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By Justin Davis and Kris Brauner
SouthernPigskin.com Columnists
SouthernPigskin.com Columnists Justin Davis and Kris Brauner rank the defensive ends in the SEC West. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan of us on Facebook at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
As SEC West columnists for Southern Pigskin, we have set out to rank the top players at each position in the division. The system is simple. If the goal is to find the Top 5 at a position, then each first place vote gets five points, each second place vote gets four points, etc. Kris and Justin then tally the points and determine the rankings.
The criteria used to rank players focuses on two things: projected production (will they put up the stats?) and overall ability (how good is the player, despite the stats?). Today, Davis and Brauner look at defensive ends.
Defensive Ends are a rare breed of human being. Often massive in stature, possessing the strength of an ox and the speed of a raging rhino. These guys make the job of linebackers easier and give opposing offenses nightmares. Here's the best of the rest in the SEC West.
1. Marcel Dareus Alabama (10 points) – 33 tackles 9 TFL 6.5 sacks
Justin's Take (1): Standing at a hulking 6'4 296 pounds and playing with a non stop motor, Dareus exploded during the National Title game. He knocked Colt McCoy out of the game and intercepted a shovel pass for a TD and hasn't slowed down since. He also led the Tide last year with 6.5 sacks and 33 solo tackles as a reserve off the bench! He will demand a double team as a starter this year. Dareus is possibly a surefire Top 10 pick in next years draft.
Kris's Take (1): Dareus is built more like a defensive tackle, but he makes a good fit as a defensive end in Alabama's 3-4 scheme. Dareus really burst onto the scene during the second half of last year and by the BCS Championship game, he was virtually unblockable. He'll have to deal with more attention and double teams in 2010, but he is poised for a huge season nonetheless. Early projections put him as an early first rounder in the 2011 NFL Draft.
2. Kentrell Lockett Ole Miss (8 points) – 39 tackles 10 TFL 5 sacks
Justin's Take (2): Lockett would be an OLB in a 3-4 scheme at 6'5" 240 pounds, but he had 5 sacks last year and 23 solo tackles including 7 for a loss. He will help Jerrell Powe hold down an experienced Rebel line. Lockett could also be a high draft pick in next years draft with his blend of size and speed.
Kris's Take (2): Lockett has been an outstanding performer at the SEC level for two years now, and 2010 looks to be no different. With Jerrell Powe drawing attention in the middle, Lockett should be free to rush the passer and make plays on the outside.
3. Pernell McPhee Miss St (5 points) – 56 tackles 12 TFL 5 sacks
Justin's Take (4): At 6'4" and 275 pounds McPhee is a nightmare for opposing linemen. McPhee's numbers tell the tale with 31 solo tackles (12.5 for a loss), 5 sacks and a forced fumble. McPhee teamed with Fletcher Cox should give the Bulldogs a fighting chance this year.
Kris's Take (3): McPhee is one of the more underrated players in the SEC. He was incredibly productive for the Bulldogs last year notching over 50 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. Now, he's the headliner in what should be a very good defensive line in Starkville. With the young defensive tackles now a year older, they should take pressure off McPhee and he could have an even bigger season in 2010.
4. Antoine Carter Auburn (4 points) - 30 tackles 4.5 TFL 1.5 sacks
Justin's Take (3): Coming off off season knee surgery Carter started opposite of wrecking ball Antonio Coleman the final six games of the seasons. He produced 27 tackles, 4.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Carter is looking to fill the void by Coleman and improve his own draft status. At 6'4" 263 pounds, who's going to stop him?
Kris's Take (5): Carter is a solid but unspectacular player for Auburn. He now takes over as Auburn's primary pass rusher and will draw additional attention from the offensive line. Will he be able to handle it? I believe he will more than hold his own this year.
5. Jake Bequette Arkansas (3 points) - 39 tackles 9 TFL 5.5 sacks
Justin's Take (5): Another long lean guy at 6'5" 271 pounds, Bequette is the razorbacks not so secret weapon. While he has 65 tackles (12 solo), he led the Hogs with 5 sacks. He has a knack for being around the ball and the rising junior is only beginning to peak. The Hogs lean on their offense often, but Bequette can be the man to bail them out when needed.
Kris's Take (4): Like McPhee, Bequette is vastly underrated, but he was one of the best defensive ends in the league in 2009. On an overall poor defense, Bequette was one of the bright spots providing a consistent pass rush. As just a junior, Bequette could really break out in 2010.
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Kris has a blog called the Saturday Night Slant. You can also follow the Saturday Night Slant on Twitter or Facebook.
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Justin Davis aka JersyMikeJr is an aspiring sports talk jock and avid Alabama football fan. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Justin is 5'4 and 170 pounds of Bama talking thunder. In addition to Alabama and football in general, he also enjoys boxing, college basketball, NBA and baseball. NASCAR is growing on Justin a little being the fact he's from the South. JersyMikeJr is fast pace, provocative, on the inside and brings the knowledge.
Stories written by SouthernPigskin.com columnists are done independently. Views do not always coincide with those of the remainder of the staff or the ownership of SouthernPigskin.com.
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