In all of my leagues, I am struggling with defending the run. I've got good defensive personnel in a couple of those leagues, so I am guessing that the issue is game planning.
When it comes to, say, LBs, what is the best assignment for defending the run? My thinking is that they kind of stack up like this:
1) Zone - Even though it's a pass defense, my thinking is that the defender is facing the line of scrimmage (mostly) so would be in a good position to react if the play is a run.
2) Blitz - My thinking is that since the defender is rushing, he might be in really good position to make a play...or he might run right by it going towards the QB.
3) Man - Supposedly the most effective pass defense if you've got the personnel for it...but I would think it would be awful against the run because the defender has his back to the line of scrimmage (mostly) as they follow their receiver around the field.
Also, what about Pass-Neutral-Run key? A friend of mine showed me some stats (although based on a small sample size, for sure) that suggested Run key is not helpful, and may actually be less effective than Neutral key.
I don't know. I'm feeling frustrated.
Any thoughts on the above or anything else you have to say about Run Defense is appreciated.