Post Email: Noble Gains Confidence

Cut Noble and Salave'a right now, these guys aren't getting any stats... oh wait a minute this isn't Madden, nevermind

wow, cut every backup for not immediately getting 300 rushing yards, what the hell??

some people need to chill ;)

No because check his stats in tackles. Against the Ravens he had one tackle. Please.
It is not his (main) job to make tackles. He is there to occupy blockers so OTHER players can make plays. He is doing fine.

Considering that, I wonder if his play had anything to do with Griffin having a great game?

Given our success against the run, you want to CUT our d-linemen, SUNRA?????

SkinsRock is correct: the role of Noble and Salave'a in this defense is to occupy o-linemen, clog lanes, and collapse the pocket, mainly in order to free our LBs to make plays.

I think Griffin's outstanding performance thus far is due in large part to the overachieving performances of Noble and Salave'a alongside him. Though all three players are "defensive tackles", Griffin's role is significantly different from that of the other two tackles. Noble and Salave'a are nose tackles, occupying the center and guard, and providing Griffin-- who generally plays the more athletic 3-technique-- with an easier path into the backfield. Since most blocking schemes are designed to double-team the nose tackle with the guard and center, it is the duty of the nose tackle to keep those blockers occupied, and prevent them from sliding off and blocking Griffin. This allows Griffin, as well as the other front-seven defenders, to penetrate and make plays. Thus, the statistical performance of those defenders is largely a product of how well the nose tackle is doing his job-- which generally doesn't reward him with eye-popping stats of his own.

That's not to say that Noble or Salave'a are great defensive tackles. They're quietly effective at performing their assigned duty, which is to provide the more physically talented tackle next to them with more opportunities to make plays. You'll never see these guys racking up lots of sacks or tackles, but I'm sure if you asked Greg Blache, Gregg Williams or Cornelius Griffin, they'd tell you that Noble and Salave'a are a big reason why this defense is doing so well.

I can't believe you guys complain about a player when our team is finally shutting down a teams running game. Give me break. Those guys have played awsome. Did you think those tackles are actually taken up the linemans blocks and allowing the linebackers and the safties the oppurtunity for tackles. Watch and know football and then comment. And to the comment that the ball was thrown in Nobles groin, be real dude, he slapped the ball with his hand and he was 10 feet from the QB. WATCH PLEASE

I think Griffin's outstanding performance thus far is due in large part to the overachieving performances of Noble and Salave'a alongside him. Though all three players are "defensive tackles", Griffin's role is significantly different from that of the other two tackles. Noble and Salave'a are nose tackles, occupying the center and guard, and providing Griffin-- who generally plays the more athletic 3-technique-- with an easier path into the backfield. Since most blocking schemes are designed to double-team the nose tackle with the guard and center, it is the duty of the nose tackle to keep those blockers occupied, and prevent them from sliding off and blocking Griffin. This allows Griffin, as well as the other front-seven defenders, to penetrate and make plays. Thus, the statistical performance of those defenders is largely a product of how well the nose tackle is doing his job-- which generally doesn't reward him with eye-popping stats of his own.

That's not to say that Noble or Salave'a are great defensive tackles. They're quietly effective at performing their assigned duty, which is to provide the more physically talented tackle next to them with more opportunities to make plays. You'll never see these guys racking up lots of sacks or tackles, but I'm sure if you asked Greg Blache, Gregg Williams or Cornelius Griffin, they'd tell you that Noble and Salave'a are a big reason why this defense is doing so well.

I disagree. I know what a nose tackle is and I think Williams and Blache would point to Cornelius Griffin, Renaldo Wynn, Ron Warner and Demetric Evans for the success of the line. When I think of the epidemy of a nose tackle, I think of Dave Butz. Big, not physically agile but successful at beating his man. Defensive Tackles are not called that for the purpose of occupying the center and the guard so that the Defensive End can get to the backfield. Their job intels getting to the QB and stopping the run. More than often the defensive tackles have to beat the man in front of him. They are given assignments on the man that they are lined-up in front of and the success at the line depends on the individuals effort to beat his man.

I can't believe you guys complain about a player when our team is finally shutting down a teams running game. Give me break. Those guys have played awsome. Did you think those tackles are actually taken up the linemans blocks and allowing the linebackers and the safties the opportunity for tackles. Watch and know football and then comment. And to the comment that the ball was thrown in Nobles groin, be real dude, he slapped the ball with his hand and he was 10 feet from the QB. WATCH PLEASE

90% of the threads that are posted on this website are "punk protests" about individual players who they feel should be replaced for one reason or another. You sir , probably have never played the game otherthan on your television screen. Save your armchair analysis and comments to yourself. Because last I checked, not one person on this website has a superior knowledge on any given subject. If they think they do, they should apply online for a "Redskins Dream Job."

I disagree..Ah, yes. I thought you would. Perhaps you would be more agreeable to the opinion of "an experienced coach," rather than an "enlightened fan":

http://www.thewarpath.net/camp04/Blache.mp3

In case you don't feel like listening to the clip:

Greg Blache on the differences between nose tackles and 3-techniques:

"Your 3-technique is more of a pass rush, more of an athletic type of tackle. Your nose tackle is more of a run player, he's the anchor, he's the focal point of the defense. You want to force them to have to block him with two people; mathematically you start a domino effect if they've got to block him with two people to run the ball inside. If you can do that, then everything else kind of stems off of that.

But your 3-technique is definitely much more of a playmaker, whereas your nose, your shade, is more of an anchor guy."

Blache on which particular players fit into those different roles:

"Right now, Joe Salave'a and Brandon Noble are more true nose tackles. Jermaine Haley's a little bit of each; he can play the "3", he can play the nose. Joe Salave'a can play the "3" in a clutch, and Brandon's smart enough to be able to line up there and do it, but those guys are concentrating more at the nose."

ouch, rack JC!