Cowboys Have NFC East's Best Defense

They have some of the greatest nicknames in NFL history: the Purple People Eaters, the Fearsome Foursome, the Steel Curtain. And so many unforgettable players have played the position: Reggie White, Deacon Jones, Bruce Smith, Warren Sapp, Bob Lilly, Doug Atkins, Buck Buchanan, Ben Davidson, Mean Joe Greene, Gino Marchetti, just to name 10.

Of course, I'm talking about the defensive line, a position group that helped win Super Bowls for the 2007 New York Giants (Michael Strahan, Barry Cofield, Fred Robbins and Osi Umenyiroa), the 1987 Washington Redskins (Charles Mann, Dave Butz, Darryl Grant and Dexter Manley) and the 1977 Dallas Cowboys (Too Tall Jones, Jethro Pugh, Randy White and Harvey Martin) and scared the heck out of opposing offenses for the 1988 Philadelphia Eagles (Clyde Simmons, Jerome Brown, Mike Pitts and White). In short, there's a pretty strong tradition of defensive line excellence in the NFC East.

So who has the best line in 2010? As was the case at quarterback, running backs, receivers/tight ends and the offensive line, it's the Cowboys.
1. Dallas -- Like the Redskins, the Cowboys play a 3-4 defense. The difference is that Dallas has been using the scheme for years and is accomplished at its nuances. Jay Ratliff (83 tackles, six sacks) is one of the game's premier nose tackles and would probably be better known if he wasn't overshadowed by outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, a pass-rushing demon. Ends Igor Olshansky and Marcus Spears are more run-stuffers then get after the quarterback types, but they're big reasons why the Cowboys ranked fourth against the run and ninth on defense in 2009. Nose tackle Junior Siavii and end Stephen Bowen are the top backups.

2. New York -- This isn't based off the ugly 2009 season, but on past performance and a refreshed outlook from Umenyiora, who battled deposed coordinator Bill Sheridan throughout last season. Umenyiora and fellow ends Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka had 16 sacks between them in 2009, fewer than half of their combined career-highs of 34.5. If they approach the latter rather than the former this season, new coordinator Perry Fewell will be looking pretty smart. Chris Canty had an injury-riddled first year after coming over from Dallas, but he, Cofield and Rocky Bernard should be a solid trio at tackle. First-round draft choice Jason Pierre-Paul, just 21, will be worked in slowly behind the veteran ends. New York was 14th against the run and tied for 13th overall on defense in 2009.

3. Philadelphia -- The Eagles' quartet of ends Trent Cole and Juqua Parker and tackles Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley had been together since the latter broke into the lineup in November 2007. They were major factors in Philadelphia winning wild card berths in 2008 and 2009 and ranking ninth against the run and 12th overall on defense last season. However, first-rounder Brandon Graham has moved ahead of Parker after having such an impressive summer. Darryl Tapp, acquired from Seattle, 2008 second-rounder Trevor Laws and overachiever Antonio Dixon are the other reserves.

4. Washington -- It's hard to judge the Redskins' line, not only because it's the unit's first year in new coordinator Jim Haslett's 3-4 scheme, but because top player Albert Haynesworth is so troublesome. Haynesworth, an All Pro tackle for Tennessee, is enough of a force that even as he played half-heartedly at times and missed four games during his Washington debut in 2009, his presence inside helped free outside rushers Brian Orakpo and Andre Carter for 11 sacks each. Haynesworth has balked at playing nose tackle and has clashed with coach Mike Shanahan, but if he plays to his potential, Washington could have a dangerous line. Adam Carriker, back from the shoulder surgery that ended his 2009 season in St. Louis before it began, and Phillip Daniels are solid run-stoppers at left end as is Kedric Golston, who'll likely rotate with Haynesworth at right end. If nose tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu is fully recovered from the torn Achilles that sidelined him for all of 2009 in Carolina, Haynesworth, Haslett and Shanahan will all be happier. The well-traveled Vonnie Holliday, 34, figures to be the sixth lineman.