Nickel 4 man line: Ellis, Canty, Glover, Ware

[InmanRoshi]

Watching the Jax game, they unveiled that look, with Canty moving in to DT in the QB's line of sight. Ellis sacked Gerrard on a bootleg in the open field in that formation. Since Carson was playing with the first team nickel, I guess we'll be seeing more of it.

 

[junk]

Watching the Jax game, they unveiled that look, with Canty moving in to DT in the QB's line of sight. Ellis sacked Gerrard on a bootleg in the open field in that formation. Since Carson was playing with the first team nickel, I guess we'll be seeing more of it.

I like it. I also wouldn't mind seeing Spears get some reps at DT in the nickel.

 

[Ken]

This isn't new. They have done it all preseason.

It is awesome looking though.

 

[blindzebra]

This isn't new. They have done it all preseason.

It is awesome looking though.

Yep, that has been our first team nickel line since the AZ game.

 

[Nors]

Spears and Fergi will break into that mix as they are now healthy.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Spears and Fergi will break into that mix as they are now healthy.

Yep. My money is on Fergy getting the bulk of the snaps in the 4 man nickel. He'll play a role very similar to the role Norman Hand played when he was paired with Glover back in NO: command a double team, freeing up Glover to get after the QB.

 

[junk]

I bet Fergy gets his breaks during the nickel packages.

 

[Eskimo]

I bet Fergy gets his breaks during the nickel packages.

I agree - pass rushing is not Fergie's forte and we need him rested for the more obvious running downs.

I think he'll play some but the DT rotation in the nickel will most likely involve Canty, Spears and Glover.

 

[Dallas4ever]

Parcells won't know how to act with all this depth on the "D" line. Whoever plays in the nickel, you can bet on some good pressure.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

I agree - pass rushing is not Fergie's forte and we need him rested for the more obvious running downs.

The very same might have been said of Norman Hand. In each case, however, their contribution to the pass rush lies less in any penetration they get than in their ability to tie up blockers and leave one on one match-ups for the more effective rushers.

 

[Eskimo]

The very same might have been said of Norman Hand. In each case, however, their contribution to the pass rush lies less in any penetration they get than in their ability to tie up blockers and leave one on one match-ups for the more effective rushers.

It depends on the circumstance.

In an obvious pass rushing situation guys like Fergie and Hand can often be handled 1-on-1. They are great at controlling a confined area and shedding blockers to make plays in the running game but they are usually not great at beating 1-on-1 blocking in the passing game where quickness is more vital. They may contribute every once in awhile with a great bullrush but this does not happen with regularity.

However, if the pluggers can control two blockers on running downs and control the middle, this gives a guy like Glover more license to try and get after the QB knowing his buddy is taking care of the running game.

I suspect Fergie will get a fair bit of rest when the nickel D is on the field and Glover will probably get a fair bit of rest in the 3-4 alignment. It will make both players better over the course of the game and the season.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It depends on the circumstance.

In an obvious pass rushing situation guys like Fergie and Hand can often be handled 1-on-1. They are great at controlling a confined area and shedding blockers to make plays in the running game but they are usually not great at beating 1-on-1 blocking in the passing game where quickness is more vital. They may contribute every once in awhile with a great bullrush but this does not happen with regularity.

However, if the pluggers can control two blockers on running downs and control the middle, this gives a guy like Glover more license to try and get after the QB knowing his buddy is taking care of the running game.

I suspect Fergie will get a fair bit of rest when the nickel D is on the field and Glover will probably get a fair bit of rest in the 3-4 alignment. It will make both players better over the course of the game and the season.

Well said. I think we're going to be seeing a lot of Canty and Spears at DT on the nickel. I like that thought. Both are taller than Ferguson and I think we'll see some balls batted down too.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It depends on the circumstance.

In an obvious pass rushing situation guys like Fergie and Hand can often be handled 1-on-1. They are great at controlling a confined area and shedding blockers to make plays in the running game but they are usually not great at beating 1-on-1 blocking in the passing game where quickness is more vital. They may contribute every once in awhile with a great bullrush but this does not happen with regularity.

However, if the pluggers can control two blockers on running downs and control the middle, this gives a guy like Glover more license to try and get after the QB knowing his buddy is taking care of the running game.

I suspect Fergie will get a fair bit of rest when the nickel D is on the field and Glover will probably get a fair bit of rest in the 3-4 alignment. It will make both players better over the course of the game and the season.

The other thought I have on this is that having DE's at DT on the nickel will probably make our stunts more effective also. I mean, you really can't stunt with Ferguson. Canty and Spears are both faster and are probably much more skilled even at this point of stunting and taking the outside rush.

 

[smashmouth]

Well said. I think we're going to be seeing a lot of Canty and Spears at DT on the nickel. I like that thought. Both are taller than Ferguson and I think we'll see some balls batted down too.

I think if Canty and or Spears plays DT on nickel downs, then I will predict Glover has a monster year.

He now has someone like Spears who is strong enough to take on 2 blockers, leaving either Glover or Ellis or Ware in a one-on-one situation.

I think we shall see alot of max-protection in this game by San Diego.

 

[Eskimo]

The other thought I have on this is that having DE's at DT on the nickel will probably make our stunts more effective also. I mean, you really can't stunt with Ferguson. Canty and Spears are both faster and are probably much more skilled even at this point of stunting and taking the outside rush.

You have a good point there - the youngsters will really give us quite a few options on stunts - but that takes practice. Practice time that was robbed by injury.

The really disappointing aspect of TC/preseason was the injuries to Spears/Ferguson. Our DL will not have the chemistry that it should and it will take some time for these guys to learn how to play together.

I guess you can say the same thing with the OL and the injury to Rivera and the disintegration of Jacob Rogers.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

You have a good point there - the youngsters will really give us quite a few options on stunts - but that takes practice. Practice time that was robbed by injury.

The really disappointing aspect of TC/preseason was the injuries to Spears/Ferguson. Our DL will not have the chemistry that it should and it will take some time for these guys to learn how to play together.

I guess you can say the same thing with the OL and the injury to Rivera and the disintegration of Jacob Rogers.

True. It is going to take time.

Fortunately if they work between Ellis and Glover they'll be able to work with experienced pros so maybe the learning curve on stunts and what not will be shortened a little.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I like it. I also wouldn't mind seeing Spears get some reps at DT in the nickel.

Yep, I think if Spears hadn't been hurt, he'd be playing in Canty's spot on that line, and will take it over eventually.

 

[Future]

Yep. My money is on Fergy getting the bulk of the snaps in the 4 man nickel. He'll play a role very similar to the role Norman Hand played when he was paired with Glover back in NO: command a double team, freeing up Glover to get after the QB.

Thats what i would count on. If he can help get Glover one-on-one he can be more effective. If not, both DTs will be neutralized. I think it is better to have 3 legitimate pass rush threats than 2.

 

[Awakened]

Spears will start in that spot ahead of Canty. I'm sticking with my prediction that Spears will have the best performance this year of all the rookies. He may just lead the team in sacks. I'm telling you - the man is a stud.

 

[lkelly]

Spears will start in that spot ahead of Canty. I'm sticking with my prediction that Spears will have the best performance this year of all the rookies. He may just lead the team in sacks. I'm telling you - the man is a stud.

The way Ware has come off the edge, my money's on him leading the team. If a 3-4 end leads the team in sacks, either the rest of the pass rush is horrible or the end is the best player in the league. Look at the sack totals of Pro Bowler Richard Seymour.