Originally posted by dtg_9er:Originally posted by WRATHman44:I am. He's lost a lot of weight. I think he's all in on LEO. Realistically, even if he cuts all the way down to 270-280, he could still rush from the 3, but I'd be surprised if he was slimming down so dramatically just to play the edge on base downs.
Will be interesting! I see his two greatest attributes as strength and length...obviously length will still be there but will he retain his unbelievable strength at the lower weight? He held his own against two OL the last two years and on the edge will not have to do so, which could give him an advantage. But I don't see him as a quick DL needed to chase from the edge. His quickness could increase at this lower weight...but will his agility and ability to change direction; which will be needed for guys like Wilson?
As with every defense, AA's success will be a group effort. His weaknesses will be less apparent if the CBs and LBs can help fill the edge quickly.
You know, you bring up some good points. He'll be singled up now but against a teams best LT.
The LT is usually the LT because he's the quickest, smartest, most athletic lineman to face a defenses best pass rusher. That said, unlike the RT, he isn't used to going up against power usually. If we 'wide 9' AA on base downs, that alignment ensures if it's a run, it funnels the RB inside towards Bowman and Foster/Smith/Reid and protects a CB like Robinson or Witherspoon from having to come up and protect the edge in run support.
If it's a pass, that alignment gives AA an extra step or two to get up to full power and momentum where, I'm confident he's long and strong enough to pancake LT's, collapse the pocket and knock down passes.
Then, after that series, enter the savy speed rusher in Elvis for a massive change in technique protection for the LT.
I'm kind of excited to see how this works now and to see how this potentiality wears down a LT and keeps him off balance.
[ Edited by NCommand on Jul 6, 2017 at 7:48 AM ]