Anytime you see a football team mount a lengthy drive, a commentator will praise it by saying this will tire out the other team’s defense. I’ve always wondered why the defense is assumed to tire out faster than the offense. You’ll never hear a commentator say “the offense was out too long”. Is defense inherently more tiring than offense, or is this just another meaningless cliche?
Defensive linemen and linebackers are on the attack at all times - they have to push and pressure and run and try to overpower the offensive line, who essentially has to stand there (with some shifting, granted) and form a wall against the attacking defenders (a mixed metaphor, but that’s football for you).
I always assumed (because of personal experience on the field as both an offensive and defensive lineman in the past) that they mean the front 7 on defense are tiring out, because I’ve felt it personally. The corners/safeties have to do the same amount of running as the people they are covering (and maybe less depending on formations) so they’re saying that the bigger guys up front are running out of steam trying to get to the QB, RB, TE, etc.
Offense is also able to switch personnel out more frequently, especially at positions that expend a lot of energy. The defense doesn’t typically have enough specialized personnel at those counterpositions to do the same.
The offense also knows where the play is going; the defense has to react. It requires more concentration on the part of the defense, which can be tiring.
The offensive line is in a “protect” or a “push” mode because they know the play. They are not in a “read” mode which can require a lot of change of direction and bursts of speed to points that are not anticipated. A defensive tackle or end that is chasing down a QB is exerting a lot more than the offensive guard that let him get by. A few plays don’t mean much but extended drives and situations where a defense is on the field due to lack of ball control by their offense can take its toll over the course of a game.
Offensive linemen are huge and tough. Defensive linemen and linebackers are big, tough, and fast. Being fast and using it takes a lot out of you. The defensive linebacker position is particularly demanding because they have to be able stop the rush and be able to read the play to prevent the pass. It ain’t easy.
Nice comments and well suggestion all. I like your post.