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I think that it is too simplistic to look at our LB corps as 2 starting OLBs and 2 backups and 2 starting ILB and their backups. We use LBs in many varied roles, in many different situations, and alignments.
Base Defense:
In our base, we have 2 OLBs. On any given play one is designated to rush the passer as the 4th rusher. Should we blitz, the other may as well. Over the years, we have used different approaches to which OLB is designated the rusher. At times it is almost a 50/50 split between the 2. While this would seem schematically to be the best and most easily disgusied approach, in fact, it has been much, much more common that one of the 2 (first Willie McGinest, and recently Mike Vrabel) gets the vast majority of pass rush responsibility. McGinest in the early BB years, and Vrabel for the last 2 have almost exclusively rushed the QB. It would appear this year, that this role will fall to Adalius Thomas. IMO, given this assumption we are as strong as ever rushing the passer from our base, as our front 3 remains strong, and IMO, Adalius Thomas is one of the top pass rushing OLBs we have had, certainly better today that Mike Vrabel of 2008. In other words, I see AD in Vrabels 07-08 role of rushing almost exclusively.
The other OLB can either split the rushing duties (ideal but not common) or rush quite a bit less often, being more responsible for coverage. Of course if that is the case, his run defense would be a critical component of his value. IMO, this is Pierre Woods this season, and I am comfortable with his ability to handle that role, even if I must accept he limits our ability to switch up which OLB is the 'rusher'.
The majority of the pass rushing duties from the OLB position, however, are not out of the base defense. In our scheme, almost exclusively, OLBs play DE in nickel and dime packages. We DO NOT play Semour, Warren, etc as DE in sub packages, we play OLBs in that role. The DEs move inside and rush from the "DT" spots. Clearly AD is one of these '3rd down package' rushers. (note I say 3rd down for brevity we use it a lot more than just 3rd) At this point it would appear that TBC, Woods, and Crabel if healthy will play opposite him in these situations.
In some cases, OLBs are also called on the be acutal LBs in the sub package, but typically we will have one or 2, with DBs lined up in the LB positions as well. This season, Mayo figures to be in all the time, with Guyton seeing a lot of action in 3rd down sub packages as well, so there seems to be no need/use for OLBs in a LB position in the nickel/dime.
At ILB, one fact that has escaped discussion for years is that in our defense, the 2nd ILB in our base 3-4 will play less than half the snaps over the course of the season. As we move to nickel (3-3-5, 4-2-5) dime (4-1-6 3-2-6) that 2nd ILB disappears from the field very often. There are fewer LBs on the field to begin with and BB has a tendency to play safeties in a "LB spot" in nickel and dime. Truly we require 1 ILB, and a second half of the time. With Mayo, Guyton and Bruschi as well as Lenon, I'm confident we are in fine shape here, considering Mayo 2.0 will probably be the best ILB of the BB era in any season.
I think the ILB position is a big strength. It is stocked with an all-pro player, a capable player beside him when needed, and good depth.
At the OLB position, it would certainly be nice to have a seasoned, versatile, strong performer opposite Thomas to allow creativity with both, but with AD there to rush the passer, I think worry about his counterpart---at least when compared to the teams we have fielded under BB----is exaggerated. Thomas makes us as strong rushing from the OLB spot, and Woods, IMO, can hold his own as a run defender, coverage guy and solid if underwhelming contributor.
The key is not really the LB position, but who fills the role, in addition to AD, that has historically been filled by an OLB, as a nickel/dime DE. I assume it will be a combination of TBC, Crabel (if he gets healthy) and Woods, but could imagine it includes Jarvis Green, Lenon or others.
When I break down the LB position for 2009, I don't worry a second about ILB. I don't worry about OLB in the base, and the only concern I have is who will have their hand down across from AD as a DE in the nickel and dime.
Feel free to comment
Base Defense:
In our base, we have 2 OLBs. On any given play one is designated to rush the passer as the 4th rusher. Should we blitz, the other may as well. Over the years, we have used different approaches to which OLB is designated the rusher. At times it is almost a 50/50 split between the 2. While this would seem schematically to be the best and most easily disgusied approach, in fact, it has been much, much more common that one of the 2 (first Willie McGinest, and recently Mike Vrabel) gets the vast majority of pass rush responsibility. McGinest in the early BB years, and Vrabel for the last 2 have almost exclusively rushed the QB. It would appear this year, that this role will fall to Adalius Thomas. IMO, given this assumption we are as strong as ever rushing the passer from our base, as our front 3 remains strong, and IMO, Adalius Thomas is one of the top pass rushing OLBs we have had, certainly better today that Mike Vrabel of 2008. In other words, I see AD in Vrabels 07-08 role of rushing almost exclusively.
The other OLB can either split the rushing duties (ideal but not common) or rush quite a bit less often, being more responsible for coverage. Of course if that is the case, his run defense would be a critical component of his value. IMO, this is Pierre Woods this season, and I am comfortable with his ability to handle that role, even if I must accept he limits our ability to switch up which OLB is the 'rusher'.
The majority of the pass rushing duties from the OLB position, however, are not out of the base defense. In our scheme, almost exclusively, OLBs play DE in nickel and dime packages. We DO NOT play Semour, Warren, etc as DE in sub packages, we play OLBs in that role. The DEs move inside and rush from the "DT" spots. Clearly AD is one of these '3rd down package' rushers. (note I say 3rd down for brevity we use it a lot more than just 3rd) At this point it would appear that TBC, Woods, and Crabel if healthy will play opposite him in these situations.
In some cases, OLBs are also called on the be acutal LBs in the sub package, but typically we will have one or 2, with DBs lined up in the LB positions as well. This season, Mayo figures to be in all the time, with Guyton seeing a lot of action in 3rd down sub packages as well, so there seems to be no need/use for OLBs in a LB position in the nickel/dime.
At ILB, one fact that has escaped discussion for years is that in our defense, the 2nd ILB in our base 3-4 will play less than half the snaps over the course of the season. As we move to nickel (3-3-5, 4-2-5) dime (4-1-6 3-2-6) that 2nd ILB disappears from the field very often. There are fewer LBs on the field to begin with and BB has a tendency to play safeties in a "LB spot" in nickel and dime. Truly we require 1 ILB, and a second half of the time. With Mayo, Guyton and Bruschi as well as Lenon, I'm confident we are in fine shape here, considering Mayo 2.0 will probably be the best ILB of the BB era in any season.
I think the ILB position is a big strength. It is stocked with an all-pro player, a capable player beside him when needed, and good depth.
At the OLB position, it would certainly be nice to have a seasoned, versatile, strong performer opposite Thomas to allow creativity with both, but with AD there to rush the passer, I think worry about his counterpart---at least when compared to the teams we have fielded under BB----is exaggerated. Thomas makes us as strong rushing from the OLB spot, and Woods, IMO, can hold his own as a run defender, coverage guy and solid if underwhelming contributor.
The key is not really the LB position, but who fills the role, in addition to AD, that has historically been filled by an OLB, as a nickel/dime DE. I assume it will be a combination of TBC, Crabel (if he gets healthy) and Woods, but could imagine it includes Jarvis Green, Lenon or others.
When I break down the LB position for 2009, I don't worry a second about ILB. I don't worry about OLB in the base, and the only concern I have is who will have their hand down across from AD as a DE in the nickel and dime.
Feel free to comment