Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/24/1644634/dansby-already-earning-praise.html#ixzz0oqpSme1A For those who are tolling the bells of Crowder´s demise I think you will be pleasantly surprised at Crowders improvement with better players around him -He is so serious about recovering from his injuries and staying in shape he bought one of those expensive hyperbaric chambers for his home . Having said that we should have quality depth at the position with the addition of Dobbins who will challenge for starting time.
I noticed the article mentioned a "hybrid" 3-4 that Nolan runs. Can anyone here give us any insight on how the pieces fit in this particular defense? Can anyone elaborate (in-depth) on what makes it "hybrid"? I found an article highlighting the rankings of Nolans' defenses over the years. I know statistical analyses are not the entire picture, but it does give us a little insight. Link: HERE
Courtesy of NFL.com: A hybrid defense is one that uses the 4-3 and 3-4 defensive packages -- and I don't mean a 3-4 defense that will use a four-man rush on third downs. A true hybrid defense is one that will use either package on any down -- and in any game. The defensive coaches who are truly in the hybrid business will look closely at an opponent and take advantage of the best matchup they get during a particular game. Hybrid coaches feel they make their opponent prepare for every possible look and then they dictate what works best for them. While it makes sense, pulling it off isn't that easy. If it were, then everyone would be doing it.
Here are the problems that confront coaches who claim to be hybrid defensive disciples: » It starts up front with the defensive line. A 4-3 defense looks for quick, one-gap penetrating linemen who can get into the backfield and disrupt plays. A 3-4 defense looks for much bigger linemen who can engage offensive linemen on the line of scrimmage and keep blockers off the linebackers as they work down the line of scrimmage. Linemen in the 3-4 want to command a double-team block; 4-3 linemen want to beat a single block every time. A hybrid defense wants its linemen to be able to do either thing when asked. A guy like Warren Sapp was great at one-gap penetration, but would struggle as a two-gapper in a 3-4. Players like Ty Warren and Richard Seymour in New England can do both with little trouble, but those type of players are hard to find. » Linebackers have their own issues to deal with when switching from one package to another. Linebackers in the 4-3 defense are slightly shaded behind defensive linemen, which makes it difficult to get a blocker on them right away. Teams like the Buccaneers get away with undersized, but fast, linebackers because it is hard to block them. In a 3-4 defense, the inside linebackers have to be big and physical, because they regularly line up directly over guards who can easily get up on the backers.
Nolan wants to give himeself options, 4-3 on run downs....3-4 passing downs yada yada...however the thing is, like the above stated, there are ALOT of responsibilities on everyone, and you have to have playmakers...it is a complex scheme, but works very well if outfitted with playmakers...in order to run a good hybird you have to be strong up front the 3 of the 3-4 or the 4 of the 4-3 has to be good, and deep....unlike if you were just running a strict 3-4, you have to be good and deep at the 4.... this will be interesting to say the least.....not sure how this is going to turn out...
A couple of things you can expect.A lot more more blitz packages and a NT that will be much more active in getting in to the opposing teams backfield.Thats is Starkes forte which is why he is being asked to shift positions to NT.
If Merling ever got his head out of his 4th point of contact...damn this line could be special....with Starks causes problems, forcing play to the outside, where our LBs can gobble them up...
I just watched the New Orleans game again. NFLN Replay. I focused on teh play of crowder the entire game. What I saw is a guy who was ALWAYS a step behind the play. He did nothing more then jump on top of the pile after the play was over and that was when he would even be in on the play. What I saw was a soft player who was out there avoiding contact. He was about 4 or 5 yards from teh goal line when NO was on the 1 foot line at the end of the 1st half. When he touched Brees on teh shoulder well after he was over the goal line. I would challenge you to watch crowder specifically when you're watching games. He reminds me of a defensive Ginn Jr. As for him getting better with better players around him, I'll take that as the team D getting better because of the other players being better. I think he could hide out there better. He is soft IMO.
Hre did have a mediocre season.He was knicked up most of the year.But if you go back to 2008 they really missed him when he was out of the game . I am not saying he will ever be a pro bowl player but this regime likes him for a reason .If he continues to struggle with injuries he will fall out of favor quickly.
I don't think they are going to run any real 4-3, or for that matter much 4-man line packages. There has really only been one comment about a 4-3, and it mentioned the defense would have more elements of it. That probably doesn't mean anything other than Starks playing a 1-techniqe as a non traditionally built NT and a strongside OLB who plays more like a true OLB and a weakside OLB who rushes almost always like a DE... everything being still in the context of a 3-4.
Not every 3-4 is a two gap scheme. Despite Parcells influence, Pasqualoni didn't run a two gap scheme here. The general drift out of the draft suggests they are running a one gap scheme still. One gap doesn't inherently mean penetration either. There are plenty of big run stuffers playing one gap techniques whose job isn't shooting upfield as quick as possible, but dilling a gap and then if needed driving a blocker into another.
I'm one of those in the boot Crowder camp. I'd rather see him improve and contribute though. I am really excited about the potential our D has this year and in the next few as the new guys mature and gel with each other along with the vets. Side note isn't a hyperbaric chamber what drove Michael Jackson nuts? Crowder is crazy enough as it is. just sayin...
That's an oversimplification by NFL.com. The Dolphins (and many other teams) ran a 4-3 for years that was not a one-gap, penetrating defense. At the same time there were many 4-3 defenses that did use a one-gap. What I'm saying is that either front can one-gap and/or two-gap players. The trend currently is to have lines that mix one-gap and two-gap defenders along either defensive front. Saban did that a lot when he was here.
Crowder also played injured much of last year. If you watch him from the year before when he wasn't injured, you see a guy who was an above average to good ILB.
not buying any of that, sure crowder's tackling stats were better but he was nothing more than an average LB in 2008. i'm still waiting after 5 years for one big play.
His injuries he had arent minor ones, he could very well not be the same....I mean they are saying he isnt even 100% yet...
He picked Brady off last year Killa!!!!! as he was going down from Wake's tackle in a desperate attempt to get rid of it...
Dansby comes from a hybrid 3-4 defense, Cardinals have been using it for a few years now,its what almost won them a Super Bowl. Well, along with Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner.