Steph Harrison's perspective on the top 5 player's in each defensive position. Because of the problem with rating the elite squads, consider this list to be non-ordered. Any player here can make an argument for top 1 in their position in most cases.
Linebackers:
Saint - Colorado Yetis
Selich - San Jose SaberCats
Hendrix - Baltimore Hawks
Lee - Arizona Outlaws
Stropko - Arizona Outlaws
Two teams not represented here are the Wraiths and the Otters. Ian Bavitz, and Flimjollywop were the leading tacklers for their respective teams. Ernston just missed the list despite his awesome 12 sacks. Broadway also deserves an honorable mention because he had more passes defended than any other linebacker of the season with 9.
The Outlaws have a heck of a linebacker corps with two players being in this list. Combining for a total tackle count of 222, a tackle for loss count of 14, 13 sacks, 8 passes defended, 1 safety, and 4 forced fumbles, these guys have been doing it all. It's hard to say who plays the MIKE position in their front seven, but it's obvious they're doing a hell of a job leading this defense.
Hendrix of the Baltimore Hawks led the entire league in tackles, and also managed 3 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and 5 tackles for a loss.
Selich of the SaberCats came in second in tackles with 128, along with 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, a nice 7 sacks, 1 interception, and 6 passes defended.
Saint of the Colorado Yetis is a potential season 1 MVP and had a huge impact on the field. He had an incredibly impressive 14 sacks, along with 101 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 passes defended to top it off. Saint had a heck of a performance this past season.
Cornerbacks
Hayden - Colorado Yetis
Lavelle - Yellowknife Wraiths (season 2 draft prospect as well)
Cutter - Yellowknife Wraiths
Peterson - Formerly of the Baltimore Hawks
Carter - Colorado Yeti
This was pretty easy to rate. I took a look at the game stats, and valued passes defended over anything else. Unfortunately it's hard to tell how much quarterbacks didn't throw at a CB so I'm just using what's available. In this case, the job of the Cornerback is to cover a bit if the front seven mess up, and defend passes. Tackles can mean they tackled after a completion which is good, but not nearly as good as a defended pass. Unfortunately that's also something hard to see in the game tape. Interceptions are nice but they are not the end-all be-all of a cornerback. I'd rather force a punt 5/6 times than allow a touch down 5/6 times but get an interception 1/6 times.
Hayden and Lavelle (Colorado, and Yellowknife) led the pack with 18 passes defended each, 1 forced fumble each, and 4 interceptions each. Hayden had 6 more tackles and 1 tackle for a loss compared to Lavelle, but it's easy to see why Lavelle is considered one of the top draft prospects for season 2.
Cutter of the Yellowknife Wraiths had 13 passes defended, also with 4 interceptions, one of which was a pick six (1 defensive touchdown), and 45 tackles.
Peterson, Harrison's former teammate on the Baltimore Hawks had 11 passes defended, 58 tackles (leading all CBs), and 4 interceptions.
Carter of the Colorado Yeti had 56 tackles, 11 passes defended, and 4 interceptions.
Defensive Ends
Tuck - Arizona Outlaws
Spearhead - Yellowknife Wraiths
Tomlinson - Orange County Otters
Wozy - Colorado Yeti
Dental Dam - Arizona Outlaws
The Outlaws again had 2 players in the top 5. This time in the defensive end list.
Tuck of the Outlaws had an impressive 16 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 47 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and also impressively, 1 safety.
Dental Dam also of the Outlaws had 9 sacks, also 47 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles.
Spearhead, of the Yellowknife Wraiths had 52 tackles, 10 sacks, a league high 20 tackles for a loss, and 2 forced fumbles.
Wozy of the Yetis also had 10 sacks, with 2 forced fumbles, 35 tackles, and 9 tackles for a loss.
Tomlinson of the Orange County Otters also had 10 sacks, brought in 15 tackles for a loss, and 42 tackles to top it off.
Defensive Tackles
Ramrio - Yellowknife Wraiths
Reigns - Orange County Otters
Harris - Orange County Otters
Metas - Baltimore Hawks
Bender - Yellowknife Wraiths
The Outlaws, while pretty dominant defensively in other positions are absent a top 5 defensive tackle, at least when it comes to season 1.
Ramrio of the Wraiths had 14 sacks, 57 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 forced fumble.
Reigns of the Orange County Otters also had 14 sacks, along with 46 tackles, an 4 tackles for a loss.
Harris also of the Orange County Otters came in with 12 sacks, 56 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and 1 forced fumble.
Metas of the Baltimore Hawks had 11 sacks, 55 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 safety, and 1 tackle for a loss.
Bender of the Yellowknife Wraiths had 13 sacks, 47 tackles, and 2 tackles for a loss.
Free Safeties
Sanchez - Yellowknife Wraiths
Marmeladov - Colorado Yeti
Jackson - Arizona Outlaws
Hardrool - San Jose SaberCats
McGinn - Baltimore Hawks
McGinn of the Baltimore Hawks while being a top free safety also didn't play a full season this year. Expect to see him in the season 2 draft, and Harrison hopes it will be with the Hawks again. McGinn had 2 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 44 tackles. Extremely respectable considering he played 5/7th the games of the other free safeties on this list.
Sanchez of the Yellowknife Wraiths had 62 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack.
Marmeladov of the Colorado Yeti also had 62 tackles, along with 2 forced fumbles, 1 pick six, 4 passes defended, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, and 4 interceptions.
Jackson of the Outlaws had 55 tackles, and 1 tackle for a loss.
Hardrool of the San Jose Saberkittens had 51 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 4 passes defended.
Strong Safeties
Speed - Baltimore Hawks
Rashad - Arizona Outlaws
McNoodle - Colorado Yeti
Richter - San Jose Sabercats
Watson - Arizona Outlaws
There were only 5 listed strong safeties, so everyone in the group is technically top 5.
Devin Speed of the Baltimore Hawks had 64 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 passes defended, and 1 defensive touchdown.
Rashad of the Arizona Outlaws had a very standout season with 59 tackles, 22 passes defended, 1 touchdown, and a mind boggling 10 interceptions.
McNoodle of the Colorado Yeti had 53 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery.
Richter of the San Jose SaberCats had 21 tackles, and 1 tackle for a loss.
Watson of the Arizona Outlaws had 4 tackles, and 1 pass defended.
That wraps up Steph Harrison's top 5 list of every defensive position. It will be interesting to see how things shake out with the expansion teams and a very nice looking season 2 draft pool of rookie players! Steph Harrison would like to see some of the positions more filled out so the top 5 strong safeties aren't the only 5 players in the league .
Linebackers:
Saint - Colorado Yetis
Selich - San Jose SaberCats
Hendrix - Baltimore Hawks
Lee - Arizona Outlaws
Stropko - Arizona Outlaws
Two teams not represented here are the Wraiths and the Otters. Ian Bavitz, and Flimjollywop were the leading tacklers for their respective teams. Ernston just missed the list despite his awesome 12 sacks. Broadway also deserves an honorable mention because he had more passes defended than any other linebacker of the season with 9.
The Outlaws have a heck of a linebacker corps with two players being in this list. Combining for a total tackle count of 222, a tackle for loss count of 14, 13 sacks, 8 passes defended, 1 safety, and 4 forced fumbles, these guys have been doing it all. It's hard to say who plays the MIKE position in their front seven, but it's obvious they're doing a hell of a job leading this defense.
Hendrix of the Baltimore Hawks led the entire league in tackles, and also managed 3 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and 5 tackles for a loss.
Selich of the SaberCats came in second in tackles with 128, along with 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, a nice 7 sacks, 1 interception, and 6 passes defended.
Saint of the Colorado Yetis is a potential season 1 MVP and had a huge impact on the field. He had an incredibly impressive 14 sacks, along with 101 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 passes defended to top it off. Saint had a heck of a performance this past season.
Cornerbacks
Hayden - Colorado Yetis
Lavelle - Yellowknife Wraiths (season 2 draft prospect as well)
Cutter - Yellowknife Wraiths
Peterson - Formerly of the Baltimore Hawks
Carter - Colorado Yeti
This was pretty easy to rate. I took a look at the game stats, and valued passes defended over anything else. Unfortunately it's hard to tell how much quarterbacks didn't throw at a CB so I'm just using what's available. In this case, the job of the Cornerback is to cover a bit if the front seven mess up, and defend passes. Tackles can mean they tackled after a completion which is good, but not nearly as good as a defended pass. Unfortunately that's also something hard to see in the game tape. Interceptions are nice but they are not the end-all be-all of a cornerback. I'd rather force a punt 5/6 times than allow a touch down 5/6 times but get an interception 1/6 times.
Hayden and Lavelle (Colorado, and Yellowknife) led the pack with 18 passes defended each, 1 forced fumble each, and 4 interceptions each. Hayden had 6 more tackles and 1 tackle for a loss compared to Lavelle, but it's easy to see why Lavelle is considered one of the top draft prospects for season 2.
Cutter of the Yellowknife Wraiths had 13 passes defended, also with 4 interceptions, one of which was a pick six (1 defensive touchdown), and 45 tackles.
Peterson, Harrison's former teammate on the Baltimore Hawks had 11 passes defended, 58 tackles (leading all CBs), and 4 interceptions.
Carter of the Colorado Yeti had 56 tackles, 11 passes defended, and 4 interceptions.
Defensive Ends
Tuck - Arizona Outlaws
Spearhead - Yellowknife Wraiths
Tomlinson - Orange County Otters
Wozy - Colorado Yeti
Dental Dam - Arizona Outlaws
The Outlaws again had 2 players in the top 5. This time in the defensive end list.
Tuck of the Outlaws had an impressive 16 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 47 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and also impressively, 1 safety.
Dental Dam also of the Outlaws had 9 sacks, also 47 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles.
Spearhead, of the Yellowknife Wraiths had 52 tackles, 10 sacks, a league high 20 tackles for a loss, and 2 forced fumbles.
Wozy of the Yetis also had 10 sacks, with 2 forced fumbles, 35 tackles, and 9 tackles for a loss.
Tomlinson of the Orange County Otters also had 10 sacks, brought in 15 tackles for a loss, and 42 tackles to top it off.
Defensive Tackles
Ramrio - Yellowknife Wraiths
Reigns - Orange County Otters
Harris - Orange County Otters
Metas - Baltimore Hawks
Bender - Yellowknife Wraiths
The Outlaws, while pretty dominant defensively in other positions are absent a top 5 defensive tackle, at least when it comes to season 1.
Ramrio of the Wraiths had 14 sacks, 57 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 forced fumble.
Reigns of the Orange County Otters also had 14 sacks, along with 46 tackles, an 4 tackles for a loss.
Harris also of the Orange County Otters came in with 12 sacks, 56 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and 1 forced fumble.
Metas of the Baltimore Hawks had 11 sacks, 55 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 safety, and 1 tackle for a loss.
Bender of the Yellowknife Wraiths had 13 sacks, 47 tackles, and 2 tackles for a loss.
Free Safeties
Sanchez - Yellowknife Wraiths
Marmeladov - Colorado Yeti
Jackson - Arizona Outlaws
Hardrool - San Jose SaberCats
McGinn - Baltimore Hawks
McGinn of the Baltimore Hawks while being a top free safety also didn't play a full season this year. Expect to see him in the season 2 draft, and Harrison hopes it will be with the Hawks again. McGinn had 2 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 44 tackles. Extremely respectable considering he played 5/7th the games of the other free safeties on this list.
Sanchez of the Yellowknife Wraiths had 62 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack.
Marmeladov of the Colorado Yeti also had 62 tackles, along with 2 forced fumbles, 1 pick six, 4 passes defended, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, and 4 interceptions.
Jackson of the Outlaws had 55 tackles, and 1 tackle for a loss.
Hardrool of the San Jose Saberkittens had 51 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 4 passes defended.
Strong Safeties
Speed - Baltimore Hawks
Rashad - Arizona Outlaws
McNoodle - Colorado Yeti
Richter - San Jose Sabercats
Watson - Arizona Outlaws
There were only 5 listed strong safeties, so everyone in the group is technically top 5.
Devin Speed of the Baltimore Hawks had 64 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 passes defended, and 1 defensive touchdown.
Rashad of the Arizona Outlaws had a very standout season with 59 tackles, 22 passes defended, 1 touchdown, and a mind boggling 10 interceptions.
McNoodle of the Colorado Yeti had 53 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery.
Richter of the San Jose SaberCats had 21 tackles, and 1 tackle for a loss.
Watson of the Arizona Outlaws had 4 tackles, and 1 pass defended.
That wraps up Steph Harrison's top 5 list of every defensive position. It will be interesting to see how things shake out with the expansion teams and a very nice looking season 2 draft pool of rookie players! Steph Harrison would like to see some of the positions more filled out so the top 5 strong safeties aren't the only 5 players in the league .
Code:
1226 words
[style]#steph-harrison-dropdown{bottom:0;width:400px;top:0}#steph-harrison-dropdown select{width:400px;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bolder;font-size:11px;color:#A9A9A9;background-color:#202020;}#steph-harrison-dropdown option{width:400px;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#A9A9A9;background-color:#202020;-webkit-appearance:none}[/style]