The NFL is adapting, for better or for worse, to the passing friendly rules. Base formations in the NFL as a whole only runs about 33% of the time now, subpackage formations now are on the field 66% of the time, give or take a percent or two. This is primarily effecting Linebackers and Safeties...their roles are changing. Smaller faster LB's that are more like big safeties are becoming the norm. Bigger Safeties that are more like small linebackers or play like Corners are becoming the norm. I think what we're seeing is the beginning of the end of the traditional safeties. Much like the Demise of the Tailback and the Fullback and, for that matter, two back sets where both backs were threats to run the ball. I think we're moving towards an era where Safeties will become either Nickle corners or, to coin a term, Top Linebackers, in conjunction with OLB and ILB. Just like Nickle Corners overlap with 'normal' corners, Linebackers overlap with ILB's. Of course over time offenses will return to a big running game because defenses will have become smaller and faster and this will force a return to the traditional base sets. and a cycle will be born.
Hey great thread. Jets were definitely thinking forward with Lee. The analysts on NFLN alluded to it after the pick was announced too. Rules aren't going back. The league is adapting in this manner. Lee had the highest metrics at the combine for off the ball LBs (or these outside LB hybrid sized players). He is blazing fast and plays with an inferno raging inside hotter than burns on JStokes in the Hackenberg thread.
Yeah, it's part of why I liked Su'a Cravens in the 2nd prior to the draft. Once the Jets had drafted Lee then Cravens would have become redundant (though I still like Cravens better in coverage, but that's another story). It's the future for the NFL as long as the game continues on it's current arc. This coming from an old schooler who misses old time two back backfields where both were threats to run (Boozer, Snell, Riggins for the Jets, Czonka, Kiick, Morris for the Dolphins, for example). But times change and so does the game. In a funny way it's kind of the reverse of what happened beginning in 1979. Prior to 1979 OL were primarily smaller and faster players because they couldn't use their hands in the blocking process. But with the event of O-line being allowed to use their hands, and therefore upper body strength, OL suddenly became much bigger (the birth of the Hogs). And how, for awhile, small receivers became the norm (the killer smurfs) when the 5 yard contact rule went in to place...(was that 79? or was that a little later?) The most successful teams adapt early. The hard part is determining if something is the real deal (Big OL) or a fad that the other side quickly figures out (Wildcat).
Good post. Back when it looked like Snacks may be on his way out, I said keeping Snacks (clogging up the middle) would make it easier for Maccagnan to draft a lighter, leaner, faster ILB who can cover sideline to sideline and shut down the wheel routs without having to be a 260 pound wrecking crew against the run. I guess with or without Snacks, this was the way Macc was determined to go.
Good post. It makes it a lot easier for us due to the fact that we have a ton of hogs up front. We can theoretically play this type of sub package on early downs with Williams-Rich-McLendon-Wilk along with Harris/Henderson in the box and Lee covering a slot receiver up and not worry too much about a team breaking a big run. This is of course a team wants to come out with 3-4 wide receivers and check to a run when they see a light box. We won't do this all the time, due to the Jenkins pick, but we certainly could do it at times based on who the offenses sub in. It's something that great quarterbacks like Peyton, Brady, Rodgers, Brees, etc. will automatically check to when they see six in the box. Only it won't in theory hurt us too bad due to the excellent penetrating defensive lineman we have. The third down packages must be making Bowles salivate. Williams-Rich-Wilk-Mauldin across the board, while using Lee and Harris or Carter/Henderson (based on if we're blitzing or not Harris might ride the pine on 3rd & longs if we're not planning on blitzing). We're should see a huge improvement on teams completing balls to tightends and slot receivers on short in breaking routes.
This type of thread has Lee's style of play written all over it. For example, go & watch every defensive play from Lee vs. Notre Dame. Was a great watch. Not only is this kid very fast/quick (as we all know) but he's very instinctive. Has to be one of the strongest LB's coming out in terms of 'Play Recognition'. It seems as if he's able to recognize play calls instantly; which is a trait in which all great one's must be natural at. In return he's always around the ball. That Ohio State Buckeyes defense was absolutely loaded and their coaching staff used Lee to a 'T'. He really stood out as being one of the most versatile players on the field. Against Notre Dame OSU's coaching staff would send him on an occasional blitz from either the outside or right up the middle but for the most part they had his athletic talents containing the run sideline to sideline and during passing plays 85% of the time he'd drop back into all types of pass coverages. From roaming the flats, locking up on a slot receiver with man coverage, faking the rush pre-snap, moving around, dropping back into the middle of the field while watching the QB's eyes/movement, lots of zone coverage where he'd be positioned to where the QB would have to float the ball over Lee and in front of the Safety in order to make the completion. He reminded me of a nickel back/safety hybrid coming from the LB position. You can see first hand how many different types of ways he was being used on every play from the coaching staff. Being surrounded by all of our defensive front talent along with a strong secondary and Todd Bowles and company are going to utilize his style of play while tapping into his potential. It's there. Coach this kid up and anticipate the finished product. You seen the way he walked up to the podium on draft day? All confidence. His confidence is what pops up on the t.v screen very self-confident kid. I'd really enjoy a read from some of the knowledgeable fans who specialize in play by play breakdowns with his Notre Dame game only because he was used so many different ways all over the field).
Bowles likely wants to use Lee like Arizona uses Deone Bucanon. "Moneybacker" or hybrid safety-LB. I'm all for it as we haven't had a linebacker that can cover a fuckin TE since probably Jon Vilma. And when teams go no huddle you don't want to get stuck with snails like Demario Davis covering the middle of the field.
Davis isn't a snail, he's a Tin Man. Or the Scarecrow, as I've been informed. His physical traits are fine if he only had a brain.
Although Bucannon is considered a Safety, this seems like a nice comparison. Size wise Bucannon is listed as being only 6'1/211 lbs. Where as Lee 6'1/232 lbs. For being only 23 years of age that Bucannon kid just had quite the season putting up 112 tackles along with 3 sacks. If we can get that type of production during only Lee's second season we could be looking at back-to-back 1st round defensive HR's with Williams & Lee.
Every Zona depth chart I've been able to find has him listed as one of the two starting ILBs in their 3-4, but yeah he's only 210 so he's considered a hybrid. Regardless, I'm thinking Bowles will try to install some of the schemes he used in Zona here (if we have the personnel) and based on what I'm hearing Darron Lee fits that role although he is closer to actual LB size.
I will also add another thing changing the game for linebackers and safeties are the silly rules. You can't have a thumper back there anymore unless you enjoy giving the other team free 15 yard penalties all game.
I agree with the OP. The game has changed, it’s a passing league. You have to adapt and the Jets are. They get it. Guys like Darron Lee and Calvin Pryor are great guys to have because they give the Jets the best chance of guarding tight ends like Gronk.
Great Post. To go a step further, thats why it didn't make sense to break the bank on Snacks. While I consider him a great two down player, we will be in a lot of sub packages (quite the oxymoron being that teams are in the "sub" package 65% of the time) with 4 man fronts of Mo, Sheldon, L. Williams, and probably Mauldin with Lee and Harris at LB. You have to design your team to first win the division. I believe with Gronk and what the Pats do with their TEs (adding Bennett don't forget that huge addition) we have to be able to match up with those guys. And still wish we found a way to hang on to Antonio Allen. he could have been worth the paycheck for two games a year....
