DenverBroncos.com: Nickel D Now ‘the Norm’

[jobberone]

Nickel D Now ‘the Norm’
Posted Jun 7, 2014

By David DeChant

With NFL passing attacks becoming increasingly dangerous, Jack Del Rio says sub-package defenses are more important than ever.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Just because Jack Del Rio doesn’t want to call nickel defense the NFL’s new base formation doesn’t mean he underestimates its importance in today’s league.
“I don’t consider the nickel the base, just because of the semantics of it,” the defensive coordinator said with a little laugh. “Base is base. Sub is sub. But (nickel) is the norm. It is the most frequently played defensive unit.

“I think last year, 66 percent of our snaps were in the sub package. You’re playing more and more 3-wide receiver sets, or even 2-tight end sets where the second tight end is really almost like a wide receiver. So you’re playing a lot of sub downs, so we’ve adjusted accordingly.”

Some of the adjusting has come from the front office, which acquired another Swiss-Army-knife pass rusher in DeMarcus Ware who, like Von Miller, can line up all over the formation. Likewise, signing T.J. Ward promotes nickel and dime flexibility by offering a more mobile “linebacker” option.

With a rash of injuries in 2013, Del Rio’s sub packages had to be frequently restocked. A year after featuring the league’s eight-fewest unique lineups (225) during the regular season, the defense trotted out 484 unique lineups in 2013, 35 more than any other team.

The greatest constant in 2013’s frenzied rotation was Chris Harris Jr., the nickel corner in sub packages and No. 2 cornerback in base defense. Before tearing his ACL in the playoffs, Harris led the defense with 1,042 regular season snaps, 266 clear of the next defensive back, left cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. And if his playing time doesn’t illustrate his value well enough, Harris noted Wednesday that the nickel corner is the key to unlocking defensive schemes.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-a...he-Norm’/e69ece84-0651-4525-9eeb-5b2e317811cc

 

[noshame]

This is precisely why we need to use our mammoth OL and run it down people's throats, let Romo just drive the bus, let Cole get behind the LB's and from time to time go over the top.

If we follow that prescription, we can get somewhere.

 

[jobberone]

I can't embed the video of Del Rio talking about Nickel Defenses becoming more the norm in the league. I realize this is a Bronco lead article but it's a great lead in to discuss the Nickel sub package here in Dallas. Which makes the fourth corner very important as it does the third safety also important to create diversity in the defensive play calling. Depth at DB is so important these days.

He also talks about the 2nd TE as being essentially another WR which I've been touting the last couple of years.

I really think Escobar needs to step up this year and maybe Hanna can do so. If Hanna can play more then that allows the OC to use Escobar as a true WR.

It also creates more emphasis on how well the fourth and even fifth CB plays so those battles for a spot are more important than just an afterthought. We really need at least three safeties as well so having Johnson, Wilcox and Church do well is important if we're going to allow more schemes esp in the Nickel, Dime, and other SPs.

 

[jobberone]

This is precisely why we need to use our mammoth OL and run it down people's throats, let Romo just drive the bus, let Cole get behind the LB's and from time to time go over the top.

If we follow that prescription, we can get somewhere.

It's be nice to have that ability to make the D play us balanced as well as run it down their throats when called for. It's still a passing league so we need more versatility to line different people up all over the place to create confusion.

But your point is a good one IMO. If you get a team reeling from your passing game then they are even more vulnerable to the run and vice versa.

 

[morasp]

This is precisely why we need to use our mammoth OL and run it down people's throats, let Romo just drive the bus, let Cole get behind the LB's and from time to time go over the top.

If we follow that prescription, we can get somewhere.

I don't think that formula ever gets old. Wear them down in the first half and play ball control in the second. It's the thing that makes me optimistic about picking Martin in the first despite all of our needs on defense.

 

[guag]

Nickel is the new base.

 

[CyberB0b]

I can't embed the video of Del Rio talking about Nickel Defenses becoming more the norm in the league. I realize this is a Bronco lead article but it's a great lead in to discuss the Nickel sub package here in Dallas. Which makes the fourth corner very important as it does the third safety also important to create diversity in the defensive play calling. Depth at DB is so important these days.

He also talks about the 2nd TE as being essentially another WR which I've been touting the last couple of years.

I really think Escobar needs to step up this year and maybe Hanna can do so. If Hanna can play more then that allows the OC to use Escobar as a true WR.

It also creates more emphasis on how well the fourth and even fifth CB plays so those battles for a spot are more important than just an afterthought. We really need at least three safeties as well so having Johnson, Wilcox and Church do well is important if we're going to allow more schemes esp in the Nickel, Dime, and other SPs.

More importantly, it means you need defensive linemen who are natural pass rushers.