Football trends in 2016.

Gene Parmesan

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Jul 23, 2009
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What have you noticed from the past year and going forward.

-Base defenses no longer really exist. 4-2-5, 3-3-5, 5-2-4, 1-6-4 Alignments are being used more and more. The term Edge is now a position type. Defenses are getting smaller and faster too.

-RPO's are now important schematics used in HS/CFB/NFL. The run pass option is hot. Carolina's offense thrived on Inside zone/Skinny post or Outside zone/Slant. When executed is nearly indefensible.

-Its a passer/pass rusher game.

Just a few. I'm sure I'll have more.
 

missingmika

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Dec 9, 2006
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What have you noticed from the past year and going forward.

-Base defenses no longer really exist. 4-2-5, 3-3-5, 5-2-4, 1-6-4 Alignments are being used more and more. The term Edge is now a position type. Defenses are getting smaller and faster too.

-RPO's are now important schematics used in HS/CFB/NFL. The run pass option is hot. Carolina's offense thrived on Inside zone/Skinny post or Outside zone/Slant. When executed is nearly indefensible.

-Its a passer/pass rusher game.

Just a few. I'm sure I'll have more.

Keeping a kicker and a kick off specialist....oops, that's just the Bills.
 

Bonzai12

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Nov 2, 2007
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3 WR set is almost a given and slot WR/CB are actual positions

ILB is a dying breed

Teams starting to trend back towards FB/H-Back

RB by committee

CBs continue to get bigger and bigger

3 Safeties is almost required now. Best if one is a hybrid LB/S.

The highest paid deals are the 4th/5th year deals paid to rookie-now-vets

Increased reliance on draft for backup roles to save cap $$

OL starting to become priority for teams again
 

Gene Parmesan

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Traditional ILB's maybe but Bowman, Kuechly, Wagner, Hightower, Mosley, Shazier just to name a few. I think a more accurate thing would be 2 down players are a thing of the past. Also disagree with RB by committee. I think stud RB's will be back in.
 

Tony Romo

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Sep 25, 2011
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Agree with Gene on the HB. just going off the couple who have come out the last 2 years in Elliot/Gurley. Return of AP, Bell there also and then next class come out. I see some offences go back to relying on the run heavily and looking for the workhorse back that can carry you to the playoffs.
 

Gene Parmesan

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I can see that because now defenses overload the field with DB's and pass rushers to counter the spread elements that all NFL teams use. So why not run at them with a 220lb RB 20-25 times. That's why finding that hybrid is so key. All NFC west teams have a spur backer (S/LB) but I can't think of any others.
 

Tony Romo

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Sep 25, 2011
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I can see that because now defenses overload the field with DB's and pass rushers to counter the spread elements that all NFL teams use. So why not run at them with a 220lb RB 20-25 times. That's why finding that hybrid is so key. All NFC west teams have a spur backer (S/LB) but I can't think of any others.

Half because of that. Also probably cause of the talent at HB position coming out. three straight drafts with 4 prospects that look like they can be All Pro level calibre HBs in Fournette, Cook, Elliot, Gurley.
 

Tony Romo

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Sep 25, 2011
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Don't forget McCaffery, Royce Freeman, Samaje Perine, Jalen Hurd, Nick Chubb. Monster RB class next year.

Yeah your point is valid but it's also the talent coming in. RB went from a really weak position to potentially being an absolutely amazing one.
 

Hasbro

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We're on the verge of a huge change of the guard at QB.

Peyton Manning retired
Tom Brady 38
Drew Brees 37
Carson Palmer 36 and injury prone
Eli Manning 35
Ben Roethlisberger 34
Phil Rivers 34 and a dick in a division with Von, Khalil and Hali
Tony Romo 36

With all those teams looking for a QB of the future mixed with the teams still looking and the promising young guys that will flame out expect to tsee more trades at the top of the draft.
 

Tony Romo

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Think the league goes to being defence dominant for a bit. As of right now the only QB that isn't listed in that group who has been consistently dominating is Arodg. Carr/Wilson/Luck/Cam etc have all shown flashes but none consistently.
 

GKJ

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Feb 27, 2002
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The value of a tight end is equal to if not greater than that of a wide receiver. TE's are more athletic, some of them playing very little football when they get to the NFL, and often line up as WR's.
 

Bonzai12

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Nov 2, 2007
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All NFC west teams have a spur backer (S/LB) but I can't think of any others.

Denver essentially lines up TJ Ward as a LB/S in their base defense. It's a look that's going to be copy catted all over the NFL. And it's essentially a counter play to the TE being utilized more for mismatches.

Honestly though the TE has always been used as mismatches. It's just that teams are looking more to double TE sets if they can't find 3 quality receivers or they want to drain clock. Also because OL has been so horrible recently.
 

Hasbro

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That was bound to happen though.
Being inevitable doesn't preclude it from being a trend.:dunno:

Think the league goes to being defence dominant for a bit. As of right now the only QB that isn't listed in that group who has been consistently dominating is Arodg. Carr/Wilson/Luck/Cam etc have all shown flashes but none consistently.

We could be in for a return of the early 90's lament about the dearth of QB talent in the league, while at least half the teams shuffle around looking for a field general.

I doubt it will get as bad as the post-Jordan NBA though.
 

Gene Parmesan

Dedicated to babies who came feet first
Jul 23, 2009
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California
Denver essentially lines up TJ Ward as a LB/S in their base defense. It's a look that's going to be copy catted all over the NFL. And it's essentially a counter play to the TE being utilized more for mismatches.

Honestly though the TE has always been used as mismatches. It's just that teams are looking more to double TE sets if they can't find 3 quality receivers or they want to drain clock. Also because OL has been so horrible recently.

OLine is bad because of the CBA. Limited physical contact. That's why so many dudes are hooking up LeCharles Bentley and his oline training center during the offseason.
 

Bonzai12

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We could be in for a return of the early 90's lament about the dearth of QB talent in the league, while at least half the teams shuffle around looking for a field general.

I doubt it will get as bad as the post-Jordan NBA though.

The state of QB is really weird. So many college teams going to spread. If you draft one of those guys and run spread, you're one brutal hit away from losing your franchise QB.

So you take guys from less successful schools who run the traditional offense and then you have to deal with them not facing top competition, learning curve, etc.

It's a big time quandary. I'd hate to be trying to draft QB's now.
 

Gene Parmesan

Dedicated to babies who came feet first
Jul 23, 2009
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California
Honestly the offenses aren't that different and if a QB has talent and a feel for the position they'll pick it up. The most difficult transition is pre-snap responsibilities but that can be learned if they have the capacity. You never know until you have them in your program.
 

Fixed to Ruin

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We're on the verge of a huge change of the guard at QB.

Peyton Manning retired
Tom Brady 38
Drew Brees 37
Carson Palmer 36 and injury prone
Eli Manning 35
Ben Roethlisberger 34
Phil Rivers 34 and a dick in a division with Von, Khalil and Hali
Tony Romo 36

With all those teams looking for a QB of the future mixed with the teams still looking and the promising young guys that will flame out expect to tsee more trades at the top of the draft.

I am fairly certain that Brady has another 5-7 years left in him.
 

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