Run D better with KJ at Mike than Wags?

[King Dog]

All right. Let me preface this by saying I've had a few cocktails tonight. However, I went back and watched the past couple of games. Does anyone else think we may be better against the run with KJ at Mike than Wags?

I'm not saying we are, I'm just asking. It looks like it to me. KJ looked pretty good, and I like what Malcolm Smith has been bringing.

 

[Sturm]

Yes.

I'm rewatching the Rams game right now and Wagner constantly:

A: Gets washed out of the play by an OT
B: Takes the wrong hole, leaving the RB free to run to the next level

Maybe it's just inexperience or just a bad game but he was doing all the wrong things during the Rams game.

 

[Sac]

Jameson and Ginger Ale for me.

 

[Happypuppy]

I think we wait and see this week. He was coming back from his ankle.

 

[bestfightstory]

This was postulated by somebody the other day, so you two are not alone.

 

[McGruff]

The difference is not Wright in the middle. The difference is Smith at OLB.

 

[HawkFan72]

I think we're better with KJ not at his current position period.

Put him back at the LB spot he was last year or have him in the middle. This new experiment is not working out.

 

[DavidSeven]

Couple things:

1. St. Louis hasn't run the ball well the entire season, but Zac Stacy just started playing four games ago. He has emerged as a legit running back while playing against the top three defenses in the NFL (HOU, CAR, SEA). His 4.6 YPC puts him in elite back territory.

2. ARI and TEN have two of the least productive feature backs in the NFL. Chris Johnson and Rashard Mendenhall are averaging 3 yards a carry. Not difficult to stop.

 

[FlyingGreg]

It may be just me, but I thought Wags would be much more of a playmaker this year. He doesn't seem the same.

 

[Tical21]

He very well might be. I have been steadfast since the moment Wagner was drafted that his center of gravity isn't low enough to fill holes and stop the run. But the beauty of the whole thing is that it really doesn't matter. Wagner was drafted because of his coverage skills. Stopping the pass is way more important than stopping the run in the current NFL. There aren't many teams that are really going to run a power game. Besides, the Rams ran all over the field on us and scored how many points?

 

[UGotHawked]

I was hesitant to say anything, but I was so impressed with the way KJ played the Mike that I have quietly wondered if it is his best position. Also trying to imagine Wags playing on the outside. Hmmmmm.

 

[HawKnPeppa]

The difference is not Wright in the middle. The difference is Smith at OLB.

Exactly! Smith might not bring the WOW factor that Irvin does, but his game is much more sound and his instincts are clearly better. This coaching staff likes to pretend that draft position/pay has no bearing on playing time, but starting Irvin over M. Smith says otherwise, IMO.

 

[Blitzer88]

He very well might be. I have been steadfast since the moment Wagner was drafted that his center of gravity isn't low enough to fill holes and stop the run. But the beauty of the whole thing is that it really doesn't matter. Wagner was drafted because of his coverage skills. Stopping the pass is way more important than stopping the run in the current NFL. There aren't many teams that are really going to run a power game. Besides, the Rams ran all over the field on us and scored how many points?

The difference is not Wright in the middle. The difference is Smith at OLB.

Exactly! Smith might not bring the WOW factor that Irvin does, but his game is much more sound and his instincts are clearly better. This coaching staff likes to pretend that draft position/pay has no bearing on playing time, but starting Irvin over M. Smith says otherwise, IMO.

agree with all of this.

 

[Subzero717]

As stated someone else mentioned it and it had me thinking. Even last year vs The DC football team and ATL in playoffs.

 

[amill87]

The difference is not Wright in the middle. The difference is Smith at OLB.

Exactly! Smith might not bring the WOW factor that Irvin does, but his game is much more sound and his instincts are clearly better. This coaching staff likes to pretend that draft position/pay has no bearing on playing time, but starting Irvin over M. Smith says otherwise, IMO.

Oh really? Yeah that money for Flynn really stopped them from playing Wilson.

Or the draft picks on ej Wilson, John moffit, and Chris Harper say otherwise.

Come on man.

I am probably biased cause I really like Wagner and he was so good last year but it sure appeared that we were better with the smith, wright, Irvin combo. I wonder if they would consider swapping wright and smith at will?

 

[Missing_Clink]

Count me as one of the group that thinks Wagner may regressed this year. I'm not doing all kinds of film study, so it's really just the eye test, but it sure looks like he is making far more mistakes and making less plays. Maybe he's just been hurt...idk. I was sure he was the next great MLB in the NFL and this year he looks like just a guy

 

[rigelian]

I don't think Wags has regressed. I think this was his first game back after a high ankle sprain. Which means he's not 100% and he's a bit rusty. Our run defense has worked pretty well when he was in the games earlier in the season.

 

[Atradees]

KJ is a freak with length. I think he makes a great MLB.

Wagner is a good player.

Maybe Irvin gets better? IDK

 

[formido]

SF has a pretty great rush offense, and we held their RBs to less than 2 ypc. I doubt St. Louis running wild is all on Wagner.

 

[Seafan]

I've said this for a while. I was hoping he would grow into his role better since he was a rookie last year. Reminds me of Hawthorn early on. Big hits and stops and huge runs up the middle. I know Quinn knows this. I'm sure Norton is completely frustrated by it. I'd like to see less of Wags until he cleans this up.