Is it my imagination? (1 Viewer)

[Bizkiteer]

It seems that every year more and more players are playing different positions. DE's become LB's and LB's become DE's, while CB's become S's and so forth. Is it my imagination or is this happening more and more these last few years. I just don't recall so many hybrid type players, even five years ago...let alone ten or more.

Why is this? More teams playing multiple type defenses? Players are just so much faster or stronger now that they can play multiple spots? Combination of all the above?

What do you think?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

More teams playing multiple type defenses?

You can thank the rise of the 3-4.

 

[Jene Bramel]

This is a great topic and one I was saving for one of my weekly Reading the Defense in-season columns.

It's partly your imagination, as there has always been a cyclical nature to things in the NFL. There were hybrid players in the past. They weren't often labeled as "hybrids" and they weren't always the same hybrids and tweeners you see today, but they were hybrids nonetheless. The middle guard morphing into the middle linebacker. Defensive backs morphing into separate cover guys and run support guys -- and now back again. The advent of the nickel back and dime back. The 46 defense introduced the hybrid SS/LB player -- before quickly flaming out after the West Coast offense destroyed it as a base scheme.

Ronnie Lott and Rod Woodson would have had Len Pasquarelli writing articles about the "new breed of safety" in the late 80s. Bryce Paup and Greg Lloyd and Brian Greene and Pat Swilling would have (and did) spawned discussion about what LT did for the 3-4, once staffed by big OLB meant to keep bigger, quicker backs from turning the corner become a way to pressure the passer.

20 years ago, 75% of the league ran a 3-4 front in their base defense. Until recently, there were less than five. Some of that is teams re-discovering the flexibility in pass rush the 3-4 provides. But much is also due to the Bobby Bowdens and Jimmy Johnsons of the college world putting an emphasis on speed in their college defenses. Players get smaller and quicker and fit different defenses better than others.

Bill Belichick, no stranger to gameplans that try to dictate what an offense is able to do against his defenses, has said that team defense is all about reacting to what the offense is doing. These hybrids are the next "reaction" to the highly specialized multi-package offenses -- four and five WR sets, pass catching TEs, change of pace backs, vertical offenses and ball control offenses -- defenses have to deal with each week. Hybrids offer flexibility. Winning schemes breed assistant coaches that become head coaches. And, as more teams seek the same type of player, the quality of the schemes suffer.

The Steelers and Panthers found the personnel to run the zone blitz out of a 3-4. The Texans couldn't. It remains to be seen if the Browns can do what the Patriots have done with the Belichick hybrid concept. The jury is still way out on the Lions and the Tampa-2.

In another ten years, there'll be a new "hybrid" player and a renaissance/tweaking of an older defensive scheme. Staying ahead of the trends and understanding why they are happening will be key to fielding a good IDP roster. And, as Rovers began to push for next year, may cause some tweaking of roster, rules, scoring and lineups in the future, too.

We hardcore IDPers and football fans know the truth. Those who just watch what the quarterback does with the ball are missing out. In a big way.

 

[Biabreakable]

The effect of enforcing the no contact after 5 yards rule in 2004 has caused defenses to focus on better tackling from thier defensive backs and larger defensive backs overall. Safeties have been drafted higher than before and the college ranks have been producing larger defensive backs with great skill in droves in the past 3 rookie classes. Especialy this year. 4 safeties drafted in the 1st round with some quality ones being drafted later than that.

There has also been a shift to smaller faster linebackers over the past 5 or so years,erhaps longer I don't have my thumb directly on that pulse right now. This combined with larger defensive backs is causing LB and DB to blend together more than they used to.

 

[Bizkiteer]

This is a great topic and one I was saving for one of my weekly Reading the Defense in-season columns.It's partly your imagination, as there has always been a cyclical nature to things in the NFL. There were hybrid players in the past. They weren't often labeled as "hybrids" and they weren't always the same hybrids and tweeners you see today, but they were hybrids nonetheless. The middle guard morphing into the middle linebacker. Defensive backs morphing into separate cover guys and run support guys -- and now back again. The advent of the nickel back and dime back. The 46 defense introduced the hybrid SS/LB player -- before quickly flaming out after the West Coast offense destroyed it as a base scheme.Ronnie Lott and Rod Woodson would have had Len Pasquarelli writing articles about the "new breed of safety" in the late 80s. Bryce Paup and Greg Lloyd and Brian Greene and Pat Swilling would have (and did) spawned discussion about what LT did for the 3-4, once staffed by big OLB meant to keep bigger, quicker backs from turning the corner become a way to pressure the passer.20 years ago, 75% of the league ran a 3-4 front in their base defense. Until recently, there were less than five. Some of that is teams re-discovering the flexibility in pass rush the 3-4 provides. But much is also due to the Bobby Bowdens and Jimmy Johnsons of the college world putting an emphasis on speed in their college defenses. Players get smaller and quicker and fit different defenses better than others.Bill Belichick, no stranger to gameplans that try to dictate what an offense is able to do against his defenses, has said that team defense is all about reacting to what the offense is doing. These hybrids are the next "reaction" to the highly specialized multi-package offenses -- four and five WR sets, pass catching TEs, change of pace backs, vertical offenses and ball control offenses -- defenses have to deal with each week. Hybrids offer flexibility. Winning schemes breed assistant coaches that become head coaches. And, as more teams seek the same type of player, the quality of the schemes suffer.The Steelers and Panthers found the personnel to run the zone blitz out of a 3-4. The Texans couldn't. It remains to be seen if the Browns can do what the Patriots have done with the Belichick hybrid concept. The jury is still way out on the Lions and the Tampa-2.In another ten years, there'll be a new "hybrid" player and a renaissance/tweaking of an older defensive scheme. Staying ahead of the trends and understanding why they are happening will be key to fielding a good IDP roster. And, as Rovers began to push for next year, may cause some tweaking of roster, rules, scoring and lineups in the future, too.We hardcore IDPers and football fans know the truth. Those who just watch what the quarterback does with the ball are missing out. In a big way.

Good stuff! Though I would say that in most part there are more specialized players playing in certain situations now than before. All DL used to play (before 90's) basically all downs, now the rotation is not just used to keep them fresh, but for situations. As you pointed out, offensively many of the situations cause the defense to change with systems and the wide variety of formations they use. Understandable!

 

[Bizkiteer]

The effect of enforcing the no contact after 5 yards rule in 2004 has caused defenses to focus on better tackling from thier defensive backs and larger defensive backs overall. Safeties have been drafted higher than before and the college ranks have been producing larger defensive backs with great skill in droves in the past 3 rookie classes. Especialy this year. 4 safeties drafted in the 1st round with some quality ones being drafted later than that.There has also been a shift to smaller faster linebackers over the past 5 or so years,erhaps longer I don't have my thumb directly on that pulse right now. This combined with larger defensive backs is causing LB and DB to blend together more than they used to.

I think you brought up a good point in that type of players change for needs. As the CB postion became less physical (cut away bumping and enforce 5 yd rule), they ideal type of palyer for the position adapted. Your point about LB's, I think it has partly to do with TE's being surely more athletic these days. It seems that TE's are used much more now as an extension to the passing game than before and thus having more pass catching BIG bodies makes the LB need to be quicker, agile while not just a big body to attack the line of scrimmage.