Have at It: Your top pass rushers
July, 30, 2010
By Kevin Seifert
Perhaps you're a bit out of practice with training camp just underway, but let's just say most of you had trouble playing nicely during our first Have at It of the 2010 season. Man, I didn't know that an argument about the title of a chart could consume so many pages of comments. Wow.
The topic was whether anyone would overtake the Minnesota Vikings as the NFC North's top pass rushing team. Those of you who chose to respond generally reflected what Detlev Dimmitry wrote: "[T]he Lions, Bears and Packers have been closing the gap, but they're still trailing the Vikings with Jared Allen, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams on that line (and Ray Edwards getting a free ride with those three)."
Suamico72 placed two Vikings players among his top four pass rushers in the division: Julius Peppers, Allen, Clay Matthews, Edwards and Cullen Jenkins.
Duncan926 suggested that the Bears' sack total will rise most on a percentage basis, although the combination of Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch could be "pretty effective" for the Lions.
On a relative scale, the Packers' pass rush didn't get much love. Cheezeheadthrunthru, true to that name, did offer an interesting alternative take:
The Packers have a good chance to significantly improve their pass rush/sack numbers. First, you have Clay Matthews coming off a monster rookie year. He now has experience and an offseason to get stronger and develop into his position more.
Second, Brad Jones has gained experience and has had the off-season knowing that he's the top contender for the starting LOLB. He can improve on his four sacks from last season, especially now that most teams will be game-planning for Matthews.
Third, B.J. Raji is back at his natural position, nose tackle. The position he performed so dangerously at BC. [KS: Actually, he played tackle in a 4-3, but we'll let you keep going. You're on a roll.] Coming into the season injury-free with no contract distractions will hopefully help him boost his numbers.
Fourth, Charles Woodson, reigning DPOY, is always all over the field and he's no stranger when it comes to helping opposing quarterbacks face the ground.
Wild-Card, Dom Capers. He's unpredictable and he's now had a full year of the team's 3-4 system instituted. Watch for him to use some more creative play-calling to get to less-mobile quarterbacks like Brett Favre this year.
My take? As a team, I think the Vikings still have the best group of pass rushers. The most interesting, if not as relevant, battle will be to determine which individual wins the NFC North sack title. Allen has had 14.5 sacks in each of his first two seasons with the Vikings. Peppers had the same total in 2008 and finished last season with 10.5. If both stay healthy, it should prove to be one of the more intriguing individual competitions of the season.