BDIrish4ever
GLB addict aka BDIrish79
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I decided that since at least two recruit thread were "hijacked" to debate what is and is not a good DE, I thought it needed its own thread to hopefully once and for all get all of us on the same page. First, I believe that the name Defensive End is a very confusing title to the "less tactical" football fan. Defensive line names in general have always had this problem. A Nose Tackle has also been called a Middle Guard and a Nose Guard (same basic alignment with 3 different names). The defensive lineman whose basic alignment is over the offensive tackle was once referred to as the Defensive Tackle; however with the change in defensive philosophy over the years, the name was changed to Defensive End. Why did this happen you may ask? This happened for two reasons.
One, the modern day player consider themselves consider themselves much more athletic than their forerunners and prefer the "sexier" sounding Defensive End. If you think of your idea of a true DE and DT, who sounds more athletic?
Two, we have to look at the different defensive schemes to understand how two dissimiliar players fit into said schemes.
First, let us look at the 4-3 or what is technically called the "even" fronts. In an even front, the defensive end is more of a speed rusher of the edge due to the fact that he has more run support to the inside (the DT). This being the case, Defensive Ends in even fronts tend to be quick athletic playmakers. The DE in the even fronts basic job is to attack and make plays.
Next by looking at the 3-4 or "odd" fronts, we see a different philosophy. DE in the odd front are more for engaging offensive linemen to keep the linebackers free to make the majority of plays. Their body types should be more comparable to a small offensive tackle than a smaller even front DE. Obviously, you are still looking for a player who can make plays, but their primary responsibilities are considerably different.
I know that there is exceptions to every rule like Trevor Laws, who I considered an undersized(height) DE in the 3-4, but if I recall correctly, he did not make many plays coming off the edge. He played well within the scheme and will be rewarded by the NFL. Hopefully, this will help those out there who are confused by the position names and can keep the recruits threads clear so we can celebrate when they commit.
One, the modern day player consider themselves consider themselves much more athletic than their forerunners and prefer the "sexier" sounding Defensive End. If you think of your idea of a true DE and DT, who sounds more athletic?
Two, we have to look at the different defensive schemes to understand how two dissimiliar players fit into said schemes.
First, let us look at the 4-3 or what is technically called the "even" fronts. In an even front, the defensive end is more of a speed rusher of the edge due to the fact that he has more run support to the inside (the DT). This being the case, Defensive Ends in even fronts tend to be quick athletic playmakers. The DE in the even fronts basic job is to attack and make plays.
Next by looking at the 3-4 or "odd" fronts, we see a different philosophy. DE in the odd front are more for engaging offensive linemen to keep the linebackers free to make the majority of plays. Their body types should be more comparable to a small offensive tackle than a smaller even front DE. Obviously, you are still looking for a player who can make plays, but their primary responsibilities are considerably different.
I know that there is exceptions to every rule like Trevor Laws, who I considered an undersized(height) DE in the 3-4, but if I recall correctly, he did not make many plays coming off the edge. He played well within the scheme and will be rewarded by the NFL. Hopefully, this will help those out there who are confused by the position names and can keep the recruits threads clear so we can celebrate when they commit.