Questions: LDE/RDE, LDT/RDT, etc.,

[Karim]

I was going to use 3ric's modified position tags to mask the need to worry about position designations, but then I thought I'd try and learn about the intracacies involved.

Excuse these simple questions from a casual football fan.

Defensive Ends
I've always assumed the primary purpose of the position is to rush the QB. So both LDE,RDE need to be able to accomplish this. However, if the LT is the best pass blocker, shouldn't the best pass rusher be the LDE?

Interior Defensive Line
Ok, so the NT is for a 3-4 defense. Whenever I think about the Nost Tackle position, I keep remembering Tim Kumrie getting his leg broken in the SuperBowl.

Anyway, I'm assuming the LDT is more for run defense and RDT for both run-D but also for a greater pass rush.

Corners
I really can't come up for a justification why there exists LCB, RCB? I'd want to put my best guy on their best receiver regardless of whether he's a L or R.

Linebackers
MLB is self explanatory. Strong/Weak designations? Now I'm assuming strong refers to the side of the field with more players (i.e., 3 receivers lined up on the right)? So a SLB or SILB is better able to handle traffic?

Offensive Line
LT is the main pass blocker but I guess this changes for a left-handed QB. As for LG/RG again, I'm not sure.

[General Mike]

Strong side refers to the side the TE is lined up on for the offense.

[Vikings13]

The best pass rusher is traditionally on the right side, so it would be your RDE. Nowadays the line gets a little blurred, with players like St. Louis' Leonard Little coming from the LDE position to put up a lot of sacks.

There is an option in the secondary depth chart screen to line up your top CB with the opposing top WR, or you can just keep them in their position on one side. If you run a lot of man-to-man, you'd want them covering the individual WR, if you run zone, it's not as important...

DTs are generally interchangeable as far as I'm concerned. There are of course subtle differences, but generally you want them to be solid against the run first, then hope they can generate a pass rush second.

For your SILB, you generally want a LB with better coverage skills, as he'll often be tasked with covering the TE on routes. Again, this can change depending on your defensive scheme.

Hope that helps...

[dacman]

There are intricacies there -- I'll explain with respect to the pro game.

Defensive Ends:
The RDE is usually where the best pass rusher plays for several reasons -- any of which not being met COULD nullify justification for placing the best pass rusher at RDE.
a) Most QB's are right-handed and thus the RDE can come from the QB's blind side.
b) Most TE's (in a single TE formation) will line up to the right side (again the right-handed QB thing) next the the RT, thus the LDE would have to also get by the TE by waiting for him to clear if he going out into a pass route, or rushing to the inside which opens the whole side to a run and introduces the RG into the equation, or by going WAY outside to begin the play leaving him farther to go.
c) Right handed people are left foot dominate making it easier to turn left while rushing so even without the TE to get around the RDE has to turn or curl to the right. Since most people are right-handed, it slows them down just a bit to go right versus left. It's a small consideration, but that little bit can make a big difference in the pro game.

WHEW -- and that's just the DE's.

I gotta run -- more later if you wish.

[Vikings13]

Another note regarding guards... This is just a personal thing, but I prefer behemoth types with a lot of strength. I like the solid wall guard types versus more athletic guys. I don't like to run finesse plays much, I'm more of a power rushing gameplan guy. I let my tackles pass protect, and my guards knock people off the line...

[Karim]

Great stuff, guys. This kind of thing REALLY helps the casual fans learn and understand more about what we're seeing.

Keep it coming!