The Birth of Football's Modern 4-3 Defense: The Seven Seasons That Changed the NFL

(Paperback)

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From 1953 to 1959, professional footballs 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 Footballs 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 staff Player personnel An analysis of the stats Summation of the teams season Outlook for the following season As Troup compiled this detailed volume, he had unprecedented access to coaches and players from this era, as well as extensive game footage. Drawing upon these resources, Troup scrutinized each teams success or failure and re-created the key game of the season for each teambringing the action, intensity, and importance of the game to life. Including an exclusive interview with Joe Schmidt of the Detroit Lions, this book will entertain and inform all fans and historians of professional football, especially those interested in the early development of the modern defense.

Author Bio

T. J. Troup is one of the foremost historians of professional football. He has written articles for American Football Coaches Monthly and was the football coordinator/consultant to George Clooney for the film Leatherheads. Troup is the author of This Day in Football (Taylor Trade, 2009).