by Tom Nieradka
Looking up and down the top defenses in the NFL, every team has that one guy who seems essential to the success of that defense. Whether it be a cornerback, linebacker, safety, or lineman, these elite players are often so adept at taking away some part of an opposing offense that it makes everyone else's job on the defense that much easier.
But what would happen if these players are not on the field? As we are seeing with the current Pittsburgh Steelers, the loss of one essential man can prove deadly to an entire defense, and even an entire team. But who are the top five most irreplaceable defensive players? Here we go.
5. Darren Sharper, S, New Orleans Saints
The Saints defense had an awful year in 2008 giving up over 24 points per game. And considering that last year they led the league in offense, the fact that they ended up at 8-8 missing the playoffs is a travesty. Enter new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and veteran safety Darren Sharper. Their points per game has dropped to 21, and after only having 15 interceptions all of last season already have 26 with one game left to go.
Sharper is responsible for 9 of those picks, and his 376 interception return yards is 18 over the record set by Ed Reed in 2004. And the fact that three of those picks went for touchdowns doesn’t hurt either. It would be tough to say that the Saints would be 13-2 right now without the services of Darren Sharper.
4. Pat and Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings
I know that these are two people, but the Williams wall cannot be separated. Many teams out there have great nose tackles, Kris Jenkins of the Jets and Albert Haynesworth of the Redskins are notable examples. But very few if any other teams have such a monstrous combination sitting on their line.
The wall is a big part of why the Vikings are only allowing 90 rush yards per game; It isn’t easy to run past 628 pounds of man. But the wall is also a big part of the pass defense. It is no secret that the Vikings have a subpar secondary, so the only thing that they can do is get pressure on the quarterback to try to force him to make mistakes. Each Williams has enough power to draw two blockers, and they are a big part of the reason that DE Jared Allen has 13.5 sacks and is able to be so effective rushing the passer.
Add in the 6 sacks for Kevin and 2 for Pat, and one can only equate that they are a huge (pun intended) part of the Vikings defense.
3. Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens
For the past decade the Ravens have been known for consistently having one of if not the best defenses in the league. In their Superbowl champion 2000 season, the Ravens were only giving up a ridiculous 10 points per game, and an essential part of the team then and now was and remains LB Ray Lewis.
Their elite middle linebacker is a big part of the run stuffing defense that had a streak of over 40 games without allowing an opposing rusher to surpass 100 yards, a streak unheard of when considering all of the amazing running backs in the game today. But Lewis is more than the numbers, he is so essential because of the leadership that he provides. He is widely regarded as one of the most terrifying players in the NFL, and when he gets amped up for a game he makes the entire team follow suit. After losing their longtime defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, safety Jim Leonhard, and LB Bart Scott to the Jets, Lewis continues to lead the defense as one of the elite units in the league.
This defense is not short on talent, and as long as Lewis is on the team it will not be short on intensity or ferocity either.
2. Darelle Revis, CB, New York Jets
Through his 3 years in the NFL, Revis has developed into the premier shutdown corner in the league and is one of the principal reasons that the Jets defense is the best in the NFL. The Jets currently lead the league in total defense (3965 yards), opposing points per game (15.7), and notably for this argument pass yards per game with 163.9 (best in the NFL by over 20 yards) - not to mention they are the only team to dethrone the previously undefeated Colts.
The 5-11 Revis has shown time and time again that he is more than capable of shutting down even the biggest and baddest receivers in the league. He has held Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Marques Colston, Terrell Owens, Steve Smith (CAR) and Randy Moss again all to 35 yards or less, and given up only 1 touchdown between all of them.
Revis effectively takes away the number one receiving option of any team that the Jets face. His 6 interceptions put him among the top in the league, and his astounding 31 passes defended make him tops in the NFL by far (next closest is Dominique Rogers-Cromartie with 25). There is no doubt that Revis is absolutely necessary for the Jets while they break in their rookie quarterback and try to keep games low scoring, and when the time comes that Sanchez starts to light up the offense this team will be scary.
1. Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
I’ll just go ahead and say it, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is bad without Troy Polamalu. In their Superbowl Championship season last year the Steelers defense was only allowing 13.9 points per game, and led the league in total defense by over 300 yards with only 3795 surrendered all season.
This year, however, is a different story. They are giving up 20 points per game, and have already given up over 4,500 total yards. This season the Steelers are 4-6 in games that Polamalu did not play, including miserable losses to the Chiefs, Raiders, and Browns. The defense is just a whole lot better when their ball-hawking safety is on the field, and when he isn’t teams pick the Steelers apart through the air.
He is the emotional and mental leader of the defense, and is so apparently and absolutely necessary that the Steelers cannot win without him. The best stat to sum this up? Polamalu has missed 8 games this season, but he still leads all Steelers with 3 interceptions. Essential? I think so.
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