Should we start RJF?

I'm definitely for seeing RJF get more playing time. He'll probably be the starter at NT next year.

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by BubbaParisMVP:

Originally posted by dj43:
RJF is the same player as Franklin - a one-gap NT.

He has been getting some PT. It is just that the announcers do not always let you know he is in.

The problem with Franklin is NOT that he wasn't in training camp. His issue is that the league has scouted him and found they can use his one-gap slant to just direct him away from the ball carrier. Now Manusky needs to adjust.

Until this team gets a proper two-gap NT for the 3-4 system, it will continue to be less effective than the really good 3-4 teams.

I think you're exactly right and its a problem that extends across much of the defense, it's a well-scouted, known quantity devoid of its former novelty.

Do either of you guys know of an elite (or once elite) defense that uses the one gap system? And how is it possible that a guy of Manusky's caliber wouldn't know that?

Based on the way Franklin acted in the off season I would be more than happy to start phasing him out over the course of the season. No way we give him big money now. Same for Goldson.

Dallas Cowboys

Not sure why we can't rotate them.

Franklin's stats for the season thus far.


18 tackles 0 sacks 0 FF

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by susweel:
I say we work him into the rotation a little more to see how he performs.

For once, I actually agree with this guy. +1 ... just give him more snaps.

haha...me too

I'm not sure. But working him in more seems wise.

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by BubbaParisMVP:

Originally posted by dj43:
RJF is the same player as Franklin - a one-gap NT.

He has been getting some PT. It is just that the announcers do not always let you know he is in.

The problem with Franklin is NOT that he wasn't in training camp. His issue is that the league has scouted him and found they can use his one-gap slant to just direct him away from the ball carrier. Now Manusky needs to adjust.

Until this team gets a proper two-gap NT for the 3-4 system, it will continue to be less effective than the really good 3-4 teams.

I think you're exactly right and its a problem that extends across much of the defense, it's a well-scouted, known quantity devoid of its former novelty.

Do either of you guys know of an elite (or once elite) defense that uses the one gap system? And how is it possible that a guy of Manusky's caliber wouldn't know that?

Based on the way Franklin acted in the off season I would be more than happy to start phasing him out over the course of the season. No way we give him big money now. Same for Goldson.

Dallas Cowboys

Thanks! So then is the argument that the one gap isn't that good or we just need to adjust? The obvious question is how does/did Dallas counter?

I'm 100% for STARTING RJF and rotating in Franklin occasionally.

I'm sick and tired of seeing Franklin getting thrown back into our ILBs and causing our greatest defensive threat in Willis to not be in on the play. RJF has shown he can work in the one-gap function Manusky runs and he gets taken out on passing downs for McDonald anyway.

Franklin was just GIVEN his starting job after holding out and has shown a decrease in production, which I feel is caused by coming in not in season form b/c he got his panties in a bunch b/c he produced ONE year during his 7 year career and couldn't handle making 7 million for one year to prove he deserves a multi-year deal.

There's a reason why the Ravens drafted Ngata and let him go, so he needs more than one year of production to earn the right to make Wilfork money for 3 years.

Start? No. More snaps? Without a doubt.

The same could be said for Reggie Smith also. Franklin and Goldson should both be put on notice.

i think franklin is getting a little too much hate in this thread. i saw nothing wrong with what he did this offseason. I woulda done the same thing.

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by BubbaParisMVP:

Originally posted by dj43:
RJF is the same player as Franklin - a one-gap NT.

He has been getting some PT. It is just that the announcers do not always let you know he is in.

The problem with Franklin is NOT that he wasn't in training camp. His issue is that the league has scouted him and found they can use his one-gap slant to just direct him away from the ball carrier. Now Manusky needs to adjust.

Until this team gets a proper two-gap NT for the 3-4 system, it will continue to be less effective than the really good 3-4 teams.

I think you're exactly right and its a problem that extends across much of the defense, it's a well-scouted, known quantity devoid of its former novelty.

Do either of you guys know of an elite (or once elite) defense that uses the one gap system? And how is it possible that a guy of Manusky's caliber wouldn't know that?

Based on the way Franklin acted in the off season I would be more than happy to start phasing him out over the course of the season. No way we give him big money now. Same for Goldson.

Dallas Cowboys

Thanks! So then is the argument that the one gap isn't that good or we just need to adjust? The obvious question is how does/did Dallas counter?

I'm pretty sure Miami also uses a one-gap NT. The thing is that the NT has to establish himself as a force, requiring the double team.

Jay Ratliff is the best example of how the one-gap NT is suppose to work. Franklin is good and should be producing, but b/c he decided to sit on his @$$ and eat Twinkies while the rest of his team went through training camp, he's getting thrown 3-5 yards back into our LBs, allowing the opposition to get their running games going up the middle, which opens the outside.

Originally posted by susweel:
I say we work him into the rotation a little more to see how he performs.

this exactly

Originally posted by Crazy49er1313:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by BubbaParisMVP:

Originally posted by dj43:
RJF is the same player as Franklin - a one-gap NT.

He has been getting some PT. It is just that the announcers do not always let you know he is in.

The problem with Franklin is NOT that he wasn't in training camp. His issue is that the league has scouted him and found they can use his one-gap slant to just direct him away from the ball carrier. Now Manusky needs to adjust.

Until this team gets a proper two-gap NT for the 3-4 system, it will continue to be less effective than the really good 3-4 teams.

I think you're exactly right and its a problem that extends across much of the defense, it's a well-scouted, known quantity devoid of its former novelty.

Do either of you guys know of an elite (or once elite) defense that uses the one gap system? And how is it possible that a guy of Manusky's caliber wouldn't know that?

Based on the way Franklin acted in the off season I would be more than happy to start phasing him out over the course of the season. No way we give him big money now. Same for Goldson.

Dallas Cowboys

Thanks! So then is the argument that the one gap isn't that good or we just need to adjust? The obvious question is how does/did Dallas counter?

I'm pretty sure Miami also uses a one-gap NT. The thing is that the NT has to establish himself as a force, requiring the double team.

Jay Ratliff is the best example of how the one-gap NT is suppose to work. Franklin is good and should be producing, but b/c he decided to sit on his @$$ and eat Twinkies while the rest of his team went through training camp, he's getting thrown 3-5 yards back into our LBs, allowing the opposition to get their running games going up the middle, which opens the outside.

I appreciate the insight. I assume then that the one gap vs. two gap system is open to debate/opinion. To be honest, I've only watch each game once this season, except for the NO game. I have been too discouraged to rewatch the recordings and player performance. I made a deal with myself to start trying to watch the game as a casual fan and just enjoy the moment. There is always time to go back and watch film.

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by susweel:
I say we work him into the rotation a little more to see how he performs.

For once, I actually agree with this guy. +1 ... just give him more snaps.

I agree too. Seeing a trend here.

At this point, it's not worth signing Franklin to a long term contract, especially at the money he will be asking for. I think he is way overrated, especially by coaching staff. It's time to get RJF some more time and see if there is any drop off. Get him ready for next year as long as he's not a liability.