What does it take..........
 

..............to build a dominant defense?


This is what I think it takes to have a dominant defense.

1. A dominant tackle.

2. At least one shut down cornerback.

3. Safety that is great in both pass coverage and run support.

4. Dominant middle linebacker.

5. 2-defensive ends that are great pass rushers.

Obviously you can't have probowl players on defense at every position, but I feel if you have the type of players I have listed that you can make do with average players at the rest of the positions.

Maybe I'm overlooking something here. Does anyone agree/disagree? What do you feel our MUST needs are?

I think we are close to having that. IMO -- If we can get the shutdown corner and dominant MLB, I think would be well on our way to having a very good defense.

[Edited on 11/12/2003 by BillyC]

What does it take..........
 

You have two DE\'s that are great pass rushers listed, I would take one DE and one SSLB that scares the holy hell out of the offense instead.

What does it take..........
 

Think we could get Ricky or Pat to come back? :(

What does it take..........
 

I\'d take Jackson in a wheelchair, before I\'d take the Hodge/Allen combo again.

What does it take..........
 

I need a sig..........THANKS!!!!!!

What does it take..........
 

I think you might get more agreement than you should here, since \"dominant\" isn\'t particularly clear. It would be helpful to spell out what that might mean.

I think this is the best, but by no means the only, recipe for a great defense:

1. Two great run stuffers (one MUST BE a DT).
2. Two shut down CBs.
3. Two extraordinary pass rushers (whether LB or or DL, I don\'t think it matters).
4. Two guys who play like they are insane. You need two players, who on any play can do something that will spark the defense - whether it be by a great hit, a dive to tip away the ball, or simply the ability to strike fear into the offense by being on the field (e.g. Ronnie Lott).
5. One guy who is actually smart (perhaps even a \"leader\", if you will). That is the guy who will lead the squad. He makes the calls, he settles the guys down, he is the guy people listen to when he speaks.

Beyond the one stud at DT and the two CBs, I don\'t think it matters at what position the rest of the talent falls, so long as you get the stuff I have listed above appearing.

That is my thesis for now, but I bet it would be helpful to look at some of the great defenses of the past and see what they have. Also, this is a bit off the top of my head, so I, like Billy, welcome comment.