well if it helps in the base package he would start standing up and then put his hand in the dirt and would give it a 4 d-line look and every time the nickel was on the field he was for sure on the ground
I think you're undervaluing what technique he was playing regardless of what stance he was in as well. He would be utilized properly from a 5 or 6 technique, which is head up on the tackle or just outside shade of the tackle, whereas he was more often in an 8 or 9 technique due to the fact that he had edge responsibilities in the run game. For a guy that's not exceptionally fast on the edge, playing an extra foot outside never helps, unless you're a true edge rusher which he is not.
this topic is so annoying is gets brought up all the time…people put way too much thought into 3/4-4/3 schemes…edge rushers are edge rushers…
Athletically, this guy is a freak of nature. And unlike Gholston, he actually regularly makes plays. Most other teams would be happy to have a young player of this level. He's big, he's strong, he's fast, and his technique is there. Given more experience, he will only continue to get better. I think in the right scheme, he could be one of the more dominant OLBs/DEs in the game.
If all positions were the same, why would there be different schemes? Different players fit in different for a reason. Rex played his outside linebackers in a much wider technique due to the fact that he used 46 principles. Let the inside hogs handle the inside run and pass rush while splitting out his outside linebackers to solely handle the edge. Rarely did you see Pace or Coples crash down inside to stop the run and it's by design. He didn't value his outside backers so much as edge rushers as he did edge players because his scheme relied on mismatch and overload blitzes. Just because Bowles runs a blitzing 3-4 scheme doesn't mean it's anything similar to Rex's blitzing 3-4 scheme. Rex liked to run an outside backer and two speed safeties or defensive backs all to the edge where the offensive tackle was. Let the backer occupy the blocker while the speedy defensive backs run free. Blitz by numbers and disguise essentially, rather than letting his pass rushers rush the passer with technique. I doubt we will see this so much with Bowles, as he seems to utilize a lot more stunts and blitzing from position. That's where Rex's defense became so predictable. All quarterbacks needed to do was use a long dummy count and they'd see the rushers run up to the line trying to time the snap, usually with an overload to one side. QB's would then check the protection to that side and bam blitz is picked up as he'd rush 3 or 4 to one side, two on the other and the offense could account for them. Bowles seems to like to use base sets then blitz his backers right out of their position to one side or another. A lot more deception. This is where it will allow Coples to straight up pass rush rather than worrying about occupying blockers so that his fellow blitzers can get to the passer.
Coples should be used the way Pace has been used the last couple of years IMO. Coples should play as the strong side OLB where he can jam the TE and set the edge for the defense. I think his production would increase if the Jets could find a speed rushing edge rusher to pair with him.
Ellis and Douzable are no longer on the roster. If we get a guy like Orakpo (maybe Cole) in free agency and / or draft a pass rusher Coples might just move back to DE where he played well as a rookie.
Are you implying we're going to move to a 4-3, or that he'll get 5 snaps a game spelling Wilkerson/Richardson?
IMO, Coples best position would have been DT in a 4-3 when he first came out of college. He has been miscast his entire career but has played reasonably well. Coples has been very true to his college scouting report -- Dude makes some freakish plays and flashes ridiculous athleticism, and then disappears for 2 quarters.
