Thread: Football Outsiders: Ranking the DLs 1-16

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7050132

I found ranking o-lines 1-16 and a post by prohet from last year and searched for like 20 minutes so if someone says this has been posted i doubt ill post ever again

6. Minnesota (18)

The 2006 Vikings run defense was the best in the NFL since the 2000 Ravens, thanks in large part to an outstanding defensive line. Pat and Kevin Williams (no relation) are absolutely impossible to handle in the middle of the line. A motivated Pat Williams is arguably the best run defender in football. The only reason the Vikings do not rank first is that the defensive line struggled mightily to get to the quarterback. Starting defensive end Kenechi Udeze plays the run well but recorded zero sacks on the season. The Vikings overall were second to last in Adjusted Sack Rate. The good news — and the reason they are still a top 10 unit — is that according to our game-charting project, they ranked eighth in hurries per charted pass play. Look for some of those hurries to turn into sacks this season.

And if you minus Pat and Kevin, we would rank about 29th.

Our ends aren't special, but those 2 DT's of ours are beasts.

im looking forward to next year when its in the top 3

Can you please give us a link?

sorry forgot about the link, its up now

This line would make our whole defense dominating if it finds a way to pressure the QB. Whether it is James' return, Udeze coming around or more blitz schemes, we have to find a way to put QBs on their butt regularly, or we will waste the run-stuffing talent that we have.

Well I did't realize the D-Line was ranked 8th overall in hurries. They got pressure I am sure this year the D-Line will make a "HUGE" impact.

"midgensa" wrote:

This line would make our whole defense dominating if it finds a way to pressure the QB. Whether it is James' return, Udeze coming around or more blitz schemes, we have to find a way to put QBs on their butt regularly, or we will waste the run-stuffing talent that we have.

With Udeze, James, Scott, Edwards, and Mitchell we have great depth at DE. There is reason for optimism with all of those guys, and I expect all of them to have better seasons than last year.

Udeze - The biggest question mark. Hopefully playing on the left side with increase performance.
James - injured last year. If he is 100% I want to see double digit sacks.
Scott - Had 5.5 sacks last year, the leader of this group.
Edwards - 3 sacks as a rookie. I love his speed and think he and James will be the starters by the end of the season.
Mitchell - 3 sacks in 9 games. A welcome surprise and adds valuable depth.

Slight improvement by our ends and we are number 1. Two of the top 5 tackles in the league should have us there, now if only our starting end can manage 1 sack ;D

The only knock I had against our line last year, was a low sack total.

However, given the number of tackles for losses, the formidable run D, and our coverage not being real great, I can live with the low sack total.