Description
Book SynopsisFrom 1953 to 1959, professional football's offensive and defensive tactics were in a transitional phase. As teams developed innovative strategies to attack the 5-2-4 defense, passing efficiency improved. In an attempt to counter this newfound passing success, the 4-3-4 defense evolved. This crucial shift in strategies is often overlooked in histories of the NFL, yet its impact on the game is still seen today. The Birth of Football's Modern 4-3 Defense: The Seven Seasons That Changed the NFL chronicles this key development in professional football. In this comprehensive review and analysis, T. J. Troup provides a year-by-year breakdown of these seven seasons. Each team has a separate entry for every season that includes: The coaching staffPlayer personnelAn analysis of the statsSummation of the team's seasonOutlook for the following seasonAs Troup compiled this detailed volume, he had unprecedented access to coaches and players from this era, as well as extensive game footage. Drawing u
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Foreword, Jennifer Allen Introduction: Digging up Dead Coaches 1953: Chicago Cardinals Green Bay Packers New York Giants Baltimore Colts Pittsburgh Steelers Chicago Bears Washington Redskins Los Angeles Rams Philadelphia Eagles San Francisco 49ers Cleveland Browns Detroit Lions 1954: Baltimore Colts Chicago Cardinals Green Bay Packers Washington Redskins Los Angeles Rams Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers New York Giants Chicago Bears Philadelphia Eagles Detroit Lions Cleveland Browns 1955: Detroit Lions Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Colts Chicago Cardinals Green Bay Packers New York Giants Chicago Bears Washington Redskins Los Angeles Rams Cleveland Browns 1956: Green Bay Packers Philadelphia Eagles Los Angeles Rams Pittsburgh Steelers Baltimore Colts Cleveland Browns San Francisco 49ers Washington Redskins Detroit Lions Joe Chicago Cardinals Chicago Bears New York Giants 1957: Chicago Cardinals Green Bay Packers Philadelphia Eagles Chicago Bears Washington Redskins Los Angeles Rams Pittsburgh Steelers Baltimore Colts New York Giants San Francisco 49ers Cleveland Browns Detroit Lions 1958: Chicago Cardinals Green Bay Packers Philadelphia Eagles Detroit Lions Washington Redskins San Francisco 49ers Pittsburgh Steelers Los Angeles Rams Cleveland Browns Chicago Bears New York Giants Baltimore Colts 1959: Chicago Cardinals Los Angeles Rams Washington Redskins Detroit Lions Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Philadelphia Eagles Green Bay Packers Cleveland Browns Chicago Bears New York Giants Baltimore Colts Bibliography Index About the Author
