RS12
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Plenty has been made about Monte Kiffin’s 4-3 scheme in Dallas. How will the team’s pass rush and personnel transition from a three man front with pass rushing outside linebackers to down defensive ends in a four man front. Pressure on the quarterback will be critical, as is Sean Lee’s health to run the pipe in the middle of the Tampa-2 coverage. With Lee manning the inside linebacker spot, the improving Bruce Carter should see plenty of ball carriers funneled his way from the weakside.
In terms of the linebacker group, the competition for the strong side position appears to be fairly open. With that said, do not sleep on sixth-round pick DeVonte Holloman from South Carolina. When discussing former safety or “spur” prospects who have bulked up, the immediate assumption is they project to the weakside. However, I see Holloman’s best projection as lining up to the strength of the formation and potentially even on the line of scrimmage in a 4-3 under scheme.
Before I go any further, let me admit to being a big fan of Holloman’s. In fact he checked in at No. 65 on my pre-draft top 151. Some might question that listing, since the Gamecock linebacker was selected with pick No. 185, but these things happen.
A consistent pass rush and rangy safeties can be important for any base cover 2 defense, but, against the run, Kiffin and the on-field talent will attempt to funnel ball carriers inside to the downhill linebackers in Sean Lee and Bruce Carter. When aligned at the end of the formation at the line of scrimmage, Holloman consistently used his length/leverage to create separation, while keeping his outside arm free, to force runs back inside or even make the tackle. This will have to continue in the NFL, since Holloman should see plenty of tight end and lead blockers on his side of the field. There were obvious times when Holloman led with his shoulder and lost backfield vision, but more often than not he played with good pad level and under control as to not get sealed off. On top of that, Holloman flashed some pass rushing ability with an arm over swim move and willingness to play big when closing on the passer after turning the corner.
http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/43240/321/third-day-gems-lb-holloman
In terms of the linebacker group, the competition for the strong side position appears to be fairly open. With that said, do not sleep on sixth-round pick DeVonte Holloman from South Carolina. When discussing former safety or “spur” prospects who have bulked up, the immediate assumption is they project to the weakside. However, I see Holloman’s best projection as lining up to the strength of the formation and potentially even on the line of scrimmage in a 4-3 under scheme.
Before I go any further, let me admit to being a big fan of Holloman’s. In fact he checked in at No. 65 on my pre-draft top 151. Some might question that listing, since the Gamecock linebacker was selected with pick No. 185, but these things happen.
A consistent pass rush and rangy safeties can be important for any base cover 2 defense, but, against the run, Kiffin and the on-field talent will attempt to funnel ball carriers inside to the downhill linebackers in Sean Lee and Bruce Carter. When aligned at the end of the formation at the line of scrimmage, Holloman consistently used his length/leverage to create separation, while keeping his outside arm free, to force runs back inside or even make the tackle. This will have to continue in the NFL, since Holloman should see plenty of tight end and lead blockers on his side of the field. There were obvious times when Holloman led with his shoulder and lost backfield vision, but more often than not he played with good pad level and under control as to not get sealed off. On top of that, Holloman flashed some pass rushing ability with an arm over swim move and willingness to play big when closing on the passer after turning the corner.
http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/43240/321/third-day-gems-lb-holloman
