A Different Option at NT

[Chopper0080]

How about this. Instead of beating our heads against the wall trying to find a plugger inside at NT, why don't we just move Dockett down to the nose. We could then draft the Calias Campbell clone that is Corey Wootton out of Northwestern (6-6, 270), and put him at the other DE spot. We are already a defense that shoots gaps and Dockett would be a terror inside ala Jay Ratliff.

Our 3-4 base is already unconventional as we shoot our DE's through gaps rather than occupying them. This puts more strain on our inside backers, but is it really better to have a fat anchor in the middle of an upfield attacking d line? Or would it be even more productive to have a quick freak like Dockett driving centers crazy inside, while our pair of 6'6"+ defensive ends push c-gaps, and knocking down quick slants?

Just a thought.

 

[Reddog]

He is too dynamic to waste clogging up the middle. Let a 350lber do that.

 

[WildBB]

Our 3-4 base is already unconventional as we shoot our DE's through gaps rather than occupying them. This puts more strain on our inside backers, but is it really better to have a fat anchor in the middle of an upfield attacking d line? Or would it be even more productive to have a quick freak like Dockett driving centers crazy inside, while our pair of 6'6"+ defensive ends push c-gaps, and knocking down quick slants?

Just a thought.

What you describe would be good on passing downs, not good on 1st downs necessarily. Dockett would get blown out a lot. That would create some 2nd and shorts 3rd and short situations, which are never good for defenses.

I was in favor of drafting Brian Price out of ucla for the exact same senario, but keeping Dockett outside and have Price as the penetrating inside shooter. But he would be a substitute on 2nd and longs and 3rd down passing downs. You'd need someone like Watson to be effective on 1st downs and then try to get him off on passing downs. Doesn't always work with the hurry up offenses sometimes though.

I'd be leary of the Cards showing Dockett the door, however if someone like Price is brought in (or Wooten for that matter). Same senario with A. Smith and Boldins replacements. Stand by.

 

[Chopper0080]

He is too dynamic to waste clogging up the middle. Let a 350lber do that.

You would put Dockett in the middle in order for him to shoot the a-gap, having the shortest path to the QB. He would not be asked to clog anything up, just hit the a-gap so fast and hard that the guard would have to block down.

 

[Chopper0080]

What you describe would be good on passing downs, not good on 1st downs necessarily. Dockett would get blown out a lot. That would create some 2nd and shorts 3rd and short situations, which are never good for defenses.

I was in favor of drafting Brian Price out of ucla for the exact same senario, but keeping Dockett outside and have Price as the penetrating inside shooter. But he would be a substitute on 2nd and longs and 3rd down passing downs. You'd need someone like Watson to be effective on 1st downs and then try to get him off on passing downs. Doesn't always work with the hurry up offenses sometimes though.

I'd be leary of the Cards showing Dockett the door, however if someone like Price is brought in (or Wooten for that matter). Same senario with A. Smith and Boldins replacements. Stand by.

Many coaches have been quoted that penetration from the defensive line is one of the biggest disruptions to a running play. It prevents running backs from running "down hill" and forces them to move laterally in the backfield. Not only this, but it also prevents interior linemen from pulling effectively which helps defenses set the edge on the outside. I understand your point advocating big bodies in the middle, but can Dockett be blocked by a center 1 on 1 consistently in this league? He can't, which would force a double team with the guard and center, freeing up an interior linebacker to fill the hole cleanly.

 

[WarnerHOF]

See: New Orleans who have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.

We do not have a elite offense which is why a 2 gapper like Cody is necessary. Ratliff succeeds because he has the necessary talent around him to allow him to shoot gaps. A line full of penetrators is only an option for the big scoring teams.

 

[187]

See: New Orleans who have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.

We do not have a elite offense which is why a 2 gapper like Cody is necessary. Ratliff succeeds because he has the necessary talent around him to allow him to shoot gaps. A line full of penetrators is only an option for the big scoring teams.

I agree. I think our defense would be much better off with a 2-gap NT like Cody compared to drafting another DE to allow Dockett to play as a 1-gap NT or drafting a 1-gapper.

 

[SuperSpck]

You and Mitch are of the same mind, he advocated for that last season.

In fact,
It's something the Cardinals already do as asub-package.

I have yet to see him create something out of it, that's a center and a guard to fight through.

 

[joeshmo]

Why do fans of this team always want to move guys away from the position they have already proven to be good at. Wilson is a pro bowl SS, lets move him to LB. Dansby had his best years ever at ILB, he should be a 3-4 OLB. Dockett made the pro bowl as a DE lets make him a NT. I think Timmy Hightower would make a perfect WILB for us.

 

[Stout]

The only reason we have our NT shoot the gaps so often, IMO, is because we don't HAVE a plugger NT. I think the team would love to be able to plug the fatty in there, but don't have anyone that can really do it.

 

[joeshmo]

Also when ever anyone brings up Ratliff as proof of why a shoot the gap style NT would work, please remember that Ratliff has a 320 pound DE to his left and to his right. Ratliff works because he has to fatties for DE's surrounding him.

 

[bg7brd]

The only reason we have our NT shoot the gaps so often, IMO, is because we don't HAVE a plugger NT. I think the team would love to be able to plug the fatty in there, but don't have anyone that can really do it.

This!

 

[joeshmo]

Word out of UCLA pro day today is that Brian Price looked way out of shape and very sloppy in drills.

 

[Chopper0080]

Why do fans of this team always want to move guys away from the position they have already proven to be good at. Wilson is a pro bowl SS, lets move him to LB. Dansby had his best years ever at ILB, he should be a 3-4 OLB. Dockett made the pro bowl as a DE lets make him a NT. I think Timmy Hightower would make a perfect WILB for us.

THIS!!!

Thanks for the responses guys.

 

[Hypothesis]

Why do fans of this team always want to move guys away from the position they have already proven to be good at. Wilson is a pro bowl SS, lets move him to LB. Dansby had his best years ever at ILB, he should be a 3-4 OLB. Dockett made the pro bowl as a DE lets make him a NT. I think Timmy Hightower would make a perfect WILB for us.

If he doesn't work out at WILB, he could always replace Rackers if he isn't resigned.