Written by TZ McD at Gunaxin
We have all heard the phrase, “Defense wins championships.” It is the one sports quote that will always be true in the NFL. It is rare that a team with a great offense and a bad defense wins a Super Bowl. In fact, it is probably never going to happen. You have to learn how to stop the opponent to consistently win enough games to be a World Champion.
The 1976 Oakland Raiders, 2006 Indianapolis Colts, 2011 New York Giants, 2012 Baltimore Ravens are the only four teams to have a defense ranked outside the top ten in the NFL in overall yards and points and still go on to win a Super Bowl. That is only four times in the 50 year history of the game which means that 92% of the time, the Super Bowl champion has a defense ranked in the top ten in points and yards.
Defense is important. The NFL is changing and offenses are bringing in all sorts of options, tricks, and even extra lineman to catch passes just to fool a defense and score points. In honor of the hard-working defenders around the NFL, this is the Ultimate list of the best defensive players we could put together into one unit. Enjoy.
DE – Reggie White, Philadelphia Eagles
Try stopping Reggie White before he shoves you aside. Just do it. You have no choice if you are the offensive line trying to block him. His first move was so quick and deadly, he finished his career with the most sacks in NFL history with 198. Bruce Smith came along and topped him with 200 but that was a couple of years later.
DT – Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers
You don’t get the nickname “Mean” Joe Greene because you are the nicest guy on the football field. You get it because you literally kill your opponents. He was a giant that pushed o-lineman aside like leftover Thanksgiving turkey legs. He was about as close to unstoppable as a wrecking ball hitting a styrofoam wall.
To continue reading this article, click here
