JoeSixPat

I think there's a distinction between suggesting an elephant role and a LB role. As was pointed out, Jarvis is bigger than a lot of LBs - but he's also faster than most DEs.

In that respect he's closer to McGinest in that he's a smaller DE - and of course, McGinest often played the Elephant role.

So it wouldn't suprise me to see him used in that role at all.

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PatsWickedPissah

As wild and speculative as this is, I would not be greatly surprised if BB has covertly worked out Jarvis in some emergency LB role, a la Troy Brown. I don't think it's so but it is not wildly improbable either. It requires a more in-depth knowlege of the player and his capabilities than I as a fan can assess.

RayClay

Thanks Joe, that's what I'm talking about.

I believe the Elephant rushes on every play so he wouldn't have coverage responsibilities, although he would have run support responsibilities.

In the 3-4, the rush could come from any linebacker.

With the elephant it could come from any location, behind, or on the line, but Jarvis would be expected to rush, not cover for a linebacker.

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JoeSixPat

And really, in a true sense of the Elephant position, he hangs back a bit, keeps his eye on the ball, then makes his move as the play develops - that's the nature of the position, isn't it?

Jarvis outweighs Willie by 15 lbs. and is a bit shorter - but overall I think Green is still faster than Willie. So if McGinest could do it, I'm unclear why everyone thinks there's no way Jarvis could play the same role.

What am I missing?

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RayClay

Yeah, the idea is, you know he's rushing but you don't know from where.

He could crowd the line at snap, or look for a gap, left or right.

I believe Richard Dent was doing this to us in the 85 Super Bowl, but I'm not sure and it's not worth undoing the years of therapy trying to recall.

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RayClay

Not really advocating this as much as trying to draw out the X+O types to see if there are problems with this with coverage responsibilities, etc.

Jarvis is heavier than the others at Elephant, but he's fast and maybe our best pure pass rusher.

Pass rushing in the first 3 quarters is not a strength right now IMO.

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chris66

BB is secretly practicing ben watson as an outside lb, 260 with 4.4 speed, if he can get open on offense he can cover on defense ala troy brown

JoeSixPat

I assume you're joking as I can't believe that BB would risk injuring or tiring out one of his only legitimate receiving threats on defense.

Troy's a different case as he's typically been the 3rd, 4th or 5th WR when being asked to save a roster spot as an emergency DB.

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chris66

of course I'm joking, but if we had a better and deeper receiver core I could see it happening. I dont put anything by BB. Brown as a db, vrabel as a te, seymour as a fb. you have to admit there is a track record there

Flying Fungi

Before there is too much angst posted in this thread, I would like to push it further in the direction of the Elephant role differing from a 'traditional' OLB.

When I first conjectured Jarvis as the Elephant, I was looking at him replacing only a portion of Willie's responsibilities. This is not about him being a 3 or 4 down OLB--it is about lining him up as the extra player in the spot that is typically an OLB. He is capable and has been used out of a 2-point and 3-point stance.

The argument back towards the NFl-DE-as-OLB is--what do you call a DE in a 2-point stance on the outside of a 5-2 alignment?

I would call him the Elephant.

Similarly, a 3-4 can be disguised as a 4-3 by having a 'typical' DE lined up on the outside. This creates confusion and mismatches.

Belichick teams have always stressed versatility, and having a player that can morph into multiple roles is the height of value from a salary slot. It also explains why a non-starting 'DE' is making as much as Jarvis is.

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