The Major

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

He's a DB. Even if he added 5 lbs, does it make a difference?

At that time maybe not but the SAM position has gone through multiple transitions, from being a full blown LB role in the times of James Wild West and Delbert Fowler to becoming a hybrid role filled by DB's with good cover skills able to help out with pass coverage and a nose for traffic. In recent years with more powerful RB's becoming the norm SAM is trending back towards heavier bodies that can match the RB's weight since the age of scat backs seems to have passed.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Speaking of Moe Leggett, anyone remember this?

[Jesse]

At that time maybe not but the SAM position has gone through multiple transitions, from being a full blown LB role in the times of James Wild West and Delbert Fowler to becoming a hybrid role filled by DB's with good cover skills able to help out with pass coverage and a nose for traffic. In recent years with more powerful RB's becoming the norm SAM is trending back towards heavier bodies that can match the RB's weight since the age of scat backs seems to have passed.

I didn't really notice the trend back to heavier guys that you mentioned, so I checked out the depth charts. A pretty wide assortment of body types, but they're all listed as DBs. I think 230 is as heavy as a CFL linebacker exists these days and Griffin is the only SAM in that area code. The rest sit pretty close to 200.

BC - Williams - 6', 205
EDM - Logan - 6', 210
CGY - Moncrief - 6'1, 217
SSK - Brooks - 5'11, 215
WPG - Griffin - 6', 231
HAM - Stubblefield - 5'11, 192
TOR - Pickett - 5'11, 195
OTT - Reavis - 6', 209
MTL - Murray - 5'9, 187

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I didn't really notice the trend back to heavier guys that you mentioned, so I checked out the depth charts. A pretty wide assortment of body types, but they're all listed as DBs. I think 230 is as heavy as a CFL linebacker exists these days and Griffin is the only SAM in that area code. The rest sit pretty close to 200.

BC - Williams - 6', 205
EDM - Logan - 6', 210
CGY - Moncrief - 6'1, 217
SSK - Brooks - 5'11, 215
WPG - Griffin - 6', 231
HAM - Stubblefield - 5'11, 192
TOR - Pickett - 5'11, 195
OTT - Reavis - 6', 209
MTL - Murray - 5'9, 187

Typical DB's are 180-190, so 210-220 is a fairly significant jump in muscle power. Bombers may be setting a new trend with all the 225+ lb. LB types they are stocking up on now.

James West wasn't as big as I remembered, 6'-2" 232 lbs.

[Tecno]

James West wasn't as big as I remembered, 6'-2" 132 lbs.

Uh, pretty sure he wasn't like me in high school!         

[BomberFan73]

You sure?  He was pretty skinny when he first arrived playing Safety, but by the time he was done I thought he was pretty jacked playing SAM.  Speaking of Moe, anyone know if he still lives in Wpg?

I had seen him a few times in Stonewall when my son practiced out there - but that was about 5 years ago.
Leggett was also listed at 195 at the time, and later was playing HB.
I agree with everyone missing him - that fake return was a thing of beauty.

[J5V]

That's about all I know, haven't watched a game since Barry Sanders retired.

Ahh ... Sweetness! No wait ... that was Walter Payton. I guess Barry was just ... Barry.

[Tecno]

Leggett was also listed at 195 at the time, and later was playing HB.
I agree with everyone missing him - that fake return was a thing of beauty.

The number of INTs Moe & Fogg would get (Randle too) was quite insane.  It would literally win games for us.  But they could never reproduce it when it really counted: playoffs.  That's the problem with a max-hawking D.

Sure wish we could mix some of that sauce into our current game, though.  Kramdi never really got many/any.  Griffin, same.  I wonder if it was a looser scheme, or Moe was just way more talented.

Come to think of it, maybe, league-wide, SAMs aren't getting many picks anymore... weird.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The number of INTs Moe & Fogg would get (Randle too) was quite insane.  It would literally win games for us.  But they could never reproduce it when it really counted: playoffs.  That's the problem with a max-hawking D.

Sure wish we could mix some of that sauce into our current game, though.  Kramdi never really got many/any.  Griffin, same.  I wonder if it was a looser scheme, or Moe was just way more talented.

Come to think of it, maybe, league-wide, SAMs aren't getting many picks anymore... weird.

Pressure creates turnovers. If our defense plays more like the last game and a half we'll be a plus turnover team again. It's really that simple.

[Tecno]

Pressure creates turnovers. If our defense plays more like the last game and a half we'll be a plus turnover team again. It's really that simple.

Except lots of those moe years were pre Willie! So how were we getting pressure? I bet many of us can't name more than a couple of DL from 2015-2017! Because most weren't good.

Only poop comes to mind at the moment. Maybe January? Or was he OL! 

Actually, I remember one good guy, Roh. RIP Roh. He was around the time things started turning around for us on DL.

My point being, it can't just have been pressure. Something else had to be going on. This was when hall was having explosion problems. Maybe the solution to explosions meant the D could no longer hawk...

[Blueforlife]

Pressure creates turnovers. If our defense plays more like the last game and a half we'll be a plus turnover team again. It's really that simple.

Agree but every match up is different, too much pressure against the wrong offense doesn't always work.  Not as simple as you suggest imo.  But yes pressure does work in the right situations against the right O and schemes.  Need to apply it at the right time mixed with a good diet of max pro as needed

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Agree but every match up is different, too much pressure against the wrong offense doesn't always work.  Not as simple as you suggest imo.  But yes pressure does work in the right situations against the right O and schemes.  Need to apply it at the right time mixed with a good diet of max pro as needed

That's a JY lie that like five of you have bought way too hard. Pressure wins. You cannot always bring reckless aggressive blizes and leave everyone one on one but any defense that is creating turnovers is also creating pressures and attacking the QB.

There's an unquestionable parallel between the two.

There's an equally obvious link between our lack of QB pressure and sacks over the last couple years and our lack of turnovers.

It is that simple. Study any kind of football in any league. It's a rule understood by virtually everyone.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Except lots of those moe years were pre Willie! So how were we getting pressure? I bet many of us can't name more than a couple of DL from 2015-2017! Because most weren't good.

Only poop comes to mind at the moment. Maybe January? Or was he OL! 

Actually, I remember one good guy, Roh. RIP Roh. He was around the time things started turning around for us on DL.

My point being, it can't just have been pressure. Something else had to be going on. This was when hall was having explosion problems. Maybe the solution to explosions meant the D could no longer hawk...

Westerman, Nevis, Poop, Tristan Okpalaugo, they always had a few good D-linemen, real DT's aren't built for chasing QB's, they're job is to clog up the middle.

Re-watched the last game, tremendous pressure created on Kelly, I think they found their new guys in Reece and Fletcher, very high energy. not sure Dixon will displace either of them.

[Blueforlife]

That's a JY lie that like five of you have bought way too hard. Pressure wins. You cannot always bring reckless aggressive blizes and leave everyone one on one but any defense that is creating turnovers is also creating pressures and attacking the QB.

There's an unquestionable parallel between the two.

There's an equally obvious link between our lack of QB pressure and sacks over the last couple years and our lack of turnovers.

It is that simple. Study any kind of football in any league. It's a rule understood by virtually everyone.

Pressure wins but isn't the only way to play D, your previous post overstated the effectiveness of using pressure all the time imo.

Time and a place.  Don't agree with much said here other than yes lack of pressure last couple year an issue.

Pressure isn't the only way to create turnovers, ball hawking back end can do it.  A top safety can do it.

Lots of way to skin a cat and I believe you are hyper focused on pressure which is part of the equation but not the only variable.

Our D will game plan, scheme based on the opponent.  Our current ability to get pressure is decent and improving

Sacks are great but so are QB pressures and knock downs.

JY D works and is evolving.  Being too hard on him imo.

Westerman, Nevis, Poop, Tristan Okpalaugo, they always had a few good D-linemen, real DT's aren't built for chasing QB's, they're job is to clog up the middle.

Re-watched the last game, tremendous pressure created on Kelly, I think they found their new guys in Reece and Fletcher, very high energy. not sure Dixon will displace either of them.

Didn't notice Fletcher yet, good news.  Dixon was decent, nice to have depth.

Yeah we got him flushed!

[bomberjunkie]

Does anyone think Coxie was teasing Major about aliens? That was a weird question on The Huddle.