AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRanking the ACC’s defensive linemen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s going to be a big year for defense in the ACC. In the final NCAA statistics of 2006, the ACC placed seven teams (Virginia Tech, Miami, Clemson, Virginia, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Boston College) in the top 34 in total defense. Those seven teams return 57 of 77 starters from a year ago.
And it all starts up front. Here is my list for the top five defensive linemen in the ACC as we head into the 2007 season.
1. Calais Campbell, DE, Sr., Miami: He’s the best defensive end in college football, period. At 6-8, 282, he doesn’t have to get to the quarterback to have an impact on the passing game.
2. Chris Long, DE, Sr., Virginia: A relentless defender who keeps constant pressure on the quarterback. The son of former NFL great Howie Long had five sacks and 12 tackles for loss last season.
3. Andre Fluellen, NG, Sr., Florida State: Fluellen has started 25 of the last 26 games on the defensive line for the Seminoles. Can play noseguard or tackle. Was the most dominating player in spring practice and is expected to have a huge year.
4. DeMario Pressley, DT, Sr., N.C. State: Has started 23 straight games and will anchor what will be a pretty good Wolfpack defense.
5. B.J. Raji, DT, Sr., Boston College: Raji was a second team All-ACC pick last season, when he had 6.5 tackles for loss. He’s a very underrated player because he plays on the same defense with LB Brian Toal.
HONORABLE MENTION
Chris Ellis, DE, Sr., Virginia Tech: Missed spring ball as he recovered from shoulder surgery but coaches believe he is going to have a big year. He had 8.5 tackles for loss last season.
Paul Griffin, DT, Jr., Florida State: This guy began last season in the starting lineup as a JUCO transfer. Then he injured his left knee in the second game and was lost for the rest of the season. If he comes back full speed he will be a force.
Adamm Oliver, DE, Sr., Georgia Tech: A second team All-ACC pick last season who had 70 tackles, including 11 for lost yardage.
Vincent Oghobaase, DE, Soph., Duke: There wasn’t a whole lot to smile about at Duke (0-12) last season but this guy came to play every Saturday. He passed up offers from Miami and Oklahoma to go to Duke.
Phillip Merling, DE, Jr., Clemson: Had a pretty good 2006 with Gaines Adams, the ACC defensive player of the year, on the other side. Adams is gone and the Tigers are relying on Merling to be the man up front.
Comments
By joe
August 7, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
I didn’t even bother to read this article b/c I’m willing to bet my good ole redneck farm that Tony didn’t bother to put any Bulldogs on this list either…just like every other list…
By Joe's daddy
August 7, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
Are there Any Bulldogs in the ACC?
By Glenn
August 7, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
joe, this is a ranking of ACC Defensive Linemen.
Why would ANYBODY put any Bulldogs on this list? There are no Bulldogs in the ACC, you moron.
Go back to your crayons at the Waffle House.
By CJ
August 7, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
ROFL…
The poor mutt comes tearing out from under his porch to complain and falls flat on his face. Gotta love it!
You sir…are an IDIOT.
By Chris
August 7, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
This article is about ACC defensive linemen, big guy. There’s no Bulldogs anywhere to be seen unless the the ACC and SEC merged to form the greatest superconference ever, the F’in Huge Conference, or FHC.
By jackets fan
August 7, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
There weren’t any UGA DL’men on the SEC list either…because there aren’t any worth mentioning. The two best they had left for the NFL and were overrated to start with.
I’m shocked that Michael Johnson didn’t get a mention here. I realize he doesn’t start in the traditional 4-3 alignment, but he is on the field on all passing downs to rush the passer, which he is a stud at.
By Bobby Ross
August 7, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Yawn…….Wow, this site is really kick’in. No wonder that stadium downtown only holds fifty-something.
By DAWG4LIFE
August 7, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
WOW! Really jackets fan. You might want to ask Reggie Ball if your comment above (about UGA) ’ two best they had left for the NFL and were overrated to start with’ is true. And then go ask your D-Linemen how they feel after they let Stafford, who was only 9 months remooved from High School ‘school’ them on that last minute Touchdown drive. lol. Go ahead. Fool yourselves if it makes you feel better. lol. See you in November (again).
By Kyle
August 7, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
LOL wonder why it doesnt have any players from the Big Ten or Big East on this list? Probably because it is a ranking for the ACC. Love the comment about the crayons and Waffle House. I doubt the UGA fans know how to use crayons though. Gotta love those Wal-mart UGAy fans (fans who root for the team with the most T-shirts at Wal-Mart)
By Rickster
August 7, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
It is said that when the UGA library caught fire a while back, it burn up both their library books…… and one of ‘em hadn’t even been colored yet!!!!
By Spanky
August 7, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Rickster,…That joke was made a couple of decades ago, but I understand that you nerds are new to this thing called “humor”!…good try,champ! Shouldn’t you dorks get your excuses ready for the season?
By Chris
August 7, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Stafford led halfway decent drive that game and, because of the fluke Tony Taylor Squirrel/Nut fumble-returned-for-TD, that was enough. It wasn’t our defense that failed that game. It was offense, just like the rest of our losses that year (West Virginia game excepted).
Also, at least we can claim 4 mythical championships. You stupid mutts can only claim one.
Also also, perhaps the GT blog is a little less busy than the uga blog because the GT folks have jobs and stuff. I have time because I’m on vacation for the next week and a half, starting today (Mexico, here I come!).
By Jimdawg
August 7, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Holy crap Spanky.Where the heck have you been? It’s nice to see you posting again. I guess you can see that the D&D nerds are full of it!
By Rickster
August 7, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
1 New library - 2 New coloring books!!! Nothing’s change in 20 years!!!!
By Rickster
August 7, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
Wholly crap Batman! It’s a Nutt-lickin’ Mutt reunion!! Or is it a Mutt-lickin’ Nutt reunion?!!!
By Spanky
August 7, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
Okay nerds,…yap it up, same as last year,and the year before,and the year before,..etc. We all know what the outcome is, don’t we?! Georgia finishes in the Top 10, while the GT Member’s Only Jackets blow a big lead in the Cheap Trinket Bowl! Then, you wimps cry so hard that you throw your action figures across the room, in a full blown-out hissy-fit!
“I’m sorry, Han Solo, it wasn’t your fault!”
When you nerds actually beat us, is when your little comments will actually mean something!
By Art
August 7, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Rickster.You are the anti-funny!
By Chan Gay Lee
August 7, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
lmao!!
By Spanky
August 7, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
Jim,..Nice to see you post as well! I’ll post again a little closer to kick-off. Seeya!
BTW- Rickster, I know it’s taking you a few hours to come up with a reply, so don’t bother. Save your tears for the season!
By spanky we have beat you
August 7, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this
i know your a hick, but you do realize we compete in more than one sport, right?
By ND
August 7, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Georgia Tech: Home of the Tickle Pile
“WIN ONE FOR THE TICKLER”
By Georgia Tech=JOKE
August 7, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry but did a lab geek call Georgia OVERRATED? Lets talk about overrated shall we? Lets talk about the #16 team in the country getting beat by an unranked team with a true freshmen QB and 4 losses on the season. Hey, here’s a thought for all you braniac 30 year old virgins out there. Maybe if your laughable football program could beat Georgia..oh say, about as often as a girl talks to you, they wouldn’t be so overrated. Why don’t you punch that into your pocket calculator and see what you come up with mmmkay.
Be sure to send your thanks to coach Beamer for dreaming up another excuse for you. We spy on you lab geeks. We’re watching your every move!! My lord your conference is as big of a joke as your team.
A little more on topic, this is the first ACC “best” list from Mr. Barnhardt that doesn’t have me rolling on the floor laughing hysterically. The wide reciever list was pure comedy. I’ll be sure to print it out and get those guys to autograph it for me one day, after they bag my groceries of course.
By Uga5 licked my balls
August 8, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Oh yea?! Well… Mark Richt is GOD!
Rebel without a cause, Bubba