Nickel LB = S (1 Viewer)

[BoltBacker]

Has this been going on for awhile? First I was mildly surprised to hear SF may use Lewis in that capacity and now it seems DAL may follow suit and play Roy Williams @LB in the nickel. There have been plenty of S's that were physical-at-the-line-of-scrimmage types(Rodney Harrison, Steve Atwater, Kenny Easly, John Lynch) but I don't remember any of them playing LB in the nickel.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Has this been going on for awhile? First I was mildly surprised to hear SF may use Lewis in that capacity and now it seems DAL may follow suit and play Roy Williams @LB in the nickel. There have been plenty of S's that were physical-at-the-line-of-scrimmage types(Rodney Harrison, Steve Atwater, Kenny Easly, John Lynch) but I don't remember any of them playing LB in the nickel.

It isn't too uncommon for teams to play this way if they have three good safeties. Arizona, Philadelphia and Oakland have tried to do it in recent years and St. Louis did it (albeit more out of necessity due to injuries among their linebacker corps) some years ago. The Patriots and Broncos have played a fair amount of "Big Nickel" during the past two seasons as well.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Michael Lewis may also get the chance to play LB in the nickle.

 

[BoltBacker]

The Patriots and Broncos have played a fair amount of "Big Nickel" during the past two seasons as well.

Wasn't the "Big Nickel" when you don't bring in a 3rd CB but instead bring in a 3rd S??? That's what I had always assumed the term meant. Of course in the case of DEN(and even NE to a lesser extent) some of their DB's have played at both S and CB(Foxworth for instance).

 

[Jene Bramel]

The Patriots and Broncos have played a fair amount of "Big Nickel" during the past two seasons as well.

Wasn't the "Big Nickel" when you don't bring in a 3rd CB but instead bring in a 3rd S??? That's what I had always assumed the term meant. Of course in the case of DEN(and even NE to a lesser extent) some of their DB's have played at both S and CB(Foxworth for instance).

Yes it is. It's a two linebacker/three safety package. Often times, though, the third safety is rotated down into the box and used as a linebacker. Sometimes they have coverage responsibilities, sometimes not.

 

[Afro Samurai]

Way back in Haslett's early days, the Saint used to use Chris Oldham in this role. Kind of a "rover", if you will.

 

[Ed4252]

Is there a risk of MFL changing Lewis' position and how does this affect his value if he stays at his SS position?

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Is there a risk of MFL changing Lewis' position and how does this affect his value if he stays at position stays SS?

I don't see them changing his position because he will primarily be a safety. The LB role will only be in passing situations if it happens.

 

[BoltBacker]

Are there any other S's that may be playing LB this year in the Nickel? The reason I ask is if several teams start imploying this tactic(3cb's/3s's/1lb) wouldn't offenses counter this move by running more draws on third downs? If you can get a rb past the line of scrimmage in a situation where all the DL are thinking rush the passer there's only 1lb left in the defense for the RB to elude. Could we see a slight spike in productivity in 3rd down backs(let's use Kevin Faulk as an example). He'll still get his catches but if you sprinkled in a few more running stats he could actually put up respectable #'s in deep leagues that require you to start more than one rb. I'm not saying he's going to turn into a stud, I'm just saying guys like that could go from 50-70FP/season to 70-90FP/season.

 

[BoltBacker]

"Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports Oakland Raiders FS Stuart Schweigert is not expected to be the odd-man out in the team's secondary after the addition of free-agent SS Donovin Darius (Jaguars) earlier in the week. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is believed to want to use Schweigert, Darius and SS Michael Huff on the field at the same time, even on early downs." ~ KFFL

There's a third team and they sound as though they may not even wait for nickel situations to play three S's together at the same time.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Blog post about the Big Nickel.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Are there any other S's that may be playing LB this year in the Nickel? The reason I ask is if several teams start imploying this tactic(3cb's/3s's/1lb) wouldn't offenses counter this move by running more draws on third downs?

3CBs + 3 Ss = 6 DBs = dime packagethe big nickel would generally be 4 down linemen, 2 linebackers, and 5 DBs (with 3 safetys and 2CBs). One of those safeties would be a sort of safety/LB hybrid who likely played up in the box to defend the run but would likely be better in coverage and more versatile than most LBs. Sort of like a 3-4 OLB can have DL or LB responsibilities, this player would be a S playing a LB role. If the player is strong against the run and/or a good tackler, they won't hurt your run defense much while still providing better cover options than a 3rd LB would.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Are there any other S's that may be playing LB this year in the Nickel? The reason I ask is if several teams start imploying this tactic(3cb's/3s's/1lb) wouldn't offenses counter this move by running more draws on third downs?

3CBs + 3 Ss = 6 DBs = dime packagethe big nickel would generally be 4 down linemen, 2 linebackers, and 5 DBs (with 3 safetys and 2CBs). One of those safeties would be a sort of safety/LB hybrid who likely played up in the box to defend the run but would likely be better in coverage and more versatile than most LBs. Sort of like a 3-4 OLB can have DL or LB responsibilities, this player would be a S playing a LB role. If the player is strong against the run and/or a good tackler, they won't hurt your run defense much while still providing better cover options than a 3rd LB would.

Just what the fantasy football world needs...another hybrid.