defensive end in football
Soccer Positions: Defensive End
General description:
A defensive end (DE) is a defensive lineman whose standard lineup is on the outside edge of the forward defensive formation. Usually there is a defensive tackle flanking his inside shoulder. When it comes to physical attributes, most professional defensive ends possess an amazing combination of speed and strength; Both are fast and extremely powerful. In fact, they need every ounce of that power and speed when they’re locked in a gridiron war with the offensive unit. On each and every try, the defensive ends are locked in mortal combat with wave after wave of offensive linemen, tight ends and wingers.
When it comes to body stature, DEs are often noted for being amazing physical specimens. While most Pro Bowl-caliber wingers in the NFL are strongmen, they are almost always lean and muscular. However, a couple of these guys are direct mutants. Take Mario Williams, the former No. 1 overall pick for the Houston Texans, as an example. He had to have grown up near a nuclear reactor, seriously. This guy breaks the mold of what a DE should look like, standing at an incredible 6’7″ tall and weighing less than 300 pounds. And he runs a 4.6 in the forty-yard dash. Yikes! Other more compactly built DEs, though considerably smaller, they’re just as effective pass rushers. Check out the Indianapolis Colts’ Robert Mathis, who’s an absolute stud at defensive end. This guy racks up double-digit sack numbers annually, and he’s smaller than many linebackers in just 6’2″, 245 lbs.
Defensive ends are like the “Swiss Army Knife” of their unit due to their versatility and multiple responsibilities. The typical length and athleticism of a DE give them incredible reach, which is why they excel at both floor defense and QB containment. Depending on the scheme he’s running, a defensive coordinator might even ask his DEs to get off the line and guard against short passes and drag routes. But what they excel at, what they live for, is rushing the pass. Elite defensive ends take down quarterbacks like chasers take down prized bucks. When a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning suddenly finds their rear end in the grass, they usually look up to see a menacing DE standing over them. Even when they’re not demolishing QBs, a great DE will create constant, unrelenting pressure from the edge. In the fourth quarter, the opposing quarterback will be so nervous that he’ll force bad shots and show a serious case of happiness. The saying rings true: defensive ends engage in psychological warfare with quarterbacks and often come out on top.
Defenses that can consistently stop the run are solid at all positions, including DE. An offense that relies heavily on tie plays can be extremely successful against an undisciplined defensive end. So a DE can’t just blindly pin his ears back and play a heat-seeking missile; they have to be aggressive but under control during their forays into the backfield. On run defense, they are also responsible for containing the outside and defending against sweeps, pitches, and pitches. If they can’t make the entry into the space, a smart DE will “extend the game” until more reinforcements arrive. Also, effective DEs won’t get sucked in by offensive blockers. Instead, they use superior technique and sound fundamentals to remove blockages and flow into the game. More importantly, a DE’s ability isn’t simply measured by sacks; the overall tackles they make in the backfield or the tackles for loss (TFL) are an equally important barometer in gauging a DE’s true value.
The elites of the past:
Because sacks are one of the most universally recognized statistics in sports, defensive end is among the most popular positions in the game. There are so many famous former defensive ends in NFL history that it’s hard to name them all. Michael Strahan, the toothless killer in DE for the New York Giants, made multiple Pro Bowls in the 2000s by laying the groundwork for quarterbacks all over the league. He currently holds the NFL single-season record for sacks at 22.5, and also sports a Super Bowl ring. Reggie White, considered by many football observers to be the king of all time, terrified players who played for both the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. His tenacity and leadership anchored a defense that helped the ‘Pack capture a Super Bowl victory in 1997, and he retired with the all-time sack record. However, the current NFL career sacks leader is none other than the Buffalo Bills’ Bruce Smith. With a non-stop engine that would put a Ferrari to shame, Smith racked up a mind-boggling 200 catches when all was said and done. He was also the lynchpin of a defensive unit that helped the Bills make four straight Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s.
current elites:
Over the past decade, the NFL game has moved toward powerful passing attacks, and as a result, many offenses are easy to pass. Subsequently, today’s dominant defensive feature defenses end to combat this non-stop aerial bombardment. For example, the Indianapolis Colts hire the services of Dwight Freeney, and he delivers them every Sunday. What delivery? Bone-shaking, teeth-chattering collisions against any quarterback brave enough to line up under center, that’s what matters. Freeney is always at the top of the leader board in both collecting quarterback sacks and unmanned left tackles. The New York Giants’ Justin Tuck leaves offensive coordinators with insomnia as they try to figure out how to contain him. The Giants have one of the best four defensive forwards in all of football because of his penchant for stalking quarterbacks. Tuck’s partner in crime, Osi Umenyiora, lines up on the opposite side and takes equal delight in beating QBs. This sack-happy duo rivals the Colts’ Freeney and Mathis for the best in the league, bar none.
Show me the money:
Defensive ends in the NFL today make a very good living, trailing only quarterbacks with an average annual salary of $1.6 million. A few guys in the DE spot make the league minimum of $310,000, but they’re rare. Superstar pass hunters, on the other hand, subscribe to Forbes magazine, where they read about themselves. Julius Peppers, formerly of the Carolina Panthers and now with the Chicago Bears, recently signed on the dotted line to the tune of $90 million over 6 years, with about half in guaranteed money. Jared Allen of the Vikings was in line for a similar payday and got it in the form of a 6-year, $73 million deal. The Falcons paid their passing demon, John Abraham, $8 million last season. The message NFL owners are sending is clear: Produce DE and we’ll make him a very rich man.
Training:
As mentioned above, DEs are fast and strong. They spent long hours in the weight room and on the practice field. Young soccer players who envision themselves playing the DE position should do the same. On the practice range, pulling weighted sleds, running with parachutes and bungee harnesses, and doing cone and ladder rope drills should be a staple of any DE workout. These exercises serve to develop explosiveness, agility and footwork that are essential in the position. In the weight room, the focus is strength. Front and box squats, clean and jerks, and incline bench press help maximize the power a DE will need to crush any tackle that comes between them and the quarterback. Combine them with a comprehensive core development regimen and a young player will have all the tools needed to become a sleepless DE QB.