Bigblue25 Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 DE2K: The all-around player vs. the sack artist NFL.com Published: July 7, 2011 at 12:02 p.m. By NFL.com More Columns > US Presswire Julius Peppers might be the better all-around defensive end, but Michael Strahan was a sack machine. <br clear="all"> Player 2K series: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | LB | CB | S | DE With "The Top 100 Players of 2011" wrapped up, it got us thinking: Who are the greatest players of the new millennium, the Y2K era? Since 2000, broad developments in NFL strategy have taken place, as well as the specialization of the players who fit into these new schemes. So who has thrived most in the league's ever-evolving environment? Today, Steve Wyche and Elliot Harrison make a case for the best defensive end. Got an opinion of your own? Sound off in the comments section below. Wyche: A case for Julius Peppers Since coming into the league with the Carolina Panthers in 2002, Julius Peppers has not only been one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL. He's been one of the most dominant defenders -- period. Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai Prime example: In his first season last year in a new system with the Chicago Bears at age 30, Peppers had eight sacks, 54 tackles, nine passes defended (batted down at the line of scrimmage, altered in coverage), three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. That doesn't include hurries, altered throws or the denial of running backs into pass routes because they have to stay in protection to help block him. That's sick. That's also just one season and hardly his most productive. Now, throw those numbers away. When there is a player that disruptive on the other team, opposing coaches scheme and game plan to minimize that player's role. That's only said about a handful of defenders. Coaches have done that for nine seasons with Peppers. I know because I've talked to a lot of those coaches and players who've gone up against him. Where Peppers, 31 -- who should be better in his second go-round in Chicago's defense -- tends to trump most scheming is that he can play both end spots, reduce inside to play tackle and drop into coverage as an outside linebacker. There's only so much teams can do to avoid him. Now, are there better pass-rushing ends than Peppers? Probably, but not many. Maybe Atlanta's John Abraham, Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney. I'd even add Freeney's teammate Robert Mathis into the discussion. As far as overall defensive ends, though, Peppers is The Man. Julius Peppers vs. Michael Strahan (2000-2010) Player Tackles Sacks Pro Bowls *Julius Peppers 352 89 6 Michael Strahan **332 89 4 *Since 2002 (rookie year); **Since 2001 Peppers is just as solid against the run as he is against the pass. "Double Teamed" should be his middle name. Another thing to take into account when looking at Peppers: He has 89 sacks. Since 2000, only Abraham (102.5) and Freeney (94) have more among defensive ends. Abraham and Freeney have played with very good quarterbacks (Michael Vick and Matt Ryan for Abraham, Peyton Manning for Freeney) and on offenses that tend to get their teams out to big leads, which forces teams to play catch-up and gives pass rushers more chances to get after the quarterback. That's no slight to Abraham, Freeney, Mathis or anyone else because they get double and triple teamed and still finish the drill. But Peppers? He has played for two conservatively offensive teams with two quarterbacks (Jake Delhomme and Jay Cutler) who've been good but never generated the types of production that routinely allows him to do little else but pass rush. Still, his totals are right there. Players in the discussion: Abraham, Freeney, Mathis, Jared Allen Great ... but don't belong: Osi Umenyiora, Aaron Kampman Guy nobody talks about: Trent Cole Harrison: A case for Michael Strahan Michael Strahan was the most complete defensive end of this era. Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai At the beginning of this time period, from 2000 to 2003, Strahan had 61.5 sacks. That averaged to more than 15 a season. Take any four-year stretch of Peppers' career (the most sacks he had was 41.5), and it's not even close. The most difficult choice for me was taking Strahan over Jason Taylor. John Abraham and Jared Allen also merit consideration. But the gap-toothed wonder got my vote because, in his prime, I thought he was a more complete player than Taylor, Abraham, or anyone else. That prime fell in the 2001-to-2003 range, part of this Y2K era. So even though Taylor and Abraham had more sacks in the 2000s, it was only because they played the entire duration. Basically, if I had to play one game to win tomorrow with the great players of the 2000s, I'm lining up Strahan at right defensive end. Strahan was better against the run than Taylor or Abraham. Neither of those guys, although great, could touch his 22.5-sack season of 2001. Unlike them, Strahan played in two Super Bowls and was the leader on a team that pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NFL history in Super Bowl XLII -- a game ultimately won because of the Giants' pass rush. In his 15th and final season in 2007, Strahan had nine sacks and added two more in the playoffs. Peppers had eight sacks and none in the postseason. Two things make Strahan a certain Hall of Famer to me: 1) His ability to change to stay effective. He lost over 30 pounds late in his career to get more quickness rushing the passer, ultimately resulting in an 11.5-sack campaign in 2005. 2) He almost single handedly beat the best team in football in Week 5 of 2001, the "Greatest Show on Turf." The Giants ultimately lost to the Rams, 15-14, but Strahan sacked Kurt Warner four times and lived in St. Louis' backfield. It was one of the most dominating performances I've ever seen against a superior team. There's no defensive end in football right now I know of who can take over a game like that. Players in the discussion: Julius Peppers, Taylor, Abraham, Jared Allen, Dwight Freeney Great ... but don't belong: Jevon Kearse, Trent Cole Guy(s) nobody talks about: Aaron Smith, Robert Mathis http://www.nfl.com/n...t?module=HP_cp2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lubeck Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 They used PEPPERS as the player to argue against Strahan? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osi724dasack Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Tuck > Peppers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 They used PEPPERS as the player to argue against Strahan? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Pretty humorous. Peppers isn't even the better "all around" player. Strahan was a beast in all aspects of the game and ten times the leader Peppers ever dreamed of being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueInCanada Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 How do you even compare the two? One is one of the best if not the best DE to play the game. The other will just be remember as a Carolina great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMFP Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Strahan was one of the best DEs ever to play the game. Not only a great pass rusher, but excellent against the run as well. Also, real student of the game....Tuck and Osi learned alot from him. Peppers is a tremendous player in his own right.....not really fair to compare him to Strahan until his career is over, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrashTalker92 Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Peppers a great player in his own right.. but what him and all the great players lack is the leadership... my man Strahan is not just one of the GREAT DE's to ever play the game but also a great leader.... it's really hard to find a combination of that.. if i were to compare him as a football player, he'll be payton manning.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrashTalker92 Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Peppers a great player in his own right.. but what him and all the great players lack is the leadership... my man Strahan is not just one of the GREAT DE's to ever play the game but also a great leader.... it's really hard to find a combination of that.. if i were to compare him as a football player, he'll be payton manning.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigblue25 Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 Peppers has actually put up great numbers. They are talking the past decade and not careers. Strahan has been retired for three years, Peppers was drafted in 2002, Peppers has a extra year on him since the decade started. The numbers for Peppers are really good, he will get HOF consideration. He had twelve sacks in twelve games has a rookie and should of broken the rookie sack record, until they suspended him for PED's, which were basically over the counter stuff everyone uses. Strahan overall is better, but Peppers has been very good the past nine years, expect for 2007 were he battled injuries, so actually it's 8 and 8 and the numbers are about even. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Peppers a great player in his own right.. but what him and all the great players lack is the leadership... my man Strahan is not just one of the GREAT DE's to ever play the game but also a great leader.... it's really hard to find a combination of that.. if i were to compare him as a football player, he'll be payton manning.. Exactly.. and arguably since Strahan retired, the team's leadership diminished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGBLUE01 Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Strahan.....the best. End of story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osi724dasack Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 Strahan.....the best. End of story. Seriously, Strahan is and always will be the fucking man!!! Can't complain about our current DE situation though either, JPP is gonna be one crazy player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandolphScott Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 When I saw the title I just went: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMFP Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 Peppers a great player in his own right.. but what him and all the great players lack is the leadership... my man Strahan is not just one of the GREAT DE's to ever play the game but also a great leader.... it's really hard to find a combination of that.. if i were to compare him as a football player, he'll be payton manning.. That's a good point....Strahan friggin' willed that defense to beating the Patriots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 That's a good point....Strahan friggin' willed that defense to beating the Patriots. He willed the office too lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treehugger Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 This is my desktop at work: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishgutmartyr Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Strahan can be mentioned in the same sentence as Reggie White; Julius Peppers can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrashTalker92 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Strahan can be mentioned in the same sentence as Reggie White; Julius Peppers can't. That nails it!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Strahan can be mentioned in the same sentence as Reggie White; Julius Peppers can't. Forgot his name.. played for the Bills most of his career... then Washington. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGBLUE01 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Forgot his name.. played for the Bills most of his career... then Washington. Bruce Smith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Bruce Smith. That's him... He's got to be mentioned with Reggie and Strahan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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