http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-dlinerankings062810 

Packers ranked well behind everybody else in the North, 20th overall. Really? Does this guy even watch football?

20. Green Bay Packers: Over the past four years, Green Bay has become the home of defensive linemen with unrealized potential. Cullen Jenkins(notes) never seems to stay healthy. Johnny Jolly(notes) never seems to stay out of trouble. B.J. Raji(notes) wasnt consistent as a rookie in 09. Justin Harrell(notes) just never seems. Bottom line, its pretty damning when journeyman Ryan Pickett(notes) is the most consistent guy on the depth chart. In fairness, theres still plenty of time for Raji. But barring a stunning shift, the rest of the guys are what they are.

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I couldn't disagree with this person's analysis more. Pickett hasn't been a journeyman since he's come to Green Bay. In fact, going back to his last year in St. Louis, he's been one of the more consistent DTs in the game. I would take him over Shaun Rodgers for example, who most people rank as an elite player.

I also don't buy the argument that Raji didn't make an impact last year. First half of the season he didn't, but re-watching the games this Summer, he was solid in the second half. He was making plays in the backfield and pursuing the ball carrier. His presence was felt.

The article also puts a big emphasis on players such as N. Suh and Gerald McCoy, but doesn't take into account the potential impact that Raji could make this season by improving from within.

Also, Jenkins had a great season a year ago as well. I expect him to get the franchise tag if there is a CBA next season. For all his shenanigans off the field, Jolly is a good player.

Quite frankly, Green Bay has a top ten unit. They weren't No. 1 in rush defense by accident.

Other things worth noting....

Chicago is overrated. Tommie Harris hasn't made an impact in awhile. I recall Josh Sitton pretty much dominating him in the opener and I like Sitton, but he's not an elite guard. I would rate Jenkins as the better overall player between those two. Peppers is a home run though.

New Orleans doesn't have a strong front. Will Smith is solid and Sedrick Ellis is emerging, but the dirty hits they took on Favre to rattle him shouldn't make them a top ten unit. I suspect they're that high because of that one game.

Comparing Wasington's defensive front as a 3-4 unit to Green Bay's is laughable.

Not sure about Houston. It seems like the writer puts a big emphasis on whether or not you have an elite player on your line.

Atlanta's defensive line has been a problem for a few years now. That I don't get.

The Jets even have problems on their line. They need work at DE. Their pressure comes from their scheme and not so much their ability to push with their front line.

It's an opinion piece, but the meat and potatoes of the breakdowns team by team is shaky.

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dude wow 20.............. we had the 1st ranked rush defense in the NFL and idk how we could not do that without are Defensive line plus I agree he prob doesn't watch football at all and plus the LIONS....... are rated higher than us Jesus even the bears cmon now... i would rank us at least in the top ten like 9th or 8th ranked ahead of the lions and bears

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I don't get the comment about Jenkins never seeming to stay healthy. He's been around for awhile now, and the only year I can remember him missing significant time with an injury was 2008. And Pickett is a journeyman? He's only with his second team, and he's been a starter for his entire career. Just a dumb article.

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lol. dude. Jenkins and Jolly were pretty f00kin' amazing last year. i think homeboy has a bias.

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A journeyman is someone who had a long career (for an NFL player) on 2 different teams? Huh?

We were #1 against the run. Only 4 games out of 16 did opponents rush for more than 100 total yards. We went 2-2 in those games and beat the Rams 36-17 and the Seahawks 48-10 in our 2 victories when our opponents ran for more than 100 yards.

We also have depth on the DL. I'm not counting on Harrell either, but if he plays even half the season, bonus. Pickett is solid. Jenkins is solid. Raji will be in his 2nd year and the coaches at least think he's solid. Jolly is solid but of course we have the legal issues to deal with.

Homerism aside, at worst, we're a top 50% DL.

In defense of the author though, he did admit his prejudices against the 3-4 D when ranking a DL unit.

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i'm sorry, but what an entirely fucking pointless thing to be prejudiced against. "hey guys, i'm prejudiced against loose leaf paper."

um, ok?

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If he really feels that way, he should add the OLBs to the mix. I bet that on his LB ratings, 4-3 teams will suffer.

I agree with most comments here - this guy is a moron. You cant have the top run D in the league and have a 20th ranked Dline.

Jolly and Jenkins rocked this year - regardless of what the author said. Pickett did a real nice job at the NT.

Id proably rank them a top 7 Dline ... I dont know enough about all the other Dlines to pick in the top 7.

Writers write... that doesn't mean they make any sense. Linemen in the 3-4 don't stand out as they do in the 4-3. So he's like a juvenile watching; if players don't make the tackle, get the sack, throw the ball, catch the ball, or carry the ball they don't know what going on. Hope other teams feel this way...it'll make for a nice surprise on our part.

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