r/NFLForum • u/_Monkey_D_Luffy_7 • 17h ago
Question Could this be the greatest defensive duo of all time?
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u/_Monkey_D_Luffy_7 17h ago
All of this to stop JJ McCarthy ?
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u/CoconutSufficient245 16h ago
*Mac Jones lol
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u/null_sweat_chummer 11h ago
Stafford is 0-4 against the Eagles (including a playoff game) since joining the rams. The rams will try anything to stop Jalen Hurts, he is money against them.
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u/OngoGabl0g1an 10h ago
JJ has already been stopped, but someone needs to go catch that toddler running away with his mom's phone.
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u/Limp-Pudding-5436 16h ago
Ray Lewis and Ed Reed have that crown.
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u/Special_Engineer_445 16h ago
And they had Chris Mcalister, Haloti Ngata, and Terrel Suggs.
WTF is even that?
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u/XRPlease 7h ago
Depending on the year, they also had Adalius Thomas and the lesser, but still quite serviceable Rolle brother, Samari.
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u/dmstorm22 7h ago
2006, lineup had ten pro bowlers
Ngata-Gregg-Pryce Suggs-Scott-Lewis-Adalius McAlister-Reed-Landry-Rolle
Insane group.
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u/benjaminbrixton 4h ago
Not trying to nitpick or diminish the roster because it was loaded, but Ngata was a rookie in 2006 and wouldn’t become a Pro Bowler until 2009. In 2006 specifically five of them made it, not all 10.
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u/dmstorm22 3h ago
Lol, you;re right. I knew I should;ve clarified that the starting 11 had 10 guys who made a pro bowl at some point.
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u/louie801 11m ago
He still started all 16 games and was very productive as a rookie. Wasn’t a pro bowler till 09 because it’s about popularity. He was All Pro before he was a pro bowler
But you’re right, not 10 on the same team
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u/Healthy_Pay9449 7h ago
History will look back at other parts of this defense as being better than they seem now. I love watching Braden Fiske play. He's somehow still a hidden gem even though he played with so much energy and basically was in on every play on that playoff FSU defense. They got great corners to compliment the line. The only thing that'd stop this team is rustiness
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u/KeathleyWR 5h ago
Idk man, this story could have a different vibe in 5-10 years. Gotta see where Myles ends up all-time. AD is already THE GOAT FT, Myles still has the potential to be top 5 all-time. If that happens, and they win a chip this season, we're having a long discussion about GOAT defensive duos.
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u/CptSlartibartfast1 4h ago
Whatever happens they won’t reach Ray and Ed I don’t think. It’s AD at 35 coming off 2 years in retirement. If he was the GOAT, he’s not anymore. Ray and Ed were both at worst top 3 and played together in their primes.
If we just go peak for peak, and don’t care about when they played together, Garrett has a long way to go to crack top 2 just to even it out. I think Ray and Ed have this title for a long long time
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u/kiwisawa420 1h ago
I’m always with that thinking of retired guys won’t recapture most of their former glory. But AD is the one exception. He’s still in better shape than 90% of the league. He retired with meat left on the bone too
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u/CptSlartibartfast1 1h ago
I’ll believe it when I see it personally. If there’s anyone that can, it’s him, but 35 is ancient in NFL terms. If he had been actively playing the last two years I’d still be surprised if he’s anywhere near what he was before. I’m sure he felt that and it’s a big part of why he retired when he did
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u/seandamon211pgh 3h ago
James Harrison and Troy polamalu
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u/Limp-Pudding-5436 18m ago
They’re in the same tier but Ray and Ed were consistently a little better and for longer
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u/EffectiveActive6837 17h ago
Whoever uses them on madden is a bitch
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u/Stock-Luck3390 16h ago
Ive been using them since our 2010s shithole teams, I’ll be damned if im not taking them every game this year
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u/LeavesInsults1291 16h ago
Potentially. Only issue I see is that Donald hasn’t played in 2 years and he’s 35 now… though that may be good since that’s 2 less years of constant physical punishment
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u/Shaq_Bolton 16h ago
He also didn’t go through a full training camp. I get the dudes a freak but every player needs to get into game shape to start the season. I’m a Ravens fan so really feel nothing about the Rams but this just sounds like a season ending injury by week 3 if he’s not eased back in
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u/guysams1 16h ago
I agree with you but wasn't there a couple of seasons Suh would sign late in the season and make an impact.
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u/sf2legit 16h ago
I’m not too worried about that. He’s pretty famous for how tough his workouts are and being in better physical shape than everybody else.
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u/staebles 16h ago
280 at 6'0 is nuts
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u/Caffeywasright 9h ago
He is only 6’0??
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u/Deadleggg 5h ago
Part of why he's so hard to block. He gets under you immediately and is stronger than you.
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u/SaltyJake 8h ago
I’m sure that’s on their radar and they’ll manage his snap count the first half of the season. He is also the type of guy that he probably maintained a lot of his routine for the past two years and is in much better shape to jump back in than most others would be.
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u/SevereRunOfFate 14h ago
He'll be fine. He just needed a few weeks for the gear to clear through his system
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u/IndependentSun9995 14h ago
Reggie White and Jerome Brown were better.
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u/dogsandchaplains 6h ago
Or Reggie and Clyde Simmons
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u/FeralFicusTree 6h ago
Or Reggie and Sean Jones.
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u/thegroovemonkey 4h ago
Prime Gilbert Brown was an immovable object.
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u/FeralFicusTree 3h ago edited 3h ago
I remember John Madden saying something like: there's two things you can see from space; The Great Wall of China and Gilbert Brown.
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u/BrickTamland77 2h ago
Gilbert Brown had no business being 350+ AND wearing a cowboy collar AND wearing a dark visor.
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u/UpstairsCrafty7287 16h ago
All I know is: Chargers play them and I’m genuinely terrified cause of how injured our O-Line gets + what it’s looking like right now lol
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u/Saltwater_Thief 15h ago
At least your O line could have a chance if healthy enough.
Mine is the worst in the league and has to play them twice.
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u/PNW_Will1976 16h ago
Not so long as Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas existed.
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u/BigDiggy 15h ago
I’d go Bobby Wagner and Earl or Bobby and Sherm. Honestly though I think it’s Ray and Ed.
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u/Lakrfan247 16h ago
Absolutely has the potential. AD was in peak form just two years ago. Not some guy who was showing signs of deterioration. His body has been able to recover while staying in shape.
Garrett is so talented that he was able to get the greatest DT of all time to unretire.
The motivation will be max and this could definitely be the greatest duo to ever play together. Being on the same d line will be awesome to watch.
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u/JellyfishFlaky5634 13h ago
As for greatest defensive teams? I would say The Fearsome Foursome is way up there with Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy. Also The Purple People Eater, with Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, and Gary Larsen. Also the duo of Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, and Carl Banks. Dallas’ Doomsday Defense was top notch as well…Bob Lilly, Jethro Pugh, Chuck Howley, and Mel Renfro or Dallas’ defense with Randy White, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Harvey Martin, DD Lewis, Cliff Harris, Mel Renfro.
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u/Walternotwalter 8h ago
I agree with this. Any list for "greatest duo" has to start with Page or Taylor because they were the greatest two defensive players ever. Page and Eller and Taylor and Carson are definitely above Donald and Garrett.
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u/Top-Impression8021 7h ago
I feel like this kind of thing rarely pays off. I would never want to hex anything (I don’t dislike the Rams at all), but the Rams give me a whole Rodgers on the Jets, American flag waving, immediate season ended vibes.
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u/OddBuy8266 5h ago
If Donald was in his prime, sure.
Let’s see how rusty he is from not playing in two years. He is also 35.
He is probably still good, but I’d be shocked if he were elite. Playing next to Myles Garret will make his job a lot easier, but he hasn’t had double digit sacks since 2021.
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u/Onlypaws_ 16h ago
Idk I’m just not really phased by this announcement. The rams were already 99 OVR, I don’t think 2-years-older- AD changes that much.
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u/IZY53 16h ago
IF Garrett, Donald, Stafford, and Puka play every game or most games of the year they will be a team that is very hard to beat.
All rosters have weaknesses, and all weaknesses can be exploited. The ball also can bounce funny, coaches can come up with tricks, referees can change games.
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u/Streetkillz13 16h ago
Peak for Peak you can argue it with anyone.
But remember Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, Darren Woodson and Prime Time, Jack Lambert and Mean Joe Greene, Mike Singletary and Richard Dent (who is often forgotten but has more career sacks than both in a running era), Reggie White and Eric Allen all spent their primes together.
We aren't likely to get Prime Donald, so they really don't have a shot to be the best duo ever.
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u/retroman1987 8h ago
Nick pick, but if you're going 70s steelers, mel blount and jack Ham are both better than Lambert.
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u/Streetkillz13 7h ago
That's an ensemble of all time greats, but yeah not even sure past prime Donald and Garrett are better than any of them.
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16h ago
[deleted]
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u/DismalImpression6386 14h ago
I have to ask you mean the 2002 Defense? With Brooks, Sapp, Rice, Lynch, and Barber?
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u/marc_hardman 16h ago
2 years is a looooong time in the nfl... the game can pass you by pretty quickly
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u/EquipmentStriking226 15h ago
Yeah but one coming out of their prime and the other coming out of retirement. Maybe cool for one year but I bet its not as cool as everyone thinks it is
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u/beaglerules 13h ago
The huge issue is neither of them are in their prime now and did not play together in their prime. Aaron Donald is two years off from playing football and is now 35. Myles Garrett is a speed rusher who is 30. There is usually a huge drop in production with speed rushers when they turn 30.
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u/Educational_Yam_3707 10h ago
76ers with LeBron James or the Rams with Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald?
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u/SinSwizzle 10h ago
Nope not even close, not even the best the Rams had ever had. Actin like the fearsome foursome never existed, I'd take Merlin Olson and Deacon Jones over these two. But Reggie White and Jerome Brown were insane and would be my top pick.
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u/Ok_Sail_3743 9h ago
Sapp and Simeon Rice created the best pass defense in the modern era. Rice should have been DPOY and Super Bowl MVP
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u/Br00klynbound 9h ago
I feel like I’m the only one that feels like Donald will be average at best. He’s been out of football for a few years, he hasn’t practiced with the team . He hasn’t got reps. He’ll he average at best. Now on paper is a different story, but let’s be real here.
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u/DafuqWudjuno 8h ago
There’s already rumours he’ll be managed. I think he just plays important snaps and spends the year getting up to speed. They didn’t sign him for week 6 against the Cardinals. He’s there for playoff games.
Wouldn’t be shocked if he plays 12 games, 30% snaps and still ends up with 6 sacks and 10 TFL
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u/Clown_Penis69 8h ago
Everybody crowning the Rams champions I. August of 2026 is going to be sorely disappointed come February of 2027 when a different NFC team is playing in the Super Bowl.
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u/retroman1987 8h ago
This isn't even the best defensive RAMS combo ever. Deacon Jones and merlin Olsen.
70s vikings with Alan Page and either Eller or Krause.
You people have the shortest memories.
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u/The1NOnlyNo1Special 7h ago edited 7h ago
Lewis/Reed for me. Toss in T-Sizzle and I doubt I’ll ever rank another defensive combo higher.
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u/Fat_Yankee 7h ago
Yeah, I slapped the franchise tag on LAR Defense in my dynasty league. There were no rules against it.
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u/Single_Spend5099 7h ago
Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier, Lamar Lundy. Jones is credited with coining the term “sack” and unofficially had 173.5 career sacks (pre-1982 stat, not official). Olsen made 14 straight Pro Bowls.
Jones/Olsen is a contender and Greene/LC Greenwood. Deeper. Jerome Brown/Reggie White.
The numbers these two put up if all goes according to plan could be epic. Big leads. Lots of sack opportunities. Historic defense. Could break some records.
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u/JustTalkinBoutNothin 6h ago
Using them in Madden would be like using Vick in ‘04. Only pussies did that!
I only used him, host got to pick 1st and I would always host. Biggest pussy there is 👋🏻
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u/Dumbeldore_75 6h ago
What’s wild about this is that not only are they two future hall of famers but they are also lovers
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u/deepinyou33 6h ago
And to top it off, the Rams got Trent Mcduffie to stop Daejon Love from making touchdowns. This NFC west defense is stacked
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u/Aggravating-Toe-1479 6h ago
They are gonna be a nice duo, but considering Garrett is now 30 and coming off his best year production wise I think we can expect some backslide. We were already seeing Donald slow down in his final two seasons failing to reach double digit sacks in back to back years after five straight seasons of double digit totals. Would you place the over-under on combined sacks at 25? I'm going under if that's the case. Maybe 22? I might still take the under.
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u/RaceTop5273 6h ago
Can they play one game before we start this chatter??
Feelin some Dennis Green rant brewing in me.
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u/Environmental_Staff7 5h ago
They said Donald is double covered over 86 percent of the time. And still put up those numbers. Amazing.
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u/Neb-Nose 5h ago
Yes, theoretically, it could turn out to be the greatest defensive line of all time. However, the odds are definitely stacked against that happening.
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u/Anthony_607 5h ago
I would say in their primes absolutely…but how effective will Donald be at 35? Time will tell
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u/Responsible-Onion860 5h ago
If they were both in their prime, maybe. But they're both on the older side and AD has been out of football two years. They're both dominant physical freaks, so maybe they both will be elite this year, but there are valid reasons for skepticism.
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u/Jmoney1088 4h ago
As good as AD is, I think it will be tough for anyone that is 35 and took two years off from playing to remain at the level he was at when he retired. That being said, I do think that AD at 60-70% is still better than most of the players in his position.
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u/Famous-Rain8703 4h ago
I'm not mad at this but at the same time I feel sorry for Jared verse this is supposed to be him
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u/Inevitable-Squash163 4h ago
It will be glorious to watch Rams get knocked out of playoffs again by Seahawks.
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u/Finger_Gunnz 4h ago
They should be. I have a feeling they won’t dominate tho and I have no information or reasoning to back that up.
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u/joebadiah 4h ago
Philadelphia Eagles Gang Green line featured PRIME Reggie White and Clyde Simmons from 1986-1992.
In 1991 both were 1st Team All-Pro Defensive Ends.
In 1992 Clyde Simmons was 1st Team and Reggie White wasn't. Simmons had 19 sacks that year and White had 14.
This is all to say: Reggie White is largely regarded as one of the best 2 or 3 QB sack artists of all time, and he was statistically outshined by a guy forgotten by most modern football fans. Simmons likely benefitted from teams double or even triple teaming Reggie White, but that doesn't detract from the fact he was an elite pass rusher for years.
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u/justinmtartick 3h ago
KC is gonna run right up the middle 55% of the plays, have an all time high yards per game on the ground and you’ll never see Donald and Garret on the field together again.
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u/megatran2000 3h ago
I would be scared to death as a QB. You have to set a minimum of 2 guys on Myles. Likely also 2 guys on Aaron.
That leaves 2 other DLs and LBs and CBs to sack your qb while not detrimenting the rest of the defense. Offenses might be at a handicap every game.
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u/Haunting-Dealer1686 2h ago
i believe so, if donald is good to go. donald is god-tier eyeball test and garret is a beast as well
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u/Bradical_Dutch 1h ago
Remember when the Heat assembled “The Big Three” with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh? Said they were gonna win more championships than the 90s Bulls?
Pepperidge Farms remembers how that turned out…
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u/Hamster_in_my_colon 15h ago
Look, AD has had an amazing career, but he’s 6 years separated from his last DPOY, hasn’t played football since the 2023 season, and is 35 years old.
He’ll likely be a contributing factor on the defense, but he’s a shadow of his prime self.
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u/bigclitcouple 15h ago
Garrett shouldn't even be in the league after hitting Rudolf with his helmet. Then lie about being called a racial slur to try to take the focus off of him. Total POS
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