Crazy Idea - Aldon Smith at DT

[Kaiser]

Aldon Smith is getting great reviews early in camp and with McCoy's injury it seems like the team has three quality pass rushing DEs (if Smith keeps it up) and fewer options at the 3T DT position.

Could Smith move over to DT? He played at 265 as a DE but was always country strong. When he signed Jay Glazer said he was up to 287 and an "absolute freak of nature". Crawford played DT at 285 but didn't hold up to the pounding, could Aldon Smith do it?

 

[darthseinfeld]

I thought I read somewhere that he was back down to about 265

 

[glimmerman]

Aldon at DE. But I think Griffen plays DE or DT..

 

[blueblood70]

Aldon Smith is getting great reviews early in camp and with McCoy's injury it seems like the team has three quality pass rushing DEs (if Smith keeps it up) and fewer options at the 3T DT position.

Could Smith move over to DT? He played at 265 as a DE but was always country strong. When he signed Jay Glazer said he was up to 287 and an "absolute freak of nature". Crawford played DT at 285 but didn't hold up to the pounding, could Aldon Smith do it?

on certain packages, yes , fulltime NO..hes still beast at RDE and we need pass rush at RDE..not crazy coaches will find a way to have Tank, Griffen, and Smith on the field a lot together..

 

[Kaiser]

on certain packages, yes , fulltime NO..hes still beast at RDE and we need pass rush at RDE..not crazy coaches will find a way to have Tank, Griffen, and Smith on the field a lot together..

I think they will have plenty of sets with DLaw, Griffen and Aldon on the field together, XWalker showed some of the sets Nolan has used in the past with that type of set up.

I'm actually hopeful that Hill or Gallimore is the 3T on run downs, they seem likely to repeat using Crawford as the pass rush 3T again. But with Poe eating up space and the natural strength Aldon Smith has, I actually think they could play Smith at 3T.

 

[gimmesix]

Aldon Smith is getting great reviews early in camp and with McCoy's injury it seems like the team has three quality pass rushing DEs (if Smith keeps it up) and fewer options at the 3T DT position.

Could Smith move over to DT? He played at 265 as a DE but was always country strong. When he signed Jay Glazer said he was up to 287 and an "absolute freak of nature". Crawford played DT at 285 but didn't hold up to the pounding, could Aldon Smith do it?

I can't see either him or Griffen playing DT in the base. No way we want those DEs to take a pounding inside. We'll see Woods, Poe, Crawford and maybe Hill inside in the base and probably Griffen inside in the nickel. However, if the run defense does it's job, we'll be in the nickel a lot.

 

[xwalker]

Aldon Smith is getting great reviews early in camp and with McCoy's injury it seems like the team has three quality pass rushing DEs (if Smith keeps it up) and fewer options at the 3T DT position.

Could Smith move over to DT? He played at 265 as a DE but was always country strong. When he signed Jay Glazer said he was up to 287 and an "absolute freak of nature". Crawford played DT at 285 but didn't hold up to the pounding, could Aldon Smith do it?

I would say that's guaranteed in pass rush situations if Aldon Smith, DLaw and Griffen are all healthy.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Switch Aldon and Griffen between DE and DT during pass rushes.

Keep them next to each other. That should cause a nightmare to opposing Olines.

 

[8FOR!3]

Idk, sounds like Everson Griffen can play inside sometimes. But I wouldn't necessarily want Aldon Smith to considering he hasn't played in 5 years. I think he'll be very successful playing at his natural position so I wouldn't tweak things for him.

 

[AsthmaField]

Both Griffen and Smith can slide inside, situationally. I’d expect Crawford/Hill/Gallimore on early/run downs with some nickel situations having Griff inside with Aldon outside, or vice versa.

I think that would have ended up happening even if McCoy didn’t get hurt. Gerald would have probably taken Poe’s spot on pass downs.

The good thing is that there are so many combinations to use on passing downs. I have no doubt they’ll find one that really works.

 

[NorthTexan95]

Idk, sounds like Everson Griffen can play inside sometimes. But I wouldn't necessarily want Aldon Smith to considering he hasn't played in 5 years. I think he'll be very successful playing at his natural position so I wouldn't tweak things for him.

Griffen has slid inside a lot earlier in his career. He'll be the better choice than Smith.

 

[quickccc]

Both Griffen and Smith can slide inside, situationally. I’d expect Crawford/Hill/Gallimore on early/run downs with some nickel situations having Griff inside with Aldon outside, or vice versa.

I think that would have ended up happening even if McCoy didn’t get hurt. Gerald would have probably taken Poe’s spot on pass downs.

The good thing is that there are so many combinations to use on passing downs. I have no doubt they’ll find one that really works.

I really think it was only a short matter of time before McCoy was hurt with that quad down the road -but i'll save that
for another thread talk.

- If it's that " NASCAR " look, ala like Giants moving DE Jason Tuck inside vs OGs in pass rush packages,
to gain mismatches, that's what i'm definitely more for Aldon moving inside - but no way as a full time starting 3 tech.

- And we're wanting to get from having to be forced to use small lineup lightweights in the interior as starters.
And it certainly would not make much sense forcing a 30 year old guy that has never been a full time DT....to be a full time DT

- Plus the idea is to keep Aldon fresh off the bench to be an instant sixth man, and create havoc on slower, fatigued opposing OL units.
And i will say this too, i'm using Aldon at both DE sides, he's the No.1 backup at both Ends right and left.

- Especially with Gregory seemingly more and more Not likely to be reinstated by Goodell at all this year. ..imo.

.

 

[Kaiser]

I can't see either him or Griffen playing DT in the base. No way we want those DEs to take a pounding inside. We'll see Woods, Poe, Crawford and maybe Hill inside in the base and probably Griffen inside in the nickel. However, if the run defense does it's job, we'll be in the nickel a lot.

We will also be in Nickel/Dime a lot because our offense will put a lot of points on the board. That should make opponents pass more to catch up.

 

[HungryLion]

In nickel packages on passing downs? Absolutely. I would be surprised if they don’t do it.

I think the addition of Griffen helps a ton. Now Crawford can be moved to 3T and be the 3T in the base and on running downs. Along with hopefully Trystan Hill being ready to play some ball this year.

edit: I forgot about Gallimore.

actually the DT rotation has (potential) even with McCoy being hurt. If Hill and Gallimore can play up to their draft slots. Plus Poe and Woods. And Tyrone Crawford.

the DL still has the chance to be much improved even after McCoy’s injury. The chance

 

[Kaiser]

Both Griffen and Smith can slide inside, situationally. I’d expect Crawford/Hill/Gallimore on early/run downs with some nickel situations having Griff inside with Aldon outside, or vice versa.

OK, I'm sold. Everyone plays 3T !!

Agree on the likely rotation, at the moment is seems like Hill on run downs and then Crawford. But it will be fun to see if they move these guys all over the different positions to scare the bejebus out of opposing OCs.

 

[AsthmaField]

I really think it was only a short matter of time before McCoy was hurt with that quad down the road -but i'll save that
for another thread talk.

- If it's that " NASCAR " look, ala like Giants moving DE Jason Tuck inside vs OGs in pass rush packages,
to gain mismatches, that's what i'm definitely more for Aldon moving inside - but no way as a full time starting 3 tech.

- And we're wanting to get from having to be forced to use small lineup lightweights in the interior as starters.
And it certainly would not make much sense forcing a 30 year old guy that has never been a full time DT....to be a full time DT

- Plus the idea is to keep Aldon fresh off the bench to be an instant sixth man, and create havoc on slower, fatigued opposing OL units.
And i will say this too, i'm using Aldon at both DE sides, he's the No.1 backup at both Ends right and left.

- Especially with Gregory seemingly more and more Not likely to be reinstated by Goodell at all this year. ..imo.

.

Yeah, that’s why I said situationally, because you’d want more size in on early downs for sure. Just when you want to really get after the QB, is when I’m talking about.

Hopefully, the offense builds enough leads that teams are having to pass a lot to catch up.

 

[AsthmaField]

OK, I'm sold. Everyone plays 3T !!

Agree on the likely rotation, at the moment is seems like Hill on run downs and then Crawford. But it will be fun to see if they move these guys all over the different positions to scare the bejebus out of opposing OCs.

I actually like Griffen more inside because his height is more conducive to maintaining leverage... but Smith does stay low for such a tall guy. He has a real feel for maintaining leverage, even at his height.

I do think that both would work.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I'd prefer to keep things as simple as possible for Aldon given his long layoff. Keep him outside where he's had success and feels most comfortable...

 

[quickccc]

Yeah, that’s why I said situationally, because you’d want more size in on early downs for sure. Just when you want to really get after the QB, is when I’m talking about.

Hopefully, the offense builds enough leads that teams are having to pass a lot to catch up.

Yep.
And stopping the run on earlier downs, makes into longer yardage, much easier to defend/go after QB on 3rd and 8.....vs 3rd and 2.

 

[visionary]

Aldon Smith is getting great reviews early in camp and with McCoy's injury it seems like the team has three quality pass rushing DEs (if Smith keeps it up) and fewer options at the 3T DT position.

Could Smith move over to DT? He played at 265 as a DE but was always country strong. When he signed Jay Glazer said he was up to 287 and an "absolute freak of nature". Crawford played DT at 285 but didn't hold up to the pounding, could Aldon Smith do it?

LOL, from your as usual