'It's a different game': Stephone Anthony fine with move from middle linebacker (1 Viewer)

[Dan in Lafayette]

'It's a different game': Stephone Anthony fine with move from middle linebacker

By Nick Underhill -- Advocate

Stephone Anthony is fine with shifting over.

The addition of James Laurinaitis means that Anthony will likely end up moving to strongside linebacker after serving as the middle linebacker as a rookie last season. And he’s fine with it.

“It kind of makes my job easier,” Anthony said. “I’m enjoying it.”

Serving as the middle linebacker, Anthony was responsible for calling plays in the huddle and getting players lined up. By moving to strongside, those responsibilities will no longer be on his plate.

The move allows him to focus more on making plays and what he’s supposed to be doing.

He said he’s comfortable at either spot, though there is a bit of an adjustment.

“You can’t see as much but it’s a different game,” Anthony said when asked about the differences between the two positions. “You can’t see as much, but it’s more of a point-of-attack game. It’s something I got to get used to.”

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[Merl]

I personally feel it was the right move until he gains more experience at the NFL level. Give him another year or so to learn and get used to the speed of the game before he has to make the snap decisions and call them out to the rest of the defense.

 

[TruSaint]

I think it will definitely benefit him. It will allow him to not have to think about lining people up and rely on his intelligence but more on his athleticism and instincts which are his best traits.

 

[Saint of Killers]

He said he’s comfortable at either spot, though there is a bit of an adjustment.

“You can’t see as much but it’s a different game,” Anthony said when asked about the differences between the two positions. “You can’t see as much, but it’s more of a point-of-attack game. It’s something I got to get used to.”

Coach Sean Payton has said that he expects Anthony to play on the strongside this season, but he has also been getting repetitions on the weakside during organized team activities. He said the coaching staff called him during the offseason and told him to prepare for a shift.

Sounds like we're just gonna move him all over, with him spending the most time at SAM. I think it'll be good for him in the long run, I just hope he doesn't take a step back this year.

 

[jamesbhack]

Its unfair of course, but I was curious to see how Vilma started out as I did not follow him closely at the Jets. The conclusion is they are very comparable stat wise. IMHO this should only last a half season or so, if he's the future in the middle he needs to play middle.


Anthony finished his rookie season with 112 tackles, one sack, one interception, and two forced fumbles. He had two scores, both coming against the Carolina Panthers, and led all rookies in tackles. Anthony was also named to the Pro Football Writers Association all-rookie team.[8]


2004[edit]
In 2004, Vilma was named as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. During his rookie campaign, he recorded 107 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions, including one which was returned for his first NFL touchdown.

 

[Eman5805]

Starting out with a lot of responsibility then having it reduced might mitigate the ol' sophomore slump a bit. Plus, this will make a difference in post game film. He'll know what calls JL is making, see the tape, and be able to ask and gleam info about why.

Eventually, that'll be his spot to reclaim, but for now, he can be aggressive, get downhill and get some tackles behind the LOS.

 

[AARPSaint]

It's very cool that he has a stat that can never be supplanted: the first to score two points after a failed two point conversion by the opposing team. Thirty years from now it will be a great trivia question.

I like that he's learning the other LB positions but hate that they felt it necessary to bring in an experienced MLB. You never know with position changes.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Sounds like we're just gonna move him all over, with him spending the most time at SAM. I think it'll be good for him in the long run, I just hope he doesn't take a step back this year.

When the defense flips to match the shift of the offense sometimes he will get Will responsibilities. So knowing both will make sure he knows what to do in those moments.

More than anything it teaches him to see the game from different angles and will help him when he eventually moves back to Mike.

 

[Optimistic Ozzy]

IMO, it was kind of a no brainer. JL was born to be a MLB, and moving Anthony to SAM will allow him to take advantage of his size and play making abilities.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

IMO, it was kind of a no brainer. JL was born to be a MLB, and moving Anthony to SAM will allow him to take advantage of his size and play making abilities.

It also allows him to work on a part of his game that for a 6'3 245 lb guy you would think would come naturally....and thats his point-of-attack game. He quite frankly wasn't good at shedding blocks or being physical with Olineman. Preferring to side step blocks vs taking them on in most cases and taking himself out of the play in the process. When he did take on a block head up he wasn't much of a threat to disengage at times and would get drove down the field while trying to make a 1 arm tackle.

“You can’t see as much, but it’s more of a point-of-attack game. It’s something I got to get used to.”

If were going to move forward with an Over Front the Mike has to be able to take on guards/olineman because he'll see a lot of them as the majority of the protection is afforded to the two OLB (the will even more than the Sam) Thus why we drafted him at his size/weight/length he is the prototype for a Mike in an Over.

 

[Winter]

When the defense flips to match the shift of the offense sometimes he will get Will responsibilities. So knowing both will make sure he knows what to do in those moments.

More than anything it teaches him to see the game from different angles and will help him when he eventually moves back to Mike.

My thoughts exactly. It will also be great to have two "Mikes" on the field. Both with experience in where the defense should be lining up. I hope this results in better communication and the defense being in position and more prepared for each play.

 

[LombardiGras]

I'm expecting to see lots of 2 linebacker packages with Anthony and Laurinaitis, a look that will allow us to play 3 safeties.

 

[AARPSaint]

I'm expecting to see lots of 2 linebacker packages with Anthony and Laurinaitis, a look that will allow us to play 3 safeties.

Interesting.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

I'm expecting to see lots of 2 linebacker packages with Anthony and Laurinaitis, a look that will allow us to play 3 safeties.

For now I think that assumption is up in the air until Anthony proves he can handle coverage duties on Nickel downs. Generally the SAM LB gets subbed out in nickel situations and your Will/Mike are your Nickel Backers.

He was definitely not good at it last year and admitted as much in a recent interiew saying "he wasn't accustomed to backs/TE's getting up on him so quickly" and "he wants to be able to contribute on more than just 2 downs".

For all intents and purposes Lucy's got some splaining to do on why we should make the defense vulnerable just to get him on the field in passing downs because he's our 1st round LB.. He's gotta earn that IMHO...but I think he will in due time and expect to see that improvement from him.


Edit:I stand corrected on Anthony

Safety look: With Jairus Byrd sideline, Erik Harris and Vonn Bell played the deep safety role in nickel packages with Kenny Vaccaro roaming the box. Vaccaro was all over the field. He often blitzed, covered slot receivers and played deep as the strong safety. Vaccaro had a few nice blitzes in nickel looks with Stephone Anthony and Dannell Ellerbe handling the linebacker duties.

Edit: More Clarity which kind of points in my direction at least that it could possibly be Laurinaitis/Ellerbe initially as your Nickel LB's

Putting in work: James Laurinaitis and Anthony mixed in and out in the nickel package. You could see the veteran directing traffic and getting guys lined up already at this early juncture. He should be a settling presence for this young defense.

http://blogs.theadvocate.com/blacka...ons-from-thursdays-organized-team-activity-2/