Orakpo - - A Star in the Making

[GTripp0012]

I actually think in today's game, it's easier to play the run from the DE position than the OLB position. A lot of the time, the DE gets the TE or FB one on one. Linebackers either have to take on offensive lineman, or they get a free run if the guys up front win their battles.

A linebacker who can't shed a guard and make a play is basically useless, but if a DE can rush the passer, you can work him into your defensive scheme, even if he simply takes a blocker out of the play against runs.

3-4 schemes are the other way around. But DE's in the 4-3 tend to become OLB's in the 3-4, so if you look at it that way, I think this analysis still holds.