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.