We've rebuilt our Defensive Line

[Feverdream]

This was the #1 task of the offseason. Despite FH's demands that we completely remake our Offensive Line, most of the professional commentators (especially the retired football people) said Miami's Defensive Line was it's biggest issue. Here's how I see it.

There will be LOTS of platooning this year, as happens on most D-Lines in the NFL, so take these starters with a HUGE chunk of salt... maybe it's best to call these 'starters' guys who'll see the largest snap share.

In a front three, which is our standard set:
DE: Sieler
NT: Phillips
DE: Grant

When a fourth guy lines up on the LOS, it will generally be one of our 'Edges'. Chubb or Phillips most of the time.

Biggers and Jones will be the rotational DTs; either playing NT, or DT in short yardage situations.

I think we'll carry 5 on the game day roster, so the minor leaguers (Dickerson and Farrell) will be cut... again. You don't draft 3 true Defensive Linemen if you think your practice squad guys are going to actually contribute.

Yes, Grant is a Defensive End for us... just like Campbell and just like Sieler and Wilkins. He'll play DT on pass-rushing downs when Phillips, Jones, and Biggers lumber off of the field.

We may sign one more vet FA to compete with Jones and Biggers, but then again... we may not. I think this is more of a camp question than a real contender for a spot. Again... you don't draft 3 Defensive Linemen and not expect to use them.

 

[Finsup1981]

This was the #1 task of the offseason. Despite FH's demands that we completely remake our Offensive Line, most of the professional commentators (especially the retired football people) said Miami's Defensive Line was it's biggest issue. Here's how I see it.

There will be LOTS of platooning this year, as happens on most D-Lines in the NFL, so take these starters with a HUGE chunk of salt... maybe it's best to call these 'starters' guys who'll see the largest snap share.

In a front three, which is our standard set:
DE: Sieler
NT: Phillips
DE: Grant

When a fourth guy lines up on the LOS, it will generally be one of our 'Edges'. Chubb or Phillips most of the time.

Biggers and Jones will be the rotational DTs; either playing NT, or DT in short yardage situations.

I think we'll carry 5 on the game day roster, so the minor leaguers (Dickerson and Farrell) will be cut... again. You don't draft 3 true Defensive Linemen if you think your practice squad guys are going to actually contribute.

Yes, Grant is a Defensive End for us... just like Campbell and just like Sieler and Wilkins. He'll play DT on pass-rushing downs when Phillips, Jones, and Biggers lumber off of the field.

We may sign one more vet FA to compete with Jones and Biggers, but then again... we may not. I think this is more of a camp question than a real contender for a spot. Again... you don't draft 3 Defensive Linemen and not expect to use them.

So you have Grant playing primary 3 or 5 tech and rotate into 1 or 2 tech on passing downs? I figured they would use him as the NT and Phillips the DE cause Grant is bigger than him and used to the double teams, but I get you putting him in the Wilkins role, I just figured we’d use him more like Raekwon Davis

 

[Pacer]

So you have Grant playing primary 3 or 5 tech and rotate into 1 or 2 tech on passing downs? I figured they would use him as the NT and Phillips the DE cause Grant is bigger than him and used to the double teams, but I get you putting him in the Wilkins role, I just figured we’d use him more like Raekwon Davis

I feel like Phillips is the closer analogue to Davis, at least in terms of where he has demonstrated the most utility thus far..he has the physical tools for more so guess we'll see. The versatility of the DL guys they added stands out bigly.

 

[Feverdream]

So you have Grant playing primary 3 or 5 tech and rotate into 1 or 2 tech on passing downs? I figured they would use him as the NT and Phillips the DE cause Grant is bigger than him and used to the double teams, but I get you putting him in the Wilkins role, I just figured we’d use him more like Raekwon Davis

Yeah, I think he's mostly going to play 3 tech in our system. I think that's the design, especially after we followed his selection with Jordan Phillips and then Biggers-- neither of whom looks ANYthing like a 3 tech player.

 

[MrChadRico]

I must be in the minority, thinking Phillips is not starter material. I think Biggers is gonna beat him out on the depth chart.

 

[Feverdream]

I feel like Phillips is the closer analogue to Davis, at least in terms of where he has demonstrated the most utility thus far..he has the physical tools for more so guess we'll see. The versatility of the DL guys they added stands out bigly.

Davis was always miscast as a NT; he was so tall that he just COULDN'T get low.

Take a long look at how we used Campbell... Grant is here for that role.

 

[Finsup1981]

Yeah, I think he's mostly going to play 3 tech in our system. I think that's the design, especially after we followed his selection with Jordan Phillips and then Biggers-- neither of whom looks ANYthing like a 3 tech player.

Yea I agree Phillips and Biggers look like 0 or 1 tech guys that we just need to soak up double teams and maintain gaps.

 

[Feverdream]

I must be in the minority, thinking Phillips is not starter material. I think Biggers is gonna beat him out on the depth chart.

It's certainly possible... a 5th rounder has little leverage over a 7th rounder. Whoever is best, will see the field.

 

[Feverdream]

One more thing on Phillips. He was a redshirt sophomore... another early out guy. I seriously doubt whether he's reached his peak yet.

 

[Finsup1981]

Davis was always miscast as a NT; he was so tall that he just COULDN'T get low.

Take a long look at how we used Campbell... Grant is here for that role.

I can definitely see that vision, Campbell is also great at batting the ball and getting deflections and Grant is the best in this draft at that .

 

[PSU Cane]

I must be in the minority, thinking Phillips is not starter material. I think Biggers is gonna beat him out on the depth chart.

I think both will be rotational pieces only - that's if Biggers even makes the roster. He didn't produce at GT and his tape showed a big guy who didn't really know how to play football....there wasn't always a lot of effort either.

His entire senior highlight reel from ACC Network was 1.5 minutes....7 plays. The first play, usually an attention grabber, was a blocked field goal. 3 additional plays were tipped passes, one being 3-4 yards downfield. Mixed in were a few run stuffs.

Biggers is not a 1-tech. He doesn't have an anchor. He's 3/5-tech without burst, slow off the snap. He's a guy you take late and HOPE he shows out in camp and you can coach up....but i just don't see it. He's a big body right now who can tip passes. Everything else is a project that might not make it out of camp. I could see him being a PS body, with the DL coach hoping he can get something out of him long-term.

 

[PCmor]

One more thing on Phillips. He was a redshirt sophomore... another early out guy. I seriously doubt whether he's reached his peak yet.

Biggers is the same in a respect. He basically remodeled his body going into the 2024 season. He probably still hasn't quite mastered who he is or what he can do.

 

[Feverdream]

Biggers is the same in a respect. He basically remodeled his body going into the 2024 season. He probably still hasn't quite mastered who he is or what he can do.

He LOOKS like a DE; he has the frame for it... but his play looks more like a run plugger to me.

 

[DOLFAN_51]

This was the #1 task of the offseason. Despite FH's demands that we completely remake our Offensive Line, most of the professional commentators (especially the retired football people) said Miami's Defensive Line was it's biggest issue. Here's how I see it.

There will be LOTS of platooning this year, as happens on most D-Lines in the NFL, so take these starters with a HUGE chunk of salt... maybe it's best to call these 'starters' guys who'll see the largest snap share.

In a front three, which is our standard set:
DE: Sieler
NT: Phillips
DE: Grant

When a fourth guy lines up on the LOS, it will generally be one of our 'Edges'. Chubb or Phillips most of the time.

Biggers and Jones will be the rotational DTs; either playing NT, or DT in short yardage situations.

I think we'll carry 5 on the game day roster, so the minor leaguers (Dickerson and Farrell) will be cut... again. You don't draft 3 true Defensive Linemen if you think your practice squad guys are going to actually contribute.

Yes, Grant is a Defensive End for us... just like Campbell and just like Sieler and Wilkins. He'll play DT on pass-rushing downs when Phillips, Jones, and Biggers lumber off of the field.

We may sign one more vet FA to compete with Jones and Biggers, but then again... we may not. I think this is more of a camp question than a real contender for a spot. Again... you don't draft 3 Defensive Linemen and not expect to use them.

Alex Huntley is another legitimate big man. I know there are plenty of veteran free agents too. I hope don't go that route. I'd prefer we go the route of the Rams and allow our young players to improve in real time. I guess it's up to them. But it looked like Chop was getting a reduced role after two games until Phillips went down and he probably would be carrying a "bust" label if Phillips didn't get hurt. He went from 20 snaps to 40 in week 5.

 

[PSU Cane]

Yea I agree Phillips and Biggers look like 0 or 1 tech guys that we just need to soak up double teams and maintain gaps.

Phillips does not handle doubles well, at least not yet. He has the short and ox-strong build for it but his short arms definitely hurt him keeping the OL off him and he moves much better forward than laterally. I've seen him get washed too much when trying to handle doubles. That's why i call him a rotational piece and hope he develops more as he ages.