Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

[Dicknoze69]

I think we're all assuming Edwards wants to run a standard 3-4 defense where the NT has 2 gap responsibilities. Obviously our current personnel doesn't have that huge NT who can do that.

However, we could run a 3-4 much like Dallas which focuses on faster, quicker defensive lineman with one gap responsibilities backed up with big, fast linebackers behind them. Williams, Stroud and Johnson could all contribute in a one-gap 3-4 defensive alignment. I mean Jay Ratliff in Dallas isn't very big and he does great as a one-gap NT.

We need depth but this would allow us to fit our personnel to the chosen scheme while we bring in new players to fit our 3-4.

[TedMock]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

I think we're all assuming Edwards wants to run a standard 3-4 defense where the NT has 2 gap responsibilities. Obviously our current personnel doesn't have that huge NT who can do that.

However, we could run a 3-4 much like Dallas which focuses on faster, quicker defensive lineman with one gap responsibilities backed up with big, fast linebackers behind them. Williams, Stroud and Johnson could all contribute in a one-gap 3-4 defensive alignment. I mean Jay Ratliff in Dallas isn't very big and he does great as a one-gap NT.

We need depth but this would allow allow us to fit our personnel to the chosen scheme while we bring in new players to fit our 3-4.

I mentioned this in another thread some time ago. Not all 3-4's are run the same way and a big LB, a la Rolando McClain, would make a ton of sense if we're running a 1-gap scheme with our NT. Dallas is a good example of a 3-4 defense that does not run a big 2-gap scheme as its base. I love McClain in any system, but I think he makes even more sense if we cannot go to a 2-gap system.

[Dicknoze69]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought of this:

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2010/2/4/1292861/bills-will-need-time-to-make#storyjump

There's a pretty handy diagram there as well to indicate what our defensive alignment could look like.

[Mathja]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

different era, but jeff wright played the nose for the 90s bills. not a big plugger at all.

[patmoran2006]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

Good post, Dicknoze (and I love saying that)

[WeAreArthurMoates]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

Great points, in fact that makes some sense. It may be a little more suspect to the run but man, that would be great for rushing the passer.

[Dicknoze69]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

Great points, in fact that makes some sense. It may be a little more suspect to the run but man, that would be great for rushing the passer.

Yeah we'd certainly be more suspectible to the run than a normal 3-4 two gap defense. But unless our personnel changes drastically (and it might), I don't see us running a conventional 3-4 two gap defense.

[psubills62]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

Well, we could probably get by with some of our DL if we run a one-gap system, but we'd really have to work on the LB's. Honestly, I'm glad to see that we got two good LB's coaches, one becoming the DC.

I mean, our LB's this year had trouble filling their gaps when we had 4 DL. They'll have even more trouble filling their gaps with only 3 DL, especially if we move inexperienced guys like Chris Ellis and Aaron Maybin to LB.

[Mahdi]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

I think we're all assuming Edwards wants to run a standard 3-4 defense where the NT has 2 gap responsibilities. Obviously our current personnel doesn't have that huge NT who can do that.

However, we could run a 3-4 much like Dallas which focuses on faster, quicker defensive lineman with one gap responsibilities backed up with big, fast linebackers behind them. Williams, Stroud and Johnson could all contribute in a one-gap 3-4 defensive alignment. I mean Jay Ratliff in Dallas isn't very big and he does great as a one-gap NT.

We need depth but this would allow us to fit our personnel to the chosen scheme while we bring in new players to fit our 3-4.

Jay Ratliff is 6'4 and is strong as an ox. He is an exception to the rule. Kyle Williams is weak at the point of attack and only 6'1 with short arms. They are completely different players and KW will fail miserably at NT.

Now I know ppl don't like to pay attention to signings of players who were late round picks or UDFAs but Nix signed a guy named Lonnie Harvey during the season.
He is 6'3 346 and was a pure NT candidate coming out of college.

[OpIv37]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

I think we're all assuming Edwards wants to run a standard 3-4 defense where the NT has 2 gap responsibilities. Obviously our current personnel doesn't have that huge NT who can do that.

However, we could run a 3-4 much like Dallas which focuses on faster, quicker defensive lineman with one gap responsibilities backed up with big, fast linebackers behind them. Williams, Stroud and Johnson could all contribute in a one-gap 3-4 defensive alignment. I mean Jay Ratliff in Dallas isn't very big and he does great as a one-gap NT.

We need depth but this would allow us to fit our personnel to the chosen scheme while we bring in new players to fit our 3-4.

as a short term solution for a season while we fill out our roster, sure. But two things:

1. Our DL does not have nearly the talent that Dallas' does.
2. Being undersized on the DL leads to getting pushed around in the running game and being worn down late in games.

Could we get by without a true two-gap NT for a year? Maybe- and with all the holes this team has, we may not have a choice.
Is it a good long term strategy? Absolutely not.

[DraftBoy]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

Jay Ratliff is 6'4 and is strong as an ox. He is an exception to the rule. Kyle Williams is weak at the point of attack and only 6'1 with short arms. They are completely different players and KW will fail miserably at NT.

Now I know ppl don't like to pay attention to signings of players who were late round picks or UDFAs but Nix signed a guy named Lonnie Harvey during the season.
He is 6'3 346 and was a pure NT candidate coming out of college.

I dont think he's ever played NT before so calling him a pure NT prospect is a reach, he's simply a guy that has the size to potentially do it.

[Mahdi]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

I dont think he's ever played NT before so calling him a pure NT prospect is a reach, he's simply a guy that has the size to potentially do it.

I said PROSPECT. He was considered a good NT candidate coming out. Anyone can be projected to do anything, obviously he will have to prove it just as any college player would.

[Mahdi]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

I dont think he's ever played NT before so calling him a pure NT prospect is a reach, he's simply a guy that has the size to potentially do it.

Candidate=prospect=potentially do it.

C'mon DB, no reason to split hairs.

[bigfish2112]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

Jay Ratliff is 6'4 and is strong as an ox. He is an exception to the rule. Kyle Williams is weak at the point of attack and only 6'1 with short arms. They are completely different players and KW will fail miserably at NT.

Now I know ppl don't like to pay attention to signings of players who were late round picks or UDFAs but Nix signed a guy named Lonnie Harvey during the season.
He is 6'3 346 and was a pure NT candidate coming out of college.

so casey hampton at 6ft1 325 and has short arms fails miserably you are wrong if kyle adds 10 to 15 pounds he could end up as a NT.

[OpIv37]

Re: Who says we need a 2 gap NT?

so casey hampton at 6ft1 325 and has short arms fails miserably you are wrong if kyle adds 10 to 15 pounds he could end up as a NT.

Kyle already added 10 to 15 lbs a year or two ago. Throw 10-15 more lbs on him and I'll be able to beat him in a footrace.