Chandler Jones has been getting work as an outside linebacker
Boston Globe beat writer Ben Volin penned a great piece this morning detailing how he feels Bill Belichick may have finally crafted his perfect "old school defense." Volin references Bill's sentiments in the past revolving around how he longs for the days when the "specialization" of the modern game didn't exist; and players could do any number of things, not just one or two.
And it appears Bill is now applying that philosophy to his new, shiny defense. For the first time in years, he has a group of players with a high enough skill level that he can afford to shuffle alignments up front, and work key guys in different roles where they may excel dependent on the situation.
There have been countless examples of this so far in training camp and the preseason, and as Volin points out, there are few players on that side of the ball who haven't been trying out new roles:
But perhaps the most intriguing example of this "cross-training" is Chandler Jones sliding into an outside linebacker position and even dropping into coverage. For many Pats fans it may be puzzling to think of Chandler, who we are so accustomed to see flying off the edge, running down the field looking to defend a pass. But perhaps the reason it hasn't happened before now is because Bill didn't have the talent in the secondary to diversify his fronts.
Darrelle Revis has changed all of that.
With a cornerback like Revis capable of essentially shutting down an entire side of the field; the defense can shift into a 3-4 and utilize the unique skill sets of a talented linebacking corps in new, unprecedented ways. Chandler Jones could be a beast rushing from an OLB spot. Dont'a Hightower, who has been forced into unnatural, pass coverage roles thus far in his career, may be able to revert to his style of play when he was at Alabama. There, he was at his best when he was able to get after the quarterback. Again, having coverage skills in the secondary (and from second year linebacker Jamie Collins), frees up other guys to do different things.
Volin spoke to the fact that Jones is actually a much more natural fit to play the outside coverage linebacker role than Jerrod Mayo or Hightower. Chandler himself acknowledges that dropping into coverage is something he has done in the past:
It is these kind of schematic changes and diverse personnel groupings that bring out the true Pats nerd in me. I truly cannot wait to see how Bill deploys his defensive players this year. It has been a long, long time since he has had so much talent on that side of the ball.
It is time for the Return of the Hoodie.
@LC_NEP
@PatriotsLife
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| Getty Images |
And it appears Bill is now applying that philosophy to his new, shiny defense. For the first time in years, he has a group of players with a high enough skill level that he can afford to shuffle alignments up front, and work key guys in different roles where they may excel dependent on the situation.
There have been countless examples of this so far in training camp and the preseason, and as Volin points out, there are few players on that side of the ball who haven't been trying out new roles:
There is very little specialization on that side of the ball as the Patriots work on making the pieces fit and transition back to a 3-4 base defense. Outside of Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, and Vince Wilfork, there is hardly a player on the starting defense that isn’t being cross-trained at multiple positions.
Cornerbacks Logan Ryan and Kyle Arrington are getting work at safety. Safety Devin McCourty will occasionally work at his old cornerback position. Tommy Kelly, Chris Jones, Joe Vellano, and other defensive tackles are getting work as 3-4 defensive ends.
But perhaps the most intriguing example of this "cross-training" is Chandler Jones sliding into an outside linebacker position and even dropping into coverage. For many Pats fans it may be puzzling to think of Chandler, who we are so accustomed to see flying off the edge, running down the field looking to defend a pass. But perhaps the reason it hasn't happened before now is because Bill didn't have the talent in the secondary to diversify his fronts.
Darrelle Revis has changed all of that.
With a cornerback like Revis capable of essentially shutting down an entire side of the field; the defense can shift into a 3-4 and utilize the unique skill sets of a talented linebacking corps in new, unprecedented ways. Chandler Jones could be a beast rushing from an OLB spot. Dont'a Hightower, who has been forced into unnatural, pass coverage roles thus far in his career, may be able to revert to his style of play when he was at Alabama. There, he was at his best when he was able to get after the quarterback. Again, having coverage skills in the secondary (and from second year linebacker Jamie Collins), frees up other guys to do different things.
Volin spoke to the fact that Jones is actually a much more natural fit to play the outside coverage linebacker role than Jerrod Mayo or Hightower. Chandler himself acknowledges that dropping into coverage is something he has done in the past:
“It’s nothing foreign to me,” Jones said. “I felt like versatility adds to becoming a better player, being able to adjust to different things on the field and different positions. I feel like Bill will make a decision of that nature based on whatever will help the team.”
It is these kind of schematic changes and diverse personnel groupings that bring out the true Pats nerd in me. I truly cannot wait to see how Bill deploys his defensive players this year. It has been a long, long time since he has had so much talent on that side of the ball.
It is time for the Return of the Hoodie.
@LC_NEP
@PatriotsLife
