League’s most dynamic duos,
Cover 2? You bet. Here are 10 dynamic NFL duos (*with a bonus pair pending) to watch in 2016:
1 The champs: Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware
When last witnessed in action, the Denver Broncos’ bookend outside linebackers wreaked havoc on league MVP Cam Newton, who was pressured 21 times amid a Super Bowl 50 dismantling. Since then Miller, the Super Bowl MVP, landed a megadeal that guarantees him $70 million, more than any non-quarterback in NFL history. Ware, who also has provided the bonus of an outstanding model of professionalism for Miller to emulate, is back for a 12th season. With young talent Shane Ray also in the rush rotation, the formula is the same for a unit that ranked No. 1 last season: dominate on defense, which relieves pressure on an offense triggered by zero-experience quarterback Trevor Siemian. One difference, though, is that Miller won’t have since-departed defensive end Malik Jackson alongside him to help create rush alleys.
2 The solid rocks: Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis
The heartbeat of arguably the best front seven in football is embodied by the Carolina Panthers linebackers who are versatile enough — as run stuffers, coverage artists and blitzers alike — that they don’t have to come off the field on third downs. Add another emerging linebacker in their image in Shaq Thompson plus another impressive duo on the front line in Kawann Short and Kony Ealy, and it’s no wonder the Panthers could actually afford to lose all-pro cornerback Josh Norman. That they still have the glue in Kuechly and Davis will go a long way toward maintaining the status quo for a premier defense.
3 The new-and-improved package: Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett
No NFL team ran as many plays out of two-tight-end formations last season as the New England Patriots, who effectively use the set to keep defenses off balance. It’s not easy to field defensive personnel who can match up in the passing game while also stopping the run — especially when the game’s best tight end, Gronkowski, is throwing devastating blocks or busting seams on pass routes. Patriots coach Bill Belichick has a long history with the formation — when he was tight ends coach with the Detroit Lions in 1977, they had a potent package with Charlie Sanders and David Hill. The arrival of Bennett (53 catches for the Chicago Bears in 2015) means the Pats have the most athletic complement to Gronkowski since Aaron Hernandez. As he subs for suspended Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo will appreciate this tandem — especially in the red zone.
4 The production line: Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown
No player in NFL history has caught as many passes over two seasons (265) as Brown, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ electric receiver, which explains why the team recently reworked his contract again to push another $4 million into his pocket this year as a harbinger to a new deal in 2017. Roethlisberger knows. Brown, with his double moves and knack for yards after the catch, is so valuable. Especially now. Last year’s No. 2 wideout, Martavis Bryant, is serving a one-year drug suspension. Tight end Heath Miller retired. Tailback Le’Veon Bell will sit out three games because of a suspension. Those are significant hits to what is perhaps the NFL’s most explosive offense. Then again, after tying for the NFL high with 136 catches last season — and that was with Big Ben missing four games — it would be just like Brown to do even more.
5 The last line of defense: Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas
The Seattle Seahawks defense had some uncharacteristic breakdowns early last season, but by the end of it they’d allowed the fewest points in the league for a fourth consecutive year. There are impact players on every level, but the identity was first forged with the Legion of Boom secondary patrolled by Sherman and Thomas, arguably the most crafty cornerback-safety tandem in the NFL. Their ability to recognize route concepts and play off each other’s instincts is what makes them special. Sherman spends more time than he used to in covering the opponent’s best receiver rather than remaining stationary on the left side, and it helps that his free safety covers his back.
6 The comeback factor: Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson
You knew it was a big blow when Nelson, the Green Bay Packers’ big-play wideout, blew out his knee during the preseason last year. But the damage was illuminated further by the ripple effect. With Nelson gone, it wasn’t just that the deep passing game suffered (a few Hail Mary heaves notwithstanding). Other receivers, most notably Randall Cobb and Davante Adams, did not raise their games enough to pick up the slack. Without Nelson to clear the outside, they struggled to get separation off the line and dropped too many passes. This all had something to do with Rodgers posting the lowest marks of his career since he became a starter in 2008 in terms of yards per game (238.8), completion rate (60.7%) and passer rating (92.7). With Nelson back, his speed should allow Rodgers and Co. to work the entire field again.
7 The try-again challengers: A.J. Green and Andy Dalton
It seemed like the Cincinnati Bengals were on track to finally win a playoff game last season until disaster struck. Dalton suffered a broken thumb in mid-December that ended his season. Then, with AJ McCarron filling in, the Bengals suffered a late-game meltdown in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in their playoff opener against Pittsburgh. Talk about snake-bitten. Since Green and Dalton joined forces as the team’s first- and second-round picks, respectively, in 2011, the Bengals have made the playoffs every year. Green has become a dominant receiver. Dalton keeps getting better, evidenced by the fact that he led the AFC in passer rating (106.2) last season. But it’s the same old deal heading into a new year. The talent-rich Bengals still haven’t won in the season since 1990. No, with Vontaze Burfict coming to mind, it’s not all on the quarterback and receiver, either. But they remain positioned as central figures to change the narrative.
8 The psychic connection: Sean Payton and Drew Brees
When the drama of the offseason was settled — Payton signed a contract extension to return as New Orleans Saints coach — it kept intact the NFL’s longest-tenured coach-quarterback combination. That means more points and production. The Saints, No. 2 last season in total yards, have fielded a top-six offense in each season since Payton and Brees both arrived in 2006. Beneath the numbers, there’s the mental edge that comes with continuity. They see the game through each other’s eyes. But this won’t last forever. Brees is 37, which is why it’s imperative that the Saints defense improve to complement a championship-caliber offense. Still, Brees does have new weapons. Coby Fleener should be the latest tight end to thrive in New Orleans, and rookie receiver Michael Thomas is a big target with excellent ball skills who could provide the type of red-zone impact that was long supplied by since-departed Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham.
9 The grizzled vets: Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald
The Arizona Cardinals have enough pieces in place to suggest they are built for longterm viability. But the clock is ticking as Palmer and Fitzgerald head into their 14th and 13th seasons, respectively. Then again, they defied Father Time in 2015. That Palmer was the NFL’s most efficient passer on third downs was a reflection on Fitzgerald, who caught a career-high 109 passes while sparkling in the slot role he initially didn’t embrace when aggressive coach Bruce Arians arrived.
10 The upstarts: Derek Carr and Amari Cooper
In short order, the Oakland Raiders’ so-called AC/DC duo have served notice they are an explosive energy source for a team on the rise. Cooper was the first receiver drafted last season (fourth overall) and lived up to the status by leading all rookies with 72 receptions. His big-play presence was a much-needed layer for Carr, who steadily progressed in his second season. They should continue to grow together, with Carr (32 touchdowns in 2015) able to mix the spray-it-around short stuff with a potent touch on the deep throws. And their bond is even tighter after a stint this summer as training camp roommates. Give them a consistent rushing attack, and the sparks might really fly.
11 *The BFFs: Tony Romo and Jason Witten
It’s often said that a tight end is a quarterback’s best friend. That’s as much the case off the field as it is on for the Dallas Cowboys tandem, who are entering their 14th seasons together. Yet the on-field arrangement is on hold (again) as Romo nurses another back injury. It was no coincidence that Witten declared recently that he expected Romo would return sooner than the projected six-to-10-week timetable. We’ll see. In the meantime, Witten needs to provide a security blanket for rookie Dak Prescott, who must supply the edge the Cowboys typically haven’t had when Romo has been injured (they were 1-11 in 2015 when Romo had a twicebroken collarbone). The big hope in Dallas is that the Cowboys will still have something to play for whenever Romo ultimately returns.