And what happened to outside linebackers? Why is there an all of a sudden need for distinction? I would think NFL defenses would want a player whom can rush the passer, set the edge....err contain in the run game, and can be trusted to drop into coverage. To me, Edge sounds like a position that gets after the passer and not much more. A one trick pony. Was the term created by beat writers and draftniks trying to be creative and trendy, or is it a legitimate term that scouts and D coordinators use?
This. As I understand it, it's a player who can play OL in a 3-4 and also play DE in a 4-3. As to whether a new term was needed for this, I have no view.
That's a good way to look at it. In terms of the Giants, it would be the delineating factor between say B.J. Hill and Markus Golden.
Would you consider Kiwanuka an Edge if he were playing today? If a guy is coming every play then he’s really just a DE, right?
Also, NFL athletes are becoming so physically-gifted that they can do more things. It's more common now to see a 260-270 lb guy who can run a 4.5 40 and be able to cover, rush the passer, and stop the run to respectable degrees. Thus, these guys are known as "EDGE" players in general, rather than simply OLB or Defensive End.
Does that sound right?
I am of the belief that with more and more teams using 5 DB on most downs taking a LB off the field and the reality that the 3-4 defense is basically a defense that utilized more LB's than DL's, most teams are using a 4-2-5 defense with DE's that may also be OLB.
I think this is the right answer. Semantics as it may be, there still was a point where the (somewhat arbitrary) designation became an official position. I think Dan has it right.
Last year a heard of the Siberian Express to describe a cold front. People are always trying to invent new names for shit.
OR...
Have a HYBRID that is basically one in the same.
But the fronts that go with these nickel packages are mostly 4 men on the LOS, in an over or under front. The edge rusher is blurred because it does not necessarily matter what "base" the defense plays in. Please see Big Blue Banter on t his subject from about a month ago where I break down the fronts and what people should expect from the Giants
An OLB can be had for a reasonable amount of money while a player designated as "Edge" is usually making elite gobs of cash.
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If you say someone is a DE, does that mean a 3/4 or a 4/3 DE? If you say someone is an edge you know they are going to be a pass rusher in either system. 3/4 DE are more like nose tackles. So its easier to say someone is an edge rather than DE or OLB because they could be either of those positions in different schemes but with the same goal of rushing the passer.
Would you consider Kiwanuka an Edge if he were playing today? If a guy is coming every play then he’s really just a DE, right?
He's "really just a DE" in a 4-3 (that isn't overloaded with other 4-3 ends, I suppose). But that's the point - guys get pigeonholed on position based on what scheme their teams play. 3-4 rush OLB is essentially the same position as weakside DE in a 4-3, but they carried different position designations before. If you were only using "DE" as the position, you'd be comparing Leonard Marshall with Jevon Kearse. Does that seem reasonable? Or should the nomenclature evolve to match the role or the position, agnostic of scheme?
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I think it really was about the time that Von Miller started tearing things up in Denver that I first started hearing the term Edge defender used regularly. Prior to that they were listed as OLB on all the NFL sites.
I think this is the right answer. Semantics as it may be, there still was a point where the (somewhat arbitrary) designation became an official position. I think Dan has it right.
I was thinking Terrell Suggs too
So yeah, when you say Edge, it can only mean one thing. :)
So yeah, when you say Edge, it can only mean one thing. :)
This is not relevant to anything, but I can't resist it: did you know that the Edge was actually born in London to a Welsh family? They moved to Dublin when he was young.
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...his low-profile playing filled out all of U2's songs, between Bono's beautiful and soaring vocals and the simple, military rhythms Mullen and Clayton provided, Edge created dynamic and beautiful waves of arpeggios and reverb, layered on his unique pick attack (Edge often uses the dimpled side of a Dunlop pick to achieve that scraping tone).
So yeah, when you say Edge, it can only mean one thing. :)
This is not relevant to anything, but I can't resist it: did you know that the Edge was actually born in London to a Welsh family? They moved to Dublin when he was young.
A master of technique and effects implementation.