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

[Mav]

Originally Posted by 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?

wasn't it like 4, games? I think you are correct though.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

wasn't it like 4, games? I think you are correct though.

You're probably right. I know it was a decent dry spell for someone that good.

He's great but that always makes me wonder. We'll likely know more in a couple years where Justin hangs 'em up.. If Aldon is even still in SF when that happens.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by 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?

3 games. And he was playing hurt as well.

Aldon Smith is the fastest at getting to 30 sacks in his career in the history of the NFL. He did so without starting a single game his rookie season. (Beating out Reggie White.)

He also had the most sacks in his 1st 2 seasons in the history of the NFL.

Again, with the Justin Smith argument. If Aldon Smith's success was all due to him playing next to Justin Smith, then why do these facts remain true?

The starter for 2011, Parys Haralson, netted only 2 sacks that year.

The guys who played in Aldon Smith's place in 2013, when he left the team for a time and only came back in limited capacity for most of the remaining games of the season, only managed to get 1 sack in the entire time that Aldon Smith wasn't there.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

3 games. And he was playing hurt as well.



Aldon Smith is the fastest at getting to 30 sacks in his career in the history of the NFL. He did so without starting a single game his rookie season. (Beating out Reggie White.)



He also had the most sacks in his 1st 2 seasons in the history of the NFL.



Again, with the Justin Smith argument. If Aldon Smith's success was all due to him playing next to Justin Smith, then why do these facts remain true?



The starter for 2011, Parys Haralson, netted only 2 sacks that year.



The guys who played in Aldon Smith's place in 2013, when he left the team for a time and only came back in limited capacity for most of the remaining games of the season, only managed to get 1 sack in the entire time that Aldon Smith wasn't there.

I never said it was all Justin Smith, but there's no denying that he plays a factor.

It's like trying to compare two WRs while one has a superior QB or two RBs while one has a superior offensive line.

[Marcellus]

Aldon Smith throws the best parties, just watch out for random bullets.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Aldon Smith throws the best parties, just watch out for random bullets.

and knives

[Mother****erJones]

Originally Posted by Dayze

#72 looks like Fisher's brother.

Identical/My Cousin Vinny

[Kaepernick]

Originally Posted by notorious

Could have fooled me the last half of the year.

You mean, when they were hurt? Even Justin Smith was ineffective after he tore his triceps.

[Kaepernick]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Clowney and Watt will reek havoc this year too.

Yep. They are going to be unstoppable. One of them could have historic sack numbers and finally beat Strahan.

[Hammock Parties]

Massively overrated.

Hali will be lucky to get 7 sacks this year.

[Kaepernick]

Originally Posted by 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?

It turns out Aldon had his own shoulder injury and needed off season surgery. He played 2 months with a torn labrum, which is about how long Justin Smith was hurt.

49ers' Aldon Smith underwent surgery on torn labrum


San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Aldon Smith underwent shoulder surgery a few weeks ago, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Friday on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access," citing a source informed of the player's condition.

An eyewitness said Smith no longer is in a sling, but a timetable for his recovery was unavailable.

Smith was on the injury report Weeks 12 through 17 with a torn labrum joint in his shoulder. He had 19.5 sacks during the regular season, but was shut out in the final three weeks of the regular season and throughout the Niners' playoff run to Super Bowl XLVII.

Smith was on a record-setting pace before the injury limited his effectiveness. The 49ers still advanced to the Super Bowl, but one can only wonder if a healthy Smith could have made a difference in what ended up being a three-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...on-torn-labrum

[-King-]

#TAMBATIME THANKS FOR THE WORKOUT THIS AFTERNOON TO MY FRIENDS FROM THE GRACIE ACADEMY. LETS GO CHIEFS @KCChiefs pic.twitter.com/CkkVJ2zYHU

— Tamba Hali (@TambaHali91) July 3, 2014

Looks slimmer

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Count Zarth

Massively overrated.

Hali will be lucky to get 7 sacks this year.

Your predictions are awful bud

[Easy 6]

They were the best, now throw in Dee "the piano man" Ford to keep them fresh and you get ultramega best.