Before the season began, the Giants lost 17 players from last year's team, including such over-30 defensive stalwarts as Harry Carson, George Martin, Jim Burt and Kenny Hill.

George Lynch and Stacy Augmon, both defensive stalwarts, pushed past Nailon in the rotation, and there was simply no room for him.

The Knicks, known as defensive stalwarts not too long ago, seemed to be moving in slow motion, waltzing out toward the 3-point line with one arm raised.

Since playing every minute of Iraq's title-winning campaign at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, Ali Rehema has established his status as one the team's defensive stalwarts.

He is a sound catcher who has been a defensive stalwart at every level.

The average Suns game has 96.8 possessions, 10 more than the average game of defensive stalwarts like Detroit and Memphis.

In his second professional year, he contributed with 11 matches to the Asturians final runner-up position in La Liga, and became a defensive stalwart in the subsequent seasons.

While Ward did not play, it seemed as if he passed on the message, as the Knicks put on a performance worthy of their hard-earned reputation as defensive stalwarts.

Bill Bailey ran well from the tailback spot, gaining 74 yards, while Shawn Williams and Malik Jackson were the defensive stalwarts.

Riley, meanwhile, has the league's most feared reserve, Michael Cooper, the defensive stalwart who has also been used in a three-guard lineup with Johnson and Scott.