Crzynick25 said:There is no way they could go 5-3 defense with todays passing attacks, having only 3 DB's back there and expecting a linebacker to pick up the slack for the missing safety is asking way TOO much
The 53 didn't use only three DBs. The reason it's called the 53 is after #53 Bob Matheson. He was a linebacker who would replace a down lineman and the team would line up in an odd front, basically a 3-4. It was one of the first 3-4 defenses and eventually Shula made it the base defense.