Originally posted by Heroism:
Originally posted by Giedi:
I think there is a big spot for Alfred in Raheem's defense. He's a run stuffer (supposedly, and I do hope he does get back to form after those shoulder injuries in post season). But if Alfred is healthy, he'd be a great nose tackle in the 3-4 under defense if Raheem goes from a wide 9 to a 3-4 defense. I like how with the personnel Raheem has, he can kind of shift between different fronts (3-4; 4-3; Wide 9). What he's missing is that enforcer in the back, the John Lynch, Nick Emmanwori kind of rangy smart hybrid LB/Safety player.
Collins biggest weakness is his pad level and firing off the ball with his hands. Playing nose in an odd front(ie a 3-4) where you're head up on the center is like playing in a phone booth meaning that it's a confined space where things happen quickly. That doesn't suit Collins' strengths at all. He'd be much better at 4i where he can give himself a little more space, time and use his reach.
CJ West would be my choice at nose in an odd front. He's got that natural leverage with get off and quick hands. He just needs to shake that rust off.
It remains to be see how much base 5-man front stuff the 49ers are actually going to use. I didn't see much(if any) during the preseason. It was the typical base wide 9.
Personally, I think both Alfred Collins and CJ West can play the Wide 9 tackle position the way I think Saleh would have wanted it. Both have the power to anchor and hold ground, and have some lateral and gap penetrating agility. I think that's what Saleh would want in his Wide 9 Tackles. As for the 3-4, I agree, I think neither would work out as 3i technique under the Kiffen/Carroll defensive concepts. But either could be the Strong Side End in the 4-3 under scheme. Morris needed that three-technique tackle to man the weakside guard-tackle gap (if using the 4-3 under) so he drafted Halton and got Osa. Getting/drafting Halton and Osa would not have been a high priority (I would think) for a Saleh.
I think Saleh and Raheem have similar ideas with regards to manufactured pressure - they will use gap penetrating four man line, and zone blitzing, and gap penetration stunts. The difference is Saleh would use more zone blitzing from the linebacker squad, and Raheem will be zone blitzing more from the DB squad.
