I noticed Eric has him listed as the starting NT on the depth chart instead of DE. I am totally on board with this, but don’t remember seeing it confirmed officially.
he is. But regardless of what position he plays, he needs to pick his play up a few notches. He's on a path to being JAG and needs to turn it around this year, I've been pretty disappointed with his progression last couple years
he is. But regardless of what position he plays, he needs to pick his play up a few notches. He's on a path to being JAG and needs to turn it around this year, I've been pretty disappointed with his progression last couple years
is the plan, given many fans disappointment in his play, yet they picked up the 5th year.
They could have drafted a DT earlier if they had opted to move on from him.
I would assume he remains at DE. We all thought he would play NT when he was drafted, but for three years now he's played DE. His measurables scream scream nose tackle, so there must be a reason he's been kept at DE that isn't apparent to us. I'm not sure why Daboll's staff would see it any differently than Shurmur's and Judge's.
They signed free agents NT Ellis and DE Ward to similar one year deals
With Ellis getting a little more than Ward both in total and guaranteed. And they spent a draft pick at NT, not DE. If the plan was for Lawrence to play NT, I would think that it would've been DE targeted in the draft, not a NT. It's not like they're gonna keep three NTs. Leads me to believe the plan is to keep Lawrence at DE.
I think NT is his natural and likely best position. That and having to play for a never-ending cavalcade of clowns may not have allowed us to see the best from big Dex.
It just seems crazy not to play him at NT with his size and
Williams, Ellis, and Lawrence are the best three -- which probably puts Ellis at nose:
Unless the best three are Williams, Lawrence, and Jihad Ward, which would put Lawrence at NT in the base.
Regardless, the Ravens defense was in their base just over 20% of the time under Wink. Nickel, around 60%, Dime, just under 20%. Figure Lawrence at one DT spot in the sub-packages. I think he's played okay, although maybe not enough to justify drafting him at #17 overall, but I'm looking forward to seeing what his new position coach can do with him. Andre Patterson has a rep as a "D-Line Whisperer."
Assuming they keep 6 DL (4 DE and 2 DT) for their 3-4 Defense
to see Dex at NT on passing downs. Ellis is not a 3rd down player. I bet we see a lot of sub packages with only Leo and Dex as "true" down lineman, on the field.
it looks a hell of a lot like a 4-3. Dex will usually be one of the 2 inside DT's in this scenario, in fact all three will be (but Lawrence will get some more outside blitzing roles).
I'm not sure the old DT, NT, DE roles mean anything today. In my opinion Dex is a good DL (DT or inside run stopper/rusher guy), and thats where most of his work will be regardless of how things are lined up initially. When I think of DE I think of pass rushing, edge setting guys. I think Thibs, Oju, and some portion of Williamns will do this
in the zero gap or 'nose' if you will. I though he played better at Clemson in that role most of the time.
For a guy who was drafted in the middle of the first round,
have to be honest, I have expected more from him.
They already picked up his 5th year option right?
His comp coming out was Vince Wilfork and Haloti Ngata. Some incompetent coaches put him at DE and all of sudden every fan looks at the stat line at end of year and expects double digit sack numbers. He's a 6-5 340 lb, space eating, run stopping, mountain of man!
RE: Why don't we play him at LB while we're at it???
His comp coming out was Vince Wilfork and Haloti Ngata. Some incompetent coaches put him at DE and all of sudden every fan looks at the stat line at end of year and expects double digit sack numbers. He's a 6-5 340 lb, space eating, run stopping, mountain of man!
.
I would concur, hopefully Wink changes that.
I doubt you will see Lawrence directly over the center very often…
… if Justin Ellis is on the team. To the extent that role exists, it’s probably what Ellis is here for, with Davidson as the backup/ heir. That said, Lawrence will probably have a lot of two-gap interior responsibilities. He doesn’t have to line up over center to absorb double-teams and create opportunities for Williams, Ojulari, Thibodeaux and others.
I think the Ourlads depth chart has the right idea about the base, with Lawrence at DT, Ellis at NT, and Williams as the only DE. The actual roles and packages are hard to capture in a snapshot. That’s true of any NFL defense, not just Martindale’s Giants Depth Chart on Ourlads - ( New Window )
Well said
They could have drafted a DT earlier if they had opted to move on from him.
This is a good way to look at it and I agree with you. Get the best players on the field, and Ellis is not playing DE.
Unless the best three are Williams, Lawrence, and Jihad Ward, which would put Lawrence at NT in the base.
Regardless, the Ravens defense was in their base just over 20% of the time under Wink. Nickel, around 60%, Dime, just under 20%. Figure Lawrence at one DT spot in the sub-packages. I think he's played okay, although maybe not enough to justify drafting him at #17 overall, but I'm looking forward to seeing what his new position coach can do with him. Andre Patterson has a rep as a "D-Line Whisperer."
Pretty sure the new coaches want more from him too...
I'm not sure the old DT, NT, DE roles mean anything today. In my opinion Dex is a good DL (DT or inside run stopper/rusher guy), and thats where most of his work will be regardless of how things are lined up initially. When I think of DE I think of pass rushing, edge setting guys. I think Thibs, Oju, and some portion of Williamns will do this
For a guy who was drafted in the middle of the first round,
have to be honest, I have expected more from him.
They already picked up his 5th year option right?
I would concur, hopefully Wink changes that.
I think the Ourlads depth chart has the right idea about the base, with Lawrence at DT, Ellis at NT, and Williams as the only DE. The actual roles and packages are hard to capture in a snapshot. That’s true of any NFL defense, not just Martindale’s
Giants Depth Chart on Ourlads - ( New Window )