Defensive advice sought

[Razorbacker]

I am six years into my dynasty (Arkansas) and I've assembled quite a defense, especially up front (line and backers). I am wondering what would be the best defensive alignment I could use.

I am particularily loaded at LB, where I have five guys worthy of starting (all with at least a 93 overall). My line is quite good too with loads of depth at DT (4 guys rated at least 85 overall).

My secondary is fast and deep, but not as dominant as the front 7.

I would use the 4-4 defense, but its blitzes are very limited compared to the 4-3. Using the 4-3 means leaving two good LBs on the bench.

I am thinking of using the 4-2, but subbing two LBs for the two extra safety positions.

Check out my roster and see what you'd do:


Defensive ends
Ht...Wt...Class..OV..SP..ST..AW..TK
6-3..260..sr-rs..93..80..78..84..85
6-4..244..jr-rs..99..82..80..84..87
6-5..248..so-rs..87..85..74..59..78

Defensive tackles
Ht...Wt...Class..OV..SP..ST..AW..TK
6-1..323..jr-rs..97..68..96..82..88
6-6..291..sr-rs..92..65..88..86..89
6-6..301..jr-rs..92..62..94..84..87
6-8..318..so-rs..86..65..88..72..87

Outside Linebackers
Ht...Wt...Class..OV..SP..ST..AW..TK
6-4..238..sr-xx..99..87..76..88..91
6-0..236..jr-rs..99..85..86..86..94
6-2..237..jr-rs..98..90..80..82..89
6-1..253..jr-rs..93..84..84..86..88

Middle Linebackers
Ht...Wt...Class..OV..SP..ST..AW..TK
6-0..236..sr-xx..94..80..82..90..90
6-4..226..so-rs..85..76..78..72..92

Cornerbacks
Ht...Wt...Class..OV..SP..ST..AW..TK
5-11.195..sr-rs..93..92..56..91..62
6-3..169..jr-xx..90..94..52..86..56
5-10.169..jr-xx..87..99..44..76..62
5-10.169..jr-rs..87..94..40..82..59

Free Safeties
Ht...Wt...Class..OV..SP..ST..AW..TK
6-2..208..jr-rs..94..95..74..78..74
6-2..209..jr-rs..92..93..70..80..72
6-3..212..sr-rs..87..91..72..72..70

Strong Safeties
Ht...Wt...Class..OV..SP..ST..AW..TK
6-2..217..jr-rs..93..88..72..82..74
6-0..201..sr-xx..86..87..72..74..72
6-2..207..fr-rs..80..88..68..62..70

Just to show how good my defense is, these freshman studs are redshirting because of the log-jams at their positions:

True Freshman Redshirts
POS..Ht...Wt...OV..SP..ST..AW..TK
MLB..6-2..229..80..82..76..65..89
OLB..6-1..226..84..85..78..62..84
SS...6-3..200..82..88..68..65..70

[hobbs2324]

Sub differnet guys in different formations, making sure you use all formations. Maybe your [2] fastest guys on the outside of the 3-4 and 4-4. Your best run stoppers in the 4-3. Your best speed awareness guy in the dime. [2] fastest in the nickel. Just go formation by formation and get all your guys included.

[mad_bomber]

I agree with Hobbs. With that much depth at defensive tackle and linebacker I'd use them all in different formations. I also like your idea of subbing in two of your outside backers into the 4-2-5. That position in that defense is basically a hybrid outside linebacker/strong safety player.

Another idea you could consider is mixing in some 3-4 and 3-3-5 alignments. Since your defensive ends are on the smaller side, what I would do in your situation is sub two of my defensive tackles into the defensive end spots in those two defensive formations. This would also allow you to keep your defensive line fresh.

[hobbs2324]

Thanks bomber, a real compliment coming from you, :) , that 85 speed DE has me salivating, what I could do with that guy in a 4-3, Dime and Nickel formation would drive the CPU nuts. Goodluck with that team, I'm predicting NC ;)