Which position is it hardest to find a guy that can stay on the field for "all three downs"?
We all know that Franchise QB's are rare; It's just hard to find them in the draft so let's leave them out. Also, pass rush only guys at DE or OLB don't count. However, every down DE's and OLB's do.
I listed out the positions that I think fit, but feel free to write in a position at the bottom of your ballot if you so choose.
I feel like it's hard to find a three down running back due to the pounding they take. Three down pass rusher would be my next choice.
Quote:I feel like it's hard to find a three down running back due to the pounding they take. Three down pass rusher would be my next choice.
It's an interesting question to me because what is involved with these players are rare abilities. Rushing the passer is just hard to do, we see it every week during the season and a true threat at RB is rare as well. But you
do see three down RB's that are capable, just maybe not game-breaking. And three-down DE's do exist, I mean Jeremy Mincey and Paul Spicer are proof of that, but they aren't going to change the game on you.
To me, to find a TE that is a threat to catch the ball
and be capable at blocking seems like it's the hardest. Especially now that colleges are cranking out these TE's that are almost exclusively pass catchers. And to think that New England had two of them at one time!
Wow an actual interesting thread, great topic OP. Im eager to hear some of the responses.
I voted DE because people who are dominant at that position are just freaks of nature. Theres only a select amount of people on this planet who are tall, strong, athletic, coordinated and flexible. There are many with some of these traits but to be a dominant 3 down player you need all of them.
I picked OLB. Just because going from run stuffer/formidable pass rusher to dropping in coverage is a pretty tall order. Obviously, finding an elite pass rusher is hardest, but I'm not sure finding a guy who you trust on 3 downs is hard, he just may not be elite. RBs, they are kinda expected to pick up blitzes and catch the ball as soon as they get to the NFL, they just may not be AP or MJD. TEs are weird because they can be 3 down players or not just based on the scheme. They may be good run blockers and mediocre receivers or vice versa, but not necessarily to the point where they have to come off the field. Just some thoughts. But good topic.
Quote:Wow an actual interesting thread, great topic OP. Im eager to hear some of the responses.
I voted DE because people who are dominant at that position are just freaks of nature. Theres only a select amount of people on this planet who are tall, strong, athletic, coordinated and flexible. There are many with some of these traits but to be a dominant 3 down player you need all of them.
You have good taste sir. At least, I hope you're a sir.
Anyway, the three down DE is probably the most desirable simply because pass rushers are just hard to find. But you do bring up a good point that it's rare to have one guy that can do everything that you need an edge-based Defensive Lineman to do.
It just seems to me that a Tight End who can be a threat to both phases can really alter a game in your favor. It just seems like it's rare to come across one who is even capable at both.
Quote:I picked OLB. Just because going from run stuffer/formidable pass rusher to dropping in coverage is a pretty tall order. Obviously, finding an elite pass rusher is hardest, but I'm not sure finding a guy who you trust on 3 downs is hard, he just may not be elite. RBs, they are kinda expected to pick up blitzes and catch the ball as soon as they get to the NFL, they just may not be AP or MJD. TEs are weird because they can be 3 down players or not just based on the scheme. They may be good run blockers and mediocre receivers or vice versa, but not necessarily to the point where they have to come off the field. Just some thoughts. But good topic.
You have good taste as well.
And the more I considered what a true 30 front OLB has to do, the more I come around to the idea that you have to be one heck of an athlete to be able to do all of that stuff at a high level. Granted, you probably have scheme in your favor a little, but if you are a guy that can do everything at OLB, you're quite the find.
I think this one is easy, there's way more DE's RBs and OLBS but how many Jimmy Grahams Antonio gates and julius thomas are there?
Quote:I think this one is easy, there's way more DE's RBs and OLBS but how many Jimmy Grahams Antonio gates and julius thomas are there?
Uh, three?
But those aren't really "three down" TE's though.
They are powerful weapons to be sure, but you rarely see Graham lined up tight to the formation so he's essentially useless as a blocker. It's been known for a while that Gates has no interest in having his hand on the ground, and I don't see Thomas as a threat there either.
It's not about who is more valuable, but how hard are they to find?