Five Techniques in 2013

[Direckshun]

From Draft Tek:

The Defensive Ends in a 3-4 line heads up over the offensive tackles. Their responsibilities include:

1) Outside containment on off-tackle or end sweep running plays
2) Provide inside pass rush, utilizing bull-rushing, outside speed rushing techniques

This diagram shows the DE in a standard 3-4 alignment. One prospect may be selected over another based on the following factors:

A. Prevailing defensive philosophy: In a "read and react" 3-4, the defensive line controls the offensive line to allow the LBs to flow to the ball. In "attack and penetrate", the defensive line takes more of a 1-gap approach and the LBs have more gap responsibilities.

B. Opponent's offensive philosophy: In facing off tackle plays or sweeps, the Defensive Ends have responsibility with support from the outside linebackers. Responsibilities in the passing game are 1) collapsing the pocket, 2) providing an interior pass rush and 3) increasing length (hands and arms up) to limit the opposing QB's vision of passing lanes.

In a 3-4, this is a tough position to fill. You usually want somebody who is tall, hovering somewhere near 300 lbs, strong as a bull but can still move better than most defensive tackles, the longer his arms the better.

Pretty good fit:

Sheldon Richardson, Missouri: 6'2", 294 lbs, 5.0 40, 30 bench, 32" vertical, 34" arms
Sylvester Williams, North Carolina: 6'3", 313 lbs, 5.0 40, 27 bench, 26.5" vertical, 33+" arms
Joe Kruger, Utah: 6'6", 269 lbs, 4.8 40, 24 bench, 34" vertical, 34" arms
Damion Square, Alabama: 6'2", 293 lbs, DNP at any drills at Combine, 32+" arms
William Campbell, Mighigan: 6'5", 308 lbs, not invited to Combine
Spencer Nealy, Texas A&M: 6'5", 277 lbs, not invited to Combine

Prototypical fit:

Sharrif Floyd, Florida: 6'3", 297 lbs, 4.9 40, no bench yet, 30" vertical, 31+" arms
Margus Hunt, SMU: 6'8", 277 lbs, 4.6 40, 38 bench, 34" vertical, 33+" arms
Datone Jones, UCLA: 6'4", 283 lbs, 4.8 40, 29 bench, 32" vertical, 32+" arms
William Gholston, Michigan State: 6'6", 281 lbs, 4.9 40, 23 bench, 28" vertical, 34" arms.
Quentin Dial, Alabama: 6'5", 318 lbs, DNP at any drills at Combine, 34+" arms
Nick Williams, Samford: 6'4", 309 lbs, 4.9 40, 28 bench, 33" vertical, 34+" arms
Malliciah Goodman, Clemson: 6'4", 276 lbs, 4.87 40, 26 bench, 31.5" vertical, 36+" arms

I'll add sacks and tackles for loss if I feel like it.

[gonefishin53]

IMO, the 10 yard split in a DL's 40 time (burst) as well as their 3 cone time (agility) are reliable indicators of a Dlineman's ability to attack the LOS and make plays in the backfield. Josh Boyd, DT Miss. St., had a 10 yard time of 1.67 sec. (better than Floyd) and an outstanding 3 cone time of 7.16 sec. (same as Georgie LB Alec Ogletree). His 2011 season was as good as any DT in this draft; 51 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 2 qb hurries. I think he's got the size, strength, agility, and motor to be a good 1 gap DT/DE and should still be available in the 5th round.

[B_Ambuehl]

There are a multitude of reasons to stay away from interior d-line and 5-techniques high in the draft as fans of this football team should know better than most:

1. The learning curve is steeper than any other position. It takes most guys 3 yrs to finally "get it" and with the way rookie contracts are now you basically spend a first round pick and if you're lucky you might end up having an effective player in your defensive front for all of 2 yrs. Better to spend high draft picks on players that will give you a solid 4 yrs of production.

2. With the way passing dominates todays game their effect on the game is minimal. Most teams go to a 2 down lineman look on passing downs and guys who line up inside don't typically get much done regardless of how good they are. There are a few exceptions like JJ Watt but Tyson Jackson is typical of what you get with a 5-technique.

4. The job is largely about motivation and you take a risk anytime you give guys with a propensity to be fat a lot of money. They can eat themselves onto the bench or out of the league in a hurry (see Dorsey, Glenn). You can find plenty of motivated guys later on in the draft and let them develop over time. See the 49ers dline as an example.

This football team has thrown away enough good draft picks on interior d-line. It's time to get out of the 80's and the Hackoli way and look at the way the modern game is played.