Offense is proactive in nature and defense reactive in nature, but it takes the whole team to win the game.

I’ve been a defensive coach my whole career and am a bit jealous of the offense for several reasons.

The first is how the rules and rule changes are designed for basically two reasons as the game of professional football evolves.

The number one reason is for the safety of the players.

Another reason is to insure the scoring average of the game either increases or maintains because most fans enjoy a higher scoring game than a defensive masterpiece. This of course gives the offense the advantage.

The second reason is that the offense dictates the defense by what personnel they decide to put on the field. Defensive tactics usually, but not always, react to what the offense puts on the field. The offensive play caller can go from play to play as quickly and effectively as he wishes and dictate the action.

An offensive coordinator who calls plays may have a game day call sheet of 100 plays. If it weren’t for down and distance and field position, close his eyes and point to his chart and make a call. There is a tremendous amount of time and study that goes into the call list. It is based on what is anticipated of the defense by endlessly studying video of the opponent.

My main point is the offense is proactive in nature and the defense reactive in nature.

That is why I, as a defensive play caller, always liked an aggressive, pressure-oriented scheme because I always felt it could give the defense the feeling they were the one dictating the action.

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