Will our players like this new scheme? I mean, it's a pretty 'lousy' job to be a D-lineman in this defense.
"Rockmolder" wrote:
Personally, I think that statement underestimates the competitive nature of players. Most (majority of them, I'd say) want to win. Yes there is a big pay days, party scenes, clubbing, etc. that players enjoy, but I think it's important to stress most of the NFL players are competitors. Having a reward (winning) can sure make a tedious task seem more tolerable.
More importantly, I think it can't be stressed enough that Capers style of the 3-4 is different than the traditional two-gap 3-4. Mike McCarthy has said it, Capers has said it, Lombardi has said it, Ted Thompson has said it. This fact can't be lost, but it is.
Look back at the Ravens / Steelers game from the past week. Check out the formation of the Ravens D with 8:58 left to go in the first Quarter (this formation can be found on the highlight of Ravens / Steelers match at NFL.com).
You've got the NT Ngata as a DE, Trevor Price (6-5, 290) as NT, and Tight End Edgar Jones (6-3, 263) as the other DE. Yes, the TE for the Ravens was playing as a DE in that 3-4 formation. The Ravens also brought 3 additional blitzers, a total of 6 players, in an attempt to max out protection, leaving no help should (when) one of the linemen/blitzers break free.
What was the result of that formation? Sack by the LE (Ngata). That formation called for the NT and LE to criss cross, in the hopes of creating some confusion and increasing the chances of those two d-linemen to get free and get a pass rush. Price the NT went to his left, took the opposing o-linemen with him, creating space in the middle for Ngata to roll into and apply pressure.
That's not a traditional 3-4. You can't tell me Jenkins and Pickett (or Jolly, or whoever) wouldn't be intrigued, at the very least, with formations that call for D-linemen to engage in some trickery, in the hopes of generating a pass rush.
Yes the 3-4 calls for the OLB to get a pass rush. However there are variations of the 3-4 where you have the D-linemen be more than just traditional blocker eaters.
Also, note the 3rd DE in the above formation, the TE Edgar Jones. Specifically, notice his measureables. Look familiar? They should, because he's got almost the exact same body type as Aaron Kampman. Jones is listed at 6-3, 263 while Kamp is 6-4, 265.
This should dispel the notion that Kampman has no place in our team's new 3-4 scheme. A good player like Kamp can only add to the versatility that the 3-4 creates, and that is NOT a bad thing. (I wanted to write an article on this, but quite frankly don't think I'll have the time so I'm writing this long winded post here).
The NFL: Where Greg Jennings Happens.