Jess touched upon Bama’s defense after the Auburn loss....After watching the NFL’s best teams in the playoffs, I agree change is needed in our defensive philosophy due to the rule changes that make passing easier and more attractive for more and more teams to adopt.
Over the years, I’ve heard CNS state (words to the effect) that sacks don’t mean anything significant and pass rushers can get great effect pushing the pocket. I’m no longer on the “I believe side” of this theory; believe it is no longer true in today’s passing first style of offenses. I don’t see any NFL defensive lines satisfied with pushing the pocket in the playoffs...they are twisting, crossing, crashing the line of scrimmage to make the pocket a very chaotic place to be. Almost as if the defensive line and LBs #1 aim is to sack the QB, or make the QB throw the ball as soon as he gets it. Added benefits of this type rush are the ends who circle around and sometimes sack and sometimes strip the balls for fumbles as well as linebackers and DBs blitzing to create further chaos. Also, on long passes the QB must throw early leading to less accurate passes and DBs can back pedal and play zone defense on occasion. NFL is also also looking for these type defensive players high in the draft so it would enhance defensive line and rush end recruiting. I guess I am saying that smaller, quicker and faster defensive ends who can get sacks (and sometimes set the edge) are better against today’s offensive passing style of football than 260 pound defensive ends who can set the edge against the runs (and sometimes push the pocket).
Over the years, I’ve heard CNS state (words to the effect) that sacks don’t mean anything significant and pass rushers can get great effect pushing the pocket. I’m no longer on the “I believe side” of this theory; believe it is no longer true in today’s passing first style of offenses. I don’t see any NFL defensive lines satisfied with pushing the pocket in the playoffs...they are twisting, crossing, crashing the line of scrimmage to make the pocket a very chaotic place to be. Almost as if the defensive line and LBs #1 aim is to sack the QB, or make the QB throw the ball as soon as he gets it. Added benefits of this type rush are the ends who circle around and sometimes sack and sometimes strip the balls for fumbles as well as linebackers and DBs blitzing to create further chaos. Also, on long passes the QB must throw early leading to less accurate passes and DBs can back pedal and play zone defense on occasion. NFL is also also looking for these type defensive players high in the draft so it would enhance defensive line and rush end recruiting. I guess I am saying that smaller, quicker and faster defensive ends who can get sacks (and sometimes set the edge) are better against today’s offensive passing style of football than 260 pound defensive ends who can set the edge against the runs (and sometimes push the pocket).