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After posting a total of five sacks his first two seasons, Kerney
broke out with 12 sacks in 2001 and followed that up with 10.5
sacks in 2002. In 2004, the Falcons returned to a 4-3 defense
and Kerney had his best season to that point. He was selected
for the Pro Bowl for the first time and recorded career-highs in
tackles (66), sacks (13), and passes defensed (9). He was also
voted second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press. Kerney
moved to the Seahawks in 2007 and was voted as a starter in the
Pro Bowl after leading the NFC in sacks with 14.5, posting 62
tackles and a career-high five forced fumbles. Through 2008, he
had compiled 77.5 sacks, the most of any former Hoo, along with
16 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, and three interceptions.
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This one was a no-brainer. Jordan played for the Green Bay
Packers and the Cleveland Browns during his thirteen-year NFL
career (1957-1969). Jordan was voted all-NFL six times and
played in four Pro Bowls, including the 1962 game, in which he
was selected MVP. Jordan's teams won six divisional titles, five
NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls. He is one of
two former Hoos to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
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Scott played 12 seasons in the NFL (six with the Eagles, six with
the Giants), never missing a game. He was named to the NFL
All-Rookie team in 1953. In 1955, Scott was voted first team
All-NFL, and in 1956 he was named to the second team. Scott
played in two Pro Bowls (1957 and 1958) and four straight NFL
Championship games (1959-1963). He was elected captain of
the Giants his final two seasons.
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Slade finished his career with 53.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles,
three interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns. Remarkably,
he missed only one game in nine seasons. In 1997, Slade was
voted 2nd Team All-Pro and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl.
He led the Patriots with 11 tackles (10 solo) against Green Bay in
Super Bowl XXXI.
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Farrior is still going strong in his 13th season in the NFL. During
the 2004 season, his third with the Steelers, Farrior had 94
tackles, three sacks, and a career-high four interceptions, and
finished second behind Ed Reed for NFL Defensive Player of the
Year honors. Farrior was voted 1st Team All-Pro in 2004 and 2nd
Team All-Pro in 2008, and was selected to the Pro Bowl both of
those seasons. He's put up five seasons with 100+ tackles, and
has won two Super Bowl rings.
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Ambrose, whose hard-hitting style of play earned him the
nickname "Bam Bam," led the Cleveland Browns defense for
nine years (1975-1983). He led the Browns in tackles for five
years (1977-1981) and was the team's most valuable defensive
player in 1977. In 1981, Ambrose was honored by his
teammates with the "Captain's Award," which was given to the
team member who was "a worker, a team player, and an
inspiration." Ambrose was selected as co-captain in 1982.
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After being selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 34th overall
pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, Sharper made an impact right away,
recording 68 tackles, three sacks and one interception in his
rookie year. He played a key role on the record-setting 2000
Ravens defense and in Super Bowl XXXV. From 2003-2004,
while a member of the Houston Texans, Sharper led the NFL in
tackles with 301. During his 9 year career Sharper missed only 8
games, and he did not miss a game until his final season,
playing in 128 straight games. He finished his career with 25.5
sacks, 13 forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries.
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Barber has spent his entire career with the Buccaneers - a career
that may put him in the NFL Hall of Fame when his playing days
are over. In 2005, he became the first cornerback in the history of
the NFL to record at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks in his
career. He is the Buccaneers' all-time leader in interceptions with
37, and is the active NFL leader in defensive touchdowns scored
with 11 (7 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries). Barber has been
voted first team All-Pro five times and has played in five Pro
Bowls. He won a Super Bowl ring with Tampa Bay in 2002.
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Nothing against Jeffries, but this is definitely the weak link on the
defense. Jeffries actually had a long NFL career, playing in 110
games over eight seasons. He played both cornerback and
safety, ending his career with 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, two
forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
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After playing in all 16 games as a reserve during his rookie
season in 1994, Lyle was the Rams' starting safety for the next
six seasons. During the 1996 NFL season, Lyle tied Tyrone
Braxton of the Denver Broncos for the NFL lead in interceptions
with nine. In 1997, Lyle had eight interceptions, second most in
the league. He intercepted 23 passes from 1995-1998, the most
in the NFL during that period, and he was a member of the Rams'
1999 Super Bowl team. Throughout his career with the Rams,
Lyle also served as the team's holder. After leaving the Rams,
Lyle played one season with the Chargers and one with the
Redskins. For his career, he played in 136 games (95 starts)
and had 31 interceptions.
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Despite not being drafted, Ellsworth made an immediate impact
with the Giants. He played in 14 games, starting four, during his
rookie season in 1996, finishing the year with three interceptions
and tied for second on the team in passes defensed. From
1997-1999, Ellsworth played in 46 of 48 games, with 24 starts.
During that time, he picked off 15 passes, returning two for
touchdowns, and recovered three fumbles. Ellsworth moved to
the Browns for the 2000 and 2001 seasons, during which time he
started 25 games and intercepted two passes. He finished his
career with 20 interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and three
defensive touchdowns.
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