NFL's Best OLB: Houston vs. Miller

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Got into a debate with a Donkey fan regarding this topic earlier this week, but I love it. I think it's one that can be argued both ways, but personally I take a healthy Houston every day over a healthy Miller. Place your vote and make your own case below.

Things to keep in mind:

Justin Houston career numbers:
- 64 starts
-56 sacks (2011: 5.5 in 10 starts, 2012: 10.0 in 16 starts, 2013: 11.0 in 11 starts, 2014: 22.0 in 16 starts, 2015: 7.5 in 10 games)
- 3 interceptions
- 25 passes defensed
- 8 forced fumbles/ 5 recoveries
- 1 touchdown (INT), 1 safety
- Hasn't been flagged for anything since the 2013 season


Von Miller career numbers:
- 72 starts
- 60 sacks (2011: 11.5 in 15 starts, 2012: 18.5 in 16 starts, 2013: 5.0 in 9 starts, 2014: 14.0 in 16 starts, 2015: 11.0 in 16 starts)
- 1 interception
- 10 passes defensed
- 17 forced fumbles/ 5 recoveries
- 1 touchdown (INT), 1 touchdown (fumble recovery), 0 safeties
- Consistently penalized, often for personal fouls

For me, considering the numbers..... I still take Houston. Statistically, I can argue he's been better in every phase of the game except for forcing fumbles. Miller does have the playoff success to attribute in his argument, but Houston of course didn't hardly play in this year's playoffs. Regardless, this a fun topic no matter the time of year. So, who do you take?

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Houston is the more complete player AND still a better pass rusher. Plus he isn't a thug like Von.

[Red Dawg]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Houston is the more complete player AND still a better pass rusher. Plus he isn't a thug like Von.

And his momma is not a piece of shit felon.

Personally I think he played like he was on steroids in the playoffs. He is a juicer no doubt.

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Is there an "either one" option? Hell, give me both lol.

[Rain Man]

Can we have five votes added for Houston in memory of the murder victims at Fero's Restaurant?

[Shaid]

You gotta go Houston but those forced fumbles for Von is pretty impressive, only 5 recoveries though so end result is basically even with Houston there.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Shaid

You gotta go Houston but those forced fumbles for Von is pretty impressive, only 5 recoveries though so end result is basically even with Houston there.

Not really, forcing the fumble is the hard part, recovering it is pretty much luck. Von didn't recover either fumble he caused in the Super Bowl, but they definitely changed the game.

[Shaid]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Not really, forcing the fumble is the hard part, recovering it is pretty much luck. Von didn't recover either fumble he caused in the Super Bowl, but they definitely changed the game.

I read that as only 5 of those fumbles were recovered, not necessarily recovered by him. That's why I said the end result was the same. Either way, forcing that many fumbles is impressive so in that area he edges out Houston.

I think it speaks to Von being more of a speed rusher where Houston uses power as well. Speed means you are often out wider going around the edge and reaching for the ball instead of purely trying for the sack.

But with Houston you can look at the pass deflections, etc. and say he was defintely way more of a complete player than Von. Von edges him in speed rushing but Houston's a better overall OLB.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Shaid

I read that as only 5 of those fumbles were recovered, not necessarily recovered by him. That's why I said the end result was the same. Either way, forcing that many fumbles is impressive so in that area he edges out Houston.

I think it speaks to Von being more of a speed rusher where Houston uses power as well. Speed means you are often out wider going around the edge and reaching for the ball instead of purely trying for the sack.

But with Houston you can look at the pass deflections, etc. and say he was defintely way more of a complete player than Von. Von edges him in speed rushing but Houston's a better overall OLB.

You're wrong about the fumbles recovered stat.

Von is only a speed rusher? Have you not watched him?

[Shaid]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

You're wrong about the fumbles recovered stat.

Von is only a speed rusher? Have you not watched him?

Never said Von was only a speed rusher, just said Houston was more complete but Von edges him in speed rushing.

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Not really, forcing the fumble is the hard part, recovering it is pretty much luck. Von didn't recover either fumble he caused in the Super Bowl, but they definitely changed the game.

Yeah, I don't take anything away from Von for not recovering the majority of the fumbles. It's a crapshoot on that, and if a team mate grabs it, it's just as good as him grabbing it.

[Demonpenz]

who pusses out when the stage is too big is too big. Miller all day.

[Hammock Parties]

Miller just based on consistency. Houston's only had one truly elite season. Also a better pure pass rusher.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by Mals

Miller just based on consistency. Houston's only had one truly elite season. Also a better pure pass rusher.

You could say Von has had only one elite season (2012) if you consider Houston to only have one.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

You could say Von has had only one elite season (2012) if you consider Houston to only have one.

His 14-sack season is also elite and so is this last year when you factor in the playoffs.