(11-08-2019, 11:30 AM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(11-08-2019, 11:19 AM)JagFan81 Wrote: That's a good point. O's will try to get LB's in mismatches with TE's and RB's and with their size and speed now, it's hard to find guys who can do it all and it does seem the attitude has been speed can cover mistakes. Speed can cover bad coverage. I'm not sure how much nickel we have run and Hayden has had a solid year so far, the nickel shouldnt be more effective in run D than a SAM LB.

I always felt the Steelers 'Blitzbugh' D system was a solid base system to build around. 3-4 look, theyd send at least 5 guys every time, who and where they would be coming from youd never know and just tight man outside and 2 safeties deep. It got pressure on QB's, OL's struggled to know where to protect, man coverage made the QB hold more giving DL more time. I like the idea of having a base system that can do the things we want and then the players we add can give you the chance to adapt and innovate it to be even more effective. That's something I put against Wash I'm afraid, hes had a very talented group and for a few years but I dont see much of a unique playbook hes been able to build.

We run nickel instead of base most of the time largely as just a basic response to opponents lining up with multiple receivers whether they are running or passing.  
While base should (on paper) be more effective vs the run, you have to respond to the opponents personnel in kind, so nickel gets the nod frequently out of coverage necessity.

I agree, its felt we've played more nickel than traditional 4-3 but I also think it's that Hayden can do more than the LB's in that role. He can play the run or pass which is a big help. Like you say, O's run a lot of 3 WR sets which automatically switches you to nickel. That was one of the perks of having Telvin and Myles in the 4-3, they were quick enough to cover TE's, RB's and slot WR's so you could stay in 4-3 if you wanted. I dont think we have that flexibility yet.

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