Shades of the West Coast Defense

by John Morgan on May 1, 2010 10:43 PM PDT

Blake Jensen pointed out this tidbit from the official:

In looking to get bigger and more physical at the left defensive end spot, the coaches are taking a look at Red Bryant.

The 318-pound Bryant was drafted in the fourth round in 2008 as a defensive tackle. But he’s taking some snaps at end during this camp.

"At that position, we’re trying to find our answer," defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. "So we’re trying multiple guys, and just seeing how they’re doing."

Why I don't like this: Putting an tackle at end likely saps pass rush, a la Cory Redding.

Why I like this: Bryant is a fun talent but he's struggled picking up one tech. He plays out of control and it costs his team. See: Week 2.

That play was worse than it seemed. The 49ers were gouging Seattle's interior line. Bryant held against the Niners double teams, but dropped his gap, flowed too far offensive left and Gore cutback right for an easy six.

Bryant did it again on the next play. He attempted a spin that got caught halfway by Chilo Rachal. He was facing the wrong way when Gore blew past him.

Assigning him a gap and saying "go" might be his best chance of making it. Dan Quinn has his opinions about "strongside" and "weakside" and I am curious to see how this works out.

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It would be amazing if it works, and I like Red a lot, but...

As you said, See: Cory “Tweeners are Only Cool When They Play Offense” Redding.

by DJ C-Raig on May 1, 2010 11:20 PM PDT reply actions

Woo hoo!

My name was mentioned in a John Morgan! I have finally made it.

But would he even beat out E.J. Wilson in the rotation?

by Blake Jensen on May 1, 2010 11:24 PM PDT reply actions

You're gonna go far kid.

by DJ C-Raig on May 1, 2010 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I think this might be more of the Carroll philosophy of making it as competitive as possible at every position

Although considering the relatively young inexperienced QBs in the NFC West this year I might rather have the run defense solid and dare them to pass the ball into Earl Thomas’ greedy hands.

by Kevaru on May 2, 2010 12:34 AM PDT reply actions

I guess they're not a big fan of Lawrence Jackson?

by B.B.Finnegan on May 2, 2010 1:17 AM PDT reply actions

Isn't Jackson an RDE?

by DJ C-Raig on May 2, 2010 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Played LDE in college exclusively (which was of course Carroll's USC team)

Was mostly on the left side for the Seahawks. And Kerney actually switched to the right this last year, with Jackson on the left. Clemon’s is slotted as starting on the right side this year (or whichever low-weight speed rusher wins out). I think Jackson has played on both sides though, but I always thought he was primarily a left DE.

by B.B.Finnegan on May 2, 2010 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

This is kind of a scary thought

but maybe they want to tryout Red @ LDE cuz if the little leos don’t cut it, LJ may be the best pass rusher we have, and may need to be moved to RDE, with Red replacing him at left.

by jacobstevens on May 3, 2010 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Need depth. Crosstrain or else.

It’s a car accident every week in the Not For Long league, and every team can trot out the injury excuse, every year.

Earl Thomas’ coach Mack Brown mentioned that “we had some injuries” as being completely unacceptable to the Texas fan base as a reason for losing, so our new 1st round pick is crosstrained to play multiple positions. At an elite level.

by bleedshawkblue on May 2, 2010 9:25 AM PDT reply actions

Maybe Red will play the 5-tech end in a 3-4 package?

Seems to me that his size would merit it.

Big Walt: thanks for the smile. Thanks for your Hall of Fame career.

by Misfit74 on May 2, 2010 12:54 PM PDT reply actions

I was actually thinking he'd look the part of DE in a 3-4, with an elephant ala Curry lining up to rush...

Bird Law in this country isn't governed by reason.

by Tyler Jorgensen on May 2, 2010 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Exactly.

Big Walt: thanks for the smile. Thanks for your Hall of Fame career.

by Misfit74 on May 2, 2010 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

This coming from the official blog:

Defensive end Red Bryant had a standout day, posting several big plays during a scrimmage-like period at the end of the practice. His most stellar highlight came when he batted down a pass in the face of the quarterback, who was back-pedaling away from the rush.

by Blake Jensen on May 2, 2010 3:46 PM PDT reply actions

That's exciting.

Bryant seems like a quiet powder-keg ready to go off. If that uncanny power he has can be harnessed, he could be a disruptive force. I’m interested to hear more about him at DE and what kinds of packages those series are when he’s at DE. I also continue to wonder if he can get heavily into the mix on the interior, shuffling away Cole for as many snaps as possible, as well as being a key to Terrill being cut (double-bonus!).

Big Walt: thanks for the smile. Thanks for your Hall of Fame career.

by Misfit74 on May 2, 2010 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Unless the QB was Whitehurts :(

by jacobstevens on May 3, 2010 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions

It was.

by DJ C-Raig on May 3, 2010 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope this becomes routine :)

Golden!

by Carl Shinyama on May 2, 2010 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Some clarification on the DE positions from Farnsworth's blog:

The five-technique usually plays on the side where the tight end is lined up. Former first-round draft choice Lawrence Jackson, who played for Carroll at USC, was working there with the No. 1 line during the minicamp practices. But 323-pound tackle Red Bryant got ample snaps there, as well, and made the most of the opportunity to make plays. Also getting reps there were Robert Henderson, a 275-pound end the Seahawks got from the Detroit Lions as part of the trade for guard Rob Sims; and E.J. Wilson, a 289-pounder rookie from North Carolina who was selected in the fourth round of the draft.

With more size at one end, it allows the coaches to play smaller at the "Leo" spot, with the idea being to generate more of a pass rush. The line at "Leo" in the minicamp practices started with Chris Clemons, a 254-pounder who was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in the trade for Darryl Tapp. But it also included Nick Reed, a 248-pounder who was a seventh-round draft choice last year; Ricky Foley, a 252-pounder who led the CFL with 12 sacks last season; and Dexter Davis, a 244-pounder rookie from Arizona State who was drafted in the seventh round.

http://blog.seahawks.com/2010/05/03/a-little-qa-4/#more-4279

Good question, whomever Eric is.

by B.B.Finnegan on May 3, 2010 4:38 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Wasn't too fond of the whole idea, but the more I think about it

I will at least say, Albert Haynesworth could do a lot of damage from the 9-technique on passing downs. A sight to behold. Red hasn’t earned the comparison, but we at least know setting a giant in ear-pinback mode on the edge like that isn’t necessarily preposterous, if he’s got explosion. I know with Red it’s a question of leverage, but Haynesworth is 6’6".

by jacobstevens on May 3, 2010 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions