I like Cole as a RDE. He's real comfortable there, so why mess with a good thing?
Freak played LDE, so your option is to: (1) Flop Howard to LDE from RDE, (2) play Juqua Thomas as starting LDE, (3) flop Cole and make him play LDE, (4) start McDougle at LDE.
Best option IMO is McDougle. here's why. The LDE plays against right tackles of the O. The ROT's are the power players, the big bodies (ex. Runyan). Freak was unusual in that he played run pretty well against the big biys, but really his speed paid off in pass situations running around these behemoth RT's who usually play power DE's not speed guys. Usually the speed rushers are your RDE's-like Freeney.
McDougle IS a good run defender. He is a good fit at LDE, and was a sub there in the past. Thomas is way too small and would get worn down at LDE. I also hate to take Cole out of his zone. Howard could easily flop sides, but he anchors the WEAK SIDE of the D. He is strong and good at fighting off the seal on the backsie of the play. he was KEY in bottling up Tiki's cutbacks, because he powered the LOT and maintained good postion. This lets McCoy fly around. If McCoy plays well, he should thank the unsung Howard for making his job easier and keeping him clena and allowing him to flow to the ball. WIP morons who bash Howard for no sacks are not watching him contain Tiki. Whatever.
McDougle can play. I like the explosion off the ball Im saw before he got the rib injury. His sack against Cleveland showed he still has the burst. he has plenty of speed and will cause RT's problems just like Jevon. He just can't stand up and rush and get moved around and play Joker like JK. But he will get sacks and pressure and we shouldn't miss a beat.
People forget that our baby DT's will get better as the seaon goes on. So the dropoff from losing JK will be balanced by the improvement of Bunkley, Patterson, ect. Walker also looks strong and should benefit from the rotation-he's still a real nice inside rush DT.
Finally, the wildcard is Ramsey. This kid is so athliteic you could play him at LDE on certain run downs. He is a stud IMO. I love this kid's potential-he's more athletic than even Bunkley or Patterson in terms of how he moves!
So I see a loss of flexibility in terms of the packages JJ can run, but no steep drop off in pressure with a Howard, Cole, McDougle, Thomas rotation at DE. If it was me, I'd think about using Trotter in the Joker role in the nickle, as he is strong enough to take on the OL and still quick enough to make a few plays. Not ideal, but you want Barber in coverage. Don't laugh, but Ramsey runs well enough to maybe play some of the standup rush stuff. You heard it here first if it happens. My best guess is they would use Jason Short at Joker--he got time at DE this summer, and he moves well for a 260 lbs guy.
Freak played LDE, so your option is to: (1) Flop Howard to LDE from RDE, (2) play Juqua Thomas as starting LDE, (3) flop Cole and make him play LDE, (4) start McDougle at LDE.
Best option IMO is McDougle. here's why. The LDE plays against right tackles of the O. The ROT's are the power players, the big bodies (ex. Runyan). Freak was unusual in that he played run pretty well against the big biys, but really his speed paid off in pass situations running around these behemoth RT's who usually play power DE's not speed guys. Usually the speed rushers are your RDE's-like Freeney.
McDougle IS a good run defender. He is a good fit at LDE, and was a sub there in the past. Thomas is way too small and would get worn down at LDE. I also hate to take Cole out of his zone. Howard could easily flop sides, but he anchors the WEAK SIDE of the D. He is strong and good at fighting off the seal on the backsie of the play. he was KEY in bottling up Tiki's cutbacks, because he powered the LOT and maintained good postion. This lets McCoy fly around. If McCoy plays well, he should thank the unsung Howard for making his job easier and keeping him clena and allowing him to flow to the ball. WIP morons who bash Howard for no sacks are not watching him contain Tiki. Whatever.
McDougle can play. I like the explosion off the ball Im saw before he got the rib injury. His sack against Cleveland showed he still has the burst. he has plenty of speed and will cause RT's problems just like Jevon. He just can't stand up and rush and get moved around and play Joker like JK. But he will get sacks and pressure and we shouldn't miss a beat.
People forget that our baby DT's will get better as the seaon goes on. So the dropoff from losing JK will be balanced by the improvement of Bunkley, Patterson, ect. Walker also looks strong and should benefit from the rotation-he's still a real nice inside rush DT.
Finally, the wildcard is Ramsey. This kid is so athliteic you could play him at LDE on certain run downs. He is a stud IMO. I love this kid's potential-he's more athletic than even Bunkley or Patterson in terms of how he moves!
So I see a loss of flexibility in terms of the packages JJ can run, but no steep drop off in pressure with a Howard, Cole, McDougle, Thomas rotation at DE. If it was me, I'd think about using Trotter in the Joker role in the nickle, as he is strong enough to take on the OL and still quick enough to make a few plays. Not ideal, but you want Barber in coverage. Don't laugh, but Ramsey runs well enough to maybe play some of the standup rush stuff. You heard it here first if it happens. My best guess is they would use Jason Short at Joker--he got time at DE this summer, and he moves well for a 260 lbs guy.
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