I guess I just don't see how Clay being on the field more instead of Hawk or Jones could ever be a bad thing? I understand the points that have been made here, and I completely agree that this article probably should have been written after the draft. Clay IMO can and will be effective in any situation he's put in on this defense. Is his best spot coming off of the edge? Ofcourse it is but the idea of mixing things up is interesting. The goal should be to have the best 11 players on the field at all times. Clay is better then Hawk or Jones so replacing one of them with Clay who is our best defensive player to me seems logical.
Huh? CM3 is the definition of a three down player. The only time he's off the field is to rest. It's not like we have to invent ways to get him on the field in nickel or dime. The whole point of nickel and dime is that it's a likely passing down and it's time for Mathews to tee off rushing the passer. I can't think of any time when we take him off the field for Hawk or Jones or anybody else.
I think there's something to be said for those looks on a here-and-there basis especially given the frequency with which Capers rushes 5. However, we're not paying Matthews what he's being paid to be an ILB on any regular basis; he's paid to rush the passer..I brought this up as a plausible nickel subpackage.
A 4-2 nickel
DL: Peppers, Daniels, D. Jones, Perry
LB's: Matthews, and any one of Neal/Hawk/B. Jones/Mulumba
Also in the 3-3 nickel
DL: Peppers, Daniels, D. Jones
LB's: Matthews, Neal, and any one of Hawk/B. Jones/Mulumba
Everyone remembers Clay's sack of Vick in the 2010 playoff game - he came on a delayed blitz from MLB. We were in a 2-4 (which I hate - unless it's used this way, i.e. to dial up unpredictable pressure), Raji and Jenkins were the DL; and Matthews, Hawk and Walden all came on the blitz.
Presnap movement, and bringing pressure from different positions are critical to sustaining a consistent pass rush. I hate the 2-4, but if Capers used it properly, and blitzed out of it, I wouldn't complain about it as a subpackage. As it is, he's become far too static with it, i.e. the 2 interior linemen rush, the 2 OLB's rush upfield, and that's it - very predictable. The players have to win the physical battle every time, as opposed to getting the assist of confusing blocking assignments, and forcing offensive linemen to pass off rushers to catch a blitzer, etc.
I wouldn't want Clay to play straight up ILB, but in subpackages?? Absolutely.
I think there's something to be said for those looks on a here-and-there basis especially given the frequency with which Capers rushes 5. However, we're not paying Matthews what he's being paid to be an ILB on any regular basis; he's paid to rush the passer..
Really?,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I have a few problems with the 2-4, .......................
Really?
[sarcastic font] Let's see, at this point you have 17 posts and have made this or a nearly identical observation in just about every one. Why don't you go to one of the pet peeve threads and tell us how you really feel. [/sarcastic font]
the draft is too damn far away still
The cure is worse than the disease. First off, who knows if Daniels and Jones will be effective if CM3 isn't rushing. Second, CM3 is also our best run stuffer on the outside. Third, on passing downs the middle backer often needs to run with the TE, not rush the passer. There's nothing that makes sense about this. Even the bit about "shortest distance is a line" etc. CM3's most amazing move is how fast and low he can turn the corner on the tackles. Guys like Hawk can be successful blitzing up the middle if things are timed right. It'd be a huge waste of your best player's best move to line him up there.
Now, I can see him doing some new stuff with stunts and twists with Peppers, but that's nothing like putting him at ILB.
Mathews is solid in all areas, but his #1 special ability is getting low to the ground and turning the corner on a speed rush to get around tackles. It's amazing the body control he has on that move and when you see him take inside moves it's because the tackles are terrified of him just flying around them and they overcompensate. Moving CM3 around is smart because he's the best guy on the field, but moving him from a position where he can do what almost no one else can to a position where he just runs straight up the field (it's a lot easier to find a guy who can do that) makes no sense. Now, if we cloned him and already had one playing on each side then sure, I'd be happy to see him play in the middle too. But there's only one and he should be bending around the end like a maniac as much as possible.
One thing I never understand is how under rated Clay is vs the run . He's one of the best rushers in the league yes but you hardly see teams have much luck when they run at him. He probably sets the best edge out of all the top rushing olbs in the NFL . That includes Demarcus ware, Aldon smith, Von miller all of em. Watch the SB game vs Pittsburgh if you need proof. Pittsburgh had been reluctant to run on his side virtually all game and when they did he set the edge and caused IMO the fumble that saved the game IMO.