We found Sedrick Ellis' best position (1 Viewer)

[GoSaintsGo1]

I've been waiting to see the Sed that I saw at USC, where I argued that he was better than Glen Dorsey and the best defensive player in the country. Don't get me wrong, he's been good with the Saints, but never looked like the terror future All Pro that he was at USC.

Yesterday, we saw that player, and I really think it was bc he was back to playing his natural position, nose tackle. He was the NT for USC for 4 years, and I really think he had some trouble adjusting to the 3 technique here. But yesterday, lined up at nose tackle in GW's 3-4, he played absolutely awesome. He was so quick off the ball, that their center couldn't handle him. A couple of plays, he simply pushed him 5 yards back into the backfield and made him look like a sissy. And this wasn't one of their rookie guards, it was a veteran center.

He truly played like an all pro type player yesterday. If we keep playing him at NT, I think we'll continue to see him blowing up the backfield and getting into the QBs face. Maybe he won't do it against Mangold this week, but I don't see many centers in the league handling him. Grant and Hargrove should be able to play DE in the 3-4 or even 3 technique in the 4-3, so I hope to continue to see Sed at NT a lot.

Also, he made a couple of hustle plays in the 2nd half that were awesome. He tracked down one of their guys a yard short of the first down on that 3rd down in the 4th quarter, right before their fans booed Jauron for punting. It was a great play for a 300 lber. I'm really starting to think that Sed may be emerging as our best player on defense, he showed signs of it yesterday.

 

[BigSlick]

My only worry is that if the base SAINTS defense is a 43, wouldn't an interior tandem of Ellis and Hargrove be a little light against a commited running game? Or can you just flip flop the tackles and have Clancy at the 3? In a pass rush 34 mode, Ellis seemed to be pretty monstrous at the nose though!

 

[Domeination]

Also, he made a couple of hustle plays in the 2nd half that were awesome. He tracked down one of their guys a yard short of the first down on that 3rd down in the 4th quarter, right before their fans booed Jauron for punting. It was a great play for a 300 lber. I'm really starting to think that Sed may be emerging as our best player on defense, he showed signs of it yesterday.

I remember that play. The announcer credited Vilma with the tackle, but it was really Big Sed who took the ball carrier down from behind. Great play. He has been getting consistent pressure up the middle on passing down for a couple of games now. I think this is his breakout season.

 

[Domeination]

Or can you just flip flop the tackles and have Clancy at the 3?

Will Clancy play this Sunday? I hope so.

 

[Dark Knight II]

Ask Greg Williams who changes the defense every week .

 

[Wheelo]

The Bills rookie guard moved to Center late in the fourth quarter. Not taking anthing away from Sed because that was pure beast mode.

 

[GoSaintsGo1]

My only worry is that if the base SAINTS defense is a 43, wouldn't an interior tandem of Ellis and Hargrove be a little light against a commited running game? Or can you just flip flop the tackles and have Clancy at the 3? In a pass rush 34 mode, Ellis seemed to be pretty monstrous at the nose though!

I would split btw the 43 and 34, and play Ellis at both positions in the 43. Hargrove is big enough to play as long as it's not every snap.

 

[SaintSeb]

It seemed like we got more pressure rushing 3 lineman than 4. I dont think Trent Edwards expected that.

 

[whodatfever]

But doesn' t Vilma struggle more in the 3-4?

 

[Optimusaint]

Ellis had their center snapping scared. he put the ball on the dirt 7 times by my count, 3 of them in a row on one drive. he was definitely outmatched by Big Sed.

 

[LSSpam]

My only worry is that if the base SAINTS defense is a 43, wouldn't an interior tandem of Ellis and Hargrove be a little light against a commited running game? Or can you just flip flop the tackles and have Clancy at the 3? In a pass rush 34 mode, Ellis seemed to be pretty monstrous at the nose though!

Ellis/Clancy is our run-down tandem, and Ellis/Hargrove is our pass-down tandem. Clancy being hurt is hurting us though. We really could use him back, for the Giants run-game especially.


As far as responsibilities go, it can and does shift for GW.

 

[GoSaintsGo1]

But doesn' t Vilma struggle more in the 3-4?

According to Eric Mangenious, like that means anything.

 

[Shawn]

Ellis/Clancy is our run-down tandem, and Ellis/Hargrove is our pass-down tandem. Clancy being hurt is hurting us though. We really could use him back, for the Giants run-game especially.


As far as responsibilities go, it can and does shift for GW.

I think in the internet world, too much is made of the NT/3Tech distinction. And in GW scheme, I think it means even less.

It probably has more to do with Ellis just getting more snaps under his belt. He missed games last season, and didn't look that explosive when he came back.

He played well yesterday, but to me, he's been playing pretty well all season. It seems like another incremental improvement from his past performances. GW may have just given all the linemen more freedom to run wild, since everyone seemed to play pretty well yesterday.

 

[zorazz]

But doesn' t Vilma struggle more in the 3-4?

He did struggle in NY in the 3-4, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will struggle in GW's 3-4 package. It all depends on his assignment within the 3-4 defense that determines how he plays.

In NY, for instance, he was asked to play a traditional 3-4 ILB. That means he was responsible for taking on offensive lineman and plugging gaps. We all know that was not his strong suit. It seems like in GW's 3-4 however he is not asked to take on linemen 1 on 1, he is still allowed to be a playmaker and follow his instincts rather than forcing him to be a more traditional ILB that mainly focuses on gap control and run stopping.

 

[Suavecito8]

Ellis is a beast and i am very happy that we did not give up the farm to get Dorsey. I say he finishes this season (barring injury of course) 8-10 sacks with a sh*t load of tackles for loss. GO BIG SED-NASTY DO YOUR THING!!!:rock: