Charles Haley changed the way the Cowboys played football in the 90s. And the reason why I say that is because he was such a dominant force coming off the edge, where it took two and three to block him.
Some games I'm going to get more blocks or they're going to do more mistakes and give up more baskets but some games I get zero blocks and I affect 20 shots.
Brook Lopez had a better game than Deron Williams
If you have an elite defense, that can be your third star, so to speak.
It's a pretty sure thing that the player's bat is what speaks loudest when it's contract time, but there are moments when the glove has the last word.
I believe it has changed so much because of the impact you can have from that position. You are so involved in the game from both a pass and a run standpoint. Anyone that can have an impact on a game like that is going to be held to high standards. You have guys like Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu who make big-time plays which can change the outcome of the game.
Andre Tippett was an impact player who consistently played at a level that set him apart. Accounting for him limited what an offense could do. He made quarterbacks nervous.and rightly so.
Anytime the defense scores first - anytime the defense scores when I'm on the bench - that's big time. That takes a little pressure off.
The NBA has never drafted a player for defense. At any position, even at center.
Brian Dawkins, to me, in an era I played in, there were three, really four safeties where their numbers and their impact on the game stands alone.
For the longest time, it's always been Aaron Rodgers and the offense. It's nice to have a little notoriety on defense.
You can be a great defensive player, and if you don't put up splash statistics, then you're not going to get noticed.
That's what most players know about me, that I can change the game without scoring or even having a good offensive night.
J.J. Watt, he does on defense what Andrew Luck does on offense. He inspires those around him, he makes them better.
I have game-changing defensive abilities.
I don't really want to be cocky when I say this, but I really feel I can be one of the best rim protectors in the league, you know, as a rookie.
