Dion Jordan - Elephant Position? (Julius Peppers)

[MRojas4]

Saw this article today on Peppers plan to play the "Elephant Position". Got me thinking this is basically what Jordan needs to do. (All except sliding into DT).

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...peppers-playing-it-for-packers-150229356.html

Rush from DE on certain packages, LB in other packages, cover TE's, etc....

Take advantage of Jordans unique skill set and athletic ability.




"'Elephant' is a term used for a multiple-position player along the defensive front," McCarthy said, according to the Journal Sentinal. "Julius will be part of that group. The specifics I'd rather get into once the players find out, once we go through it with the players.

"But that's the big-picture outlook for the way we'll use Julius defensively."

The Packers will use Peppers in a variety of ways — he'll rush from an end spot when the Packers are in base defense, slide inside in nickel, and he can play up as a 6-foot-7 linebacker, rerouting tight ends off the line, covering in short areas or rushing the passer.

The elephant position is not a new term in football. It goes back to Charles Haley (and Rickey Jackson and Chris Doleman and others) with the 49ers, who used the elephant pass-rushing role very effectively in the 1980s and 1990s under George Seifert. Pete Carroll long has been a proponent of the position — also called a "Leo" rusher — in the 4-3 scheme now used by the Seahawks and Jaguars, under Gus Bradley. Other well-known players to assume the role were Willie McGinest and Jason Taylor

 

[ONole1]

It helped Taylor win DPOY under Saban, and Jordan has a very similar skill set. I think that's what many of us envisioned when they drafted him.

 

[1-4-damoney-Tua-4-dashow]

Yup. This needs to be the plan. Thanks for posting.

 

[utahphinsfan]

Its good that the Elephant position as well as C Haley were mentioned. Its been my understanding that this position is similar to the wide 9 technique the Lions use.

p.s. Why isn't Haley in the HoF???

 

[phinzfan21]

Should be implemented. It's what I was expecting Jordan to be allowed to play like when we moved up to get him.

 

[phinfan33]

Here's the thing though....between Coyle, Kacy Rogers, and Mark Duffner...can the 3 of them coach and effectively use Jordan in this manner?

 

[RkyDaMan34]

Just play him!!!!! OLB, MLB, Elephant, Safety, TE.. I don't f@#$ing care! Just play the kid!

 

[Dr. Phin]

This is a joke. The guy is the 3rd pick in the draft...you don't use him as a situational player, which is what they are proposing. You need to get this guy on the field for as many snaps as possible. If that takes away from Vernon or Wake, then maybe one of them needs to be traded.

 

[MRojas4]

This is a joke. The guy is the 3rd pick in the draft...you don't use him as a situational player, which is what they are proposing. You need to get this guy on the field for as many snaps as possible. If that takes away from Vernon or Wake, then maybe one of them needs to be traded.

I believe this is the complete opposite.

You keep Vernon and Wake on the field and Jordan moves around the box maximizing his playing time. DE one play, LB next play, Rush OLB, play after that, Covering TE's on 3rd down, etc...

Instead of "forcing" Jordan into the traditional 4-3 DE with his hand in the ground, you allow him to play just about every position in the front 7.

More of a "all time" situational player. Jordan is on the field at all times, but with different roles and different position posibilities. This type of versatility blows up the playbook to the extreme.

 

[ciscoholgate]

Vernon was used in this manner last season (to a degree). He would line up as a 4-3 base DE and then in our speed package he would line up over the OG (standing up). Vernon had some success lining up inside and getting interior pressure. Vernon has even lined up as a LB in our 3-3 front in Nickel packages (mostly in 2012).

I imagine the coaches will see how much stronger Jordan gets this offseason. Right now Jordan is not strong enough to even line up as a 4-3 base DE on run downs.

 

[Dr. Phin]

I believe this is the complete opposite.

You keep Vernon and Wake on the field and Jordan moves around the box maximizing his playing time. DE one play, LB next play, Rush OLB, play after that, Covering TE's on 3rd down, etc...

Instead of "forcing" Jordan into the traditional 4-3 DE with his hand in the ground, you allow him to play just about every position in the front 7.

What you are describing is not an "every down" type of system...if you did, it could be exploited through the air.

 

[MRojas4]

What you are describing is not an "every down" type of system...if you did, it could be exploited through the air.

Disagree.

Example, play DE in a traditional 4-3, LB in a 3-3-5, Shift him to OLB if we run a hybrid front type. 3rd down TE coverage.

Jordan would be far from an "all time" rusher which I do agree, would give away his assignment and most of the play. Fact that Jordan can drop back into coverage EFFECTIVLY leaves teams wondering what the hell is Jordan going to do this play, and next play.

Is he rushing from the outside or dropping back? Is he going to blitz up the middle from LB position or not?

As another poster mentioned, Vernon did this two years ago fairly well, but with Jordans greater ability to cover TE's the possibilities are endless.

Guaranteed, Peppers for GB will be on the field every play regardless of "position"

No team runs a "TRUE" 4-3, 3-4 anymore. Days are long gone with TE's and mini-me WR's breaking the mold of the NFL Offense.

Every team now adays runs a hybrid everything at one point or another.

 

[ticophin]

We have a DEADLY defensive weapon, which I trust will be about to unleash this season...if we can pick up a stud LB like Mosley, Shazier, or Borland, our D could be scary!!

 

[nick1]

should be fun. Coyle better let the damn man play! I'm all for moving him around like we did with JT his MVP season. no disrepect to Dr Phin but moving him around does not make him a situational or part time player. it does the opposite. he plays every snap just moves around so the offense can't predict what he's doing. was JT a situational player when he won defensive MVP?

 

[mnphinfan]

Disagree.

Example, play DE in a traditional 4-3, LB in a 3-3-5, Shift him to OLB if we run a hybrid front type. 3rd down TE coverage.

Jordan would be far from an "all time" rusher which I do agree, would give away his assignment and most of the play. Fact that Jordan can drop back into coverage EFFECTIVLY leaves teams wondering what the hell is Jordan going to do this play, and next play.

Is he rushing from the outside or dropping back? Is he going to blitz up the middle from LB position or not?

As another poster mentioned, Vernon did this two years ago fairly well, but with Jordans greater ability to cover TE's the possibilities are endless.

Guaranteed, Peppers for GB will be on the field every play regardless of "position"

No team runs a "TRUE" 4-3, 3-4 anymore. Days are long gone with TE's and mini-me WR's breaking the mold of the NFL Offense.

Every team now adays runs a hybrid everything at one point or another.

I've tried to explain this to Dr. Phin many times so good luck. He just doesn't get it or understand that one player can be an enormous asset by being able to play multiple positions depending on the down and distance/scheme of the defense while never having to leave the field.