Who Starts on Defense? - The Last Roster Thread of the Pre-Season, Thank God.

I really can't wait for tomorrow, so why not one last round of gluttony for punishment. I dedicate this thread to MGT, who I cannot believe has not started this thread already.

With all our justified angst about the OL, there's a fair amount of mystery as to what our defense will look like. Much depends on match-ups, but operating on the assumption that Miami runs a Chip Kelly-style offense with 11 personnel, here's my starting D.

Chandler-Wilfork-Siliga-Nink
I still wish Kelly were around to rotate in here. Easley sees the field as soon as Miami substitutes, but given that he can't play the whole game, the first play is as good a time as any to put the two big guys in there next to each other.

Mayo-Collins
The base defense is a nickel against Miami, as I avoid the vexing 3-4, 4-3, 5-2 questions.

Dennard-Harmon-McCourty-Arrington-Revis
This is obviously the hardest call, but I don't see where anyone has unseated Arrington in the slot, and Wilson/Chung/Ryan haven't done enough to climb the ladder to start. Butler gets the rookie treatment. I would like to see Wilson out there in lieu of Harmon, as he adds heft to the nickel and has yet to look bad this season (unlike Harmon, Ryan, and Chung), but nothing in the way he was used in the pre-season suggests to me that BB is going that way.

The three CB, one S options also exists, but I think Hightower starts the game on the sideline and rotates in when Miami goes 2-wide.

I would replace Harmon with another CB, either Butler or Ryan (or both, with Arrington on the bench). And I hope that Easley plays more snaps than Siliga. If indeed "the base defense is a nickel against Miami", then what I want to see on the field most of the time is:

Ninkovich - Wilfork - Easley - Jones

Mayo - Collins

McCourty

Revis - Dennard - Butler - Ryan

I also think Hightower gets a fair number of reps as a pass rusher.

mayoclinic said:

I would replace Harmon with another CB, either Butler or Ryan (or both, with Arrington on the bench). And I hope that Easley plays more snaps than Siliga. If indeed "the base defense is a nickel against Miami", then what I want to see on the field most of the time is:

Ninkovich - Wilfork - Easley - Jones

Mayo - Collins

McCourty

Revis - Dennard - Butler - Ryan

I also think Hightower gets a fair number of reps as a pass rusher.

Click to expand...

Forgot to mention Hightower rotating in at DE. He probably gets more snaps there than at LB, if I am envisioning the Miami offense right.

Agreed on Easley getting more snaps than Siliga. He's the one not on the injury list, after all. However, as a rookie who hasn't gotten any pre-season snaps, I think he gets a series to take it all in before he lines-up next to Big Vince.

I do think Arrington starts somewhere, even if it's as SS or 4th CB. Ryan hasn't looked good in pre-season games, but if he goes to SS, I see Arrington in the slot. He's strong against the run, and that's a necessity against the Chip Kelly offensive system, which is predicated on spreading out the D and running into the open spaces.

Secondary, I'd go with: Revis, Butler, Dennard & McCourty.

Not sure this even matters, honestly. The roster is set for massive rotational play along the DL, in the defensive backfield, and among the skill positions on the O. In all cases, I think our coach is trying to dictate to the opponent, rather than react. Plus, the Miami heat/humidity, which is a bit overplayed, is still a factor and I'm sure this week's roster is in part designed to address that.

3-4-4 Base
LDT-Wilfork
NT-Siliga
RDE-Easley/Vellano
LOLB-Ninkovich/Hightower
LILB-Mayo/Hightower
RILB-Collins/Mayo
ROLB-Jones
LCB-Revis
RCB-Dennard
FS-McCourty
SS-Chung

4-3-4 Base
LE-Ninkovich
DT-Easley
NT-Wilfork
RE-Jones
WLB-Collins
MLB-Mayo
SLB-Hightower
LCB-Revis
RCB-Dennard
FS-McCourty
SS-Chung

4-2-5 Nickel
LE-Ninkovich
DT-Easley
DT-Wilfork
RE-Jones
WLB-Collins
MLB-Mayo
LCB-Revis
RCB-Dennard
Slot-CB-Ryan
FS-McCourty
SS-Harmon

4-1-6 Dime
LE-Hightower/Collins
DT-Easley
DT-Jones
RE-Ninkovich
MLB-Mayo/Collins
LCB-Revis
RCB-Dennard
Slot-CB-Ryan
Slot-CB-Arrington
FS-McCourty
SS-Harmon

With all the sub packages and formation adjustments, it's a fool's errand to try and determine who is a starter and who isn't, especially on defense. The only play that matters is the first play. If you want to know who are the most important players on each side of the ball, watch who's on the field at the end of a close game.

My second point is just a pet peeve. If only to ensure that my head doesn't explode, when you make out your roster designations, PLEASE don't list one slot as a SS. The definition of a SS is the guy who plays on the strong side of the formation. Since the Pats DO NOT flop their safeties (as a rule), the SS designation has no meaning for THIS team.

I know its a nit picking point, but for some reason, that I can't explain, it drives me nuts.

I have rarely fussed about who will be on the field for the first play. I agree with all your analysis.

In my mind, the are two questions. The first is at DT. Easley will play as much as he is able to play. I'm fine with Siliga starting, as you suggest. Easley is should be our regular DT starter soon enough.

I have said many, many times that I haven't a clue with regard to who is starting opposite McCourty. I thought Harmon was a lock for a very long time, and is still the most likely. However, I certainly could see Chung starting. Chung COULD be a different player playing next to McCourty and behind Revis and Browner (or whoever starts until Browner is ready).

As an aside, finding the best use of Hightower is a challenge.

pencilneckgeek said:

I really can't wait for tomorrow, so why not one last round of gluttony for punishment. I dedicate this thread to MGT, who I cannot believe has not started this thread already.

With all our justified angst about the OL, there's a fair amount of mystery as to what our defense will look like. Much depends on match-ups, but operating on the assumption that Miami runs a Chip Kelly-style offense with 11 personnel, here's my starting D.

Chandler-Wilfork-Siliga-Nink
I still wish Kelly were around to rotate in here. Easley sees the field as soon as Miami substitutes, but given that he can't play the whole game, the first play is as good a time as any to put the two big guys in there next to each other.

Mayo-Collins
The base defense is a nickel against Miami, as I avoid the vexing 3-4, 4-3, 5-2 questions.

Dennard-Harmon-McCourty-Arrington-Revis
This is obviously the hardest call, but I don't see where anyone has unseated Arrington in the slot, and Wilson/Chung/Ryan haven't done enough to climb the ladder to start. Butler gets the rookie treatment. I would like to see Wilson out there in lieu of Harmon, as he adds heft to the nickel and has yet to look bad this season (unlike Harmon, Ryan, and Chung), but nothing in the way he was used in the pre-season suggests to me that BB is going that way.

The three CB, one S options also exists, but I think Hightower starts the game on the sideline and rotates in when Miami goes 2-wide.

Click to expand...

mgteich said:

As an aside, finding the best use of Hightower is a challenge.

Click to expand...

But finding the worst use of him isn't: putting him in coverage.

Easley-Wilfork-Siliga
Hightower-Mayo-Collins-Jones
Revis-Dennard-Chung-McCourty