The Question:
Which linebacker is the better defensive leader?

Bill Romanowski		Jessie Tuggle
TACKLES: 72 | SACKS: 7½ | INTs: 2 By Anthony Munoz Special to ESPN.com I'd have to choose Bill Romanowski because he has the experience of having been to the Super Bowl three previous times. Not that Jessie Tuggle isn't a great leader, but Romanowski played in Super Bowl XXIII. Ten years later, he's in Super Bowl XXXIII. Tuggle has been around, but he hasn't been in this position. When you look at a player who's been to the Super Bowl several times over the long haul, he brings a bit more leadership to a team. I think Romanowski's teammates look at him and say, "This guy's been there, so listen to him." On the field he has the versatility of being able to play the run and drop into pass coverage. He's quick enough to drop back and also get to the quarterback on a blitz, as his 7½ sacks show. He's quick enough to avoid blockers and strong enough to make tackles. His skills might get overlooked because of the label that he's a dirty player. A player of his ability doesn't need to dirty tactics. It's a matter of self-control. He's actually a disciplined player with a solid workout regimen who's very smart.		TACKLES: 86 | SACKS: 3 | INTs: 0 By Merril Hoge Special to ESPN.com First, look at all Jessie Tuggle has been through for the last 12 seasons. When the Falcons were 2-14, Tuggle still led the team in tackles. He still did all the things to prepare to be a winner each and every Sunday. He didn't have a lot of people around him to help make that happen. Tuggle is vocal when he needs to be vocal, but he leads by how he plays. He raises the bar to a certain level every Sunday on every play, and he expects every player around him to play at that level. He's showing it by example; if he doesn't think you're living up to it, he'll call you out on it. He's like a coach who wears No. 58. He's been one of the NFL's most underrated players because he has been on losing teams, but people will know about him now. He's finally getting his due. He's a guy who has stuck to his principles and stayed disciplined and he's never wavered, whether the Falcons have been 2-14 or 14-2. He's been the one thing that's hard to be in the NFL -- consistent, regardless of good or bad times. Tuggle always has been considered undersized. He came from a small college. He's probably heard about those things since he started playing in the NFL. But that's always given him the fortitude to keep going and defy all odds. He's conquered it all because he believes in himself, no matter what people have said or thought of him.