CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: AFC North vs. NFC North: Best Division All-Pro Team

[Bengalsrocket]

Originally Posted by Boston

Last time I checked players like Ed Reed don't make a living patrolling the box... But, if you want to call a tackle 5-10 yards past the LOS an impact play, be my guest.

Now, everybody knows Reed is one of the best safeties in the league, and can completely change the complexion of a game with one interception, but he doesn't do this on a consistent basis. A good DE like Mario Williams can completely shut down an offense, assuming he has at least a somewhat competent cast surrounding him. There's really no contest here.

Is this a joke? Ed Reed changes both aspects of an opposing offense. You don't think teams shy away from throwing the ball when they play Baltimore?

If I'm an offensive coordinator or a head coach, my game plan is to run the ball against Baltimore. I'd rather go against an aging Ray Lewis than an Ed Reed in the prime of his career. This then allows Baltimore to stack the box or just flat out focus on stopping the run with their front 7.

[Gay Ork Wang]

Originally Posted by diabsoule

Want to talk pass rush? Look no further than the NFC East team that was assembled. Justin Tuck, Albert Haynesworth, Broderick Bunkley, and Osi with DeMarcus Ware at LB and Trent Cole coming in off the bench.

And that with LaRon Landry roaming around in the secondary. Not to mention Sheldon Brown, Asante Samuel, Corey Webster, and Terrance Newman.

If the Giants pass rush alone made Tom Brady(!) make bad throws imagine what adding Haynesworth, Bunkley, Cole, and Ware could do to Jay Cutler. Just saying.

I voted for the NFC North because im a homer ;)

[terribletowel39]

Originally Posted by Bengalsrocket

Is this a joke? Ed Reed changes both aspects of an opposing offense. You don't think teams shy away from throwing the ball when they play Baltimore?

If I'm an offensive coordinator or a head coach, my game plan is to run the ball against Baltimore. I'd rather go against an aging Ray Lewis than an Ed Reed in the prime of his career. This then allows Baltimore to stack the box or just flat out focus on stopping the run with their front 7.

Sorry, this is not right.

Ed Reed or not, Baltimores strength on defense is stopping the run. You gameplan to pass against Baltimore. Obviously you don't abandon the run completely but you definitely aren't going into the game planning to run more than pass. Ed Reed is really the only individual in that secondary unit that is scary. You pass before you run. Baltimore is the 2nd or 3rd best run defense in the league, you don't test that. Throw away from Reed if you are too scared.

I am a fan for a team that obviously has a good safety. And I am stradling the line with this discussion. Mario Williams?? There is not a safety that makes a bigger impact. That goes for several DE's in the game. But I would say there are 3-4 safeties that make more of an impact than MOST of the DE's in the game. After your top 7-10 DE's, I would argue Reed, Polamalu, Wilson, and maybe Griffin/Landry make more of an impact than the back 20 DE's.

Not sure if that made sense, but yes.

[PACKmanN]

Originally Posted by Bengalsrocket

Is this a joke? Ed Reed changes both aspects of an opposing offense. You don't think teams shy away from throwing the ball when they play Baltimore?

If I'm an offensive coordinator or a head coach, my game plan is to run the ball against Baltimore. I'd rather go against an aging Ray Lewis than an Ed Reed in the prime of his career. This then allows Baltimore to stack the box or just flat out focus on stopping the run with their front 7.

so you would rather attack a front 7 of Pyrce, Kelly, Ngata, Lewis, and Suggs? instead of Washginton, Foxworth, Rolle, Landry, and Reed? The Ravens don't need to stack the box for anything, they already have a dominate d-line, it allows them to drop guys back in coverage.

is that a joke...

[awfullyquiet]

i like how this all hinges on the front 7...

need i remind you that minnesota has allowed the least amount of running yards per game when the williams are both in the line up than any team in the nfl over the past few years...

what does that do? put it all on the skill players, ben and the wideouts to make the difference.

[RAVENS/WIZARDS/ORIOLES]

Originally Posted by PACKmanN

so you would rather attack a front 7 of Pyrce, Kelly, Ngata, Lewis, and Suggs? instead of Washginton, Foxworth, Rolle, Landry, and Reed? The Ravens don't need to stack the box for anything, they already have a dominate d-line, it allows them to drop guys back in coverage.

is that a joke...

I just want to type what you did...........Pryce,Gregg,Ngata,Lewis,Suggs....... ......AHHHH I love it

[Hines]

A great safety is key, but if the Steelers didn't have Aaron Smith, they would suck with or without Polamalu.

[PACKmanN]

Originally Posted by awfullyquiet

i like how this all hinges on the front 7...

need i remind you that minnesota has allowed the least amount of running yards per game when the williams are both in the line up than any team in the nfl over the past few years...

what does that do? put it all on the skill players, ben and the wideouts to make the difference.

and one of the worst secondary in the NFL over the past few years...yet they mange to maintain a very solid defense and went to the Playoffs last year.

[BmoreBlackByrdz]

Originally Posted by HinesWardJr

A great safety is key, but if the Steelers didn't have Aaron Smith, they would suck with or without Polamalu.

VERY true, Aaron Smith is one of the most underrated players in the league.

[tjsunstein]

I think the NFC North offense could do some work against that defense.

[vikes_28]

AP ftw. NFC North ftw.