RockyMountainOySker
All-Conference
The Evolution of Football on Defense
Published on June 2, 2010 by Brandon Cavanaugh · No Comments
By Chris Michener
http://www.hothuskers.com/huskerhype/
Yesterday we looked at the evolution of football playing heights and weights by position on the offensive side. Read the beginning of it if you need a refresher on how the graphs work. Today, I am going to be breaking down the five main defensive positions: DT, DE, CB, LB, and S. As you will see, they have all experienced changes over the past 50 years. Let’s start with Defensive Tackle.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to many, but DT has seen a tremendous increase in average weight since the Devaney era – more than 60 pounds, in fact. It has been a steady increase of more than 10 pounds per decade that finally seems to have leveled off. Mr. Dobson wants them to be freight trains while still fit, so I see the average weight staying the same over the next decade.
In terms of height, the DT has experienced more erratic changes. Over the first championship run, the average height increased sharply by a full two inches. This was followed by normal ups-and-downs until the next championship run in the 90s, where DTs became more than an inch shorter. The 1990s saw large transformations in the DT, from 6’4.5” 258 in 1990 to 6’3” 275 in 1999. They became shorter and bulkier. Notice that the Pelini era has seen the DT begin to resume the taller height and is back up to almost 6’4”.
Defensive ends have seen a similar yet not as drastic change as DTs in terms of weight. They were a steady 205 pounds for two decades until the 1980s, when a continual increase in weight began that continued up until a couple years ago. It could still be increasing and 2009-2010 were just down years, but I doubt it. Coach Pelini doesn’t like the DEs to be too big or else they lose their speed and rushing ability.
Height has actually been relatively stable over time. The average DE is now two inches taller than in 1962, but most of that growth occurred during the 1990s. Today’s DE sits at a cool 6’3.5” 250.
Cornerback is next. The only position that has never had an average weight of 195 pounds, CB is currently making a run at it. Weight has steadily been increasing since the mid-90s, partly to counteract WRs increasing in size over the same time period (again, see the offense article). CB is also one of the few positions that did not see a steady increase in weight gain for 30+ years. In fact, Barron Miles and crew in the early 90s actually weighed 10 pounds less than their 1960s counterparts. Height also decreased over the first 30 years, but like weight, has been increasing sharply since then.
This is a position that I am very anxious to see evolve in the future. Will WRs and CBs continue to increase in size? Or have they hit the peak?
Now we look at linebackers. This position has actually seen relatively few changes since the ‘60s. They weigh about 20 pounds more and have seen their ups and downs (notice the peak in 2007 in Cosgrove’s final season – he loved his chubby LBs), but overall nothing drastic. Weight has actually started to drop once again. Our new philosophy is having LBs that are quicker and capable of covering more ground.
Height saw an initial increase through the 60s and 70s but has stayed fairly constant since then.
The last position we will analyze is safety. In terms of weight, safeties have been seeing an increase over the last 4-6 years. We all know Bo likes those heavy hitters that are capable of bringing some serious pain. The average safety at Nebraska actually weighs 10-15 pounds more than some of our feared defenses in the early 90s.Another interesting note is the spike in weight in the mid to late 80s. It is fairly significant, but I’m too young to be able to explain it. If anyone might know, feel free to comment.
At first glance, the height of the safety may seem very volatile and jumpy. However, look at the scale – since the Devaney era, the average height has never wavered by more than one inch. So it has actually been extremely constant throughout near 6’0”.
Wrapping up this series (sorry, I did not analyze kickers and punters) I think it’s so very interesting to look at the trends through time and try to predict where they will be in the future. Weight has been increasing in almost all positions but seems to be nearing its limit. Height has also been increasing. I promise I will update this article in 2015 so we can look back and analyze the changes then.
Published on June 2, 2010 by Brandon Cavanaugh · No Comments
By Chris Michener
http://www.hothuskers.com/huskerhype/
Yesterday we looked at the evolution of football playing heights and weights by position on the offensive side. Read the beginning of it if you need a refresher on how the graphs work. Today, I am going to be breaking down the five main defensive positions: DT, DE, CB, LB, and S. As you will see, they have all experienced changes over the past 50 years. Let’s start with Defensive Tackle.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to many, but DT has seen a tremendous increase in average weight since the Devaney era – more than 60 pounds, in fact. It has been a steady increase of more than 10 pounds per decade that finally seems to have leveled off. Mr. Dobson wants them to be freight trains while still fit, so I see the average weight staying the same over the next decade.
In terms of height, the DT has experienced more erratic changes. Over the first championship run, the average height increased sharply by a full two inches. This was followed by normal ups-and-downs until the next championship run in the 90s, where DTs became more than an inch shorter. The 1990s saw large transformations in the DT, from 6’4.5” 258 in 1990 to 6’3” 275 in 1999. They became shorter and bulkier. Notice that the Pelini era has seen the DT begin to resume the taller height and is back up to almost 6’4”.
Defensive ends have seen a similar yet not as drastic change as DTs in terms of weight. They were a steady 205 pounds for two decades until the 1980s, when a continual increase in weight began that continued up until a couple years ago. It could still be increasing and 2009-2010 were just down years, but I doubt it. Coach Pelini doesn’t like the DEs to be too big or else they lose their speed and rushing ability.
Height has actually been relatively stable over time. The average DE is now two inches taller than in 1962, but most of that growth occurred during the 1990s. Today’s DE sits at a cool 6’3.5” 250.
Cornerback is next. The only position that has never had an average weight of 195 pounds, CB is currently making a run at it. Weight has steadily been increasing since the mid-90s, partly to counteract WRs increasing in size over the same time period (again, see the offense article). CB is also one of the few positions that did not see a steady increase in weight gain for 30+ years. In fact, Barron Miles and crew in the early 90s actually weighed 10 pounds less than their 1960s counterparts. Height also decreased over the first 30 years, but like weight, has been increasing sharply since then.
This is a position that I am very anxious to see evolve in the future. Will WRs and CBs continue to increase in size? Or have they hit the peak?
Now we look at linebackers. This position has actually seen relatively few changes since the ‘60s. They weigh about 20 pounds more and have seen their ups and downs (notice the peak in 2007 in Cosgrove’s final season – he loved his chubby LBs), but overall nothing drastic. Weight has actually started to drop once again. Our new philosophy is having LBs that are quicker and capable of covering more ground.
Height saw an initial increase through the 60s and 70s but has stayed fairly constant since then.
The last position we will analyze is safety. In terms of weight, safeties have been seeing an increase over the last 4-6 years. We all know Bo likes those heavy hitters that are capable of bringing some serious pain. The average safety at Nebraska actually weighs 10-15 pounds more than some of our feared defenses in the early 90s.Another interesting note is the spike in weight in the mid to late 80s. It is fairly significant, but I’m too young to be able to explain it. If anyone might know, feel free to comment.
At first glance, the height of the safety may seem very volatile and jumpy. However, look at the scale – since the Devaney era, the average height has never wavered by more than one inch. So it has actually been extremely constant throughout near 6’0”.
Wrapping up this series (sorry, I did not analyze kickers and punters) I think it’s so very interesting to look at the trends through time and try to predict where they will be in the future. Weight has been increasing in almost all positions but seems to be nearing its limit. Height has also been increasing. I promise I will update this article in 2015 so we can look back and analyze the changes then.
Last edited by a moderator:
