2005 preview: Linebackers
More Carter: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB
Every season, you'll find a very talented group of linebackers in the NFL because teams place such a premium on athletic ability at that position. Those skills now will be needed more than ever to combat the emergence of the playmaking tight end.
Offenses took advantage of the enforcement of illegal contact rules last year by throwing to their tight ends. That's why defensive coordinators will put more emphasis on pass coverage – especially the strong-side linebacker covering the tight end. Teams will be coaching up one-on-one coverage more than they did in 2004.
Here are the linebackers to keep an eye on this season:
Best in the business: Ray Lewis
Not only is he the best in the game, but he also might be the best of all time. What separates him from everyone else is his speed. There have been linebackers who have been more intense and others who've been smarter than Lewis, but no other linebacker has had the complete package of speed, skills and smarts.
There were rumblings last season that Lewis lost a step, but I disagree. Because of the type of player he is, people are eager to say something like that about him. Will he lose a step eventually? Of course. But it hasn't happened yet.
Most underrated: James Farrior and Larry Foote
Farrior can do everything. He can cover. He can rush the quarterback. And he plays in a great defensive scheme with the Pittsburgh Steelers. What you look for in a linebacker is someone who can make plays, and Farrior has the tendency to come up and make the big plays.
As for Foote, I don't think he gets a lot of attention. He has gone somewhat unnoticed playing in the Steelers' defense, but he really is a great player. He just doesn't get the attention of Farrior and Joey Porter.
Most overrated: Brian Simmons
The Cincinnati Bengals' eight-year veteran sometimes disappears in games. He shouldn't, though. He has the ability to be a great player. The Bengals' defense needs to improve if Cincinnati is to finally finish above .500 after back-to-back 8-8 seasons.
Ready to break through: Tommy Polley
He has been injured the last few years in St. Louis, but now that he's on the Baltimore Ravens' defense, he's going to have a breakout season. I love his speed. He'll have the chance to make plays because the Ravens will put him in those types of situations.
Rookie to watch: Derrick Johnson
He reminds me of Derrick Brooks more than any linebacker I've seen in the last 10 years. People say that Johnson might be too small, but they said the same thing about Brooks.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in desperate need of a playmaking middle linebacker, so they're going to put their first-round pick in situations to be successful. Johnson has all of the attributes to be great in the NFL.
Now that the Chiefs are adding the same caliber talent on defense that they've brought in on offense, look for Kansas City's defense to be much improved. Not only will Johnson be able to cover premier tight ends – a skill that has become a premium in the league – but the former Texas star will also be able to get to the quarterback. Eventually, he will be one of franchise's key pieces.
