Most important defensive positions

[Foxtrot2873]

This is always debated in football, and on offense its pretty much cemented that a franchise quarterback trumps all other positions. However on defense its a little bit more open, but even then I think most people agree that the pass rusher whether it be a 3-4 OLB, or a DE, the person that attacks the best player on the field is most important.

However madden doesn't always represent the positions entirely well. Personally, I haven't had a whole lot of luck with defensive ends this year. Instead, the big guys on the defensive line like Suh and Ngata seem to have the biggest impact to me both in the run and passing game. The next would probably be a guy like Revis or Bailey who really take away certain options for an offense. Its always nice to not be worried about putting a corner in single coverage and rolling coverage to the other side, or getting aggresive and blitzing without worry that they'll just chuck it up to Andre or Larry.

So what about you? What position is most important on defense? (In madden)

[Rhone]

Re: Most important defensive positions

I'd say MLB/ILB is one of the more important positions. You really notice it when you have--or play against--a guy like Patrick Willis who can really fly around and make tackles left and right, and react quickly to passes over the middle.

[football5680]

Re: Most important defensive positions

For me it is CB.
I always shut down the run regardless of how good my line and linebackers are. All I need is my corners to shut the pass down.

[BoisePanther]

Re: Most important defensive positions

I'd say MLB/ILB is one of the more important positions. You really notice it when you have--or play against--a guy like Patrick Willis who can really fly around and make tackles left and right, and react quickly to passes over the middle.

I 2nd this. MLB's are the QB of the Defense. I always build my D's around my type of MLB. Once I get him in place, everything just seems to come together...and fast.

I'm making all the calls and adjustments of course, but after they're made, having "your guy" being able to execute it is something awesome.

For me, and also in real life, I feel MLB is #1.

[KBLover]

Re: Most important defensive positions

This is always debated in football, and on offense its pretty much cemented that a franchise quarterback trumps all other positions. However on defense its a little bit more open, but even then I think most people agree that the pass rusher whether it be a 3-4 OLB, or a DE, the person that attacks the best player on the field is most important.

However madden doesn't always represent the positions entirely well. Personally, I haven't had a whole lot of luck with defensive ends this year. Instead, the big guys on the defensive line like Suh and Ngata seem to have the biggest impact to me both in the run and passing game. The next would probably be a guy like Revis or Bailey who really take away certain options for an offense. Its always nice to not be worried about putting a corner in single coverage and rolling coverage to the other side, or getting aggresive and blitzing without worry that they'll just chuck it up to Andre or Larry.

So what about you? What position is most important on defense? (In madden)

Linebackers.

They can blitz, cover, attack the run, be all around weapons if you have a good group of them.

They are like the "queens" of the defensive chessboard. They can do everything - and are usually responsible for a lot of things. They have to be solid, imo.

The defensive line counts on them to attack the gaps they create or when they stop the point of attack. Pass defense can either need them to cover or blitz. They roam that intermediate area where a lot of plays come across or need to go through.

Good LBs can be your run D. Good LBs can help your coverage by getting pass rush. Good LBs can really help your team, imo. About the only thing they can't do is cover WR - and even then, good zone and a lot of Cover 2/3/4/6 plays...they can be in the area at least to make a play.

Ngata, though, is tough for me on the end. I didn't move him to DT so he's coming off the edge and can do some damage.

[lisinas]

Re: Most important defensive positions

From my experience playing both Panthers and 49ers i can easily say its MLB.
When i was using panthers Beason was hands down best defensive player for me , same about P.Willis when i was using 49ers.

[Ueauvan]

Re: Most important defensive positions

i agree on mlb, more so in 3-4 than 4-3. as a brit i may be wrong but i see 4-3 mlb more coverage than tackle, and both mlbs in 3-4 as tackle before coverage?

i focus on both mlbs, one usually better at coverage than the other. given the option i prefer lbs for the variety they can give. for nickel i prefer 2-4-5 or i convert 4-2-5 to 2-4-5

[Ghostciv]

Re: Most important defensive positions

I like speed Lb's. With speed u can do it all stop the run, help with pass, Blitz the qb and make him hurry up or even track down a speedy qb. i can play with 70 something cb's and dline but if my Lb's are weak it throws my whole defense off. Main reason why i'm loving the phins defense right now with Wake,Taylor and Dansby

[TNT713]

Re: Most important defensive positions

IMO, they are all equally important... Reason being, there is always a way to game plan any single defender out of a game. It's much tougher when there are no 'standout' players, but the defense performs well as a team.

Case in point... In the NFL it only takes one player missing an assignment for the entire defense to be in jeopardy. One assignment could mean giving up a score. But it takes everyone performing their assignment for the defense to work like it should.

Just my $0.02

Later

[Blue Ninja]

Re: Most important defensive positions

Aside from the QB, Left/blind side tackle is the most important one. Other position can have an off day and team might still be ok, no1 receiver having a catchless isn't ideal but you could still win. but tackle protecting your QB have an awful day or even for one play, the QB is in danger Of being knocked out of the game or even whole season. One blink from the blind side tackle can kill your franchise. On defense it's def the front 4 or I say nose tackle on 3-4. Name one superbowl winning 3-4 defense who had an average nose tackle. You probably can't. They don't get stats so they might not gt the popularity like other positions on defense but they are involved in every single play. I played secondary back on my days and believe me as much as I wanna favor the corners and safety I can deny the importance of the guys upfront. The better they do the easier it is for us secondary to cover our guys. QB won't be able to pass if he doesn't get enough time to begin with, RBs can't run if there aren't any holes to run through. It all starts upfront. high power offense, shutdown defense is optional to win championships. But above average Offensive line and defensive line/ front 7 are requirements. I can't name a superbowl winning team who didn't have those.

[Pandetta]

Re: Most important defensive positions

Defensive potions to the above poster.

With the shift to a pass dominated game the secondary positions and pass rushers are clearly valued far higher than anything else. Linebackers are generally marginalized in the NFL unless they are the most elite (pass rushers don't count remember - Ware isn't as much a LB, he is a pass rusher who could play RE just as easily).

You can see this through pay structure and draft position - LBs simply don't command the pay or draft status of elite corners or sack artists unless they can generate pressure - ALL the LBs that were drafted early this year were pass rushing LBs.

[Blue Ninja]

Re: Most important defensive positions

Defensive potions to the above poster.

With the shift to a pass dominated game the secondary positions and pass rushers are clearly valued far higher than anything else. Linebackers are generally marginalized in the NFL unless they are the most elite (pass rushers don't count remember - Ware isn't as much a LB, he is a pass rusher who could play RE just as easily).

You can see this through pay structure and draft position - LBs simply don't command the pay or draft status of elite corners or sack artists.

I agree with you, but still front line is the most important to me I were to start a team. You could avoid elite corners or safety by not throwing in their dorection. It limits your Playbook for sure but you just can't avoid the the guys upfront no matter what play you call. (doubt any will ever call screens 60 times a game besides it will work so many times before the defense recognize the play.)

[Pandetta]

Re: Most important defensive positions

I tend to agree, if I were building a team I would rather draft my secondary in the 2nd and 3rd rounds and build a great secondary but probably never have the "best" corner in the league while having a ton of good corners and safeties. Meanwhile if you don't draft an elite end in the top 10-15 you will NEVER get one, and the same probably holds true for a truly dominant DT.

To liken it to Madden I'd like to have a 4 80-85 corners rather than one 99, one 87 and some chumps because I could use that money to get a Julius Peppers who then makes all my corners "feel" like Revis from his pressure.

[Blue Ninja]

Re: Most important defensive positions

I tend to agree, if I were building a team I would rather draft my secondary in the 2nd and 3rd rounds and build a great secondary but probably never have the "best" corner in the league while having a ton of good corners and safeties. Meanwhile if you don't draft an elite end in the top 10-15 you will NEVER get one, and the same probably holds true for a truly dominant DT.

To liken it to Madden I'd like to have a 4 80-85 corners rather than one 99, one 87 and some chumps because I could use that money to get a Julius Peppers who then makes all my corners "feel" like Revis from his pressure.

yes exactly. I just come out in shot gun majority of the time against Revis and other shutdown corners. Although if I had to pick between a dominating line men or a true shutdown corner I will prb go with a corner...shutdown corner are just hard to find in this pass friendly league. but as a unit def the line men.

[KBLover]

Re: Most important defensive positions

With the shift to a pass dominated game the secondary positions and pass rushers are clearly valued far higher than anything else. Linebackers are generally marginalized in the NFL unless they are the most elite (pass rushers don't count remember - Ware isn't as much a LB, he is a pass rusher who could play RE just as easily).

What do you mean "pass rushers don't count"?

If the league is pass oriented, then a pass rushing, pass coverage LB sounds like it's even more important.

Maybe it's just going for the Ravens - I don't see LBs "marginalized". I mean, who marginalizes Suggs, Lewis, Boulware (in his prime), Scott (in his prime)? And then now McClain and Ellerbee might be the next generation (maybe - they are still developing).

Same with the Bucs - Brooks and Quarles were pretty important to the success of their Cover 2 scheme in coverage.