Thanks for everything, Biggie

[Pigskin]

Tony Jones was superb and was an instant upgrade in the speed, tackling and physicality dept.  What remains to be seen is what he can do in the brain "QB of the D" dept.  We don't have much to go on there (yet).

Let's say he's not the sharpest knife... we can still make it work by having the "QB of the D" be the WILL (or even something else).  That may be why we retained always-hurt Wilson even whilst letting all the other injury-prone guys walk.

When Bighill went down last season, BA was the "QB" on the D. When BA was out Kramdi stepped in and took over. I am sure with a year under his belt, Jones can "QB" our D.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

When Bighill went down last season, BA was the "QB" on the D. When BA was out Kramdi stepped in and took over. I am sure with a year under his belt, Jones can "QB" our D.

I don't think it's a one man job anymore, Nichols and Holm are key communicators along with Kramdi and BA, which is the benefit of having an experienced secondary.  On the frontline, like it or not, it's usually Jake who communicates the signals.

[TecnoGenius]

When Bighill went down last season, BA was the "QB" on the D. When BA was out Kramdi stepped in and took over. I am sure with a year under his belt, Jones can "QB" our D.

Ya, could be SAM doing it.  I'm not sure it works as well with a DB/FS doing it... too far away from the DL and LB.

If Kramdi was the brains / communicator then he could possibly be "it" for taking over this role in perpetuity.  Then you make him a BFL as he offers so many advantages, as MOS is always pointing out.

Gotta hand it to Kramdi, not many would have guessed he would become everything that he has.  But Mafia saw it!  Great player.

[Jesse]

I think you might be over estimating this "QB of the D" narrative. Seems like an off hand comment a coach made one time about a great MLB and just became a thing for media to write article about. An overused cliche that doesn't mean anything.

You can't hear anything a player is saying on the field. You need to be able to communicate with everyone who plays around you. You see players looking over at other players next to them and making hand signals about how the offence is lining up and who is covering who in that alignment. No one is looking over at any single player to get them lined up correctly.

[blue_or_die]

I think you might be over estimating this "QB of the D" narrative. Seems like an off hand comment a coach made one time about a great MLB and just became a thing for media to write article about. An overused cliche that doesn't mean anything.

You can't hear anything a player is saying on the field. You need to be able to communicate with everyone who plays around you. You see players looking over at other players next to them and making hand signals about how the offence is lining up and who is covering who in that alignment. No one is looking over at any single player to get them lined up correctly.

I believe there is such things as a "QB of the D", but I don't think any of us knows who that is or why.

[theaardvark]

I think the reference to "QB of the D" isn't exactly meaning he calls the play, makes changes at the line, etc.  I think its more of the moral leader, guy that puts the team on his back and carries them as far as he can kinda guy. 

D calls come from the sidelines, and in each group they decide the play.  DL, LB, WSDB, SSDB, FS all have different roles each down, and I don't think the MLB or the "QB of the D" calls that.  He might be in charge of changing one of them depending on set, but I would think each group has its "QB" that makes adjustments.

That said, I am sure there are players that are leaders on the D that the rest look up to, and Biggie was the epitome of that, for sure.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think the reference to "QB of the D" isn't exactly meaning he calls the play, makes changes at the line, etc.  I think its more of the moral leader, guy that puts the team on his back and carries them as far as he can kinda guy. 

D calls come from the sidelines, and in each group they decide the play.  DL, LB, WSDB, SSDB, FS all have different roles each down, and I don't think the MLB or the "QB of the D" calls that.  He might be in charge of changing one of them depending on set, but I would think each group has its "QB" that makes adjustments.

That said, I am sure there are players that are leaders on the D that the rest look up to, and Biggie was the epitome of that, for sure.

BA was the leader of the secondary until injuries came his way, picking up the signal from the sidelines and making sure both sides knew what they were doing. Noticed Holm helping Ford a lot with his positioning especially early in the season, I imagine Nichols was doing the same for Bond on the other corner.  Quite amazing how good the secondary was last season starting two very inexperienced corners, normally that's a recipe for disaster, kudos to the defensive staff.

[TecnoGenius]

I believe there is such things as a "QB of the D", but I don't think any of us knows who that is or why.

I don't know.  It seemed pretty clear that was Biggie most of the time he was here and on-field.  That's probably most of why our D got so good after he signed, and why we often struggled when he was injured (until maybe his last year).

So often you can see him pointing and moving and calling out things to his fellow LBers and DL.  And he's often the only one doing it.  That spells QB to me.

[TecnoGenius]

D calls come from the sidelines, and in each group they decide the play.  DL, LB, WSDB, SSDB, FS all have different roles each down, and I don't think the MLB or the "QB of the D" calls that.  He might be in charge of changing one of them depending on set, but I would think each group has its "QB" that makes adjustments.

Yes, it's all about post-huddle post-call but pre-snap adjustments.  RECs crossing, changing formation.  Someone has to recognize what they are doing, probably from film study, and possibly realigning or changing the DC play call on the fly.

I bet this happens a ton.

[DM83]

So none of you played football and are offering wrong opinions.

For the most part
One is a defensive alignment/slant call, the second is the LBs gap based on the D line, and the the third IS THE dBs coverage.
Blitz's are called for certain guys or positions.

These calls are sent in by the d coordinator, with the exception of DB coverage.  All are based on tendencies., accumulated from the previous weeks game, with relation to prior contests between the teams. Emphasis should be based on most recent games.

In the past based on Wpgs. Play

First down- off tackle left, or a search left where the RB finds the hole on the line.
2nd down and five-ish - fake. Run to Brady, dump to him, short hooks to all, or a crossing pattern
2yrs ago- 2nd and long vs man - corner pattern to either Lawler or Demski. Or vs. zone a seam to Schoen or the other "slot"

Based on previous games and charting, tendencies can be noted, and the most likely plays run by the offence can be taken away.

The entire defensive team knows the plays the opponent likes to run on certain downs, field position, and usually tries to take the play away or jump the route. This applies to the front seven with emphasis on all gaps are accounted for, including outside contain.

[J5V]

So none of you played football and are offering wrong opinions.

For the most part
One is a defensive alignment/slant call, the second is the LBs gap based on the D line, and the the third IS THE dBs coverage.
Blitz's are called for certain guys or positions.

These calls are sent in by the d coordinator, with the exception of DB coverage.  All are based on tendencies., accumulated from the previous weeks game, with relation to prior contests between the teams. Emphasis should be based on most recent games.

In the past based on Wpgs. Play

First down- off tackle left, or a search left where the RB finds the hole on the line.
2nd down and five-ish - fake. Run to Brady, dump to him, short hooks to all, or a crossing pattern
2yrs ago- 2nd and long vs man - corner pattern to either Lawler or Demski. Or vs. zone a seam to Schoen or the other "slot"

Based on previous games and charting, tendencies can be noted, and the most likely plays run by the offence can be taken away.

The entire defensive team knows the plays the opponent likes to run on certain downs, field position, and usually tries to take the play away or jump the route. This applies to the front seven with emphasis on all gaps are accounted for, including outside contain.

I had to read this a couple of times before I could understand and envision what you were saying. So the D coordinator sends in the calls except for the DBs. What happens on D when the QB audibles because he doesn't like what the D is doing? Does somebody on D also audible depending on what he thinks the QB has changed the play to or is there not enough time? Do the D players sometimes leave the structure and freelance because they think they see what's coming?

[TecnoGenius]

So none of you played football and are offering wrong opinions.

Good insights.  However, back to the "QB of the D": how much is direction from the MLB to the less-senior LBers/DL/DBs to adjust to pre-snap alignment/movement?  We're used to seeing Biggie do so much direction.  He's not just doing it for his health.

There's got to be someone (or 2) who take charge and point out tricks/blindspots they know the rookies are not going to see otherwise.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Good insights.  However, back to the "QB of the D": how much is direction from the MLB to the less-senior LBers/DL/DBs to adjust to pre-snap alignment/movement?  We're used to seeing Biggie do so much direction.  He's not just doing it for his health.

There's got to be someone (or 2) who take charge and point out tricks/blindspots they know the rookies are not going to see otherwise.

Much of their decisions are based on film study of the opponents formations and the communication between D-backs is making sure they're on the same page, they don't rely on the sideline to tell them what to do on every play.