Where is Dion Jordan's Best Fit? Part 1: SAM Linebacker in a 4-3 Under | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Where is Dion Jordan's Best Fit? Part 1: SAM Linebacker in a 4-3 Under

Xbrett82us

Xbrett82us

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There has been much controversy, both internally and externally, regarding the Miami Dolphins' 2013 first round pick, Dion Jordan. After a lackluster, injury-marred rookie season, some fans believe Jordan is precariously walking on the edge of the bust pit being one bad season away from falling in.

Those fans' argumentative fire was fueled by a four-game suspension handed to down to Jordan for PED use and a vanilla showing in his first preseason game of 2014. Some have even gone as far to say that Jordan doesn't belong in the NFL (which is one of the most ridiculous and premature things I have ever heard).

The rest of the slightly more educated group (no offense to all of you impulsive fans) see that Jordan has an rare talent that translates to potential to terrorize offenses if used correctly.

When you reject the bang-your-head-on-a-wall argument about whether Jordan belongs in the league, you get to witness the real debate about Jordan take a thought-provoking turn.

Where is Dion Jordan's best fit? At which position could Jordan get on the field, showcase his talents and impact games?

Born from this debate was the idea to highlight each position where Jordan could possibly fit and wreak havoc on opposing offenses in various ways. In part one of "Where is Dion Jordan's Best Fit", we will look at how Jordan fits as a strongside linebacker in a 4-3 Under defense.

Keep in mind that in the ever-growing world of sub packages in the NFL, Jordan would only be in this position when the Dolphins are in a base formation.
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Jordan, in my opinion, fits best as a strongside, or SAM, linebacker in hybrid defensive scheme called the "4-3 Under", a scheme which Dolphins DC Kevin Coyle implements into his gameplan from time-to-time.

The Dolphins' deep defensive end group contributes to the growing argument that Dion Jordan would be best utilized in a linebacker role. That deep defensive line would also undoubtedly make Jordan's position switch, and duties as a linebacker for that matter, much easier.

In a 4-3 Under defense, the Dolphins would be able to get Jordan, Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon on the field at the same time in the base defense.

In order to move Jordan to this position, Coyle would have to make some changes to his defense, mainly making the "Under" package his base defense. Coaching is about putting your players in the best position to succeed and making the unit that you control the best that it can possibly be, so this schematic shift isn't out of the question by any means, especially considering the Dolphins already use it at times.
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more here:

http://www.thephinsider.com/2014/8/...best-fit-part-1-sam-linebacker-in-a-4-3-under
 
I believe he fits best on another NFL team. He's done absolutely nothing to impress me.
 
If they wanted to make him a SAM linebacker, why did they encourage him to put on 24 lbs of muscle and become a physical freak in the offseason?
Dion Jordan didn't just do that of his own volition. All players have a program and Jordan was thought to be undersize last year. Why do these reporters now say put him to linebacker now that he has filled out? Coyle knows what he's doing. Jordan either shows sufficient progress or he gets traded.
 
spiketex said:
If they wanted to make him a SAM linebacker, why did they encourage him to put on 24 lbs of muscle and become a physical freak in the offseason?
Dion Jordan didn't just do that of his own volition. All players have a program and Jordan was thought to be undersize last year. Why do these reporters now say put him to linebacker now that he has filled out? Coyle knows what he's doing. Jordan either shows sufficient progress or he gets traded.
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here is our issue. Can he beat out one of the starters at de? If the answer is no you have to ask the next question, does he do more for you on the field at a different position or coming off the bench giving the starters a break?
 
I dont know anymore but its not a good sign where 2nd and 3rd stringers are containing him in pass rushing drills

what a great no.3 pick
 
amazing how Jordan has to show basically nothing but some people act like he is the next coming.
 
I like the idea of having him and his speed and long arms running with TE's across the middle. Tipped passes lead to picks!
 
Dmarino110 said:
here is our issue. Can he beat out one of the starters at de? If the answer is no you have to ask the next question, does he do more for you on the field at a different position or coming off the bench giving the starters a break?
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Why does he have to beat out a DE starter? Put him into the rotation. Cam Wake is one of the best DE's in the game, but at 33 he doesn't have too many years left and Olivier Vernon is an ascending star. Jordan can still contribute as a pass rusher when those guys are having a breather.
Let's see if we can get some value from Jordan. He's absolutely huge and also athletic. Because Vernon is way better than we initially thought, that doesn't mean that we have to give up on Jordan. If anyone can coach him up, Kacy Rodgers can do it.
 
spiketex said:
Why does he have to beat out a DE starter? Put him into the rotation. Cam Wake is one of the best DE's in the game, but at 33 he doesn't have too many years left and Olivier Vernon is an ascending star. Jordan can still contribute as a pass rusher when those guys are having a breather.
Let's see if we can get some value from Jordan. He's absolutely huge and also athletic. Because Vernon is way better than we initially thought, that doesn't mean that we have to give up on Jordan. If anyone can coach him up, Kacy Rodgers can do it.
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We also have a speed package where basically the entire line is DEs
 
Based on everything that I saw from Jordan at Oregon, the organization has been embarrassing in their handling of this #3 overall pick.

First, you draft a LB #3 overall, hoping that he's a DE. Then, after he proves to you that he's not a DE, you tell him to hit the roids . . . err . . . weights. And after he, again, confirms that he's not a DE, you're all like WTF!?

Dion Jordan is great in space. He's amazing to watch. He's horse **** on the line. A big mess of nothing you want. I don't think Jordan is a sure bet at LB, but if you're talking about situations where he might excel, 3-4 OLB would be his best fit. Closest thing you get in a 4-3, is the SAM in the Under. The article is right on that point. It fails to recognize that you need a true NT in an Under, and we let our true NT walk out the door. Unless we think Mitchell can handle the spot, that's a problem. Also, if the author is suggesting the type of hybrid/under look that Seattle likes to play, the D-line would probably require Odrick to play one of the DE spots, moving Wake or Vernon off the field.
 
Dion Jordan is a 3-4 OLB all the way. Rushing the passer with his hand in the dirt is just not what he excels at. Where he excels is in space and ridiculous lateral agility and movement skills for a player his size. We are trying to force-feed him into a DE and so far the results haven't worked.
 
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