Interesting Difference between Saban and Belichick in Position Talent

[Da 'Fins]

It is partially a product of talent evaluation and accumulation. But, it seems to me that Belichick puts a premium on having a large number of LB's (guys in the 240-250 range) - tweener types. They are big OLB's who can also rush, but are still more LB than DE. He usually has 8-9 on them. In fact, in the SB against Philly, Belichick often went with 2 DT's and 5 LB's for his front 7 on D.

Saban, has only 6 true LB's on the team and 10 DL's. All the D-linemen are big except for Taylor and Bowens. Both of them can play in a 2 point stance, but are not natural's in space.

Another interesting difference is that Belichick tends to go with lighter O-linemen whereas Saban has accumulated a bevy of behemoths! The smallest guy on our starting OL is 320 and we have two guys who go at least 345.

Again, part of that may be a product of available talent or, in part, O-line coaching philosophy (Houck has tended to have giant OL's in the past - see San Diego and Dallas). But, it will be interesting to see if the two coaches diverge in the future or how they continue to evolve.

 

[PhinsRock]

Good post, should be intersting to watch.

 

[Phinadict]

interesting points. It would also be interesting to see how this season's roster types compare to what SAban had while @ Cleveland...

 

[Aussiefinfan54]

yeah good observations

 

[SoDakDolfan]

Good points. I think it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in overall wins between the two.

 

[DolphanD]

I wish we could have started on our LBacking core with Bobby Carpenter or Manny Lawson or even Demeco Ryans. I'm not sure why Saban seems to be putting the LB position on the back-burner. One LB drafted in two drafts is surprising for a coach who supposedly wants to play an effective 3-4.

 

[dwhorton]

yea i agree i thought saban would go lb if not 1st somewhere in the draft. but i like the j.allen move we will need a safety who can play in the box and cover wrs. and the new breed of te that come in the league lately. the good defenses have that kind of safety. dawkins, polamalu[ although his pass d is still a liability and he's not a great tackler] ed reed,sean taylor,mike brown, roy williams, rodney harrison and i'm sure there are a few more so i understand the pick of allen. i just wonder how much de taylor will play this year so you can add him in as a lb/de. so now we can see the belichick versatility with how he can use taylor. who knows maybe saban didn't have some of the lbs left when he took allen graded as high as other teams. comments welcome

 

[dolphan117]

Another differance is the tight end investment. They already have a quality tight end who was a first rounder I think two years ago and in this last draft they drafted either 3 or 4 more. Kinda odd.

 

[DUB]

I wish we could have started on our LBacking core with Bobby Carpenter or Manny Lawson or even Demeco Ryans. I'm not sure why Saban seems to be putting the LB position on the back-burner. One LB drafted in two drafts is surprising for a coach who supposedly wants to play an effective 3-4.

I agree. Watching the 06 ' draft I was waiting to see LB every pick and never did.

 

[gtr4985]

def something to think about and keep track of over the next few years.
Good Post:dolphins:

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

yea i agree i thought saban would go lb if not 1st somewhere in the draft. but i like the j.allen move we will need a safety who can play in the box and cover wrs. and the new breed of te that come in the league lately. the good defenses have that kind of safety. dawkins, polamalu[ although his pass d is still a liability and he's not a great tackler] ed reed,sean taylor,mike brown, roy williams, rodney harrison and i'm sure there are a few more so i understand the pick of allen. i just wonder how much de taylor will play this year so you can add him in as a lb/de. so now we can see the belichick versatility with how he can use taylor. who knows maybe saban didn't have some of the lbs left when he took allen graded as high as other teams. comments welcome

Roy Williams couldn't cover a FB much less a WR.

 

[phatmatt]

I agree with that. Roy Williams, while a huge hitter and exellent against the run is not that good in coverage.

On the other hand, a poster said that Polamalu is not great in coverage or against the run.....I'd have to disagree on both these points.

 

[dwhorton]

no i said troy wasn't a good tackler he usually throws his body in at the legs of the runner and never gets to wrap up. roy williams although not great in coverage is way better than given credit for. its the free safetykeith davis that williams gets little help from. williams job is to usually cover the running back and he does a great job at that. either way that wasn't the point i was trying to make. we need an enforcer over the middle that can do alot of things that will make the d more versatile.

 

[Disgustipate]

Saban seems to prefer mobile quarterbacks. Consistantly at LSU(Rohan Davey, Jamarcus Russell, etc), and in Miami

Defensively, Miami prefers the much blitz-heavier, 1-gap defensive line style with more 4-3 thrown in, and a true weakside and strongside OLB, where Belichick has more pure 2-gap.

 

[Da 'Fins]

I wish we could have started on our LBacking core with Bobby Carpenter or Manny Lawson or even Demeco Ryans. I'm not sure why Saban seems to be putting the LB position on the back-burner. One LB drafted in two drafts is surprising for a coach who supposedly wants to play an effective 3-4.

I agree and disagree. He hasn't put a great deal of emphasis on LB - but he did draft Crowder and he's signed several free agents (as well as attempting a trade for one).

I love all three of those guys but I'm not sure if they fit the Dolphins style, really. Carpenter would be a very good ILB or MLB (but, Crowder is sort of an ILB, OLB combo). Demeco Ryans is more of a pure OLB in a 4-3. But, he might have fit at the OLB spot next to Zach and Crowder.

I really like Carpenter and think he'll be a great player.

Lawson could be a guy who would fit - but he would be a player who would fit the spot that JT and Bowens play - so, we'd be spending our #1 pick on a player who really would be backing up a position where we are strong. I think Saban wanted to draft the best player available at a position of need for the future. Though, I would not have had a problem with Lawson.

It will be interesting to follow these players and see how they would have fit in the Dolphins system.