Tank or no Tank, what's up with last year's 'hybrid' S/LB and related scheme?

[BTTA]

It created a bit of a stir last year prior to William's injury. Is it still a viable option?

Are there any posters who are familiar with the defensive scheming behind it?

 

[BradyManny]

It created a bit of a stir last year prior to William's injury. Is it still a viable option?

Are there any posters who are familiar with the defensive scheming behind it?

I think the feeling is Gary Guyton might've made it unnecessary. The purpose of having Williams out there was to have a guy in the middle of the field with the speed to cover. Guyton's best asset is his speed, and he's big enough to be a greater force against the run anyway. Not to mention Guyton adds the added potential of an inside blitz.

I wouldn't say Guyton was great in coverage during the season, but like Mayo, is improving in that regard, and hopefully the two of them should make a good combo in the middle for the nickel/dime packages.

 

[Pats726]

I think that is still possible..the hybrid was similar to the 3 safties of 02....where one of the bigger safeties was essentially a LB...but with Tank..or Riodney, it would make it easier to cover players coming out on 3rd down...still possible..I think.

 

[tb4u]

I think that is still possible..the hybrid was similar to the 3 safties of 02....where one of the bigger safeties was essentially a LB...but with Tank..or Riodney, it would make it easier to cover players coming out on 3rd down...still possible..I think.

Yea, that is what it is. Since Tank Williams is 6'2" 223 lbs. that gives him an option to play on that middle field where the safties are and the linebackers. His role is mostly to watch the TE and if the TE stays to block he rushes the passer, but if he goes out, he is suppose to cover him. It frees up another LB to be able to rush the passer. They are mostly used against teams who have a known reputation for passing to the TE.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

We'll see more of where it may be on Day Two of the draft when the bigger Safeties and smaller Linebackers come up to bat.

 

[tb4u]

We'll see more of where it may be on Day Two of the draft when the bigger Safeties and smaller Linebackers come up to bat.

I agree. There always seems to be a couple of diamonds in the rough on the second day of the draft. I mean hell, Brady was a 6th rounder! haha so yea. But you never know who is going to step it up in the pros.

 

[Ring 6]

I think it was a way to use the player not a philosophy to try to fit a player into.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I agree. There always seems to be a couple of diamonds in the rough on the second day of the draft. I mean hell, Brady was a 6th rounder! haha so yea. But you never know who is going to step it up in the pros.

My pick for Rodney Jr. has crept into the last part of the draft projections, if they got Stephen Hodge on Day Two, I could see the Williams' hybrid experiment getting a closer look.

 

[tb4u]

My pick for Rodney Jr. has crept into the last part of the draft projections, if they got Stephen Hodge on Day Two, I could see the Williams' hybrid experiment getting a closer look.

I havn't looked into Stephen Hodge. Is he projected to go on the second day?

 

[ALP]

is tank not on the roster for this yr?

 

[tb4u]

is tank not on the roster for this yr?

Not yet, he is a UFA right now. No one else is signing him yet. I think the pats will end up resigning him for cheap.

 

[Jared]

Not yet, he is a UFA right now. No one else is signing him yet. I think the pats will end up resigning him for cheap.

Only if Rodney doesn't come back. Otherwise I think it is more likely that a draft pick or two goes towards filling in S spots.

 

[tb4u]

Only if Rodney doesn't come back. Otherwise I think it is more likely that a draft pick or two goes towards filling in S spots.

I love rodney, but i think it is about time for him to hang up the jersey and retire. He should go into Broadcasting. He did a good job over SB XLIII and he just hasn't been the same in the past couple of years.

 

[Jared]

I love rodney, but i think it is about time for him to hang up the jersey and retire. He should go into Broadcasting. He did a good job over SB XLIII and he just hasn't been the same in the past couple of years.

I agree with this. My point was more that I expect at least one guy more veteran than James Sanders to be in the mix at Safety, whoever that is. Sanders, Merriweather, (Veteran S), (Rookie SS), and whatever 6th corner is versatile enough to play S in a pinch.

 

[alvinnf]

I think it was a way to use the player not a philosophy to try to fit a player into.

Wrong, wrong, wrong, The hybrid SS in the 4/3 big nickel is one thing. However if you can roll, all three downs with this player in the 3/4 once you get to 3rd dwn your back in the little nickle which is where you want to be. Especially, with the evolution of the TE and the spread.

 

[JSn]

I remember a lengthy, and intelligent (what?!?) thread about schemes that would use/require a TW type of player. There was some real excitement over this plan, but everything caved in quickly.

I think it was along the lines of 2-5-4 and 2-4-5 sets with ambiguous defenders (not the Ace and Gary sort of ambiguous, mind you) such as Tank or, to a lesser degree, Rodney.

It also highlight the thinking that, though we have a depth chart which reflects financial hierarchies as much as anything, the expectation of every play ebing able to go and to do multiple things nullifies such "lists", or at least diminshes their importance.

You could say Hobbs is now the third CB (which I don't believe), but he could see the field most of the time anyway, for example. You could say Springs is now play safety... or is he.

The whole idea is to throw so much madness at opposing QB's that they make mistakes - something that would have benefited our corners a LOT last year.

 

[jmt57]

I could be wrong but I thought the concept kept three DL, but the hybrid took the place of a nickel back or LB, no? Faster than a LB to cover on a pass play, but bigger than a nickel back to tackle a TE or RB.

Maybe Unoriginal, Box O Rocks or someone else with more knowledge than me can verify.

 

[JSn]

I could be wrong but I thought the concept kept three DL, but the hybrid took the place of a nickel back or LB, no? Faster than a LB to cover on a pass play, but bigger than a nickel back to tackle a TE or RB.

Maybe Unoriginal, Box O Rocks or someone else with more knowledge than me can verify.

Unoriginal and Metaphors should have something to add. They were all over that like George Michael on a skin lollipop.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

We just signed Tank Williams

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

We just signed Tank Williams

Yea i think its a great move to resign him. I want to see what he can do lets hope he stays healthy.

BTW my 100th post