Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="HardRightEdge" data-source="post: 838200">So what are "all these things"?  Let's count the ways edge rushers win.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Dip and rip:  The classic move of many elite edge rushers where they get under the OT's hands with the dip and then use burst and redirectional quickness, the rip.  It's a 2.5 second sell-out move where the player is head down and not in position to block the throwing lane to the flat, bat a ball down or defend against the QB stepping up and out of the pocket.  These are not small things with QBs getting shorter and quicker.  Besides, some DCs are not fond of the dip and rip.  Capers was on the record stating he did not want to see his edges going around the pocket which is where that dip and rip move takes you if the QB steps up or if the edge does not win off the snap.  Matthews and Perry were both capable of that move, but you didn't see it very often; they played head up with pocket contain.  If you're going to play a lot of man coverage, Pettine's approach, pocket contain is essential unless the QB is pocket passing statue, a dying breed.  Perry would bring out his dip and rip about twice a year, an ad lib move by all appearances, one of those "no, no, yes, yes!" moments if the edge gets home.  Some very good edge rushers don't have this move anyway, especially the lengthy guys.  I doubt this is something Gary will develop.  Did you ever see Peppers dip and rip in his time in Green Bay?  I don't think so, and that Peppers dynamic is what Gary is supposed to recreate.</li> </ul> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Punch:  Good OTs have a good punch; hit the guy in the pads, get inside his body, grab the jersey, slow his roll.  A good edge rusher playing head-up can beat him to the punch, keeping the OT off his body.  They don't measure arm length and hand size on these guys for nothing.  A good edge punch can get the OT off balance or allow a redirect inside if the QB steps up.  Arm and hand dimensions are only a starting point to suggest an upside; they need to be put to work with technique.  Gary measured 34 1/8" arms and 9 5/8" hands, enough raw material for the job.  You'll be hard pressed to find a good edge who does not have good hand work.  This is where Gary needs most to improve.  In this one game, we saw OTs getting inside his body and controlling him.</li> </ul> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Bull rush:  This is something Gary can do.  He got a lot of push into the pocket in preseason game 1 even with the OTs up inside his body but he didn't get home, second team OTs such as it was.  There was one rush where he pushed the OT back and shoved off his block but was a shade late to get the hit or sack, with Gary showing evident frustration.  If Gary does not develop a more varied repertoire, first team OTs will know that's what they have to defend.  OT pass blocking is about hands, feet, position, balance and mind.  You have to bring something besides a quck burst off the ball and brute strength to get them off balance or questioning what to expect.</li> </ul> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Inside move:  Spin move, swim move or a set-up, the latter involving a fake as it were, a cross step, a shoulder fake, something that gets the OT off balance, then hand work to push by a reach block, best executed from the blind side on an ad lib since pocket contain is given up.  Gary looks to be a long way from executing the inside move.</li> </ul> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Stunt:  A called play with the edge looping inside with somebody else taking on pocket contain, be it a DT looping out or a LB or DB coming up or blitzing.  Early in preseason game 1, Gary ran a couple of stunts and got stopped in traffic at the line.  Team execution was not sharp, but Gary evidently did something wrong on these stunts with a sideline shot of coach explaining something to him with a looping arm motion.</li> </ul>So, what we have so far is the same player we saw on the college tape, speed-to-power to burn, not much in the way of technique.  The first order of business is getting him to use his hands better.  After that, he needs to develop some kind of inside move, invidually or schematically through stunts.  Half the battle in this game is in not being predictable.  If the only effective move is burst with bull rush, it won't be effective for very long against NFL OTs.It's not uncommon for first round edge rushers to be rotational players in their rookie season.  That was pretty much in the cards for Gary anyway with the Smiths on board.  You often find these guys in on passing downs where they have less to think about.  At this level you can't get away with just out-talenting lesser opponents or 19 year olds.  Most of these edge guys come in short on technique.  The book is open.  This is the first live action game he's played with next to no live action practice; this is why we have preseason.  "Bust" is a word being used prematurely.</blockquote>

Verification

Members online

Total: 87 (members: 2, guests: 85)

Latest posts

H
Bucks 2024-25 Season Thread
- Latest: Heyjoe4
- Today at 6:12 AM
Milwaukee Bucks Forum
H
2025 Draft in Green Bay
- Latest: Heyjoe4
- Today at 6:06 AM
Draft Talk
H
Prospects that I'm very bullish on...
- Latest: Heyjoe4
- Today at 6:03 AM
Draft Talk
R
2025 mock draft probably the only one I'll post this year
- Latest: RicFlairoftheNFL
- Today at 12:09 AM
Draft Talk
Idea For An Exercise...but need your input!
- Latest: gopkrs
- Yesterday at 7:55 PM
Draft Talk