What does it take to make a good pass rushing DE? - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Marktui · 05-27-2005

Over the last few years the Cowboys have been searching for the replacement to Charles Hailey. They have drafted many during these years but all have failed to even say thatt they could carry Charles jock!! Shante Carver, Kavika Pittman, Ebenezor Ekuban, Peppi Zellner and Gregg Ellis. Only Ellis is still on the team and starting, but even he is not puss rush demon that Hailey was.

So what does it take to become an elite pass rusher in the NFL? Elite meaning that he can record double digit sacks, multiple qb pressures and that the o-line must always shift the protection to the side the rusher is on at the line of scrimage.

I think what made Charles Hailey so good at rushing the qb was he had great instincts, a quick first step, ability to change directions and he had deceiving strength for a man his size.

Charles had a way of knowing where the qb was going to be, how deep his drop would take and how far in the backfield he would have to level off in order for him to get to the quarterback. He could feel whenever the tackle was leaning too much one way so he could immediately change his direction and let the tackle take himself out of the block. Of course he could make the tackle lean one way because of his first step was so quick that he could be level with the tackle and on his way past him. Lastly, how many times did we see him just bull rush the tackle back into the qb's face, he had great lower body strength to catch the tackle off guard and get him on rollerskates.

Ok, I want to know what you guys think would make a good DE and what do you think our new crop of DE's have that can make them good rushers??

TheHustler · 05-27-2005

With the 3-4 we're now looking for pass rushing OLBs instead of DEs.

Pokes28 · 05-27-2005

This is a great question. There are three things that makes a DE a really good pass rusher.

1. Explosion. The ability to get off the ball faster than the OT that knows the snap count. Haley had this. Typically, the smaller DEs in the league share this trait.

2. Strength. There aren't many DEs that can drive a 340 pound OT or simply throw them, but there are always those guys that are strong enough to cause the offense problems. This was the primary trait of Reggie White.

3. Relentless. Guys that go from snap to whistle on every play. They tend to get stronger as the game goes on. Grant Wistrom is a perfect example of this type of player.

Sure there are other traits, but when you look at good pass rushers, they generally fall into these categories.

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh

Paniolo22 · 05-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marktui

Ok, I want to know what you guys think would make a good DE and what do you think our new crop of DE's have that can make them good rushers??

Sacks. Period. 10+ a year to be more specific

KDWilliams85 · 05-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paniolo22

Sacks. Period. 10+ a year to be more specific

All tackles for losses are acceptable. You can't move the ball forward if you're not getting past the line of scrimmage.

As for DE traits...

1. Elusive - If he can evade the OT off the bat, he can be very dangerous especially if he can run a 4.56 in the 40. (Jevon Kearse)

2. Power - If he gets stopped, he has to overpower the OT as quickly as he can. (Julius Peppers)

3. Explosiveness - Catch the OT by surprise and disrupt the play as quickly as possible. (Dwight Freeney)

4. Pursuit - A good rushing DE doesn't have to be at the LOS all the time. If he can hunt down the ball, he is more widely effective. (Peppers, Kearse, Freeney)

5. Intellect - The quicker he can discern the play, the faster he's able to act on it.

6. Ruthless - If he's ruthless, he's uncontainable. Unfortunately, no DE in the league has what it takes to be ruthless. There are DE's that have most of what it takes, but none of them are entirely ruthless.

Kearse has the explosiveness and pursuit abilities, but he's not very strong and often gets caught on easy plays.

Peppers has the intellect, pursuit, and power abilities but he can get outmaneuvered.

Freeney is in the same boat as Kearse but he has more power and intellect.

Yeagermeister · 05-27-2005

I agree with all the traits listed above and add that they have to be a little crazy in the head like Haley

AsthmaField · 05-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

I agree with all the traits listed above and add that they have to be a little crazy in the head like Haley

Yes, urinating on a teammate's car is always helpful.

speedkilz88 · 05-27-2005

1. Explosion, quickness off the snap to beat the OT to their outside shoulder.
2. Burst to the QB once they make it to the OTs outside shoulder.
3. Agility to redirect when the OT overcompensates to take away the outside charge.
4. Hand strength and placement to keep the OT from engulfing & overpowering them.
5. Lower body strength to stay home on running plays and for bull rushing.
6. Instincts/football smarts

czmtzc · 05-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

I agree with all the traits listed above and add that they have to be a little crazy in the head like Haley

But not too crazy, or you get Spellman and Underwood. Those guys were so crazy you could see it in their eyes when they were shown on TV.

Wolverine · 05-27-2005

Quote:

What does it take to make a good pass rushing DE?

NOT havin Mike Zimmer as DC.

AsthmaField · 05-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedkilz88

1. Explosion, quickness off the snap to beat the OT to their outside shoulder.
2. Burst to the QB once they make it to the OTs outside shoulder.
3. Agility to redirect when the OT overcompensates to take away the outside charge.
4. Hand strength and placement to keep the OT from engulfing & overpowering them.
5. Lower body strength to stay home on running plays and for bull rushing.
6. Instincts/football smarts

Good list.

I'd probably put your #6 at the top of the list though. Rushing the passer is IMO, just an innate quality that some people have and some don't. It's an understanding of leverage and angles. Some people just know how to do it.

Michael Strahan and Darren Howard are two examples of players who don't have great speed or first step explosion, but they still manage to put up great sack numbers. They just have a knack for it.