SOLB would put him on the same side of the formation as Wake (and Reshad Jones) the vast majority of the time. It might be better to put him at WLB, let him chase plays down from the back side and threaten the Qb's blindside, instead of taking on blocks, setting edges, covering TE's, and clogging Wake's rush lanes.
You shut your mouth when your talking to me.....that's good stuff man, really clear, there's a play that I watched Dion execute, I forget the game, I think DPate saw it, it's quite remarkable and could easily be something being overlooked in terms of its effectiveness at this level. Oh he was sugaring the gap alright, he was tappin that tweeter, came right over to the right side of the right end, got really nice and low like he does, had the Qb confused, had me confused, totally thought he was gonna blitz, then in a split second right at the snap, freakin launched himself backwards, covering this chunk of real estate like a damn flying squirrel, blocked the lane that the slot guy was trying to get to for the quick slant pattern and disrupted the play. When I think of defense and Dion, I think of the cubic square footage he can cover, and to me, when you can do that, and your teammates start to trust it, they can then start to cheat on their own responsibilities, less space to cover..nobody can cover more space than Dion, not with those measurables and length. I call it the Revis affect.
Cant we simplify it in year one by limiting his responsibilities when dropping and then progressively add to it? Coming from what he did at Oregon he's a little further advanced in the coverage department than the typical rookie who would probably need at least a season or more to get to where Jordan is now. There are a lot of coverage duties that should be fresh in his head so I'd hate to put them on the back burner and potentially lose some of it by having him focus solely on pass rush as a rookie. Personally I feel he has enough momentum going in the coverage department to give him some responsibility in it as a rookie w/o overwhelming him.
right, and on the weak side he can drop off to cover blind side blitzes, meaning more blind side blitzes, which has me drooling at the thought of. Here's to knocking out Brady, eh.
I think he can hold the edge for his position and he can cover TEs. I also think he can rush from either side come passing downs I'm excited to see how we get after the passer with wake Jordan Vernon Odrick and even ellerby and wheeler
That's exactly it. He opens all sorts of possibilities with his athleticism, ability to quickly cover space, drop in coverage, and disrupt passing lanes. Just think about our nickel corner lined up on a slot receiver or Aaron Hernandez and how much more often we can blitz him b/c of Dion's ability to either pick up his man or affect the passing lane. When Coyle can entrust Dion for such, he can certainly dial up the pressure more frequently and be more creative with it. Maybe he nabs a few picks by QBs who don't see it or anticipate it coming.
With the injury and the stupid rule that he can't be with his team, you make a good case for just unleashing him on the Qb this year, not sure though..he sure does have a lot to work with though, how bout this GM, can we teach him a little tight end as well this year... lol...he was a top 10 tight end in the nation, imagine that freak at 6'7 4.5 speed going down the seam ..yeah yeah, I wanna teach my new toy tricks...lol
No, it is not a stupid rule, this is the NFL not the NBA, there is no dash for cash one is far better at least finishing the school year as careers can end in the blink of an eye..then what?
These are three day minicamps, why can't he do both? The really dumb rule is making these payers stay three years..talk about taking on a risk that keeps a mans right to make money..1 more year of contact football at the highest level is risk..
lol, I had a feeling I was being redundant..I wanted to try and make the reader know that I was envisioning the vertical part..lol
Looks like Ireland's vision for the defense and subsequent moves and draft picks he made to address it were much broader in spectrum than any of us conceptualized. Gotta admit, the man was pretty damn thorough and expansive with his plan and seemed to nail the execution. On paper, defensively we've made life for running backs even tougher on 1st down, improved speed at linebacker and corner, improved playmaking ability at linebacker and corner, improved blitzing ability from linebacker & corner, improved our overall pass rush, and added a heavy element of unpredictability & versatility with the top 5 defenders we brought in (Jordan, Wheeler, Ellerbe, Grimes, and Taylor).
Are you familiar with the "Eagle Defense"? Just curious. I'm doing some volunteer coaching at a local school here in Cincinnati and was reading up on some defenses. Based on Coyle saying way back in his introductory presser that he's taken parts of defenses from 4 guys; 3 that we know are Mike Zimmer, Marvin Lewis, and Dick LeBeau, it certainly seems like one of the elements is from the Eagle Defense. The Eagle is a 3-4 concept, where you have an Eagle linebacker, and your box safety (the eagle) are ALWAYS on the same side. Several articles on it talk about having an Eagle End (in reality a 3-4 SOLB, and your Eagle LB is more of an inside guy - think Burnett in 2012). I think this concept is ingrained in Coyle's defense, almost to the point where you could almost label the positions left and right OLB rather than strong and weak. The main theory is that it allows you to play your Eagle End, LB, and Eagle (SS) wherever you want, regardless of the strength of the offense. One of the articles about the OLB spot opposite the Eagle End (remember, 3-4 SOLB) and called it a move end. In reality, it's the WOLB in a 3-4. I think Dion Jordan is very much suited for this position in the long run. Koa Misi has it now, and he covers 2 of the 3 main points the position called for - holding the backside POA and/or playing against counters, reverses, screens, and dropping into coverage. I think Jordan, in time, adds the 3rd element, which is rushing the passer. One thing that the closed DE spot (opposite on the LOS from the Eagle End) does, and this is why I think they like Jared Odrick there in base packages, is that he's able to neutralize the offenses left tackle, which forces the LG, C, and RG to operate against the 1 and 3 technique tackles. That, in theory, allows you for 1-on-1 matchups for your move End (Misi/Jordan) and your Eagle End (Wake), assuming the TE releases or is flexed out and doesn't double, so you'd have a 1-on-1 matchup with a back on one side and a 1-on-1 matchup with the RT going against your best pass-rusher on other. I certainly think if Jordan trains on quickly, there will be more elements of this defense brought in; possibly even true 3-4 looks, though there's already quite a lot built into the defense as it is based on 2012.
After reviewing some hard knock replays and some other pics,there some things I'm sure of...Ryan and Egnew have gotten in great shape relative to last year..and Vontae had to go.. I know it's going to help Ryan's game, and after seeing what Egnew looked like at camp, I now realize why he looked like he was carrying cement in his shoes, I'm convinced he slacked off after the combine, he was dough boy..we'll see if the dude has a brain, it's a good start that he was at least aware that he had to transform.
Hey I'm with you all the way, I want to see him out there doing it all...if he's ready. I'm just wondering how it works logistically. When he shows up to camp is a practicing/meeting with the DL or the LBs? I imagine his snaps will come as a 2nd stringer, is that at LB or DE, split between both? Or maybe 2nd string DE and 3rd string LB? Do they sacrifice Misi or Odrick's reps to get him snaps with the first team? What about Vernon and Jenkins, where do find they reps?
I'd tend to think it would be pretty similar, in practice he might end up dropping into coverage more often than he did at Oregon. It's hard to say. It's a different defense but his role might be similar.
Great post man, thanks for the info. I think the sky is the limit for Jordan, they key, as you said, is how quickly he can get up to speed. Misi very good vs the run, most teams didn't even bother trying. His zone drops are OK, he's not fooled by screens, but in man he's suceptible, teams were constantly trying to get him matched up vs their TEs so they could attack him that way. Jordan in that spot, next to Misi, a la Aldon and Justin Smith is exactly what I'd like to see. More speed, quickness and versatility than Odrick-Misi, TP and DJ are all over it. The only dropoff will be vs the run, Jordan is gonna have to show he's no punk at the POA/LOS before he can maximize his pass rush skills and once he shows he can attack the QB his skills as a cover guy become that much more of a factor. The way Ireland moved up to get him I'm assuming they have a specific role envisioned. Cant wait till TC starts so we can see what the plan is.
I'm not sure there is a satisfactory name for that position that doesn't require explanation. It's basically a weakside linebacker in terms of alignment and a strongside linebacker in terms of tendencies. I think if Wake weren't a left-side only guy it would completely be a SOLB position.
They headed towards a 3-3 Nickel package last year and if anything Dion Jordan reinforces that. Given the commentary about Wake in coverage, it's quite possible this might be a more of a 2-4 Nickel defense without defensive ends.
That's the key IMO. I think Jordan will be able to play anywhere, but with Wake cemented at LDE it becomes counterproductive to use DJ as the Sam. As far as Jordan coming in for Misi, would you like to see him on the LOS with Odrick playing more of a 5 tech or off the line with Odrick outside the tackle?
I think eventually, whether it's this year or next, you'd see the following: RDE - Odrick (Closed End in the Eagle theory) NT - Soliai DT - Starks LDE - Wake (Eagle End) ROLB - Jordan (Move Player) MLB - Ellerbe LOLB - Wheeler (Eagle LB) I still don't think Dion Jordan surpasses Misi on the depth chart by week 1 unless there's an injury, but I think you can certainly get creative with Jordan in all manner of sub packages. I know some won't like it, but I'd almost copy the 49ers plan they used for Aldon Smith and let Jordan be a pass-rusher primarily as a rookie and puts on weight. I think you've touched on this several times. Then, you can target him as a starter in 2014 or even late 2013 if he trains on fast.
Just based on last year, it seemed like Odrick was primarily playing 5 and 6 techniques in base packages. I think Jordan gives you the flexibility to where he could play on the LOS if needed, or play 1x1 or 1x3 off the LOS like a 3-4 OLB, I'd have a hard time imagine him being stacked behind Odrick as in a true 4-3, but I certainly wouldn't put it past Coyle to line him up there and have him walk up in a gap or something. I'd imagine they'd also probably slide him out wide over the slot some like the 49ers do with Aldon Smith, especially if it's a matchup they feel Jordan gives them a favorable advantage, like against a TE or H-Back.
Im expecting to see 4-2-4, 3-3-5 and 2-4-5, maybe even some 1-5-5 with Starks or Odrick as the only down lineman in 3rd and 10+ or vs teams that like to go empty. It'd be a nightmare in terms of protection assignments for the offense. Between Ellerbe, Wheeler, Wake, Misi, Jordan, Vernon, Jenkins, and Kaddu there's no shortage of guys to get ultra creative with. I'd also love to see Marshall's versatility used in terms of disguising coverage. He's as good in the slot or at FS as he is on the outside, it could free up Clemons and/or Jones to show up in places where they're not expected. Poor Brandon Weeden.
Glad you brought up Smith, I think the 9ers do a helluva job using their 2 Smiths to cause problems for the offense. If Odrick and Wake can come close to what Aldon and Justin do, with Wake to deal with off the other edge, plus Ellerbe and Wheeler sugaring/attacking the A gaps, look out...
on his latest column barry jackson revealed this thats the only mention of the dolphins in this whole thing though Here Also Ellerbe is joining his former Ravens Teammates at the White House Here one of the few times I´m on the same page with Omar Kelly:
I hope Ellerbe doesn't get soft with his new contract, hope he has it in him to be what we need him to be.
There's nothing specific to worry about with the note on Gibson and Wheeler struggling in their new roles. They're in new systems playing new roles, doing things they haven't done before. I actually get more worried when the feedback from Dolphins camp is this continuous stream of monotone praise and awesomeness. That's when you know there's a signaling problem.
So true. It's always funny to hear media reports on camp practices that resemble play by play from game action. So and so caught such and such or did this and that in 7 on 7 or team drills. It's ridiculous. Guys are out there to learn their assignments and get back into football shape, who beat who on a comeback route in red zone work is past meaningless.
I think w/Jordan Coyle has the sort of hybrid player you can do so much with that he has to be careful to not just rely on something like coverage ability to the detriment of his first step quickness rushing the passer. Sound simplistic however coaches can sometimes put trust into another player to handle a role someone else is better suited to fill "oh I can cover the slot and flat with Dion and I'm sure Odrick/Shelby/Vernon can get after the passer in that look" IMO anyway, big picture getting after the Qb is more important then dropping into coverage.
If they decide to have Jordan focus more on pass rushing that should give Jelani Jenkins a chance to show what he can do as a coverage LB. I liked what I saw from him at UF, hopefully he can come in and contribute.
With Odrick's ability to 2 gap and his desire to 2 gap from time to time, I say mix it up and do a little of both, no?
I do believe that when we look back on the Brandon Gibson signing we're going to end up wondering why they signed that guy to play the slot in Davone Bess' place. He's not suited for it.
but we didn't sign him to replace Bess per say. He was supposed to be our #4 with Tavon Austin replacing Bess.
