3-4 Defense Examined
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@shepwrite said:
Very funny, Alo!Strangely, I read something on Curry this morning that made me think I might be off base as far as the 3-4. I didn't realize he was 250+ pounds, for one thing.
Guys I like: Curry, Rey, Orakpo, and Beanie.
FYI, Mike Mayock talks about Curry's "scheme versatility" in the video on this page of his top 20 senior prospects. He lists Curry as the #1 overall player.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=090...mp;confirm=true
-Al
EDIT: BTW, great find on what to look for in 3-4 players, John.
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Other then a few OTs, he doesn't have a skilled offensive player in his top 20. Something wrong with that. I guess it isn't set because the under clasmen haven't declared yet, but still, that's a little too one sided.
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@shepwrite said:
Very funny, Alo!Strangely, I read something on Curry this morning that made me think I might be off base as far as the 3-4. I didn't realize he was 250+ pounds, for one thing.
Guys I like: Curry, Rey, Orakpo, and Beanie.
FYI, Mike Mayock talks about Curry's "scheme versatility" in the video on this page of his top 20 senior prospects. He lists Curry as the #1 overall player.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=090...mp;confirm=true
-Al
EDIT: BTW, great find on what to look for in 3-4 players, John.
FYI, Mike Mayock talks about Curry's "scheme versatility" in the video on this page of his top 20 senior prospects. He lists Curry as the #1 overall player.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=090...mp;confirm=true
Thanks for linking to that, Al. The Mayock video is really interesting. Calling a prospect "the ultimate package" seems like pretty high praise.
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FYI, Mike Mayock talks about Curry's "scheme versatility" in the video on this page of his top 20 senior prospects. He lists Curry as the #1 overall player.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=090...mp;confirm=true
Thanks for linking to that, Al. The Mayock video is really interesting. Calling a prospect "the ultimate package" seems like pretty high praise.
Aloysius said:
Thanks for linking to that, Al. The Mayock video is really interesting. Calling a prospect "the ultimate package" seems like pretty high praise.Scott Wright ranks him #1 (among seniors) as well:
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FYI, Mike Mayock talks about Curry's "scheme versatility" in the video on this page of his top 20 senior prospects. He lists Curry as the #1 overall player.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=090...mp;confirm=true
Thanks for linking to that, Al. The Mayock video is really interesting. Calling a prospect "the ultimate package" seems like pretty high praise.
Aloysius said:
Thanks for linking to that, Al. The Mayock video is really interesting. Calling a prospect "the ultimate package" seems like pretty high praise.When you're talking about LBer prospects - you HAVE to like the versatile guys that offer enough flexibility to play in a 3-4 or a 4-3. A big reason for that is if you look at the NE Patriots they never switched to a 3-4 because they PREFERRED the scheme when they first went to it. The season they first made the switch they had to because of all the unexpected injuries to their dline at the time. Starters were injured on and off and Klecko, their rotation guy, got injured as well so they did a msterful job at problem solving their way into a very fortunate fate with the alignment change.
Curry looks like he can play in any scheme AND like he can play inside or outside. Watching those highlights you treated us to in the other thread Aloy - I saw GREAT first step instincts. The kind that prevent him from needing to tell the coach he got blocked or why he wasn't back in coverage. He's already showing the know-how to strip the ball from the ballcarrier pre-draft. This is just my opinion so I'm sure others won't agree but the LESS prerequisites you need to teach kids - the better their chances of success are at the next level.
While I think players can ALWAYS learn, I just don't think a Ray Lewis or Lawrence Taylor needed to be invented by a Coach. Marvin Lewis didn't MAKE Ray Lewis. Throw in your favorite legend and notice your great ones came blessed with instincts that seperated them from ordinary. I'm not saying coaching isn't important - I'm just saying you want the guys where you only need to do some fine tuning and they're flexible enough for any system. You always hear Ray Lewis plays fast and ironically a disappointing 40 time had him down near the 26th or 27th pick of round 1. That said, this is one guy you throw away the 40 yard dash significance in lieu of how fast he shows up frequently on film. If you got a scout that knows what the hell he's doing - he can only see "plays fast" on film. That's what the adorable highlights of Curry show us too. I don't care what he runs his forty in after watching the footage of him.
- Tom F. (I always have queer-eye for LBers and RBs)
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I'm starting to lean toward Wells.
It goes against all common sense to look at a back with an iffy injury history when we are so desperate to shore up this defense, but I've seen Lewis leave yards all over the field this year. Wells has great cutback ability and vision, which makes him a breakaway threat at any time. He also uses stiff arms with either hand that are lethal and is damn shifty for a guy his size.
To me, he satisfies two needs at back. One, he is the size needed in this division and for the winter months, and two, he still provides breakaway ability that this team lacks. Since RAC 'n ROLLS thinks Harrison will steal his M and M's stash if he plays him, we are still iffy on his status. I think both Harrison and Wells give us a pretty dynamic backfield as long as we get a coach in here that knows how to use them properly.
Sorry, I hate to think all pretty and prima donna-ish with the needs we have on defense ie. ILB (someone to pair with Jackson), OLB (someone who can get to the QB), DE (someone more athletic than Smith) or stud safety, but Queen and a dynamic and big back can really change the whole dynamic of this offense (Ryan/Turner). I think it makes the biggest impact, definitely more so than taking a stab at another Wimbley or something. Look what Gholston is doing this year, I'd rather see someone who can come in and seriously impact the team from the get go.
We could still keep Lewis and maybe Wright also, which gives insurance if Wells' injury history crops up.
I will say this, I ran into a guy at the gas station last year and we started rapping about the Buckeyes. When the subject of Wells came up, he told me he coached Wells in pee wees and on JV's. I don't know how much stock to put into this guy, but he certainly didn't seem to need to lie to impress me or anything. He said Wells has chronically bad ankles that are genetic. Basically, his tendons and ligaments aren't as strong as they should be and it runs in his family. However, this was last year when he was gimpy all season with an ankle problem, so this guy could literally be a crazy guy trying to act like he's an insider or something. Wells' issues this year had nothing to do with the ankles, it was just the freak toe thing. He also fought wrist issues in the past two seasons, but I don't envision him being as injury prone as people say. He's basically played through everything outside of the toe thing this year, so perhaps this says something about his toughness more than his being injury prone.
Even if he turns out to be a guy who only gives you 12 games a year, those 12 games he can be a huge impact. Good teams can function without their primary back, but that primary back can be massive in the games he does play.
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wells is a terrible idea with what we need on defense. if we can get curry, it really seems like that's what we should do. if we can't, there are other LB prospects that would benefit us more than taking wells (maualuga, cushing) or a safety in mays who hits like a linebacker. polamolu is the face of pittsburgh's D.
we're not talking about rushing the passer, here. we're talking about stopping the run and hitting people. it's a lot easier to project MLBs than it is pass rushers.
it's just easier to find impact RBs in later rounds than it is to find a ready-to-play LB. guys can be coached into form, but late-round RBs can make more of an impact as rookies than LBs can unless you've got a good scheme, which we don't know that we will.
while i agree that we need to upgrade our RB corps, it just makes more sense to go after a player who can impact the game more. a RB really only makes a difference when he's got the ball in his hands, which can happen, in the best-case scenario, thirty times a game.
a LB has a chance to impact the game on every play he's in.
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wells is a terrible idea with what we need on defense. if we can get curry, it really seems like that's what we should do. if we can't, there are other LB prospects that would benefit us more than taking wells (maualuga, cushing) or a safety in mays who hits like a linebacker. polamolu is the face of pittsburgh's D.
we're not talking about rushing the passer, here. we're talking about stopping the run and hitting people. it's a lot easier to project MLBs than it is pass rushers.
it's just easier to find impact RBs in later rounds than it is to find a ready-to-play LB. guys can be coached into form, but late-round RBs can make more of an impact as rookies than LBs can unless you've got a good scheme, which we don't know that we will.
while i agree that we need to upgrade our RB corps, it just makes more sense to go after a player who can impact the game more. a RB really only makes a difference when he's got the ball in his hands, which can happen, in the best-case scenario, thirty times a game.
a LB has a chance to impact the game on every play he's in.
wells is a terrible idea with what we need on defense. if we can get curry, it really seems like that's what we should do. if we can't, there are other LB prospects that would benefit us more than taking wells (maualuga, cushing) or a safety in mays who hits like a linebacker. polamolu is the face of pittsburgh's D.
we're not talking about rushing the passer, here. we're talking about stopping the run and hitting people. it's a lot easier to project MLBs than it is pass rushers.
it's just easier to find impact RBs in later rounds than it is to find a ready-to-play LB. guys can be coached into form, but late-round RBs can make more of an impact as rookies than LBs can unless you've got a good scheme, which we don't know that we will.
while i agree that we need to upgrade our RB corps, it just makes more sense to go after a player who can impact the game more. a RB really only makes a difference when he's got the ball in his hands, which can happen, in the best-case scenario, thirty times a game.
a LB has a chance to impact the game on every play he's in.
Those are good points Jew, but I think Wells is a dynamic back given his whole package. Just as you can find backs in round two or three, I don't believe you can get what Wells brings to the table.
I think you can score with a backer in round two or three.
Again, I'm looking at immediate impact here, and a guy like Wells can affect this team dramatically from the get go more than a ILB can IMO.
That being said, I'll probably change my mind twenty times before the draft.
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I'm starting to lean toward Wells.
It goes against all common sense to look at a back with an iffy injury history when we are so desperate to shore up this defense, but I've seen Lewis leave yards all over the field this year. Wells has great cutback ability and vision, which makes him a breakaway threat at any time. He also uses stiff arms with either hand that are lethal and is damn shifty for a guy his size.
To me, he satisfies two needs at back. One, he is the size needed in this division and for the winter months, and two, he still provides breakaway ability that this team lacks. Since RAC 'n ROLLS thinks Harrison will steal his M and M's stash if he plays him, we are still iffy on his status. I think both Harrison and Wells give us a pretty dynamic backfield as long as we get a coach in here that knows how to use them properly.
Sorry, I hate to think all pretty and prima donna-ish with the needs we have on defense ie. ILB (someone to pair with Jackson), OLB (someone who can get to the QB), DE (someone more athletic than Smith) or stud safety, but Queen and a dynamic and big back can really change the whole dynamic of this offense (Ryan/Turner). I think it makes the biggest impact, definitely more so than taking a stab at another Wimbley or something. Look what Gholston is doing this year, I'd rather see someone who can come in and seriously impact the team from the get go.
We could still keep Lewis and maybe Wright also, which gives insurance if Wells' injury history crops up.
I will say this, I ran into a guy at the gas station last year and we started rapping about the Buckeyes. When the subject of Wells came up, he told me he coached Wells in pee wees and on JV's. I don't know how much stock to put into this guy, but he certainly didn't seem to need to lie to impress me or anything. He said Wells has chronically bad ankles that are genetic. Basically, his tendons and ligaments aren't as strong as they should be and it runs in his family. However, this was last year when he was gimpy all season with an ankle problem, so this guy could literally be a crazy guy trying to act like he's an insider or something. Wells' issues this year had nothing to do with the ankles, it was just the freak toe thing. He also fought wrist issues in the past two seasons, but I don't envision him being as injury prone as people say. He's basically played through everything outside of the toe thing this year, so perhaps this says something about his toughness more than his being injury prone.
Even if he turns out to be a guy who only gives you 12 games a year, those 12 games he can be a huge impact. Good teams can function without their primary back, but that primary back can be massive in the games he does play.
I will say this, I ran into a guy at the gas station last year and we started rapping about the Buckeyes. When the subject of Wells came up, he told me he coached Wells in pee wees and on JV's. I don't know how much stock to put into this guy, but he certainly didn't seem to need to lie to impress me or anything. He said Wells has chronically bad ankles that are genetic. Basically, his tendons and ligaments aren't as strong as they should be and it runs in his family. However, this was last year when he was gimpy all season with an ankle problem, so this guy could literally be a crazy guy trying to act like he's an insider or something. Wells' issues this year had nothing to do with the ankles, it was just the freak toe thing. He also fought wrist issues in the past two seasons, but I don't envision him being as injury prone as people say. He's basically played through everything outside of the toe thing this year, so perhaps this says something about his toughness more than his being injury prone.
I call BS - how would this guy know that Wells ankle problems (if any) are 'genetic'.
I find it hard to believe the guy has made it this far without a pretty consistent injury history at the college level. I'm not saying he definitely doesn't have a problem, but how would a peewee/JV coach know anything about his genetics?
However, I think RB is below the need for LB/DL and maybe even wide receiver. If all of our favorit Defensive guys are off the board at that point (highly doubtful), I'd try and dump the pick on someone else. Maybe get two firsts out of the next draft when we have a year under the new coach and no who really can't perform and who was just a victim of scheme/poor coaching.
As far as CB's go, I don't think drafting one in the first round is the right answer - who's going to teach him on the field? I'd say look for an experienced CB in free agency.
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@ riffer: i agree that you can get a LB in two or three, just not one that's the quality that curry, maualuga, spikes or cushing are. the RBs that we'd get later maybe wouldn't be as complete as wells, but i'm not a believer that RBs need to be complete players to succeed. guys like purple jesus and LdT (before he broke down) are great, but they only come along about every five years or so, and i don't think that wells is that kind of back.
as far as a RB vs LB having more immediate impact, i think that's a philosophical difference. looking at the vikings, they were already a strong running team when they got purple jesus, and he put them over the top and transformed them into a great running team. had he gone to a bad running team, i don't think he'd have the success he does.
i will admit that we'd be a much better running team with a better RB.
however, if you look at what patrick willis did for san francisco, his presence alone changed that defense. he makes plays all over the field and changes games.
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@shepwrite said:
If we end up drafting any lower than 5th, I'm thinking Curry's gone.Jacksonville just beat the Packers, which puts them at 5-9. As long as we stay ahead of Jax in the draft order, I think we have a very good chance of getting Curry.
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@shepwrite said:
If we end up drafting any lower than 5th, I'm thinking Curry's gone.Jacksonville just beat the Packers, which puts them at 5-9. As long as we stay ahead of Jax in the draft order, I think we have a very good chance of getting Curry.
Aloysius said:
Jacksonville just beat the Packers, which puts them at 5-9. As long as we stay ahead of Jax in the draft order, I think we have a very good chance of getting Curry.I agree. There have only been 2 top 5 LBs in the past 10 years, and I doubt this year's this year's top 5 will make it past the QBs, O-line, and Crabtree. Of course, it's almost impossible to tell this far in advance. At least a handful of day one players will drop or move up a full round between now and Spring.
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Aloysius said:
Thanks for linking to that, Al. The Mayock video is really interesting. Calling a prospect "the ultimate package" seems like pretty high praise.When you're talking about LBer prospects - you HAVE to like the versatile guys that offer enough flexibility to play in a 3-4 or a 4-3. A big reason for that is if you look at the NE Patriots they never switched to a 3-4 because they PREFERRED the scheme when they first went to it. The season they first made the switch they had to because of all the unexpected injuries to their dline at the time. Starters were injured on and off and Klecko, their rotation guy, got injured as well so they did a msterful job at problem solving their way into a very fortunate fate with the alignment change.
Curry looks like he can play in any scheme AND like he can play inside or outside. Watching those highlights you treated us to in the other thread Aloy - I saw GREAT first step instincts. The kind that prevent him from needing to tell the coach he got blocked or why he wasn't back in coverage. He's already showing the know-how to strip the ball from the ballcarrier pre-draft. This is just my opinion so I'm sure others won't agree but the LESS prerequisites you need to teach kids - the better their chances of success are at the next level.
While I think players can ALWAYS learn, I just don't think a Ray Lewis or Lawrence Taylor needed to be invented by a Coach. Marvin Lewis didn't MAKE Ray Lewis. Throw in your favorite legend and notice your great ones came blessed with instincts that seperated them from ordinary. I'm not saying coaching isn't important - I'm just saying you want the guys where you only need to do some fine tuning and they're flexible enough for any system. You always hear Ray Lewis plays fast and ironically a disappointing 40 time had him down near the 26th or 27th pick of round 1. That said, this is one guy you throw away the 40 yard dash significance in lieu of how fast he shows up frequently on film. If you got a scout that knows what the hell he's doing - he can only see "plays fast" on film. That's what the adorable highlights of Curry show us too. I don't care what he runs his forty in after watching the footage of him.
- Tom F. (I always have queer-eye for LBers and RBs)
Curry looks like he can play in any scheme AND like he can play inside or outside. Watching those highlights you treated us to in the other thread Aloy - I saw GREAT first step instincts. The kind that prevent him from needing to tell the coach he got blocked or why he wasn't back in coverage. He's already showing the know-how to strip the ball from the ballcarrier pre-draft. This is just my opinion so I'm sure others won't agree but the LESS prerequisites you need to teach kids - the better their chances of success are at the next level.
Great point, Tom. In this clip, Mayock talks about Curry's great instincts, how he "trusts what he sees." When I first saw Curry blow up that screen play in the Ole Miss game, I thought to myself, "Okay, this is the guy we need."
And you're right about him being good at stripping & recovering the ball. I love that play against Virginia where he grabs the running back, strips the ball with his right hand, then dives & cradles the ball with his left hand. Great stuff.
Even in games where he's been less than dominant this season (like the BC game), those talents have a way of popping up. He notched a bunch of tackles in that game, recovered a fumble, and tackled BC's QB so hard that he had to leave the game. And that was probably Curry's worst game of the season.
Another thing that hasn't been mentioned: because Curry plays 4-3 SLB, he's got a lot of experience covering TE's. For a while, it seemed like Leon Williams was going to develop into our athletic TE-covering linebacker, but he's regressed this year.
It's probably not a coincidence that two of our worst defensive performances this year involved TE's running through our defense (Jason Witten's 6 catches, 96 yards Week 1; Denver's two TE's combining for 7 catches, 142 yards & a TD Week 10).
Curry would help prevent those TE's from running through our defense. Though I don't think Maualuga's coverage issues are as bad as some have made them out to be, he probably wouldn't be able to do the same for our defense.
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Curry looks like he can play in any scheme AND like he can play inside or outside. Watching those highlights you treated us to in the other thread Aloy - I saw GREAT first step instincts. The kind that prevent him from needing to tell the coach he got blocked or why he wasn't back in coverage. He's already showing the know-how to strip the ball from the ballcarrier pre-draft. This is just my opinion so I'm sure others won't agree but the LESS prerequisites you need to teach kids - the better their chances of success are at the next level.
Great point, Tom. In this clip, Mayock talks about Curry's great instincts, how he "trusts what he sees." When I first saw Curry blow up that screen play in the Ole Miss game, I thought to myself, "Okay, this is the guy we need."
And you're right about him being good at stripping & recovering the ball. I love that play against Virginia where he grabs the running back, strips the ball with his right hand, then dives & cradles the ball with his left hand. Great stuff.
Even in games where he's been less than dominant this season (like the BC game), those talents have a way of popping up. He notched a bunch of tackles in that game, recovered a fumble, and tackled BC's QB so hard that he had to leave the game. And that was probably Curry's worst game of the season.
Another thing that hasn't been mentioned: because Curry plays 4-3 SLB, he's got a lot of experience covering TE's. For a while, it seemed like Leon Williams was going to develop into our athletic TE-covering linebacker, but he's regressed this year.
It's probably not a coincidence that two of our worst defensive performances this year involved TE's running through our defense (Jason Witten's 6 catches, 96 yards Week 1; Denver's two TE's combining for 7 catches, 142 yards & a TD Week 10).
Curry would help prevent those TE's from running through our defense. Though I don't think Maualuga's coverage issues are as bad as some have made them out to be, he probably wouldn't be able to do the same for our defense.
Aloysius said:
Another thing that hasn't been mentioned: because Curry plays 4-3 SLB, he's got a lot of experience covering TE's. For a while, it seemed like Leon Williams was going to develop into our athletic TE-covering linebacker, but he's regressed this year.Thanks Aloy!
The thing about Leon Williams that jumps out at me is that his mental mistakes at Miami kept getting him yanked from the starting lineup. He's ambitious, works hard and hustles but does he have that first step instinct we're talking about? If he did, he would have remained a starter at Miami AND he could have become one here. He's a nice kid to have around for kick coverage teams but I doubt we'll ever teach him instinct for anything more.
I wouldn't have a problem with any of these 3 kids:
Rey, Curry or Taylor Mays (only if the first 2 are off the board though).
BTW, did you watch the 60 Minutes special on Pete Carroll last night? The highlight they showed of USC was a long interception return for a TD by Rey. It's not the same one I saw in his All American films BUT it certainly reassures his BIGTIME playmaking appeal. How many times do we see Ray Lewis taking interceptions for TDs? Right place + right time = Instincts we need. I want that guy that beats the intended receiver to the ball in his hook zone. If you're 1 step too slow - you're always tackling the guy after the catch. Curry shows me the same type of appeal. You've done a great job of showing us he needs to count in our first round consideration.
We need to be careful about getting too caught up in stats folks. Want an example? Steve Slaton. Who saw him coming? He's the type of guy that you break out the film on and see MORE than his stats will show you. Another example was Wali Rainer. Back when he played. people on our old board were upset his tackle volume didn't get recognized while they forgot to realize Corey Dillon always seemed to be closing in on 200 yards by the 3rd quarter on all the cutback runs crossing Wali's face. What I liked about Wali was he never gave up on a play so even though he rarely made tackles where we needed him to - he usually got the guy 20 yards down field on pursuit angles. Horrible football instincts but pursuit angles are COACHABLES that you can equip your non-instictive types with.
- Tom F.
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something else that could help williams, a coachable, is to take the decision out of his hands. give him one assignment on a play and have him execute it. don't let him make the decision. the coach makes it, the player executes it. with his athletic ability, he can handle a task if he's sure of what he's supposed to do.
cover the tight end. blitz the b gap. those he can do.
watch where the play is going and get there. that he can't do.
of course, we're running the second.
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I agree, JD. Leon showed some ability as a pass-rusher last year; IIRC, he had 3 sacks in the last two games of the season.
He doesn't have any special moves, but he's got the straight-line speed (4.54 40) necessary to get to the QB. I wish we would have given him some more opportunities to showcase those skills, possibly by moving him out to OLB.
I didn't watch the Carroll interview last night, Tom. But if you like LB's who make plays in coverage, you'll absolutely love Curry. Last year, he had 4 picks & returned 3 of them for TD's.
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something else that could help williams, a coachable, is to take the decision out of his hands. give him one assignment on a play and have him execute it. don't let him make the decision. the coach makes it, the player executes it. with his athletic ability, he can handle a task if he's sure of what he's supposed to do.
cover the tight end. blitz the b gap. those he can do.
watch where the play is going and get there. that he can't do.
of course, we're running the second.
something else that could help williams, a coachable, is to take the decision out of his hands. give him one assignment on a play and have him execute it. don't let him make the decision. the coach makes it, the player executes it. with his athletic ability, he can handle a task if he's sure of what he's supposed to do.
cover the tight end. blitz the b gap. those he can do.
True but he cannot dictate run or pass from the opponent so if he's downfield covering a TE on a running play - he's exactly where the opponent wants him. Smart OC's are watching us on film and the guy with the best instincts out there is old enough for granchildren (Willie McGinest). Wimbley is supposed to be playing the (elephant) which is usually rush the passer BUT as we saw vrs Buffalo - he also has walkoff responsibilities which means we even want him thinking in terms of strong side vrs weakside. It's a waste of time to bring in guys that were deemed too stupid to stay on the field in college. Leon Williams was that guy. Not sure how someone thought it would be easier for him at the next level but they did. Not only that, but he came to a defensive scheme where LBers need to be smart and instinctive for that defense to succeed. Gotta believe there was better out there or we could have kept our STs ace Chaun Thompson. That guy used to make tackles on kickoffs at the opponent's 10 yard line and he was an animal blocking for Cribbs. If that's not enough, he weighs 260 poundsa, runs faster than every LBer except maybe Wimbley and would have been STRONG enough to man down an ILBer spot IMO.
I'm not sure who I want more between Curry and Rey but I've got a feeling we'll only have a shot at 1 of them and there isn't a bad choice there. I think Aloy has me leaning toward Curry all of a sudden. How does that happen? Seriously though, Wake Forrest plays their Bowl Game this Saturday so y'all got homework. We're gonna have a post game essay contest about the play of Curry. No penalties for bad spelling because that's gay. Since everyone HATES lengthy posts, let's see who provides the best substance in the least amount of space. We're all about the Cliff Notes. Aloy, you get to pick the winner. The name of the contest will be "Why Curry Needs to Wear a Browns' Uniform in 2009!"
- Tom F. (I miss all those 80s defenses that liked to play kill the guy with the ball! That was my favorite playground game as a kid. Today they play that game on computers as we wonder what happened to the art of tackling)
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something else that could help williams, a coachable, is to take the decision out of his hands. give him one assignment on a play and have him execute it. don't let him make the decision. the coach makes it, the player executes it. with his athletic ability, he can handle a task if he's sure of what he's supposed to do.
cover the tight end. blitz the b gap. those he can do.
True but he cannot dictate run or pass from the opponent so if he's downfield covering a TE on a running play - he's exactly where the opponent wants him. Smart OC's are watching us on film and the guy with the best instincts out there is old enough for granchildren (Willie McGinest). Wimbley is supposed to be playing the (elephant) which is usually rush the passer BUT as we saw vrs Buffalo - he also has walkoff responsibilities which means we even want him thinking in terms of strong side vrs weakside. It's a waste of time to bring in guys that were deemed too stupid to stay on the field in college. Leon Williams was that guy. Not sure how someone thought it would be easier for him at the next level but they did. Not only that, but he came to a defensive scheme where LBers need to be smart and instinctive for that defense to succeed. Gotta believe there was better out there or we could have kept our STs ace Chaun Thompson. That guy used to make tackles on kickoffs at the opponent's 10 yard line and he was an animal blocking for Cribbs. If that's not enough, he weighs 260 poundsa, runs faster than every LBer except maybe Wimbley and would have been STRONG enough to man down an ILBer spot IMO.
I'm not sure who I want more between Curry and Rey but I've got a feeling we'll only have a shot at 1 of them and there isn't a bad choice there. I think Aloy has me leaning toward Curry all of a sudden. How does that happen? Seriously though, Wake Forrest plays their Bowl Game this Saturday so y'all got homework. We're gonna have a post game essay contest about the play of Curry. No penalties for bad spelling because that's gay. Since everyone HATES lengthy posts, let's see who provides the best substance in the least amount of space. We're all about the Cliff Notes. Aloy, you get to pick the winner. The name of the contest will be "Why Curry Needs to Wear a Browns' Uniform in 2009!"
- Tom F. (I miss all those 80s defenses that liked to play kill the guy with the ball! That was my favorite playground game as a kid. Today they play that game on computers as we wonder what happened to the art of tackling)
I'm not sure who I want more between Curry and Rey but I've got a feeling we'll only have a shot at 1 of them and there isn't a bad choice there. I think Aloy has me leaning toward Curry all of a sudden. How does that happen? Seriously though, Wake Forrest plays their Bowl Game this Saturday so y'all got homework. We're gonna have a post game essay contest about the play of Curry. No penalties for bad spelling because that's gay. Since everyone HATES lengthy posts, let's see who provides the best substance in the least amount of space. We're all about the Cliff Notes. Aloy, you get to pick the winner. The name of the contest will be "Why Curry Needs to Wear a Browns' Uniform in 2009!"
Ha. Sounds good to me.
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even though having williams cover the TE might put him out of place, my point is that he can achieve a single task if all he has to do is use his physical abilities to succeed. it's the coaches' responsibility to call the right plays to make that happen, to know the opponents' tendencies and make the right calls to counteract them. if he's out of place on a running play because he's in pass coverage, that's the coaches' fault.
and although wake plays saturday, there's likely no way i'm watching. the game's on at 8 AM here, and that's too early to get up on a saturday. i'm out of the essay contest. but spelling and grammar should count. i'm an editor at my day job. yes, i'm that guy.
.jpg.a1a2b9a0c33008fdaf4097d8fe2cfd64.jpg "Riffer X"){kind=avatar}
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