The Defensive Line Appreciation Thread

Sjceruti · 2011-09-26T16:40:00-07:00

I stumbled upon this on ESPN.com and was surprised our D Line didnt even make the honorable mention list. http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7003819/nfl-detroit-lions-top-list-nfl-best-defensive-lines I believe out of the 3-4 team we have the 1st or 2nd best D Line in the league (with the Packers being the other) and out of all D Lines we have to be up there. A few observations: Justin Smith and Haloti Ngata may be the best 3-4 ends in the NFL. Soap is a solid run stopper in the middle and IMO we havent lost anything from letting Franklin go. I know many were worried about how Soap would do stepping back into the NT role but it's been seamless. Ray Mac...what to say about this guy. He's almost been unblockable at times and is earning every penny of the new contract he was given. To me out defensive line is the reason our defense is ranked in the top 10 and has been a solid defense for years now. Our defensive line allows Willis to be the best MLB in football...it's allowed Bowman to step into the starting role and succeed...and our d line is the group getting pressure on the QB and creating penetration in the run game. I felt they needed some love

Sep 26, 2011 at 4:40 PM

susweel
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TOMSULA !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sep 26, 2011 at 4:43 PM

verb1der
Member
Posts: 15,613

Originally posted by susweel:
TOMSULA !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, he's got em coached up to the max! Hands down strongest unit of the team.

Sep 26, 2011 at 5:39 PM

jreff22
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Posts: 67,558

Originally posted by susweel:
TOMSULA !!!!!!!!!!!!!

this

Sep 26, 2011 at 5:50 PM

monsterzero789
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Posts: 24,304

Originally posted by jreff22:

Originally posted by susweel:
TOMSULA !!!!!!!!!!!!!

this

Sep 26, 2011 at 5:52 PM

Oakland-Niner
Member
Posts: 24,062

Originally posted by monsterzero789:

Originally posted by jreff22:

Originally posted by susweel:
TOMSULA !!!!!!!!!!!!!

this

.

can we get him to coach the Oline too?

Sep 26, 2011 at 5:54 PM

niner4life21
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Posts: 9,067

McDonald has been absolutely amazing so far this year. I knew he was a pass rush guy early in his career, but I never knew he was this good at getting to the QB. I just wish he was a tad bit faster so he could finish off those sacks, but I don't want to complain because that is not even the primary job of 3-4 DEs. Having J.Smith and RayMac, both who are 3-4 DEs with exceptional pass rush abilities, gives this pass rush a huge boost. I know many people are high on Brooks and the OLBs, but I think Brooks is inconsistent, Aldon is young and has a long way to go, and Haralson is even more inconsistent than Brooks.

Sep 26, 2011 at 5:59 PM

unst4bl3
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Posts: 7,568

I wish tomsula could coach our Oline.

Sep 26, 2011 at 6:01 PM

stepnez
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Posts: 259

so far best unit on the team and fun to watch

Sep 26, 2011 at 6:16 PM

frenchmov
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Posts: 7,249

yeah, this is arguably our best unit on the team. it seems like every play one of our 3 lineman are violently destroying the offensive lineman attempting to block them. happened quite a few times yesterday where daltons lineman was literally pushed back into him.

i was a bit worried about soap in the middle but he has arguably performed BETTER than franklin did last year. mcdonald has also been a smart signing and justin smith just keeps doin what he DO!

Sep 26, 2011 at 6:40 PM

#10

tohara3
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Posts: 31,177

Originally posted by verb1der:

Originally posted by susweel:
TOMSULA !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, he's got em coached up to the max! Hands down strongest unit of the team.

Sep 26, 2011 at 6:50 PM

#11

NinerGold39
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Posts: 1,486

Sep 26, 2011 at 6:52 PM

#12

cwilson830
Staff
Posts: 5,501

I think the sports media forgot we have a team this year.

Sep 26, 2011 at 9:29 PM

#13

pdizo916
Member
Posts: 38,241

Originally posted by susweel:
TOMSULA !!!!!!!!!!!!!

-best unit with the most talent.

Sep 26, 2011 at 9:33 PM

#14

Shemp
Hall of Fame
Posts: 29,755

they're doing great! I'm also glad that Navarro Bowman has stepped it up. I was hoping Brooks would be way better than last year, but I don't believe he is. Now our pass defense.... different story...