PScottman
In the Starting Line-Up
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- Oct 21, 2014
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No, this isn't a combine standing jump comparison thread. The open question remains on which player makes the "big leap" in ability/skill/production this year? Doesn't even have to be a young player either - could be a Free Agent who has been a "JAG" that suddenly goes all Mike Vrabel/Rob Ninkovich.
So I'll start with the obvious, for non-obvious reasons. While run defense remains the massive unknown going into the new campaign, and Uche getting a lot of ink about rushing the passer, the trait that would truly catapult him from situational to every down is his coverage skills. Mixed review in the above article with a PBU and TD allowed in the same sentence, but if Uche has likewise added coverage skills to his repertoire - he will be a massive upgrade on his last year.
With Chung gone and Duggar better in run support than coverage at this stage of his development, a LB that can successfully shadow RBs and second TEs gives this defense a tremendous amount of flexibility, especially in disguise and surprise - who's coming, who's dropping, and even in the now more common base 4-2-5 and 3-2-6 alignments to not have to bring in yet another small body DB is huge.
4 winners and 2 losers from the Patriots’ second training camp practice
Day 2 is in the books. Let’s take a look at who stood out.
www.patspulpit.com
So I'll start with the obvious, for non-obvious reasons. While run defense remains the massive unknown going into the new campaign, and Uche getting a lot of ink about rushing the passer, the trait that would truly catapult him from situational to every down is his coverage skills. Mixed review in the above article with a PBU and TD allowed in the same sentence, but if Uche has likewise added coverage skills to his repertoire - he will be a massive upgrade on his last year.
With Chung gone and Duggar better in run support than coverage at this stage of his development, a LB that can successfully shadow RBs and second TEs gives this defense a tremendous amount of flexibility, especially in disguise and surprise - who's coming, who's dropping, and even in the now more common base 4-2-5 and 3-2-6 alignments to not have to bring in yet another small body DB is huge.