Defensive nuggett on each team, big nickel snaps vs regular nickel snaps

[Hawkeye0202]

I wonder if we will see an increase in the 'big nickel' alignment under CP..........

 

[cowboysfan31]

I do think it will increase, people thinking we’ll be the Eagles defense is wrong IMO. A lot of our secondary coaches came from the Cardinals who did use 14% of the time.

 

[thunderpimp91]

They've invested too much into the safety position to not get these guys on the field. Assuming they're mostly healthy they should play a fair amount of big nickle this year. Downs is too much of a chess piece to not.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I wonder if we will see an increase in the 'big nickel' alignment under CP..........

 

[75boyz]

They've invested too much into the safety position to not get these guys on the field. Assuming they're mostly healthy they should play a fair amount of big nickle this year. Downs is too much of a chess piece to not.

Yeah, I think it's a safe assumption that Parker will utilize Downs skillset to how Hamilton is used in Baltimore. I'll bet that's kinda what he sees.

I think the starter outside edges and 2nd level lb depth is still extremely lacking. Outside of Winters and O on the 2nd level, I have no confidence in the roster depth's offball linebacker abilities.
And as I first mentioned, as far as pure pass rushers, I'm not sold there either.

You had mentioned in a previous post that much of this forum's optimism was based on rookie potential and overcoming some real Injury history.

And in keeping with that opinion, I have a hard time seeing ALL the stars aligning for such vast improvement.
Anything better than #20 in points allowed and yards gained color me surprised.

jmo

 

[75boyz]

I do think it will increase, people thinking we’ll be the Eagles defense is wrong IMO. A lot of our secondary coaches came from the Cardinals who did use 14% of the time.

I think they are also hoping Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark can do what Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis do.
We'll see I guess.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Yeah, I think it's a safe assumption that Parker will utilize Downs skillset to how Hamilton is used in Baltimore. I'll bet that's kinda what he sees.

I think the starter outside edges and 2nd level lb depth is still extremely lacking. Outside of Winters and O on the 2nd level, I have no confidence in the roster depth's offball linebacker abilities.
And as I first mentioned, as far as pure pass rushers, I'm not sold there either.

You had mentioned in a previous post that much of this forum's optimism was based on rookie potential and overcoming some real Injury history.

And in keeping with that opinion, I have a hard time seeing ALL the stars aligning for such vast improvement.
Anything better than #20 in points allowed and yards gained color me surprised.

jmo

Agreed. They have a punchers chance of being a really strong defense if all falls into place, but realistically a top 20 finish for this unit would be a good step in the right direction. Unless Overshown plays 900 snaps, downs is an instant impact player, EZ/Lawrence can seriously get after the passer, Revel lives up to the hype year 2 and Bland returns to form while Winters and Gary show to be more than average players I just don’t see a realistic top 10 finish. The only known above average players this defense has are your starters at DT.

Add in a rookie playcaller on defense , and even though I’m a CP fan I’m fully expecting him to have his own ups and downs as the year goes on. Going from position coach to DC is every bit as tough as going from coordinator to HC.

 

[Kwyn]

I wonder if we will see an increase in the 'big nickel' alignment under CP..........

Yes, this was what we were all hoping for as soon as he interviewed . Finally getting current defensive ideas

 

[75boyz]

Agreed. They have a punchers chance of being a really strong defense if all falls into place, but realistically a top 20 finish for this unit would be a good step in the right direction. Unless Overshown plays 900 snaps, downs is an instant impact player, EZ/Lawrence can seriously get after the passer, Revel lives up to the hype year 2 and Bland returns to form while Winters and Gary show to be more than average players I just don’t see a realistic top 10 finish. The only known above average players this defense has are your starters at DT.

Add in a rookie playcaller on defense , and even though I’m a CP fan I’m fully expecting him to have his own ups and downs as the year goes on. Going from position coach to DC is every bit as tough as going from coordinator to HC.

Yeah I'm with ya TP, that's just too many IFs that ALL need to immediately produce for me to get past my skepticism.

Could it happen? Well yeah.

But do I personally think it's likely to happen?
**** NO.

 

[Kwyn]

Yeah, I think it's a safe assumption that Parker will utilize Downs skillset to how Hamilton is used in Baltimore. I'll bet that's kinda what he sees.

I think the starter outside edges and 2nd level lb depth is still extremely lacking. Outside of Winters and O on the 2nd level, I have no confidence in the roster depth's offball linebacker abilities.
And as I first mentioned, as far as pure pass rushers, I'm not sold there either.

You had mentioned in a previous post that much of this forum's optimism was based on rookie potential and overcoming some real Injury history.

And in keeping with that opinion, I have a hard time seeing ALL the stars aligning for such vast improvement.
Anything better than #20 in points allowed and yards gained color me surprised.

jmo

He’s more McKinney than Hamilton

Hamilton is unique in the league and like a reincarnation of Sean Taylor. While Downs likes to hit, he is jsut too small to play like Hamilton. If he played like him, I’d always be worried about injuries.

Here’s a thread we had a few days ago.

Post in thread 'Malachi Lawrence is a beast'
https://cowboyszone.com/threads/malachi-lawrence-is-a-beast.545326/post-14854001

Chart from the thread

 

[75boyz]

He’s more McKinney than Hamilton

Hamilton is unique in the league and like a reincarnation of Sean Taylor. While Downs likes to hit, he is jsut too small to play like Hamilton. If he played like him, I’d always be worried about injuries.

Here’s a thread we had a few days ago.

Post in thread 'Malachi Lawrence is a beast'
https://cowboyszone.com/threads/malachi-lawrence-is-a-beast.545326/post-14854001

Chart from the thread

Good call brother.
I too have your same size concerns over Downs trying to be the next Kyle Hamilton.
He just was the best Swiss Army knife comparison I could come up with to describe for his multi tooled skillset usage that I think Parker will try to show.

jmo

 

[beware_d-ware]

Downs is a human missile in the run game. I'd say that he's already the best LB on this team, his size just prevents him from playing 600 snaps there.

He doesn't have the same size of a Hamilton or Emmanwori at "big nickel" either. But by traits, he's exactly what you want.

 

[75boyz]

Downs is a human missile in the run game. I'd say that he's already the best LB on this team, his size just prevents him from playing 600 snaps there.

He doesn't have the same size of a Hamilton or Emmanwori at "big nickel" either. But by traits, he's exactly what you want.

Yeah, Patricia already had him doing some LB duties at OSU but I hafta agree with Kwyn that I am not comfortable with a majority of his snaps spent there.

I mean, I'll be honest, I would not be able to watch while pulling olinemen with a full head of steam would be headed towards him.

Only being honest.
Spot duty sure.
Just not "too much."

 

[Majic]

I expect to see a lot of the 'penny' DEF

 

[DuncanIso]

Why not just copy what the SHawks did?

I would have made a deal for Flores also.

 

[speedkilz88]

I do think it will increase, people thinking we’ll be the Eagles defense is wrong IMO. A lot of our secondary coaches came from the Cardinals who did use 14% of the time.

The eagles basically ran the big nickel last year. Cooper DeJean played CB last year but now that they have Woolen he's a safety that moves to the slot in the big nickel.

The Cowboys can put Downs or Thompson in the slot.

 

[charron]

They need the best 5 db's. I don't care what they call it, little nickel, big nickle, Silver Dollar whatever.

 

[speedkilz88]

They need the best 5 db's. I don't care what they call it, little nickel, big nickle, Silver Dollar whatever.

The only reason they are calling it big nickel is that a safety is playing in the slot instead of a smaller corner like Jourdan Lewis.

 

[slick325]

DQ used a lot of 3 safety looks with Kearse, Wilson, and Hooker. Dallas' defenses were very very good under DQ.

The glaring difference is that DQ never was afforded the caliber of DT Christian Parker currently has at his disposal. So the 2021, 2022, and 2023 DQ squads would be hurt by the running game.

The "big nickel" under Parker may be special IF one of the Edge guys develop into a true double digit threat to go along with strong DT and Safety rooms.

 

[LouBrown]

A "big nickel" is just a safety playing corner and I don't know why people try to make it more complicated that that.