What position will Groot play in Leonhard's 3-4?

[Flipnmi]

In the past weeks, I've read some strong opinions that Groot will play the 5T in Leonhard's defense and others that he will be an OLB. He's reportedly been public with his preference to play OLB, but based on his ability to inside on passing downs for McDermott, the 5T spot also seems like a natural fit. I can see it going either way or perhaps situationally some of both, since versatility seems to be the new mantra. The current roster is clearly deeper in 5T candidates, but that may change with free agency and the draft, so I'm hopeful that need is not a factor. I don't believe he's a tweener that doesn't fit in either position, it's just a matter of where he fits best and can make the greatest impact in.

What's your opinion (prediction) and why?

[Kelly to Allen]

Probably 5tech on run downs and more wide on passing Downs 

[Captain Hindsight]

[NewEra]

5 minutes ago, Kelly to Allen said:

Probably 5tech on run downs and more wide on passing Downs 

Interesting.  Why do you feel that way?

 

I thought it would be the opposite.  On run downs, having on the outside to prevent anything from getting around the corner allows us to funnel everything to the middle and call plays accordingly.  Placing him at the 5T on pass downs allows him to strictly rush the passer and do what he does best, clean up.  Having more explosive rushers on the edge can funnel the QB into him.  jmo.  
 

Would love for someone more educated in this alignment chime to in with their input. It’s an interesting discussion and more enjoyable than the current threads.  @Buffalo716 @HoofHearted @GunnerBill @gonzo1105

[BillsSbSoon]

5 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Interesting.  Why do you feel that way?

 

I thought it would be the opposite.  On run downs, having on the outside to prevent anything from getting around the corner allows us to funnel everything to the middle and call plays accordingly.  Placing him at the 5T on pass downs allows him to strictly rush the passer and do what he does best, clean up.  Having more explosive rushers on the edge can funnel the QB into him.  jmo.  
 

Would love for someone more educated in this alignment chime to in with their input. It’s an interesting discussion and more enjoyable than the current threads.  @Buffalo716 @HoofHearted @GunnerBill @gonzo1105

I would think part of it is because he is an elite edge setter vs the run. You’d lose that if you have him standing up all the time. On the other hand typically a de in a 43 goes to a olb in a 34. 

Edited March 8 by BillsSbSoon

[papazoid]

great question....i say he can play both but would likely be a lil better as a DE than the OLB. we haven't seen him cover a te or rb much, if at hardly ever in McD's defense

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Outside LB mostly, 'Joker' I believe. 
 

5-tech occasionally. 

[NewEra]

6 minutes ago, BillsSbSoon said:

I would think part of it is because he is an elite edge setter vs the run. You’d lose that if you have him standing up all the time. On the other hand typically a de in a 43 goes to a olb in a 34. 

Thanks.  Yeah, I agree that shifting to the edge makes sense for him.  
 

I’m just thinking that adding him to the edge on run downs would just add more size and strength to the equation.  We’d then have more size and strength to combat the run:  Having a bendy speed rusher with less length could lead to our opposition being able to get around the corner.  
 

Side note:  Joe Marino pegged Groot as a 5T full time in one of his recent videos.   While in another video by cover1 (while I haven’t watched this one) I’ve seen posters say that Groot said he was an OLB in the new scheme.  Personally, I see him as an OLB that would be more effective on pass downs rushing from the 5T

[TheyCallMeAndy]

1 minute ago, papazoid said:

great question....i say he can play both but would likely be a lil better as a DE than the OLB. we haven't seen him cover a te or rb much, if at hardly ever in McD's defense

Not sure how many coverage snaps he has played, but he's been targeted in coverage 29 times in his career, and 16 the last 2 years. 
 

Kahlil Mack is at 38 dating back to 2018, both men average 6 targets a season. I don't think Groot will drop significantly more than he has been. 
 

Hoecht has been targeted 46 times in his career, averaging 11 a season. Last year was his first season at DE, he had been a 34 OLB

[NewEra]

3 minutes ago, papazoid said:

great question....i say he can play both but would likely be a lil better as a DE than the OLB. we haven't seen him cover a te or rb much, if at hardly ever in McD's defense

I view him more of a blockade in coverage.  Ask him to spot drop in a short zone and use his length to disrupt passing lanes and additionally funnel the RBs to certain areas in the pass game. I don’t think leonhard would ask him to play man coverage. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

4 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Thanks.  Yeah, I agree that shifting to the edge makes sense for him.  
 

I’m just thinking that adding him to the edge on run downs would just add more size and strength to the equation.  We’d then have more size and strength to combat the run:  Having a bendy speed rusher with less length could lead to our opposition being able to get around the corner.  
 

Side note:  Joe Marino pegged Groot as a 5T full time in one of his recent videos.   While in another video by cover1 (while I haven’t watched this one) I’ve seen posters say that Groot said he was an OLB in the new scheme.  Personally, I see him as an OLB that would be more effective on pass downs rushing from the 5T

That is correct, Groot told Cover1 he was playing OLB. I'm sure he sprinkles in at DE in similar situations like How he'd line up at DT to rush in the past. 
 

 

[PrimeTime101]

29 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Interesting.  Why do you feel that way?

 

I thought it would be the opposite.  On run downs, having on the outside to prevent anything from getting around the corner allows us to funnel everything to the middle and call plays accordingly.  Placing him at the 5T on pass downs allows him to strictly rush the passer and do what he does best, clean up.  Having more explosive rushers on the edge can funnel the QB into him.  jmo.  
 

Would love for someone more educated in this alignment chime to in with their input. It’s an interesting discussion and more enjoyable than the current threads.  @Buffalo716 @HoofHearted @GunnerBill @gonzo1105

you didn't invite me? shame on you.. well.. Ill make this simple lol 

 

Rousseau was ranked as the top edge defender in the NFL with an 85.1 run-defense grade We may disagree from time to time but here? SPOT ON! 

[NewEra]

12 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

you didn't invite me? shame on you.. well.. Ill make this simple lol 

 

Rousseau was ranked as the top edge defender in the NFL with an 85.1 run-defense grade We may disagree from time to time but here? SPOT ON! 

👍🏻 thanks. Yeah, I would think moving him inside, especially on run would limit what he does best. Set the edge vs the run.  He’s a weapon on the edge in containment.  

[SoonerBillsFan]

Dont know, but Im not convinced he has a position.

17 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

you didn't invite me? shame on you.. well.. Ill make this simple lol 

 

Rousseau was ranked as the top edge defender in the NFL with an 85.1 run-defense grade We may disagree from time to time but here? SPOT ON! 

We aren't going to be worried about Edge Run defense, its about getting to the QB and RB and attacking.  If we feel he doesn't have a legit starting spot, I trade him during the draft. 

[wppete]

I have a feeling he will play OLB.would a terror out there. 
 

Think the front could look like this:

 

OLB - Michael Hoeycht

DE - Ed Oliver

N - FA/Deone Walker

DE - Deone Walker/TJ Sanders

OLB - Greg Rousseau 

 

[DapperCam]

Is he fast enough to play OLB? Will be strange to see such a large person standing up like that.

[NewEra]

10 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Dont know, but Im not convinced he has a position.

We aren't going to be worried about Edge Run defense, its about getting to the QB and RB and attacking.  If we feel he doesn't have a legit starting spot, I trade him during the draft. 

We’d take on an additional 20m+ in dead cap if we trade him.  He’s not going anywhere

[PrimeTime101]

13 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Dont know, but Im not convinced he has a position.

We aren't going to be worried about Edge Run defense, its about getting to the QB and RB and attacking.  If we feel he doesn't have a legit starting spot, I trade him during the draft. 

lets be clear.. i defend my pukes. always.. 1000%

 

you really want that much dead cap trading him? This is crazy.. so you have to do the next best thing. USE the guy. USE him where its needed.. Obvious run downs just for starters... and and some first downs when teams trend running on first downs.  Every player does not have to play 60% of the snaps all the time...  HORRIBLE take.. Trade? come on man... 

[NewEra]

5 minutes ago, wppete said:

I have a feeling he will play OLB.would a terror out there. 
 

Think the front could look like this:

 

OLB - Michael Hoeycht

DE - Ed Oliver

N - FA/Deone Walker

DE - Deone Walker/TJ Sanders

OLB - Greg Rousseau 

 

I think we’ll add another 5T in FA and draft an explosive edge rusher on day 1-2 in the draft and add another in FA.    Hoecht might not ever be up to 💯 this season and we may not get him back until November/december, but he’ll be slotted there when he’s back

[PrimeTime101]

4 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I think we’ll add another 5T in FA and draft an explosive edge rusher on day 1-2 in the draft and add another in FA.    Hoecht might not ever be up to 💯 this season and we may not get him back until November/december, but he’ll be slotted there when he’s back

I think people also have to remember. Beane does a good job at filling positions pre draft so we have wiggle room when draft comes to attempt to find better young talent for future years. Point in case. Cole Bishop. People need time to grow when they hit the speed of the nfl.. SO i do not expect such a major hole on this team where come draft time.. We have to get this position or that position. 

 

That being said lol.. There will always be top 3 positions we HOPE to upgrade through the first 4 rounds of draft for our future. and maybe a golden nugget later.