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?

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by OctoberFart

Well what about the Donkey game vs New England?

Who didn't destroy their line that day?

[Bambi]

This thread should be titled "NFL's best OLB: Von Miller or Derrick Thomas"

Then you'd have a legitimate poll.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Bambi

This thread should be titled "NFL's best OLB: Von Miller or Derrick Thomas"

Then you'd have a legitimate poll.

Uh.....No.
We all loved DT, but he is not the best.

Most would argue LT.
I would argue Bobby Bell.

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by milkman

Uh.....No.
We all loved DT, but he is not the best.

Most would argue LT.
I would argue Bobby Bell.

I meant between Miller and Thomas.

That's a legit poll compared to this one.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Did you miss all the weed drama and inconsistent motor his first 3yrs ? You live out here as well and I'm sure you saw every game. Why all the venom man ?

Inconsistent motor? You may have signatures disabled, so I'll quote mine here:

"With a sack in 63.3% of his games, SB MVP Von Miller is the most consistent pass rusher in NFL history."

Pick any great pass rusher, past or present. Von is more consistent than him.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Bambi

This thread should be titled "NFL's best OLB: Von Miller or Derrick Thomas"

Then you'd have a legitimate poll.

Why are you here?

Really, the only thing you do is criticize everything related to Chiefs. All of their players are shit. Broncos are Gods. Even stats can't convince you.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Inconsistent motor? You may have signatures disabled, so I'll quote mine here:

"With a sack in 63.3% of his games, SB MVP Von Miller is the most consistent pass rusher in NFL history."

Pick any great pass rusher, past or present. Von is more consistent than him.

Yet if you make it sacks per START, Houston edges Miller out with 0.87 sacks per game started.

Seems like a better gauge, but hey.

[Shaid]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Yet if you make it sacks per START, Houston edges Miller out with 0.87 sacks per game started.

Seems like a better gauge, but hey.

A better gauge would be how often they each get a sack when rushing the passer. Houston plays in coverage more often then Von which is obvious from his dominance in passes defended.

Von also had the benefit of being in more rushing situations because he played opposite of an explosive offense for a couple years. When other teams have to play catchup, they are in obvious passing situations much more often.

I still give Von the edge in pass rushing though. I just think Houston is more complete.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Yet if you make it sacks per START, Houston edges Miller out with 0.87 sacks per game started.

Seems like a better gauge, but hey.

It's sad that you still don't understand that I'm not measuring sacks per game.

[Rain Man]

For the first couple of years, Von Miller was facing Matt "Fetal" Cassel, while Houston was facing a pre-mortem Manning. Miller was guaranteed some sacks that Houston didn't have an opportunity to get.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

And that wouldn't be true. Manning vs. Brady can be debated upon forever.

Lol. No.

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by kccrow

Why are you here?

Really, the only thing you do is criticize everything related to Chiefs. All of their players are shit. Broncos are Gods. Even stats can't convince you.

Football is the sport where stats mean the least.

As far as Broncos vs Chiefs players...

I'm a Chiefs fan. But I struggle to find one single position on offense or defense where I'd choose a Chiefs player over a Broncos.

They draft better and sign better free agents. Sorry if that hurts your sensitive feelings.

[DaneMcCloud]

IMO, Houston is more of a well-rounded OLB that can also rush the passer. Miller is an excellent pass rush specialist and game changer.

I'd be happy to have either or both on my team but if I'm asked to choose or compare, Houston is Kevin Greene and Miller is Lawrence Taylor.

Neither is a bad choice.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Bambi

Football is the sport where stats mean the least.

As far as Broncos vs Chiefs players...

Denver has a better owner.

FYP

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

It's sad that you still don't understand that I'm not measuring sacks per game.

No, no, I get it, you're measuring percentage of games in which he had at least a single sack. It's cool.

But what I'm saying is Houston sacks the quarterback at a higher rate than Miller when considering rush attempts or games started. Also cool.