Jason Taylor: The NFL’s best defender?

By Adam Best  |   Friday, June 01, 2007  |  Comments( 16 )

Miami Dolphins
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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.

Urlacher is an outstanding player, there is no debating that. In fact, he probably compares favorably to either Bailey or Merriman. He has played alongside defensive talent superior to Taylor's teammates, though, both in front of him on the line and behind him in the secondary. During the previous few seasons, Chicago's secondary has possessed much more talent than Dolphins' defensive backfield. Additionally, the Bears had highly acclaimed defensive-minded coaches like Lovie Smith and Ron Rivera on staff, and last year they had the NFL's best field-position equalizer on the roster in Devin Hester.

Considering that as recent as two years ago Urlacher played on the best defense in the NFL statistically, it's hard to argue that his situation hasn't been superior to Taylor's.

That being said, Taylor's '06 stats trump Urlacher's. The latter recorded 141 tackles, zero sacks, three interceptions, one fumble forced and recovered, and six passes defensed last season. In comparison, Taylor recorded 60 tackles, 13½ sacks, two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), nine forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered and eight passes defensed.

First off, middle linebackers don't have to battle with mammoth OTs, so they are free to roam and make tackles. That's a middle linebacker's job -- making tackles. The tackle disparity between the two isn't a big deal. What is a big deal is Urlacher not recording a single sack, while Taylor notched 13½ sacks. Historically, defensive ends and outside linebackers dominate the sack category, but Taylor's statistical dominance goes further than just sacks.

Taylor outperformed Urlacher in every other single category except interceptions. Even with picks, Taylor took both of his to the house, while Urlacher has never returned an interception for a touchdown. In fact, Taylor shares the NFL record with seven career touchdown returns, while Urlacher has but one. Very few defensive backs have that kind of big-play ability, let alone a defensive lineman.

In fact, Bailey only has four career touchdown returns and he is widely regarded as the best cornerback in the league. Is Bailey as talented as Taylor? Maybe, but he doesn't impact the game like Taylor can from the defensive end spot. Bailey doesn't get thrown at by the opposition, and while some may see that as smart football, it is also scared football. The Oakland Raiders played in Denver two years ago and the Raiders kept going to Jerry Porter, as he burned Bailey all night long. Other receivers have also torched Bailey, but that's just the most prominent example. Bailey's rep may have surpassed his actual talent at this point.

While Bailey has been dominated over the course of a game, it's nearly impossible to think of a time when an offensive lineman ever dominated Taylor.

Merriman shouldn't even be considered in this conversation until he stays off steroids for a couple of years, which Taylor came out and chastised him. Part of being a great player is being a leader and role model, and Taylor is. While Merriman's steroid suspension indicates he's not a role model, Taylor exemplifies what it means to be one.

As for some of the other great defenders in the NFL -- Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers, Ray Lewis, Troy Polamalu, among others -- their abilities just aren't as freakish. Taylor dominates like no other defender in the league, and his stats back that up in spite of his supporting cast, not because of them.

Now, if he could just get some help from his teammates.
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