Top 5 End of The Year Rankings - Page 2

bigbluedefense · 12-11-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *** Ork Wang

well Nick Roach is capable of starting and is sharing time with Hunter and Jamar Williams was supposed to start so i dont really see depth as a reason

its how the depth effects the performance of the team.

put it this way, if Briggs or Urlacher went down, the depth at LB isn't good enough that you wouldn't see a drop in production, bc you would see a significant drop. Esp if Urlacher goes down.

EJ Henderson goes down (fringe PB caliber MIKE imo) and they don't miss a beat. Thats why I mentioned chemistry. The way that LB core plays as a unit, one of their 3 can go down, and they have the depth behind them that they would lose little production without one of their starters.

DiG · 12-11-2008, 11:18 AM

im liking the love for the skins secondary. they have been shut down this year and whats even more impressive is that they are doing it without a pass rush. if we could get any pressure on the quarterback than our secondary could be even better. horton has been a big part of our success this year allowing landry to free up more and carlos shocked a lot of fans coming back from injury the way he has.

captainjack27 · 12-11-2008, 11:40 AM

Pitts Secondary is playing top 5 right now. Polamalu is a DPOY candidate. Taylor is playing like a pro bowler (finally) McFadden was playing extremely well before the injury. Clark and Townshead are also playing well.

UKfan · 12-11-2008, 12:11 PM

I find it humorous that the Colts rank nowhere in the top 5 for anything :) It's probably true as well

bored of education · 12-11-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKfan

I find it humorous that the Colts rank nowhere in the top 5 for anything :) It's probably true as well

top 5 Qb. that alone will get you to a .500 record (sometimes)

bigbluedefense · 12-11-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKfan

I find it humorous that the Colts rank nowhere in the top 5 for anything :) It's probably true as well

they just haven't played very well this year. theyre collectively a middle of the pack team with Peyton Manning at qb to neutralize all the inadequacies.

The defense on paper/stats sounds good, but its not. Its not top 5 in anything, the team as a whole isn't top 5 in anything.

But that by no means says that theyre not a good/solid team. Bc they are. Theyre solid but not spectacular. But solid is good enough.

UKfan · 12-11-2008, 12:23 PM

I was tempted to fight for the WR core being top 5, pretty much based off Denver being in there, but that might be the homer in me.

kalbears13 · 12-11-2008, 12:24 PM

It's sad to see Cleveland's O-Line to go from #1 in the preseason rankings to not even in the Top 5 without any big injuries.

bearsfan_51 · 12-11-2008, 12:25 PM

No tight ends? Come on sucka..give the Bears some love.

bearsfan_51 · 12-11-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

more depth.

I like Briggs better than any of the individual players in Minny's LB core, but their overall chemistry and depth and performance put them ahead of Chicago.

Dude.....dude. Dude. No. Just....no. Their performance? Put Pat and Kevin Williams in front of Urlacher and Briggs and they would each have 150 tackles.

regoob2 · 12-11-2008, 12:28 PM

No well in hell are Minnys LBs better than the Bears.

12-11-2008, 12:29 PM

I'm fine with these rankings as long as its supposed to be understood that the Titan's LBs are #6. Keith Bulluck/David Thornton is a machine.

regoob2 · 12-11-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

its how the depth effects the performance of the team.

put it this way, if Briggs or Urlacher went down, the depth at LB isn't good enough that you wouldn't see a drop in production, bc you would see a significant drop. Esp if Urlacher goes down.

EJ Henderson goes down (fringe PB caliber MIKE imo) and they don't miss a beat. Thats why I mentioned chemistry. The way that LB core plays as a unit, one of their 3 can go down, and they have the depth behind them that they would lose little production without one of their starters.

You see good depth I see overrated starter. Urlacher and Briggs would be neck and neck for D-MVP if they had that line in front of them.

bigbluedefense · 12-11-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearsfan_51

Dude.....dude. Dude. No. Just....no. Their performance? Put Pat and Kevin Williams in front of Urlacher and Briggs and they would each have 150 tackles.

The Bears dline is no chop liver either, although its no way as good this year as in years past.

its hard to evaluate all of these units based on this year's performance without playing favortism or allowing too much external factors to influence your rankings.

its a tossup, but i just like their depth more.

ChezPower4 · 12-11-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

Its not just about turnovers though. They give up too many yards, and the competition up top is too competitive for me to knock any of those 5 off of the list for GB.

I know the front 7's inadequacies are a large reason for their misfortunes, but like i said, im basing my rankings off of this year, so its hard to throw them in that list above any of the 5 i listed.

We give up a lot of yards on the ground not through the air.

bigbluedefense · 12-11-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearsfan_51

No tight ends? Come on sucka..give the Bears some love.

its so hard ranking TE duos. most 2nd TEs barely get any recognition, its hard to know every single one of em and rank accordingly. so i just left them out.

bored of education · 12-11-2008, 01:50 PM

Tony G and Brad Cottam > all :)

MasterShake · 12-11-2008, 02:49 PM

I think SF deserves some mention for 3-4 LB core although I understand that they are an irrelevant team right now...but...

OLB - Parys Haralson - Has been a solid pass rusher and all around player - 7 sacks this year so far.

ILB - Patrick Willis - Possibly the best linebacker in the league regardless of scheme.

ILB - TKO Spikes - Has played the TED LB spot very well for us this year, really has been a pleasant surprise.

OLB - Manny Lawson - Started the year slow due to recovery from the torn ACL, but has really back into form as of late. He is more of a coverage/run stopper...but has some pass rush ability.

I think they might beat out the SD this year for your #5 spot.

Gay Ork Wang · 12-11-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

The Bears dline is no chop liver either, although its no way as good this year as in years past.

its hard to evaluate all of these units based on this year's performance without playing favortism or allowing too much external factors to influence your rankings.

its a tossup, but i just like their depth more.

i still dont get the depth argument. Maybe EJ Henderson was just not that special so that he could be easily replaced as long as the Williams Wall is still there

gsorace · 12-11-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

LB core (3-4):
2. NYJ

Really? I wouldn't put them in the top 5 and I'm a Jets fan.

Harris is awesome, and Pace is good, but not great, and that's it.

Thomas and Barton wouldn't be starters on most teams, and Gholston can't even get playing time.

bigbluedefense · 12-11-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsorace

Really? I wouldn't put them in the top 5 and I'm a Jets fan.

Harris is awesome, and Pace is good, but not great, and that's it.

Thomas and Barton wouldn't be starters on most teams, and Gholston can't even get playing time.

I think youre underrating your guys. Barton is having a career year, and Thomas is also playing great again now that your dline is respectable. The Jets generate a lot of pressure on the qb as well, and are great against the run.

Even without Gholston, that LB core has been good.

MichaelJordanEberle (sabf) · 12-11-2008, 06:41 PM

I question Denver's OL. I haven't been able to watch much Denver because of my job taking up my Sundays, but from what I've seen, and highlights, Cutler still seems to be the guy making the plays by evading pressure and using his quick release. Not to say they haven't been much improved, because they certainly have and are a big reason the sack count is down this year. I just don't think they're quite as good as the sack number would indicate. Look to be solid in run blocking of late though. We could use a gamebreaking RB.

bigbluedefense · 12-11-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CutlerChris

I question Denver's OL. I haven't been able to watch much Denver because of my job taking up my Sundays, but from what I've seen, and highlights, Cutler still seems to be the guy making the plays by evading pressure and using his quick release. Not to say they haven't been much improved, because they certainly have and are a big reason the sack count is down this year. I just don't think they're quite as good as the sack number would indicate. Look to be solid in run blocking of late though. We could use a gamebreaking RB.

in regards to the oline, you make a great point.

however, i can say the exact same thing about the Giants oline. esp in terms of pass protection, Eli makes it look MUCH much better than it really is with his audibling and pocket presence.

but how do we evaluate olines with factoring in the qb? its almost impossible. Look at the NE oline without Brady. Or what the Denver oline would be without Cutler.

I ranked them based on the performance we can evaluate, it would be too difficult to rank them based on the Xs and Os of it. Id need an entire offseason and a lot of coffee to do that.

So as far as pass protection goes, I had to negate the qb factor. I put a heavier emphasis on run blocking to make up for it. I do think their oline is greatly improved in pass protection though. Clady has done wonders for that oline.

niel89 · 12-11-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

Suggs is a linemen, from the games ive seen Baltimore runs a lot more 4-3 than they do 3-4 so i considered them a 4-3 team.

Scott isn't all that.

Lewis and Johnson are great, but not good enough to knock off any of the top 5.

when you put in these terms, I have to agree. If you view Baltimore as a 4-3 then their LBs aren't top 5. I've been really happy with the way Johnson has played this year.

MichaelJordanEberle (sabf) · 12-11-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

in regards to the oline, you make a great point.

however, i can say the exact same thing about the Giants oline. esp in terms of pass protection, Eli makes it look MUCH much better than it really is with his audibling and pocket presence.

but how do we evaluate olines with factoring in the qb? its almost impossible. Look at the NE oline without Brady. Or what the Denver oline would be without Cutler.

I ranked them based on the performance we can evaluate, it would be too difficult to rank them based on the Xs and Os of it. Id need an entire offseason and a lot of coffee to do that.

So as far as pass protection goes, I had to negate the qb factor. I put a heavier emphasis on run blocking to make up for it. I do think their oline is greatly improved in pass protection though. Clady has done wonders for that oline.

Ahh okay I see. Makes sense. And yes, they're much improved, especially Clady, I think the number 1 area Cutler has improved in is fumbles. 8 in 5 games with a terrible LT as a rookie, 11 in 16(basically 15) games with a once great, but no longer very good LT as a sophomore, and only 5 in 11 games this year. He hasn't been getting hit in the blind side nearly as often, but his release has sped up as well.