Michael Strahan - the 255 lb. 4-3 defensive end example

[nicfre2011]

Hey guys...Chiefs fan here...

I was thinking of how when people are looking at NFL draft prospects there seems to be a line where a college defensive end that weighs around 255 to 260 lbs. seems to be automatically tabbed as a "tweener"...too light-weight to ever be a starting-caliber 4-3 defensive end and then the questions come up about whether the prospect can "transition" to playing 3-4 outside linebacker.

As I was thinking about this, I happened to remember seeing on the NFL.com website that Michael Strahan was 6'-5", 255 lbs. I don't know how accurate this is and if he actually played at a much heavier weight, but it got me thinking - how could Michael Strahan make such an impact as a 4-3 pass rushing defensive end when he was straddling the line of being a 3-4 pass rushing outside linebacker.

And if Strahan played 4-3 defensive end at around 255 lbs. during his career, what allowed him to do so and make such an impact as a pass rusher? I also don't seem to hear much talk about him ever being a liability in run defense, which is another question mark that invariably gets attached to any college defensive end that is physically comparable to Strahan.

So what characteristics jump out at you that Strahan possessed (both physically and technically, along with any schematic benefits) that allowed him to make an impact, and what college prospects do you think come closest to possessing some of those characteristics?

In this day and age of players being bigger and more athletic (like offensive tackles), are the days of a starting 4-3 defensive end weighing in around 255 lbs. over?
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Trent Baalke for 2013 NFL executive of the year.

[Onyxmeth]

I'm pretty sure 255lbs is a mistake. He always looked bigger than that and every source other than NFL.com has him listed at 275lbs, which seems closer to the truth.
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[jintsrule]

if i remember right when they drafted him in 92,he was like 260?

[mwarn79]

He was drafted at 260lbs. He is massively strong, and through the years he bulked up to, at one point, 275lbs. When he came to see Osi being a 260lbs pass-rusher, he slimmed down to 255lbs. All while he maintained his muscle mass. There are many teams that look for pass-rushers that are smaller in weight, cause many times they are faster. Scouts and GM's have those players where they want them. With saying this you can't go about having a 230lbs DE, but you can try to make him a linebacker. Or if you run a 3-4 Defense, you can make him a rush linebacker. When it comes to Strahan, he was at first thought of being a linebacker, but they kept him at End... I think maybe it paid off to keep him there... I don't know

[NYGiantsman10]

You're reading it right. In the last few years of his career, Strahan felt that he would be able to play at a lighter weight to take stress off of his joints and still play effectively. He compensated for his lack of bulk with his strength and superior technique. Stray once said that he felt that dropping the weight allowed him to extend his career. So, you can do it, it just helps to have Hall of Fame technique

[IR0NM1KE]

Even when he was trimmed down, he was still racked. Plus, as NYGiantsman10 said, it doesn't hurt to have a HOF skill set either.

[NYGiantsman10]

[bballbkd1001]

[w4rrior723]

God I miss watching this man play. His talent and general enthusiasm were such a pleasure.
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[bulger2holt]

I watched the NFL network special on him last night. Damn, what a beast. What a combination of power and speed. I am hoping Robert Quinn can be a similar player as him. I was trying to compare their height / weight

Quinn - 6'4 264
Strahan 6'5 270

[NYGiantsman10]

[bballbkd1001]

[bulger2holt]

[Acgott]

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