Dion Jordan Possibly Starting At OLB

Maybe I am wearing rose colored glasses but he looks a lot like JT in some respects.Remember it took JT several years to learn his bag of tricks .He was not an instant success.

The difference I see is that JT took care of his body ,studied the game intensely and is intelligent. I am not sure if Jordan has those characteristics that will allow him to improve.

 

The important aspect is that JT and Wake needed game experience, which help them to identify an effective way to play the run and develop multiple ways to create pressure. Without the lessons JT learned from when Tony Boselli tossed him around, he may have never identify how to vary his attack on the T and determine an playing weight so his strength/speed contributed to his success against these behemoths.

Jordan's athleticism is a bit different as he lacks a quick burst to produce some sacks that got fans excited with JT's and Wake's potential. Without a burst and ability to time the snap count, Jordan is a poor fit to play in open space as a 3-4 defense would create. Instead, if he can develop some consistency defending the run and use his height/reach to more frequently disrupt a passer, he'll make the defense more unpredictable if his coverage skills are used from the DE position. Unaccounted players should make a QB guess if Jordan's in a passing lane, a blitzer may have clear lane, or a DB may be jumping a route.

The team may have Jordan's opposite in McCain, who has the quick burst to beat a pass blocker to the QB. His challenge is that he needs to handle multiple LB responsibilities so his blitzing becomes unpredictable. If not, it's likely that most teams will have a pass blocker slide to McCain's rushing lane to easily absorb his body and shield the QB from the threat.

 

Hopefully, to me he is a hybrid lb/de, more of a Lb really.

 

He needs to see the field this year... Too much talent to just let him waste on the bench. Play him at OLB and let it be what it is, see what happens.

 

I think what has happened is that folks see his frame and body and see def end, like how could a kid this big play linebacker...well, if he was the right weight 255, he could, don't let his height fool you.

 

I think as fans we want JT pt II, reality is his skillset is more like fmr Raven great Adalious Thomas, a large player with great movement skill and offers a D a myriad of possibilities.

Coyle and Co were and are criminal not to see that in Jordan's game

 

Yeah pads, but Coyle sees and works with the guy almost all year. He certainly knows his capabilities better than any of us. I'm not saying the coaches are never wrong, but they certainly have more first hand knowledge than any of us. I won't forget Dion getting handled one on one at times...by back ups. I also won't forget him making some good athletic plays. In the past, I have mentioned that I would like to see him play with a bit more of a mean streak, but who knows? I just want to see him progress as a play maker at whatever position.

 

Next season should see Wake and Vernon at DE with Suh and Mitchell at DT, then keep Koa Misi at MLB with Jelani Jenkins playing OLB and have Dion Jordan battle it out with Jordan Tripp for the other OLB spot

 

Staff seems pretty set at letting him work at DE for the entirety of next year.

 

I'm sorry, but this kid has shown me nothing for where he was drafted.

 

This would be a more convincing argument -if I hadn't seen Coyle dropping Wake back in coverage on a HB instead of rushing the passer. Or leaving both safeties deep while the D gets ran all over for an entire half. Against an elite QB, I can understand it, but the likes of Geno Smith?

Assuming Jordan is not just a huge bust, his best chance at success is being free to use his speed and athleticism at OLB (IMHO). He was never really known as a stud pass rusher at Oregon, and he is probably fourth on the depth chart at DE. At OLB he has a real shot at starting.

I can't even really blame Coyle, it falls on Philbin to see the issues and fix them by replacing Coyle. Since he didn't, I am resolved we just spent a fortune on Suh and will waste one of his prime years being held back by poor coaching. Or maybe we squeak into the playoffs for a one-and-done exit when Philbin gets outcoached -and we get to see another wasted year in 2016 as Philbin gets yet another extension. It would really be a nightmare scenario to be talented enough to win 9-10 games with Philbin yet know we will never be good enough to win it all (just good enough to let him keep his job).