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When did “Defense End” become “Edge Rusher?”


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1 hour ago, BillyWhiteShows said:

Quick question.  I notice that in some media, the position which once was referred to as “Defensive End” is now called “Edge Rusher” or sometimes “Edge.”  

 

When did this happen and why?

Just another cute term. Like "generational" or my favorite: "Transcendent"

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2 hours ago, BillyWhiteShows said:

Quick question.  I notice that in some media, the position which once was referred to as “Defensive End” is now called “Edge Rusher” or sometimes “Edge.”  

 

When did this happen and why?

Its focused more on specializing in rushing the passer probably also probably considering a fit at 3-4 OLB

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1 hour ago, UB2SF said:

 

I don't have a problem with it, per se, but it just strikes me as odd.  Every other position is abbreviated with one or two uppercase letters, and now we have a whole word typically written in uppercase.  I guess it's just an an OCD/pet-peeve type of thing.  Wondering if someday they will have SLOT or WILL or SAM or MIKE.

 

The thing is, EDGE isn't a position.  It's a role filled by different positions depending on the scheme.  

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2 hours ago, MJS said:

Because an edge rusher could be either a DE or an OLB depending on the defensive scheme. But essentially they are the same player, who who is dedicated to rush the passer off the edge.

So then also doesn't have to set in the "down" 3 pt. stance position, right?

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2 hours ago, stosh64 said:

Probably around the same time that a snow storm turned into an "Artic BOMB"  and cold weather turned into a "Polar VORTEX".

:cry:

I've never heard of an arctic bomb, and polar vortex is a real thing that is far more than just cold weather.

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1st time I noticed this was this year in the draft... I understand what they're doing but this is the 1st year I saw the change in nomenclature regarding the tweener position

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2 hours ago, BillyWhiteShows said:

Quick question.  I notice that in some media, the position which once was referred to as “Defensive End” is now called “Edge Rusher” or sometimes “Edge.”  

 

When did this happen and why?

Guess its part of the  millennial's political correctness movement. 

 

Position neutral terminology.  Also allows for self-identification as an OLB or DE or transitioning to/from each freely on the part of the player.

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sorta how basketball is now positionless and nobody has a Power Forward, they have Wings and Stretch 3-5s and combo guards etc. Most sports pidgeonhole a player's role to a set position for each player on the field to make things easier for the casual viewer.

 

Was Mike Tolbert a running back or a full back? Who cares he's a guy who used to block a lot on rushing plays that rushed for more yards than the other dudes who primarily just block out of the backfield. Give him a pro-bowl for being a heckuva full back!

Edited by BarkleyForGOATBackupPT5P
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2 hours ago, MJS said:

Because an edge rusher could be either a DE or an OLB depending on the defensive scheme. But essentially they are the same player, who who is dedicated to rush the passer off the edge.

Right.  A 3-4 DE isn't an edge rusher; the guy who lines up outside him is.  

 

Mario Williams was an edge rusher in the 4-3, and Kyle William's was a 3 tech tackle, the natural positions for both.  When they switched to the 3-4, Mario was wasted as a DE and couldn't play OLB.  Kyle was out of position as a nose tackle. 

 

Edge rusher now means a guy who will play DE in 4-3 or OLB in the 3-4.  Some guys fit either scheme, some fit only one. 

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Because a 3-4 and 4-3 defensive end are so different...in a 3-4 the rushers are OLB's and in a 4-3 they are DE's.  

 

So basically Edge-Rusher comprises DE's in a 4-3 system and OLB's in a 3-4 system.

Edited by matter2003
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Because 4-3 Defensive Ends and 3-4 Outside Linebackers are basically the same guys...

At the same time, 4-3 Defensive Tackles and 3-4 Defensive Ends are basically the same guys.

 

If Josh Allen had been drafted by the Giants last night, he would have been a linebacker.  But since he got drafted by the Jaguars, he will be playing defensive end.

In the same way, Ed Oliver would have been a defensive end for the Giants.  But he will be a defensive tackle for us.

 

More people are now starting to refer to the positions as Edge Rusher and Interior Defensive Line, and I personally think it's more accurate and easier to help identify what a guy's responsibilities actually are.

 

 

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3 hours ago, BillyWhiteShows said:

Quick question.  I notice that in some media, the position which once was referred to as “Defensive End” is now called “Edge Rusher” or sometimes “Edge.”  

 

When did this happen and why?

 

Ya know, it’s a quick question, but a darned good one.  I think I need a refresher course myself.

 

I know the difference between a halfback and fullback, but what’s a tailback?  (Now, we just call all of ‘em RBs)

 

Is there such a thing as a split end any longer?  What’s the difference between an X receiver and a Y receiver, and a Z receiver?

 

The game, and the schemes, and the terminology, are all much more complex than they used to be.

.

Edited by The Senator
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29 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

Because 4-3 Defensive Ends and 3-4 Outside Linebackers are basically the same guys...

At the same time, 4-3 Defensive Tackles and 3-4 Defensive Ends are basically the same guys.

 

If Josh Allen had been drafted by the Giants last night, he would have been a linebacker.  But since he got drafted by the Jaguars, he will be playing defensive end.

In the same way, Ed Oliver would have been a defensive end for the Giants.  But he will be a defensive tackle for us.

 

More people are now starting to refer to the positions as Edge Rusher and Interior Defensive Line, and I personally think it's more accurate and easier to help identify what a guy's responsibilities actually are.

 

 

 

Well...no they aren't.  

 

A 4-3 DE is usually in the 265-280 range in weight 

a 3-4 OLB is usually in the 235-245 range in weight

 

Additionally the 3-4 OLB needs to be able to play in space in a way the 4-3  does not need to and the 4-3 DE needs to be better at the point of attack against the run than the 3-4 OLB does.   agree that their MAIN role is the same...get the QB, but the other things they need to be able to do and their attributes are not the same at all.

 

Allen likely will occupy the same spot as Jerry Hughes does with the Bills for the Jags...he might be a little light to play DE, but they will probably let him stand up a lot coming off the edge

Edited by matter2003
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