Hip Your Chick #3

This week in Hip Your Chick, we will highlight the defense. In the previous Hip Your Chick, we highlighted the offense. This one is to hip you on the defense and their responsibilities. The defense’s primary responsibilities are to stop the offense from scoring points, force turnovers, and quite possibly score themselves. There is an old saying that offense sells tickets and defense wins championships. This has been proven many times, especially in the past 2 BCS victories by the University of Alabama.

The defense creates havoc for an offense. They want to prevent any yards from being gained. That is how you measure just how good a defense is. A great defensive team can stop the run as well as the pass. When a defense is at its best is when it is penetrating through the offensive line and getting pressure on the quarterback or running back. When the quarterback drops back to pass the ball, and there is pressure on him, it makes it difficult to complete a pass. This is usually accomplished when the defense brings extra people other than the defensive line. This is called a blitz. When the defense brings the quarterback down to the ground before he is able to throw the ball, it is called a sack.

When the defense forces a turnover that means they take the ball away from the offense. This is done by either stripping the ball out of the offensive players hand (a fumble) or when the quarterback attempts to throw the ball, and one of the defenders catches the ball instead of the player he was attempting to throw the ball to on the offensive side of the ball (an interception). In most cases, when the defense can force more turnovers, that gives that team’s offense more chances to score points. Let’s highlight each player and their primary responsibilities.

Defensive Line- Just like with the offense, the defensive line is the most important part of this unit. If the defensive line is good, they can get pressure on the quarterback without sending a blitz. This leaves more men back to guard the offensive players and make things harder for the offense. There are 4 players on the defensive line

DT (Defensive Tackle) – These guys are usually very big. They plug up the middle to stop running lanes from opening up in the running game; in the passing game, they rush the quarterback. There are usually 2 DTs, but in some defenses there is only one defense tackle. In this case he is called a nose guard, and he has the same responsibilities. (Notable Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, Terrance Cody, Haolit Ngata)

DE (Defensive End) – These guys line up on the outsides of the defensive tackles. They are usually the most athletic players on the field. They protect the outside of the line in the run game, and they rush the passer in passing situations. They usually have best combination of power and speed on the field. There are a lot of hybrid Outside Linebackers that play as DEs. (Notable Jared Allen, Julius Peppers)

MLB (Middle Linebacker)- The middle linebacker is the pulse of the defense. He is the quarterback of the defense and calls the plays. He ensures that players are lined up correctly and is usually the leading tackler on the team. He blitzes, he controls the middle of the field in the run game as well as in pass game. (Notables Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis, Donte’ Hightower, Rolando McClain)

OLB (Outside Linebacker)- The outside linebacker is responsible for outside containment. There are 2 types of outside linebackers. The strong side linebacker is the OLB that lines up outside across from the tight end (remember him from last article). He has to be able to stop to the run by following the tight ends block as well as guard the tight end if he goes out to catch a pass. The weakside linebacker is the OLB that usually pass rushes the QB in passing situations. He has to be the fastest of the 3 LBs. He covers the backside of plays as well and can drop into coverage. (Notable Terrell Suggs, DeMarcus Ware)

S (Safety)- The safety is the last line of a defense. They are expected to cover any extra WRs and TEs. They cover RBs out of the backfield. They line up 10-15 yards from the line of scrimmage. There are two types of safeties. The Free Safety is primarily used in pass coverage. He comes up in run support only after it is determined that it is NOT a pass. He will on occasion blitz to create pressure on the QB. The Strong Safety usually covers the strong side of the offense, which is the side that the tight end is covering. He comes up in run support and also draws the assignment of covering the Tight End if he goes out in coverage and the strong side linebacker blitzes. (Notable, Ed Reed, Troy Polomalu)

CB (Cornerback)- The cornerback is the usually the fastest player on the defense. He covers the wide receiver, who is usually one of the fastest players on the offense. He guards him and tries to prevent him from catching any passes. (Notable Darrelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomugah, Champ Bailey)

Penalty

This week’s penalty is pass interference. It’s when there is contact when ball is in there air that prevents either player, offensive or defensive, from catching a pass. Pass interference in college is 15 yards and an automatic first down. In the NFL it is a spot foul, meaning wherever it happens that is where the ball will be spotted. This penalty has decided games and is a very bang bang play; sometimes it is missed, sometimes they get it right. Next week we will highlight situational football, and what to expect in certain situations and some more advanced penalties!