ROSTER ARITHMETIC - DEFENSE

[Ring 6]

I We may play some safety at corner, Woodson or Peppers on TE big wr lining up in the slot

I don’t think any of our safeties are able to play corner. I would consider putting a safety of a TE in the slot to mean he’s a corner.

 

[Ring 6]

Here's the thing... Last season saw the run game around the league make a resounding comeback as most of the best teams brought a rejuvenated running attack as a response to smaller faster defensive lineups that they were seeing. I think that trend continues. For THAT reason, I think we will see less of the nickel and dime sets and a bit more of the 3 and 4 LB sets (depending on the base DL) this season.

I think this bodes well for Marte Mapu, who is little more than an afterthought at this point in the minds of many observers. I think he will at least have a chance to carve out a significant role on defense and become a regular contributor depending on the offenses we see week to week.

I see the trend going the other way. I researched it and last year rushing attempts increased by 0.96% of a half an attempt per team per game.
What really is dictating the trend in my view isn’t the number of rushing attempts but the frequency of 3 WR formations. Defenses will matchup to personnel not likely run/pass percentages. (Unless a clear tell exists)
Nickel has become base because 3 wides has become base. Even in a 2 wide, 2 TE offense you would generally matchup with a 2 safety nickel.
Because FBs don’t exist as a part of regular offense for almost all teams, in run D the 7th DL/LB is replaced by the 5th DB.


I agree on Mapu, his college LB tape screams a fit for this defense. This defense is also going to expose LBs in coverage much more often than the BB defense that did a great job of hiding them. Whatever your feelings about Mapu as a safety is clear he has good coverage skills for a Lb

I haven’t heard if they have officially changed his position but I would be shocked if they don’t, and also shocked if he even makes the team if they leave him at safety unless he wins a job on special teams.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I agree on Mapu, his college LB tape screams a fit for this defense. This defense is also going to expose LBs in coverage much more often than the BB defense that did a great job of hiding them. Whatever your feelings about Mapu as a safety is clear he has good coverage skills for a Lb

I haven’t heard if they have officially changed his position but I would be shocked if they don’t, and also shocked if he even makes the team if they leave him at safety unless he wins a job on special teams.

Great discussion on Mapu.

 

[mgteich]

I don’t think any of our safeties are able to play corner. I would consider putting a safety of a TE in the slot to mean he’s a corner.

I think Woodson can play nickel; at least he did a lot in college.

 

[Ring 6]

I think Woodson can play nickel; at least he did a lot in college.

He’s a rookie. I’m sure he could play nickel vs 2 wide and 2 TE, covering a TE, but if we are putting a rookie S at nickel on a WR we are screwed. Especially one that was not a premium prospect.

 

[signbabybrady]

He’s a rookie. I’m sure he could play nickel vs 2 wide and 2 TE, covering a TE, but if we are putting a rookie S at nickel on a WR we are screwed. Especially one that was not a premium prospect.

Get ready to see it. Marcus will be out starting nickel but I expect Woodson to be utilized in a lot of different ways including on TEs and slot receivers.

 

[Ring 6]

Get ready to see it. Marcus will be out starting nickel but I expect Woodson to be utilized in a lot of different ways including on TEs and slot receivers.

There are 2 types of nickel. A nickel corner who covers WRs, and a nickel safety who covers TEs.
Woodson MIGHT, POSSIBLY get to play nickel safety at some point, particularly if there are injuries, but he is not going to be covering WRs.
I don’t expect him to see much of the field on defense unless there are injuries. He needs seasoning and development.

 

[maust]

Get ready to see it. Marcus will be out starting nickel but I expect Woodson to be utilized in a lot of different ways including on TEs and slot receivers.

I suspect the safeties will get used in a variety of ways/packages.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I suspect the safeties will get used in a variety of ways/packages.

That is what safeties do, get used in a variety of ways. I am completely missing the point of your water is wet post.

 

[Clonamery]

That is what safeties do, get used in a variety of ways. I am completely missing the point of your water is wet post.

And?

 

[rkarp1]

I love these new posts. keep them coming, please.
I also agree mostly with the numbers, understanding the labels are mostly interchangeable. is Landry a LB or DLE?
but I am mostly on board with the numbers, and enjoy plugging names into the numbers as we get further into summer.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

And?

Usually Maust has clever posts, not obvious ones. Am I missing something?

 

[Real fan 02]

Get ready to see it. Marcus will be out starting nickel but I expect Woodson to be utilized in a lot of different ways including on TEs and slot receivers.

Agreed, although I see him more as a field safety. When we have 2 thumpers at safety that will likely be up around the line more often. He can protect the deep half and intermediate part of the field like McCourty did.

 

[Clonamery]

Usually Maust has clever posts, not obvious ones. Am I missing something?

Probably that cognac is also wet.

 

[Real fan 02]

That is what safeties do, get used in a variety of ways. I am completely missing the point of your water is wet post.

Patriots Lineman Embraces 'Physicality' Of Mike Vrabel's System

Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the New England Patriots.

nesn.com

 

[rkarp1]

There are 2 types of nickel. A nickel corner who covers WRs, and a nickel safety who covers TEs.
Woodson MIGHT, POSSIBLY get to play nickel safety at some point, particularly if there are injuries, but he is not going to be covering WRs.
I don’t expect him to see much of the field on defense unless there are injuries. He needs seasoning and development.

like the term nickel implies, it's a 5th DB, regardless if it is a CB or S.
Epps, Hawkins and Woodson seemingly will be the options at the free safety position, with Epps potentially not fully healthy, and Hawkins coming off a mediocre season in coverage and with missed tackles. (good ST player)
Woodson could surprise you and play more than you think

 

[Ring 6]

like the term nickel implies, it's a 5th DB, regardless if it is a CB or S.
Epps, Hawkins and Woodson seemingly will be the options at the free safety position, with Epps potentially not fully healthy, and Hawkins coming off a mediocre season in coverage and with missed tackles. (good ST player)
Woodson could surprise you and play more than you think

I’m not concern with what something implies. I’m concerned with the fact that you aren’t putting Woodson in the field vs 3 wide and having him cover a WR.

The nickel is made up of 2 very different roles. A 3rd corner or a 3rd safety.
Woodson is not a 3rd corner.

Vrabels history is much greater usage of 3 corner nickel than 3 S bickel while BB favored 3 S other than on 3rd and passing yard distance, or in obvious passing situations.

This is going to be a difference in our defensive system, regardless of what a word may imply.

 

[rkarp1]

I’m not concern with what something implies. I’m concerned with the fact that you aren’t putting Woodson in the field vs 3 wide and having him cover a WR.

The nickel is made up of 2 very different roles. A 3rd corner or a 3rd safety.
Woodson is not a 3rd corner.

Vrabels history is much greater usage of 3 corner nickel than 3 S bickel while BB favored 3 S other than on 3rd and passing yard distance, or in obvious passing situations.

This is going to be a difference in our defensive system, regardless of what a word may imply.

that's not what I said
but I believe we will see Woodson out there in a free safety role.
and I disagree, Vrabel ran more 3 safety defense than 3 CB defense.

but against teams like Miami, I agree we see 3 CB's
against the Raiders, lining up Bowers and Mayer as double TE sets, I believe we see 3 safeties.

 

[Ring 6]

that's not what I said
but I believe we will see Woodson out there in a free safety role.
and I disagree, Vrabel ran more 3 safety defense than 3 CB defense.

but against teams like Miami, I agree we see 3 CB's
against the Raiders, lining up Bowers and Mayer as double TE sets, I believe we see 3 safeties.

A 4th round S playing a lot as a rookie would be unusual.

Feel free to disagree, but there are facts that say you are wrong. Out of curious what basis do you have for saying Vrabel used a nickel safety more than a nickel corner? The truth just first support that.

The Raiders could be the anomaly, but we also may treat Bowers like a WR.
In any event cb3 will play a ton more snaps than s3 this year.