Quote:
Originally Posted by Schneed10
Interesting stuff here from PFF on Inside LB play last year. Mason Foster was rated as the most productive pass rusher from the Inside LB spot. Martrell Spaight was the most efficient run stopper in the league from this spot. And Zach Vigil was 3rd best in passer rating allowed when targeted.
I think all of those things make sense - Spaight is know as a thumper and Vigil did surprisingly well in coverage last year, he acquitted himself well.
The problem is Spaight may be good against the run but he's a disaster in coverage, and Vigil may have defended the pass well but not well enough to avoid being heavily targeted by QBs.
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I'm really hesitant to read too much into the Spaight ranking against the run without more information about where the stops occurred.
Anecdotally, he always was a step behind.
I believe his slow read and reaction stood out more in coverage because you can clearly see the space between where he was compared to where he should be.
I think a SLIGHTLY (not glaring) slow read and reaction by a defender, especially a linebacker can be masked a bit because he usually has some distance when he begins to close on the ball.
When Brown and Foster were healthy, they were making stops for losses and only slight gains. It seems like Spaight was making his sure handed tackles after the player had already gained yardage. (i'm sure injuries to the DLine contributed to this) Spaight just always seemed a step behind to me.
The coaches saw something they didn't like at the end of the year. Despite all the injuries, he didn't get the playing time a true 2nd stringer should have gotten.
I think he is on the roster bubble this year and struggles to make the team.
Thoughts?