Yep. Who finished 1st in the NFL in sacks last year? Who finished 2nd? Who finished 3rd? (Team wise) How did their seasons go?
Well played sir. Although, 2 of those 3 teams used the 3-4 defense. I'm only considering 4-3. But stopping the run is still crucial.
I'd tend to agree with Vintage on building the D-Line. Having a 4 man front that generate a strong pass rush gives you all sorts of flexibility when it comes to managing the rest of the defense. Last year's Giants team really hammered home that point.
Exactly. I'd argue that the Patriots were a more talented team last year. But your pass rush > better than theirs. And it neutralized things.
Darnell Dockett led all DTs in sacks last year with 9. That was good enough to put him in 19th place.
i'd say two tackles probably. definitely not two ends. one of each is fine though as long as the end isn't just a pash rushing specialist.
i don't get the fascination with left tackles. obviously the offensive line is important but that is much more of a group than individual thing. and yeah, protecting the qbs blindside is great but if you've got tarvaris jackson or tyler thigpen in there it's not going to help no matter how great that left tackle is. qb definitely needs to come before left tackle. and i think the outside pass rush guys are getting a little overrated too. give me two guys like albert haynesworth and tommie harris inside and it's going to be really easy to find ends and linebackers who can pressure the qb.
Hey, Fred Robbins is second in the league right now, so if he keeps it up somebody could bump this thread in January to prove a point!
I'm a 3-4 guy so QB, Center and Nose Tackle QB is obvious Center because he makes the line calls. Plus, if you have a center that can't take on DT/NT's 1 on 1, it really limits what the entire line can do. Nost Tackle because he makes the entire defense work properly. When the NT isn't able to be moved, it closes down gaps and frees the LB's to read and react and to take on smaller blockers.
but we're not talking about a college draft, we're talking starting a team and you need a quality QB to win most of the time, unless you are the Ravens and have one of the best Defenses of all times and a very good running game A very good QB is hard to find and almost every very good qb in the league is on a winning team.
I'd still want a top notch LB (middle or outside) over a top notch Defensive lineman. You need a good front 4 or 3 to let the linebacker roam and make plays for sure but a top end LB can get sacks, cover the TE, stop the run and even intercept a few balls. I'm talking Junior Seau, Ray Lewis, Lawrence Taylor LB
I Would pick QB - Because he is the coach on the field he touches the ball almost every snap and probably the most important position in football. Left Tackle - important for the QB have time to throw and to feel safe while he's in the pocket. Defensive Tackle - A player who can stuff the run and get pressure on the QB to make him feel unease and make bad decisions.
QB - Sadly... but yes. MLB - Leader on D. LT - Gotta protect that QB's blind side. I'm kinda on the fence with picking my #3 because I'd rather pick a DT because I prefer defense but it depends on the coach.
