Teams look for an edge with versatile pass rushers
Article By viyer.tsn on 17th March, 2010
The NFL is a passing league. Naturally, that means a top passer is the highest personnel priority. Not too far behind on the wish list, however, is an elite, consistently disruptive pass rusher.
An elite defensive end is a hot commodity in today's NFL landscape. Just ask new Detroit Lion Kyle Vanden Bosch.
So it's no surprise that Julius Peppers was the most hotly pursued -- and now most well-paid -- free agent on the market, and that sack artists Kyle Vanden Bosch and Aaron Kampman quickly found new homes on the market.
It's also the reason the Vikings' Ray Edwards, 25, who had 8 1/2 sacks opposite Jared Allen last season, continues to draw outside interest -- even as a restricted free agent.
Because of their skill at reaching the QB, aging stars such as Joey Porter and Jason Taylor remain in the free-agent picture as intriguing commodities.
With the 3-4 front rapidly becoming as common as the 4-3 around the league, there is room for every type of pass rusher -- from a bulky end who can stop the run to an undersized outside linebacker who is quick enough to hold up well in coverage.
That has made it more difficult to target -- and then acquire or draft -- specialized players. Instead, teams are more inclined to tailor the player to suit their needs.
"When several teams are looking at a top prospect at defensive end now, they're also thinking about how he converts to an outside linebacker," an AFC college personnel evaluator said. "It's very similar in finding tackles to move to end."
As for established league veterans who have been entrenched at end for several years, it's difficult to change their habits -- even if they seem to have the required athleticism to play linebacker.
Before the free-agent market opened, there was concern about how Peppers might fit in a 3-4 scheme such as New England's, which would have required him to do much more than fly off the edge. By signing with Chicag...
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The Toronto Blue Jays Tickets are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners Tickets are looking to be a good team this year.
Detroit Tigers Tickets: The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises.
The Philadelphia Phillies Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. One of the biggest games of the season are the Phillies Red Sox Tickets. Another long time rival in the same state is Phillies Pirates Tickets.
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Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Indians Tickets are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League.
