Again, it's just my opinion, but I'd take the 08 D every time based on talent and production. 05 probably wasn't as talented, but was super productive, whereas 08 has a lot of talent and wasn't super productive (yet) but just above average. Either way, I'm enjoying your lists. You're doing a great job, and it makes the offseason a little better. :) |
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2005 DE V. Gholston DT Q. Pitcock DT M. Green, D. Patterson DE M. Kudla, J. Richardson OLB B. Carpenter, M. Freeman ILB A. Schlegel, J. Laurinaitis, M. D'Andrea OLB AJ Hawk, C. Terry CB A. Youboty, T. Everett CB M. Jenkins, D. Washington SS D. Whitner, A. Russell FS N. Salley 2002 DE W. Smith, S. Fraser, Kudla DT D. Scott, Pitcock DT Pickett, T. Anderson, M. Green DE K. Peterson, J. Richardson OLB B. Carpenter, Hawk ILB Wihelm, M. D'Andrea OLB C. Grant, R. Reynolds CB C. Gamble CB D. Fox, Underwood SS Doss, T. Everett FS W. Allen, Nickey, Salley The 2002 team has a far superior defensive line with Smith, Pickett and Peterson being on the roster so point for them. The 2005 team has much better linebackers as a group, the 02 team was good but not great and Carpenter was not the player he was later, neither was Hawk, that 05 team Hawk was a monster and Carpenter was as well, much less they have James on the team also, Schegel and Freeman. Then it comes down to the defensive backs, I love Doss and really loved will Allen, and Gamble was a big time play maker. However the 05 team Jenkins is a flat out stud and was forever, Washington was very talented and Youboty was extremely talented. I would also say Whitner was a better safety than Doss in some ways, and Salley was not as good as Will Allen but still solid. However I guess the playmaking ability of Gamble was never matched in 05. So I will agree with you and switch out the 05 defense to the 02 defense because of the defensive backs and the defensive line. |
Pickett was a Ram in 2002. We had Smith/Anderson/Peterson/Scott as our D-Line with Simon Fraser as the main backup at DE and David Thompson the main backup at DT. 2002 DLine was definitely superior but as a unit and in terms of overall talent I agree that 2005 was a better defense. They didn't win the championship that year but it wasn't the defense's fault that the offense got off to a slow start.
This was our 2005 defense, so loaded: DE-David Patterson DT-Marcus Green DT-Quinn Pitcock DE-Mike Kudla WLB-AJ Hawk MLB-Anthony Schlegel SLB-Bobby Carpenter CB-Ashton Youboty CB-Tyler Everett FS-Nate Salley SS-Donte Whitner NB-Malcolm Jenkins not to mention Vernon Gholston who redshirted that year b/c of injury, and James Laurinaitis who was a true freshman and the #4 linebacker. |
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It is a tough call, and since the rosters over lap I cannot have both. Still the playmaking ability of Gamble and the fine player in Will Allen tip it for me. Very tough call though. |
2006 Michigan should be on the list (which is way too biased towards the present, btw). Woodley and Hall were finalists for pretty much every award, and the defense had 2 first team All-Americans + 2 second team All-Americans. Allowed just 43 rushing YPG (lowest by any team since 1985) on 1.9 YPC. One of the most successful in the NFL too.
DE: LaMarr Woodley DT: Terrence Taylor DT: Alan Branch DE: Rondell Biggs WILL: Prescott Burgess MIKE: David Harris SAM: Shawn Crable CB: Leon Hall CB: Morgan Trent SS: Jamar Adams FS: Brandent Engleman |
I'd put 2006 Michigan at the very least over 2007 Illinois.
'06 Michigan #15 Scoring D #1 Rush D #10 Total D #4 sacks #13 tackles for loss DT-Alan Branch, Terrance Taylor DE-LaMarr Woodley, Rondell Biggs DE-Brandon Graham, Tim Jamison OLB-Shawn Crable, Prescott Burgess MLB-David Harris CB-Leon Hall, Morgan Trent S-Jamar Adams, Willis Barringer 2 first rounders, 3 second round picks, 1 third round pick, 10 players currently on NFL rosters. '07 Illinois #13 sacks You already have Illinois' roster up. '06 Michigan finished top 20 in 5 defensive categories, including the #1 rush D in the nation. Illinois was able to finish top 20 in one category, sacks, and '06 Michigan finished higher and had more. How many of the guys from Illinois are even on NFL rosters? '07 Illinois was barely a mediocre defense that year, let alone one of the top 25 defensive units over the past decade. |
that miami group is just ******* dirty
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Good point Michigan could be on there, you say they are better than the 07 Illinois team which I disagree with. The defensive backs on Illinois are far better, V. Davis was a stud, Mitchell was a great college safety and Alan Ball I was a huge fan of. The Michigan safeties I was never a fan of, Engleman was nothing special and Adams never reached his potential. The linebackers yes of course, they are just great on Michigan, but I feel a lot of people underrate Steele as a linebacker and Leman was an absolutely outstanding college player. The defensive line, outside of Woodley is even I feel, Illinois had few absolute stars but a lot of good solid depth, but yes Woodley shifts it for them. End result in my opinion Illinois had better depth in the secondary and on the defensive line but do not have the stars Michigan had. But yes I will have to think about it, because they are possibly better than that South Florida defense. Quote:
And if one wants to play the statistic game, then why did this great Michigan defense get dominated against Ohio State and USC the last two games of the season. In both games gave up season high in points with over 30 each game? That might by why they did not instantly come to mind when thinking of great defenses off the top of my head. Also screams to the issue of competition played, thus I do not look at statistics with such a list, much less the hell it would be to find those statistics ;o) I went on players and yes one can really argue Michigan had better overall players. I was really high on Mitchell and Ball though in college, and I feel their defensive backs again on Illinois are better. But yes if you just look at pro players that is a great defense. I will think about including them on the list. |
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I never said a word about last years Illinois team, unless last year was '07. Briinging up Illinois is completely relevant because you have them on a list of the top 25 best defenses of the last decade. And I'm sorry, there's no way they belong on there. Like, at all. One player got dominated against USC. Morgan Trent. He was the weak point of that defense. If we're playing the "got dominated" game, '07 Illinois gave up 40 to Missouri, 49 to USC. I would completely disagree with Illinois secondary being that much better.Leon Hall was, at worst, equal with Davis, and likely better because he was actually willing to work hard. Technically he was far superior, though david might have had the edge in pure athleticism. Jamar Adams was underrated. Michigan has a big edge in LB, and I'll take Woodley and Branch over anyone on Illinois defense. Throwing in freshman Brandon Graham makes it a no brainer. If you didn't want to put Michigan on there, fine. I realize it's difficult to rank teams. But there's no way that Illinois team should be on there. I'm not even sure I'd put that '06 Florida on the list over '06 Michigan. |
how is 1997, 1998, 1999 in the last decade?
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i thought USC's defense in 2008 was better than in 2005 going on memory but I could be wrong. Maybe it's just b/c the Texas game sticks out from 2005, but I know OSU's defense in 2005 was clearly better than USC's, just ask Vince Young. We beat up on Vince pretty good after the first quarter.
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Seriously, how can a defense be one of the top 25 defenses of the past "decade" if they ranked in the top 20 in exactly one category? Consider the fact that the one category had nothing to do with points and yardage, and you have zero case for Illinois being one of the top 25 defenses of the past decade. It's a stretch that they'd be one of the top 25 defenses of the Big 10 alone for that stretch. |
'07 Illinois
26th in scoring D 83rd (!!!) in passing D 36th in rushing D No matter which way you try to spin it, that's a far cry from one of the top 25 defenses since 1997. |
auburns 2004 13-0 defense was very well rounded. maybe not top 25 cause im biased but they were very good.
Defensive Coordinator was gene chizik (now hc) #1 in PPG defense with 11.2 #5 yards/game 269.6 7/13 opponents held at or under 10 points (4 sec games) 1 shutout 28 was the highest someone got on them. (tenn seccg) it was basically a defense filled with undersized fast players. de - bret eddins, marquis gunn dt - jay ratliff, pat sims dt - tommy jackson de - stanley mcclover, quentin groves olb - karibi dede mlb - travis williams olb - antarrious williams cb - carlos rogers, pat lee fs - will herring ss - junior rosegreen cb - david irons |
Your definition of the last decade is much looser than mine.
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Yeah, he said it was a little more than a decade...
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Wasn't Clay Matthews bench fodder for USC until, like, a quarter of the way through his senior season? In 2005, he was the size of a large safety.
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