The key to a great defense is deception and versatility. Simply blitzing on every down is not good, neither is dropping everyone back in coverage all the time. The best defenses mix it up. They blitz a lot, but also get pressure rushing just 3 or 4. They can play man, zone, or both. They can run a 3-4 or a 4-3 or a 5-2. Basically, you never know where anyone is going to line up. The defense blitzes on first down, second down, and then shows a blitz on third down only to go back into coverage. They run a nickel just as well as they do their base. A great defense must do everything well. Defenses like that give quarterbacks fits, because they cannot read anything and preparing for them is next to impossible.
Exactly... As a defensive coordinator, you're better off sending 4 after the head-of-the-snake, with the offense not sure where the 4th blitzer is coming from... as opposed to sending 5 every play with the offense knowing which 5 guys are coming...
Blitzing is always risky... if you live by it, you'll die by it.
It's very important to get pressure with your down lineman.... or if you're going to blitz, to get pressure up the middle.
NFL QB's can deal with pressure off the edge... the good ones will simply step up into the pocket and convert.... it's the pressure up the middle that they can't deal with.
As much as I personally liked guys such as Jerry Hughes and Brandon Graham in the draft, you need guys that can cover, play laterally, and play backwards.... especially from a 2-point stance. A guy like Misi does all of this better than Hughes or Graham.. which is why both of them went to 4-3 teams to rush the passer with their hand on the ground.... and Misi was the first "conversion" guy off the board.
The "fun" in this defense for the players is in the details... all the different looks they'll be able to throw at offenses.. rather than sending the same two re-treads off the edge every play that cant get there to tap dance with offensive tackles... rinse... repeat.
You want to get the matchups in your favor.... force the offense to attempt to block your blitzers with backs and TE's, etc... and to CK's point, knowing HOW to blitz effectively is paramount... because if you don't... all you're doing is setting yourself up to give up big plays.