There's been a lot of questions being raised, what if Leonard Williams is there at 3? Do the Jaguars take him? What position does he play? If it's 3 technique DT, then that position has Marks. If its 5 tech DE, then that's Odrick. Then we get talks of Caldwell looking at "playmakers", which got people thinking Cooper or White.
But, could Dave and Gus be playing us for fools here?
We need a LEO, right? Chris Clemons is old and need to be replaced, right? So what gives?
Well, we know how much this regime loves creating positions. We know LEO, OTTO, and the short lived OW. So why not, the Big Cat in place of LEO?
That would be Leonard Williams, Marks, Miller, Odrick.
It doesn't have a dynamic pass rusher, but its a big formation that should stuff the run but still allow push from the interior thanks to Marks, and outside thanks to Leonard and Odrick being capable rushers (a reason we were told by Dave, why Jared was brought in, because he can provide more rush from the DE spot).
It's not like 6'5 300 lb guys haven't had success as a primary DE in the NFL before.
Could a big line-up like this work in today's NFL?
Quote:There's been a lot of questions being raised, what if Leonard Williams is there at 3? Do the Jaguars take him? What position does he play? If it's 3 technique DT, then that position has Marks. If its 5 tech DE, then that's Odrick. Then we get talks of Caldwell looking at "playmakers", which got people thinking Cooper or White.
But, could Dave and Gus be playing us for fools here?
We need a LEO, right? Chris Clemons is old and need to be replaced, right? So what gives?
Well, we know how much this regime loves creating positions. We know LEO, OTTO, and the short lived OW. So why not, the Big Cat in place of LEO?
That would be Leonard Williams, Marks, Miller, Odrick.
It doesn't have a dynamic pass rusher, but its a big formation that should stuff the run but still allow push from the interior thanks to Marks, and outside thanks to Leonard and Odrick being capable rushers (a reason we were told by Dave, why Jared was brought in, because he can provide more rush from the DE spot).
It's not like 6'5 300 lb guys haven't had success as a primary DE in the NFL before.
Could a big line-up like this work in today's NFL?
I like it, but it may take some adjustments to the LB alignment. One thing that is missing from that formation (at least as I see it) is the threat of an edge rush getting there "quickly". Odrick and Williams can rush, but I don't think they terrify the OT with their speed rush.
Due to that, you may need to blitz the WILL or the SAM/OTTO LB in order to put some heat on the backfield. I think Telvin Smith fits that role nicely as the WILL, but what about SAM?
Ostensibly, I think you have a very formidable First Down Defensive front there, but it may be vulnerable to deep passing.
Quote:I like it, but it may take some adjustments to the LB alignment. One thing that is missing from that formation (at least as I see it) is the threat of an edge rush getting there "quickly". Odrick and Williams can rush, but I don't think they terrify the OT with their speed rush.
Due to that, you may need to blitz the WILL or the SAM/OTTO LB in order to put some heat on the backfield. I think Telvin Smith fits that role nicely as the WILL, but what about SAM?
Ostensibly, I think you have a very formidable First Down Defensive front there, but it may be vulnerable to deep passing.
Part of the reason they brought in Skuta for the OTTO is his ability to rush the passer. That is supposedly one of the reasons why finding an OTTO was hard to find (since they need to be able to set the edge, but also rush and cover).
Quote:Part of the reason they brought in Skuta for the OTTO is his ability to rush the passer. That is supposedly one of the reasons why finding an OTTO was hard to find (since they need to be able to set the edge, but also rush and cover).
Ah! I keep forgetting about that guy. Yes, thank you!
So the only other issue I have with that alignment is can Odrick or Williams "drop" back into the flats for a Zone Blitz which would allow for blitzing one or more LBs? To be honest, I don't really know but I imagine the team is going to spend a chunk of their time figuring that out if Williams ends up on the roster.
Quote:Ah! I keep forgetting about that guy. Yes, thank you!
So the only other issue I have with that alignment is can Odrick or Williams "drop" back into the flats for a Zone Blitz which would allow for blitzing one or more LBs? To be honest, I don't really know but I imagine the team is going to spend a chunk of their time figuring that out if Williams ends up on the roster.
Its definitely a very run oriented formation. But honestly, even last season with us getting that many sacks, most of them were coverage sacks. We wouldn't be running much, if any zone blitz type with the Big Cat formation (I mean, come on..it just makes too much sense from a naming perspective lol). I think the purpose would be to use this formation on early/obvious run downs. And when we get them to 3rd and long...
Lightning package!
Clemons, Davis, Odrick/Williams, Branch
If they do go Williams, I see him playing the 3 tech till Marks is ready to go. Then I see him primarily taken over for Miller (Jags said Williams could play the 0, 3, 6, or 5) and then would be rotated around to keep guys fresh.