Think we'll play more big nickel with our current LB depth issues?

[bornnraisedwhodat]

Praying Lofton returns by Week 1, but who knows with those high ankle sprains. I hope we just do what we can to get him fully healthy, I dont want a gimpy Lofton all season, like we had Vilma last season.

Anyway, do you think we will play more big nickel? 3 Safeties, 2 LB's and 4 Down linemen. Harper is damn near a backer anyways. We did it a little bit last year under GW.

[J-bud]

I think we will be fine as long as they let these guys heal up fully before bringing them back., no matter who is in the LB roles come start of season the next man up will get the job done, maybe not as good as who we want in there, but it will get done, and our starters will get back in as they become healthy,

But i think they will keep the same defensive scheme

[guidomerkinsrules]

i also wonder if Tez is going back to LB for a spell
and yes agree with Harper playing LBish - but the problem is THE MIDDLE - that's a tough hole to scheme around

[NaJ88]

Originally Posted by guidomerkinsrules

i also wonder if Tez is going back to LB for a spell
and yes agree with Harper playing LBish - but the problem is THE MIDDLE - that's a tough hole to scheme around

I think they signed Ruud to replace Chamberlain primarily because Wilson is doing so well at DE they don't want to disrupt their pass disruptor's progress by moving him back to LB.

[Boondock]

I think that's a possibility. However, I think we're in good hands with Spagnuolo at the helm of our defense. He'll scheme up something.

[Nightshade]

I think Ruud will be a big asset as MLB depth so I think we're going to be fine.

[bearze34]

Originally Posted by Nightshade

I think Ruud will be a big asset as MLB depth so I think we're going to be fine.

I think that " big nickle" will be a large part of our repetoire, especially against influence and zone blocking schemes.

[Vrill]

I think its too early to tell. For all we know, Lofton's ankle isnt that serious and we are just resting him until week 1 where he'll be 100%.

I'd be more worried about Hawthorne's injury than Lofton's to be honest.

[TCUDan]

I think we'll go with the guys we have. I am still not very worried about our LB situation... could be worse.

[Groovepro]

We are not going to change schemes due to injury in preseason. There are installs, reps and situational reps still to be had. We will keep the same game plan defensively as would have had with no injuries (i mean, we DO have certain plays that are specifically built around personnel but for most part it will be business as usual).

[Infinite_Crescent]

Isa does need to get on the field more while Harper creeps up....2 birds with one stone so why not

[literature]

I think we will, but moreso because harper and IAQ are good players and we want them on the field in certain situations.

[TCUDan]

To answer the question, just ask yourself if our 3rd safety is a better in-the-box run defender than our 4th LB.

The answer is always 'no'. And I'm not talking about open-field tackler. I'm talking about getting his nose in the trash, making run fits and stuffing a play. You will always need that other 240-lb. player in your base defense--at least in the NFL.

And to be clear, I am a disciple of the 4-2-5 split (TCU uses it as their base defense and it's basically nickel big). I use it as my base defense with the Gladiators and we had the top scoring defense in the league this past season. But the NFL is a different creature. You have to be able to match up with other teams, both vs. the pass and the run.