Sealver Siliga and the improved run defense

[BradyFTW!]

Amazing that this guy was CUT from not 1, NOT 2, BUT 3 NFL TEAMS in only 1 and a 1/2 seasons.

Makes you wonder how much was TIME, how much was COACHING, how much was just OPPORTUNITY????

That said, it isnt a done deal yet. he could end up being 2d string or worse next year; or the game goat NEXT WEEK.

'But gosh, he sure looks promising wally.'

I'd guess that it was mostly opportunity. No matter how much he showed in practice, Siliga wasn't going to play much on Seattle's defensive line without injuries, particularly to Mebane. They probably viewed him as the guy they'd call up if Red Bryant, McDaniel or Mebane got hurt. To promote him beyond that would mean he beat out a rookie third round pick.

At the time that the 49ers had him, he may not have been all that good, and it looks like the Broncos may have whiffed on an opportunity there, because they could sure use him, but I can't really fault the Seahawks for not realizing what they had. He didn't fill a position of need for them like he does for us.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Siliga and the improved run defense

I suggest that you re-read your analysis. As has been made obvious so many times, you evaluate by looking at the stat sheet.

Spikes and Hightower are really terrific against the run, including yesterday.

But it matters not, Spikes will soon be gone.

On the other hand, Siliga is here to stay.

Spikes was invisible yesterday from what I saw, he only played 21 snaps and didn’t even register so much as an assist on the stat sheet.

 

[IndianPat]

Why does Jim Nantz insist on calling him SiliNga?

 

[PatsFan2]

Why does Jim Nantz insist on calling him SiliNga?

Maybe because he plays like Nata.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Sealver Siliga could be a long term answer.

And Siliga is obviously a pretty talented guy, but must have been overlooked because he was playing next to the best DT in college football. I don't care what the conditions are surrounding it, when a 7th rounder starts capably as a rookie (or a UDFA on his fourth team in two years), that counts as 'out of nowhere' in my book.

Not often you do that twice at the same position in the same season: Chris Jones was waived by Houston and then Tampa Bay just this year.

 

[RayClay]

Re: Sealver Siliga could be a long term answer.

I'm surprised there isn't more of a lower body strength test at the combine. I think it would be more relevant for lineman.

They could weigh their butts.

 

[reflexblue]

Re: Sealver Siliga could be a long term answer.

Siliga has single handedly fixed the run defense since coming on board. He was Wilfork like yesterday blowing up plays, tacking on 2-3 OL and opening things up for the other DL and DEs. Over the past 3 games in which he has seen significant reps he has 12 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 3 hurries and 2 QB hits.

Play of the game: Pats' goal-line stand | Boston Herald

I think he could be a long term answer, the mistake Siliga made was coming out after his junior season, had he returned to college and developed his game and strength he may have been an early round draft pick. Take a look at Siliga athletic metrics compared to another Utah DT who was drafted in the top 15 this season.

Sealver Siliga – 6’2” 325 lbs.
40 Yrd Dash: 5.38
20 Yrd Dash: 3.10
10 Yrd Dash: 1.85
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 29
Vertical Jump: 29
Broad Jump: 08'04"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.75
3-Cone Drill: 7.70

Star Lotulelei – 6’2” 315 lbs.
40 Yrd Dash: 5.41
20 Yrd Dash: 3.12
10 Yrd Dash: 1.89
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 38
Vertical Jump: 30
Broad Jump: 08'09"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.63
3-Cone Drill: 7.79

Siliga had better athletic ability in many areas and I am sure that his strength has been a primary focus in the past 2 seasons since coming into the NFL. I really like this guy and think he has a bright future in the NFL, he has a ton of talent and seems to be a hard working kid.

I don't know where he came from and exactly when, but he is one Big dude that looks the part of a Nose tackle. And his measurables are impressive.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Re: Siliga and the improved run defense

Hightower and Spikes have a lot to do with improvement in run D. They are simply getting used to being the two interior guys. After Mayo went down, Spikes was missing quite a bit and Hightower was getting swallowed by his new responsibilities. Now you can see them both filling holes instead of guessing. They are "doing their jobs" and limiting gains to 4 yards, whereas before they'd miss and you'd see 8-10 yard gains.

I think there is an alternate reason. When th Pats first lost their interior DTs, they played a couple of smaller inexperienced UDFAs and to contain the running game they had Spikes and Hightower run blitz. Doing that, sometimes they blitzed through the correct gap causing run losses, and other times they didn't, taking them out of the play and yielding significant run yardage. Bend but don't Break principles succeeded in controlling the scoring and damage, even if opponent rushing stats climbed.

The need to do so lessened as Patricia educated the UDFAs, they gained some experience, and added some new alternatives like Sopaga, Siliga and Chris Jones. Spikes and Hightower could revert to more conventional LB play.

However, It did inhibit the development of Jamie Collins and Tavon wilson as SS/OLB players though. There was simply not enough time to further experiment with the LBs.

 

[moosekill]

Re: Siliga and the improved run defense

Spikes was invisible yesterday from what I saw, he only played 21 snaps and didn’t even register so much as an assist on the stat sheet.

Do you watch the games? I saw Spikes make a number of great plays.

 

[Brady6]

something to keep in mind, Ray rice is having his worst year ever, dude is barely hitting 3 ypc all season.

Pierce is a very good back in my opinion.

 

[Brady6]

Do you watch the games? I saw Spikes make a number of great plays.

I posted that after the Dolphins game. Spikes showed up yesterday. He was invisible two weeks ago though.

 

[Brady6]

I suggest that you re-read your analysis. As has been made obvious so many times, you evaluate by looking at the stat sheet.

Spikes and Hightower are really terrific against the run, including yesterday.

But it matters not, Spikes will soon be gone.

On the other hand, Siliga is here to stay.

You should look at the date of my post. That post was written about Spikes after the Dolphins game and in that game he was a non factor. A moderator merged the thread I opened today about Siliga with an older one so that is why you're seeing that post. Spikes played well yesterday he did not play well the week before.

 

[yopats]

Re: Siliga and the improved run defense

Do you watch the games? I saw Spikes make a number of great plays.

Agreed.. I just rewatched the game and Spikes looks like he is finally getting that knee healthy.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Siliga and the improved run defense

I suggest that you re-read your analysis. As has been made obvious so many times, you evaluate by looking at the stat sheet.

Spikes and Hightower are really terrific against the run, including yesterday.

But it matters not, Spikes will soon be gone.

On the other hand, Siliga is here to stay.

I certainly hope Spikes stays.

 

[Marqui]

Re: Siliga and the improved run defense

I like Siliga a lot more than Kyle Love, who I always thought was way overrated around here.

 

[moosekill]

I posted that after the Dolphins game. Spikes showed up yesterday. He was invisible two weeks ago though.

My bad didn't see the date you posted.

 

[PATRlOT]

A little off topic but are the announcers pronouncing Siliga's name right?

I noticed the last 3 games they pronounced it a lot different than I'd expect.

"Sill-ih-guh" is how I see it. Or am I wrong?

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Amazing that this guy was CUT from not 1, NOT 2, BUT 3 NFL TEAMS in only 1 and a 1/2 seasons.

Makes you wonder how much was TIME, how much was COACHING, how much was just OPPORTUNITY????

That said, it isnt a done deal yet. he could end up being 2d string or worse next year; or the game goat NEXT WEEK.

'But gosh, he sure looks promising wally.'

Siliga has some interesting background that may, in part, explain him now showing NFL potential. He came out as a junior, a move thought as a mistake for his development. That ends up being the strike shortened year so he gets little benefit of rookie training camp. He is a PS guy for one team that shortened year and then bounces around for a home. Bottom line he never got that extra needed practice time to develop that college junior mentality/physique. And what we are seeing now is the culmination of that needed time around the NFL folded into his development within a highly professional organization that emphasizes tending to your tasks/responsibilities at 110% level on and off the field.

It also doesn't hurt that he was on a team that appears very good on the defensive side of the ball/much less on the O side, which makes them more inclined to cut a decent defensive PS player to shore up a non defensive area (just a guess).

 

[p8ryts]

I feel like even though the pats are in the middle of a playoff run, that they are distributing playing time with an eye on the future.

I think that if they had to, that dobson and thompkins could have played but the pats decided that getting PT and reps to boyce and amendola were the priority. TO have 5 viable and tested options at WR going into the playoff and then next year. I also think part of why sopoaga does not get many snaps is that they are confident/familiar with his abilities and need to sort out a rotation with the other guys going into the playoffs. with vellano, jones, siliga, and sopoaga, it may not be the best bunch, but they have enough guys who can play tough, not get tired and has the versatility to change up on passing downs.

I also think siliga will help the pats be able to do more 3-4 ..... the few times they have resorted to it, it has been reasonably effective against the pass, and could help the pats with their issues with the short stuff on the edges

Dobson played more snaps than Amendola. Sopoaga was a healthy scratch because he didn't do anything when he was in there. Siliga has done a good job. Played a lot of young guys because that was what they had left and they did a good job. Collins looks like he is getting better every week, Logan Ryan, good job, Duron Harmon didn't cause any problems and Josh Klein was a revelation. If we can all keep from panicking every other week and trust in Bill we will continue to have a good team and contend each year. I would love to have a really strong defensive team.

 

[supafly]

I haven't read the whole thread so forgive me if it's already been brought up, but I would assume that a bit of a change in scheme (going from a 2 gap to a 1 gap, and from a 3-4 which we saw earlier to a 4-3) may be helping too.

That said, I also think that Siliga has been a very nice addition and is responsible for the improvement to some degree.