key against the run is....???

Like Marco says one of the key attributes for defensive linemen is AG and ST. Imagine huge great DT's plugging the middle with great ST.

Look at most of your d-line, your AG and ST is 72, 85 whereas my starting four are mostly 81/85.

Its one thing going for young players but i think you still need some quality veterans plugging the hole. I was trying to trade DT Jameson Kernutt for weeks (AG and ST of 81/85) but no one wanted him and in the end he went cheaply to London.

Kernutt would instantly start for you but you didnt want him as he was a veteran.

Another thing to do is to look at teams who have been successful the past few seasons, SA, MON, FRA and SAC etc. Last year San Antonio sent everyone of their 4 starting d-line to the All-FWL team. His starting d-line were all 75/85 , yes i must admit i'm surprised its not that much more than yours but at the DE spot he had also very quick players (72/72 SP, AC) and then in the middle very strong DT's.

You probably wouldnt want him but its a shame the sack leader Skylar Cushman is at DT3. He has AG and ST of 77 and 84 and so he would start instantly for Austria.

Not saying this will instantly solve your defensive problems but i think you need some quality experience in your starting line up. In 4 seasons time they might be one of the best but at the moment to me they seem inexperienced and lightweight.

Also check one of your all time great squads ( http://www.fwl.org.uk/teams4.htm#A17 ) and look how different the d-line is there. A lot stronger back then and also much quicker (you have just one d-linemen with 70+ SP). The reason you are getting run over all the time by offenses and cant stop them is that its like the old Denver d-line. Too small and easy to beat up with huge great OL's.

Again not saying this will work but i tend to look at teams which have had great success in the past.

Last years Montreal squad who won their 3rd FWL Bowl in 4 years 11 players with 7 or more years experience. The starting DE1 was a 9th year veteran, the top LB was a 9th year veteran and the starting CB1 a 9th year veteran.

On your team you have NO ONE in their 6th year or more ! Its great that you are trying to build a young dynasty but that will take a few seasons. If there is frustration with you waiting that long then get some quality older players. My rule is that if they can play in the league then play em, dont worry if theyre a 12th year or 1st year player. One of the other best teams in the league (San Antonio) have a 8th year WR starting at WR1, his starting DT's are an 8th year vet and a 7th year vet yet he has one of the best d-lines in football.

I would say forget about age all the time and just play players who can basically 'play' in the FWL. Sometimes a 80 80 80 80 LB wont always be great in the FWL, if you see a 78 78 78 78 8th year pro LB who can play in this league then grab him. Sometimes the player stats dont always mean he'll be a great player.

Take former Aztecs starting LB...

LB Freeman, Schadd OK 8 79 74 72 77 68 77 72 50

Last year had 51 tackles and 2 sacks, yet isnt even on a roster this year ?!?

Again like i said earlier Jameson Kernutt could start on your roster at DT1 but i know you didnt like him as he was a vet. The best teams who have won in the FWL have had a mixture of young and older players. Montreal is the best example of this . Also look at my FWL Bowl winning squad of Season 10 ( http://www.fwl.org.uk/teams10.htm#A5 ) - tons of veterans.

Teams such as yourself and also Mexico have a ton of young talent but it will take a few seasons and training camps for all those players to get better. In the meantime its going to be a season or two of rebuilding before the young players get to a very good level. Once they do all come together you will both have some awesome teams but it will take time. The 'quick fix' of veterans i think is good, deciding when they cant play anymore is another thing to try and do.

LB Brett Fields stats have gone downhill the last season or two so hes now just a backup with Montreal. But check out his career stats...

http://www.fwl.org.uk/alltime.htm#bfields

For 3 out of the last 4 years he was the leading LB sacker in the league ! Last year on an 'off year' he still had 5 sacks ! At LB1 for any other team out there he would be brilliant and have 5 or so sacks. But sadly no one wants to touch him as hes 11th year pro. 9 trips to the playoffs, 4 FWL Bowl rings yet no one wants this quality veteran. Pity