Shazier to play like that on a more consistent basis? The guy was a beast and everywhere. That's what a first rounder is supposed to look like. Do we need to beef up our NT to keep some of the blockers away from him?
So, how in the hell do we get.....
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HGH mixed with Meth?
The NT doesn't matter. It's basically an extinct position in the NFL at this point. McLendon is almost never in the game, so whether Shazier looks like a complete stud or a bit lost has nothing to do with his presence. [By the way, Coryea, I know you don't agree to this so you don't need to reply to tell me that we need to find another Casey Hampton type]
With Shazier I think it's basically a matter of just how healthy he is at any point in time (kinda like a linebacker version of Bob Sanders) and him getting more playing time so he's reacting and not thinking. He's responsible for a lot of the communication on defense, and at times there's been rank confusion going on (first half vs. Denver as an example). He's basically played one full season (in terms of actual games started) so there's a lot on his plate given his experience level.
With Shazier I think it's basically a matter of just how healthy he is at any point in time (kinda like a linebacker version of Bob Sanders) and him getting more playing time so he's reacting and not thinking. He's responsible for a lot of the communication on defense, and at times there's been rank confusion going on (first half vs. Denver as an example). He's basically played one full season (in terms of actual games started) so there's a lot on his plate given his experience level.
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I've been saying for years that we never replaced Casey Hampton and this football team needs a dominant NT. If you're going to run the 3/4 you must have a dominant NT to free up your LB'ers much like KC does with Dontari Poe. If there's a dominant NT in the draft that's first round worthy who can come in and start right away versus a middle of the road CB that most likely won't start, then I say take the NT now. Watch how this defense improves. McClendon is better served coming off the end not the NT.
Not sure what your fascination is with Hampton??? I'm not saying that it's a position of need like it was 10 seasons ago, but no every team throws the ball all over the yard, which is why I brought up the NT position, when the Browns game was close and the Browns were running the ball, we didn't even use Shazier because he can't get off of blocks. Even on Passing downs I'd rather see Tuitt, Heyward, and a NT (instead of 2 DL-4LB-5DB's) to push the pocket into the QB's face, there were at least 6 or 7 times saturday where we'd get outside pressure on AJ, but he could just step up. He also has trouble on the blitz when he is squared up by a blocker, even RB's
You've made this exact post a hundred times before. And yet year-after-year, our defense is 100% consistent: as soon as the #3 WR steps onto the field, the NT comes off. The only thing that has changed is that the 3-WR set becomes more prevalent every year. It hasn't changed even though Lebeau is gone. I don't know what to say other than: good luck with that, maybe it will happen one day...
Having him play in multiple games in a row helps. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he's actually played 3 games in a row for maybe the first time as a pro.
Exactly and keeping OL off him is a big help with that.
Either Shazier's body can handle NFL football or it can't. Putting a nose tackle on the field more often isn't going to change that. And the argument makes no sense since the preface is "how can we get Shazier to play like he did last Saturday and against the 49ers"...we didn't do anything differently in those games in terms of defensive formation so I don't know how you can make the leap that defensive formation is the answer.
This is a Coach-like thread. Coryea posed a question but all he was doing was fishing for a way to re-state his argument (for the 101st time) that we need to use a nose tackle on passing downs to push the pocket (something he's been pushing since the Casey Hampton era).
This is a Coach-like thread. Coryea posed a question but all he was doing was fishing for a way to re-state his argument (for the 101st time) that we need to use a nose tackle on passing downs to push the pocket (something he's been pushing since the Casey Hampton era).
He's an ILB, if he's playing space you're going to see those big plays like he made Saturday. As far as rushing the passer goes and plays behind the line of scrimmage, yeah that logic goes for any of our LBs who are trying to get pressure on the QB or make a play in the backfield. We play so much defense now with just 2 DE's, our LBs are going to get blocked by OL. We need to swarm to the ball better and just ******* tackle. Too many missed tackles this year by the team.
That's why I'd like 3DL on passing downs
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No fascination with Hampton here but you need to have a dominant NT to run the 3/4 successfully and Hampton was a dominant NT. You cannot say we have a good NT on this football team. McClendon is not a good NT and Big Dan hasn't done much to make me feel like he's the guy. We need a dominant NT to keep the OL off of Shazier. Plus I'd like to see both Shazier and Jarvis Jones add some bulk this off season. They both need to get stronger.
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Like a few peeps have said in this thread....for Shazier, it's all about being healthy.
I think we are getting away from playing a base 3-4, and the league kind of dictates that, but my point is having 3 DL rushing the passer on passing downs so when Shazier or Timmons blitz, or both, they aren't running into OLinemen all the time, if you have 3DL, they will most likely take up the interior OL, your outside guys will take on the OT's, leaving your inside guys going against smaller RB's the majority of the time.
Well they did run Cam Thomas out there during the game. I don't recall if he was the 3rd DL or if we had 2 DL on that particular play. We have definitely got away from 3 DL on 3rd downs. For those talking about Big Snack, he almost always came off the field on 3rd down passing situations. I'd definitely love for us to have more presence with the DL. We need better corners who can cover and tackle and I guarantee everyone in front of them will look that much better. And for the love of god, stop playing zone D with our secondary. We get shredded when we play it.
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It's more than just health for Shazier. He's been healthy a lot of games this year and hasn't done anything beyond average. Given his draft status and the position he plays, he's been pretty meh so far in his career. His play on Saturday was outstanding and he was easily the best defensive player on the field. He doesn't need to force two fumbles every week, but I do expect him to be one of the top two defenders each game.