Ninkovich and Jones - Over 90% of Reps - Has Anything Changed?

[Anteros]

Well since jones is about to have 20 sacks this year...just keep him in 24/7

Patriots Football Weekly agrees with you, I think. Heh heh.

 

[manxman2601]

I don't see Easley as a DE.

Curious as to why not considering he played there a lot at Florida. Or are you just talking about a 4-3 DE?

 

[Sicilian]

I've been thinking more and more about the issue of too many snaps for Jones and Ninkovich, and I'm wondering how much of it is a little overblown. Of course my preference is to have them spelled a bit more often, keep them fresh, etc. It would help them be more effective per snap and it would mean we found some talent behind them which is always good.

But last year, when they seemed to slow down, we were operating with rookies getting all the snaps at DT. While I think all players are susceptible to overwork, rookies seem to have an actual wall that they hit, on account of it being a long season from combine training to a longer playing season than they're used to. Combine that with the fact that Talib went down early in the Denver game, Dennard's shoulder was hurt, the captain of the defense was out and we had one good safety, and there was no way Jones and Nink were going to have enough time to get to Peyton Manning (who is very good at getting the ball out quickly).

Again, finding some guys to rotate in for them is a plus, but I'm not sure the issue last year was them being worn down as much as it was the defense in general being beat up and incapable of covering the best statistical offense in NFL history for longer than a few seconds.

 

[Big-T]

Curious as to why not considering he played there a lot at Florida. Or are you just talking about a 4-3 DE?

IIRC, didn't he get announced at the draft as "Dominique Easley, Defensive End, Florida"? That had me thinking they were going 3-4 at the time but nobody else seemed to pick up on it so I might have just misheard?

 

[manxman2601]

IIRC, didn't he get announced at the draft as "Dominique Easley, Defensive End, Florida"? That had me thinking they were going 3-4 at the time but nobody else seemed to pick up on it so I might have just misheard?

You might be right, my memory isn't good enough to recall that kind of detail . It might just be because Florida generally played 3-4 and Easley was an end in that formation.

 

[Kontradiction]

Curious as to why not considering he played there a lot at Florida. Or are you just talking about a 4-3 DE?

Even then, Easley can play some 4-3 DE as well.

 

[JackBauer]

What's changed is the base is a 3-4 now and Ninkovich and Jones will be playing mostly OLB, which Hightower will significantly contribute to that rotation.

Who are your 3-4 DEs?

 

[Big-T]

You might be right, my memory isn't good enough to recall that kind of detail . It might just be because Florida generally played 3-4 and Easley was an end in that formation.

Found it:


Yep, defensive end is the call.

 

[manxman2601]

Even then, Easley can play some 4-3 DE as well.

I agree, particularly in our system, as you and I discussed pre-draft. I felt the same about Aaron Donald too.

 

[PatsFan2]

Question How has Buchanan looked in the Games has his Pass rush improved? Has he displayed a variety of moves? inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Marqui]

Who are your 3-4 DEs?

Chris Jones and Easley. Vellano and Worthy as backups.

 

[captain stone]

Not one of those guys is a capable 3-4 DE.

 

[Kontradiction]

Not one of those guys is a capable 3-4 DE.

They're capable of playing it. But I don't have any sort of confidence in them against the run. So while they're capable, how well they play it remains to be seen.

 

[Coach42]

Seems to me, once Kelly was cut, the best formation for the talent on the roster at this point is the 4-3 under.

 

[Marqui]

They're capable of playing it. But I don't have any sort of confidence in them against the run. So while they're capable, how well they play it remains to be seen.

You have confidence in them against the run at DT but not at 3-4 DE?

 

[strngplyr]

IIRC, didn't he get announced at the draft as "Dominique Easley, Defensive End, Florida"? That had me thinking they were going 3-4 at the time but nobody else seemed to pick up on it so I might have just misheard?

Goodell called him a defensive end, it was called into Goodell's people, by Caserio, as a defensive linemen.

 

[Kontradiction]

You have confidence in them against the run at DT but not at 3-4 DE?

No. I've been pretty adament that I don't have much confidence in either against the run no matter where they line up. I've long thought Easley needed to add more bulk to take on the run.

 

[captain stone]

You have confidence in them against the run at DT but not at 3-4 DE?

As 4-3 DTs, they will face single-blocking much more often than as 3-4 DEs, and so they will be able
to use their best asset - quickness - to penetrate the backfield. Neither Chris Jones, Easley, Worthy
or Vellano have the height, length or strength essential to succeed vs Tackle/Guard combo blocking
at 3-4 DE.

 

[Marqui]

As 4-3 DTs, they will face single-blocking much more often than as 3-4 DEs

I don't know if that's true.