Clayton LB Article - New England Patriots Forums

bucky · 05-10-2006, 12:17 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=2439793

This article is nothing special, but it brings up 2 interesting thoughts:

1) This explains why so many teams are putting an emphasis on TEs and running 2 TE offenses. The TEs have a better chance of getting a block on the smallish LBs and are very effective at flooding both the cover 2 and cover 3 zones.

2) If everybody wants the small and fast LBs, where the hell are the bigger LBs? Shouldn't we be seeing some of them here where they're valued?

Ochmed Jones · 05-10-2006, 12:55 PM

The law of supply and demand may be at work here. Especially with 10 teams now running the 3-4.

***Bobs My Uncle*** · 05-10-2006, 01:04 PM

From that article come two curious quotes:

Quote:

"You want as much speed as possible on defense," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "Overall, speed at the linebacker position has been increasing. Speed is the name of the game now."

and

Quote:

"I see a time pretty soon where you are going to see three linebackers on the field who will pretty much all look the same," Titans general manager Floyd Reese said. "Those old 6-4, 255-pound strongside linebackers are being weeded out and being replaced by faster guys. Pretty soon, you are going to see three linebackers out there who aren't going to be as big but are out there because of speed."

I guess these two haven't been paying attention to the LB corps of the last 3 (not to mention 4 of the last 5) super bowl champions

chowder · 05-10-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucky

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=2439793

2) If everybody wants the small and fast LBs, where the hell are the bigger LBs? Shouldn't we be seeing some of them here where they're valued?

We are seeing some of them here. Guys like Roach have the size to work in our system and due to everone else drafting small and fast LBs, the bigger and slower guys like Parham and Roach were left for the taking after the draft. I'll bet BB knew that too! lol

teamplay · 05-10-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

"Eventually, teams will line up in two-tight-end sets and pound the ball with the running game," Reese said.

Three key components of NE offense:
1. Pounding the ball with 2-TE sets or otherwise
2. Screen passes (again, bulk over speed)
3. WRs who can read defenses and adjust routes

...with just enough vertical game to keep the D honest.

The goal: negating the speed advantage

***BelichickFan*** · 05-10-2006, 02:45 PM

Truly mysterious stuff.

I guess this :

"Dungy's defense is revolutionizing the league"

is because it's worked so well for Indy. The more teams want to move to Indy style defenses the better for us I guess.

***BelichickFan*** · 05-10-2006, 02:49 PM

And then there's this :

"But, eventually, offenses will adjust to the increasing speed and smaller defensive bodies running around. "Eventually, teams will line up in two-tight-end sets and pound the ball with the running game," Reese said."

What kind of team would emphasize TE ? I can't imagine. The sad thing about this is that when we play Indy we usually beat them by passing the ball despite this ball washing of Dungy's speed defense.

I don't get this article at all. I guess he didn't notice all the DE being drafted to be 3-4 OLB this year

Amnorix · 05-10-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

The law of supply and demand may be at work here. Especially with 10 teams now running the 3-4.

10?! Is that right?

Cleveland, Dallas, Pats, Steelers. Who else? Are the Ravens a 3-4 or a 4-3 these days? I thought they had gone with 4-3 a year or two ago? Raiders (Rob Ryan) tried 3-4 but then went back to 4-3 I think.

My memory also suggests the 49ers are going to a 3-4, or already use one. And we know the Texans are switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3.

Anyone got a list handy?

***BelichickFan*** · 05-10-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

10?! Is that right?

The linked Clayton article says 25 (of the 32) teams run a 4-3. Using the math that was so helpful in 2+2=4, I figure that's seven 3-4 teams

bucky · 05-10-2006, 02:58 PM

I would expect the Jets to line up in a 34. SF is also playing 34. The Chargers are a 34 team, so that's 7 teams. With so many coaching and coordinator changes, it's getting confusing to keep track.