LDE vs. RDE (1 Viewer)

[nase]

On the one hand, virtually all QBs have their back to the right side of the defensive line. However, I imagine all the good blockers are stacked up on that side on the O to balance it out. I wonder who ends up getting more sacks as a result, the LDE or RDE? I wonder if there is much of a difference.

The reason I ask is that with Osi out, I read that Strahan would start at the LDE spot and Tuck would move over to RDE. I just wonder whether such a move could translate into another couple sacks for Tuck.

 

[The Gator]

Tuck will prolly draw the better tackle. Since the QB's back is generally to the left, the best blocker is there. Thats where the Paces and Jones come in.

 

[Jene Bramel]

On the one hand, virtually all QBs have their back to the right side of the defensive line. However, I imagine all the good blockers are stacked up on that side on the O to balance it out. I wonder who ends up getting more sacks as a result, the LDE or RDE? I wonder if there is much of a difference.The reason I ask is that with Osi out, I read that Strahan would start at the LDE spot and Tuck would move over to RDE. I just wonder whether such a move could translate into another couple sacks for Tuck.

I think Aaron Rudnicki considered this a couple of years ago but I don't recall the results of his research. My guess is that there was no significant difference.For me, it's a skill set thing. The left defensive end will be predominantly a strongside end and most teams will shift the ends to align them as such, again because of skill set. The left end needs to be able to play with leverage and anchor the outside in most schemes, either forcing the ballcarrier toward pursuit or turning the play back inside depending on the defensive call/scheme/alignment. He almost always aligns to the same side as a tight end. Speed and/or edge rushing skill is nice, but secondary in most cases. The right end sees some tight end chip blocking in two tight end sets but often is on the open side of the offensive formation. These players are very often your edge rush/speed rush players and are better in pursuit than anchoring. Again, exceptions occur, but defensive coordinators want speed on the open side.Can a speed rusher do well on the left side? Sure -- Julius Peppers has always been a left end as has Michael Strahan. These guys are always complete players, however. Most successful left ends are guys like Tamba Hali and Charles Grant, guys that can anchor the edge and have an array of pass rush moves to beat double teams, chip blocks, etc.A good example of the skill set issue would have been the Atlanta Falcons this summer. Before the draft, Chauncey Davis would have assumed the left end role after Patrick Kerney left. He would have had zero chance at fantasy value given his poor skill set for the job. Jamaal Anderson, on the other hand, owns an impressive array of pass rush moves and the size and technique to leverage the end. His skill set fits the role and will be successful.Tuck? He's the kind of player that can succeed at either spot. Enough speed and pass rush to be effective as an "edge" rusher at RDE but perhaps even a better fit at left end, where his leverage and speed/bull rush combination ability will allow him to have an impact on both offensive phases.It's just another example, in my opinion anyway, where understanding the scheme and player's role within it leads you to a better answer than assuming a default RDE speed rusher is a better sacker than a LDE technique rusher.Put another way, here's the list of the top sackers at defensive end from 2006:1. Kampman, Aaron GBP -- LDE2. Schobel, Aaron BUF -- RDE3. Anderson, Mark CHI -- RDE (situational)4. Taylor, Jason MIA -- RDE5. Peppers, Julius CAR -- LDE6. Pryce, Trevor BAL -- LDE7. Little, Leonard STL -- LDE8. Burgess, Derrick OAK -- RDE9. Mathis, Robert IND -- LDE10. Geathers, Robert CIN -- LDE (situational)

 

[The Gator]

Exhibit A this year will be Kyle VanDenbosh(?).

He will be making the move from LDE to RDE. This will give a look into this question with the talent variable (Kyle) being the same, insted of say comparing Peppers to Schobel.

 

[corpcow]

Another thing to consider, especially in leagues that give extra pts per tackle for DL, is that because LDE are the anchor against the run they seem to put up better tackle numbers.

1. Kampman, Aaron GBP -- LDE 59/29

2. Schobel, Aaron BUF -- RDE 37/17/14.5

3. Anderson, Mark CHI -- RDE (situational) - 24/4/12.5

4. Taylor, Jason MIA -- RDE - 41/21/13.5

5. Peppers, Julius CAR -- LDE - 49/9/13

6. Pryce, Trevor BAL -- LDE - 37/10/12.5

7. Little, Leonard STL -- LDE - 56/3/12

8. Burgess, Derrick OAK -- RDE - 43/8/11.5

9. Mathis, Robert IND -- LDE - 50/14/9

10. Geathers, Robert CIN -- LDE (situational) - 28/13/10

 

[Jene Bramel]

Another thing to consider, especially in leagues that give extra pts per tackle for DL, is that because LDE are the anchor against the run they seem to put up better tackle numbers. 1. Kampman, Aaron GBP -- LDE 59/292. Schobel, Aaron BUF -- RDE 37/17/14.53. Anderson, Mark CHI -- RDE (situational) - 24/4/12.54. Taylor, Jason MIA -- RDE - 41/21/13.55. Peppers, Julius CAR -- LDE - 49/9/136. Pryce, Trevor BAL -- LDE - 37/10/12.57. Little, Leonard STL -- LDE - 56/3/128. Burgess, Derrick OAK -- RDE - 43/8/11.59. Mathis, Robert IND -- LDE - 50/14/910. Geathers, Robert CIN -- LDE (situational) - 28/13/10

I don't disagree with the statement that strongside ends are expected to be better against the run, but think it's worth pointing out that my original list was a list of the ten best sackers, not tacklers.To keep with the theme, here's the distribution among the top ten tacklers among 4-3 DE last year.Jared Allen 66 -- RDEAaron Kampman 59 -- LDELeonard Little 56 -- LDEKyle Vanden Bosch 54 -- LDEJustin Smith 50 -- RDECharles Grant 50 -- LDERobert Mathis 50 -- LDEJulius Peppers 49 -- LDEEbenezer Ekuban 48 -- RDETerrell Suggs 47 -- RDEAndre Carter 47 -- RDEI don't find any major difference there. These are just quick ways of looking at this question. It might be more correct to consider the percentage of each player's tackles to his team's rushing attempts faced or some similar metric. Don't have the time to do that research now. My guess is that you'll continue to find no significant difference. Again, I think it's all about considering skill set here. Alignment is a consideration, but only a small one for me.