Cardinals’ Pre-Camp Defensive Front 7 Analysis
July 23, 2007 by Walter Mitchell
One of the more curious moves former Steelers’ offensive coordinator, Ken Whisenhunt, made in assembling his Cardinal coaching staff was electing to retain the incumbent defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. Pendergast, clearly a favorite of the Bidwills and Rod Graves, has typically been a 4-3 defensive oriented coach. However, with Whisenhunt in control, the Cardinals are now in the process of committing themselves to the 3-4 defense that has been a staple of the Steelers’ success for years. This being the case, wouldn’t it have been wise for Whisenhunt to hire a defensive coach with 3-4 expertise as coordinator? Interestingly, over in Pittsburgh, new head coach Mike Tomlin is a zealous advocate of the 4-3, yet the Steelers decided to retain 3-4 guru Dick LeBeau as their defensive coordinator.
Clancy Pendergast is no stranger to mixing up his defensive looks. The Cardinals, under Pendergast’s watch, have thrown a variety of three, four, five and six man lines at the opponents, depending on Pendergast’s eagerness to slow down the opponents’ running game or, on the flip side, give his Cardinals a chance to employ maximum pass coverage. Pendergast has also shown a flair for mixing up his pass rushing schemes and blitzes. In particular, he has demonstarted that he knows how to move strong safety Adrian Wilson around the box to give him the most accessible path to the quarterback on the safety blitz.
What Pendergast has not shown he can do, is orchestrate aggressive and sticky pass coverage packages. In fact, under Pendergast’s watch, the Cardinals have been notorious for playing loose zones, where the corners give up over ten yards of cushion (thereby conceding the eight to ten yard out pass every play) and the seams are often left wide open, as linebackers are late getting to them. Even when the Cardinals played the San Diego Chargers, what was mystifying was that All-Pro TE Antonio Gates was left uncovered for most of the afternoon. It was as if Clancy Pendergast and the defensive personnel never prepared for Gates, who is clearly the Chargers’ leading pass catching threat.
The point is this…regardless of what Pendergast does with the seven men up front…if there isn’t a more aggressive plan to cover the opponents’ receivers, the Cardinals will continue to flounder on defense, especially late in games with the game on the line.
Under the assumption that the Cardinals will be playing a more steady diet of the 3-4…which, for all intents and purposes, is much like a 5-2 Monster when Pendergast brings SS Adrian Wilson up to the box…let’s take close look at the Cardinals’ personnel at the 3-4 front seven positions.
Nose Tackle Candidates:
(1) Alan Branch (6-6, 331, R, Michigan); (2) Gabe Watson (6-3, 330, 2nd, Michigan); (3) Jonathan Lewis (6-1, 312, 2nd, Virginia Tech); (4) Ross Kolodziej (6-3, 292, 7th, Wisconsin); (5) Ray Blagman (6-2, 321, R, Connecticut).
The Cardinals made a quick move in the 2007 NFL Draft to trade up to the #33 spot to snag NT Alan Branch of Michigan. Branch, who was once projected as a top five pick in the draft, slipped through the first round because some NFL scouts and pundits such as Mel Kiper had doubts about Branch’s commitment and his productivity. However, when one watches Branch’s performances at Michigan, one can only be impressed with the stellar job he did play after play clogging the middle of the Wolverines’ defense–a defense that, thanks to Branch and a strong front seven held their opponents’ to an NCAA leading 64 yards rushing per game. Branch, even as a rookie, should prove to be a formidible force clogging the middle for the Cardinals and using his impressive height and arm extension to knock down passes.
Gabe Watson has taken full advantage of the Cardinals’ off-season strength and conditioning program, led by John Lott, and has trimmed down to increase his explosion off the ball, his range and his agility. He and Branch may be used side by side on occasion in the four or five man lines, especially versus run-oriented teams. That should be an exciting Wolverine reunion.
Some teams like to mix in quick penetrators to wreak havoc at nose tackle. In second year prospect, Jonathan Lewis–who is quick to locate the ball and is a strong tackler–and familiar veteran, Ross Kolodziej–who is the consummate hustler, the Cardinals have two such options, althought it may be difficult for either one of them to make this year’s roster. Lewis, if released and unclaimed, can still be added to the practice squad, as may Ray Blagman, an intriguing young prospect.
Defensive End Candidates:
(1) Darnell Dockett (6-4, 290, 4th, Florida St.); (2) Antonio Smith (6-3, 274, 3rd, Oklahoma St,); (3) Chris Cooper (6-5, 285, 7th Nebraska-Omaha); (4) Rodney Bailey (6-3, 306, 7th, Ohio St.).
The 3-4 DE position may be made ot order for Darnell Dockett, where he will be encouraged to display quickness off the ball and terrific athleticism. Dockett has always had the ability to penetrate…what he doesn’t do nearly enough is finish off plays, either because he doesn’t locate the ball fast enough, or, when he does, he doesn’t get his pad level low enough to knock ball carriers backward.
Antonio Smith is a first-rate athlete who has the ability to clog the run and rush the passer. The switch the 3-4 has opened the door for Smith, and has put him in the position where he can be the most productive. Should he falter, keep an eye on Chris Cooper, who, like Dockett, is made to order at the 3-4 DE position. Cooper has Ross Koldziej’s tenacity, yet he’s significantly more athletic. Most of all, he’s a real gamer, who has shown an uncanny ability to come off the bench and make plays in the opponents’ backfield (see his tackle on 49er QB Alex Smith at the top). And, if the Cardinals need a more classic run stuffer at the 3-4 DE position, they can turn to seven year veteran Rodney Bailey, who is very strong at the point of attack, but not quite the pass rusher or penetrator that Dockett, Smith and Cooper are.
Inside Linebacker Candidates:
(1) Gerald Hayes (6-1, 252, 5th, Pittsburgh); (2) Karlos Dansby (6-4, 243, 4th, Auburn); (3) Monty Beisel (6-3, 238, 7th, Kansas St.); (4) Buster Davis (5-9, 239, R, Florida St.); (5) David Holloway (6-2, 230, R, Maryland); (6) Pago Tagafau (5-10, 250, R, Idaho St.); (7) A.J. Schable (6-3, 272, 2nd, South Dakota).
Gerald Hayes should thrive as a 3-4 ILB because he’s a downhill tackler and a very good lateral chaser. Hayes is a punishing tackler, who also has shown an ability to drop quickly into coverage to bat down or pick off passes. The only real flaw in Hayes’ game is his tendency to line up too far behind the line of scrimmage, which does not enable him to plug holes and blow up isolation plays as quickly as he needs to.
The plan is to start Karlos Dansby beside Hayes in the 3-4, but Dansby is better suited to play on the outside. Dansby is a very good chaser, but he’s not instinctive in making plays on the interior. Teams have had consistent success running right at him. He tends to play too high, doesn’t break down quickly enough, and therefore tackles high, which usually enables the ball carrier to break the tackle or spin off for added yards.
Dansby is an outstanding pass rusher, particularly from the edge, which is another reason why he projects more to the outside than on the inside. This is Dansby’s contract year, and unlike last year when he basically blew off training camp claiming injuries, Dansby has been a regular at the off-season strength and conditioning sessions. In his first three years, Dansby has shown flashes of brilliance, but he has not turned in a consistently strong performances for the duration of a season. Should this change, and Dansby has a monster year, the Cardinals could be knocking on the door of the playoffs for the first time since 1998.
When Hayes was injured last year, Monte Beisel was very productive in Hayes’ place. Beisel is a savvy veteran….and a first-rate competitor. Don’t be surprised if he winds up as the two-down starting ILB beside Hayes. Beisel’s been very well coached…he knows how and when to plug a hole and how to take out the lead blockers early. Look also for significant minutes from Buster Davis, the ILB dynamo from Florida St.–who lacks ideal height, but plays with tremendous desire and passion. With Davis in the fold and at times playing beside Gerald Hayes, the Cardinal fans are likely to see more big hits in the middle than they’ve seen in a long, long time.
David Holloway is a real sleeper—one tough and aggressive athlete– and should turn many heads this pre-season. He’s likely a lock for the practice squad. Pago Tagafau is tough and steady, but perhaps not quite as rangy as the others. And if the Cardinals need to find a niche for special teams’ ace A.J. Schable, don’t be surprised if he gets a look at 3-4 ILB, especially since he’s one of the surest tacklers on the team. He would have to shed a little weight, but that’s entirely possible.
Outside Linebacker Candidates:
(1) Bertrand Berry (6-3, 275, 10th, Notre Dame); (2) Chike Okeafor (6-5, 265, 9th, Purdue); (3) Calvin Pace (6-4, 272, 5th, Wake Forest); (4) Darryl Blackstock (6-3, 238, 3rd, Virginia); (5) Brandon Johnson (6-5, 227, 2nd, Louisville); (6) Joe Tafoya (6-4, 265, 7th, Arizona).
The biggest question of the switch to the 3-4 is will Bertrand Berry be able to handle the transition to OLB? There’s no question that Berry will remain a terror rushing the passer from the edge, but will he be able to consistently defend the run and, even more importantly, will he be able to provide the defense with respectable cover skills? Berry is such a good athlete and such a strong competitor, this move may re-energize him and his career. Berry will need to play lighter and he will need to avoid the injury bug that’s been plaguing him for the past few years.
If Karlos Dansby is switched to the outside, look for Berry to slide down to 3-4 DE whenever necessary. Regardless, Berry should be featured as the primary RDE in the four man pass rush. And, should it be clear during training camp that Berry’s sustained good health is an issue, it may behoove the Cardinals to save Berry for passing situations and have him strictly rush the passer. Berry is still one of the elite pass rushers in the NFL. He has a great burst off the ball and surprising strength in shedding blocks and closing fast on the QB.
Chike Okeafor is quicker in space than Berry and would seem to be a natural fit at OLB. Okeafor was dynamic as a pass rusher down the stretch last year. The Cardinals need him to pick up where he left off. Another player who the Cardinals need a real boost from is Calvin Pace. Pace heads into his contract year with much to prove. Pace is such a good, versatile athlete…but he needs to start playing with moxie.
Darryl Blackstock may profit from the Cardinals’ switch to the 3-4 more than any other player. Blackstock is a speedy edge player who needs to stop thinking and start attacking. Another very intriguing prospect is Brandon Johnson…who at 6-5, 226, is one of the fastest players on the defense, including the defensive backs. Johnson needs to play much more physically…and if he does, he will get some run on this defense because he can chase plays down with the best of them…and, he has the combination of size and speed to put a blanket on TEs Marcus Pollard (Seattle), Joe Klopfenstein (St. Louis) and Vernon Davis (San Francisco), when used in man coverage.
Joe Tafoya has good ability as a pass rusher…the question is, can he handle the OLB run and pass responsibilities?
The Four Man Rush: Prediction
When the Cardinals go into the nickel and dime packages on sure passing downs, here’s the four man rush: LDE-Okeafor; LDT-Smith; RDT-Cooper; RDE-Berry.
The Three Man Rush: Prediction
A thing of the past. No way Whiz will allow for it, regardless of what Pendergast wants.
The Cardinals have some very intriguing front seven personnel, especially if Dockett and Dansby finally play up to their potential…and Bertrand Berry stays healthy, at least enough to be a major factor on the four man pass rush.
Coming up Wednesday: A look at the Defensive Backs.
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Tomlin is a Tampa-2 defense advocate, not a 4-3 defense.
A.J. Schable is an ILB candidate in only your own mind.
I don’t know how you conceive that a 3-4 defense is equivalent to a “Three man rush.” The whole point of the 3-4 defense is that there’s always a fourth man rushing (at least), but the offense generally has no idea whom that 4th man is going to be, or through which gap he’s going to rush.
Brandon Johnson should hope for the practice squad. He likely doesn’t make the team.
The Tampa 2 IS a 4-3.
The Schable thing is a suggestion that’s not unreasonable seeing as he’s been switched around a couple of times.
The 3 Man Rush is in reference to the times on passing downs that Pendergast elected to rush three…does anyone recall that ever being successful? if you read the context, you might understand.
Brandon Johnson’s speed for a player his height makes him quite intriguing, particularly in pass coverage which is a Cardinal weakness. They sure could have used him to shadow Antonio Gates.
All you do is try to nitpick on anything you find moot. It’s sickening…and quite frankly to work three hours on this article be greeted two posts in a row now by your complete negativity is very disturbing.
Well done Mitch. I’m curious to see if this “D” can play at all this year. I hope they can, I really do, but I’d be a liar to say I’m not a little nervous.
Sigh. The Cover-2 is a 4-3 defense in that it uses 4 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers in there front seven, but that’s all they have in common. The personnel requirements for a Cover-2 Scheme and a traditional 4-3 scheme are quite different. Not only on the perimeter (where you want bigger, more physical cornerbacks), but also on the defensive line (Cover-2 DL tend to be smaller and quicker, a la Tampa, Indy, and Chicago; traditional 4-3 DL tend to be larger and stouter, like when the Bears were starting Ted Washington and Keith Trayor at DT, or how the Jags deploy John Henderson and Marcus Stroud at DT).
The distinction is even more important when you get to the linebackers. Cover-2 (or Tampa-2, as it’s often called) linebackers have to be faster in order to get their deep drops into coverage or (less often) blitz the quarterback. The emphasis is on speed rather than size. The greatest distinction is that Tampa-2 players tend to be more interchangable (which is why it’s become so popular with Cap-savvy franchises lately), but you need more specialized players to play the 4-3 defense.
Regardless, the concepts and foundational assumptions of the Tampa-2 scheme are so different than what comes with the 4-3 (which we were all used to under Dave McGinnis, with 2-gap responsibilities from the DTs and more physical DEs), that they’re barely the same defense anymore.
It’s too bad that you still don’t seem to understand the principles of the 3-4 defense. I would recommend that you and everyone else who is interested in learning about Arizona’s new defense check out this site: http://football.calsci.com/DefensiveLine3.html
It does a great job of explaining why Darnell Dockett isn’t a lock to succeed as a 3-4 DT, and why Karlos Dansby is best suited for the ILB position. It also explains why the conversion will actually HELP Okeafor and Berry in run defense, not hurt them.
As for Brandon Johnson, Antonio Gates only had 4 catches for 56 yards and a TD against Arizona. That wasn’t among his 10 best games last season. I would say that the Cards did fine without him. We are talking about a guy who only appeared in 3 games last season and recorded 2 special teams tackles in those games. A guy who couldn’t beat out Daryl Blackstock or Orlando Huff for a spot on the depth chart. He’s too small to play on the outside in the 3-4 (if you’re interested in learning why, go to the website and find out), where he’d get destroyed by blockers. He’ll have to beat out Buster Davis for a roster spot, or else he’s going to switch to safety or go on the practice squad.
For what it’s worth, I agree that this is an exciting group of talent, at least the starters are and some select backups. It’ll be interesting to see how these guys fit together in a new scheme. But my guess is that this is a rebuilding season, and the Whis is going to give Pendergast enough rope to hang himself with, and we’ll have a 3-4 coordinator here next season. I still am guessing Dick LeBeau, because Tomlin’s going to look to do the same thing in Pittsburgh.
What kind of a snob are you? You have the temerity to suggest that I and many of the posters here don’t understand the principles of the 3-4? Have you ever coached the 3-4 or any defense? I have. And I don’t care what your little article says, Karlos Dansby is not a proto-typical 3-4 ILB. And, as for Darnell Dockett, he’s so inconsistent no matter where you put him, it would necessarily matter what the scheme is…and since you want to get technical, Dockett is not starting at 3-4 DT, he’s starting at 3-4 DE.
Thanks Superspck…I am nervous too, but not so much with the front 7 as I am in the pass coverage schemes and a LCB who has shown no ability to cover anyone and really belongs at strong safety.
The only thing I worry about with the front 7 is Berry getting hurt again…especially having passed on drafting any edge pass rushers in this year’s draft.
Well, it’s good to see that coaching high school kids in a 3-4 defense is so obviously like coaching in the NFL. Really, I think that’s where your disconnect is with reality, Mr. Mitchell. In high school, it really is about assembling the best talent and getting the most talented players on the field–if you’re trying to win. In the NFL, everyone’s talented, and you’re looking for the best fits at each position within a philosophy. It’s the reason why Kendrell Bell was a Pro Bowler in Pittsburgh but a nobody in Kansas City. It explains why Rosie Colvin was so effective under the previous Chicago regime’s 4-3, but hasn’t been the same kind of playmaker in New England. The distinctions get a lot more fine in the NFL, and you can’t just plug in a guy you like and hope it works out.
But if you’d rather not engage with the ideas and instead personally attack the person positing them, then I feel really sorry for you. People who can’t defend their ideas, or feel attacked when their ideas are challenged legitimately, probably don’t have very strong ideas.
I like your articles. I read them with pleasure, and like to discuss the places where I think your enthusiasm for the topic gets ahead of what you have to actually know about the material at hand (i.e., do you get a lot of Idaho State games in New England, to know that Pago Tagafu is “tough and steady, but perhaps not quite as rangy as the others”?
I’m right there with you in your discussion of Okeafor, Berry, Pace, and Blackstock, and I enjoyed your analysis of the NT position. But putting Dansby on the outside of the 3-4 defense only exposes how recalcitrant you are on this subject, espeically when it’s been pointed out to you over and over that players of Dansby’s like have been extremely successful on the interior of 3-4 defenses, and that successful 3-4 teams use OLBs who are 30 pounds heavier than Dansby is, because he’ll be engulfed by pulling guards, tackles, and fullbacks on the outside.
I posted the link to the article because I found it informative, and I know that other posters on this board have found it so, as well. Maybe if you took a moment to read it, you would find the same thing.
One thing I don’t understand is why Dockett is off the field in nickel pass-rushing situations. You say yourself that Dockett is most effective when he’s allowed the ability to penetrate–why not let him do that when the situation arises? One of the reasons that Alan Branch was considered a 1st round talent is because he has pass-rush ability to go with his size. Surely, he’ll see the field most often early in this season as NT on obvious pass downs where he’ll be next to Dockett and absorb much of the double-team attention he’s been seeing lately.
Really, your observations would be a lot less frustrating if they were backed up with evidence or reasoning, rather then empty assertions.
Call me a “minority of one” but I’m still not convinced that the Cardinals will make their base defense a 3-4 (Wiz has insisted this isn’t the case, and all we have to go by are the minicamps; during which more 3-4 may have been used because the coaches want the vets to become more acclimated to it earlier; & not necessarily because it will be used as our primary scheme).
Still, I have to respect the fact that everyone else seems to have accepted the 3-4 as a given (i,e. when so many of you say this is so, there must be something to it).
Thing of it is, however: If it turns out that nearly everybody is jumping the gun here and the Cards mix up their looks so that their use of the 3-4 and 4-3 is balanced, interchangeable and, therefore, a true “hybrid”, then Walter’s otherwise excellent analysis will be incomplete.
1. Bertrand Berry was drafted as a LB. He has experience at the position. Okeafor on the other hand doesn’t have any. I think you should be more concerned about Okeafor’s transition to OLB than Berry’s.
2. THE WEAK INSIDE LINEBACKER IN A 3-4 DEFENSE IS NOT MEANT TO TAKE ON OFFENSIVE LINEMEN. To put Karlos Dansby at the OLB position in a 3-4 defense is a horrible idea, and and horrible move. Dansby can go side line to side line, he can cover, he can blitz, and he can tackle better than any other linebacker on the team. Why then would you want to put him at OLB which is more of a DE position where pass rushing 90% of the game ? Then to go on and say this switch would then put Berry on the bench for 50% of the downs, and put Beisel in at ILB is ridiculous.
Right away you are reducing the overall talent on the field. Beisel is no where near Dansby’s talent level and ability. Hayes, and Beisel are not fast enough to man the two ILB positions thus we will be highly vunerable to stretch plays. Next you have Dansby, which I guess can’t take on a guard but we will let him take on a tackle EVERY SINGLE PLAY, at OLB who is now restricted to 50% of the field, and I don’t see him beating too many tackles on a pass rush. Finally, we take Betrand Berry, our best pass rusher, off the field completely.
When Dansby had his success, he played WOLB in a 4-3 defense. This position allows for the most “freedom”. Meaning he is not taking on offensive linemen more than 15% of the time, the MLB (center), and SOLB (tackle/TE) are taking most of the impact from the offensive line. This allowed for Dansby to run free, blitz, drop into coverage, and be free to wreak havoc without getting slowed by shedding a lot of blocks.
In a 3-4 your OLB are more of a DE type of player. More powerfull and quick (not fast, but quick). Guys like DeMarcus Ware, Joey Porter and Shaun Merriman are perfect examples of what you want as an OLB in a 3-4.
To break down the two ILB is easy. Your SILB is more like a MLB in a 4-3. He has to be good against the run, and be able to take on offensive linemen. Gerald Hayes is perfect for this.
The WILB where Dansby is and should be playing is like a WOLB in a 4-3. This linebacker is usually free to wreak havoc, and is not taking on blocks. This is where Ray Lewis, Donnie Edwards, Sam Mills, James Farrior, etc., etc. play. They are put there because they are elite atheletes that can do it all out on the field. In all successfull 3-4 defenses your best, most atheletic linebacker plays this position.
I know that L.T. played OLB and some others that where great “at rushing the QB” but Dansby is not that type of player.
LT played OLB in a 3-4 at 237 lbs. Wow. But the NFL was very different then (as pointed out in the excellent book The Blind Side by Michael Lewis), and left tackles were more like weaker guards than they are today. LT changed the way football was played and created a necessity for the Tony Bosellis, Walter Joneses, Orlando Paces, and Jonathan Ogdens of the NFL.
I think you are right on the money, Jeff. It may take some time to shuffle the Cards and sort things out, but my hunch is that Pendergast will devise a special kind of hybrid defense that will feature three safeties, especially if Antrel Rolle is switched there and positioned close to or in the box. Pendy is an innovator and he likes to make use of his personnel in ways that fit their strengths…like the way he has tailored Adrian Wilson’s role.
Your points about the roles in the 3-4 are good, Rugby, but I don’t concur with your assessment of Karlos Dansby, especially your contention that he is the best tackling linebacker on the team. I don’t think he’s rugged or durable enough mentally or physically to endure at ILB.
By the way, in theory it’s nice to think that the WILB will always be covered for and free to swarm to the ball unimpeded, but it doesn’t always work out that way, particularly when teams use double TE sets, which they often do to off-set the numbers issues in the 3-4.
Gerald Hayes is the best tackling linebacker on the team…and Monty Beisel isn’t far behind. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Beisel used at SILB and Hayes at WILB. Buster Davis should get plenty of snaps as well.
As for Berry…I really don’t think he will last anymore as an every-down player. The Cardinals need him badly for their pass rush, particularly in passing situations. With the depth at OLB, I expect Pendergast to use Berry wisely.
Great great conversation here guys, keep up the good work
PS: Walter, try not to take K9 so to heart, this is meant to express opinions and he knows his stuff. I think you take way too much offense when you know more of us will pile in with good things and it wont be all negativity. We all appreciate the time and effort you put in to these articles. I do however reccommend that article on the 3-4, it opened my eyes to alot of aspects of the NFL 3-4.
Anyway, great writeup, I hope clancy truly mixes it up and returns to the madman of old, remember his first season as DC? turnover madness!
I appreciate your input and advice, BigRedRage. I think Pendy will shuffle the Cards and come up with a defense that will have the opponents off-balance…as I said to Jeff…it will likely be some sort of hybrid.
“I don’t think he’s rugged or durable enough mentally or physically to endure at ILB. ”
First it isnt just ILB. Makes it sound like he is taking on MLB type duties of which he isnt. He is a WILB.
Second, if that is how you feel then why put him on the outside where he would need to be even more rugged and durable? Why put him at a spot that will only magnify his weaknesses that you yourself point out 10 fold?
WILB is the least touched LB on the field in a 3-4, and why in 90% of the 3-4 Ds the WILB has the most tackles on the team. because they are the most free to roam. And becuase of the 3-4 OLB responsibilites to take on a lot more blockers they rarely get to the 75 tackle mark.
Just think about it. Dansby is covered up by 4 other defenders on all sides(OLB, SILB, NT, DE) who’s job it is, is to take on more blockers and in the the NT case to take on more then one blocker. As a 4-3 OLB he is only covered up by a smaller DE, smaller DT, and a MLB. He will take on even fewer blockers as a WILB then he did as a OLB, and that is a good thing for the less rugged and durable Dansby.
I think Ross K will actually get more time in camp as a reserve DE spot then he will at NT. If they didnt think Clancy was right for that role then Ross K is even worse for that role. I actually think Ross K. could really excell in that run stuff 3-4 DE type role becuase of his tenacity.
Also Blackstock is actually over 250 lbs right now, I think he is close to 260. Him gaining the weight is actually the reason why the coaches have been trying him as a pass rush 4-3 DE specialist, and why he just might work after all in a 3-4 OLB role.
I think the most interesting battle in the front 7 during training camp will be -
Berry vs. Pace/Blackstock
Beisel vs. Buster.
I think you are right about Kolodziej, Joe, and I would say the same for Jonathan Lewis as having the better chance to make an impression at 3-4 DE.
As for Dansby…we will see how the whole thing shakes out…I think Dansby’s at his best when he plays on the edge where he can line up on the outside shoulder of the last down lineman, be it the TE or the WT. Yours and Rugby’s arguments about Dansby being freed up at WILB have merit, no question, but…has Dansby shown you the tackling ability and the consistent toughness to be making stops one play after another? I agree he has the range…and he’s a good chaser…is he a finisher though? And doesn’t he play too high for your liking? I will say this right now…Buster Davis will blow away Dansby at WILB. It won’t even be close. Davis has the motor and the stamina…and much more desire.
If Jonathan Lewis really is at 312 right now (I remember someone saying he was bigger), he’ll make a good 3rd NT or pass-rushing NT. I like him there–generally, you want your 3-4 DEs to be a little taller so that they’re not engulfed by the 6-6+ OLTs they’re lined up across from.
Good article. Personal attacks back and forth detract from the discussion.
This Gollin guy has the right perspective. Assume nothing and enjoy watching.