Building a defense in the modern NFL

[kccrow]

My take...

Run a 4-3 base.

Focus on your DTs being smaller, disruptive, pass rusher types. Carry a NT type on the roster just for short yardage. He's kind of like a FB, not really needed too often, but he's needed enough to have someone capable. Your DT's should be your best defensive lineman and you should focus resources there. They are the quickest means to getting to the QB now.

Get edge rushers that can move well enough to get a sack, but don't worry about them being superstars. They must be able to anchor on the outside, maintain gaps, and be rangy and aware enough to defend the outside runs and sweeps. These guys don't have to be your star pass rushers, they just need to be average.

Get two rangy linebackers that can cover and have just enough juice to take on blocks to come downhill. These guys are going to see alot of underneath passing action so they have to be cover first, run second types. Ideally, they are your outside linebackers. Get an ILB that is more of a run defender than pass, but has enough range to cover a TE in the middle zone. This is the guy that will be out there on 1st down and short yardage alot but is the guy coming off the field most often You need a SS/LB hybrid type as well that can replace your ILB on middle-distances downs between 4 and 6 yards or something. This guy isn't really a nickel player but he's got enough beef to play the run yet alot of speed to play the pass. Basically you're going for 2 solid all-around linebackers and using the third like relief pitchers... middle reliever and set up guy.. that gives way to your nickel corner that acts as the closer.

You need one longer CB and at least 2 with speed. You have to be able to match up with teams that employ a bigger wideout so having that bigger CB is important. He doesn't have to be your playmaker, but he should be one of the two starters. Most offenses now have a guy starting with some good speed so your other starter should have it. I think you move your CBs as much you can to keep matchups rather than just R/L like Sutton does. You should have a nickel guy with at least great quickness and hopefully speed as well. You gotta take these quick slots out of the game. I think it's so important now to just have guys that can mirror receivers and not worry about having corners that can press and be physical. There isn't much sense in trying to be physical anymore. One of your starting CBs needs to be a ball-hawking type that can turn the game.

Your safeties have to be able to cover and one needs to be a ballhawk type. I think the days of box safeties are done. Obviously, they have to be good tacklers, but they don't need to be "tone-setters" or "thumpers" back there. Coverage ability is priority one. One safety has to have the size to match up on TEs.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by jaa1025

I don't think the offenses have changed much to be honest. There are just more offenses doing what Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees etc led offenses did: Spread teams out and pass more. It's the changing of the guard and scoring will dip as those QB's retire.

2018 is a mere .8 PPG higher than the 2013 season. 2017, scoring was down to the lowest since 2009 at 21.7 PPG, a full point lower at least than the previous 3 seasons.

It's incremental; and while the league overall is only up a little, the elite offenses are taking advantage of the new rules and increased emphasis on any contact downfield. In the postseason, these are the teams you will need to beat, and what you need to try to build a defense to stop.

[Naptown Chief]

I have enjoyed the shit out of this thread. I don't really have anything to add, as you all have done a damned fine job of brainstorming and debating. Thank all involved... This was a nice "I can't sleep so lemme check out THE P" treat.

[Naptown Chief]

Originally Posted by dwwataz

I have enjoyed the shit out of this thread. I don't really have anything to add, as you all have done a damned fine job of brainstorming and debating. Thank all involved... This was a nice "I can't sleep so lemme check out THE P" treat.

Oh, because no one else has yet, I'll throw in the obligatory "I hope you get aids from molten lava cum and try to douse it with gasoline that was stored in an antifreeze bottle."

[O.city]

Look at the good defenses. You’ve gotta have 11 talented guys and be fundamentally sound

Physical fast football will always have a place

[Chris Meck]

I go ahead and switch to a 4-3 (which is actually almost a 4-2-5)
Let Ford walk, no position in a 4-3, too expensive for a situational player. Let Bailey walk as well.
I sign Geno Atkins with some of Ford's money. Houston-Jones-Atkins-Speaks at DE, hand in the dirt at about 280 lbs

I play: FA coverbacker (several options) -Hitchens- O'Daniel
I sign Landon Collins and play Watts/Lucas in the other slot. if Berry returns we're ****ing great, but I'm not expecting it.
I hope Tremon Smith can take a job from Scandrick or Nelson, opposite Fuller. look for undervalued speed at CB in FA and draft. Just get faster, nothing else matters. Just so guys don't look wide open running down the field.

In rounds 1 and 2a, 2b I take: A DT with some pass rush ability, probably another Safety, and another speed CB. Middle rounds I'm drafting OL. Late rounds athletic projects as they are available for any position.

Just my hypothetical .02

[Easy 6]

You're not the only one holding out some hope for Tremon Smith

He quickly claimed a starting special teams role, with any luck that bodes well for him

[Chargem]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

I go ahead and switch to a 4-3 (which is actually almost a 4-2-5)
Let Ford walk, no position in a 4-3, too expensive for a situational player. Let Bailey walk as well.
I sign Geno Atkins with some of Ford's money. Houston-Jones-Atkins-Speaks at DE, hand in the dirt at about 280 lbs

I play: FA coverbacker (several options) -Hitchens- O'Daniel
I sign Landon Collins and play Watts/Lucas in the other slot. if Berry returns we're ****ing great, but I'm not expecting it.
I hope Tremon Smith can take a job from Scandrick or Nelson, opposite Fuller. look for undervalued speed at CB in FA and draft. Just get faster, nothing else matters. Just so guys don't look wide open running down the field.

In rounds 1 and 2a, 2b I take: A DT with some pass rush ability, probably another Safety, and another speed CB. Middle rounds I'm drafting OL. Late rounds athletic projects as they are available for any position.

Just my hypothetical .02

I like a lot of this, but I don't think you draft another safety high if you have collins and Berry on the roster.

I also think Atkins signed an extension with the Bengals, so he's unavailable.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Chargem

I like a lot of this, but I don't think you draft another safety high if you have collins and Berry on the roster.

I also think Atkins signed an extension with the Bengals, so he's unavailable.

You're correct, he signed a 4-year extension before the season.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by Chargem

I like a lot of this, but I don't think you draft another safety high if you have collins and Berry on the roster.

I also think Atkins signed an extension with the Bengals, so he's unavailable.

I'm not seeing that signing anywhere....but if so, bummer. Another like player then...

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

I'm not seeing that signing anywhere....but if so, bummer. Another like player then...

I googled it and it was pretty easy to find.

Details:

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cincinna...o-atkins-6628/

[Rain Man]

I mentioned this someplace a while back, but my thoughts are that turnovers are getting amplified. A turnover has never in NFL history been more likely to prevent points and more like to produce points.

Since defenders aren't allowed to touch the offense any more, that means that the most valuable player is a ball hawking free safety. He's in the best position to get interceptions without having penalties called on him.

I agree that interior pass rushers are the wave of the future.

As for cornerbacks, I feel like the future is smaller ultra-quick cornerbacks. They can't fight for the ball, so they have the beat the receivers to the ball. This is a risky move, though, given that bigger WRs can be pinpointed over their heads.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I mentioned this someplace a while back, but my thoughts are that turnovers are getting amplified. A turnover has never in NFL history been more likely to prevent points and more like to produce points.

Since defenders aren't allowed to touch the offense any more, that means that the most valuable player is a ball hawking free safety. He's in the best position to get interceptions without having penalties called on him.

I agree that interior pass rushers are the wave of the future.

As for cornerbacks, I feel like the future is smaller ultra-quick cornerbacks. They can't fight for the ball, so they have the beat the receivers to the ball. This is a risky move, though, given that bigger WRs can be pinpointed over their heads.

Yep. Cut off the quick passing game and force turnovers = Fast Interior Lineman + Coverage LBs + Quick DBs that can mirror routes

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I mentioned this someplace a while back, but my thoughts are that turnovers are getting amplified. A turnover has never in NFL history been more likely to prevent points and more like to produce points.

Since defenders aren't allowed to touch the offense any more, that means that the most valuable player is a ball hawking free safety. He's in the best position to get interceptions without having penalties called on him.

I agree that interior pass rushers are the wave of the future.

As for cornerbacks, I feel like the future is smaller ultra-quick cornerbacks. They can't fight for the ball, so they have the beat the receivers to the ball. This is a risky move, though, given that bigger WRs can be pinpointed over their heads.

I think you can still have big press corners. But we need rangier lbs and safeties need to do their job. I don't love Ragland this year.

The big strength we have now that I don't want to go away is versatility. A lot of our defenders can play multiple positions and techniques. The under scheme does a great job of mixing things up. I'm not convinced our current scheme consistently uses our talent the right way.