Ive seen/heard reports of trying out Clowney and Watt on the same side OLB/DE and on opposite sides OLB/DE. Any thoughts as to which would be more effective? Overloading one whole side or coming in from both?
Yes http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Jadeveon-Clowney-to-be-used-as-OLB/b939d5d8-6a14-4b1b-9143-f079976f811d
That's the theme of OB and Crennel. Flexibility and variety. An OC can look at our personnel but won't know what side the players will like up at or will see Clowney and won't know if we're lining up in a 3 man front with him at OLB or a 4 man front with him at DE.
I think you're right, one of the best things about Clowney is his versatility, it's what really put him above other guys like Mack. You can line him up pretty much anywhere on the line and he'll still be effective, same goes for Watt. Since they can move around anywhere it makes it pretty tough on the offense.
Probably not. You'd be weaker on one side, but it's not like Mercilus is bad. He's not as good as we'd want him to be being a former 1st rounder, but he's not bad. But the point of playing both on one side is that in passing situations, they can overwhelm one side of the line. Play them on opposite sides and they'll probably be going against both OTs. Put them on the same side and then they're probably going against a tackle and a guard or a tackle and a TE. Yeah, the OT on the other side will probably get less of a challenge, but it's going to be easier for Clowney or Watt to beat an OG or TE on the other side.
The schematics change if they run any 4 down sets in passing situations IMO... They could put both J.J. and Clowney in the middle so neither one of them would have to face an OT, both on the outside with two of the big boys in the middle, J.J. on the inside with Whitney and Clowney on the outside, same side, different stunts, etc. I've heard many say they would play a lot of nickel and it's a possibility if they do it could be with 4 down D-linemen.
That is what I was implying:grin: I see where I confused you there though. Mercy improved last year against the run, but I have a feeling they would keep Reed on that side.
They'll be all over the place and Clowney will play on the 1st level a ton out of base. Also remember Clowney is probably the superior run defender compared to Merciless who still sucks at it.
Im leaning towards them being on opposite sides would be best. Even mercilus on same side with watt is scary (moreso than with Reed on his side) and If nix is put at NT that leads to a thinned out offensive line with either Watt or clowney going one on one and a wide open gap for Cushing to destroy some runningbacks
