2010 NFL Power Rankings: 13 Most Disappointing Defenders

Defense wins championships. It is tried and it is true. Defense needs to be played as a team, but it starts with the individuals.

The following defenders used to be the kind of players a team could build a championship around.

Now, they all have the following in common:  underwhelming 2010 performances and teams that suffered because of it.

13. Jamal Williams, Denver Broncos

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 31: Defensive tackle Jamal WIlliams #76 of the San Diego Chargers looks on from the sidelines in the final minutes of the 2nd half of their NFL Game on December 31, 2005 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald

Denver brought in Jamal Williams to serve as the center piece of a stiff run defense. He's 34 years old and he is trying to come back from a serious injury.

It is foolish to have expectations worthy of disappointment under those circumstances. We all know this, except the Broncos didn't.

The Broncos have been unable to stop the run all year, ranking near the bottom of the league in all rushing defense categories.

12. Darren Sharper, New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 31: Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images)

Sharper missed the first six games with a knee injury and has failed to make an impact since returning. He has yet to record an interception and has only one pass defended.

At 35 years old, you can't really blame Sharper for his eroding skills, but for a guy who originally hoped he would be back for the 2010 opener, the season has been a disappointment.

11. Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 14: Running back Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes as Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos tries to strip the ball at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 14, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chi

If you are noticing a trend in the early part of this list, you're already one step ahead of the Denver Broncos. It's difficult to count on players as they climb into their 30's.

Dawkins has been in and out of the lineup all season with injuries. When healthy, he has failed to make the kind of impact most have grown accustomed.

In 2009, Dawkins had five interceptions, 11 passes defended and 116 tackles. In 2010, Dawkins has recorded one interception, five passes defended and 59 tackles. 

10. Jonathan Joseph, Cincinnati Bengals

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 04: Mohamed Massaquoi #11 of the Cleveland Browns makes a catch at the 1 yard line against Jonathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals during their game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ji

Joseph had a breakout year in 2009 as a key piece of the Bengals' resurgence. Now, he is a factor in the team's 2010 demise.

Joseph has not been the shut down cornerback he was a year ago. He has only three interceptions and eight passes defended, which are down from the six interceptions and 20 passes defended last season.

9. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes past Brandon Manumaleuna #86 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

It is hard to call 10.5 sacks in a season a disappointment, but it is understandable given Allen's level of dominance in previous seasons. Allen is coming off a season where he forced five fumbles and recovered three. He also rang in with 14.5 sacks.

In 2010, Allen has forced only one fumble and has yet to recover one. On top of that, teams have found success running right at Allen, who often times seems too preoccupied on getting to the quarterback.

7. Lofa Tatupu, Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05: Linebacker Lofa Tatupu #51 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks

Tatupu is coming off of an injury-plagued 2009 campaign. He has remained healthy in 2010, so in that respect, the season has been successful.

Tatupu though has failed to make the kind of impact that made him a Pro Bowler earlier in his career. He has 82 tackles on the season with only one forced fumble and one interception.

6. Jarius Byrd, Buffalo Bills

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots battles for a loose ball with Jarius Byrd #31 of the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Byrd has failed to replicate his impressive rookie season, and the Bills defense has struggled as a result.

The instincts that constantly found him near the ball seemed to have disappeared.  In 2009, Byrd accumulated nine interceptions and 11 passes defended. Byrd has yet to get an interception this season and has only broken up one pass.

5. Shawne Merriman, Buffalo Bills

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: Shawne Merriman of the Buffalo Bills stands on the field prior to play against the Chicago Bears at Rogers Centre on November 7, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Merriman was claimed this week after being waived by the San Diego Charge

Merriman was one of the NFL's most elite sack-masters. After a suspension for a positive steroids test and a knee injury, his membership to club sack has been revoked.

In 2009, Merriman played in 14 games and tallied only four sacks. His 2010 has been even more dismal, playing in just three games with six tackles and zero sacks recorded.  

4. Andre Carter, Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings is hit by Washington Redskins linebacker Andre Carter #99 at FedExField November 28, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Vikings won the game 17-13. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Carter teamed up with Brian Orakpo to give the Redskins a feared outside pass rush in 2009. When the dust settled, Carter had 11 sacks.

He has failed to come close to that number in 2010, and the Redskins' pass defense has been abused without him. Heading into Week 17, Carter has just 2.5 sacks this season.

3. Chris Hope, Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars breaks away from Chris Hope #24 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Photo by Grant

Hope was a pro bowler in 2008, but his performance started to slip in 2009. The Titans defense needed him to have a rebound year, but Hope was not able to give it to them.

Even with 97 tackles, Hope is not making enough of an impact on pass defense. The Titans have given up the 28th-most passing yards in the league, and Hope has contributed greatly to that ranking; he has only one interception and four passes defended in 2010.

2. Brian Cushing, Houston Texans

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Owen Schmitt #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a 5-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against Brian Cushing #56 of the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

Cushing had a stellar rookie campaign in 2009, but he discovered the sophomore-slump.

Cushing's season got off to a rocky start. He missed the first four games serving a suspension for a positive performance-enhancing drug test. Since his return, he has been a shell of his former self.

In 2009, Cushing had five sacks, two forced fumbles and four interceptions. Going into Week 17 of the 2010 season, Cushing has just 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and zero interceptions.

1. Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins stands on the sidelines during preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona

To say Haynesworth's season got off to an auspicious start would be an understatement. He clashed with his coach, refused to switch to nose tackle, failed to pass a fitness test and then failed to produce.

Haynesworth was eventually made inactive, not long after he essentially got tired of running after Michael Vick and decided to lay down on the field.