It seems like rules have to be made to help the offenses out more than the defenses Beyond the wimpification of the QB [Fricking TUCK rule, cannot be touched] The Receivers seem to have to alot of help on the way pass interference is called. Defenses just seem to adjust the rules and learn to shut down offenses. The Offenses seem resistant to change and prefer to just change the rules to help them out. Rocket River
Yes, defenses have to evolve schematically with the way offenses are evolving physically. TEs like Gronk/Graham and wideouts like Green who probably have a foot of vertical airspace over CBs who try to cover them will become the norm. While defenses will still have only 5'10" cornerbacks with more and more rules stacking the deck against their favor. Watching Pittsburgh stifle the Patriots shows it can be done though.
I would say most definitely. I can certainly saying NBA defenses are more creative than NBA offenses, and not because of rules, it is because that is what wins.
I was thinking last night.... The main problem I hear CB's have is that WR's are typically bigger then CB's. So I wonder if you'll ever see the NFL migrating more towards teaching WR's to play the corner... Imagine having a corner the size of a Megatron or Andre Johnson, with their physical strength, jumping ability, and their catching skillset? They'd have more catches playing corner then some of the WR's on opposing team.
By a slight margin, yes. As offenses have grown more talented with less resistance to brutality and favoritism by the rules. Contrary to popular belief, it's not something that started recently. The mentality with strategy of favoring the pass, more so than run, definitely started in the AFL. Also, I should throw a slight mention at the trick plays and awkward sets. It was not quite in the rule, yet. But, teams felt it gave them a better chance to utilizing the gifts of some gifted passer, while not necessarily relying on the run to win. In fact, you almost cannot compare an AFL (or NFL passers from early 1960) passers to an NFL passer from the mid 50s and earlier. Though, there have been arguments that there's no difference, even making the case that the NFL's passers were more efficient. Though, I disagree with the first article below for most part, because it is only referring to passing, not overall presentation of the league, while the AFL placed more of emphasis on "vertical passing game," not simply passing in general. Even more so, the NFL started adopted (euphemism for copy) their rules and progressions: the two point conversation, the 14 game schedule, players' names on uniforms, official time on the scoreboard, and etc. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/03/26/chff/index.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Football_League http://www.remembertheafl.com/AFLclippingsPage2.htm#AFLFantasyFootball Basically, as the AFL was absorbed by the NFL, the bigger league decided that it wanted to not only adopted the qualities of the smaller leagues, but expand them. For the fact, that NFL officials *cough* owners and commissioners *cough* wanted to have higher scoring games in the process, since more people likely come and watch a fast-paced, yet coordinated flea circus. Remember, most of all, the owners have greatest and final say in all of this. [Copied, the link doesn't work, but you can find rules on Wikipedia, for those given NFL seasons] http://www.steelersfever.com/nfl_history_of_rules.html It all started in 1974, but the "5 yard rule" came into play in 1978. It wasn't really enforced consistently until it was made a "point of emphasis" by the refs (in 1996). NOTE: I edited out the non-relevant rule changes. 1974 Roll-blocking and cutting of wide receivers was eliminated; the extent of downfield contact a defender could have with an eligible receiver was restricted. 1977 Rule changes were adopted to open up the passing game and to cut down on injuries. Defenders were permitted to make contact with eligible receivers only once 1978 (the Mel Blount Rule) The NFL continued a trend toward opening up the game. Rules changes permitted a defender to maintain contact with a receiver within five yards of the line of scrimmage, but restricted contact beyond that point. Then in 1996, this was added: 1996 The five-yard contact rule will be enforced more stringently. 2004 Due to several instances during the 2003–04 playoffs, officials are instructed to strictly enforce illegal contact, pass interference, and defensive holding. Timeouts can be called by head coaches. 2005 The "horse-collar tackle," in which a defender grabs inside the back or side of an opponent’s shoulder pads and pulls that player down, is prohibited. [6] Named the "Roy Williams Rule" after the Dallas Cowboys defensive back whose horse-collar tackle during the last season caused serious injuries to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyrone Calico, and Baltimore Ravens running back Musa Smith. Players cannot run, dive into, cut, or throw their bodies against or on an opponent who is out of the play or should not have reasonably anticipated such contact. 2006 Defenders were prohibited from hitting a passer in the knee or below unless they are blocked into him. This rule was enacted in response to the previous season's injuries to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Brian Griese. [Carson Palmer rule, not another Tom Brady rule, but this rule became more heavily in enforced in 2009] To ToyCen428: Even more so, if a defensive back can find a way to be above average to good now, he would've been really good in the past. In this era, I do not think I've seen so many 6,3+ 220 lbs+ wide receivers. If someone can be dominant now in pass coverage, sort of like Revis or Asomugha. With both players, what they are doing is near remarkable, considering you cannot ... molest, much less brush up against receivers (unless the refs let you get away with it at a home game).
Antonio Cromartie is one of the few CBs over 6 ft tall. Its the RECOVERY reactionary speed why bigger, taller players aren't CBs. Taller players generally don't have AS quick of feet and agile change of direction as shorter players. A route runner already KNOWs where he's going. So a taller player can keep practicing PRECISION routes and ways to knock the defender off his heels. If they were playing corner, can Plaxico Burress or Vincent Jackson close back in on a WR after they've been juked on a route? Though over time there won't be much choice but to try bigger players at DB. But its like in basketball if you have 2 kids one is 6'3 and the other is 6'8, you're probably making the taller guy a frontcourt player and the other backcourt guy so thats how the tendencies will keep playing out.
If you look at Seattle, their CBs are 6'3 and 6'4, with one of their safeties also 6'3". Certainly not the norm, but maybe a starting trend. I've read similar reasoning regarding the smaller stature of CBs. With taller heights and longer limbs, they obviously aren't as compact and can't get turned around or physically react as quickly.
It's something that's worth a look. 2010 Seattle Seahawks 27th - Passing Yards Allowed (3994) 29th - Touchdowns Allowed (31) 25th - Interceptions Gained (12....in 16 games) 7.2 yards allowed per pass attempt 89.7 QB Rating Kelly Jennings is now in Cincy. Trufant has only started in 4 games, this season (decent CB, once upon a time), and Lawyer Milloy retired. Not touching Earl Thomas. In comes an undrafted rookie from 2005, who apparently spent time in the Canadian Football league, 6,4 Brandon Browner. He's also 3x All Star, and 2x All Pro in the CFL. A 5th round draft pick from 2010 -- Kam Chancellor, SS. Stands at 6,3, next to probable all-pro Earl Thomas. Getting the majority of starts at the other corner position is 6,3 Richard Sherman, who eventually replaced Trufant as a starter, after the Atlanta game. Since the Atlanta game, the Seahawks have only allowed one 100 yard receiver. For the entire season, they've only allowed 3 100 yard receivers: Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh; Julio Jones, Atlanta; and Victor Cruz, New York (G). Moreover, Seattle has only allowed a 300+ yard passer, twice, while only five teams have pass for at least 250 yards against them. Unfortunately, they lost every single one, except against the Giants. For the most part, you can thank Earl Thomas, who is a dynamo in the defensive backfield. Though, the other guys have really been doing well. 2011 Seattle Seahawks 13th in Passing Yards Allowed 7th in Touchdowns Allowed 2nd in Interceptions Gained 9th in Overall Yards Allowed 6.9 Passing Yards per Attempt allowed 25.4 points per game down allowed to 19.5 per game allowed
