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Originally Posted by Utter
How many of the 7 players can pass rush without it being called a blitz? Is it just the guys on the line?
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Technically, any player rushing the passer without a hand on the ground (ie. on the line) is a blitzer, be they LB or DB.
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Originally Posted by Utter
Are the seven players given instructions on when to rush and when to stay on run defense, or are they given free rein to read the offense and react accordingly?
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Strategies vary, but for the most part, the defense has little room to ad lib. Yes, they can pre-snap and even post-snap read and react to some degree (actually, the Tampa-2 D is built on this notion), but typically, each defender has specific gap and/or man assignments on each snap.
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Can you tell me if there is a relationship between teams that have a good pass rush and teams that are good at stopping the run? Is the success of the defense often based upon their ability to recognize a run or pass play and adjust accordingly?
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Well, that depends on the talents of the defenders and the scheme involved. Even the basic formation makes a difference.....a 4-3 is typically for pass rushing while the 3-4, in theory, is superior in run stopping. However, talent on the field and the coaching booth trumps everything. For example, last season the top 2 pass rushing teams and 3 of the top 5 were 3-4 teams. In theory, it shouldn't be that way, but teams like San Diego and Baltimore just have so much talent in their front 7 they can maintain a 3-4 alignment to stop the run and set the world on fire with their pass rush. However, 5 of the top pass rush teams are not in the top 10 for run stopping.