VJCPatriot
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2006
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What is the sophomore leap? Well it's a phenomenon where the rookie player, who took his lumps in the 1st year, just takes it all to the next level in his 2nd year. The game slows down, they are comfortable in their role and they understand the system, so now they just can go after it, react more instinctively, and use their elite athleticism (that got them drafted in the first place).
The fact of the matter is that the Patriots core defense is still very YOUNG. Consider the defensive rookies we had on our roster last season, namely: Jamie Collins, Logan Ryan, Duron Harmon, Michael Buchanan, Steve Beauharnais, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones.
Just taking a case study of one of our own players what happened to Chandler Jones when he made his Sophmore leap?
Rookie season: 45 tackles 6 sacks 3 forced fumbles
Sophmore season: 79 tackles 11.5 sacks 1 forced fumble 1 fumble recovery
The leap in productivity is SIGNIFICANT. We see almost twice as many tackles and sacks as Chandler's rookie season. Better health is part of it, but simply being more experienced, and comfortable at the pro level is the other part, along with improvement in technical abilities due to coaching up from the New England staff.
Naturally, we all realized that Jones was special from his 1st season, so it's not a surprise that he successfully made the 'sophomore leap'. With the above cast of players named above poised to make a possible leap, who should we especially keep an eye on?
I feel the key candidate to make that leap is none other than Jamie Collins.
Rookie season: 43 tackles 1 fumble recovery 4 pass deflections.
I would not be at all surprised to see Collins double those numbers across the board. I envision Collins as the Patriots future at the SAM linebacker position, which slides Hightower over to MIKE with Mayo assuming the WIL position.
Collins possesses rare athleticism and length for the position, all the attributes that BB desires in a linebacker. Here's what BB had to say on Collins:
“He’s another guy who has worked hard, who has been a consistent guy out there every day in terms of being able to practice, being able to work on his techniques, get better, whether it be on the scout team or defensively or in the kicking game,” coach Bill Belichick said.
Source: Bill Belichick gives rookie LB Jamie Collins a vote of confidence | masslive.com
“First of all, he’s worked very hard,” coach Bill Belichick said. “He’s been very dependable and durable. He hasn’t missed anything all year. He started out playing not started out but he’s playing outside linebacker in regular, he plays off the line in some regular, he plays nickel linebacker. As you saw today, he’s out there split out tight end covering them on fade patterns and blitzing up the middle and he’s making tackles in line.
“I think he’s pretty comfortable wherever he is, whether he’s in line taking blockers or blitzing, or covering tight ends from in close. He’s a very versatile athlete that’s smart, works hard, really has a great team attitude. I love having him on our team.”
Source:It Is What It Is » Jamie Collins, Dont?a Hightower spark defense in playoff win over Colts
Get ready because he's coming and he could be better than ever entering his Sophmore season -- Jamie Collins. Our next X factor on Defense.
The fact of the matter is that the Patriots core defense is still very YOUNG. Consider the defensive rookies we had on our roster last season, namely: Jamie Collins, Logan Ryan, Duron Harmon, Michael Buchanan, Steve Beauharnais, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones.
Just taking a case study of one of our own players what happened to Chandler Jones when he made his Sophmore leap?
Rookie season: 45 tackles 6 sacks 3 forced fumbles
Sophmore season: 79 tackles 11.5 sacks 1 forced fumble 1 fumble recovery
The leap in productivity is SIGNIFICANT. We see almost twice as many tackles and sacks as Chandler's rookie season. Better health is part of it, but simply being more experienced, and comfortable at the pro level is the other part, along with improvement in technical abilities due to coaching up from the New England staff.
Naturally, we all realized that Jones was special from his 1st season, so it's not a surprise that he successfully made the 'sophomore leap'. With the above cast of players named above poised to make a possible leap, who should we especially keep an eye on?
I feel the key candidate to make that leap is none other than Jamie Collins.
Rookie season: 43 tackles 1 fumble recovery 4 pass deflections.
I would not be at all surprised to see Collins double those numbers across the board. I envision Collins as the Patriots future at the SAM linebacker position, which slides Hightower over to MIKE with Mayo assuming the WIL position.
Collins possesses rare athleticism and length for the position, all the attributes that BB desires in a linebacker. Here's what BB had to say on Collins:
“He’s another guy who has worked hard, who has been a consistent guy out there every day in terms of being able to practice, being able to work on his techniques, get better, whether it be on the scout team or defensively or in the kicking game,” coach Bill Belichick said.
Source: Bill Belichick gives rookie LB Jamie Collins a vote of confidence | masslive.com
“First of all, he’s worked very hard,” coach Bill Belichick said. “He’s been very dependable and durable. He hasn’t missed anything all year. He started out playing not started out but he’s playing outside linebacker in regular, he plays off the line in some regular, he plays nickel linebacker. As you saw today, he’s out there split out tight end covering them on fade patterns and blitzing up the middle and he’s making tackles in line.
“I think he’s pretty comfortable wherever he is, whether he’s in line taking blockers or blitzing, or covering tight ends from in close. He’s a very versatile athlete that’s smart, works hard, really has a great team attitude. I love having him on our team.”
Source:It Is What It Is » Jamie Collins, Dont?a Hightower spark defense in playoff win over Colts
Get ready because he's coming and he could be better than ever entering his Sophmore season -- Jamie Collins. Our next X factor on Defense.