The ins and outs of defense

Football Digest, Nov, 2005

THERE'S AN OLD SAYING THAT defense wins championships. With that in mind, we have a special section this issue--"Defense Rules"--that is devoted to the men whose job it is to stop ball carriers.

The section kicks off with a story on the 3-4 defense, which is back in fashion again thanks to the success of teams like the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. Numerous teams now are using the 3-4 as their base defense, so it definitely constitutes a trend.

Remember the 46 defense that the Chicago Bears used to win their Super Bowl 20 title? Well, that scheme is back, too. The Baltimore Ravens have dusted it off and are using it this season. The Ravens have turned to it mainly because they think it will give middle linebacker Ray Lewis more of a chance to roam the field and do his thing.

The man overseeing the scheme in Baltimore is Rex Ryan. The name may ring a bell. Rex's father, Buddy Ryan, was the original architect of the 46 with the Bears. It will be interesting to see if the Ravens wind up getting the same types of results from the 46 that the Bears did.

Our special section winds up with a look at defensive ends--and not just the ones who rush the passer with a vengeance. We're more interested in highlighting the well-rounded ends--players like Michael Strahan, Julius Peppers, and Simeon Rice. These guys excel in all aspects of the game, especially when it comes to stopping the run.

But there's more to this issue than defense, as you can tell from the cover, which features Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. We have an in-depth interview with Manning in which he talks about how much preparation goes into being an MVP quarterback. Manning is renowned for his work ethic, and in this interview he sheds Some light on how he goes about his business. It's a fascinating read.

As an offbeat feature, we also take a look at the greatest football movies ever. There have been a lot of them, from The Longest Yard to Semi-Tough. After you read this story, you may want to run out to your local video store and rent a bunch of these movies. They promise to entertain.

Speaking of entertaining, how about the NFL players who deliver the hardest hits? We have them covered, too, in a feature story. In addition to keying in on the usual suspects--safeties like Rodney Harrison and John Lynch--we look at some players who might not be immediately associated with bruising hits. One such player is Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who is so big and strong that he tends to punish defensive players who try to bring him down.

With football season now in full swing, there is no shortage of things for us to cover. It's an exciting time of year, especially when it comes to watching the warriors on defense. Remember, defense is what wins championship.