Phred
03-01-2008, 02:25 PM
Revised 3/1 3:30 PM after the Justin Smith Press Conference
Since I have received so many questions about where Justin Smith will play, I have decided to explain my understanding of the Nolan/Manusky DLine scheme.
The base D is a 3/4 hybrid. The team also uses 4/3 fronts in some situations. It takes 6 players to cover all of the snaps. The positions are a s follows
NT#1 - - Target 320 - 330 lbs. This is a classic 3/4 NT. His job is to occupy the OC and RG and keep them off of the ILBs. This player also plays inside in the 4/3 sets. - Abrauyo Franklin
LT - Target 305 - 315 lbs. This is a classic 3/4 DTDE. Hs job is to occupy the LG and LT and keep them off of the LILB and DEOLB. May also do shallow drops in certain blitz packages. Plays inside at DT in the base 4/3 scheme. - Ron Fields
RT #1 - Target 275 to 290 lbs. This a hybrid end. A heavy 4/3 or light 3/4 guy with great quickness and moves. His job is to be stout on the run and get after the QB on passing plays. Lines up against the LT. If the other two DLinemen do their job, he will be isolated on the LT every play. Will do stunts with the DEOLB, so will need to occasionally drop in coverage. Also, in certain blitz packages may be a LB and line up anywhere. This guy and the DEOLBs are the primary source of the pass rush. - Justin Smith
RT #2 - Target 275 to 290 lbs. This is the LT in the 4/3 schemes and primary backup to RT#1. Will rotate in on some 3/4 plays and play all snaps in the 4/3. In the 4/3 he plays a classic 4/3 end responsible for stopping the run and getting after the QB. - Ray MCDonald and Mel Oliver will compete for this job.
NT #2 - Target 310 - 325 lbs. This guy is the primary backup to NT#1 and the LT. He is big and strong enough to handle the nose and is agile and quick enough to play the LE as well. He will rotate in at both positions and ideally take about 1/3 of the snaps at each position. Isaac Sopoaga
RT #3 - Target 270 - 290 lbs. Primary backup to RT#2. May also serve as a specialty pass rusher in certain passing situations. Generally a better pass rusher than a run stopper. Ray McDonald or Mel Oliver
Besides the key guys, we will probably carry a 3rd NT (Currently Joe Cohen) and another DTDE currently Atiyah Ellison
I hope that clarifies it for you all.
Long-Term
All of these players are 28 or under. Fields and Ellison have 1 year left on their deals, Franklin and Oliver are signed through 2009. Cohen and McDonald through 2010. Sopoaga is signed through 2012 and Smith 2013.
If we decide these are the guys, then I think we need to at least extend Fields now while we have some cash. Ellison has been in the league 3 years and not played a down. We need to determine if he can play, and , if not, replace him in the Draft. Oliver is coming off injury, and Franklin just signed last year, so think we can wait and see how they play and extend them mid year if they play up to expetations. Cohen is also coming off injury.
The Draft
DLine was coach Manusky's #1 concern coming into the offseason. The resigning of Sopoaga and signing Justin Smith have hopefully alleviated those concerns. I think we burn a late round pick on a DT/DE and let him compete with Ellison for that last spot and that would be all we need. If however, Oliver and or Cohen's knee is not ready, then we may make a first day pick of a Defensive Lineman.
That's all for now.
Phred
Since I have received so many questions about where Justin Smith will play, I have decided to explain my understanding of the Nolan/Manusky DLine scheme.
The base D is a 3/4 hybrid. The team also uses 4/3 fronts in some situations. It takes 6 players to cover all of the snaps. The positions are a s follows
NT#1 - - Target 320 - 330 lbs. This is a classic 3/4 NT. His job is to occupy the OC and RG and keep them off of the ILBs. This player also plays inside in the 4/3 sets. - Abrauyo Franklin
LT - Target 305 - 315 lbs. This is a classic 3/4 DTDE. Hs job is to occupy the LG and LT and keep them off of the LILB and DEOLB. May also do shallow drops in certain blitz packages. Plays inside at DT in the base 4/3 scheme. - Ron Fields
RT #1 - Target 275 to 290 lbs. This a hybrid end. A heavy 4/3 or light 3/4 guy with great quickness and moves. His job is to be stout on the run and get after the QB on passing plays. Lines up against the LT. If the other two DLinemen do their job, he will be isolated on the LT every play. Will do stunts with the DEOLB, so will need to occasionally drop in coverage. Also, in certain blitz packages may be a LB and line up anywhere. This guy and the DEOLBs are the primary source of the pass rush. - Justin Smith
RT #2 - Target 275 to 290 lbs. This is the LT in the 4/3 schemes and primary backup to RT#1. Will rotate in on some 3/4 plays and play all snaps in the 4/3. In the 4/3 he plays a classic 4/3 end responsible for stopping the run and getting after the QB. - Ray MCDonald and Mel Oliver will compete for this job.
NT #2 - Target 310 - 325 lbs. This guy is the primary backup to NT#1 and the LT. He is big and strong enough to handle the nose and is agile and quick enough to play the LE as well. He will rotate in at both positions and ideally take about 1/3 of the snaps at each position. Isaac Sopoaga
RT #3 - Target 270 - 290 lbs. Primary backup to RT#2. May also serve as a specialty pass rusher in certain passing situations. Generally a better pass rusher than a run stopper. Ray McDonald or Mel Oliver
Besides the key guys, we will probably carry a 3rd NT (Currently Joe Cohen) and another DTDE currently Atiyah Ellison
I hope that clarifies it for you all.
Long-Term
All of these players are 28 or under. Fields and Ellison have 1 year left on their deals, Franklin and Oliver are signed through 2009. Cohen and McDonald through 2010. Sopoaga is signed through 2012 and Smith 2013.
If we decide these are the guys, then I think we need to at least extend Fields now while we have some cash. Ellison has been in the league 3 years and not played a down. We need to determine if he can play, and , if not, replace him in the Draft. Oliver is coming off injury, and Franklin just signed last year, so think we can wait and see how they play and extend them mid year if they play up to expetations. Cohen is also coming off injury.
The Draft
DLine was coach Manusky's #1 concern coming into the offseason. The resigning of Sopoaga and signing Justin Smith have hopefully alleviated those concerns. I think we burn a late round pick on a DT/DE and let him compete with Ellison for that last spot and that would be all we need. If however, Oliver and or Cohen's knee is not ready, then we may make a first day pick of a Defensive Lineman.
That's all for now.
Phred