Nickle back. Discuss.

[AzzurriDawg4]

So we have Darius Slay come in, who by all accounts has been very impressive. However, he is presumably still behind Banks and Broomfield in the corner rotation. He seems like the perfect choice for NB, since he is pretty well put-together too. Has anyone heard anything on this or observed how we might play our pass defense package?<div>
</div><div>Whitley also seems like an awesome candidate for NB, especially against Pro Form teams, while obviously still splitting a lot of 1st team snaps with Bonner. He would be a pretty big upgrade over Toast, who handled that position often last year. </div><div>
</div><div>Then you have Wells, who will certainly be in the LB rotation, but could also be that hybrid LB/NB. Coach Wilson has mentioned a few times that he likes to have personnel out there that can play in any scenario. </div><div>
</div><div>Thoughts? Who would you like to see there?</div>

 

[tenureplan]

nm

 

[Felonious Junk]

sarin gas should be released from the cd to eliminate any one who buys it, from the population

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

who else got jokes?

 

[tenureplan]

Personally I like Bonner at nickle, and Whitley at FS. Vice versa would be almost as good.

Lawrence/Wells probably plays 1st downs and 3rd and shorts while Slay plays mostly on passing downs or when we are facing a prolific passing team (Arkansas).

There isn't much of a dropoff between any of them.

With our problems at DE and overall DL depth, we should really consider a 3-3-5 this year. With only 2 LB's, who plays? Maye/Wilson and Lawrence/Hughes?

 

[vhdawg]

....the one where they're all badasses, and then the one where they're sensitive, but still kinda badasses.

 

[dawgstudent]

even though he played much better last year. I say you roll with Whitley as FS and let Bonner be nickel possibly. We have so many options in the defensive backfield, it's crazy.

 

[Columbus Dawg]

Maye comes out and you put in Slay as the nickle. All reports seem to indicate he can really cover. Then you can go with two former safties at LB inChris Hughes and Matt Wells. That's a fast back 7 with really good coverage skills. I'm sure McCardell will check in at DE to rush the passer. You could even put in Devin Jones for Boyd to get a little more rush, just watch the draw play. If you are bringing in a nickel to blitz then I think Whitley would be the clear choice. I can see him smoking some QB's from the blind side.</p>

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

on clear passing downs. It actually tightened up a bit when Bonner stepped up at the end of the year.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

nm

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

nm

 

[Columbus Dawg]

Thames played agood bitagainst AU and got burned in several key spots. He didn't play much after that game. The guys on rivals mentioned Whitley as one of the best defensive players, period, the first week of practice. They said he didn't have a good handle on our schemes last year. Banks calledWhitley the best athlete on the team. I agree that Bonner stabilized the secondary a little, but if Whitley is up to speed on the coverages, I think Bonner moves back to nickle. </p>

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Weird thing is, he really could look stiff in coverage at times, then he could turn around and make plays like that ridiculous sideline interception. If he adds a little consistency and a better grasp of the scheme to his athleticism, the sky is the limit.<div>
</div><div>Just think about replacing Thames with Slay and Z. Smith with Bonner from last year's rotation. I agree, should be a stingy group. </div>