Jason Taylor:the NFL's best defender.

[phinsfan1221]

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/06/dolphins-taylor-nflsbest010607.html Sports media types often debate the following question: Who's the best defender in the NFL?

There are many possible answers to that question, but a name left unmentioned far too often is Miami Dolphins superstar defensive end Jason Taylor.

Typically the answers to the original question are linebackers Brian Urlacher (Bears) and Shawne Merriman (Chargers), as well as Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey. Frankly, Taylor might be a better player than any of the above-mentioned guys. Even though he was last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, that sentiment doesn't seem to fall in line with the general consensus.

 

[SCall13]

No doubt in my mind that Jason Taylor is the overall best defensive player in the league. He isn't the most athletic defender. But he is the best. Julius Peppers is a better athlete - a freakish one. But Jason Taylor combines his abilities and his intelligence and in-game knowledge better than any other player in the league. Urlacher isn't even close. (IMO, Urlacher is very over-rated, but that's a whole other topic.) As for Champ Bailey: it's amazing that he went from being talked about as a CB who was easy to burn to being considered the best defender in the league in just 2 seasons. He would still be easy to burn. But for some reason, teams have fell for the hype and seem afraid to throw at him. A reciever who runs good routes and has decent speed can blow him away.

 

[Oboy]

I do not think you will find any argument on this site that JT is the best defender in the league. Well maybe from Hysterikill and his Urlacher love! :wink: JT can really just take over a game. Unlike any one other player. Just look at the chicago game last year...

 

[The Goose]

He is the best IMO and I can't understand why he does get overlooked. Maybe it's due to the lack of team success?

 

[clownfish]

JT can really just take over a game. Unlike any one other player. Just look at the chicago game last year...

And the Denver game opening Saban's first season. He dominated in that game and wrapped up the win with that fumble recovery for a TD. I loved it when the rest of the team was mocking CPR on JT. Hilarious.

 

[rvicious]

No doubt in my mind that Jason Taylor is the overall best defensive player in the league. He isn't the most athletic defender. But he is the best. Julius Peppers is a better athlete - a freakish one. But Jason Taylor combines his abilities and his intelligence and in-game knowledge better than any other player in the league. Urlacher isn't even close. (IMO, Urlacher is very over-rated, but that's a whole other topic.) As for Champ Bailey: it's amazing that he went from being talked about as a CB who was easy to burn to being considered the best defender in the league in just 2 seasons. He would still be easy to burn. But for some reason, teams have fell for the hype and seem afraid to throw at him. A reciever who runs good routes and has decent speed can blow him away.

I agree with everything you are saying except the part of not being the most athletic, I thinh that is one of his best qualities, bar none!!

 

[pdot hot]

yeah he is but respect champ bailey j.t gets doubled team champ doesnt get thrown at they both make play they are about the same to me cause they get respect from all the teams in the nfl

 

[Firesole]

And the Denver game opening Saban's first season. He dominated in that game and wrapped up the win with that fumble recovery for a TD. I loved it when the rest of the team was mocking CPR on JT. Hilarious.

I'll never forget that game...I was there and just about to head out of the stands when I turned my head back and saw that play....I never screamed so loud in my life!!!!!!

JT is the Man...nuff said.


BTW I agree with the Urlacher = overrated. WAY OVERRATED.

 

[Joe Fitz]

You have to go with Merriman over Taylor (if your not a homer). Merriman had 17 sacks in 12 games and he can totally take over a game.

 

[QrtBck13]

You have to go with Merriman over Taylor (if your not a homer). Merriman had 17 sacks in 12 games and he can totally take over a game.

Merriman can also not drop back into coverage or stop the run. Merriman is not even the best LB out of his draft class, Demarcus Ware is! Ware is the total package! Sacks are just "SEXY" in todays NFL, all around good footbaLL players are way more important, like Taylor Peppers, and Ware.

 

[FiveStar]

JT is the man. No one is like him. End of story

 

[1stDown]

If anybody loses votes in the defensive player of the year award it is Champ. When is the last time you see a CB win the award? Champ's year, you could arguably say it was the best any CB has ever had. 7 Ints in the redzone...thats just crazy. His defender caught 4.4 yards per catch the entire year.

Saying that, its hard to argue giving the award to JT. Both of them deserved the award, and i'm okay with JT getting it.

 

[tay0365]

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/06/dolphins-taylor-nflsbest010607.html Sports media types often debate the following question: Who's the best defender in the NFL?

There are many possible answers to that question, but a name left unmentioned far too often is Miami Dolphins superstar defensive end Jason Taylor.

Typically the answers to the original question are linebackers Brian Urlacher (Bears) and Shawne Merriman (Chargers), as well as Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey. Frankly, Taylor might be a better player than any of the above-mentioned guys. Even though he was last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, that sentiment doesn't seem to fall in line with the general consensus.

He is the most disruptive defensive player in the game, and I do not say that lightly, more fumbles, sacks, INTs, incompletes, and RB indecisions come because of him, then any other defense player in the game.

 

[BIHPhinFan4Life]

I do not think you will find any argument on this site that JT is the best defender in the league. Well maybe from Hysterikill and his Urlacher love! :wink: JT can really just take over a game. Unlike any one other player. Just look at the chicago game last year...

i agree

 

[jdang307]

You have to go with Merriman over Taylor (if your not a homer). Merriman had 17 sacks in 12 games and he can totally take over a game.

Merriman is a one-note wonder. Naw he's actually pretty good but not as versatile as Taylor. He rushes the QB on almost every play until he recognizes a run play. Taylor is all over the field, even dropping back not as a reaction but as designed.

Funny this thread is mentioned, because last night while watching NFL Network Total Access they had Luis Castillo and Shaun Phillips on. They asked those two and Marshall Faulk who the best defender was, and of course Faulk has to say it's Merriman (I wonder what if two younguns from the Fins were on) and the other two agreed, understandably, but Castillo says "of course merriman, he should have won the D MVP last year.

Then they ask who would break 2000 yards, marshall again said LT, and again they agreed.

I understand their homerism, but could Marshall have been anymore gutless lol. C'mon marshall you used to evade these types of guys on a regular basis no need to be afraid of them now!