Irv Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 Seems like that name for a position slowly crept into, and now is firmly ensconced in the NFL vernacular. Where did this term originate and what exactly does it mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 It’s the guy who plays DE in a 4-3 but may be an OLB in a 3-4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 (edited) Edge rusher, as opposed to a more interior DE in the 3/4 Edited April 11, 2018 by DrDawkinstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irv Posted April 11, 2018 Author Share Posted April 11, 2018 Like Jerry Hughes? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 6 minutes ago, Irv said: Like Jerry Hughes? Yes, exactly. Hughes, Merriman, Von Miller, Justin Houston, etc. I believe it would also apply to guys like Mario Williams as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatdrought Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 I think there was just too many teams playing Hybrid 4-3/3-4 defenses with ends standing up and dropping into coverage and linebackers putting their hands in the dirt that this was just an easier way to classify players whose main goal in any defense is to get after the QB. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 1 minute ago, DrDawkinstein said: Yes, exactly. Hughes, Merriman, Von Miller, Justin Houston, etc. I believe it would also apply to guys like Mario Williams as well. Which is why Williams was the #1 overall pick. At his size and athleticism....he can rush from the edge and set the edge very well. The body of Zeus but the heart and passion of me playing adult league kickball.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryland-bills-fan Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 I think it is a guy who can both rush the QB from the outside AND disrupt the bubble passes to the outside AND can weave around the student-body-left type running plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 1 minute ago, Royale with Cheese said: Which is why Williams was the #1 overall pick. At his size and athleticism....he can rush from the edge and set the edge very well. The body of Zeus but the heart and passion of me playing adult league kickball.... I feel like youd take that pretty seriously... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuco Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 (edited) 38 minutes ago, Irv said: Seems like that name for a position slowly crept into, and now is firmly ensconced in the NFL vernacular. Where did this term originate and what exactly does it mean? It really is a defensive term, where the outside LB, or sometimes the DE, are supposed to "set the edge." It means don't get blocked so the runner can get outside of you. No matter what you have to "set the edge" and make sure the runner gets turned inside where there's more defenders. And that makes him an "edge player." http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Football-101-Setting-the-edge/aed14416-f069-4615-911c-cc7b7822a72c Unfortunately, as you have said, it's now become an overused term to describe basically anything to the outside. Commentators now say "he's trying to get to the edge" when a RB is heading for the pylon. Or they talk about receivers "out on the edge" any time they're lined up wide. Any more "the edge" really just means "outside." Edited April 11, 2018 by Tuco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbflaBill Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 Typically your weak side edge guy coming from a 7 tech in a 4-3 scheme. He is a pass rusher, and usually isnt regarded as a good player against the run. in a 3-4 he is the 4 rusher usually coming from a stand up position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Tuco said: It really is a defensive term, where the outside LB, or sometimes the DE, are supposed to "set the edge." It means don't get blocked so the runner can get outside of you. No matter what you have to "set the edge" and make sure the runner gets turned inside where there's more defenders. http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Football-101-Setting-the-edge/aed14416-f069-4615-911c-cc7b7822a72c Unfortunately, as you have said, it's now become an overused term to describe basically anything to the outside. Commentators now say "he's trying to get to the edge" when a RB is heading for the pylon. Or they talk about receivers "out on the edge" any time they're lined up wide. Any more "the edge" really just means "outside." I... dont think that's entirely correct. The term EDGE started getting used with players being swapped between 3/4 and 4/3. In the 4/3, the edge rusher is considered a DE, in the 3/4 he's a OLB. Instead of calling a guy a DE and then getting confused when he "changes" to OLB, they just call the position EDGE. Because a DE in the 3/4 is more of an interior lineman. Had nothing to do with "setting the edge", although that could be one of their duties. It's just more about simplifying position names with different schemes. Edit: For example, here is the Drafttek "EDGE" page. It specifies "edge rushers" and none of the guys on that list are going to primarily be setting edges: http://www.drafttek.com/2018-NFL-Draft-Prospect-Rankings/Top-College-Defensive-Ends-2018-Draft.asp Edited April 11, 2018 by DrDawkinstein 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 1 minute ago, DrDawkinstein said: I feel like youd take that pretty seriously... I did when I was single. Needed to show off to all the ladies....you know the ladies dig the recreational stars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 1 minute ago, Royale with Cheese said: I did when I was single. Needed to show off to all the ladies....you know the ladies dig the recreational stars. Is that how you landed Mrs Cheese? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbflaBill Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 1 minute ago, DrDawkinstein said: I... dont think that's entirely correct. The term EDGE started getting used with players being swapped between 3/4 and 4/3. In the 4/3, the edge rusher is considered a DE, in the 3/4 he's a OLB. Instead of calling a guy a DE and then getting confused when he "changes" to OLB, they just call the position EDGE. Because a DE in the 3/4 is more of an interior lineman. Had nothing to do with "setting the edge", although that could be one of their duties. It's just more about simplifying position names with different schemes. The edge guy comes from outside the tackle (7tech in 4-3). setting the edge is a DE playing in a 5tech (typically) or 7 shade over the TE. His job generally is to set the edge and force the RB either inside or out (or spill) depending on the D scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsaikotic Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 isnt it a razor? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 (edited) 3 minutes ago, dbflaBill said: The edge guy comes from outside the tackle (7tech in 4-3). setting the edge is a DE playing in a 5tech (typically) or 7 shade over the TE. His job generally is to set the edge and force the RB either inside or out (or spill) depending on the D scheme. Nah, see my edit. It is about rushing the passer. EDGE Rusher. Not setting the edge. That's the other side of the field. edit: you know what, I'll split the difference. Looking back, it's tough to tell how they have these guys sorted. I'll admit, some of them will be setting an edge. Edited April 11, 2018 by DrDawkinstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 1 minute ago, DrDawkinstein said: Is that how you landed Mrs Cheese? That would be a better story if it was true. I actually interviewed her for a job. When I left that company, I reached out to her for a drink....wouldn't be "professional" if I we connected while still with the company she interviewed for. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbflaBill Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 2 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said: Nah, see my edit. It is about rushing the passer. EDGE Rusher. Not setting the edge. That's the other side of the field. Thats exactly what Im saying lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 Just now, dbflaBill said: Thats exactly what Im saying lol Ha, yeah, i edited again. We're on the same page. Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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