3 positions have become critical in today's NFL.
1. Franchise QB
2. Seam stretching TE
3. Play making FS
Ireland just doesn't get that.
Yep. I go in order of signifigance these days........
1) QB - Obviously
2) A competent HC
3) Guys who can pressure the QB. This is the QBs greatest enemy. And since the QB is the most important position, and someone who can pressure that player is the best defense against the QB, these players are critical.
4) Cover guys - With the rules these days and the many talented receivers in this league, you have to have a multitude of players who can cover. These players work hand in hand with your pass rushers. They help the pass rushers by giving them a split second extra with their ability and the pass rushers help them on some plays by making their jobs easier and getting to the QB early. Your playmaking FS comes in here with his ball hawking abilities. When the QB is pressured, the FS knows where to be to grab that rushed throw.
5) WRs/Seem busting TEs - The QB needs his weapons that he will punish your defense with.
As you can see, nowhere on this list in signifigance is a cornfed LT, RBs, or cornfed DLmen who dont either pressure the QB themselves or take up 2 blockers allowing other defensive players to attack the QB more easily.
The running game in the NFL just isnt nearly as important as it used to be. The only thing the running game is used for(by good teams) these days is to set up big play opportunities on play action, scoring the ball deep in the redzone, and killing the clock when holding a late lead.
Those are all important aspects of the game for sure, but the game is all about scoring points and taking advantage of the rules that allow for explosive passing offenses and hence trying to stop those attacks defensively.
