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

[Halfcan]

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.

Lets hope this is true!!

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

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.

A spin move from Tamba could be legendary with his hand fighting ability.

[Contrarian]

Originally Posted by 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.

Miller increased his weight due to the MUNCHIES

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

A spin move from Tamba could be legendary with his hand fighting ability.

I don't mean to be a cp'er and bitch about a good thing but a little diversity in the pass rush would go along way for these two. And when I say diversity I don't mean we need an old wooden ship.

[Chiefnj2]

I guess he didn't get the CP memo that Hali is old, breaking down, past his prime, overpaid, not worth the money and shouldn't let the door hit him in the ass on the way out at the end of this season.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by penbook

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

If it were all Justin Smith then the guys who replaced Aldon Smith would have gotten more than the 1 sack that they did the entire time that Aldon Smith was out (he missed 5 regular season games and was only playing on limited snaps for the next 4 games after he came back).

Teams with bad OLs that they faced in that span of time?

Arizona, St Louis, and Jacksonville. The other two were average to above average in Tennessee and Houston.

In those 5 games, they only got 1 sack, which came against Arizona, from their replacement ROLB(s) (Lemonier).

This is all Justin Smith.

[RunKC]

Given the problems Aldon Smith has given his team, I would take Justin Houston. He's just as strong and just as good.

I think the Chiefs could have a top 3 front 7 if Cat and Ford play as good as we think they can.

[Dayze]

#72 looks like Fisher's brother.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Given the problems Aldon Smith has given his team, I would take Justin Houston. He's just as strong and just as good.

I think the Chiefs could have a top 3 front 7 if Cat and Ford play as good as we think they can.

I've seen Aldon Smith pancake an OL player on his way to a sack, multiple times. I don't think I can recall seeing Houston do it even once. They aren't in the same neighborhood in terms of pure power with their bull rush.

[RunKC]

Houston is just as good of an overall player. He's also gotten even stronger. Houston is an elite 3-4 OLB and I'm pumped to have him here.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Houston is just as good of an overall player. He's also gotten even stronger. Houston is an elite 3-4 OLB and I'm pumped to have him here.

Houston is a better all around player. Aldon smith is still suspect in pass coverage.

Aldon Smith is a slightly better pass rusher though.

[OldSchool]

Here's my take on the two.

Aldon Smith is easily the superior pass rusher and has also become pretty stout against the run. He just occupies space when asked to drop into coverage and looks more like an athletic DL player than a LB in that regard.

Justin Houston is a good all-around OLB who can pass rush, stop the run, and drop into coverage effectively.

Houston has a significant edge over Smith in the pass coverage department and Smith has a significant edge in the pass rush department. I'd rate pass rush as something of much higher import than pass coverage from the OLB position in a 3-4.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

Here's my take on the two.

Aldon Smith is easily the superior pass rusher and has also become pretty stout against the run. He just occupies space when asked to drop into coverage and looks more like an athletic DL player than a LB in that regard.

Justin Houston is a good all-around OLB who can pass rush, stop the run, and drop into coverage effectively.

Houston has a significant edge over Smith in the pass coverage department and Smith has a significant edge in the pass rush department. I'd rate pass rush as something of much higher import than pass coverage from the OLB position in a 3-4.

Significant? I wouldn't go that far. I would say its a 9.8, and a 9.2 as pass rushers go.

Aldon Smith is as natural a pass rusher I have seen since Reggie White. he just has that flow, and natural instinct.

But the difference between the two players isn't that big. Houston is just a little more of a complete player.

Of course, this could all be a stupid argument. Cause Aldon Smith has to get cleared to play.

[ThaVirus]

Didn't Aldon fail to register a single sack during the 6 or so game stretch Justin Smith missed back in '11 or '12?

[redshirt32]

Originally Posted by Dayze

#72 looks like Fisher's brother.