FanPost

Gus B & The Bolts D just changed the game!


I just noticed "The Lightning Round's" headline of Gus Bradley has created a new "Trend". I have not listened to it yet...and have text messages to prove that what I am about to say I have been saying to all my football buddies...even using it as a way to help make my brother in law who is a Ravens fan not feel so bad about the crushing defeat.

But Gus Bradley's "Silver Dollar" (My best friend coined this phrase when I told him) defense has a reasonable if not probable chance to alter the game of football for the foreseeable future. My apologies to all the big "thumper" LB's out there, especially in college. I sincerely hope that if this happens your position will RIP...because I don't see how your position will survive the realization that such a dominant running team, at home, in windy cold weather could be so stymied (on offense) by a California team (AT 10AM PST) that used 7 defensive backs for all but 1 play. The Chargers made the Ravens offense look like a Division-2 college team getting manhandled by a Power-5 team for 3.5 quarters in the process!

Major props has to go to the front for of the Bolts. Without them this super-human shutdown of the vaunted Ravens rushing attack would not have been possible. So the premise of this expose is that you have to have very good play from your front 4 to make it possible...until this is proven otherwise.

The advantages to having 7 DB's on the field are numerous and obvious...

1. More speed to run sideline to sideline

2. More speed to swarm ball carriers with more hands to potentially punch the ball out.

3. More speed to cover RB, TE, or even WR's.

4. More speed to recover from play action fakes to drop back more quickly into coverage.

5. More speed to track, spy, limit or even nullify scrambling QB.

6. More men with speed who actually have ball skills (better than most LB) to both jump short routes, and to actually catch the ball when given the opportunity. (I see you #31-AP)!!!

The Potential drawbacks?

1. Can 190-220 pound "safeties" withstand a 16-game season plus playoffs in the trenches?

3. How badly do they wear down if they are on the field excessively in any particular game?

3. What happens on the 2 yard line and 3rd or 4th and 2 or less?

4. Less physical and punishing tackles.

Now, the #1 & 2 drawbacks are a clear and present danger. I mean, thick & burly linebackers have a hard time staying healthy...right Denzell P?

The Middle Path is this. it is impossible that the "Silver Dollar" can be sustained for 98% of every game. But the idea of having 3 or 4 traditional linebackers on the field will become the new "Dime" defense - the new "Sub-package" for specifically (some) short yardage and (short) goal to go situations.

What is a premium? Big or even medium sized LB's that can run are already at a premium. Now the 230 lb+ will be almost as coveted as edge rushers, and can expect their pay scales to rise dramatically.

What is out? Slow (or even slightly below average running) thumping LB tough guys like Take Spikes will be the new dime corner seeing the field for a handful of snaps a game...if they are lucky.

We already have all but seen the end of the lead back that carries around 25+ times a game. Backs that can do a little of everything are already highly desired. If you can't catch out of the backfield you better run and block like a monster...or hope a CFL team signs you - because there is no place in the NFL for you anymore.

With smaller niche scatback speedsters (that Darren Sproles opened the door for more than a decade a go) becoming more common, the need for speed is as required as ever...

Speed kills...speed kills...speed kills...welcome to the New NFL, it is here to stay!

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.