Evan Neal is 6'7 350 and DLaw just took his soul.
Over and over and over again.
DLaw is a master of technique. His physical ability is not elite, but he worked hard to develop excellent technique.
He has excellent hand usage and times it up with lower body movements.
DLaw is strong against the run. Playing with a run defense 1st mentality has somewhat limited his pass rushing success.
- DLaw's limitations in the NFL:
- Injuries
- Non-elite physical ability
- Run defense 1st mentality
- Strong Side DE
In Marinelli's defense, the LDE (Strong Side DE) generally played aligned as a 5tech.
The RDE in Marinelli's defense aligned as a 7tech or wider.
The RDE and 3tech DT were the premium pass rushing positions in that defense.
An interesting side note is that DLaw's techniques are less effective if he rushes from a wide alignment.
- Wide alignments are generally best for speed rushers.
Dan Quinn also loves to utilize a distinct Strong Side DE.
- In 2021, many of Micah Parsons snaps where with him aligned outside of DLaw.
- DLaw generally played hand-down on those alignments and Parsons was playing LB, not DE.
- Parsons played DE in 4 games, but primarily LB in the other games.
- DLaw often played hand-down while Gregory played standing up.
- With Parsons aligned outside of DLaw and Gregory standing up, it looked like the front 5 of a 3-4 defense.
- That meant DLaw was again often playing a 5tech alignment.
