The Detroit Lions All-Time Defensive Team

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17 Sep 2000: Robert Porcher #91 of the Detroit Lions celebrates on the field during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. The Buccaneers defeated the Lions 31-10.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport /

Defensive End

Robert Porcher: DET 1992-2003

Lions Career Stats:

429 tackles, 95.5 sacks, 1 interception
3x All-Pro (1997, 1999, 2001)
3x Pro Bowls (1997, 1999, 2001)

Case for making the team: The former first rounder out of South Carolina State terrorized league quarterbacks for his entire 12 year career. He is Detroit’s all-time leader in sacks and led the team in that category eight times during his tenure.

Porcher entrenched himself as one of the NFL’s best defensive ends from 1996-2001 notching an impressive 68 sacks during that span.

Al “Bubba” Baker: DET 1978-1982

Lions Career Stats:

8.5* sacks, 4 interceptions
1x All-Pro (1978)
3x Pro Bowls (1978-1980)
1978 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
*total only includes sacks from the 1982 season

Case for making the team: 8.5 official sacks may seem a little paltry by today’s standards, nonetheless, Baker served as one of the anchors of the Lions’ vaunted “Silver Rush” defensive front.

Considering that sacks didn’t become an official statistic until Baker’s final year in Detroit, his sack total with the team would sit at a more appropriate 75.5 if it included the first four years of his career.

The 23 sacks that Bubba totaled in his rookie year would have tied him with former Dallas Cowboys defensive end, Harvey Martin, for the single season record but since they happened prior to 1982 they aren’t counted.

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