(05-02-2022, 08:36 PM)ChrisJagBoy Wrote:

(05-02-2022, 04:25 PM)scottyg Wrote: I'm surprised Bullseye is the only one that I've seen mention this, but teams that run a 3-4 typically have more linebackers on their team than any other position.  Doubling down at the LB position tells me that they are committed to that scheme.

Well he's not wrong in the sense that 3-4 teams have more "linebackers" but that's because in a 3-4 you have 4 LBers on the field in base formation, while in a 4-3 you have 3. So while technically yeah, you have more LBers on the roster it's because you essentially are replacing one D line spot on the depth chart with OLB's. But the reason this was interesting to me was because of the two LBers that we selected. Lloyd and Muma can both play ILB, Muma almost exclusively is a ILB and so is oluakon. Devin Lloyd imo is probably a better player at ILB than both the above mentioned guys, but also has pass rush ability.

(emphasis added)

Think about it.

The last couple of years we had Joe Schoebert inside, who could get guys lined up, but wasn't particularly strong against the run or the pass.  Pittsburgh traded for him then quickly got rid of him.  We also had Myles Jack, who was athletic as hell, but otherwise not a good fit inside.  He couldn't communicate to the rest of the defense to get them lined up, and had too many games over too many seasons where his production did not match his athletic ability.  Finally we had Damien Wilson, we got off the waiver wire.  His strength was run defense, but was very limited athletically, and as it turns out, he may hav been a character issue guy.  Lloyd and Muma;s combination of size, athleticism, and instincts for the game surpasses all three of those guys.  Oluakun is the same way, only he doesn't have the size you'd want in a ILB.

I applaud the decision to draft both Lloyd and Muma under the cirumstances.  This looks more like a 3-4 LB corps is supposed to look.

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(05-02-2022, 08:58 PM)rpr52121 Wrote: Random question. Did Bowles ever use a Bear front (5-2) or I guess a make shift Over?

Is that something the Jags have personnel to add some variety on early downs and to contain the run but still have 7 in coverage with 2 rangy LB's?

To be honest, I have no clue.

It wouldn't surprise me if he did, though.  From what I've heard/seen about him, he utilized a lot of looks and blitz combinations.  It wouldn't surprise me if Caldwell shares that philosophy, given the investment at LB.

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