Over the past few years, a lot of signs have pointed to Pete & John relying more and more on the nickel defense, and in fact it may be evolving almost in to a "base" defense. This is a trend league-wide, but as usual P&J seem to be ahead of the game. The big $$$ given to Kam underlines the fact that he is NOT easily replaced... big safeties are critical for teams that want to deploy 5 DBs at a time but still be able to control the running game. Look at the facts, and we may be seeing a preview of the dominant, cutting-edge defense of 2013.
- The Seahawks are said to have been ready to draft safety Mark Barron in the 1st round last year, and have drafted a safety every year of the PC/JS regime
- WLB is probably the most unsettled position on the team right now with Leroy Hill gone and no experienced incumbent
- Earl Thomas comment last year about his ability and desire to play corner in the slot
- We just signed Antoine Winfield, probably the best slot corner vs the run in the NFL
- Kam Chancellor was just given a hefty extension
- It's clearly a passing league now, and formations with 3+ receivers are becoming ever more commonplace, necessitating 5 or more DBs on the field more often than ever
- Formations with multiple tight ends make it difficult to add more DBs since they can dominate in the run game against smaller DBs
- Running QBs are becoming more prevalent, further necessitating nickel DBs who can play the run
- Hurry-up offense make it difficult for a defense to make substitutions, make it important to have a nickel package that isn't totally outmatched when down-and-distance favor running plays
If we are going to run more of this defense, Kam is the key to making it work. His LB size allows us to play 5DBs and still dominate against the run. In that light it makes sense why he's getting the $$$ he's getting.
- The Seahawks are said to have been ready to draft safety Mark Barron in the 1st round last year, and have drafted a safety every year of the PC/JS regime
- WLB is probably the most unsettled position on the team right now with Leroy Hill gone and no experienced incumbent
- Earl Thomas comment last year about his ability and desire to play corner in the slot
- We just signed Antoine Winfield, probably the best slot corner vs the run in the NFL
- Kam Chancellor was just given a hefty extension
- It's clearly a passing league now, and formations with 3+ receivers are becoming ever more commonplace, necessitating 5 or more DBs on the field more often than ever
- Formations with multiple tight ends make it difficult to add more DBs since they can dominate in the run game against smaller DBs
- Running QBs are becoming more prevalent, further necessitating nickel DBs who can play the run
- Hurry-up offense make it difficult for a defense to make substitutions, make it important to have a nickel package that isn't totally outmatched when down-and-distance favor running plays
If we are going to run more of this defense, Kam is the key to making it work. His LB size allows us to play 5DBs and still dominate against the run. In that light it makes sense why he's getting the $$$ he's getting.