(08-23-2019, 09:42 AM)JackCity Wrote: Todd Wash is throwing out a lot of 3-4 looks...

I think this would be one advantage our defense would have over the 2017 group.

Without studying videos of old games and going purely off memory, what you saw with the defense over the past few years was what you got,  Generally, you got a four man line, whether in a base defense or nickel.  That was limited by personnel, because while Campbell, Ngakoue and Fowler all showed varying degrees of talent, none have the combination of talent and level diversity that Allen offers.  Campbell can move between DE and DT quite well, but you wouldn't want him dropping into coverage very often.  Ngakoue can rush the passer very well, but is largely an unknown quantity dropping into coverage and is average against the run.  Fowler had level versatility in terms of being able to go back and forth between DE and OLB, inconsistent production and was iffy at best dropping into coverage.

With Allen's size/build, demonstrated ability to stop the run, drop effortlessly into coverage, and ability to rush the passer, he gives Wash and Capers the ability to offer myriad looks depending on the matchup and situation.

I think a base 4-3 alignment with Campbell at LDE and Allen at Sam gives the team nearly optimal stoutness against the run vs. a team like Tennessee, while a more prolific passing team would find that same alignment equally daunting, because then the offense will be forced into a protection mismatch.  An odd front with Allen and Ngakoue as stand up OLBs also poses problems for offenses.  If they spread the protection, it gives the down linemen like Campbell room to operate, mostly against single blocking.  It also opens up greater possibilities for inside blitzes.  If not, then someone who has no business doing so like a RB will be forced to stay in to try and block Ngakoue or Allen, which is not viable. 

This will help the coaches early on in the season and later in the schedule.  Early in the schedule, the Jaguars defense will offer many unknown wrinkles, catching many teams off guard.  Later, the versatility will make tendencies harder to identify.

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