Best DE tandem at Tech

[knox]

Posts in the other thread got me thinking about the fine DE tradition we have at Tech. I was wondering what the best pair of DEs we've had?

My initial thought is the Greg Gathers/Nick Rogers tandem. They combined for 47.5 career sacks and 88 TFL.

Any other thoughts?

 

[DCSS]

In recent memory, Derrick Morgan and Michael Johnson.

 

[DCSS]

Sorry I didn't read the other thread first.

 

[LittleGeorge]

Coleman Rudolph and Marco Coleman

 

[wuzjrbuzz]

As seniors in 1998, Nate Stimson and Jesse Tarplin were pretty darn good.

 

[danny daniel]

Ted Davis and Billy Martin? I believe they had to play both offense and defense in their era.

 

[CornerBlitz]

Coleman and Marco. It's not even close. Also had Marlon Williams coming off the edge.

 

[augustabuzz]

Coleman and Marco. It's not even close. Also had Marlon Williams coming off the edge.

Except that Marco was listed as an OLB.

 

[augustabuzz]

Ted Davis and Billy Martin are still ahead in my recollection. Reggie Wilkes, Freeman Colbert and Al Richardson were sporty.

 

[CornerBlitz]

I recall him getting moved to OLB in the pros. If I'm wrong, then I stand corrected. Who played opposite of Coleman Rudolph? IIRC Kimsey and Battle were at tackle.

 

[augustabuzz]

I recall him getting moved to OLB in the pros. If I'm wrong, then I stand corrected. Who played opposite of Coleman Rudolph? IIRC Kimsey and Battle were at tackle.

We ran this alignment:

DE NT DT OLB

 

[CornerBlitz]

So he was basically a DE with some coverage responsibilities.

 

[augustabuzz]

So he was basically a DE with some coverage responsibilities.

Exactly! He made himself so adept at rushing the QB, that he dropped less and less over time. He would sometimes mask his intentions with the 2pt stance.

 

[CornerBlitz]

Exactly! He made himself so adept at rushing the QB, that he dropped less and less over time. He would sometimes mask his intentions with the 2pt stance.

Oleary just let him play. Kind of like a 3-4 before it's time. Alabama runs something similar. Man..great athletes make such a difference.

 

[Woodstock]

In 1985 Pat Swiling -- College Hall of Famer -- played on one end, Mark Pike -- 13 years with the Bills -- on the other. They played in front of some guy named Roof who had 119 tackles.

 

[augustabuzz]

In 1985 Pat Swiling -- College Hall of Famer -- played on one end, Mark Pike -- 13 years with the Bills -- on the other. They played in front of some guy named Roof who had 119 tackles.

Was it Pike or Jurgenson on the other end?

 

[Woodstock]

Tennessee has all of their football programs online. Here is the one from the 1985 game:
http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=237&catid=14

The opposition scouting report is on page 19. The starting lineup for both teams is on page 60. Tech started five defensive backs -- "Roof, Roof, Roof!" does have some experience with the 4-2-5.

I found this from The Cincinnati Enquirer: "Pike reaches peak in retirement"
http://enquirer.com/editions/1999/01/08/spt_pike_reaches_peak_in.html

 

[augustabuzz]

Tennessee has all of their football programs online. Here is the one from the 1985 game:
http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=237&catid=14

The opposition scouting report is on page 19. The starting lineup for both teams is on page 60. Tech started five defensive backs -- "Roof, Roof, Roof!" does have some experience with the 4-2-5.

I found this from The Cincinnati Enquirer: "Pike reaches peak in retirement"
http://enquirer.com/editions/1999/01/08/spt_pike_reaches_peak_in.html

Thanks.

 

[Yaller Jacket]

Man! Seeing those names lights me up. We sure have had some good ones through the years. I'm not sure if there is a more important single defensive player in today's game than having at least one disruptive rush end.

 

[nodawgs]

Rogers Gathers by a landslide.