[Notorious C.L.E.]

If you could build any defense in the league, who would you put at each position? Personally, I would run a 4-3/3-4 hybrid. I would want the following personnel:

4-3 Defense

Strongside Defensive End - Julius Peppers | Carolina Panthers
Peppers is at home in the 4-3. He has the athleticism of a speed rusher and the physique of a bull rusher. He can single-handedly take over games, which is a rare commodity in a defensive end. Ultimately, he is the best 4-3 defensive end in football today.

Nose Tackle - Jamal Williams | San Diego Chargers
Williams is a wide body in the trenches that occupies multiple blocker. The guy has the size and strength of a bull. He does an excellent job at sniffing out and stopping the run. He is very underrated, but he is the best nose tackle in the league.

Under Tackle - Richard Seymour | New England Patriots
Seymour could thrive in the three-tech, as he creates awkward mismatches for offensive lines. While he hasn't been asked to show it much in the NFL, Seymour is adept at attacking the gaps with pass rushing savvy and brute strength.

Weakside Defensive End - Shawne Merriman | San Diego Chargers
Merriman has exploded onto the NFL scene as a rush linebacker, but he has been very effective in a three-point stance as well. He is an athletically gifted specimen that plays with unparalleled intensity. He would be a nightmare in the 4-3 as well.

Strongside Linebacker - James Farrior | Pittsburgh Steelers
Farrior has played most of his career in the 3-4, but he certainly has the ability to play in the 4-3 as well. He has a very high football IQ, which leads to him being very productive despite not being the most gifted athlete. He can hit the hole, rush the quarterback, or play in space.

Middle Linebacker - Brian Urlacher | Chicago Bears
Urlacher is the most physically impressive linebacker in the NFL. He has a rare package that blends speed and size into a fearsome one-two punch. He is the consummate middle linebacker, as he can direct the defense on the field and do anything asked of him.

Weakside Linebacker - Adalius Thomas | Baltimore Ravens
Thomas is perhaps the most underrated player in the NFL, but I hope his recent publicity gets him the recognition he deserves. He has freakish athleticism and versatility. He can stop the run. He can get after the quarterback. He can drop back in coverage. He can do everything.

Cornerback - Champ Bailey | Denver Broncos
Bailey the Beast. When opposing teams sit in the film room to study the Broncos defense, they know that half the field is off-limits come gameday. Simply put, he never gets beat. The guy has an unbelievable penchant for stopping scoring drives. Oh yeah, he's their best run defender too.

Free Safety - Ed Reed | Baltimore Ravens
Reed may be the best safety since Ronnie Lott. He is the definition of a playmaker in the secondary. He is without a doubt the best ballhawk in the NFL and can thrive in man-to-man situation as well. He can line up a variety of position and plays the box too.

Strong Safety - Troy Polamalu | Pittsburgh Steelers
Polamalu has an elite combination of athleticism and instincts. His range in coverage is jaw-dropping and he has a knack to fill passing lanes quickly. He is aggressive in pursuit, fills in against the run, brings the heat on the blitz, and delivers big hits to those that come over the middle.

Cornerback - Chris McAlister | Baltimore Ravens
McAlister is an athletic, big, physical corner that deters quarterbacks and punishes wide receivers. He is excellent in pattern recognition and his instincts are top-notch. While he is well above average in terms of coverage ability, his physicality at the line separates him from the pack.

3-4 Defense

Strongside Defensive End - Julius Peppers | Carolina Panthers
Peppers would not have his talent maximized in the 3-4, but he certainly could handle it. He would command double teams, which would let linebackers fly around the field. He is strong enough at the point of attack and fast enough off the ball to defend the run as a two-gap.

Nose Tackle - Jamal Williams | San Diego Chargers
Williams is the piece that defenses build the 3-4 around -- the nose tackle. He is the ideal fit for the bill: (1) Big enough at 6-3, 350 lbs. (2) Strong enough to occupy multiple blockers. (3) Talented enough to shut down the run and collapse the pocket.

Weakside Defensive End - Richard Seymour | New England Patriots
Seymour has excelled in the 3-4 since being drafted by New England. He is stout at the point of attack and reacts quickly to the run. He is one of the best tacticians in the game, as he manipulates his man to gain control of the leverage battle. Even in the 3-4, he has still generated pressure.

Strong Outside Linebacker - Shawne Merriman | San Diego Chargers
Merriman has galactic potential in the 3-4 as a rush linebacker. In fact, I think he is on par with Derrick Thomas and second only to Lawrence Taylor. He is a genetic freak that burns the edge and dominates his man with a varied pass rushing repertoire.

Strong Inside Linebacker - James Farrior | Pittsburgh Steelers
Farrior is the best 3-4 inside linebacker in the NFL. His timing on 3-4 delay blitzes are a thing of beauty. He does a very good job at filling against inside runs and has the lateral mobility to pursue outside. In addition, his coverage ability is such that he can provide support in that aspect.

Weak Inside Linebacker - Brian Urlacher | Chicago Bears
Urlacher probably would not be as good in a 3-4, but he would still be a force to be reckon with. His sideline-to-sideline and coverage abilities are enviable, and while he can come up to defend the run, he is more comfortable in space.

Weak Outside Linebacker - Adalius Thomas | Baltimore Ravens
Thomas' versatility would make him deadly in a 3-4. He would be able to really pressure the quarterback when asked, but would also be an asset in run support and pass coverage. Watching him sift through trash amazes me at times, another aspect important to the 3-4. He would be dominant.

Cornerback - Champ Bailey | Denver Broncos
(See above.)

Free Safety - Ed Reed | Baltimore Ravens
(See above.)

Strong Safety - Troy Polamalu | Pittsburgh Steelers
(See above.)

Cornerback - Chris McAlister | Baltimore Ravens
(See above.)

[simple simon]

i like the 4-3
but i would have to replace McAlister with Asante Samuel

[EmpireWF]

I'll go with the 4-3...3/4 is too complicated for me right now lol.

DEs...Julius Peppers and Michael Strahan (when healthy)
DTs...Jamal Williams and DeWayne Robertson
OLBs...Merrimen and A. Thomas
MLB...Vilma (just to be diff't)
CBs....Bailey and Pacman Jones (and Ronde Barber)
S'....Ed Reed and Polamalu (and Brian Dawkins)

[Nuke]

Your knowledge of football is unparalled. Your kind of like the Yoda of the NFL. You should replace Madden cuz he just says obvious stuff like that comedian who imitates him (Frank Calienetto) says. You have real insight C.L.E. But soon people will be saying Kerry Rhodes is the best strong safety.

Originally Posted by Notorious C.L.E.

If you could build any defense in the league, who would you put at each position? Personally, I would run a 4-3/3-4 hybrid. I would want the following personnel:

4-3 Defense

Strongside Defensive End - Julius Peppers | Carolina Panthers
Peppers is at home in the 4-3. He has the athleticism of a speed rusher and the physique of a bull rusher. He can single-handedly take over games, which is a rare commodity in a defensive end. Ultimately, he is the best 4-3 defensive end in football today.

Nose Tackle - Jamal Williams | San Diego Chargers
Williams is a wide body in the trenches that occupies multiple blocker. The guy has the size and strength of a bull. He does an excellent job at sniffing out and stopping the run. He is very underrated, but he is the best nose tackle in the league.

Under Tackle - Richard Seymour | New England Patriots
Seymour could thrive in the three-tech, as he creates awkward mismatches for offensive lines. While he hasn't been asked to show it much in the NFL, Seymour is adept at attacking the gaps with pass rushing savvy and brute strength.

Weakside Defensive End - Shawne Merriman | San Diego Chargers
Merriman has exploded onto the NFL scene as a rush linebacker, but he has been very effective in a three-point stance as well. He is an athletically gifted specimen that plays with unparalleled intensity. He would be a nightmare in the 4-3 as well.

Strongside Linebacker - James Farrior | Pittsburgh Steelers
Farrior has played most of his career in the 3-4, but he certainly has the ability to play in the 4-3 as well. He has a very high football IQ, which leads to him being very productive despite not being the most gifted athlete. He can hit the hole, rush the quarterback, or play in space.

Middle Linebacker - Brian Urlacher | Chicago Bears
Urlacher is the most physically impressive linebacker in the NFL. He has a rare package that blends speed and size into a fearsome one-two punch. He is the consummate middle linebacker, as he can direct the defense on the field and do anything asked of him.

Weakside Linebacker - Adalius Thomas | Baltimore Ravens
Thomas is perhaps the most underrated player in the NFL, but I hope his recent publicity gets him the recognition he deserves. He has freakish athleticism and versatility. He can stop the run. He can get after the quarterback. He can drop back in coverage. He can do everything.

Cornerback - Champ Bailey | Denver Broncos
Bailey the Beast. When opposing teams sit in the film room to study the Broncos defense, they know that half the field is off-limits come gameday. Simply put, he never gets beat. The guy has an unbelievable penchant for stopping scoring drives. Oh yeah, he's their best run defender too.

Free Safety - Ed Reed | Baltimore Ravens
Reed may be the best safety since Ronnie Lott. He is the definition of a playmaker in the secondary. He is without a doubt the best ballhawk in the NFL and can thrive in man-to-man situation as well. He can line up a variety of position and plays the box too.

Strong Safety - Troy Polamalu | Pittsburgh Steelers
Polamalu has an elite combination of athleticism and instincts. His range in coverage is jaw-dropping and he has a knack to fill passing lanes quickly. He is aggressive in pursuit, fills in against the run, brings the heat on the blitz, and delivers big hits to those that come over the middle.

Cornerback - Chris McAlister | Baltimore Ravens
McAlister is an athletic, big, physical corner that deters quarterbacks and punishes wide receivers. He is excellent in pattern recognition and his instincts are top-notch. While he is well above average in terms of coverage ability, his physicality at the line separates him from the pack.

3-4 Defense

Strongside Defensive End - Julius Peppers | Carolina Panthers
Peppers would not have his talent maximized in the 3-4, but he certainly could handle it. He would command double teams, which would let linebackers fly around the field. He is strong enough at the point of attack and fast enough off the ball to defend the run as a two-gap.

Nose Tackle - Jamal Williams | San Diego Chargers
Williams is the piece that defenses build the 3-4 around -- the nose tackle. He is the ideal fit for the bill: (1) Big enough at 6-3, 350 lbs. (2) Strong enough to occupy multiple blockers. (3) Talented enough to shut down the run and collapse the pocket.

Weakside Defensive End - Richard Seymour | New England Patriots
Seymour has excelled in the 3-4 since being drafted by New England. He is stout at the point of attack and reacts quickly to the run. He is one of the best tacticians in the game, as he manipulates his man to gain control of the leverage battle. Even in the 3-4, he has still generated pressure.

Strong Outside Linebacker - Shawne Merriman | San Diego Chargers
Merriman has galactic potential in the 3-4 as a rush linebacker. In fact, I think he is on par with Derrick Thomas and second only to Lawrence Taylor. He is a genetic freak that burns the edge and dominates his man with a varied pass rushing repertoire.

Strong Inside Linebacker - James Farrior | Pittsburgh Steelers
Farrior is the best 3-4 inside linebacker in the NFL. His timing on 3-4 delay blitzes are a thing of beauty. He does a very good job at filling against inside runs and has the lateral mobility to pursue outside. In addition, his coverage ability is such that he can provide support in that aspect.

Weak Inside Linebacker - Brian Urlacher | Chicago Bears
Urlacher probably would not be as good in a 3-4, but he would still be a force to be reckon with. His sideline-to-sideline and coverage abilities are enviable, and while he can come up to defend the run, he is more comfortable in space.

Weak Outside Linebacker - Adalius Thomas | Baltimore Ravens
Thomas' versatility would make him deadly in a 3-4. He would be able to really pressure the quarterback when asked, but would also be an asset in run support and pass coverage. Watching him sift through trash amazes me at times, another aspect important to the 3-4. He would be dominant.

Cornerback - Champ Bailey | Denver Broncos
(See above.)

Free Safety - Ed Reed | Baltimore Ravens
(See above.)

Strong Safety - Troy Polamalu | Pittsburgh Steelers
(See above.)

Cornerback - Chris McAlister | Baltimore Ravens
(See above.)

[ThePundit]

Notorius CLE: Great Post.

Here are my disagreements on your picks:

3-4
Farrior over Ray Lewis at SILB? I think Vilma is better than Farrior also. Akin Oydele on Dallas is also good as Farrior...

4-3
It seems like you're moving guys out of position when there's no reason to.

You put Farrior outside? ],.....Put Sean Merriman there, that's where he belongs. Then you can put Bobby McCray at Jacksonville or Trevor Pryce of Baltimore at left end . I'd also rather have DeMarcus Ware outside than Farrior.


Also, I wouldn't put Richard Seymour at left tackle. He's an end. There are plenty of good left tackles - take your pick: Pat williams, Minnesota - Tommy Harris Chicago, Keith Traylor Miami who put up good numbers who know how to play the position

Also, give me Ty Law over Champ Bailey at corner.

Great post.

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Notorius CLE: Great Post.

Here are my disagreements on your picks:

3-4
Farrior over Ray Lewis at SILB? I think Vilma is better than Farrior also. Akin Oydele on Dallas is also good as Farrior...

4-3
It seems like you're moving guys out of position when there's no reason to.

You put Farrior outside? ],.....Put Sean Merriman there, that's where he belongs. Then you can put Bobby McCray at Jacksonville or Trevor Pryce of Baltimore at left end . I'd also rather have DeMarcus Ware outside than Farrior.


Also, I wouldn't put Richard Seymour at left tackle. He's an end. There are plenty of good left tackles - take your pick: Pat williams, Minnesota - Tommy Harris Chicago, Keith Traylor Miami who put up good numbers who know how to play the position

Also, give me Ty Law over Champ Bailey at corner.

Great post.

Farrior is easily one of the top 3-4 inside linebackers in the NFL. He may not have the star power, but he plays at a tremendously high level. I would take him over both Ray Lewis and Jonathon Vilma. Lewis isn't getting any younger and is not built for the 3-4 like Farrior. Vilma is an outstanding talent, but he is best suited as a 4-3 middle linebacker that makes plays sideline-to-sideline. His experiences in the 3-4 have been pretty rough this year. Akin Ayodele is solid as well, but I would take his teammate Bradie James before him. Ayodele has a tendency to wear down against the run.

The 4-3 defense was made using the same players that were in the 3-4. The premise of the thread was to take eleven NFL players and construct a defense. I took eleven guys that could play multiple schemes effectively, so you could get creative in your gameplans. Naturally, some players are going to be at position they haven't been at so far in their NFL career. However, that does not mean they could not play their respective positions in the defense.

I admit Farrior wouldn't be a stud outside, but he wouldn't be a weakness per se. Merriman plays outside in the 3-4. The responsibilities of a 4-3 outside linebacker and a 3-4 outside linebacker are different. Using Merriman outside in a 4-3 wouldn't maximize his strength as a player, which is to generate pressure on the quarterback. Likewise, while Richard Seymor plays 3-4 defensive end normally, his skillset grants him the ability to be a three-technique in the 4-3. Just watch film of him at Georgia.

Ty Law over Champ Bailey?

[ThePundit]

I was looking at Law's career, I guess. The guy was an interception machine. I always thought Champ Bailey as a bit overrated but I haven't watched him that closely.

[MJHMarc]

I always liked Ty Law, even though he deserted the Jets.

[Nuke]

Just out of curiosity guys, how would you rate Dewayne Robertson as a DT in the 3-4. I mean I hear how he's not doing well yet a look at his stats shows that his numbers aren't far from Jamal Wiliams even at NT. If you had to rate the top nose tackles/defensive linemen in the league what number would Robertson be at about?

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

I was looking at Law's career, I guess. The guy was an interception machine. I always thought Champ Bailey as a bit overrated but I haven't watched him that closely.

Ty Law in his prime would be very close to Champ Bailey. Couldn't fault a pick either way.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Notorious C.L.E.

Farrior is easily one of the top 3-4 inside linebackers in the NFL. He may not have the star power, but he plays at a tremendously high level. I would take him over both Ray Lewis and Jonathon Vilma. Lewis isn't getting any younger and is not built for the 3-4 like Farrior. Vilma is an outstanding talent, but he is best suited as a 4-3 middle linebacker that makes plays sideline-to-sideline. His experiences in the 3-4 have been pretty rough this year. Akin Ayodele is solid as well, but I would take his teammate Bradie James before him. Ayodele has a tendency to wear down against the run.

The 4-3 defense was made using the same players that were in the 3-4. The premise of the thread was to take eleven NFL players and construct a defense. I took eleven guys that could play multiple schemes effectively, so you could get creative in your gameplans. Naturally, some players are going to be at position they haven't been at so far in their NFL career. However, that does not mean they could not play their respective positions in the defense.

I admit Farrior wouldn't be a stud outside, but he wouldn't be a weakness per se. Merriman plays outside in the 3-4. The responsibilities of a 4-3 outside linebacker and a 3-4 outside linebacker are different. Using Merriman outside in a 4-3 wouldn't maximize his strength as a player, which is to generate pressure on the quarterback. Likewise, while Richard Seymor plays 3-4 defensive end normally, his skillset grants him the ability to be a three-technique in the 4-3. Just watch film of him at Georgia.

Ty Law over Champ Bailey?

Yes, but can you build a good one if we tossed you a salary cap...

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Originally Posted by Nuke

Just out of curiosity guys, how would you rate Dewayne Robertson as a DT in the 3-4. I mean I hear how he's not doing well yet a look at his stats shows that his numbers aren't far from Jamal Wiliams even at NT. If you had to rate the top nose tackles/defensive linemen in the league what number would Robertson be at about?

DeWayne Robertson is serviceable as a nose tackle, but he could be upgraded. He has excellent potential in the 3-4 as he is prototypical size, but he needs some refinement. I have the following nose tackle rankings for each system:

3-4 Nose Tackles:

1.) Jamal Williams | San Diego Chargers
2.) Casey Hampton | Pittsburgh Steelers
3.) Vince Wilfork | New England Patriots
4.) Jason Ferguson | Dallas Cowboys
5.) DeWayne Robertson | New York Jets
6.) Ted Washington | Cleveland Browns
7.) Anthony Adams | San Francisco 49ers

4-3 Nose Tackles:

1.) John Henderson | Jacksonville Jaguars
2a.) Pat Williams | Minnesota Vikings
2b.) Shaun Rodgers | Detroit Lions
4.) Albert Haynesworth | Tennessee Titans
5.) Kelly Gregg | Baltimore Ravens
6.) Marcus Tubbs | Seattle Seahawks
7.) Sam Adams | Cincinnati Bengals

Those are probably my seven deep rankings of nose tackles in each system, but the 4-3 is very tough after Pat Williams and Shaun Rodgers. I would probably have DeWayne Robertson in my 20-25 range for defensive linemen, but I couldn't say for sure.

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Yes, but can you build a good one if we tossed you a salary cap...

Sounds like fun.

[candlejack]

I am impressed with everyones knowledge of todays players, but, how about an all-time defense? What would your feelings be about an all-time defense using players since the merger? I would like to hear thoughts about that. I know there are a few of you out there who can remember that far back.