Dion Flashing Neon In Coverage?

[So Be]

I love Dion Jordan in coverage, and did some research on how he has done in the past two years. It is a small sampling but, worth a look.

He was only in cover 40 times last year, getting a +2.0 grade. There were only 4 games where he got a grade. The rest were at 0 with no plays worth a grade.

He got a +1.5 vs Detroit, with the only pass to Calvin Johnson, an elite WR. which he covered well.

He got a +0.5 vs Buff with no passes thrown his way.

He got a +0.5 vs Balt, with no passes thrown his way.

He got a +0,5 vs Minny, with Charles Johnson catching the only pass his way for 4 yards.

He got a -1.0 vs the Jets, with Jeremy Karley beating him for 33 yards. Karley is a 5'9" 185 pound WR, and I have to think, with his added weight, too much for Jordan to cover.

In 2013, Jordan was in cover 46 times, a +2.0 grade, and the only pass thrown his way was incomplete to Gronk.

So, why is he on the bench when TE's kill us, and we have Wheeler in a cover on a game winning situation? IMO, he is a "Secret Weapon" in cover that should not be a secret.

No one wants to throw his way, and with his height, reach, and athletic ability who would blame them?

UNLEASH THE DION!!!!!!

 

[mnphinfan]

Unfortunately with Philbin and Coyle seeing Jordan as a DE we may never get to see him excel athletically in coverage on a consistent basis until he is on another team.

 

[Bumpus]

I'm also confused why we're not utilizing him more in coverage. Wasn't that one of the reasons we drafted him to begin with?!?

 

[NoblePhin]

We should of just signed Manny Lawson that year. Still hopeful Jordan will pan out but he is horribly being misused

 

[utahphinsfan]

Unfortunately with Philbin and Coyle seeing Jordan as a DE we may never get to see him excel athletically in coverage on a consistent basis until he is on another team.

I'm also confused why we're not utilizing him more in coverage. Wasn't that one of the reasons we drafted him to begin with?!?

Agree. I still recall the game against pburgh in 2013 where Jordan lined up at DT and shutdown a dumpoff to an RB.

Lining up Dion as a DE (especially now with Suh) and occasionally dropping in to Zone coverage gives the D some flexibility & unpredictability IMO.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

If I recall correctly, many of those times Jordan was in pass coverage was when he lined up inside at the 2 and 3 techniques in nickel packages in a pre snap 4-2-5 look and then dropped back post snap to give us a 3-3-5 formation. I really don't think we are "mis-using" him nearly to the degree that people imagine. He missed 6 games due to his own behaviors and when he was plugged in mid-season he was properly used as a hybrid player (LB, DE, DT) in many key situations. The coaching staff did what they could for a player that missed a lot of prep time in '14.

 

[Aqua and Orange]

I know that as fans we are annoyed that Jordan isn't being used as a LB (I was irate last season), but I think that ship may have passed. Cameron Wake isn't getting any younger and there is a decent chance we lose Vernon in free agency next offseason. Yes, we have CURRENT holes at LB, but Jordan needs to be groomed in a significant way to step up if we need him to next offseason at DE. He is still young and still has a chance to be special at that position.

 

[insomnia411]

They're leaving him at DE because they love losing.

 

[So Be]

I'm no expert but, from the limited coverage I have seen Jordan in, he was easily better than any LB we have, better than Wilson at Safety, and I may well take him over Lowell Rose and Sanford at CB (OK, that is a reach but not by a lot).

IF he never pressured the QB or, never made a tackle on the run, which never happens, he still has VG value in cover alone. If he is out there in place of Wheeler, NO WAY that pass is completed, and we win. JMO.

 

[I am Bane]

If I recall correctly, many of those times Jordan was in pass coverage was when he lined up inside at the 2 and 3 techniques in nickel packages in a pre snap 4-2-5 look and then dropped back post snap to give us a 3-3-5 formation. I really don't think we are "mis-using" him nearly to the degree that people imagine. He missed 6 games due to his own behaviors and when he was plugged in mid-season he was properly used as a hybrid player (LB, DE, DT) in many key situations. The coaching staff did what they could for a player that missed a lot of prep time in '14.

thank you for also giving some word at Jordan for needing to step up himself personally too... so much here is barking at the coaches, with many not giving Jordan himself as a factor of his own development and success. He needs to become, he needs to work, he needs to learn!!!

 

[So Be]

If I recall correctly, many of those times Jordan was in pass coverage was when he lined up inside at the 2 and 3 techniques in nickel packages in a pre snap 4-2-5 look and then dropped back post snap to give us a 3-3-5 formation. I really don't think we are "mis-using" him nearly to the degree that people imagine. He missed 6 games due to his own behaviors and when he was plugged in mid-season he was properly used as a hybrid player (LB, DE, DT) in many key situations. The coaching staff did what they could for a player that missed a lot of prep time in '14.

True but, we still used him a total of 40 times over 10 games, which is crazy. Coaches had him all year in 2013 and all of camp in 2014. When you see a guy who can cover, and you are getting killed by those who cannot, it is far from unreasonable to say they were wrong.

 

[Roman529]

Why waste a third overall pick if you're not going to play him? I understand he was suspended, and he has been injured, but let's at least see what he can do at DE or an OLB spot. I am almost ready for Hickey to send Jordan back to his old coach Chip Kelly, and get whatever we can for him. :rolleyes2:

 

[So Be]

thank you for also giving some word at Jordan for needing to step up himself personally too... so much here is barking at the coaches, with many not giving Jordan himself as a factor of his own development and success. He needs to become, he needs to work, he needs to learn!!!

While true, it has noting to do with the fact that when he played vs NFL talent in cover he did VERY well. How can you not fault coaches for not using Jordan for what he did, and using him more/

 

[spiketex]

the bench when TE's kill us, and we have Wheeler in a cover on a game winning situation? IMO, he is a "Secret Weapon" in cover that should not be a secret.

No one wants to throw his way, and with his height, reach, and athletic ability who would blame them?

UNLEASH THE DION!!!!!!

You might find that Jordan was still under suspension for the week 6 game against the Packers last season.

 

[dlockz]

Probably because he us a huge liability in anything else besides coverage