Rank the most important positions in a 4-3 defense

[panther4life]

With examples and facts of what positions are most vital to a dominant 4-3 D.

This debate needs to addressed and ill type up my in depth opinion once I get to a desktop and not my cell. Unless of course someone else who thinks like me expresses my same idealogy first.should not be too many varying list anyway. Just looking for opinions that have a good argument to go with them. Rep for every decent effort to explain your opinions.

Thanks in advance to all who chime in with reasoning.

[Jackofalltrades]

It depends on your defensive philosophy.

[Razeyfingers]

In terms of what? value? need for athleticism?

all of them? none of them?

as far as a positional need of strength for a defense to whip ass. . .

I'll go DE I s'pose then MLB then CB/DT

[koolkatluke]

DT's, MLB, then Safety. Being strong up the middle is very important in any defense.

[bigdog10]

Middle Linebacker (not so much for the 4-3 scheme, but our best defender is our MLB and he's out captain)

Defensive Ends

Outside Linebackers

Defensive Tackles

Cornerbacks

Safeties

[Jesse]

I think a damn good MLB is necessary.

Other than that, all other positions combine with the others. A dominant 4-3 must have a good balance of pass rush, run stuff, and coverage. Its hard to rank the pairs of positions IMO.

[bigdog10]

DT's, MLB, then Safety. Being strong up the middle is very important in any defense.

Five years ago, I would have agreed with you.

But in this pass happy, offensive catered league; being able to rush the passer and take away the short passes to tightends and backs are now a necessity

[Cat'sGrowl]

Dt, de, lb.

[jarhead]

Five years ago, I would have agreed with you.

But in this pass happy, offensive catered league; being able to rush the passer and take away the short passes to tightends and backs are now a necessity

Isnt that the truth

[Cary Kollins]

I think the DE is the most important. By pressuring the QB and causing turnovers, dominant DE's can dictate the flow of a game more than any defensive position. I feel like of all the other positions, if you have elite DE's they can make up for other players being average.

I'll think of the rankings of the other positions when I'm not at work...

[CRA]

depends on scheme.

not sure w/ those injuries last year we have a good idea of what Rivera would like to do.

[Dex]

Mlb, de, cb.

[panther4life]

It depends on your defensive philosophy.

For all intents and purposes then refer to Riveras press conference about it after he was hired

[Ivan The Awesome]

Let's get back to the basics. The Line will dictate the game. Regardless of anything. The trenches are the core.

So to me, the Defensive line has to adequately pass rush, pressure, run-stop, fill gaps, etc.

As far as which defensive position in the line of scrimmage is the most important. The End and Tackle are harmonious. They have to work as a unit. I'd have to say DE is slightly more important than DT/UT. Just by a bit.