Michael Bennett might see more time at LEO (speculation)

[kearly]

This is just me speculating, to be clear.

As I mentioned in my game notes from the Packers game, the team put Michael Bennett at a 9-tech (LEO) type position on a few snaps during the Packers game and Bennett looked very impressive in those reps.

With Cliff Avril looking doubtful for the first few games of the season (Hamstring injuries typically take weeks to recover from), and Clemons being- at least for now- improbable as a week 1 starter, that leaves us with just Schofield and Mayowa as our dual pass rushing ends, maybe Morgan too if he makes the roster. Schofield has been a nice pickup, he's looked like a poor man's Clemons, and Mayowa has looked like a poor man's Schofield. I'm not worried about our end situation all that much.

But, if Bennett moved to LEO he'd probably be the best LEO on the team until Avril or Clemons return. Bennett, btw, had a career year last year playing mostly DE. Seven of his nine sacks last season came from the DE spot. In terms of size and speed Bennett is nearly identical to Raheem Brock when Brock nearly notched 10 sacks in a 9-tech type role in 2010.

If the preseason is any indication, it seems pretty likely that Seattle is moving towards a dual LEO defensive line, with the giant 5-tech + Clemons we've had to endure in the past being marginalized- a wrinkle we'll only see here and there. Red Bryant has taken nearly all his preseason snaps at DT. And he's looked good there. It helps that Clemons, Schofield, Mayowa and Bennett are all quality run defenders in addition to being good pass rushers.

So, does that mean we'll see a ton of Mayowa out there in the early weeks of the season? Maybe. But that seems risky, if not reckless given how Mayowa has looked uneven (though still a promising long term prospect) against starting OL. One possible solution is giving Bennett reps there instead, if not on a full time basis then on a part time basis much like Jason Jones.

Granted, if Bennett is at LEO then who's our 3-tech? Honestly, I am comfortable enough with our DT group that I think we could plug other guys in there and still generate rush or at least push the pocket. McDaniel and Mebane looked beastly together. Bryant actually looked useful against the pass at times. Jaye Howard is a playmaker at the 3-tech and his anchor vs. the run has improved dramatically. And if the team has the good sense to make room for Michael Brooks, then I am not worried about our pass rush rotation at DT at all, even if they move Bennett to LEO for most of his snaps.

Not saying this will happen, but I think it makes a good deal of sense in light of the Avril news. If Bennett plays vs. Oakland, I'll be watching him closely to see if he gets more than a few token reps at DE.

 

[Sarlacc83]

Sounds good to me. I don't think anyone will disagree that having your best players on the field as much as possible is a good thing, and Bennett definitely seems like a top 3 DL kind of guy.

 

[pehawk]

That was my first thought seeing him out there too. ESPECIALLY with Red playing DT. McDaniel could fill that Red role (whatever its called) on passing downs...wont lose much against the run compared to Red AND will be a better pass rushing threat.

Great speculation and reading of the tea leaves, kearly. I believe this is what the Hawks are planning, as a fall back, but aren't showing their hand yet.

I thought about it, but in passing, then it left me.

 

[niveky]

I love how we have access to someone like you who regularly posts here and has so many insights into how things are looking. I know some still might not agree, and there are some other pretty knowledgeable posters that I see here contributing, but you consistently put up what I would call quality content here on .net for all of us to be able to chew on for ourselves. Whether some of us agree with what you post at different times or not, you are oftentimes putting a lot of work into what you bring here and you are doing this solely based on your own love of these Seahawks that we all share. You truly take it too the next level and to echo what someone said in another post of yours recently, you should be getting paid for that work somehow.


that being said. everything you proposed here seems like it would make perfect sense. With the way that Pete has been consistently evolving this defense, and with all the talk of so many players taking on extra roles to stay on the field(kind of an echo of Sarlacc's statement about keeping your best players on the field), I would agree and would not be surprised if this ends up being another feather in your cap prediction wise.

 

[niveky]

kind of in the same ballpark with the dl....especially after listening to the McDaniel interview someone posted today, and the way he talked about playing next to a dt like Mebane who commands so much attention...if his promise translates to the regular season....from the way I listened to him talk about how he liked being able to..and i don't remember his exact words...but something about tossing oline men around and such....I was already kind of salivating thinking about Mebane and McDaniel in there and then with this possible scenario with Bennett playing Leo it gets me drooling even more until I think about Irvin being off suspension, and Clemons and Avril being back and able to play......by some miracle i'm not in a drool drenched t-shirt at this very moment.

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

Sounds good to me. I don't think anyone will disagree that having your best players on the field as much as possible is a good thing, and Bennett definitely seems like a top 3 DL kind of guy.

If it keeps our best on the field I am all for it. Bennett has been a monster so far and needs to be in as much as possible in my opinion.

 

[Smelly McUgly]

I figured that this was a possibility too after seeing Bennett line up on the outside a few times.

My question is that out of these players: Bennett, McDaniel, Bryant, Mebane, who would pay at 5-tech if Bennett is on the outside? They have been using Bryant inside a few times in the pre-season, too.

 

[FlyingGreg]

Yep, this seems the most logical.

Kip, make sure rockhawk gives you a free year of .Net as compensation for all the fine work you do here! :thirishdrinkers:

 

[Missing_Clink]

I agree with all of that...but I sure as hell hope Bennett and the rest of our projected D line starters don't play in that game. We cannot afford any more injuries

 

[3Girls'HawkDad]

I am so glad we have Quinn back! The guy seems to be working combos this preseason, trying to figure who goes where when.

Can't wait until we get at full strength.

Going to be a fun year.

 

[Lynch Mob]

I think it would be the best move, you can't leave Bennett on the sideline to be used inside for passing downs only he's to good and does'nt have the knee problems Jason Jones had that i think limited his snaps on early downs. I think Bennett as the Leo means the SAM and Leo are not interchanegable don't think Bennett would be comfortable playing standing up. Also i think Bennett at the Leo spot would play the run better than any other Leo on the team, even Clemons. I would be fine with Schofield at the SAM and Bennett as the Leo on early downs but i think 3rd down Bennett has to slide inside to the 3-tech he collapses the pocket like no one else on the team besides maybe Big Tone (Tony McDaniel).

 

[Happypuppy]

It makes a lot of sense. I am not that high on the other options at LEO. It is pretty open in the air when Avril will be back

 

[gargantual]

I've been thinking about this as well. After throwing out the obligatory "this is preseason" disclaimer, it hasn't seemed like anyone else has seriously popped out at the LEO yet. Until Irvin and Clemons come back, Bennett looks to be our best pass rusher (maybe still will be even AFTER they return!). Still waiting to see if Avril is still as dominating as he was in Detroit standing next to Suh.....if he ever gets on the field for us to find out.

 

[kearly]

I figured that this was a possibility too after seeing Bennett line up on the outside a few times.

My question is that out of these players: Bennett, McDaniel, Bryant, Mebane, who would pay at 5-tech if Bennett is on the outside? They have been using Bryant inside a few times in the pre-season, too.

Our 2nd DE has been a LEO type for most of the preseason (usually Mayowa). With the 2nd string defense the last two games they gave some 5-tech reps to Howard, but Howard was probably 50/50 DE/DT. Bryant played a lot of 5-tech in the Chargers game but after that he's only seen a few reps a game there.

 

[Tech Worlds]

This sounds like nothing but pure speculation.

 

[Hawks46]

With the current injury situation, I could see this, and I agree with you that it's probably going to happen, Kearly. When the Hawks got Bennett, my theory is they thought they were getting a 3 tech DT that could play end.

When we we first got Bennett, I actually was wondering what we would do with Bryant. Bennett graded out as one of the top 4-3 DE's in the league, and graded out as the top 4-3 DE against the run. He can get good pass rush, but he seals the edge well and has good anchor against rangy OT's.

So, if Bennett is at the LEO, we have Bryant on one side, Mebane,...McDaniels ? I'm wondering who the 3 tech is if we don't play Bryant there (I don't think he's the best 3 tech DT we have, but that's based more on past production or lack thereof). McDaniels looked good there. Not Hill, as he's injured. McDonald ?
Then Bennett at the LEO. Pass rush package, out comes Bryant (or inside to 3 tech), McDaniel at the 3 tech maybe, and Howard has looked better, but is he starting 3 tech material? Schofield or Mayowa at the other rush end, with Irvin filling or stunting from a LB spot (when he's available).

Powell is probably going to be a fringe guy, maybe for the PS. He looked like he lacked a repetoire of rush moves, but he played very well against the run. And I mean very well, from what I saw.

So Kearly, who do you have ranked as our top pass rush DT ?

 

[12th_Bob]

I don't know who's playing where on the DLine at this point except Mebane at the 1 tech for sure but from what I saw watching the Green Bay preseason game, no way Benson Mayowa isn't active at least the first 4 games. Green Bay's Oline is a little shakey but I really like what I say from Benson. Refs missed a hold on a crucial down to extend the Packers first drive and he was there to lay a hit on Rodgers last pass. I like what I've seen from O'Brian too. Crazy too think about how much talent we have in addition when you think about who is still injured. (Mayowa, Shoffield, Irvin, Clemons, Bennett, Brooks, Scruggs, holy crap we also have Hill and Mebane inside!)

 

[Blitzer88]

I would be all for it right now.

 

[Seafan]

IMO Quinn likes Bennett as the base LEO because he's stout against the run.

 

[Fudwamper]

I just think they are going to get the best athletes and players on the field. I really like the options they have available. It almost feels like bandit defense but with Leo's. Avril, Bennett, Clemons, and Irvin at DE and OLB. Interesting match ups and looks.