tarantula Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Are most pass rushing defensive ends in a 4-3 scheme really nothing more than outside linebackers? Jason Taylor, Dwight Freeney, and Michael Strahan struggle to stay above 255 by the end of the season. Julius Peppers is the only pass rushing end that is above 280 and can handle the run effectively. In a 3-4 scheme many linebackers are bigger than DE in a 4-3. Is there a just a shortage of athletic players on the defensive side that way over 275? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffian Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 In certain schemes (zone blitzes for example) it would be tough to ask for 275 lbs DE to do much good in any sort of coverage. There are exceptions to the rulle, but the bigger DEs don't cover the ground well enough (or long enough for that matter) to make them viable every down contributors, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 its all about the scheme....different responsibilities call for different types of players Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish247 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 (edited) Are most pass rushing defensive ends in a 4-3 scheme really nothing more than outside linebackers? Jason Taylor, Dwight Freeney, and Michael Strahan struggle to stay above 255 by the end of the season. Julius Peppers is the only pass rushing end that is above 280 and can handle the run effectively. In a 3-4 scheme many linebackers are bigger than DE in a 4-3. Is there a just a shortage of athletic players on the defensive side that way over 275? Once they start getting above 275, as a D-lineman, most teams would ask just to put on a few more pounds and move to DT. Right around 275 is when most DEs begin to lose enough athleticism to adequately rush the passer from the edge. They effectively become DTs because their presence is mostly in the run game. Guys that can play at 275+ and still be an all-round DE are rare... see Reggie White. While not in the same class as White, Trevor Pryce is developing very nicely as a pass rushing DE that plays at almost 290. Same goes for DEs at or below 260... see Jason Taylor. As far as this year... much ado was made about Gaines Adams. While Adams might become a good pro, smaller DEs can struggle in the run game and disappear in the pass game if double teamed. Which is why, to me, Jamaal Anderson was the best overall DE coming out this year... he plays at around 280 and always played outside the OT or TE in college which means at his size he's way ahead of the game as far as athleticism needed to be an edge rusher but big enough to develop an inside presence. Another example from this year is Adam Carricker... he lists at about 290 but played DE in Nebraska. StL is moving him to DT. Edited July 11, 2007 by kingfish247 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffian Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Excellent post above. Interesting to see how Adams pans out--the skill set is there, so we'll see if he can do it all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarantula Posted July 11, 2007 Author Share Posted July 11, 2007 Both the Cowboys ends, Canty and Spears are right at 300lbs. Are they just the product of Parcells scheme? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish247 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 (edited) Both the Cowboys ends, Canty and Spears are right at 300lbs. Are they just the product of Parcells scheme? OLBs play the role of a true DE in a 3-4 scheme most of the time... see Ware, Pryce, Shaun Phillips... and of course there was LT and Derrick Thomas. The DEs in a 3-4 are really hybrid DT pass rushers. Richard Seymour and Luis Castillo among the best today. Guys that create havoc for OL's assignments to allow the OLB's to come free. Edited July 11, 2007 by kingfish247 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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