Jim Leonhard - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Leonhard
Runs an attacking 3-4 at UW and his guys play hard, rally to the ball, and seem fundamentally sound.
I realize that I am highly biased towards all things UW, but still watch them play sometime. Especially the quality snaps he gets out of his LBs and CBs.
See you Space Cowboy ...
1. Graham Barton, C, Duke 2. Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida 3. Maason Smith, DT, LSU 3. Max Melton, CB, Rutgers 4. Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame 6. Tommy Eichenberg, ILB, Ohio State 6. MJ Devonshire, CB, Pittsburgh
"With love, with patience, and with Faith
....She'll make her way" ~ Natalie Merchant
I'd take Jim Leonhard. I always like how hard Wisconsin's defense plays. There will be a risk in making a college coordinator a first time NFL coordinator, but then again there is risk of making a position coach a first time coordinator as well, and a having a previous defensive coordinator does not guarantee success either, so yeah why not Jim Leonhard.
P.S. I still remember his long punt return in the 08 AFC Championship game late in the first half that helped get Baltimore back in that game and swing momentum towards them before Troy's INT
All I know is that Haden is the only player i notice that plays the ball in coverages, the others like Burns, Sensebaugh, Sutton, are playing the receiver and have their backs facing the oncoming pass; they have no idea where the ball is they're just chasing after the receiver and sticking their hands in the air hoping to distract the receiver - just doesn't look good.
If the CB is watching the QB and the football, then how are they going to know where the WR is running, so that they can cover the WR?
Textbook CB coverage is to backpedal until the WR makes up the cushion and then turn and run with the WR, with their eyes focused on the receiver. Then, when the WR hands go up for the reception, the CB is taught to put their hands between the WR's hands and then turn their head to the QB to look for the ball and avoid a PI call.
In game 1, Cam Sutton had a pass breakup on the sideline vs Josh Gordon and it was exactly that, textbook CB play. He had his back to the QB and was running with Gordon, but when Gordon put his hands up to catch the football he put his right hand between Gordon's and broke up the pass.
yeah, but I don’t see them turning their heads when the receiver stretches his arms out or better yet when they see his eyes looking up for the ball, you don’t turn around at the right time, your more likely to get called for PI, like you said, and also, they’ll never get a chance to make a play on the ball and get a pic.
Very true, but sometimes you don't have time to get your head around, because you are catching up to the receiver. I saw Bostic make a pass breakup on Howard last night in the seam where he did that very thing....he put his hand up when Howard put his hands up to catch the football. Bostic didn't have time to turn his head around because Howard outran him down the field.
Sutton plays very close to the WR and has good feet and change of direction IMO. Burns doesn't have as good short area quickness and feet, but rather long speed and he likes to turn his hips and play in "bail" coverage, so I get what you are saying. Sensabaugh likes to play bail technique a lot from what I see too, but I think he gives a lot of cushion because he doesn't have the quick change of direction or makeup speed long.
Short of it is, I think Sensabaugh is the #5 CB, I think Burns has #2 talent, but #5 technique and awareness. I think Hayden, Sutton and Hilton are the best CB combination the team has.