Article 2024 5th round LB Jaylan Ford may be an underrated gem in new Saints defense (97 Viewers)

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

If my research proves true. Staley will use a Tite formation. A 4i a 0 then another 4.i.

What this inherently will do is keep the LBs clean. Go back and look at our defense last two years and you’ll see a ton of plays w/ OLinemen getting to the 2nd level and blocking Demario or Werner. The # of times they had to stack and shed a climbing Olineman was nauseating.

This front is designed to stop the Guards from getting to the 2nd level due to the alignment of the 4i’s. Meanwhile the Center is occupied w/ the Nose Tackle.

Our LBs should be able to flow to the ball and make tackles.

For 2 years now I’ve screamed to add more years to Davis he needs to be kept as clean as possible. Ironically we got smaller and not bigger up front over the last two years and it’s shown. There’s a quote that the reason the Ravens brought in Terrence Cody to put along side Haloti Ngata was to keep Ray clean as he aged. Ray also lost weight the older he got so he could still move around.

This defense in theory should help our LBs get a lot of tackles. There won’t be many plays made in the backfield but there won’t be many 5-6 yard runs when things are working right.

As a personal opinion I don’t like Bresee as a 3tech or anything that’s considered DTish. He works best from the 4i outward meaning you could play him at 6 on some downs like Staley did w/ Donald and he’ll get pressure on the QB. He loses the leverage battle as a DT on running downs. He’ll benefit.

Oddly enough if you check the combine blurb on Nathan Shepherd it has is ideal fit as a 4i or DE in a 3-4.

Shepherd, Bresee, and Ridgeway should be in more natural positions than what they were asked to play in our 4-3

 

[TruSaint]

If my research proves true. Staley will use a Tite formation. A 4i a 0 then another 4.i.

What this inherently will do is keep the LBs clean. Go back and look at our defense last two years and you’ll see a ton of plays w/ OLinemen getting to the 2nd level and blocking Demario or Werner. The # of times they had to stack and shed a climbing Olineman was nauseating.

This front is designed to stop the Guards from getting to the 2nd level due to the alignment of the 4i’s. Meanwhile the Center is occupied w/ the Nose Tackle.

Our LBs should be able to flow to the ball and make tackles.

For 2 years now I’ve screamed to add more years to Davis he needs to be kept as clean as possible. Ironically we got smaller and not bigger up front over the last two years and it’s shown. There’s a quote that the reason the Ravens brought in Terrence Cody to put along side Haloti Ngata was to keep Ray clean as he aged. Ray also lost weight the older he got so he could still move around.

This defense in theory should help our LBs get a lot of tackles. There won’t be many plays made in the backfield but there won’t be many 5-6 yard runs when things are working right.

Then NT needs a huge upgrade, followed by SOLB.

 

[B_doggman47]

That would be a dream pick if he's available. Unfortunately, you're right in that we'd have to just plain get lucky if he is

Yes it would be perfect. The only problem is we would have to trade up in front of the Jags. They have him mocked to the Jags in several mocks that I've looked at. I don't want to see the Saints trade up. If anything the Saints either need to stay at 9 or trade down and aquire more picks. Ford could be a very good inside-linebacker in the Saints new defensive system, he also may be able to be a good blitzer on the outside too. Only time will tell.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Then NT needs a huge upgrade, followed by SOLB.

Much like Ray Lewis most defenders perform better w/ less weight than more. I continue to believe Cam’s best fit is SOLB. I do agree NT will need an upgrade but the unique thing about this defense is you don’t need Elite DL. It helps if you have one but the alignments tend to make the players look better than they are.

The most important thing is this scheme outside of that NT is your secondary. If the secondary stinks it falls apart.

Think about it….the Rams leading edge was Leonard Floyd. Their ILBs were unknowns. The entire front 7 benefits from the 1 on 1 matchups. Their jobs are easier but the zone coverage on the back end makes secondary play the puzzle that makes all fit. If that’s not working the entire defense breaks down.

I’d run to the podium if Will Johnson was there at 9 and never look back. You can add DL w/ length and a NT w/ other picks.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

1 tech - Saunders
3 tech - Bresee
5 tech - cam
WOLB 9 tech - Granderson
SOLB 6/7 tech - Foskey
SILB - DD
WILB - Werner

Man this is just sad to look at.

Not a single playmaker amongst that group.

I'm gonna say it again but barring an incredible defensive draft this defense is going to be just awful. Really, really, really bad.

 

[TruSaint]

Much like Ray Lewis most defenders perform better w/ less weight than more. I continue to believe Cam’s best fit is SOLB. I do agree NT will need an upgrade but the unique thing about this defense is you don’t need Elite DL. It helps if you have one but the alignments tend to make the players look better than they are.

The most important thing is this scheme outside of that NT is your secondary. If the secondary stinks it falls apart.

Think about it….the Rams leading edge was Leonard Floyd. Their ILBs were unknowns. The entire front 7 benefits from the 1 on 1 matchups. Their jobs are easier but the zone coverage on the back end makes secondary play the puzzle that makes all fit. If that’s not working the entire defense breaks down.

I’d run to the podium if Will Johnson was there at 9 and never look back. You can add DL w/ length and a NT w/ other picks.

For sure but let’s forget they had Aaron Donald also. I agree with everything you’ve said but from what I’ve seen they basically used the NT to 2 gap, the strong side 4 tech to 2 gap, and let Donald shoot the gap. Because of that I think you gotta have Cam at the strong side and let him keep people clean.

 

[TruSaint]

Man this is just sad to look at.

Not a single playmaker amongst that group.

I'm gonna say it again but barring an incredible defensive draft this defense is going to be just awful. Really, really, really bad.

I’d argue that Granderson is actually a good edge. Besides that I’m with you lol

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

I’d argue that Granderson is actually a good edge. Besides that I’m with you lol

I mean he's okay, I wouldn't say he's an above average player.

Also Cam should/most likely will retire. I wouldn't pencil him into any starting lineup rn.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

For sure but let’s forget they had Aaron Donald also. I agree with everything you’ve said but from what I’ve seen they basically used the NT to 2 gap, the strong side 4 tech to 2 gap, and let Donald shoot the gap. Because of that I think you gotta have Cam at the strong side and let him keep people clean.

Not sure I see it that way. The entire scheme is based on everyone having a gap and 1/2. So no one is two gapping in theory.

Everyone shoots a gap, then holds position/reads and then they shed to the other gap if the run goes the other way.

It’s legit a happy medium between 1 and 2 gapping. Your not totally shooting a single gap but you’re not totally just reading and reacting either.

It’s designed that way so the LBs and overhang players can remain clean to make tackles in run game


I’ll do my best to provide context once I do a write up on it. Will include videos as well so it doesn’t appear as though I’m just being disagreeable w/ you.

 

[TruSaint]

I mean he's okay, I wouldn't say he's an above average player.

Also Cam should/most likely will retire. I wouldn't pencil him into any starting lineup rn.

I think he’s above average but was hampered by playing on the strong side because we wanted chase to play weak side, I remember the season prior when granderson played weak side edge permanently and he was an absolute menace.

 

[TruSaint]

Not sure I see it that way. The entire scheme is based on everyone having a gap and 1/2. So no one is two gapping in theory.

Everyone shoots a gap, then holds position/reads and then they shed to the other gap if the run goes the other way.

It’s legit a happy medium between 1 and 2 gapping. Your not totally shooting a single gap but you’re not totally just reading and reacting either.

It’s designed that way so the LBs and overhang players can remain clean to make tackles in run game

Sure that’s fair, what I meant to say was a big part of that front 7’s success was from having Aaron Donald, that’s why they were able to get away with Floyd being their best edge guy lol, we unfortunately don’t have that luxury. We will need to add a play maker and my guess would be on the edge. Pearce, Green, Walker, maybe someone in FA, maybe the later rounds, but strong side edge rusher needs a giant upgrade

 

[RJS]

You guys know this is a Jaylan Ford thread, right?

Ford is a tackling machine in the box. I'm not sure he has the speed to get to the far edges and he's more of a zone cover guy than a matchup player on a RB or TE. There's a lot to like in his game and significant improvements needed. If he fails, it won't be because of effort,

Sincerely,
A Texas Fan

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

Sure that’s fair, what I meant to say was a big part of that front 7’s success was from having Aaron Donald, that’s why they were able to get away with Floyd being their best edge guy lol, we unfortunately don’t have that luxury. We will need to add a play maker and my guess would be on the edge. Pearce, Green, Walker, maybe someone in FA, maybe the later rounds, but strong side edge rusher needs a giant upgrade

What are your thoughts on ezeiruaku? I have him graded as the best pass rusher in the entire draft (yea, even over Abdul) but i'm worried about his weight against the run.

 

[B_doggman47]

What are your thoughts on ezeiruaku? I have him graded as the best pass rusher in the entire draft (yea, even over Abdul) but i'm worried about his weight against the run.

I don't know too much about him, but I will be watching some game tape on him later on this week and looking at some analysis'. I'll probably put something together as soon as possible. I hope it will give you some insight into what kind of player he is.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

I don't know too much about him, but I will be watching some game tape on him later on this week and looking at some analysis'. I'll probably put something together as soon as possible. I hope it will give you some insight into what kind of player he is.

I think he's got S tier bend.

His ability to turn the corner on an OT is maybe the best ive scouted in the past 5 years.

He doesn't just win his reps. He wins in a devastating fashion.

Now he's on the small end 6'2 just under 250 (albeit 34inch arms) so I worry about his ability to attack the run. But damn the way he can put his foot in the ground and bend the corner and close in on the QB is truly elite.