Allen Park — Designing an NFL defense has never been more difficult. There was a record 1,371 touchdowns last season, and the 11,952 points scored were the second-most in league history.
A combination of rules which favor the offense, schemes that spread the field, and more versatile and talented playmakers have made it a daunting task for defensive coordinators to draw up a weekly plan to keep opponents in check.
It's also increased the need for versatile athletes on defense — unique players who can hold their own against the run and are capable of matching up against a wide variety of receiving threats, including increasingly athletic tight ends, in man-to-man situations.