Rich Eisen made the point that defensive players don't win championships. I'll extend it one step further and ask if you should even spend the money at all.

What are the major big money defensive signings that have led to Super Bowls or even great success?

Reggie White comes to mind, but that is way too far back to be relevant now. Anyone else?

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I think Charles Woodson had a huge hand in helping the Packers get back to winning the Super Bowl.

_________________
2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

By the way, he referenced Suh, Watt, and I believe Justin Houston. All three on teams that are struggling with the highest paid defensive players in the league.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

That's a good one, but his deal was only like $6-8 million a year.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

At the time it was signed, it was a pretty big contract.

_________________
2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

No. Spread the money around and draft well. Most huge defensive signings end in disappointment. I'd never give that kind of money to a non-QB, and even with the QB's, it's a select few.

_________________

Besides Brady and Gronk I do not think the Pats sign big giant deals. And if they do they are short term.

_________________
Elections have consequences.

So not a defensive player but I think the Pats conceded maybe at least two SB appearances by refraining to give Moss a new contract and then declining to sign a big WR when he left. This was pre Gronk and maybe around the time Welker emerged. Biggest weakness on those teams was Brady was forced to paper cut you to death because he didn't have someone like Moss. I think a big money contract to a WR would have been worth it for that team.

_________________
Successful calls:

Kyrie Irving will never win anything as a team's alpha: check
T.rubisky is a bust: check
Ben Simmons is a liability: check
The Fields Cult is dumb: double check

2013 CSFMB ROY

Dion Sanders and Ken Norton Jr

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Probably not. For the price of Suh, Denver got Ware, TJ Ward, and Aqib Talib a year ago. All are having pro bowl caliber seasons for the best defense in the league so far.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Charles Haley (actually that may have been a trade)

_________________

Sherman made a bigger impact than Wilson IMHO.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I disagree. Sherman is better at his position, but it's obviously not as important of a position. I think if you replaced them with a league-average player at their position, the team would be much worse without Russell than without Sherman.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I couldn't disagree more. That defense carried that team and Sherman was the most valuable member of the secondary. He literally eliminated a side of the field. Russell was basically asked to be Kyle Orton.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Earl Thomas was every bit as important as Sherman to the defense. And the best CB of all time is still somewhat dependent on a pass rush to be effective.

Your last sentence is laughably wrong. Russell's never played behind a great offensive line. Orton would have gotten killed behind that line by now. If Russell was a pocket QB, I would agree with you and Darko. His best attribute is extending plays and then making a great play. Orton didn't have that quality whatsoever.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

He was asked to manage the game and make an occasional play with his legs. You could find many guys to do what Wilson did. Revis is the only guy that can do what Sherman did. Wilson is being exposed this year.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Actually, his play this year is why I've gotten on board with him. He got his fat contract, lost Marshawn Lynch for almost all year so far, has a horrible offensive line, isn't getting much from his receivers, and is still having a very good year.

Rodgers is the only other QB in the NFL that can extend a play and then make a great throw consistently. Almost every QB in the league besides them that can extend plays with their legs is wildly inconsistent and/or inaccurate with their arm.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

That's a strong argument on the first paragraph farvio but as far as their championship year I gotta give the edge to the defense being the reason, and not Wilson. Wilson is dealing with deficiencies this season to be sure but unless he literally leads them to a title I'm sticking with Sherman for 13.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

That's fair. Might have been the best defense I've ever seen in my life, so I'm not gonna fault someone for that position. Even still, I would disagree with any type of characterization of Wilson being Trent Dilfer along for the ride on that team. I think he was more important than that, and not easily replaceable.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Ravens defense was probably better

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

I think they were better, but they also could get away with a lot more. Considering the NFL would rather defenses not even take the field these days, what Seattle did was very impressive.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

yeah just look at whatever the pats do. thats how you win rings.

_________________
the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.

Agreed. Just get the best QB and coach of all time on the same team at the same time for 15 years. More teams should try that.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Agreed.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Pretty easy.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!