DEFENSE: Who was/is your favorite at AU?

[Tigermike 3,426]

Which player(s) do you think were the best at each position?

I had to change it to players because I was having a hard time limiting it to two at each position.

LB

Kurt Crain

Ken Burnich

Takeo Spikes

Karlos Dansby

Aundray Bruce

Greg Carr

Bill Cody

SAFETY

Chris Shelling - CB & S

Tucker Frederickson

Junior Rosegreen

Tommie Powell

CB

Brian Robinson

Carlos Rogers

Travaris Robinson

George Rose

Dave Beck

David Langner

David King

DL

Willie Whitehead

Tracy Rocker

DeMarco McNeil

Nick Fairley

Marcus McNeil

Zeke Smith

Jackie Burkett

Dowe Aughtman

Doug Smith

Donnie Humphrey

DE

Quentin Groves

Gerald Robinson (DE or DL)

Who would you choose? Who is your favorite at each position?

[Duder 238]

LB:

Karlos Dansby

Takeo Spikes

Rickey Neal

Antarrious Williams

Safety:

Chris Shelling

Zac Etheridge

Junior Rosegreen

Brad Ware

DB:

Brian Robinson

Otis Mounds (maybe a safety?)

Carlos Rogers

Fred Smith

DL:

Tracey Rocker

Quentin Groves

Antonio Coleman

Nick Fairley

Mike Pelton

Jimmy Brumbaugh

Jay Ratliff

Willie Whitehead

Bret Eddins

Josh Thompson

[rtftiger 40]

DL

Nick Fairley

Tracy Rocker

Demarco McNeil (the only working part on one of our defenses)

Zeke Smith

DE

Q Groves

MLB

Takeo Spikes

Greg Carr

Mike Kolen

OLB

Craig Ogletree

Aundray Bruce

Karlos Dansby

CB

Carlos Rogers

Carlo Cheatum

Kevin Porter

Chris Shelling (for fun)

S

Larry Willingham

Junior Rosegreen

Brian Robinson

[Mikey 16,781]

My all-time favorite defense player was Takeo Spikes. No matter the scheme used to block him, Spikes was always around the ball when the play ended.

[mcgufcm 4,107]

Fun game.

Brian Robinson was one of my favorites. That guy had a nose for the ball and a flare for the dramatic. Dansby was unbelievably athletic, but I was actually partial to his running mate: Dontarrious Thomas. Demarco McNeil was Nick Fairley before Nick Fairley was cool. Like rtf said, he was the only guy on the defense that was getting it done, but he was still unblockable. Fairley made me happy. I love mean defenders. Guys who hit with the intent to hurt, and he is that kind of guy. I'm not calling him cheap or dirty. I'm calling him mean.

Takeo was the best LB I've ever seen in person so he makes the list. Same for Carlos Rogers on the corner. But in the end, it's got to be Tracy Rocker for me. Mean player. Took over one side of the line the same way Rogers made QBs forget about a WR. In his era, to be able to discourage rush attempts his direction, to rush the passer like he did, Rocker was just unreal. He's my choice.

[Tigermike 3,426]

I don't think anyone has mentioned David Rocker, but he was a great DL. There were several games he took over.

[augrad68 165]

I'm glad someone mentioned Mike "Captain Crunch" Kolen for MLB.

[kellyaub90 0]

Jason Miska was always a personal favorite of mine, he had a great game against the Updykes in 1993.

[banditmwp 713]

I think I'd have to throw Will Herring in the Safety category...

[80Tiger 906]

Larry Willingham was an All American safety in early 70's and Buddy McClinton (late 60's) was I believe also All American safety. I believe he had 9 interceptions in a single season and is Auburn's all time interception leader. Can't leave those guys off.