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Seymour's versatility makes him special
By Todd McShay
Rarely can a fan sit through an entire NFL broadcast without hearing the terms "one-gap" and "two-gap" in regards to defensive linemen. While teams have been using different defensive line techniques for ages, it seems in the past few seasons it has become en vogue to discuss the difference in roles of interior defensive linemen (defensive tackles, nose tackles and 3-4 defensive ends) in a one-gap scheme vs. that of a two-gap scheme.
The best way to differentiate the two responsibilities – regardless of whether it is a 4-3 front or 3-4 alignment – is penetration (one-gap) vs. protection (two-gap).
In a one-gap scheme, the interior defensive lineman's job is to get upfield and disrupt. A defensive lineman in this scheme will often surrender size for explosiveness and athletic ability. As a result, he must win with anticipation, first-step quickness and speed. Otherwise, bigger offensive linemen are typically able to get into his pads, stand him up and control him at the line of scrimmage.
The perfect example is John Randle. Early in his career he was an effective every-down player, because he had the stamina and "motor" to consistently beat the opposing offensive lineman off the snap of the ball, allowing him to wreak havoc in the backfield. However, as Randle got older and started to slow down, he had to start taking plays off to ensure he had fresh legs when he was on the field.
In a two-gap scheme, the interior defensive lineman's job is pretty much just the opposite. A two-gap technique makes the lineman responsible for clogging up two gaps at the line of scrimmage. Instead of working to get up the field in order to disrupt, the two-gap player's role is to control blockers and close up running lanes.
These types typically substitute speed and athletic ability for size and strength. Their production won't show up in the stat sheet, but their role is invaluable. If they are able to consistently complete their assignments, opposing offenses will not only struggle to run the football inside, but they also will find it extremely difficult to get blockers out on linebackers and safeties because of the log-jam these behemoths create in the trenches.
While 3-4 schemes typically are associated with two-gap responsibility, the two are not mutually exclusive. The Ravens use mostly one-gap techniques with a three-man starting defensive line – NT Kelly Gregg and DEs Marques Douglas and Anthony Weaver – that averages just over 290 pounds. On the other hand, while the majority of defenses that use a four-man front will employ a one-gap technique, there are still a handful of units – such as the Dolphins, with DTs Tim Bowens and Larry Chester – that use a two-gap technique in order to protect undersized MLB Zach Thomas.
When breaking down the best defensive tackles and defensive ends in the NFL, schemes and alignment are very rarely taken into account. So, with that in mind, here is a breakdown of the five best one-gap interior defensive linemen, followed by the best five two-gap interior defensive linemen:
NFL's best one-gap interior defensive linemen
Kris Jenkins, DT, Carolina Panthers
Jenkins anchors the NFL's best defensive line and has emerged as a premier interior defensive lineman. While Jenkins is a solid interior pass rusher, he is at his best in run support, using his initial quickness, power and athletic ability to get up the field and disrupt plays in the backfield in a one-gap scheme.
La'Roi Glover, DT, Dallas Cowboys
Glover continues to be one of the league's best all-around defensive tackles. At 285 pounds, Glover will get pushed around from time to time if he is unable to win the initial quickness battle. However, he is one of the most difficult defensive tackles in the NFL to get a body on. Glover has excellent anticipation and shows explosive burst through the line of scrimmage. His awareness, quickness and athletic ability allow him to make lots of plays in the backfield, as a pass rusher and run-stopper. Glover is the ideal fit in defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's attacking scheme.
Anthony McFarland, NT/DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McFarland's versatility was tested when former teammate Warren Sapp missed significant time due to injuries. It will be taken to a new level in 2004, as the Bucs are relying on McFarland to make nearly a fulltime move from nose tackle to the "under" tackle role in the 4-3 scheme. As a three-technique at the "under" tackle position, McFarland, who has become accustomed to lining head-up over the center, will move outside to the gap between the guard and tackle. McFarland has always had a terrific blend of size, quickness, power and speed. As the nose tackle, he had to play a much more disciplined role inside, but now he'll be freed up to penetrate and chase from sideline-to-sideline. McFarland has the natural skills to become even more of an impact player in Sapp's former role, but with so many question marks at the vacated nose tackle position, McFarland will get more attention than Sapp did a lot of the time.
Corey Simon, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Simon is a prototypical one-gap penetrating defensive tackle who excels at getting upfield and wreaking havoc. He appears to have overcome some durability issues that slowed him early in his career. He also has become much more adept at playing with leverage and preventing opposing offensive linemen from getting into his body and engulfing him at the point of attack. Simon has rare initial quickness and shows excellent burst through the line of scrimmage. His array of pass-rushing moves has improved greatly over the past two seasons, and his motor has also gotten better. Simon is an ideal fit in coordinator Jim Johnson's attacking scheme, which emphasizes speed and athleticism. With Jevon Kearse drawing attention away from him on the outside, Simon, who went to his first Pro Bowl last season, could have a career-year in 2004.
Warren Sapp, DT/DE, Oakland Raiders
At the age of 31, Sapp's skills have eroded. When his legs aren't fresh, he's not nearly as effective, because he lacks the size and lower-body strength to get off blocks on a consistent enough basis. He also no longer has a great motor. However, when Sapp is rested and giving a good effort, he remains one of the premier interior penetrators in the NFL. His anticipation, initial quickness and closing burst to the quarterback can be overwhelming. Sapp may struggle to adjust to a new role in the Raiders' hybrid 4-3/3-4 scheme this season, but coordinator Rob Ryan's intentions are wise, as he will look to use Sapp in 20 to 25 plays per game. Ryan will move Sapp around from time to time in order to give him mismatches to work against. If he adjusts quickly, Sapp could once again be among the league leaders in sacks.
By Todd McShay
Rarely can a fan sit through an entire NFL broadcast without hearing the terms "one-gap" and "two-gap" in regards to defensive linemen. While teams have been using different defensive line techniques for ages, it seems in the past few seasons it has become en vogue to discuss the difference in roles of interior defensive linemen (defensive tackles, nose tackles and 3-4 defensive ends) in a one-gap scheme vs. that of a two-gap scheme.
The best way to differentiate the two responsibilities – regardless of whether it is a 4-3 front or 3-4 alignment – is penetration (one-gap) vs. protection (two-gap).
In a one-gap scheme, the interior defensive lineman's job is to get upfield and disrupt. A defensive lineman in this scheme will often surrender size for explosiveness and athletic ability. As a result, he must win with anticipation, first-step quickness and speed. Otherwise, bigger offensive linemen are typically able to get into his pads, stand him up and control him at the line of scrimmage.
The perfect example is John Randle. Early in his career he was an effective every-down player, because he had the stamina and "motor" to consistently beat the opposing offensive lineman off the snap of the ball, allowing him to wreak havoc in the backfield. However, as Randle got older and started to slow down, he had to start taking plays off to ensure he had fresh legs when he was on the field.
In a two-gap scheme, the interior defensive lineman's job is pretty much just the opposite. A two-gap technique makes the lineman responsible for clogging up two gaps at the line of scrimmage. Instead of working to get up the field in order to disrupt, the two-gap player's role is to control blockers and close up running lanes.
These types typically substitute speed and athletic ability for size and strength. Their production won't show up in the stat sheet, but their role is invaluable. If they are able to consistently complete their assignments, opposing offenses will not only struggle to run the football inside, but they also will find it extremely difficult to get blockers out on linebackers and safeties because of the log-jam these behemoths create in the trenches.
While 3-4 schemes typically are associated with two-gap responsibility, the two are not mutually exclusive. The Ravens use mostly one-gap techniques with a three-man starting defensive line – NT Kelly Gregg and DEs Marques Douglas and Anthony Weaver – that averages just over 290 pounds. On the other hand, while the majority of defenses that use a four-man front will employ a one-gap technique, there are still a handful of units – such as the Dolphins, with DTs Tim Bowens and Larry Chester – that use a two-gap technique in order to protect undersized MLB Zach Thomas.
When breaking down the best defensive tackles and defensive ends in the NFL, schemes and alignment are very rarely taken into account. So, with that in mind, here is a breakdown of the five best one-gap interior defensive linemen, followed by the best five two-gap interior defensive linemen:
NFL's best one-gap interior defensive linemen
Kris Jenkins, DT, Carolina Panthers
Jenkins anchors the NFL's best defensive line and has emerged as a premier interior defensive lineman. While Jenkins is a solid interior pass rusher, he is at his best in run support, using his initial quickness, power and athletic ability to get up the field and disrupt plays in the backfield in a one-gap scheme.
La'Roi Glover, DT, Dallas Cowboys
Glover continues to be one of the league's best all-around defensive tackles. At 285 pounds, Glover will get pushed around from time to time if he is unable to win the initial quickness battle. However, he is one of the most difficult defensive tackles in the NFL to get a body on. Glover has excellent anticipation and shows explosive burst through the line of scrimmage. His awareness, quickness and athletic ability allow him to make lots of plays in the backfield, as a pass rusher and run-stopper. Glover is the ideal fit in defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's attacking scheme.
Anthony McFarland, NT/DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McFarland's versatility was tested when former teammate Warren Sapp missed significant time due to injuries. It will be taken to a new level in 2004, as the Bucs are relying on McFarland to make nearly a fulltime move from nose tackle to the "under" tackle role in the 4-3 scheme. As a three-technique at the "under" tackle position, McFarland, who has become accustomed to lining head-up over the center, will move outside to the gap between the guard and tackle. McFarland has always had a terrific blend of size, quickness, power and speed. As the nose tackle, he had to play a much more disciplined role inside, but now he'll be freed up to penetrate and chase from sideline-to-sideline. McFarland has the natural skills to become even more of an impact player in Sapp's former role, but with so many question marks at the vacated nose tackle position, McFarland will get more attention than Sapp did a lot of the time.
Corey Simon, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Simon is a prototypical one-gap penetrating defensive tackle who excels at getting upfield and wreaking havoc. He appears to have overcome some durability issues that slowed him early in his career. He also has become much more adept at playing with leverage and preventing opposing offensive linemen from getting into his body and engulfing him at the point of attack. Simon has rare initial quickness and shows excellent burst through the line of scrimmage. His array of pass-rushing moves has improved greatly over the past two seasons, and his motor has also gotten better. Simon is an ideal fit in coordinator Jim Johnson's attacking scheme, which emphasizes speed and athleticism. With Jevon Kearse drawing attention away from him on the outside, Simon, who went to his first Pro Bowl last season, could have a career-year in 2004.
Warren Sapp, DT/DE, Oakland Raiders
At the age of 31, Sapp's skills have eroded. When his legs aren't fresh, he's not nearly as effective, because he lacks the size and lower-body strength to get off blocks on a consistent enough basis. He also no longer has a great motor. However, when Sapp is rested and giving a good effort, he remains one of the premier interior penetrators in the NFL. His anticipation, initial quickness and closing burst to the quarterback can be overwhelming. Sapp may struggle to adjust to a new role in the Raiders' hybrid 4-3/3-4 scheme this season, but coordinator Rob Ryan's intentions are wise, as he will look to use Sapp in 20 to 25 plays per game. Ryan will move Sapp around from time to time in order to give him mismatches to work against. If he adjusts quickly, Sapp could once again be among the league leaders in sacks.
