NFL 2006 Review - Defense

DEFENSIVE TACKLES:</font>

Kyle Williams DT Bills: ROOKIE</font> 11/16 games, 53 tackles, 1 PD

Chris Hovan DT Bucs: his best season since 2002, 16/16, 51 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FR

Ryon Bingham DT Chargers: 0/16, career best 15 tackles, 1.5 sacks

Dan Klecko DT Colts: 0/10, 4 tackles, 1 catch for 2 yards and a TD

Jeff Zgonina DT Dolphins: 2/14, 33 tackles, 1 PD, 1 FR

Sam Rayburn DT Eagles: 0/12, 12 tackles

Rob Meier DT/DE Jaguars: 0/16, 29 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 FR

Matt Wright DT Patriots: 4/16, 32 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 2 FRs

Justin Bannan DT Ravens: 1/14, 14 tackles, 1 FF

Kelly Gregg DT Ravens: 16/16, 61 tackles (ties his career best from last season), career best 3.5 sacks, 2 PDs, 1 FF, 3 FR returned for 59 yards

Rodney Leisle NT Saints: 1/14, 16 tackles, 1 FR - when he made his start Dec 17, Saints started 5 whites on defense

Brian Young DT Saints: started all 16 games, 46 tackles, second on the team, with 5.5 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FR

Craig Terrill DT Seahawks: 0/11, 14 tackles, career high 3 sacks, 1 FR for 5 yards

Chris Hope NT Steelers: 1/16, 12 tackles

Travis Kirschke DT Steelers: 0/16, 8 tackles, career best 2 sacks and 1 FF

Seth Payne DT Texans: 2/5 before going on IR, 11 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF


DEFENSIVE ENDS:</font>

Justin Smith DE Bengals: started all 16 games, had his personal best and 4th on a team 81 tackles (3rd for all NFL linemen), 7.5 sacks (2nd on the team and 1 short of career high), 3 passes defended, 1 FF and 3 FR

Aaron Schobel DE Bills: great season in which he started all 16 contests, finished with team high and 3rd in NFL 14 sacks, improving his last season career high by 2. 53 tackles, 3 PDs, 3 FF and 1 FR

Chris Kelsay DE Bills: started all 16 games, 61 tackles, career high 5.5 sacks, 4 PDs, FF, 1 FR

Ryan Denney DE Bills: 0/1, spelling Chris Kelsey he's had a very good season: 54 tackles, career high 6 sacks, 4 PDs, 2 FF and 1 FR

John Engelbereger DE Broncos: 1/16, 30 tackles, 1 sack, 3 PDs, 2 FF, 1 FR

Simon Fraser DE/DT Browns: 5/16, started last 5, had 36 tackles and 4.5 sacks, 4 PDs, 1 FF

Chris Cooper DE Cardinals: 0/13, 21 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 PDs, 1 FR

Luis Castillo DE Chargers: i know he's of Mexican heritage but he is white, so let's not start this again. 10/10, 37 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 interception, 1 FR

Igor Olshansky DE Chargers: 13/13, 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FR - all in all disappointing season for this third year player

Jared Allen DE Chiefs: started all 16 games, 77 tackles - career high and 5th in the league amongst linemen, 3rd on the team in tackles; team high 7.5 sacks, forced 3 fumbles, recovered league high 6 fumbles! for 24 yards, 11 passes defended - highest out of all players but defensive backs!

Josh Thomas DE Colts: 0/14, 21 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FR

Bo Schobel DE Colts: 0/14, 19 tackles, 0.5 sack

Matt Roth DE Dolphins: 0/16, career high 36 yards, 3.5 sacks, 3 FF, 1 FR

Paul Carrington DE Falcons: ROOKIE</font> 1/15, 3 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FR

Josh Mallard DE Falcons: 0/14, 11 tackles, career best 4 sacks, 2 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR

Patrick Kerney DE Falcons: started 9 games before going on IR, 16 tackles, 4.5 sacks, PDs, 2 FF

Jared DeVries DE Lions: 9/14, 23 tackles, 1 PD,

Aaron Kampman DE Packers: stellar season and his first Pro Bowl notch: started all 16 games, led all NFL linemen with 89 combined tackles! (3rd on the team), also had career high 15.5 sacks(9 more than last season!), 3 FF and 1 FR!

Tyler Brayton DE Raiders: 15/16, 42 tackles, 1 PD, 1 FF - a very subpar season, and he can't expect to start in NFL for long with these kind of stats

Brandon Green DE Rams: 5/13 but only 19 tackles and 0.5 of a sack

Jarret Johnson DE Ravens: 2/16, 22 tackles, 1.5 sack, 2 PDs

Grant Wistrom DE Seahawks: stated every game, 37 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR

Aaron Smith DE Steelers: started all 16 games, had 61 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR

Brett Keisel DE Steelers: started all 16 games, career best 55 tackles and 5.5 sacks (3rd on the team), 4 PDs, 1 FR

Jason Babin DE/OLB Texans: 3/15, 26 tackles, career high 5 sacks - led the team

Kyle Vanden Bosch DE Titans: started every game, careerhigh 75 tackles, had 6.5 sacks, 1 FF

Travis LaBoy DE Titans: 11/13, 31 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FF


LINEBACKERS:</font>

Hunter Hillenmeyer OLB Bears: 14/15, but his production dropped significantly from only a season before and i am afraid that Hunter might not be a starter much longer... : only 48 tackles (2005: 63 in only 13 games, also had a sack and interception), recovered 1 fumble

Brian Urlacher MLB Bears: yet another great season, 141 total tackles (6 in NFL) is his second best ever, and 20 tackles more than last year. started all 16 games, however for the first time in his 7 year career had no sacks. 3 interceptions for 38 yards (lg 36), 1 forced fumble, one recovered fumble

Caleb Miller OLB Bengals: inspite of starting just 6/16 games, Caleb was Bengals number 2 tackler with 99 tackles, also had 1 sack, 3 passes defended 1 FF and 1 FR all are personal best

Matt Stewart OLB Browns: 4/16, 20 tackles, 1 sack

Mason Unck MLB Browns: 0/13, 13 tackles

Barrett Ruud MLB Bucs: 5/16, 57 tackles

Monty Beisel MLB Cardinals: 2/8, 16 tackles, 1 INT for 11 yards

Matt Wilhelm OLB Chargers: still only a backup, 0/16, 27 tackles, 2 passes defended

Boomer Grigsby MLB: 0/15, 12 tackles

Rocky Boiman OLB Colts: 1/16, 20 tackles, 1 INT

Ryan La Casse OlB Colts: ROOKIE</font> 0/14, 9 tackles

Rob Morris MLB Colts: 5/15, 55 tackles

Bobby Carpenter MLB Cowboys: ROOKIE</font> 1/13, 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 PDs

Ryan Fowler MLB Cowboys: 0/16, 24 tackles,

Zach Thomas MLB Dolphins: started all 16 games, recorded career high 165 combined tackles (led NFL), career high 3 sacks, 1 interception, 9 PDs

Matt McCoy OLB Eagles: 9/14, 66 tackles, 2 sacks, PDs, 3 FFs

Jordan Beck MLB Falcons: 0/15, 12 tackles

Keith Brooking OLB Falcons: started all 16 games, posted 136 yards, 2.5 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FR

Derek M. Smith MLB 49ers: 12/14, 3rd on team with 68 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Jeff Ulbrich OLB 49ers: started 8 out of 16 games, had 64 tackles

Chase Blackburn MLB Giants: sole white member of this Giants defense... 0/16, 16 tackles

Nick Greisen OLB Jaguars: 8/16, 34 tackles, first career interception

Matt Chatham OLB Jets: 0/16, 25 tackles

Brett Kassell MLB Jets: 0/16, 30 tackles, 1 PD

Cody Spencer OLB Jets: 0/12, 13 tackles

AJ Hawk OLB Packers: ROOKIE</font> great first season for this young man, started all 16 games, 119 tackles (led the team, second amongst all rookies), 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions for 31 yards, 6 passes defended, 1 FF, 2 FR

Brady Poppinga OLB Packers: 12/16, 60 tackles, sack, 1 interception for 21 yards, 4 PD, 2 FF

Vinny Ciurciu OLB Panthers: 0/16, 18 tackles

Adam Seward MLB Panthers: 2/16, 25 tackles

Mike Vrabel OLB Patriots: started all 16 games, second on the team with 89 tackles, also had 4.5 sack, areer high 3 interception, 1 PD, 3 FF, 1 FR

Tedy Bruschi MLB Patriots: 15/15, led the team with 112 tackles, also had 1.5 sacks, 1 interception for 8 yards, 5 PDs, 2 FR

Brandon Chillar OLB Rams: 15/16 games, career best 56 tackles and 2 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FF

Scott Fujita OLB Saints: started all 16 games, posted 96 tackles, his second best, also second on the team, 3.5 sacks, career high 2 interceptions for 19 yards, 6 PDs, 1 FF

Scott Shanle OLB Saints: 15/16, career and team high 97 tackles, career high 4 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FF

Mark Simoneau MLB Saints: 13/16, 61 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception

Niko Koutouvides MLB Seahawks: 0/16, 14 tackles

Clint Kriewalt MLB Steelers: 1/14, 17 tackles, 1 interception for 12 yards

Troy Evans OLB Texans: 0/14, 14 tackles

Colby Bockwoldt OLB Titans: 1/16, 21 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FR

Peter Sirmon OLB Titans: 15/16, 88 tackles, his career second best, 0.5 sack, 1 interception for 13 tards, 2 PDs

Heath Farwell OLB Vikings: 0/16, 27 tackles, 1 FR

Ben Leber OLB Vikings: 10/15, 46 tackles, 3 sacks, first career interception, 4 PDs, 3 FF, 2 fumbles recovered, including one for a TD in the end zone


DEFENSIVE BACKS:</font>

Todd Johnson SS Bears: 6/11 starts/games, 32 tackles, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble

Cameron Worrell SS Bears: 0/16, 21 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 3 recovered fumble

Kevin Kaesviharn FS Bengals: started 7/14 games at both safety spots; 5th on the team in tackles with 63, led the team with 6 interceptions (6th in the NFL), also posted 4 sacks (3rd on the team) - set career high in both ints and sacks

Ethan Kilmer FS Bengals: ROOKIE</font> 0/16, 19 tackles, 1 interception returned for a TD of 52 yards, 1 FR

Coy Wire FS Bills: 1/16, 23 tackles

Jim Leonhard SS Bills: 1/15, 13 tackles

John Lynch FS Broncos: started all 16 games, 83 tackls was his best since 2001. 5 passes defended, first season since 1995 without an interception. 2 FF, 2 FR for 7 yards

Brian Russell FS Browns: started 11 games before going on IR, 51 tackles, 1 interceptioned returned for 6 yards, 3 PDs, 1 FF

Aaron Francisco S Cardinals: ROOKIE</font> 1/16, 49 tackles, 1 PDs and 2 interceptions for 61 yards

Steve Gregory CB Chargers: ROOKIE</font> has a distinction of being the only cornerback on this list... 0/14 games, special teams mostly. 12 tackles, 1 FR

Matt Giordano FS Colts: 1/12, 25 tackles, 1 interception, 1 PD

Sean Considine SS Eagles: developed into possibly the best open field tackler in the league, Eagles recognized this fact giving him a nod over Michael Lewis, former Pro Bowler. 9/16. 85 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception for 12 yards, 4 PDs, 1 FF, 2 FR

Eric Smith SS Jets: ROOKIE</font> 0/16, 27 tackles, 2 interceptions

Jon McGraw SS Lions: 3/16, career high 43 tackles, 2 passes defended

Stuart Schweigert SS Raiders: started all 16 games, was second amongst all defensive backs with 89 solo tackles. posted 107 tackles (3rd on the team), recovered 1 fumble

Adam Archuleta SS Redskins: after starting first 7 contests, became a scapegoat for Redskins terrible pass defense (which didn't improve after he was benched and was mostly because of bad scheme and terrible corners plus Sean Taylor free lancing...) almost didn't see the fild in next 9 games. posted 60 tackles (49 as a starter) had 1 sack, 1 PD

Reed Doughty FS Redskins: 0/10 games, 13 tackles

Steve Gleason SS Saints: 0/15, 16 tackles

Donnie Nickey SS Titans: 0/16, 12 tackles


LOOKING FORWARD TO:</font>

Bengals OLB David Pollack's recovery
Bengals SS John Busing
Bears S Nick Turnbull
Eagles CB Dustin Fox to actually get some PT
Jets MLB Anthony Schlegel
Lions MLB Teddy Lehman's recovery, he's been dealing with injuries for 2 seasons
Panthers MLB Dan Morgan's recovery from a concussion that sidelined him in week 1
Ravens OLB Dan Cody
Titans OLB Rob Reynolds
Totans DE Sean Conover
Vikings OLB Chad Greenway's recovery!



Edited by: backrow

finished. lots of people, although precious few get to start... hopefully next season will be better!

As with the offensive list you compiled, good job.

Great work for sure. Just about every white defensive end is very talented. Jared Allen is just hitting his peak years and could be an absolute monster for a few seasons and be recognized as the best at his position in the league.


Too bad DT is such a strong Caste position in spite of white men's dominance in strength. I didn't realize Kyle Williams of the Bills had such a strong rookie year. 53 tackles is excellent for a tackle.

both Allen and Justin Smith (who is also a great, complete DE) are UFAs this season. I expect Allen to stay in KC, Smith however might move on somewhere. i would love for one of them to come down to Tampa

There should be several white safeties drafted this year, which may help some. That's a position where whites keep losing ground in the NFL despite the number of fast white high school tailbacks and cornerbacks who are converted to safety in college.


Anyone know Aaron Francisco's racial background?

i hope Sam Rayburn is a free agent too. The strongest player in the league he should be starting for someone.

Don Wassall said:

There should be several white safeties drafted this year, which may help some.  That's a position where whites keep losing ground in the NFL despite the number of fast white high school tailbacks and cornerbacks who are converted to safety in college.


Anyone know Aaron Francisco's racial background?  &lt;!-- Message ''"" --&gt;

Click to expand...

let's hope that Weddle, Zbikowski and Wendling (plus Sabby Piscitelli, whose stock is rising) will all get to play. i really want to see Dustin Fox and Nick Turnbull play! Archuleta needs to rebound as well.

as far as Aaron Francisco goes, he is half Hawaian.