Official @ Ravens Week Discussion

[mraynrand]

So he was a healthy scratch.

Dressing Jolly instead. Did anyone think he would come back as good as he is? I wonder what sort of contract he'll get next year? He's 30, I hope he gets a decent payday, he's been through a lot.

Enough to keep him in beer and skittles for years at least!

[Maxie the Taxi]

KY tells us Wilson don't play big - can't two-gap as I recall.

Why we have a guy on our DL who can't even two-gap? I bet you Boyd can two-gap and he's jumboish.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Somebody get this to Wilson ASAP...

[KYPack]

I like Wilson too. I mean he's listed at 305. That ain't much less than 325 "jumbo" Jolly.

The "new NFL" is putting Wilson out of a job more than his performance is. We just don't play a 30 front that much against a team like the Lions. I kinda feel sorry for Wilson. He's a good kid that isn't a kid anymore.

[mraynrand]

The "new NFL" is putting Wilson out of a job more than his performance is. We just don't play a 30 front that much against a team like the Lions. I kinda feel sorry for Wilson. He's a good kid that isn't a kid anymore.

Traditional, base 3-4 defense uses a '30' front - two 3 techniques and a 0 technique. So are you saying Wilson can only do 3 tech? Does that mean you rule him out for 2 tech? and 4 tech? And what exactly do you see the Packers lining up in mostly? Are the OLBs doing 4 tech or 5 tech??? Please elaborate!

[KYPack]

KY tells us Wilson don't play big - can't two-gap as I recall.

That wasn't a knock on Wilson. It's pretty much a waste to have a 2 gap guy play that wide. The last guy I've seen who was a 2 gap maniac but played wide was Justin Smith. The Bengals played him out of position for 4 years as a 7 tech in a 40 front. He rarely got sacks from that spot and team just ran the other way. SF signed him and put him in his proper spot playing from the 2-4 tech.

Once he was put in a spot where his talent matched his job, Cowboy proceeded to tear up NFL offenses.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Traditional, base 3-4 defense uses a '30' front - two 3 techniques and a 0 technique. So are you saying Wilson can only do 3 tech? Does that mean you rule him out for 2 tech? and 4 tech? And what exactly do you see the Packers lining up in mostly? Are the OLBs doing 4 tech or 5 tech??? Please elaborate!

So you're telling us we need someone from the Geek Squad to play DE?

[mraynrand]

Justin Smith. The Bengals played him out of position for 4 years as a 7 tech in a 40 front.

I assume this is lining up strong side outside the TE. Didn't Derrick Thomas feast on QBs from this spot, or was he weak side 5 tech? Anyway, I can see why Justin Smith would be wasted out there.

[mraynrand]

So you're telling us we need someone from the Geek Squad to play DE?

That's a winning smile! Welcome to Best Buy, how can I confuse you?

[KYPack]

Traditional, base 3-4 defense uses a '30' front - two 3 techniques and a 0 technique. So are you saying Wilson can only do 3 tech? Does that mean you rule him out for 2 tech? and 4 tech? And what exactly do you see the Packers lining up in mostly? Are the OLBs doing 4 tech or 5 tech??? Please elaborate!

A vanilla 30 front is two 5 techs and a zero tech. Wilson is a 5 tech playing a one gap. The OLB's in that front usually play a 7-9 technique, depending on the formation. With all the passing and multiple receiver sets in the league now, a 30 front with 4 LB's is becoming extinct. Many teams, like the Pack, stay in nickel the whole ball game. A nickel defense, not Lori Nickel

[pbmax]

The Packers, in 3-4 base, are playing mainly Eagle Oakie (KY will have to give us the call number for that) which you can see when Pick is on the nose at 1 tech and Raji is playing a 3 tech. Jolly or Wilson is then at a 5 I believe. This has become the most common base alignment over the last three years. By position, it looks like a 4-3 Under front with one OLB being in a DE position.

When they go jumbo nickel, Raji and Pick as the 2 lineman (saw a lot of that versus the Lions on early downs), they may or may not two gap but each has clearly been told to read run first and that defense has gotten back to being stingier against the run. Perry being out there helps. No idea about the technique number on this one though.

[mraynrand]

A vanilla 30 front is two 5 techs and a zero tech. Wilson is a 5 tech playing a one gap. The OLB's in that front usually play a 7-9 technique, depending on the formation. With all the passing and multiple receiver sets in the league now, a 30 front with 4 LB's is becoming extinct. Many teams, like the Pack, stay in nickel the whole ball game. A nickel defense, not Lori Nickel

Ha! now I'm more confused, but I see a way forward. So Wilson can only play 5 tech? Is that his limitation? What does he lack? Also, why did one source tell me vanilla 3-4 front was a 0 and two 3 techniques - no, let me rephrase that - does anyone use 0 and two 3's anymore? In a 3-3 nickel, what is the most common alignment of those six and how does that leave Wilson on the inactive list? Also, given the LB gap in the 3-3 alignment and the absence of Woodson/Hayward playing the W, what is the best way of compensating??

[Maxie the Taxi]

Ayn, here's how you play zero technique... Any questions?

[pbmax]

I think Wilson is simply less effective inside in a spot where he could get double teamed. He can be moved out of there. Maybe Corey Williams like on run downs.

Jolly, like Raji, can get turned, but it happens slower than Wilson. Wilson is in an awkward place where he is best at playing the run but not against a team that wants to pound it and double team him. But he doesn't have the pass rush that demands he be out there for other down and distance.

[mraynrand]

Ayn, here's how you play zero technique... Any questions?