Quote:Actually, you used the wrong lineup for comparison.

 

It should be:

 

Robinson, Lee, Hurns, and Thomas with a single back vs. Robinson, Lee, Thomas, Lewis with a single back.

 

The first line-up is a good passing formation. But Lee isn't a good blocker, and neither is Thomas. Can we be successful with this formation if we want to run the football? If we go with this formation, the defense likely plays nickel. If we run, we'd be at a disadvantage due to Lee and Thomas run blocking. If we pass, then we have the advantage of Julius vs. a LB.

 

Now, let's look at the 2nd formation. Is it as dynamic passing the football? The substitution of Lewis for one of the receivers makes it not so. But the dilemma for a defense with that line up is...how do you defend it?

 

Do you play nickel? If you do, you'll get caught with a dback against Julius. Yeah, he's not a great blocker, but he's still 6'5 250 going against a DB who will likely be 5'10/5'11 180 lbs. That's an advantage to us running the football. So say you don't want that risk, and you go base formation (either 3-4 or 4-3) and stick a LB on Julius. Well, then you have a mismatch if we throw the ball to Julius (similar match-up if we go 3 WR/1 TE).

 

It allows us to create formation problems for the defense, which IMO is why Lewis will stick barring a tantalizing offer (I'd say 4th round or higher).

 

I left the back and Thomas out of my second list. I don't think the Jaguars will run the second lineup as base, they'll likely run the first lineup as base because it allows the most talented players onto the field. I also think the team will do a better job running the ball when the defense is looking pass than the team will do passing the ball when the defense is looking run.

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