I hear your concern, but I really don't believe our starting nose tackle is on the team yet. I think they have a plan in place to solidify the position; that they didn't jump on Jackson when he came to town, knowing they need help there, tells me that they are either waiting to make a trade after the Giants game or are confident that a good player will be cut late in preseason. I haven't found a place to post this, so I'll do so here: I think Dave Ball will be the type of underhyped player that will thrive in the new defensive scheme that Mangini is installing. He's like a Rick Lyle type of player. Not flashy, but solid. Made a lot of nice plays in the game vs. Washington. Had a great career at UCLA, and was playing well with S.D. before getting hurt.
I hope Hobson doesn't get that spot, and at safety I am happy with either guy, although Smith has that walk on the field like he is thugged out and I hate that. Good to hear about Chad, if he can come back and be healthy I will still hold my breath on deep passes but at least I will feel confident about the accuracy and decision making on the shorter and mid-length ones. I think Chad, Pat, and Kellen will be the QBs and I really think Brooks should be shopped around right now because we still need a DT. If we cut Bolly we are dumb, he has value.
Forget the 4-3.... it's gone, like yesterday's breakfast. (Yes, as in digested, processed, and flushed) Mangini is going 3-4 all the way, but.... this 3-4 is really a label, not a real base defense. Most of the time, only Vilma and Barton are up. Thomas and the other OLB are on the LOS, and often in a stance. I'd call it a 5-2. What happens after the snap is a different story. Usually at least one of the OLB's drop off the line. Sometimes both. Sometimes both pass rush, or at least penetrate to stop any outside running plays. Then, very much the way Rodney Harrison is used in NE, the SS comes into the box in run support or call it a run blitz if you like. Rhodes will get the occassional passing down pass blitz call from the FS spot. This defense really relies on the CB's. Depending on the play call, they are often on an island without deep help from the safeties, as they are sent so often. I'd like to see Vilma removed from the ILB spot. Let him roam. One the right one time, on the left on the next, and stunting up the middle on a blitz next. Let him free lance, read plays, and use his speed to react. Let's not forget, Mangini is still a rookie HC, and I think the reasonable ones amoung us said from the start that he'd make some mistakes. I'm not frustrated.... let Mangini do what he thinks is best. Maybe he is even thinking along these lines already.... but Vilma is his D leader.... better to move a bit slowly there, I would think. If Vilma gets frustrated, wouldn't he be more ... receptive to a change down the road? Pure conjecture.... but we'll never know what this rook HC is thinking, will we?
I wonder who has more value: Bollinger or Ramsey? Between the two, I'd rather have Bollinger (crazy, I know). However, Jets extended Ramsey's contract not too long ago, so maybe that means he's firmly entrenched on the roster? Anyway, I'm in favor of moving somebody for a NT.
keep 'em guessing. This would certainly give our D the edge every down , enough to give even P Manning nightmares. I would actually prefer Kassell at ILB. At 6'3 and 240-50 he gives more whack in the middle. Tui or D'wayne at NT??
Great report as usual T-Bird. I can't remember seeing you say this before but are you going to continue the Graham reports? It was awesome to have someone explain all the situations like you did last year. Cheers
If other teams choose to focus on Vilma and that allows other guys to make big plays, fine. Plus, I'm sure Thomas can be used as a hybrid DE/OLB which would give us a 4-3 look. I wonder if Kimo can play DT in a 4-3 though.
That's a great point. Even if Vilma is getting consumed often times, he's still a good enough player to where he will be able to break it and make plays... and the fact that teams have to focus on him frees up the rest of the defense to step up and make plays. His scare value alone makes him a threat to offenses, even if they are able to neutralize him a majority of the time... I seriously doubt that offenses will be able to neutralize him with a minimal commitment to him.
He made the pro bowl last year...so Im sure he has a high opinion of him. Great report...and a great job all summer long tbj. Meant a lot to the guys that couldnt get out there this year. Not only did you keep us updated..but your reports were on the money on compared to what the local media was saying..except a day early! You did it all without hating mangini too.
He only made the pro bowl cause Zach cashed out other wise he would not have been there. Selected to the PB & being a replacement for a player that was selected is like comparing nite & day at least IMHO
True, but being selected as an alternate and not even being considered is like night and day also IMHO.
Yep but you must take into account the true FACTS of the situation which is what I posted. For those of you that either attempt to change or blur the true FACTs I would not expect U & others of your ilk to agree since you amongst many others attempt to distort every negative FACT that anyone brings up. Just please keep in your memory bank that I pointed out many, many times already JV weaknesses which you amongst others constantly disputed. Now the chickens are coming home to roost concerning JV
Sorry to disagree cause he would NOT have been there IF Zach had not opted out. They need another body so they rang up JV which just makes him a ho hum replacement player nothing more nothing less.
He made the PRO BOWL as a REPLACEMENT. Alot of you keep ignoring that fact. He was there cause someone couldn't go.
