Earlier in the week I decided to take on the task of creating the ultimate Iron Man team from today's current players and unveiled my All Iron Men Offensive Team made up entirely of defensive guys. Now it's time to take a look at the guys on O that could become stars at stopping talents such as theirs in my 3-4 base defense.
Since this is all for fun and means nothing for fantasy, I've got my Sleepers Series lined up to begin in the next week to whet you're appetite and stir up some great fantasy debate leading into the summer.
All Iron Men Defensive Team
DE – Jake Long (6-7, 317) – He is a manimal—half man, half animal. Long certainly fits his name because he is simply huge, and his reach and power would allow him to be highly disruptive as a 3-4 defensive end. He could seal the edge with a great stiff-arm and shed opposing blockers with his tremendous upper body strength. Additionally, those gigantic meat hooks of his would be a quarterback's nightmare as far as batting passes down at the line and reaching into the backfield to disrupt timing.
NG – Carl Nicks (6-5, 343) – Can you say "space eater"? Nicks is a mammoth body with a nasty disposition. Switching from guard to nose tackle would be a natural move for someone so used to pushing other big men around with his hands, and with his powerful base and quick first step, Nicks could manhandle most centers and guards. Just as Vince Wilfork would take over his role of gigantic mauler on the offensive line, Nicks would assume Wilfork's duties of eating up blockers and causing havoc to opposing backfields.
DE – Bruce Campbell (6-6, 315) – With Long on one side punching opposing linemen in the face and beating them with power, the lesser known Campbell can use his awesome speed to provide a pass rush boost and create havoc for an offense's timing. While Campbell has yet to make an NFL start and many probably couldn't name what team he is currently on (he was traded by Oakland to Carolina for Mike Goodson), he is memorable for the highly impressive combine performance he put up in 2010. With 4.85-speed to go with his great length and power (34 reps on the bench as well), Campbell could excel as a defensive lineman if given the chance. Or at the very least, he might actually start some games.
OLB – Vernon Davis (6-3, 250) – Davis would bring new meaning to the term "speed rusher." His 4.40-speed coming off the edge would be insanely difficult to contain when combined with his thick, powerful frame and quick hands. There may not be an offensive tackle in the league with the quickness to get out of his stance and beat Davis to the edge. On just physical tools alone Davis could challenge for the league-lead in sacks and quarterback pressures, but when you add his football smarts and aggressive mentality to the mix, it's possible he could be the single-most disruptive defender in the league.
OLB – Rob Gronkowski (6-6, 265) – For a skill player to make the move to defense it takes a certain mentality, someone who's not afraid to initiate contact and get his jersey dirty. It was that final distinction that made the Gronkenator the choice opposite Davis instead of Cam Newton. While Newton has all the freakish athletic abilities to shinel in this spot, he's just too pretty and I'm not convinced he'd be ripping offensive tackles' heads off the way he would need to. Gronkowski on the other hand has that caveman-type mindset that he's going to simply run through whatever gets in his way of the goal, whether that goal is running into the end zone after a catch or plowing through a lineman to rip down a ball carrier or quarterback. He also has enough speed and plenty of size to cover the flat and consume pass catchers before they get up field. Across from the blazing speed of Davis, I love the idea of having someone who will just lay guys out.
ILB – Vonta Leach (6-0, 260) – Every 3-4 defense needs a thumper in the middle leading their defense in tackles and intimidation. The Ravens have Ray Lewis, the Niners have Patrick Willis and my Iron Men have Leach. The monstrous fullback simply lives to hit. He's made his money as the best in the league at blowing up linebackers to protect his running back, and if given the chance to reverse roles, I'd be shocked if he wasn't one of the game's finest at crushing running backs by going through their blockers. He may not be the fastest inside backer out there, but Leach has great instincts to see a play developing and he knows who to strike first. And the striking part, few can do better.
ILB – Tim Tebow (6-3, 236)– Leach would be the power, Davis would be the speed, but Tebow would be the heartbeat. Every good defense has someone they can look to late in a game to get them to rise up when they're tired and need to come through with a play. And in this role Tebow could drive his teammates to reach another level without the burden of having to be able to throw a spiral. The athleticism and strength to play the position are certainly there, and while he might not stand out as the best player on the field, when a crucial play is needed, Tebow would be the guy to make it.
CB – Steve Smith (5-9, 185) – He's definitely not the biggest, he may not be the strongest, but Smith is damn sure the feistiest of the wideouts I would want making the switch to corner. Ultra competitive and cat-quick, Smith would be my Iron Man team's lockdown defender and would draw all the toughest covers. His aggressiveness may lead to some interference calls, but you can bet he'd have no problem taking down a bigger receiver and limiting YAC should he let a catch be made. Smith also brings elite hands to the table, so you can count on him getting more than his fair share of picks as well. If I had to choose just five offensive players that would be the most likely to switch to defense and still be a Pro Bowl performer, Smith would easily make that list.
CB – Victor Cruz (6-0, 204) – An excellent blend of size, speed/quickness and soft hands, Cruz would be an ideal corner to start opposite Smith. His natural route-running skills and ability to stop and start on a dime would allow him to shadow even the games best receivers. And like Smith, his playmaking skills would lead to a lot of broken up passes and interceptions. Cruz is also not afraid to get dirty, with an aggressive mean-streak that often goes unnoticed because of his smooth, natural feel for the game.
CB – Devin Hester (5-11, 190) – A passing league requires a lot of nickel coverage and so hence a strong third corner is a necessity these days. With Hester's college background as a corner and his blazing speed, he's a great fit to come in and cover up the slot when teams are three or more wide. He can turn and run with the best of them and he brings enough physicality and ball skills to the table to make plays whether he's beaten in coverage or not. And you know if Hester gets his hands on a ball, it's going all the way back.
SS – Jordy Nelson (6-3, 217) – Big, rangy and blessed with superb body control, Nelson would have no trouble covering ground to lay down a hard hit on a ball carrier or keep a ball out of someone's hands. His great blend of size and speed would help him to stick with tight ends in coverage and cause headaches for offensive coordinators that could not figure out a way to exploit him. Nelson showed last season that he's a special football player with all the tools to beat guys in a variety of ways offensively, and he gives me no reason to think he couldn't do the same thing on the other side of the ball as a highly versatile safety.
FS – Hines Ward (6-0, 205) – Yes Ward just retired, so he's technically not a current player, but he's young enough that he could still be out there and contribute (Ronde Barber anyone?). As one of the smartest and most instinctual players the game has seen over the past ten years on either side of the ball, Ward was the first and only player that came to mind when trying to fill the Ed Reed/Troy Polamalu role in my All Iron Man Defense. Even though he proved incredibly tough and physical as the game's best blocking receiver during his heyday, I like Ward better as a roaming free safety that can track and steal deep balls just as well as fly up into the box to flatten a running back coming through a hole. And while Leach would be the muscle and Tebow the heart, Ward would be the brains of this defense and make all the calls out of the defensive backfield. As the coach on the field, he'd always ensure the scheme fit the occasion and his teammates were lined up and on assignment as necessary. And of course as a great athlete and supreme competitor, Ward would make an awful lot of plays in the process.