VOTE: Change the max DB limit on RR defensives from 4DB to 5 DB

[Steve-LA Chargers]

EXPLANATION: RR and RRD are essentially the same with the rules currently written. With the 4 DB restriction on RR, it will always require an extra 7th DL/LB beyond the current 6 DL/LB minimum player requirements for RR. This basically means every new RR play is really a RRD play miscategorized as RR. This can be fixed by simply allowing a maximum of 5 DBs instead of 4 DBs for RR plays. If we allow a 5th DB on RR plays like we allow on RM plays, RR plays will still be distinct from RM because RR require 7 Players (ANY) to have a RUN FOCUSED defense and RM require only 6 Players (ANY) to have a RUN FOCUSED defense.

For your reference, here are the current rules.

Run Razzle Dazzle
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-4LBs; 4DLs & 3LBs; 5DLs & 2LBs; 6DLs & 1LB; 7DLs & 0LBs.
 No more than 4DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 7 Players (ANY) must have a RUN FOCUSED defense.

Run Right
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-3LBs; 4DLs & 2LBs; 5DLs & 1LB; 6DLs & 0LBs
 No more than 4DBs allowed [VOTING YES WOULD CHANGE THIS TO 5DBs]
Other requirements:
 At least 7 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED defense

Run Middle
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-3LBs; 4DLs & 2LBs; 5DLs & 1LB; 6DLs & 0LBs
 No more than 5DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 6 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED. defense

[James-Eagles]

I don't think we should change it. I think RR is suppose to be a run focus defense. I understand we are pass happy league. That doesn't mean that a run focus defense doesn't have benefit.

[Dean-Atlanta]

If it is going to remain at 4 DBs, then maybe it should be re-worded as follows:

Run Right
Minimum player requirements: 3 DLs-4 LBs; 4 DLs & 3 LBs; 5 DLs & 2 LBs; 6 DLs & 1 LB; 7 DLs & 0 LBs
 No more than 4DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 7 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED defense

[Matt-Jacksonville]

I disagree with making it more than 4 DBs. IMHO, it's designed to be more or a short yardage or blitz package type play. I see no problem leaving it the way it is. BUT, do agree with Dean that we can clarify it with his wording.

[Steve-LA Chargers]

If it is going to remain at 4 DBs, then maybe it should be re-worded as follows:

Run Right
Minimum player requirements: 3 DLs-4 LBs; 4 DLs & 3 LBs; 5 DLs & 2 LBs; 6 DLs & 1 LB; 7 DLs & 0 LBs
 No more than 4DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 7 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED defense

But making this change makes it match the RRD rule 100%.

[Steve-LA Chargers]

I disagree with making it more than 4 DBs. IMHO, it's designed to be more or a short yardage or blitz package type play. I see no problem leaving it the way it is. BUT, do agree with Dean that we can clarify it with his wording.

That's not the point. The point is the rule as currently written is really making us make RRD plays as RR because the 11th player can only be a 7th DL/LB. Adding the extra DB is purely about giving us the flexibility to not only have a 7th DL/LB. The requirement to have 7 run focused defenders will ensure it still is designed to be short yardage focused.

[Steve-LA Chargers]

The ask here is to simply make RR distinct from RRD and RM by allowing the 11th player to be either a DB, LB or DL. The rule as currently written makes it so RR plays are really RRD plays.

The only alternative would be to make the change Dean suggested for RR but ALSO change RRD to require at least 8 Players (ANY) to have RUN FOCUSED defense. If you only make the change Dean suggested without also making this change to RRD, they become the same. But do you really want it so RRD plays only have 3 pass defenders just so you can keep RR as is?

[Dean-Atlanta]

If it is going to remain at 4 DBs, then maybe it should be re-worded as follows:

Run Right
Minimum player requirements: 3 DLs-4 LBs; 4 DLs & 3 LBs; 5 DLs & 2 LBs; 6 DLs & 1 LB; 7 DLs & 0 LBs
 No more than 4DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 7 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED defense

But making this change makes it match the RRD rule 100%.

It does, and raises questions about what these rules should say, and if there needs to be a difference between RRD and RR

[Dean-Atlanta]

The ask here is to simply make RR distinct from RRD and RM by allowing the 11th player to be either a DB, LB or DL. The rule as currently written makes it so RR plays are really RRD plays.

The only alternative would be to make the change Dean suggested for RR but ALSO change RRD to require at least 8 Players (ANY) to have RUN FOCUSED defense. If you only make the change Dean suggested without also making this change to RRD, they become the same. But do you really want it so RRD plays only have 3 pass defenders just so you can keep RR as is?

Overall, I prefer, and voted for, allowing 5 DBs on RR.

[Barney - Vikings]

I’m with you, Steve. It doesn’t make sense to have two separate categories that are exactly the same.