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I am A Senior Journalism Student at Long Island University - C.W. Post Campus. I am an avid Sports Fan and a Pop Culture maven.More By Ssj3alucard
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An NFL Draft Vocabulary Lesson...
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As seen on 3rdstringsafety.blogspot.com, Written by Jason Comack
Anthony and I are draft geeks. There I said it. However I think there are differences in our approaches to analyzing players. Anthony, watches much more college football than I do. I tend to base my assessment on what I read online. I know that sounds lame but here me out.
You may think "well he's just recycling information." Well in a sense, yes, but you have to give me more credit than that.
I read a plethora about players from, scouting reports to combine numbers to college statistics. Just because Chris Henry can run 4.3 40 doesn't mean he'll be good, because I know that he couldn't even get a starting job at Arizona or even in high school for that matter. Just because Kyle Boller can throw a ball through the uprights on his knees from the 50 yard line doesn't mean he'll be good. Get my point?
I also don't always rely on one source, ESPN's Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, NFL Draft Countdown's Scott Wright (a personal man crush) as well as the folks over at Drafttek and Sports Illustrated.
Also one consideration I take into account that many people overlook is scheme. Scheme makes all the difference in the world. Jonathan Vilma, is a perfect example. I knew from the day it was announced that Jonathan Vilma in the 3-4 was a match made in hell. He's undersized and struggles taking on blockers. The two necessary abilities of a 3-4 ILB.
Often times people overlook scheme how that alters how players will fall in the draft.
So before we whelm (remember the world whelm for a future tirade) you loyal 3SS reader with draft coverage let's take some time to review some vocabulary.
Let's start today by reviewing the 3-4. The defense of choice of teams like the SF 49ers', Jets, Steelers, Patriots, Browns among others. 3-4:
Defensive Lineman
Defensive Ends:
Need to be big. Ideally upwards of 6'4" in order to be able to swat the ball at the line of scrimage (though I think this aspect is overrated.) They also should weigh, ideally upwards of 300 pounds. The goal of a 3-4 defensive end is to engage multiple Offensive Lineman so the linebackers can get pressure. It's as sexy as being a fullback.
Also noteworthy is that the 3-4 has evolved into several different incarnations. We have a one gap 3-4 and a two gap 3-4. The one gap 3-4 is the defense the Cowboys run. They have smaller, typically undersized, lineman. Rather than just engulf blockers they also rush the passer. The two gap is the more traditional 3-4 with giant bodies everywhere. Dolphin fans get use to this term. This is the Bill Parcells defense of choice.
Definsive Tackle:
The nose is the heart of the 3-4 defense. Everyone groans when they think of taking a nose tackle with a high pick. Mainly because they "don't make impact plays." While they might not make sexy plays they make the defense go. Every successful 3-4 team has a stud nose tackle. Casey Hampton, Jamal Williams, Vince Wilfork, and Jay Ratliff come to mind. The struggling 3-4 teams, Jets and Niners for example don't.
The 3-4 nose tackle is ideally 6'1"-6'3" and upwards of 320 pounds. A short stocky body is deal because it clogs the most space.
Once again, exceptions exist. The one gap 3-4 NT can be different. Look at Jay Ratliff in Dallas who's holding it down despite his 6"4'300lb frame.
Linebackers:
Outside Linebacker:
The reason why so many teams love the 3-4 is because players who might otherwise fall through the cracks can succede. Often a knock on a great college player is that he might not have a true position in the NFL. In general college ends are undersized. A 6' 235 lb end won't hold up in the NFL. But the same body would make a great 3-4 OLB.
Anytime you hear the word "tweener" it refers to this position.
The NFL prefers college defensive ends to play OLB in the 3-4 because they have the straight ahead speed and are use to shedding blocks to get to the QB. Coverage responsibilities are limited and they are generally not put on an island when they have to cover.
Examples of successful transitions from DE to OLB are Terrell Suggs, Jayson Taylor, Manny Lawson, Adailus Thomas, Bryan Thomas (kinda), Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer. However it doesn't always work, Jason Babin was an experiment that went terribly wrong for Huston, so was Andre Carter for San Fran.
Inside Linebacker:
Another position that isn't generally glamorous in the 3-4. Generally you'll have most of the pressure coming from the outside. However some players have bucked the trend this year and made a name for themselves on the inside. Patrick Willis is quickly on his way to becoming a stud linebacker. The rookie made the Pro-Bowl and is a mortal lock for DROY. Harris has been on of the bright spots on the Jets D. He's a bruiser and has shined since taking over for Vilma.
Now I don't want to get super technical here but the two inside linebackers don't play the same position. There's a MIKE and a TED, or WILL depending on what language your defense uses. Simply one ILB is allowed to move more freely, rushing the passer, playing in coverage and moving side to side, this ILB resembles a 4-3 MLB. The other linebacker is mainly there to act as a full back. Take on blockers open up lanes for other players and of course make tackles and play in coverage when called upon.
Willis is more a of MIKE while Harris is more of a TED. In an ideal 3-4 you would have one each.
The ideal ILB is 6'2" - 6'4" and weighs between 240-260 pounds. The need to be strong at the point of attack and have the ability to shed blockers. The MIKE should be quick and have fluid hips. While the TED needs to focus on strength and block shedding ability.
Any questions?
Good back tomorrow with a 4-3 Breakdown!
