Per Football Outsiders, just three teams played a “base” defense at least half the time in 2017. The other teams prefered nickel (five defensive backs) and dime (six). League-wide, 52.3 percent of defensive plays came in nickel last season and an additional 12.9 percent came with more than five defensive backs on the field.
Bettcher’s Arizona Cardinals were one of the teams that took advantage of those extra defensive backs. The Cardinals used nickel 65 percent of the time, which was the seventh-highest rate in the league last season. Arizona only used “base” personnel on 27 percent of its defensive plays, which ranked 24th among teams. Last season, the Giants were in “base” on 29 percent of defensive snaps (21st) and in nickel 60 percent of the time (15th).
disclaimer - I am not a student of the defensive game and maybe that is why I am/was easily confused. : )
But, You are going to have a hard time convincing me that Lawrence Taylor didn't play DE most of the time ...
I Know the terms, jersey #s, and other details all pointed to him being a LBer - but, holy crap did he look like he was playing the DL to me.
I think they matter in terms of a starting point .... and then the HCs and coordinators improvise to the point that the Offense is confused as to what is coming at them (and I guess that is the whole point?).
disclaimer - I am not a student of the defensive game and maybe that is why I am/was easily confused. : )
But, You are going to have a hard time convincing me that Lawrence Taylor didn't play DE most of the time ...
I Know the terms, jersey #s, and other details all pointed to him being a LBer - but, holy crap did he look like he was playing the DL to me.
I think they matter in terms of a starting point .... and then the HCs and coordinators improvise to the point that the Offense is confused as to what is coming at them (and I guess that is the whole point?).
If this was a comment made in 1982, I could understand it, but, today, I don't understand why it is so hard to grasp the concept of a rush LB.
The base packages tell you how many guys have their Hands Down...generally. Today's game features a tremendous array of 240-280 pound guys who can edge rush from standing or from stance. They can cover flats and downfield...surviveably.
I expect you'll see some fronts with just 2 guys in a stance---and it won't mean that 3/4/5/6 aren't rushing the passer.
and while it seems the 3-4 is better suited to slowing down modern offenses, you still need the right talent in the front seven to build a high end pass rush.
But to me the benefit is that the college game hasn't been producing enough NFL 4-3 DE or 4-3 MLB. There are more undersized DE that might be able to move to 3-4 OLB and more 3-4 ILB types so acquiring players for the 3-4 is more doable.
Like Getting Lorenzo Carter in round 3. He is going to be a stud and like Justin Houston was a Georgia Bulldog drafted in round 3.
The rarest players on D are two gapping NT, 340 lbs, requires a double team and can diagnose a play on the fly. Maybe 2-3 of these players in league at any time. Thankfully we can go to a more gap attacking 3-4.
The 2nd rarest is the 4-3 RDE, 275 lbs, long limbed, strong enough to take on a 300+ OT and strong against the run and enough twitch to get 10+ sacks every year. It's easier to find a 3-4 Justin Smith type end. Hopefully McIntosh fills this role.
when you see 3-4 defenses stopping spread or containing for the win Â
But, You are going to have a hard time convincing me that Lawrence Taylor didn't play DE most of the time ...
I Know the terms, jersey #s, and other details all pointed to him being a LBer - but, holy crap did he look like he was playing the DL to me.
I think they matter in terms of a starting point .... and then the HCs and coordinators improvise to the point that the Offense is confused as to what is coming at them (and I guess that is the whole point?).
But, You are going to have a hard time convincing me that Lawrence Taylor didn't play DE most of the time ...
I Know the terms, jersey #s, and other details all pointed to him being a LBer - but, holy crap did he look like he was playing the DL to me.
I think they matter in terms of a starting point .... and then the HCs and coordinators improvise to the point that the Offense is confused as to what is coming at them (and I guess that is the whole point?).
If this was a comment made in 1982, I could understand it, but, today, I don't understand why it is so hard to grasp the concept of a rush LB.
I expect you'll see some fronts with just 2 guys in a stance---and it won't mean that 3/4/5/6 aren't rushing the passer.
The Rules have pushed more athletes on the field.
Like Getting Lorenzo Carter in round 3. He is going to be a stud and like Justin Houston was a Georgia Bulldog drafted in round 3.
The 2nd rarest is the 4-3 RDE, 275 lbs, long limbed, strong enough to take on a 300+ OT and strong against the run and enough twitch to get 10+ sacks every year. It's easier to find a 3-4 Justin Smith type end. Hopefully McIntosh fills this role.