BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
Just came across this article and thought it was interesting, since we just had that discussion here.
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2005 player ratings: Linebackers
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2005-06-29-sw-rankings-linebackers_x.htm
By Howard Balzer, Sports Weekly
Linebackers anchor the second part of our 2005 NFL player ratings, developed by The Sports Xchange for Sports Weekly. The Sports Xchange based the ratings on a 100-point scale, incorporating more than 40 categories to grade each player, including importance to the team. The players are sorted into seven categories: Elite, A Notch Below, Rock Solid, Under the Radar, On the Rise, On the Rebound and Setting Sun.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
Elite
The best the NFL has to offer are clearly bunched together. The elder statesman of the group, Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks, remains the cream of the crop. Perhaps he's slipping slightly as any 32-year-old might, but he is still perched at the top until someone knocks him off.
Tennessee's Keith Bulluck and Atlanta's Keith Brooking could be close to doing just that. Brooking has found a home on the outside, but he has the versatility to play in the middle. Bulluck has ascended to an elite status, but he has a lot of changing parts around him as the Titans rework their roster.
Joey Porter of the Steelers had only seven sacks last season playing outside in the team's 3-4 defense, so it's questionable how much longer his elite status will last. Buffalo's Takeo Spikes is just behind Porter, but his all-around play could move him up this list in 2006.
A notch below
Willie McGinest and Mike Vrabel are two of many players who make New England's defense operate. McGinest sometimes lines up as a defensive end, while Vrabel can be found just about anywhere. McGinest, 33, shows no signs of letting up.
Marcus Washington made a large impact on the Redskins' No. 3-rated defense, and he played better than expected after leaving the Colts as an unrestricted free agent.
Rock solid
Dexter Coakley began losing playing time in Dallas last season, then was released early in the offseason as the Cowboys contemplated moving to a 3-4 defense. He was quickly signed by the Rams, who believe his experience and tackling ability will help a defense that finished 29th against the run.
Ian Gold spent a year away from Denver with the Buccaneers, proving he could recover from a 2003 knee injury. His speed was still evident, and when Tampa Bay elected not to pay him a large option bonus, Gold landed back with the Broncos. He helps give Denver one of the fastest linebacking corps in the NFL.
When Steve Foley left Houston for San Diego as an unrestricted free agent in March 2004, it was not a move that generated headlines. Finding a perfect fit with San Diego's 3-4 defense, Foley had 10 sacks and will now try to prove his breakout season wasn't a fluke.
Cincinnati's Brian Simmons consistently plays at a high level, but the Bengals' overall defense has not. With improvement from the entire unit, Simmons could receive more notice.
David Thornton of Indianapolis stepped up after the departure of Washington last season and played well. The 26-year-old should get better.
Like Foley, when the Jets signed Eric Barton from Oakland in early March, it hardly caused a ripple. But Barton was a large part of a defensive rise that saw the Jets rank seventh overall and fifth against the run.
On the rise
D.J. Williams is the other outside speedster on Denver's defense, and he needed little learning time after being selected 17th overall in 2004. The Broncos ranked fourth in the league in total defense, fourth against the run, and Williams' play as a rookie was a big reason for that success.
Pittsburgh's Clark Haggans has the ability to make plays in his team's 3-4 defense. He had six sacks last season, and as he gets more experience those numbers could increase.
With the Ravens switching back to a 4-3 defense, Adalius Thomas has the chance to become a tackling machine playing next to Ray Lewis. Baltimore will need that for its defense to remain elite. Chicago's Lance Briggs kept the team's defense from collapsing when Brian Urlacher missed several games because of injuries. Teamed with a healthy Urlacher, Chicago's defense should rise on the charts.
Youth will have a chance to shine with Carolina's Will Witherspoon, Philadelphia's Dhani Jones and Arizona's Karlos Dansby. Witherspoon is on the verge of great things, while Jones began to establish himself after signing with the Eagles as a free agent in 2004. Dansby, a second-round pick last season, is expected to help the Cardinals' defense rise after a surprising No. 12 ranking last season.
On the rebound
San Francisco's Julian Peterson could be an elite player, but he has to show it this season in his comeback from an Achilles' tendon injury. A healthy Peterson should be able to put up monster numbers with the 49ers switching to a 3-4 defense.
Lavar Arrington of the Redskins is coming back from a knee injury that made his 2004 season one to forget. Without him, the Redskins were one of the top defenses in the league. With him, they could be better.
Setting sun
If Chad Brown is nearing the end of the line, what better place to have it happen than New England? He still has the ability to make plays, but injuries have been his biggest problem in recent seasons.
Injuries have also robbed Anthony Simmons of his excellence, and after being released by the Seahawks this offseason, he remains unsigned. The sun might truly set on his career this year.
Outside linebackers
Rk. Player Team Ht. Wt. Age Spd. Str. Aware. Agil. Accel. Tkl. Tough Imp. Overall
1 Derrick Brooks Buccaneers 6-0 235 32 80 75 93 78 84 90 95 95 92.50
2 Keith Bulluck Titans 6-3 232 28 85 68 85 85 86 93 90 95 92.45
3 Keith Brooking Falcons 6-2 245 29 79 76 90 84 83 89 93 91 90.85
4 Joey Porter Steelers 6-3 250 28 82 78 86 83 84 87 94 87 90.75
5 Takeo Spikes Bills 6-2 242 27 79 79 91 81 85 88 92 85 90.40
6 Julian Peterson 49ers 6-3 235 27 84 73 87 88 83 88 79 93 90.10
7 Willie McGinest Patriots 6-5 270 33 74 81 95 77 75 86 94 84 89.30
8 Lavar Arrington Redskins 6-3 247 27 82 84 81 88 85 84 84 77 89.25
9 Mike Vrabel Patriots 6-4 261 30 73 80 94 80 82 88 88 79 89.10
10 Marcus Washington Redskins 6-3 247 27 78 78 83 82 86 87 85 79 88.40
11 D.J. Williams Broncos 6-1 247 23 84 73 75 82 78 88 88 80 87.60
12 Dexter Coakley Rams 5-10 236 32 79 70 87 85 76 78 85 83 87.20
13 Ian Gold Broncos 6-0 223 27 85 69 83 83 83 79 79 79 86.75
14 Brian Simmons Bengals 6-3 248 30 76 75 84 77 76 85 82 82 86.00
15 Steve Foley Chargers 6-3 255 29 79 74 85 74 75 86 86 75 85.40
17 Chad Brown Patriots 6-2 245 35 73 75 87 76 76 87 89 69 84.50
16 Clark Haggans Steelers 6-3 243 28 80 74 78 80 83 82 81 73 84.30
18 David Thornton Colts 6-2 230 26 78 69 81 81 79 83 81 77 83.90
19 Eric Barton Jets 6-2 245 27 73 75 83 76 74 85 83 79 83.70
20 Adalius Thomas Ravens 6-2 270 28 79 73 81 78 77 81 80 75 83.20
21 Anthony Simmons Free agent 6-0 242 29 79 73 82 84 82 84 75 0 83.00
22 Lance Briggs Bears 6-1 238 24 75 75 78 74 75 89 80 77 82.95
23 Will Witherspoon Panthers 6-1 231 25 80 67 78 83 83 86 77 68 82.60
24 Dhani Jones Eagles 6-1 240 27 78 72 77 78 81 85 80 70 82.45
25 Karlos Dansby Cardinals 6-4 243 23 82 71 72 80 83 80 81 71 82.00
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Elite
Ray Lewis has set the standard for middle linebacker play. He is 30 now, but the feeling is that his production will rise with the Ravens moving back to a 4-3 defense that should free him to make more plays.
Establishing the order for the next four players after Lewis wasn't easy, but they are almost interchangeable.
Chicago's Brian Urlacher might be the second best of the group, but the injuries he suffered last season drop him a notch. Pittsburgh's James Farrior has found a home on the inside of the team's 3-4 defense after failing to live up to expectations with the Jets.
Al Wilson of the Broncos is the heart of Denver's outstanding linebacker corps. Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil still can't believe he let Donnie Edwards go in 2002. Edwards has become the leader of a Chargers defense that should be better in the second year of coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense.
A notch below
Miami's Zach Thomas has defied the experts ever since entering the league as a fifth-round draft pick in 1996. He might not be an elite middle linebacker, but a lot of teams would love to have him manning their middle.
Dan Morgan of Carolina could be on the verge of elite status, especially if he can avoid the concussions that have haunted him since being the 11th overall pick in the 2001 draft. Carolina's defensive line is outstanding, but the defense is much better when Morgan is healthy.
Philadelphia's Jeremiah Trotter is a difficult player to rate. Often undisciplined, he was released by the Redskins in June 2004 and returned to Philadelphia, where his career began. He didn't even start until the second half of last season.When he did, Trotter was the player coaches have been waiting for.
The Bills put together a defense that ranked second in 2004, and London Fletcher is the emotional leader. He excels with smarts and the ability to get to the ball. So what if he's only 5-10? His lack of height for a linebacker has never affected his play.
Ed Hartwell will answer a lot of questions in Atlanta this season after signing as an unrestricted free agent. Is he a player a defense can be built around, or was his play in Baltimore due as much to the great players around him? The Falcons are banking on the former.
Rock solid
The Colts' loss was the Jaguars' gain in 2003 when Indianapolis couldn't afford to retain Mike Peterson. He is not an elite player, but his tackling ability helps give the Jaguars one of the better run defenses in the league.
No one expected Dat Nguyen to last when Bill Parcells took over as Dallas' coach because he didn't fit the Parcells profile of big linebackers. But Nguyen has a nose for the ball, and when he tackles, no one notices he's only 5-11. He might be even more effective in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense.
Kailee Wong moves to the inside of Houston's defense, where he is expected to call the plays in the huddle. Chris Claiborne has spent his career moving between the outside and inside, which has led to the label of being an underachiever after being picked ninth overall in 1999. But in St. Louis he will man the middle, the position he prefers. This will be his opportunity to answer those who say he hasn't lived up to expectations.
As the 49ers plummeted to the bottom of the NFL, Derek Smith's play has largely gone unnoticed. But it shouldn't. He adeptly takes on blockers, and he might now be more effective in San Francisco's 3-4 defense.
On the rise
Antonio Pierce's strong play in Washington last season came at the right time. With his contract expiring, he was able to command a large deal from the Giants, who expect him to be part of a rejuvenated run defense. The Jets, meanwhile, got from rookie Jonathan Vilma what the Giants hope to get from Pierce. Vilma was the perfect fit for new coordinator Donnie Henderson's defense, and he certainly lived up to being the 12th pick in the draft last year as the consensus choice as Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Andra Davis might not be a household name, but he will be once new coach Romeo Crennel is able to put his stamp on the Browns' defense. Davis is strong and smart, and one of the better tacklers in the league.
This could be a crossroads year for Green Bay's Nick Barnett. He was better as a rookie than he was last season, but some of that could be due to the change in defensive coordinators. The coordinator has changed again, and Barnett will have to adapt to Jim Bates' system.
Pittsburgh's Larry Foote is a player to watch in 2005. He filled in for the injured Kendrell Bell last season, and with Bell gone to Kansas City, the job is his. Foote was signed to a long-term contract to keep from being an unrestricted free agent next March.
On the rebound
Bell moved to the Chiefs from the Steelers after a groin injury limited him to only three games in 2004. The Chiefs are hoping he can stay healthy and help a defense that ranked next to last in the league last season.
Healthy, New England's Tedy Bruschi is an elite player with incredible big-play ability. But his status remains in doubt following a stroke he suffered in February. Should he come back and play this season, his will be one of the most-followed stories in the NFL.
Setting sun
New England's Ted Johnson might not have a whole lot of time left, but he remains a stalwart in the Patriots' defense. He's 32, but he can make plays thanks to experience and smarts. Jamie Sharper was released by Houston, and Seattle hopes that at 30 he has at least two seasons of solid play left. Tampa Bay's Shelton Quarles has always been underrated, but now he's 33 and will be challenged by rookie Barrett Ruud.
Inside linebackers
Rk. Player Team Ht. Wt. Age Spd. Str. Aware. Agil. Accel. Tkl. Tough. Imp. Overall
1 Ray Lewis Ravens 6-1 245 30 82 80 97 70 86 96 99 97 97.00
2 James Farrior Steelers 6-2 243 30 79 78 92 85 88 93 93 88 91.60
3 Al Wilson Broncos 6-0 240 28 82 79 94 80 82 91 95 92 90.25
4 Brian Urlacher Bears 6-4 258 27 84 80 88 82 87 90 96 87 90.20
5 Donnie Edwards Chargers 6-2 227 32 81 68 95 84 88 93 92 91 90.10
6 Zach Thomas Dolphins 5-11 235 32 78 74 96 70 85 95 96 90 89.20
7 Tedy Bruschi Patriots 6-1 247 32 75 80 94 77 79 92 95 88 88.90
8 Dan Morgan Panthers 6-2 245 26 84 76 88 77 84 93 88 88 88.80
9 Jeremiah Trotter Eagles 6-1 262 28 75 83 93 73 73 89 94 88 87.75
10 London Fletcher Bills 5-10 245 30 76 74 90 73 82 93 95 84 87.70
11 Ed Hartwell Falcons 6-1 250 27 76 80 85 72 82 92 90 86 87.30
12 Antonio Pierce Giants 6-1 240 26 78 73 82 83 86 87 85 87 87.20
13 Jonathan Vilma Jets 6-1 230 23 83 72 78 83 86 88 88 82 87.15
14 Kendrell Bell Chiefs 6-1 257 27 82 77 81 86 87 84 80 82 87.10
15 Mike Peterson Jaguars 6-1 230 29 79 68 84 83 86 92 89 75 86.40
16 Andra Davis Browns 6-1 255 26 75 77 84 77 74 92 86 85 86.00
17 Dat Nguyen Cowboys 5-11 243 29 78 75 85 79 82 85 82 82 85.80
18 Nick Barnett Packers 6-2 233 24 79 75 76 77 84 86 87 78 85.25
19 Derek M. Smith 49ers 6-2 245 30 72 80 89 68 68 89 88 81 85.10
20 Larry Foote Steelers 6-0 239 25 76 73 81 82 83 84 85 70 84.90
21 Ted Johnson Patriots 6-4 253 32 69 78 92 69 71 87 90 75 84.60
22 Jamie Sharper Seahawks 6-3 240 30 74 73 90 73 77 85 87 71 83.70
23 Shelton Quarles Buccaneers 6-1 225 33 75 67 84 75 82 83 80 81 83.40
24 Kailee Wong Texans 6-2 250 29 77 69 83 78 79 82 83 75 83.30
25 Chris Claiborne Rams 6-3 258 27 76 79 83 68 72 88 85 73 83.00
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2005 player ratings: Linebackers
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2005-06-29-sw-rankings-linebackers_x.htm
By Howard Balzer, Sports Weekly
Linebackers anchor the second part of our 2005 NFL player ratings, developed by The Sports Xchange for Sports Weekly. The Sports Xchange based the ratings on a 100-point scale, incorporating more than 40 categories to grade each player, including importance to the team. The players are sorted into seven categories: Elite, A Notch Below, Rock Solid, Under the Radar, On the Rise, On the Rebound and Setting Sun.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
Elite
The best the NFL has to offer are clearly bunched together. The elder statesman of the group, Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks, remains the cream of the crop. Perhaps he's slipping slightly as any 32-year-old might, but he is still perched at the top until someone knocks him off.
Tennessee's Keith Bulluck and Atlanta's Keith Brooking could be close to doing just that. Brooking has found a home on the outside, but he has the versatility to play in the middle. Bulluck has ascended to an elite status, but he has a lot of changing parts around him as the Titans rework their roster.
Joey Porter of the Steelers had only seven sacks last season playing outside in the team's 3-4 defense, so it's questionable how much longer his elite status will last. Buffalo's Takeo Spikes is just behind Porter, but his all-around play could move him up this list in 2006.
A notch below
Willie McGinest and Mike Vrabel are two of many players who make New England's defense operate. McGinest sometimes lines up as a defensive end, while Vrabel can be found just about anywhere. McGinest, 33, shows no signs of letting up.
Marcus Washington made a large impact on the Redskins' No. 3-rated defense, and he played better than expected after leaving the Colts as an unrestricted free agent.
Rock solid
Dexter Coakley began losing playing time in Dallas last season, then was released early in the offseason as the Cowboys contemplated moving to a 3-4 defense. He was quickly signed by the Rams, who believe his experience and tackling ability will help a defense that finished 29th against the run.
Ian Gold spent a year away from Denver with the Buccaneers, proving he could recover from a 2003 knee injury. His speed was still evident, and when Tampa Bay elected not to pay him a large option bonus, Gold landed back with the Broncos. He helps give Denver one of the fastest linebacking corps in the NFL.
When Steve Foley left Houston for San Diego as an unrestricted free agent in March 2004, it was not a move that generated headlines. Finding a perfect fit with San Diego's 3-4 defense, Foley had 10 sacks and will now try to prove his breakout season wasn't a fluke.
Cincinnati's Brian Simmons consistently plays at a high level, but the Bengals' overall defense has not. With improvement from the entire unit, Simmons could receive more notice.
David Thornton of Indianapolis stepped up after the departure of Washington last season and played well. The 26-year-old should get better.
Like Foley, when the Jets signed Eric Barton from Oakland in early March, it hardly caused a ripple. But Barton was a large part of a defensive rise that saw the Jets rank seventh overall and fifth against the run.
On the rise
D.J. Williams is the other outside speedster on Denver's defense, and he needed little learning time after being selected 17th overall in 2004. The Broncos ranked fourth in the league in total defense, fourth against the run, and Williams' play as a rookie was a big reason for that success.
Pittsburgh's Clark Haggans has the ability to make plays in his team's 3-4 defense. He had six sacks last season, and as he gets more experience those numbers could increase.
With the Ravens switching back to a 4-3 defense, Adalius Thomas has the chance to become a tackling machine playing next to Ray Lewis. Baltimore will need that for its defense to remain elite. Chicago's Lance Briggs kept the team's defense from collapsing when Brian Urlacher missed several games because of injuries. Teamed with a healthy Urlacher, Chicago's defense should rise on the charts.
Youth will have a chance to shine with Carolina's Will Witherspoon, Philadelphia's Dhani Jones and Arizona's Karlos Dansby. Witherspoon is on the verge of great things, while Jones began to establish himself after signing with the Eagles as a free agent in 2004. Dansby, a second-round pick last season, is expected to help the Cardinals' defense rise after a surprising No. 12 ranking last season.
On the rebound
San Francisco's Julian Peterson could be an elite player, but he has to show it this season in his comeback from an Achilles' tendon injury. A healthy Peterson should be able to put up monster numbers with the 49ers switching to a 3-4 defense.
Lavar Arrington of the Redskins is coming back from a knee injury that made his 2004 season one to forget. Without him, the Redskins were one of the top defenses in the league. With him, they could be better.
Setting sun
If Chad Brown is nearing the end of the line, what better place to have it happen than New England? He still has the ability to make plays, but injuries have been his biggest problem in recent seasons.
Injuries have also robbed Anthony Simmons of his excellence, and after being released by the Seahawks this offseason, he remains unsigned. The sun might truly set on his career this year.
Outside linebackers
Rk. Player Team Ht. Wt. Age Spd. Str. Aware. Agil. Accel. Tkl. Tough Imp. Overall
1 Derrick Brooks Buccaneers 6-0 235 32 80 75 93 78 84 90 95 95 92.50
2 Keith Bulluck Titans 6-3 232 28 85 68 85 85 86 93 90 95 92.45
3 Keith Brooking Falcons 6-2 245 29 79 76 90 84 83 89 93 91 90.85
4 Joey Porter Steelers 6-3 250 28 82 78 86 83 84 87 94 87 90.75
5 Takeo Spikes Bills 6-2 242 27 79 79 91 81 85 88 92 85 90.40
6 Julian Peterson 49ers 6-3 235 27 84 73 87 88 83 88 79 93 90.10
7 Willie McGinest Patriots 6-5 270 33 74 81 95 77 75 86 94 84 89.30
8 Lavar Arrington Redskins 6-3 247 27 82 84 81 88 85 84 84 77 89.25
9 Mike Vrabel Patriots 6-4 261 30 73 80 94 80 82 88 88 79 89.10
10 Marcus Washington Redskins 6-3 247 27 78 78 83 82 86 87 85 79 88.40
11 D.J. Williams Broncos 6-1 247 23 84 73 75 82 78 88 88 80 87.60
12 Dexter Coakley Rams 5-10 236 32 79 70 87 85 76 78 85 83 87.20
13 Ian Gold Broncos 6-0 223 27 85 69 83 83 83 79 79 79 86.75
14 Brian Simmons Bengals 6-3 248 30 76 75 84 77 76 85 82 82 86.00
15 Steve Foley Chargers 6-3 255 29 79 74 85 74 75 86 86 75 85.40
17 Chad Brown Patriots 6-2 245 35 73 75 87 76 76 87 89 69 84.50
16 Clark Haggans Steelers 6-3 243 28 80 74 78 80 83 82 81 73 84.30
18 David Thornton Colts 6-2 230 26 78 69 81 81 79 83 81 77 83.90
19 Eric Barton Jets 6-2 245 27 73 75 83 76 74 85 83 79 83.70
20 Adalius Thomas Ravens 6-2 270 28 79 73 81 78 77 81 80 75 83.20
21 Anthony Simmons Free agent 6-0 242 29 79 73 82 84 82 84 75 0 83.00
22 Lance Briggs Bears 6-1 238 24 75 75 78 74 75 89 80 77 82.95
23 Will Witherspoon Panthers 6-1 231 25 80 67 78 83 83 86 77 68 82.60
24 Dhani Jones Eagles 6-1 240 27 78 72 77 78 81 85 80 70 82.45
25 Karlos Dansby Cardinals 6-4 243 23 82 71 72 80 83 80 81 71 82.00
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Elite
Ray Lewis has set the standard for middle linebacker play. He is 30 now, but the feeling is that his production will rise with the Ravens moving back to a 4-3 defense that should free him to make more plays.
Establishing the order for the next four players after Lewis wasn't easy, but they are almost interchangeable.
Chicago's Brian Urlacher might be the second best of the group, but the injuries he suffered last season drop him a notch. Pittsburgh's James Farrior has found a home on the inside of the team's 3-4 defense after failing to live up to expectations with the Jets.
Al Wilson of the Broncos is the heart of Denver's outstanding linebacker corps. Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil still can't believe he let Donnie Edwards go in 2002. Edwards has become the leader of a Chargers defense that should be better in the second year of coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense.
A notch below
Miami's Zach Thomas has defied the experts ever since entering the league as a fifth-round draft pick in 1996. He might not be an elite middle linebacker, but a lot of teams would love to have him manning their middle.
Dan Morgan of Carolina could be on the verge of elite status, especially if he can avoid the concussions that have haunted him since being the 11th overall pick in the 2001 draft. Carolina's defensive line is outstanding, but the defense is much better when Morgan is healthy.
Philadelphia's Jeremiah Trotter is a difficult player to rate. Often undisciplined, he was released by the Redskins in June 2004 and returned to Philadelphia, where his career began. He didn't even start until the second half of last season.When he did, Trotter was the player coaches have been waiting for.
The Bills put together a defense that ranked second in 2004, and London Fletcher is the emotional leader. He excels with smarts and the ability to get to the ball. So what if he's only 5-10? His lack of height for a linebacker has never affected his play.
Ed Hartwell will answer a lot of questions in Atlanta this season after signing as an unrestricted free agent. Is he a player a defense can be built around, or was his play in Baltimore due as much to the great players around him? The Falcons are banking on the former.
Rock solid
The Colts' loss was the Jaguars' gain in 2003 when Indianapolis couldn't afford to retain Mike Peterson. He is not an elite player, but his tackling ability helps give the Jaguars one of the better run defenses in the league.
No one expected Dat Nguyen to last when Bill Parcells took over as Dallas' coach because he didn't fit the Parcells profile of big linebackers. But Nguyen has a nose for the ball, and when he tackles, no one notices he's only 5-11. He might be even more effective in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense.
Kailee Wong moves to the inside of Houston's defense, where he is expected to call the plays in the huddle. Chris Claiborne has spent his career moving between the outside and inside, which has led to the label of being an underachiever after being picked ninth overall in 1999. But in St. Louis he will man the middle, the position he prefers. This will be his opportunity to answer those who say he hasn't lived up to expectations.
As the 49ers plummeted to the bottom of the NFL, Derek Smith's play has largely gone unnoticed. But it shouldn't. He adeptly takes on blockers, and he might now be more effective in San Francisco's 3-4 defense.
On the rise
Antonio Pierce's strong play in Washington last season came at the right time. With his contract expiring, he was able to command a large deal from the Giants, who expect him to be part of a rejuvenated run defense. The Jets, meanwhile, got from rookie Jonathan Vilma what the Giants hope to get from Pierce. Vilma was the perfect fit for new coordinator Donnie Henderson's defense, and he certainly lived up to being the 12th pick in the draft last year as the consensus choice as Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Andra Davis might not be a household name, but he will be once new coach Romeo Crennel is able to put his stamp on the Browns' defense. Davis is strong and smart, and one of the better tacklers in the league.
This could be a crossroads year for Green Bay's Nick Barnett. He was better as a rookie than he was last season, but some of that could be due to the change in defensive coordinators. The coordinator has changed again, and Barnett will have to adapt to Jim Bates' system.
Pittsburgh's Larry Foote is a player to watch in 2005. He filled in for the injured Kendrell Bell last season, and with Bell gone to Kansas City, the job is his. Foote was signed to a long-term contract to keep from being an unrestricted free agent next March.
On the rebound
Bell moved to the Chiefs from the Steelers after a groin injury limited him to only three games in 2004. The Chiefs are hoping he can stay healthy and help a defense that ranked next to last in the league last season.
Healthy, New England's Tedy Bruschi is an elite player with incredible big-play ability. But his status remains in doubt following a stroke he suffered in February. Should he come back and play this season, his will be one of the most-followed stories in the NFL.
Setting sun
New England's Ted Johnson might not have a whole lot of time left, but he remains a stalwart in the Patriots' defense. He's 32, but he can make plays thanks to experience and smarts. Jamie Sharper was released by Houston, and Seattle hopes that at 30 he has at least two seasons of solid play left. Tampa Bay's Shelton Quarles has always been underrated, but now he's 33 and will be challenged by rookie Barrett Ruud.
Inside linebackers
Rk. Player Team Ht. Wt. Age Spd. Str. Aware. Agil. Accel. Tkl. Tough. Imp. Overall
1 Ray Lewis Ravens 6-1 245 30 82 80 97 70 86 96 99 97 97.00
2 James Farrior Steelers 6-2 243 30 79 78 92 85 88 93 93 88 91.60
3 Al Wilson Broncos 6-0 240 28 82 79 94 80 82 91 95 92 90.25
4 Brian Urlacher Bears 6-4 258 27 84 80 88 82 87 90 96 87 90.20
5 Donnie Edwards Chargers 6-2 227 32 81 68 95 84 88 93 92 91 90.10
6 Zach Thomas Dolphins 5-11 235 32 78 74 96 70 85 95 96 90 89.20
7 Tedy Bruschi Patriots 6-1 247 32 75 80 94 77 79 92 95 88 88.90
8 Dan Morgan Panthers 6-2 245 26 84 76 88 77 84 93 88 88 88.80
9 Jeremiah Trotter Eagles 6-1 262 28 75 83 93 73 73 89 94 88 87.75
10 London Fletcher Bills 5-10 245 30 76 74 90 73 82 93 95 84 87.70
11 Ed Hartwell Falcons 6-1 250 27 76 80 85 72 82 92 90 86 87.30
12 Antonio Pierce Giants 6-1 240 26 78 73 82 83 86 87 85 87 87.20
13 Jonathan Vilma Jets 6-1 230 23 83 72 78 83 86 88 88 82 87.15
14 Kendrell Bell Chiefs 6-1 257 27 82 77 81 86 87 84 80 82 87.10
15 Mike Peterson Jaguars 6-1 230 29 79 68 84 83 86 92 89 75 86.40
16 Andra Davis Browns 6-1 255 26 75 77 84 77 74 92 86 85 86.00
17 Dat Nguyen Cowboys 5-11 243 29 78 75 85 79 82 85 82 82 85.80
18 Nick Barnett Packers 6-2 233 24 79 75 76 77 84 86 87 78 85.25
19 Derek M. Smith 49ers 6-2 245 30 72 80 89 68 68 89 88 81 85.10
20 Larry Foote Steelers 6-0 239 25 76 73 81 82 83 84 85 70 84.90
21 Ted Johnson Patriots 6-4 253 32 69 78 92 69 71 87 90 75 84.60
22 Jamie Sharper Seahawks 6-3 240 30 74 73 90 73 77 85 87 71 83.70
23 Shelton Quarles Buccaneers 6-1 225 33 75 67 84 75 82 83 80 81 83.40
24 Kailee Wong Texans 6-2 250 29 77 69 83 78 79 82 83 75 83.30
25 Chris Claiborne Rams 6-3 258 27 76 79 83 68 72 88 85 73 83.00
