In the first of a three-part series, we take a look at the second most common defensive scheme in the NFL today.
Two constants in professional football are change and adaptation. Exotic blitz packages and base defenses run out of the nickel now serve as the norm while, decades ago, were never even a glimmer in the eyes of defensive coordinators across the league.
Back in the 1930’s, it was common practice to stack the defensive line with as many as seven linemen. At that time, professional football was still in it’s infancy, and most teams simply ran the ball down their opponent's throat.