53 Man Roster, Practice Squad & Depth Chart Projection

[bbsplitter]

Any chance Browner starts at WLB covering TE and inside zone while Wright moves over to SLB? Wright has done well when he has filled in at SLB.

Also I think Bryant eventually wins out at FB/Back-up D-line. PC has spoken highly about Bryant and not having to commit a roster spot to only a FB, they like the dual threat of Tukuafu last year.

I also hope Patrick Lewis starts the season as the starter. I hope they learned their lesson from last year choosing upside over experience (Nowak). I don't care if Hunt is better in every single way athletically, I just want a solid center who knows the system for the start of the year so our line doesn't have yet another notch against it.

 

[FlyingGreg]

While I've read a lot about Proise the last week or so, and he seems like an exciting player with a lot of upside, I think Collins will eventually prove to be a more effective every down back, better suited and keeping the chains moving.

That's the difference, though. Collins will be the work horse/every down type back. Prosise is going to be a 3rd down specialist and situational rotation.

 

[cheese22]

Any chance Browner starts at WLB covering TE and inside zone while Wright moves over to SLB? Wright has done well when he has filled in at SLB.

So, this is where I get a little confused. I've always understood WLB lines up opposite side of the TE. But the quote says Browner at WLB would have the TE in man coverage. So does WLB have a different meaning or a completely different role?

While we're at it, could someone briefly describe the difference between the LEO role and DE?

 

[svenge]

I know that 53-man roster spots are valuable, but I'd feel a hell of a lot more confident with having T-Jack (or an equivalent journeyman QB) as RW's backup along with Boykin as QB3 on the 53-man roster (and inactive on game day) for 2016 instead of having a UDFA rookie as QB2 with no 3rd QB.

There's only ~15 good QBs in the league, and maybe another 35 that are even tolerable so it would be wise to secure the services of a second player from that group of 50 before the season starts. Were a 2008 Tom Brady situation (i.e. ACL/MCL tear in Week 1) to happen, the entire season would have to be written off due to Boykin or an unsigned veteran FA (who would inherently be of lesser quality, or else he would've already signed somewhere before the season started) taking the reins.

That said, this statement has nothing to do with Boykin's future development potential and/or upside beyond 2016 but merely a reflection of how things stand for this season.

 

[AgentDib]

So, this is where I get a little confused. I've always understood WLB lines up opposite side of the TE. But the quote says Browner at WLB would have the TE in man coverage. So does WLB have a different meaning or a completely different role?

You have it correct. The WLB (aka WILL backer) typically covers the inside receiver on the weak side which can be the slot receiver, a second TE, or often a back coming out of the backfield. Their responsibility in the run game is to keep the back from getting around the edge to the outside.

The LEO is simply what the Hawks call the weak side edge player which they like to line up much further outside than normal. It derives from when Pete was with the 49ers (3-4 defense) and they had a 4-3 package called the Elephant with an extra rush DE on the weak side in place of a constantly blitzing LB. The idea is that the LEO is a very quick pass rusher that we split very wide and as a result our 1 tech is sort of playing the 3-4 NT Mebane role (2 gap, hold ground rather than upfield penetration). The advantage to being split that wide is that the LEO doesn't get manhandled immediately by the LT and gets a couple steps of momentum.

 

[McGruff]

So, this is where I get a little confused. I've always understood WLB lines up opposite side of the TE. But the quote says Browner at WLB would have the TE in man coverage. So does WLB have a different meaning or a completely different role?

You have it correct. The Will backer typically covers the inside receiver on the weak side which can be the slot receiver, a second TE, or often a back coming out of the backfield. Their responsibility in the run game is to keep the back from getting around the edge to the outside.

The LEO is simply what the Hawks call the weak side edge player which they like to line up much further outside than normal. It derives from when Pete was with the 49ers (3-4 defense) and they had a 4-3 package called the Elephant with an extra rush DE on the weak side in place of a constantly blitzing LB. The idea is that the LEO is a very quick pass rusher that we split very wide and as a result our 1 tech is sort of playing the 3-4 NT Mebane role (2 gap, hold ground rather than upfield penetration). The advantage to being split that wide is that the LEO doesn't get manhandled immediately by the LT and gets a couple steps of momentum.

Yep. The Will is usually smaller and ranger becuase he will have to cover WR'S and pass catching TE'S and backs rather than traditional TE's. He's also typically more pursuit oriented in the run game. Bruce really developed in both those areas. But typically Wills aren't pass rushers, which is why Bruce was unhappy there.

LEO is just another name for our RDE. Typically plays 9 tech, wide of the tackle. Avril is our LEO, Clemon's before him, and Clark most likely moving into the future.

 

[Basis4day]

I know that 53-man roster spots are valuable, but I'd feel a hell of a lot more confident with having T-Jack (or an equivalent journeyman QB) as RW's backup along with Boykin as QB3 on the 53-man roster (and inactive on game day) for 2016 instead of having a UDFA rookie as QB2 with no 3rd QB.

There's only ~15 good QBs in the league, and maybe another 35 that are even tolerable so it would be wise to secure the services of a second player from that group of 50 before the season starts. Were a 2008 Tom Brady situation (i.e. ACL/MCL tear in Week 1) to happen, the entire season would have to be written off due to Boykin or an unsigned veteran FA (who would inherently be of lesser quality, or else he would've already signed somewhere before the season started) taking the reins.

That said, this statement has nothing to do with Boykin's future development potential and/or upside beyond 2016 but merely a reflection of how things stand for this season.

Unless i'm mistaken, they've only had a single backup QB identified on the roster during Wilson's tenure during final cutdowns. Now BJ Daniels was on and off at WR and as presumptive emergency QB. Michael Robinson and Kam were also named in emergency situations. So, it would go against the grain to have a 3rd QB on the roster. 53 players isn't a lot.

I am a big believer in John Clayton's view on the backup QB. Ideally you want someone who can go 2-2 in a four game stretch. If your starter is out any longer than that, your season is pretty much blown anyway. I think the team has the talent to go 2-2 with one of the backup options on the table.

 

[Basis4day]

So, this is where I get a little confused. I've always understood WLB lines up opposite side of the TE. But the quote says Browner at WLB would have the TE in man coverage. So does WLB have a different meaning or a completely different role?

You have it correct. The Will backer typically covers the inside receiver on the weak side which can be the slot receiver, a second TE, or often a back coming out of the backfield. Their responsibility in the run game is to keep the back from getting around the edge to the outside.

The LEO is simply what the Hawks call the weak side edge player which they like to line up much further outside than normal. It derives from when Pete was with the 49ers (3-4 defense) and they had a 4-3 package called the Elephant with an extra rush DE on the weak side in place of a constantly blitzing LB. The idea is that the LEO is a very quick pass rusher that we split very wide and as a result our 1 tech is sort of playing the 3-4 NT Mebane role (2 gap, hold ground rather than upfield penetration). The advantage to being split that wide is that the LEO doesn't get manhandled immediately by the LT and gets a couple steps of momentum.

Yep. The Will is usually smaller and ranger becuase he will have to cover WR'S and pass catching TE'S and backs rather than traditional TE's. He's also typically more pursuit oriented in the run game. Bruce really developed in both those areas. But typically Wills aren't pass rushers, which is why Bruce was unhappy there.

LEO is just another name for our RDE. Typically plays 9 tech, wide of the tackle. Avril is our LEO, Clemon's before him, and Clark most likely moving into the future.

Wait, when was Bruce a WILL? After his rookie year wasn't he moved to SAM in base and to a pass rusher in passing situations?