patfanken

Common wisdom tells us that we need an edge rusher, either at OLB or at DE, but I would offer that that "wisdom" reflects a different game. A different game is being played in today's NFL. Its a game of 3 step drops and short passes. Its a game that negates some of the outside pass rush by formation and/or play selection.

Think about it. What is what really hurts our passing game. Its the push up the MIDDLE. Its the INSTANT pressure that a QB feels. Outside pressure can be avoided. A mobile QB like Brady can step up to avoid the outside rush or side step an attacker. Its the pressure that comes from the INSIDE that creates the "happy feet" that causes the QB to throw off his back foot, that creates the inaccuracy that leads to turn overs and missed open receivers

So while even I contemplate dreams of securing a top OLB and DE in this draft. (I would move heaven and earth to maneuver in the first round to wind up with Watt/Jordan and Kerrigan) But that being said would that really solve the problem. Maybe the way to go in THIS draft for THIS type of offensive attack would be to find the PENETRATER. The guy who can create the quick pressure.

BTW - I have NO idea who "that guy" might be.

This isn't a draft topic its a football strategy issue. Maybe BB is setting up a very flexible line up that can create pressure from the inside, I hope to hear some your insights on this.

AndyJohnson

I think you need both.
I agree with your comments about inside pressure, but it is very difficult to achieve.
On the quick throws the inside guys are really the only ones who can disrupt.
But the slower developing plays are the ones really impacted by the rush. Again, its easier for an outside rusher to get to the QB, but inside pressure gives the outside rusher more time to get there and outside pressure can flush the QB to the inside rusher.

Inside pressure, outside pressure, and blitz schemes are all factors in getting pressure (not to mention coverage) and all are relatively equal factors.

Sciz

They have a penetrator. His name is Mike Wright. The problem is that he is a liability against the run and anybody who offers the same pass rush ability without the run issues is making tons of money as a 4-3 tackle.

The ILBs should help though. Mayo, Spikes, Guyton, and Fletcher have all shown an ability to blitz up the middle with some effectiveness.

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bucky

The day BB abandons the 2-gap base defense is the day he agrees with you. Until then, a "PENETRATER" is a part time player on this team and therefore will always be higher on other teams' draft boards.

AndyJohnson

The guy that fits that mold is a Seymour type who can play DE in the base, and move inside and be disruptive in sub packages.
We would value that guy as high as anyone. Otherwise, very good point, that a guy who fits someone elses system better than ours is rarely available to us.

ausbacker

Richard Seymour.. oh that guy? At least we get to see what that Raiders draft pick is going to amount to finally.

bucky

No question. There are some guys that can do that and they are special.

The other point I was trying to make though, is that I don't agree with the OP that the NFL is all about 3 step drops and short passes. There is plenty of running and play action, and probably more 5 and 7 step drops now than 10 years ago.

jmt57

Ever since Lawrence Taylor (and even before, for that matter) wrecked havoc on NFL quarterbacks with a rush from the outside, conventional wisdom was that this is what defenses needed. Rule changes - excuse me, changes in points of emphasis and officiating corrections - that aided the passing game in order to counteract that have seemingly done nothing to change that point of view.

Belichick is one coach that has been able to adapt - no surprise. The Pats minimize the effect of edge rushers with a quarterback that either gets rid of the ball too quickly for those pass rushers ... or kills opposing defenses should they give him time.

I really loathe the word 'exposed' in regards to football because it tends to be used too often and inappropriately - but one overlooked thing is that the Giants did expose was that the vulnerable point to the Patriots offense was with an effective pass rush up the middle. It seems as if many may have overlooked that specific and instead focused on the generalization of 'pass rush' in order to counter offenses such as the Pats, Colts or Saints.

Right now people look at interior offensive linemen as some sort of second-class citizen in comparison to pass rushers when it comes to building a roster; same goes (though to a lesser extent) for defensive tackles, especially if they play in a 4-3. My guess is that in the next few years that will change, as more and more teams try to put together schemes that emphasize more pressure up the middle rather than relying on pressure off the edge.

andrewgarrr

IF the Patriots can find the correct 2-gap DE, the defense opens up for more scheming. With the 3 down line-men occupying 4-5 blockers, it frees up safeties, linebackers, corners to blitz from anywhere at anytime.

Fencer

There was a time when Wilfork was regarded as having both skill and inclination along those lines.

One sign that BB agrees with you, Ken, would be for Wilfork to consistently play on passing downs even at the cost of taking a breather on base-defense downs.

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