BGN Roster: Defensive Ends!

Probably the best position in football (I'm biased, because I play DE), the NFL defensive ends have evolved since the 80's and 90's. Today, teams need relentless and quick pass rushers that won't stop until someone gets hit behind the line of scrimmage. We are seeing today some of the best athletes in football playing the position, which has now recently changed again as the ends are know rushing at a outside linebacker position in 3-4 schemes.

Most know that the best rusher on this team and maybe a top five rusher is Trent Cole. He has been a boon for the Eagles, taking double teams and consistently making plays. Last year, with the Eagles defense as mess to say the least, he still had a quality year with 12.5 sacks and 66 total tackles. The Hunter may be great, but he needs some help for his defense to be great.

via cdn.bleacherreport.net

Brandon Graham was the fist pick for the Eagles his year and is already being compared to Dwight Freeney and talk of him being DROY. While the hype is great for the fans, is can be detrimental to a young player. Thankfully, the Eagles are making him earn a starting spot, competing with Juqua Parker who had 8.0 sacks a year ago. He is no doubt the future of the soaring birds.

Darryl Tapp is another young and promising player, before the Graham surprise, most expected the combo of Cole and Tapp during the season, terrorizing Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb. However, Tapp had a disappointing camp following all the hype coming in to camp. He will make the team, but his future beyond this season is in doubt.

With the talent of the ends, there is only a need for four of them to have what the Giants had in 2007. If the Eagles can replicate this, they will have a top 5 defense for sure.

The candidates...

Victor Abiamiri

The former Notre Dame star has been a bust. He cannot stay on the field long enough to stay healthy. He might make the team on IR.

Juqua Parker

The 2009 starter is still serviceable for many teams. Parker debuted for Tennessee in 2001, and now at the age of 32 is still going strong with 8.0 sacks in 2009. However, in his career, he only has 22.0 sacks. From starter to a fringe player, two things hurt his roster spot. One, the team is cutting down it's age. Parker is one of the few that are over the age of 28. Two, the DE's right now have much more upside than him in his stage of his career. If he doesn't make it, someone will sign him.

Daniel Teo'Neshiem

via media.lehighvalleylive.com

DTO is the next best thing. He can run stop and can pass rush like no other. He is Washington's all-time sack leader and one of my favorite players because he and I went to the same high-school (not at the same time). He is one of two players in the NFL from my high-school (Max Unger, starting tackle for the Seahawks). He could be the replacement for Cole down the line. I think he makes it, because he was a 3rd rounder this year.

Poll

The 4th DE is?

53%

DTO

39 votes

43%

Parker

32 votes

2%

Ambiamiri

2 votes

73 votes | Poll has closed