Another look at the coverage in the secondary

pencilneckgeek said:

I'm not sure what "hips in space" means. Bad hips is one of the limitations that causes a CB to have to transition to S. In space, it's less about hips and more about ability to read defenses, identify responsibilities in a zone, and get leverage to make a play on the ball or the man.

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His hips aren't as exposed when he gets his hands on a receiver. He knows how to leverage himself when his arms aren't extended to the point where the receiver can sort of help him turn his hips and run. In space when he can't use contact to help him flip his hips (aka off the LOS) he's much slower to react and be able to run with a guy out of his break. Browner is not the DB you want to be covering guys with a free release. It plays against his strengths as a football player. A lot goes into playing the safety position but the idea that moving Browner there as some sort of coverage upgrade isn't the best idea.

One challenge for BB and intelligent observers alike is that DBs are wildly inconsistent. Revis, McCourty, Arrington and I think also Browner have had extremely inconsistent performance over the past several years. The same used to be true of Ty Law, who neatly alternated years in which he looked like a HoFer and years in which he was injured or looked like a JAG.

Part of the reason is surely scheme/role. But I suspect another part is that DBs are especially sensitive to minor/medium injuries. Why? Because their principal role is high-speed reaction. A WR might be able to get away with not initiating moves he's not capable of that week. An LB can lose a bit of response speed and still be effective. But a DB who loses even a little bit of speed or quickness in responding to the receiver is likely to get toasted.

There were times last season when Belichick/Patricia used a 4-DE, 3-LB, 3-CB, and 1-SAF defense, I recall against the Bills in week 1 it was –

LE – Ninkovich
DT – Kelly
NT – Wilfork
RE – Jones
SLB – Hightower
MLB – Spikes
WLB – Mayo
LCB – Talib
RCB – Dennard
Slot CB – Arrington
SAF – McCourty

I would not be surprised to see some more of that type of look with –