Mike Nolan will bring the heat http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/other/fl-dolphins-senior-bowl-0128-20100127,0,196558.story
How can you know this? I don't even know who our SOLB will be next year. I read the article and it does sound refreshing. For so many years, we just haven't been a good blitzing team, either by coaching, players, or both. So many times I'd see our blitzer run right into the block and get stone-walled. Or if you're Crowder, you get submarined and end up flipping over. It'll be nice if we can upgrade in that area, as it'll help protect our secondary.
I agree. Bringing the heat with our front has not necessarily been the problem (though, the consistency has). It's the poor blitzing principles that have gotten Miami in trouble. There have been shades of good blitzing from the DBs, but even those are not as consistent as I would like. The Jets have a good blitzing team, and it was entertaining to see them work in the first half of the AFC Championship game. The problem is, they either did not come out in the 2nd half with a better plan, or they tired. They looked a little bit of both. As they say: Live by the blitz, die by the blitz. I do not want to die by the blitz....
CK has also mentioned that Nolan is not blitz-happy. This is probably part of why his D's give up fewer big plays.
Well, we don't exactly have blitzing MLBs - as of now that is, but still. You have to play to your roster's strength, and right now, I'd say you have to blitz the SOLB because I don't want to see Crowder and Ayodele running into walls all next season.
I hope your right about Crowder. Don't care that much about A-Dell cause I think he will be doing whatever it is he does with another team.
See they are saying to "bring the heat" but I like to say to "bring the rain" It has a better effect to it in my opinion.
Interesting article. Good read. Thanks for posting ATVZ400. I didn't know Nolan was a WR's coach for Baltimore. I mean, I knew he took over as DC after Lewis left, but I didn't know he was an offensive coach prior to that. I also liked reading what Dawkins and Dumervil had to say. Sounds like they both liked playing for Nolan. That's cool. On a side note...Dumervil is only 5'11"? Also, it sounds like the blitzes are gonna come from everywhere (but selectively) if I understood the article correctly. Honestly, I'm probably more excited about this hire than I have been about anything Dolphins related in quite some time.
Nolan blitzed more than Pasqualoni did last season, but it isn't extraordinary by league standards. Nolan does however do a good job of efficiently blitzing. For comparison's sake, look at the Broncos ILBs vs. the Jets ILBs. DJ Williams and Andra Davis combined for 7 sacks(in 181 rushes), Bart Scott and David Harris combined for 6.5(in 424 rushes). The Jets blitzed their ILBs more than twice as often, but got less sacks and pressures relative. It's a reasonable assumption based on past tendencies. Essentially what happened is Nolan used the Strongside OLB to do the dirty work in order to set Dumervil loose. Him and Mario Haggan swapped if the strongside changed, and Haggan was in coverage about 60% of pass attempts, which is very high for an OLB. I think it's reasonable to assume something similar will occur this year with letting Cameron Wake focus completely on rushing the passer.
I've run it into the ground, but I really like Chris Gocong for the position. The guy is a converted DE, but he's played 4-3 SOLB since he came into the league and can hold his own in coverage there.
as the artcile said anybody can blitz but knowing how to blitz and when to blitz is the key and that I think is something that Nolan does extremely well. I expect alot more blitzing from our ILBs and DBs. That can be extremely effective when you choose your spots just right. Expect Vontae, our SS and hopefully Rolondo to have a few sacks this year
I like this hire a LOT, expect to see some serious improvement in our D next season. Which if our O continues to improve, puts us deep into the playoffs IMHO.
As long as they don't "make it rain". Although, I think most of us here would be more entertained. I know I would!!
First of all I'm glad that Nolan understands effective blitz concepts, but what I really want to see is better use of coverages, to me that is where there is hay to be made with a pressure defense. Vontae and Smith and Will Allen. BTW, a side note, the Big Slow..err Big O today on his radio show claimed Jason Allen has moved his stuff out of his home and is expecting to move on this offseason. FWIW.
well, he'll definitely have his work cut out for him there having said that should be remembered that if the front seven bring the heat the defensive backfield will automatically step up their play they are the right & left hand of the same defensive attack
