We're trying to improve Conversations.
Please take a brief survey and help us out.

In Defense Of The Prevent

By David Fleming

Friday, January 16, 2009

John Madden once famously quipped that "the only thing the prevent defense does is prevent you from winning." But it's high time commentators, fans and even players showed some love for this much-maligned scheme. It works—and we can prove it. If a team is ahead by more than a field goal but fewer than seven and the clock is winding down, the only thing that can kill them is a big play for a quick score. Well, big plays are usually as much a product of a huge defensive mistake as offens ...

Read full story | Create Your Profile

Activate your ESPN Profile!

Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted

Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.


Conversations in Real-Time

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

ESPN Fantasy Salary Cap
Create your own fantasy game day living room and win BIG!
Heisman Vote 2009
Vote for the next Heisman winner and enter for a chance to win a trip to the awards show. Mor
Engineered to Win Challenge
Test your football smarts by playing NFL trivia and enter each week for a chance to win a 2010 GMC Sierra.