2005 preview: Defensive line
More Carter: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB
It's tough to play good defense without a strong front line. Ultimately, you have to put pressure on the passer or the offense will eat you alive. Besides, cornerbacks can only run with receivers for so long.
Defense does indeed win championships and it all starts up front.
Best in the business: Julius Peppers
He's a phenomenal athlete. The scary thing is that he hasn't fully tapped into his potential.
How good can the Carolina Panthers defensive end be? He can be as good as a Derrick Thomas. It's hard to say he could be as good as Lawrence Taylor, but Peppers could be very, very good. He could be as good as anyone we've seen in the last 10 years.
I think it'll be an exciting season for the Panthers, especially with the way they finished last season. The one thing you have to watch is how well defensive tackle Kris Jenkins plays. He is the pulse of the defense. If he plays well, he allows that defense – and especially Peppers – to do its thing. If he's inconsistent, then the defense line is only average.
Most underrated: Kevin Williams
It's hard to get a lot of attention on a defense that is always ranked near the bottom of the league, but the Minnesota Vikings' Pro Bowler is the best defensive tackle in the NFL.
Williams is so strong and he is a lot faster than most defensive tackles. He also has the ability to make plays, and he's been able to compile tremendous numbers (a league-best 11½ sacks among DTs in 2004) without having a lot of help defensively.
Now imagine what he'll be able to do with defensive tackle Pat Williams, rookie defensive end Erasmus James and second-year end Kenechi Udeze. All of a sudden, the Vikings have one of the league's best defensive lines.
Most overrated: Corey Simon
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle doesn't make enough plays. He's never really been a big factor. Basically, he only makes two plays a game.
I think when these guys get into the league, they feel they need to get stronger. Stronger doesn't always mean bigger, though. He is a lot bigger than I ever remembered him. It's hard for him to find the right playing weight.
The longer he stays out of training camp, the less chance he'll be able to play up to his potential.
Rookie to watch: Marcus Spears
Bill Parcells was upset about his inability to coach the guys he had last year. It was humiliating for him to see the Dallas Cowboys defenseless. The two players that they drafted in the first round – outside linebacker Demarcus Ware at 11th and Spears at 20th – will make an immediate impact.
It's make-or-break time: Ted Washington and Warren Sapp
The Oakland Raiders have a better understanding of what their abilities are, and they know how to use their talents better. Playing in a 3-4 defense last year was not suitable for Washington and Sapp. With the Raiders going back to a basic 4-3 scheme, Sapp should hit the gaps again and Washington should eat up double teams again.
Biggest 2005 guarantee: Michael Strahan
The New York Giants defensive end is under a lot of pressure and I believe he'll have a phenomenal year. Everyone in New York has kind of given up on him, but I think he has a lot of football left in him. He has always played dominant defense when healthy. Well, he's healthy again.
