NFList

Bears’ D-line is the best at protecting LBs

By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Dec. 10, 2001

Bears DT Keith Traylor

We asked NFL insiders to name the teams they believe do the best job of protecting their linebackers with their defensive line. Comments were made anonymously.

1. Chicago — "Nobody does a better job inside than Ted Washington. Very few ends are as good as Bryan Robinson, who is like a tackle playing end, and both Keith Traylor and Phillip Daniels are good."

2. Baltimore — "Sam Adams, Tony Siragusa and Lional Dalton can physically dominate inside, and both Rob Burnett and Michael McCrary (when healthy) are good leverage and assignment players at end."

3. Miami — "Their tackles, Tim Bowens and Daryl Gardener (when healthy), do a great job of protecting Zach Thomas."

4. Pittsburgh — "Everyone on their line is a good two-gap guy, and the rookie nose tackle, Casey Hampton, was a very positive addition."

5. New Orleans — "Norman Hand is a great run-down, take-up-blockers type of defensive tackle/nose tackle, and Joe Johnson is one of the best ends and a powerful, powerful man."

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