One of the biggest keys to success in a 3-4 defense, if not THE KEY, is the Nose Guard, or NG. The strength of the 3-4 defense has to be in the middle of the defense, at middle linebacker (Mike) and the Nose Guard position, but because the NG is on the front line of the defense, he is the most important player of the two manning the middle. The NG is expectged to control an A gap or both A gaps, the gaps between the Center and both Guards on the offensive line; if he is effective, he will require a double-team block on all plays, and keep two offensive linemen occupied and off of the linebackers playing behind him, so they can pursue to the ball and make plays. If he is a true phenom at the position, he will require two blockers, and be able to split them occasionally and get into the backfield and make plays. Playing NG takes a special type of player, mentally and physically, because he has to know that his job first and foremost is to keep the opposing offensive linemen off this linebackers so they can make plays, so he has to be willing to let someone else get the glory. He has to know that if he does his job well, most of the attention will be focused on the players behind him, and he won't receive much of the glory; the appreciation for a job well done will come from his teammates and opposing coaches, not necessarily from the peons who make up the sports media. He also has to be willing to take the physical pounding of constantly taking on two linemen at a time, so he has to have great strength to be able ot stand up to two players and hold leverage, and he has to be able ot play with pain. Nose Guards who can both play well and be difference-makers at their position are truly rare; two good examples in the NFL are Ty Warren of the New England Patriots (who switched between DE and NG during his time at A&M, and now plays DE for New England), and Casey Hampton of the Pittsburgh Steelers (who mostly played NT in texas 4-3 defense in college).

So, who are the candidates at NG for the Aggies this Spring?

Eddie Brown, Jr, 6'0, 288 lbs

Brown had offseason surgery on his shoulder, so I don't expect to see anything from him during Spring Practice, but he should be in the mix at the position during two-a-days. Brown played NT in the Aggies' multiple odd-front scheme under Joe Kines the last few seasons, so he's used to taking on double-teams, and should be ideal for the position. He had 33 tackles last season, 7 TFL, and 4 sacks, so he's used to making a difference in the middle.

Tony Jerod-Eddie, Jr, 6'5, 300 lbs

Eddie started 5 games at NT last season, so like Brown, he has the experience taking on double-teams, and he has the size for the position. Eddie had 23 tackles, 2 TFL, and 1 sack in limited action last season, so he has the ability to make plays when given the opportunity. I'm just not sure he has come close to scratching his potential as a player yet.

Lucas Patterson, Sr, 6'4, 303 lbs

I'm not a huge fan of Patterson, because I rarely see him make plays when I think he should, and I think he struggles to keep leverage in the interior, but he does have the size for the position. I think  Patterson is a better candidate for DE, but I thought I'd throw his name out there.

Rod Davis, So, 6'1, 300 lbs

Davis came in as a much hyped recruit, and I am still waiting to see anything at all from him. He has the size and ability to be a difference-maker, especially on the interior, but he needs to decide he wants to play football more than he wants to be a football player. I am hoping Terrell Williams, our new defensive line coach, can motivate Davis and get him to be a productive ;player on our defensive line, and begin to realize his potential.

Adren Dorsey, So, 6'2, 305 lbs

Dorsey may be better suited to strongside DE, but he has the size to play NG, and I think he may be in the mix for the position. Dorsey is another player who I think will excel under Terrell Williams, but we'll have to wait and see with him. Dorsey wasn't very productive at DT for us last season, but he was limited in his playing time, too. I am hoping a change in position and a change in leadership will help him begin to excel.

Well, there you have it; 5 candidates who might possibly be able to fill the most important position on our defensive line, and the most integral position on our 3-4 defense, period. I expect Jerod-Eddie to get a good look this Spring, and am hopeful Davis can push for playing time, but I think Eddie Brown will be our starter at NG when we take the field against Stephen F. Austin on September 4.