Is Free Safety the key to it all

[Mad Dog]

I know for years we proclaimed Earl as the key to the LOB. Some debated chancellor as the enforcer or Sherman as the shutdown corner. But most felt Earl was the key.

Well this year really proved to me how having the right free safety really is the key to Pete’s scheme. This defense is night and day different with Diggs back there vs Hill or Thompson. It frees up McDougald to run support or QB spy. It allows the boundary guys to play tighter coverages. It allows our DL to get coverage sacks.

Really hope Blair develops into the next Earl but until then I’m happy we have Diggs. Can’t believe Detroit parted with him so easily.

 

[Shanegotyou11]

You need a good to great free safety in pete's system. Glad we got diggs.

 

[HawkGA]

If we just concentrate on the "Boom" part of the Legion of Boom, you'd have to look at Kam for setting the tone and providing the Boom. But having a good FS who lets everybody else play aggressively is important for the system.

 

[Hawknballs]

A good FS means you can get a lot more out of your SS.

Getting more out of your SS means you can do more with your linebackers.

 

[Seahawkfan80]

A good FS means you can get a lot more out of your SS.

Getting more out of your SS means you can do more with your linebackers.

So it is a snowball effect. I can Digg it. :mrgreen:

 

[Mad Dog]

A good FS means you can get a lot more out of your SS.

Getting more out of your SS means you can do more with your linebackers.

Exactly. Pete's scheme just gets so much better all around with a trust worthy rangy play maker back there.

Hope Diggs continues the stellar play through the playoffs. Wagner, Wright, Clowney and Diggs are the keys to our defense and all need to be on the field for success.

Now if we can just get the OL back to run blocking.

 

[scutterhawk]

If we just concentrate on the "Boom" part of the Legion of Boom, you'd have to look at Kam for setting the tone and providing the Boom. But having a good FS who lets everybody else play aggressively is important for the system.

Diggs is the one who barks out communication, directing traffic in the Secondary, just like ET once did for the whole LOB section, which in turn, frees up our ALL PRO Linebacker to call & cover for the intermediate area, allowing the D-Line the freedom to go after the Quarterbacks.
Kam was a once in a generation enforcer (like Easley) that doesn't come along very damned often, and was one of the reasons that a lot of guys had their heads on a swivel, and missed making some easy catches. :stirthepot:

 

[Polk738]

Maybe, but I think it was Kam's versatility in combination with Earl's speed that made the defense so good. Kam really was a LB playing safety, great speed and coverage skills along with elite run defense. Two plays that standout to me that defined Kam's role in the defense. His destruction of Wes Welker in SB 48 on a defended pass and putting Eric Winston of the Cardinals straight on his ass. Kam could cover the slot while destroying offensive lineman, a true "hybrid" player. That kind of versatility is a nightmare for OCs to deal with.

 

[hawksfansinceday1]

If you haven't yet read Tamerlane's breakdown of Diggs' effect on our D you should. It's here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=162167

 

[scutterhawk]

:327321_Spy_23.22:

A good FS means you can get a lot more out of your SS.

Getting more out of your SS means you can do more with your linebackers.

So it is a snowball effect. I can Digg it.

:327321_Spy_23.22: I saw what you did there.

 

[Smellyman]

:327321_Spy_23.22:

A good FS means you can get a lot more out of your SS.

Getting more out of your SS means you can do more with your linebackers.

So it is a snowball effect. I can Digg it.

:327321_Spy_23.22: I saw what you did there.

 

[ivotuk]

John Clayton makes an excellent point:

Against the Eagles, Diggs was calling out some of the plays as they were happening to defensive teammates.

Having played in the NFC North with Detroit, he knows the Packers and can help with communication and execution of the defensive plays.

https://sports.mynorthwest.com/746386/c ... ks-future/

 

[ivotuk]

:327321_Spy_23.22:

A good FS means you can get a lot more out of your SS.

Getting more out of your SS means you can do more with your linebackers.

So it is a snowball effect. I can Digg it.

:327321_Spy_23.22: I saw what you did there.

Without him, we were certainly in a Quandre

 

[Boohman14]

I love Diggs' skill set and heart out there. He hasn't been 100% since we got him from the Lions but he's a difference maker for us. I can't wait to see what he brings next season. I think he'll have a break out year next year being at full capacity and fully engaged in Pete's system.
I think the continued development of our rookies and play of our solid vets will have or defense as one of the top units next season.

 

[chris98251]

Pete believes much like Baseball you have to be strong up the middle, FS, MLB, and Interior Line, build around that.

 

[Mad Dog]

Pete believes much like Baseball you have to be strong up the middle, FS, MLB, and Interior Line, build around that.

I think he likes fast and smart in the middle and tall and long armed on the edges. That seems to be his model.

 

[truehawksfan]

Yes. That deep safety has two primary responsibilities.
1. Don’t let anything go over your head.
2. React quickly and offer, over the top support, for your CBs.

T2 was terrible. He allowed balls to go his head.
Diggs reacts and diagnose plays quick. Running down hill and laying the wood.
Because of his ability to diagnose, he can support the CBs on deep routes. This allows our CBs to step kick more. Flowers would always back peddle before the snap. Now, he can step kick and lock in knowing he has support from Diggs.

This is Pete’s system. Reason why he built his defense from the backend first during the LOB years.

 

[NOLAHawk]

The key to a good free safety is a hurried QB. They are / were hampered by no pass rush and a bad film in. A better FS gives the pass rush an extra step. A better pass rush would give the free safety an extra couple of yards.

Both together. Now that’s 2013.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro