[MplsTom]

Good topic...

It really does depend on what type of defense you're running. I usually like to have someone (or two) as a safety behind the offense's most downfield guy. In EF, it is much more a game of plays than first downs. Giving up a FG at the end of the half or game if you're confident that you can score a TD is an ok strategy.

With the safety(s) back, that means a pass rush is necessary to not allow the receiver to get too downfield before the switch is turned off. I like the outside in pass rush because it also tends to negate the sweeps. One other underrated advantage of loopers is the defense against the shovel pass...suddenly you have a blazing speed guy somewhere in his backfield instead of him seeing a wall of blockers and being able to angle his runner to your weak spot. However, to leave someone back and to have a pass rush from both sides, a few things are necessary:
- Super strength up the middle to hold serve against the OL
- Being able to have that super strength from 3 or 4 guys instead of 5-6 committed to the middle

Therefore, a few things to ask yourself as you put together the team:
- Do your cornerbacks that play press coverage rush the QB if they miss the WR? (i.e. are they angled in and loop in so that you're still getting value from them instead of seeing them against the back rail)

- Are your LB's positioned more outside than inside so that they can cover the inside on a run if angled in or cover the outside


I want consistency as much as speed out of my LB's and Safeties. I want to know that if I point them at a spot, that they'll run to that spot. I use the "on off switch drill" when I test bases. How much do they jump when the switch is turned on? I want bases that will hit that same spot 5-10 yards away every time.

Finally, one important thing to note: Take time to look at the figure and the base combination. I've won many strongest man competitions without necessarily the strongest base. Defense is where you should have the most figures on your team and offense is where you can use the extra bases you are allotted and just switch out.

Certain figures do better against certain blockers. You want to be able to get a forklift against blockers...it puts them on two prongs and negates all the hard work or money spent by the offensive coach in tweaking. That's why you should have an ample supply of defenders compared to offense...it is a counterpunch to what the offense is doing.

If you can get the forklifts, you can definitely sacrifice some strength and then you've got a DL that can loop around the outside or plow the offensive guy back on the inside and that makes the offensive coach even more nervous.

Good luck!