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?

[MagicHef]

Nice job excluding playoff stats.

[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.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by DaFace

You may not like him, but I gotta go with Von on this one. Houston is fantastic, and I'm thrilled we have him, but he's never outright taken over a game like Von does fairly often.

Shocking.

[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.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by DaFace

You may not like him, but I gotta go with Von on this one. Houston is fantastic, and I'm thrilled we have him, but he's never outright taken over a game like Von does fairly often.

I gotta disagree here. He took over both Denver games last year. Denver was constantly double teaming him holding on for dear life.
He dominated the SD game in his final game last year with 4 sacks.
He took over the STL game last year with 3 sacks and was in the QB's face all game long.
He took over the Jags and Eagles game in '13 with 3 sacks and 4.5. I remember him dominating Vick.

[Discuss Thrower]

He's a cheapshot artist but Von is the better player.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Nice job excluding playoff stats.

When does anyone include playoff stats when debating who the better player is? Maybe use how many championships they have won, but you literally never talk stats specifically. Houston has started and played in one whole playoff game his entire career. That would just be an ignorant side of things to bring up.

That signature of yours is pretty cute, you know if you change it to starts instead of games, Houston is more consistent? Well, you know now.

Don't get butt hurt because the numbers obviously say our guy has been better overall.

[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?

[Deberg_1990]

Miller is a great player no doubt.

Is he truly a better player than Houston or did he just get hot at the right time?

I mean, where was Miller when the Chiefs stomped them in November?

It definitely helps your legacy if you step up in playoff games than in the regular season. See: Eli Manning and Joe Flacco

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I gotta disagree here. He took over both Denver games last year. Denver was constantly double teaming him holding on for dear life.

He dominated the SD game in his final game last year with 4 sacks.

He took over the STL game last year with 3 sacks and was in the QB's face all game long.

He took over the Jags and Eagles game in '13 with 3 sacks and 4.5. I remember him dominating Vick.

Saints game in 2012 as well.

NO's RT, I think it was Strief, admitted to being manhandled the entire game.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Speed kills in the NFL if you combine it with strength. Miller is more versatile

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by DaFace

You may not like him, but I gotta go with Von on this one. Houston is fantastic, and I'm thrilled we have him, but he's never outright taken over a game like Von does fairly often.

It wasn't a big stage, but Houston did take over the SD game last year when he tied the single season sack record.


Honestly though, I'd take either of them. I believe Houston is the more complete player, but Von can be an animal. Those forced fumble numbers are extremely high.

[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.