The NFL's top five pass-rushers
In a crowded field of elite pass-rushers, Dallas' DeMarcus Ware tops the list
By Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.
ESPN Insider
We hear it continuously: The NFL has become a quarterbacks league. Quarterbacks are more protected in the pocket today, and the rules favor the passing game more than ever. Because of the increased pressure on opposing secondaries, pass-rushers who can pressure the pocket without the aid of extra defenders are premium commodities.
Here are the five guys who do it best today in the NFL, with honorable mentions included at the bottom:
<offer>1. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
Ware finished second in sacks in the NFL this season with 19.5, but he is still first in my book by a rather large margin. His body of work since entering the league is simply outstanding. Ware is on pace to rival the greatest pass-rushers in NFL history. This year, he got less help from those around him, as Anthony Spencer was only average and the Cowboys' defensive ends and back-six defenders/blitzers were very ordinary in getting after the passer. With his long body type, he looks like a souped-up sprinter, and that shows in his initial get-off. But Ware is also a superb technician with his pass-rush moves, and he's as competitive as anyone. He is the total package as a pass-rusher.
2. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings
Many look at Allen, this year's sack leader with a whopping 22 tallies, and think that he generates the majority of his gaudy statistics from his nonstop motor. While I can't deny that his motor never quits and he is relentless in his will to get to the quarterback, he is also a vastly underrated athlete for a 4-3 defensive end. Allen has a great understanding of leverage, and hand placement in particular, but he also has every pass-rush move in the book. It wasn't like Allen's Vikings were playing with a ton of big leads on his path to 22 sacks, which makes this feat even more impressive.
3. Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
Hali is a truly great player and pass-rusher. For much of his career, and this season, Hali has gotten little help from his teammates pressuring opposing quarterbacks. And every offense that Kansas City faces goes well out of its way to ensure that Hali doesn't ruin the passing game. Hali "bends the edge" as well as any edge player in the league today. He gets his shoulder very low with excellent knee bend, and without losing speed or power. Hali also has great power and can bull rush offensive tackles who are much bigger than him. He, too, has fantastic hand usage, and his motor never stops.
4. Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants
Pierre-Paul has the potential to be better than any of the players on this list. Seriously. His upside is like that of few players in this league at any position, as Pierre-Paul is truly an athletic freak. Human beings with his amazing dimensions and rare body type simply should not be able to move like he can in terms of his speed, explosiveness, body control and balance. He is also extremely powerful and quickly learning how to combine all of these elements to dominate with leverage and technique, which is still a work in progress. Pierre-Paul got to opposing quarterbacks 16.5 times during the regular season. Just wait and see the results once he becomes a finished product. It could be truly amazing.
5. Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens
As evidenced by the extensive "honorable mention" list below, there are a ton of great candidates in contention for this fifth spot. I had no problem picking the top four, but this final position on the list was very difficult to select. Suggs had a fantastic 2011 season, though, and will be right at the top of the list for Defensive Player of the Year honors. He could win that award not just because of his pass-rushing skills, but because he is a fantastic all-around football player with great position versatility, strip-sack skills, run defense and even coverage skills. But for the sake of this list, we are discussing pass rushing. Suggs is more physical than the four players listed above him and has more of a rugged demeanor, which fits in extremely well in Baltimore.
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In a crowded field of elite pass-rushers, Dallas' DeMarcus Ware tops the list
By Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.
ESPN Insider
We hear it continuously: The NFL has become a quarterbacks league. Quarterbacks are more protected in the pocket today, and the rules favor the passing game more than ever. Because of the increased pressure on opposing secondaries, pass-rushers who can pressure the pocket without the aid of extra defenders are premium commodities.
Here are the five guys who do it best today in the NFL, with honorable mentions included at the bottom:
<offer>1. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
Ware finished second in sacks in the NFL this season with 19.5, but he is still first in my book by a rather large margin. His body of work since entering the league is simply outstanding. Ware is on pace to rival the greatest pass-rushers in NFL history. This year, he got less help from those around him, as Anthony Spencer was only average and the Cowboys' defensive ends and back-six defenders/blitzers were very ordinary in getting after the passer. With his long body type, he looks like a souped-up sprinter, and that shows in his initial get-off. But Ware is also a superb technician with his pass-rush moves, and he's as competitive as anyone. He is the total package as a pass-rusher.
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2. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings
Many look at Allen, this year's sack leader with a whopping 22 tallies, and think that he generates the majority of his gaudy statistics from his nonstop motor. While I can't deny that his motor never quits and he is relentless in his will to get to the quarterback, he is also a vastly underrated athlete for a 4-3 defensive end. Allen has a great understanding of leverage, and hand placement in particular, but he also has every pass-rush move in the book. It wasn't like Allen's Vikings were playing with a ton of big leads on his path to 22 sacks, which makes this feat even more impressive.
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3. Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
Hali is a truly great player and pass-rusher. For much of his career, and this season, Hali has gotten little help from his teammates pressuring opposing quarterbacks. And every offense that Kansas City faces goes well out of its way to ensure that Hali doesn't ruin the passing game. Hali "bends the edge" as well as any edge player in the league today. He gets his shoulder very low with excellent knee bend, and without losing speed or power. Hali also has great power and can bull rush offensive tackles who are much bigger than him. He, too, has fantastic hand usage, and his motor never stops.
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4. Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants
Pierre-Paul has the potential to be better than any of the players on this list. Seriously. His upside is like that of few players in this league at any position, as Pierre-Paul is truly an athletic freak. Human beings with his amazing dimensions and rare body type simply should not be able to move like he can in terms of his speed, explosiveness, body control and balance. He is also extremely powerful and quickly learning how to combine all of these elements to dominate with leverage and technique, which is still a work in progress. Pierre-Paul got to opposing quarterbacks 16.5 times during the regular season. Just wait and see the results once he becomes a finished product. It could be truly amazing.
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5. Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens
As evidenced by the extensive "honorable mention" list below, there are a ton of great candidates in contention for this fifth spot. I had no problem picking the top four, but this final position on the list was very difficult to select. Suggs had a fantastic 2011 season, though, and will be right at the top of the list for Defensive Player of the Year honors. He could win that award not just because of his pass-rushing skills, but because he is a fantastic all-around football player with great position versatility, strip-sack skills, run defense and even coverage skills. But for the sake of this list, we are discussing pass rushing. Suggs is more physical than the four players listed above him and has more of a rugged demeanor, which fits in extremely well in Baltimore.
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