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Originally Posted by MagicHef
Maybe it's the homer in me talking, but I'd take Von.
I prefer my defenders making plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
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Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning
I'd take Von. Ray Lewis needs the guys in front of him to do their job and keep him clean in order to make a major impact on a game. Lewis' leadership would be a MAJOR plus though.
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Originally Posted by SNR
I might take Ray Lewis knowing that the personnel around him has changed dozens of times in his stead (coaches, defensive line, linebackers, secondary) but the one consistent through all of that has been a high, high quality level of play from that defense. THOSE kind of ILBs are very hard to find.
Von's a close second though, and if his career doesn't just keep going but it also IMPROVES, I'm definitely going to have to change my answer.
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I can't argue with any of these. Von has the advantage of adding the pass rushing element that the others don't really bring so it was a bit unfair. I probably should have asked Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas or Von Miller since they're all 4-3 OLBs with pass rush skills.
Oh well. Anyway, I'd go Ray Lewis for the intangibles. Pat Willis would be my second choice for pure athleticism as well as the best coverage ability of any of the others. Von would be third and Urlacher last.
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Von Miller's 24.5 career sacks are the 2nd-highest total in NFL history thru a player's 1st 25 games (D. Thomas, 25, '89-90).
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Aldon Smith has 27.5.. And he was just a situational player oftentimes in his first season.
EDIT: 28.5! That would make Von Miller 3rd all-time, in case you were counting.