Getting Off the Field. Part 2

Hello and welcome to the final analysis of the nickle package for the Seattle Seahawks.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to read up on Part 1 of this series, which covers the package's intentions, the responsibilities of the nickle corner, and the new "kid" on the block.

As promised, I'll go over prospects on the defensive line and how they'll be utilized. I've only got so much time before you get tired of me rambling on, so lets get to it.

First the setup.

On the edges you've got two quick defensive ends. Last year it was Chris Clemons on the strong side (the side the tight end is on) and Bruce Irvin on the weak side. Both are lined up wider than Seattle's base 4-3 defense. Lining up about 3 yards wider than the tackles allows for a better angle at the QB. These guys excel at anticipating snap counts and accelerating out of their stance. Their objective is to get up the field as quickly as possible and force the quarterback to step up.

Take a look at Bruce Irvin's first sack to get an idea of what I'm talking about.

That was textbook nickle pass rush by Bruce (and not a bad dance I might add). It's 3rd and long and he's disregarding the run. He fires up field to prevent the bootleg and then worries about the right tackle in front of him. In this case he uses a bull rush and, bam, 1st sack of his career.

Of course, the ultimate goal is to get the sack, but they want to keep the QB in the pocket first and foremost. As long as he doesn't have any room to move, he can't step into his throws. Which can result in under-thrown deep balls or, as stated in the Part 1 of this analysis, drop off passes. Both are ideal on third and longs. Hopefully your team's got a coverage safety begging for the opportunity to get a pick six (cough Earl Thomas.. cough cough), or players covering the flat just waiting to pummel any poor soul leisurely looking the ball into their hands on a short pass.

So in recap, they've got two very good defensive ends, a bawl hawking secondary, and a favorable 3rd and long situation. But I can here you saying why... WHY were the Seahawks ranked dead last in 3rd down QBR allowed last year?

Well, Part 1 of that answer has already been given (seriously, if you haven't already read it you should). As for part two, I'd ask you to recall a man by the name of Jason Jones.

Jones played as an inside pass rusher in the position known as the 3-Tech. His responsibility was to "collapse the pocket." This can be achieved by shooting through the gap and making a sack or pushing the guard straight back into the quarterback, giving him as little room as possible. Jones racked up 3.0 sacks and 5 QB hits before getting injured in Week 12. Those numbers don't exactly stand out, but as a situational pass rusher, that's very good production. After he was placed on injured reserve, Pete Carroll went on to say that, "We're just not the same without Jason in there." I firmly believe that if Jason's knees had held up, the only blemish in our nickle defense would have been the poor play from the nickle corner.

But the ball keeps rolling and the 2013 season is coming quickly. Jason Jones inked a new deal in Detroit this offseason and the Seahawks went out and grabbed Michael Bennett (left) on a one year "prove it" deal. Bennett has already been practicing as the 3-Tech in the nickle package and seems to have the position locked down before camp starts.

Cliff Avril (right) was signed on a 2 year deal and will almost surely take on Clemons' role as starting defensive end (also known as the LEO in Carroll's defensive scheme) in base 4-3 and in nickle.

But this is where the water gets murky. Bruce is out for the first 4 games (dumb decision by him). Clemons is coming back from an ACL tear. Hell, even Michael Bennett has experience as a DE. All three can be effective as defensive ends in the nickle package, but the question remains. Who will be the weakside defensive end for the first 4 games? If Greg Scruggs wasn't out for the year with an ACL tear, I would've bet Bennett would slide over to defensive end and Scruggs would take over as the nickle 3-Tech. Instead, and this is my own opinion btw, Bennett will still slide over to weakside defensive end and there will be a competition for the "temporary" 3-Tech vacancy left open by Bruce's suspension.

Honorable mention goes to Jordan Hill, who was selected in the 3rd round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He looks to be the looong term replacement for Brandon Mebane (Seattle's nose tackle), but figures to be a situational pass rusher in the nickle package for this year. Heavy and powerful, yet athletic and agile, I can only describe him as a 303 lb "linebacker." Hill should be a lot of fun to watch on the inside and could surprise some people with his quickness.

Whew.... There ya go. That's my take on the nickle package for the Seattle Seahawks this year. If you've read both my pieces, you can see that there has been a little shuffling in the personnel this offseason. But I personally think it's been for the better, and the Hawks' 3rd down defense should be much improved this year.

Did I miss anything? Let me know!

Check back soon to get my take on the impact of Percy Harvin, news that Bruce is learning the linebacker position, and my guess on what the Hawks will be looking for in next year's draft.

Cheers.

Getting Off the Field. Part 1

Morning Seattleites,

In this piece I'll cover all the bases of the nickle package for the Seattle Seahawks. The objectives of the package, the personnel associated with the package and their responsibilities. But most importantly, I'll list some reasons for optimism next season.

To start, lets explain the package.

The nickle package is used in obvious passing situations. More often than not, it's 3rd and long and the defensive coordinator is sending the hounds, hoping to sack or at the very least, pressure the QB. Force a short dump off pass and you've won the battle. One of three linebackers in Pete Carroll's 4-3 defensive scheme (usually the weakside linebacker) is replaced with a third corner, also known as the "nickle" corner. His responsibility is to cover the flat (i.e. the dump off pass).

The nickle corner needs to possess three vital attributes to be effective in the slot. Good lateral quickness (not exactly speed), sure tackling, and an eye for developing plays such as a screens.

If all goes as planned, the pass rush forces a short throw and the nickle corner is sitting there, waiting to make the tackle and get the defense off the field. Problem is, the pass rush rarely forced the short throw. And when it did, the nickle corner rarely made that tackle.

When you crunch the numbers, Seattle had one of the worst 3rd down defenses in the league last year. Most analysts point to the lack of pass rush on 3rd and longs, but I'll start my analysis on the corner tasked with the previously stated assignments.

Marcus Trufant.

In what may end up being the final year of his astounding career, Marcus didn't exactly go out with a bang.

For starters, he wasn't built for the position. You've gotta get in that slot and stand toe to toe with any immovable object that comes your way; be it a 6'5" titan...err tight end or a stacked thumper of a running back. This package is essentially replacing a 230+ lb linebacker with a smaller (albeit quicker) corner, and expecting him to play with the same physicality. The nickle corner is a man's job and it requires a powerful human being to succeed there.

However a player can still perform admirably if he possesses the other two attributes listed above, and this is where Marcus failed to impress. He rarely was ahead of the play and didn't have the same step he had before the Legion of Boom came onto the scene.

But I digress... Not every defense gets the perfect package of power and quickness for their nickle corner...

(Pause for effect)

Enter Antoine Winfield.

Standing at 5'9" 180 lbs, Antoine has been a force for the Vikings for almost a decade. Even at age 36, he started in all 16 games. Collecting a combined 101 tackles with 72 solo tackles in 2012. That is damn good for a corner. A three-time Pro Bowler and All Pro in 2008, Winfield is described as one of the hardest hitting corners in the entire league. Back in 1999, he ran the 40 in 4.41 seconds. He may have lost a step... or three since his golden days, but his scouting report says he hasn't lost much quickness. Just a little less top speed.

The Vikings released him this offseason due to his imminent salary cap hit, hoping to resign him to a more cap friendly deal. Fortunately, he signed with the Seahawks. Brought in specifically for the nickle corner role, I'd say with confidence that his addition is the most significant of all defensive acquisitions this year.

But I'm not done yet. Tune in next time to read up on the likes of Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett and how they will effect the nickle package for the Seahawks. And MUCH later see how Harvin will completely change defensive personnel. How he'll create mismatches for the team across the field (that one should be fun).

Cheers.