At the very least I'm trying to point out that certain schemes put players in a position to succeed. Furthermore, I'm making a point to remember how bad our front seven was last year. We couldn't stop the run, we couldn't rush the passer, and we had a number of significant injuries. Hawk is the same player, I believe. The difference isn't as simple as his fire or aggressiveness (something that reflects my overall worldview -- that there's a lot more complexity to any singular issue than face value, which would in this case be Hawk simply trying harder or playing with more "fire"). I'm willing to bet that no amount of fire or aggressiveness or "chip on shoulder" type of play would have made much of a difference for Hawk on last year's defense.
I attribute his improvement in part to Hawk himself, but primarily to a confluence of factors (a healthy Cullen Jenkins, a defensive scheme that is much less predictable, and playing in a defense that features active LBs and many moving parts).
"evad04" wrote:
I am not trying to dismiss what you are saying.. I agree that the overall defensive performance and some individual play isn't impacted by the scheme or the players around him.
But last year, game in and game out you seen a Hawk that was tentative to attack the line of scrimmage, was swallowed up by lead blockers and overall was a player making reactionary plays a beat or two late.
Yes, we had some issues last year along the defensive line, but the linebacker play wasn't helping that either.. can't tell you how many times I was screaming at Hawk for sitting on his heels waiting for the contact to come.. surest way to get effectively blocked is to stand there and wait for the contact to get there..
IMO, we can make all the excuses in the world for a player getting put in less than favorable positions to win.. it is up to that player to win some of those battles.
I stand by what I seen last year.. and what I seen up til yesterday this year.. average to sub par line backing play...
I don't expect perfect reads, earth shattering hits every play, picks every game.. I expect guys stepping into holes, attacking blockers and making a couple of plays.
You say it isn't about fire or effort in attacking the LOS and making plays beyond it.. I disagree.. almost every snap you have to take on and beat a block.. that is all about reading the play quickly, attacking the play and hitting it all out.. effort and fire.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"