Hybrid S/LB'er Trend

[mr.stlouis]

It's a very unique situation the Rams have in personelle and it's working really well. Three guys the last two weeks have made a ton of plays around the LOS and I'm not talking about DL, LB's or CB's. Specifically, I'm talking about the McSafties and Barron. They've played a ton of snaps in the box and Barron/McD hit like LB'ers anyhow. Is this Williams at his finest?

We knew coming in that Williams adjusts his aggressive scheme according to his personelle and I think that's what he's doing. With the DL causing all kinds of havoc at the LOS, the opposing linemen cannot get to the second level. So what does Williams do? He puts in undersized, shifty, hitters that can cover better than traditional LB'ers but pack the same wallop on tackling . You can do this only when you have superb DL play like we do. I do beleive this is the formula to use against teams with no running game.

And on a side note, MO Alexander's skill set fits this mold perfectly. I expect big things from him in the future.

 

[Big Willie]

It's becoming a pass focused league and as a result teams need players who can move and cover quick players in space. Bulked up safeties are the perfect solution and they can also bring the hammer when needed.

 

[DaveFan'51]

It's a very unique situation the Rams have in personelle and it's working really well. Three guys the last two weeks have made a ton of plays around the LOS and I'm not talking about DL, LB's or CB's. Specifically, I'm talking about the McSafties and Barron. They've played a ton of snaps in the box and Barron/McD hit like LB'ers anyhow. Is this Williams at his finest?

We knew coming in that Williams adjusts his aggressive scheme according to his personelle and I think that's what he's doing. With the DL causing all kinds of havoc at the LOS, the opposing linemen cannot get to the second level. So what does Williams do? He puts in undersized, shifty, hitters that can cover better than traditional LB'ers but pack the same wallop on tackling . You can do this only when you have superb DL play like we do. I do beleive this is the formula to use against teams with no running game.

And on a side note, MO Alexander's skill set fits this mold perfectly. I expect big things from him in the future.

I find this^ concept very, very exciting! especially sense Barron has only been with the team a couple of weeks, and is still adjusting to Williams' scheme!!

 

[LACHAMP46]

And on a side note, MO Alexander's skill set fits this mold perfectly. I expect big things from him in the future.

FREE MO!!!!

 

[Robocop]

good call. thought about mentioning this earlier in the week after I realized the Rams ran the tables in nickel the entire game. anything Dunbar can do McDonald can do better. Dunbar can stay on the bench. keep running with an extra DB it shrinks the holes in the field and speeds up the entire defensive tempo and just plain causes havoc. don't stop the train

 

[RamFan503]

It seems we are a bit ahead of the curve on this one. I see where a couple of the top college LB prospects are listed at about 220 or so and are considered hybrids. As they say - speed kills. And speed with pop? Just fun to watch IMO.

 

[Dodgersrf]

McCleod takes a lot of heat, but he's a physical player as well.

 

[Jumava1968]

Its been fun watching them put the smack down.

 

[yrba1]

I've noticed this last year with Ogletree's coverage skills (he was a safety) and this is one of the few exceptions where role ambiguity helps. The 4-2-5 defense really benefits us with Dunbar on key running downs. Now we just need to put Mcleod at nickel and Joyner at FS.

 

[fastcat]

I don't think McCloud can cover. I can't ever really recall him making a pass break plus he blows coverages often.. I wouldn't want to see him in the slot.

The hybrid things is cool until you run into an old school ground and pound team which there aren't many in the league any more. Remember tino (whatever his name was)?. He was like a 215 lb lb who couldn't get off a block.