D
Why am I not surprised?
Interesting what he said about Datone Jones.
And yet, there is nothing in McCarthy's comments to indicate he sees Jones as a 3-down player.Interesting what he said about Datone Jones. Makes me a little more optimistic about his future.
So you're assuming both Pickett and Jolly will be back? If so, I'd like to hear your arguments for such.The only reason the Packers would be getting smaller on the dline is because we're losing Raji, who was drafted with the intention of playing NT. Raji was a HUGE defensive end the past two seasons. Yes, the dline is getting smaller but only because we're going to be playing more guys that are traditional players along the dline.
And yet, there is nothing in McCarthy's comments to indicate he sees Jones as a 3-down player.
You've got that right. Signaling intent is to be avoided where ever possible. We've discussed previously the difficulty in disguising intent when using situational substitutions.I think MM would like to have mostly three down players on the DL, which would actually lead to the defense being less predictable. Not sure though if Datone is capable of that.
One thing we have not discussed previously is defending no huddle offenses. The key reason teams run them is to dictate mismatches by forcing the defense to keep a static personnel set on the field for the duration of a possession. You want 3-down players to answer that.
Now, whether it's running a no huddle offense or recognizing a situational substitution at the line of scrimage and audibling to a mismatch typically involves a skilled, veteran QB. You want to be able to beat those guys and not just feast on the Weedens and Ponders.
Why are you not sure if Datone is capable of being a 3 down player?I think MM would like to have mostly three down players on the DL, which would actually lead to the defense being less predictable. Not sure though if Datone is capable of that.
Why are you not sure if Datone is capable of being a 3 down player?
So you're assuming both Pickett and Jolly will be back? If so, I'd like to hear your arguments for such.
The "playing behind Josh Boyd" in base D syncs with the eye test...he's not a guy to be relied upon against the run. That's "Boyd" mind you, not "Jolly" or "Raji".Plain and simple because he hasn't proven it so far. It's great that MM expects him to make a huge leap in 2014, I want to see it on the field before I believe in it though (think back to camp last year when all beat writers were impressed with him, in December he was behind Josh Boyd on the depth chart).
It's hard enough projecting a player's improvement once he's played some NFL football and established a professional baseline. Projecting a weight gain without an associated loss of agility and stamina while also expecting a general improvement / maturation in his play is a lot to expect. Sometimes you end up going the opposite direction, as with Neal.I'm hopeful that Pickett is back (he shouldn't cost much) but I don't necessarily assume that. If Pickett leaves I would fully expect the Packers to hae Boyd bulk up and/or sign a replacement. We don't have the inside linebackers to play a 3-4 with a light NT. It's possible to play the 3-4 with a 290 lb NT but you need inside linebackers that can REALLY hit and take on guards (since the NT won't be holding them up at the line) and I don't think anyone will mistake Hawk or Jones as guys that can take on guards.
Let's say Boyd replaces Pickett. Boyd was listed at 310 lbs as a rookie while Pickett was 340. I could see Boyd getting up to 320 which is smaller, technically, but not really a "smaller" defensive line. Jolly could be re-signed but assuming he isn't and Jerel Worthy takes his spot in the base, run-down defense, that might only be a difference of 10 pounds by the time the season starts. Yes, the linemen may technically be smaller but that doesn't mean we're actually trying to put a "smaller" 3-4 dline out there, just that we have players that don't weigh as much as the guys they're replacing.
@JuMosq said:DL (DTs)
10 1.03 [Percentile: 84.85]
40 .98 [Percentile: 83.65]
Broad .69 [Percentile: 75.49]
20 Yard Shuffle .52 [Percentile: 69.85]
Vertical .44 [Percentile: 67.00]
3 Cone .35 [Percentile: 63.68]
Bench .28 [Percentile: 61.03]
Height -.32 [Percentile: 37.45]
Weight -.42 [Percentile: 33.72]
It's hard enough projecting a player's improvement once he's played some NFL football and established a professional baseline. Projecting a weight gain without an associated loss of agility and stamina while also expecting a general improvement / maturation in his play is a lot to expect. Sometimes you end up going the opposite direction, as with Neal.
That's not to say guys don't improve, mature or expand their repertoire with esperience, but you need to seem some flashes first.
Since writing that post I see McCarthy commenting on how Datone Jones dropped weight as the season went on after bulking up to the 290 range going into the season. Some guys move up or down from year to year to find the right quickness/agility vs. size/strength balance for the role they're targeting. Finley, Matthews and Hawk are few examples of guys who have fluctuated up or down in about a 15 lb. range from year to year. Other guys have trouble keeping weight on; some guys have trouble keeping it off.I'm just going with what commonly happens with players as they age and get involved in professional workout programs. Neal is a poor example because he was simply TOO big (think David Boston). Can't remember where but I read somewhere that players who are weightlifting champs can be more of a risk for injury (don't remember the details though). The difference between college, where players are allowed 20 hours a week with the coaches, and pros, where they can spend all day if they want working out, is enormous.
Since writing that post I see McCarthy commenting on how Datone Jones dropped weight as the season went on after bulking up to the 290 range going into the season. Some guys move up or down from year to year to find the right quickness/agility vs. size/strength balance for the role they're targeting. Finley, Matthews and Hawk are few examples of guys who have fluctuated up or down in about a 15 lb. range from year to year. Other guys have trouble keeping weight on; some guys have trouble keeping it off.
I think it's a mistake to look at a player, project a role, and then assume he can hit a target. Even if the guy hits a target, there's no guarantee it yields the desired result.