Brooks: Tamba Hali/Justin Houston tops NFL's best pass-rushing duos

[Dante84]

When I played for the Oakland Raiders in the late 1990s, defensive coordinator Willie Shaw told us that the pass rush is far more important than the coverage in the NFL. He believed disrupting the timing and rhythm of the quarterback was paramount to playing good defense. Shaw said pass rushers had a greater impact on defensive production than defensive backs, which is why he told me that elite defenses must be built from front to back in order to compete in an increasingly pass-centric league.

Based on that premise, I decided to dig into the tape and identify the top pass-rushing duos in the NFL. While I'm sure my list will draw the ire of fans used to seeing some familiar names at the top of the charts, the final order is based on the collective talent, performance and production of the tandem heading into the 2014 regular season.

Without further ado, here are my top five twosomes:

1) Tamba Hali and Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs' terrific tandem might not garner significant attention on the national scene, but opponents across the AFC are well aware of the chaos Hali and Houston routinely create. The duo has combined for 41 sacks over the past two seasons, exhibiting complementary playing styles that make them nearly impossible to handle on passing downs.

Hali, a ninth-year pro with 73.5 career sacks, has notched at least 10 sacks in three of the past four seasons while also forcing 14 fumbles over that span. He is coming off a fine 2013 campaign in which he tallied 11 sacks, five forced fumbles, an interception and two defensive touchdowns. Those numbers are impressive, but his exceptional combination of speed, strength and power truly pops off the film. Additionally, he might have the best hand-to-hand combat skills in the NFL, which makes Hali a nightmare to block in one-on-one situations.

For all of the attention Hali receives as one of the NFL's elites, it is possible he ranks as the second-best pass rusher on the Chiefs. Still just 25, Houston already has developed into a terror off the edge, with 21 sacks in his last 27 starts. He exhibits a rare blend of speed, quickness and explosiveness, yet overwhelms blockers with his frenetic playing style. Houston outworks opponents to get home with extended effort. Thus, quarterbacks are never safe in the pocket with Houston ferociously attacking from the outside.

With two No. 1 pass rushers and an intriguing rookie prospect in the rotation (first-rounder Dee Ford), the Chiefs boast a devastating pass rush that should wreak havoc on foes this season.

2) Robert Quinn and Chris Long, St. Louis Rams
3) Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers
4) DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller, Denver Broncos
5) Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette, New Orleans Saints

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...writers_brooks

[Dante84]

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[Direckshun]

Inb4 pessimism.

[notorious]

Could have fooled me the last half of the year.

[OldSchool]

I'd put SF's Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks ahead of Hali and Houston.

Smith is one of the few truly elite pass rushers in this league. Ahmad Brooks is a beast in his own right and would have more sacks if not for the 49ers scheme designed to take advantage of the Smith combo.

Pretty sure I would put Quinn and Long over Hali and Houston as well.

Quinn - Elite pass rusher, unmatched speed off the edge right now.

Long - High motor guy like Hali who wins with effort and tenacity.

Ware and Miller will be a pair to watch this year. Ware has never played with another dominant pass rusher and Miller is back to his best playing weight (no idea why he ever increased his weight in the first place).

Hali and Houston would probably be 3rd considering that other teams don't really have the luxury of 2 double digit pass rushers on the outside.

[penbrook]

Alison smith couldn't get any pressure if it weren't for Justin Smith

[ThaVirus]

Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy are usually pretty underrated.

[Ragged Robin]

Okay. But where were they in the 2nd half the season?

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Ragged Robin

Okay. But where were they in the 2nd half the season?

Is this a serious question?

Houston spent 6 of the last 8 games on the bench with an elbow injury. Tamba played more games but wasn't 100%.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Clowney and Watt will reek havoc this year too.

[kcchiefsus]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Clowney and Watt will reek havoc this year too.

Ehh Watt yes, Clowney I'll wait and see. I don't care how highly thought of a rookie is, until he proves it in the NFL and not in college I won't expect much out of him. Of course, Watt should free him up pretty nicely.

[Bewbies]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Clowney and Watt will reek havoc this year too.

I'm sure they will from that RC 5 tech spot

[Dunerdr]

The thing that worries me is they're both just kind of power f
Rushers. They need no' moves ya dig? It's like if I run straight at this guy push him engage in the hand game the try to dip I might get a qb pressure.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

The thing that worries me is they're both just kind of power f
Rushers. They need no' moves ya dig? It's like if I run straight at this guy push him engage in the hand game the try to dip I might get a qb pressure.

Why the hell would that worry you. They're good at what they do and both probowlers at their position.

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Why the hell would that worry you. They're good at what they do and both probowlers at their position.

Because depending on the tackle they're either effective or contained completely it seems. Houston gets guys to step outside all the time an inside spin move from him could decimate qbs.