If you don’t do it already, make Peter King’s “Monday Morning QB” on Sports Illustrated part of your first day back to work reading. King, who I have met and greatly admire as a writer, always has great opinions and insight to the world of the NFL. Today he talks about the Eagles salary cap among other interesting topics.
There’s a was a small note in the first paragraph that really caught my eye, and as a black and gold writer, I thought this was a very interesting comment from King – read blow in bold:
On Saturday, I saw a sight I never thought I’d see again — the best 3-4 defensive end of this generation, Pittsburgh’s Aaron Smith, jousting with and beating a good right tackle, Willie Colon, in a live scrimmage.
Now if you didn’t know it, King is a HUGE Smith fan, to the point where he picked him on the 2000’s NFL All-Decade team, the only reporter to do that. So for him to make that type of comment isn’t exactly out of the question, but the question I have today – is he right?
Again, you have to think 3-4 when talking about Smith. Not many teams in the league play it, and to think of it, can you even come up with some good DE’s on other 3-4 teams?
Here’s the list of teams that I could come up with (Steelers not included), that run the 3-4:
San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, and Houston Texans.
Looking at this list, there’s one name at the DE spot that I think you have to consider – Mario Williams of the Texans. He was the first overall pick the year that all the Texans fans were crying the team didn’t take either Reggie Bush (more sizzle than steak) and Vince Young (head case). He’s been very good in his time in the league, and has 48.5 sacks in five seasons. So what does he get rewarded with – a move to outside linebacker by new DC Wade Phillips and the Texans.
Another name that comes to mind is former Patriot and now Raider Richard Seymour. When in New England, he was very good as well, going for 49 career sacks. Now though he’s at a DT spot in the Raiders 4-3, and so in the scheme of things, he’s no longer playing in the 3-4 defense.
And honestly, going through depth charts and rosters – that’s it. There’s plenty of other good defensive ends out there – Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts, Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings, Julius Peppers of the Chicago Bears, and Justin Tuck of the Giants just to name some – but all these guys do it from a 4-3.
Does that make Smith truly “the best 3-4 defensive end of this generation” as King stated today? That’s a great question, and one that I would love to hear Steeler Nation’s opinion on.
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JSteeler
August 8, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Smith was absolutely the best 3-4 end of this generation, and I don’t think the Mario Williams comparison holds up. Williams played as a 4-3 end for the entirety of his career until this year when Wade Phillips came to Houston and changed their defense. And I would not say his move to OLB is a demotion of any kind. Rather, it shows that Williams is an elite pass rusher, just as Lamarr Woodley was a great pass rushing end at Michigan but is now an OLB in Pittsburgh’s 3-4.
I love the blog and don’t wish to rag on your decision, but I think that the only 3-4 end that can truly push Smith is Richard Seymour during his time with New England. From 2003-2008 Seymour was a dominant force against the run, as well as a guy that was good for between 6-8 sacks a season. I still think Smith was the superior end due to his greater longevity in the system and ability to draw a double team every snap against the run.
Again, love reading the blog, so keep up the good work, and Go Steelers!!
Bob
August 9, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Haloti Ngata is a beast in Baltimore’s 3-4, but he also gets used at the nose just because he’s such a freak athlete for his size. Some other guys that are pretty darn good are Shaun Ellis(formally of the Jets, now with NE) and Darnell Dockett. 3-4 DE is a weird thing because most athletic DT’s would excel there if their team changed defenses(see Dockett) so guys like Seymour can’t be the best of the generation because they changed systems and just went on to be really good DT’s. Lastly, Justin Smith used to be a thorn in the Steelers side when he was in Cincy and still does a heck of a job out in San Fran. I’d put him in the mix even though both teams he’s played for have stunk to high heaven.