When did the term “EDGE” come about?

[Prison Bitch]

I’ve watched football prob 35 years. I’ve never once heard this term until maybe a year ago, or maybe it was this year. Or maybe it’s always been used and it was the sole football term I was oblivious to. Used to be DE or OLB.

So I ask: when did this come into vogue and why? Or it’s annoying twin sister “setting the edge”

[Pitt Gorilla]

You should probably google "edging" to see what you can find.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I was an edge rusher in MS and (early) in HS. It's been around a LONG time.

No, you were an outside LB, 3rd string

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

No, you were an outside LB, 3rd string

Whatever makes you feel better.

[jjchieffan]

I get what everyone is saying. It seems that there has been a transition from a descriptive term to a position. But when did they start doing it in the draft process? I see a lot of players designated as EDGE this year. I don't remember Dee Ford being listed as EDGE. He was OLB I believe. So the change there has been in the past 5 years.

[Prison Bitch]

Oh for sure it’s recent. That’s why 60% of the poll here say the same: within last 5

[Clyde Frog]

1991-1992 ish

[Hoover]

Huh? I've been rocking for years!

[unlurking]

Article from 2000...

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...106-story.html

In NFL vernacular, Kansas City Chiefs star Derrick Thomas played the position of "edge" rusher, gifted with the speed to sack the quarterback from the outside of a formation. He also lived life on the edge, in the fast lane where caution and fear are ignored.

So at least 18 years. You doofus.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I feel like I never heard it as a position designation until about three years ago. It seemed to me initially like it was just an alternate way of referring to a 3-4 OLB, and then it started bleeding to refer to a 4-3 OLB. I think it's a response to teams blurring formations.

This is true, but DEs and OLBs have been referred to as edge rushers for a long time. It just seems to be becoming a more official designation.

And setting the edge is a very old saying.

[RealSNR]

The NFL is only doing this in a last ditch attempt to boost ratings. The league is in its death throes, and "EDGE" is its final cry for help.

At least that's what you keep telling me.

[Chris Meck]

slightly off topic-
I've always disliked the term, because it's a 'blanket' term that is used for very different players as though they're interchangeable.
For example; Neil Smith and Derrick Thomas would both be "EDGE" players to some people. Though one was clearly a DE and one more of a OLB type.

In this draft, Rashan Gary and Josh Allen are 'EDGE' players. Though they're very, very different players. Yet we'll label receivers as 'slot' guys, or 'Free safety' or 'Strong safety' based on slight differences in skillsets.

Anyway, carry on.

[ChiefsFanatic]

Originally Posted by staylor26

It’s a way of lumping 4-3 DE’s and 3-4 OLB’s together.

And yes it’s been around for a long time.

This feels weird to say, because we haven't always agreed (in my limited time active since the Mahomes draft pick) but you are right.

I don't remember exactly when I first heard the term, but I am pretty sure it was at least a few years ago during an ESPN or NFL Network studio show, and they were discussing linebackers playing DE specifically on passing downs, and that their size, speed, and quickness gave them an advantage off the edge, but a 4-3 DE who could have success rushing from the edge, and could stunt and be successful inside stopping the run, or being able to create pressure on the inside as well, was more valuable.

I remember thinking that DT seemed to play DE maybe as much as he played LB, at least during the second half of his career (I'm probably wrong about that because maybe it just seemed that way due to his sack numbers) and I remembered thinking that in the AFC Championship game in Buffalo he was taken completely out of the game because he couldn't get to Kelly, and couldn't stop Thurman Thomas.

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[Jewish Rabbi]

[Demonpenz]

set the edge to make the RB cut back where you got help. I have heard Edge rushers since Super Temco bowl

[Chris Meck]

"setting the edge" probably goes back to the dawn of football in the leather helmet days.

Calling OLB'ers and DE's "Edge Rushers" as a position group is much more recent.