Love Swearinger. But... I actually don't like this pick, UNLESS, Wade finds a way to get him on the field for at least 20 snaps a game. Can he play on the 2nd level situationally? He seems dynamic, Phillips might be able to use him right away in blitz packages, throw some wrinkles in.... I mean, we do need a 3rd safety on this team but it's a low-priority need and I like for the 1st and 2nd draft picks to have an opportunity to start. Make an impact immediately. That isn't the case here. And for that, I'm ho-hum on this pick short term. We're trying to win a Superbowl right?
We don't want another Kareem Jackson situation where we start a DB rookie and throw him out on an island. This is the best situation where the future starter learns from a future HOF.
"He also fits in your sub-package. That’s what G.Q. (Glover Quin) played for us, when the sub-package is playing over the tight end and being able to play the running game too. He fits well in there. We played that at least 50 percent of the time, so it’s almost like adding a starter.” - Wade on Swearinger
Umm he will pretty much be a starter. They run their nickel defense over 50 percent of the time. Wade even said this in the press conference after the pick.
Well, he will be on the field a whole bunch. He is also the heir apparent for Reed in their minds most likely. So the decision to pick him was two-fold.
In Wade's system he will be on the field more than 20 snaps.. He is basically a hybrid S and LB for Wade.
"Big nickel" which is the name for a nickle defense with a safety instead of a cornerback as the nickel back, is easily the biggest NFL defensive trend over the past couple of years. it is directly tied to the rise of the Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski two TE sets in New England, as it is generally viewed as the way to counter that formation. most games the third safety will be on the field more than the 4th linebacker, and in the short term that trend will only increase. For comparison Aaron Hernandez technically isn't a starter in New England. they have a fullback who is a "starter". I couldn't even tell you who it is off the top of my head, while I have no trouble identifying Hernandez and his impact on the field.. I would imagine that the starting fullback for the Pats is on the field for less than 20% of the snaps. (The NFL average for fullbacks is just under 30% of snaps on the field.)
By what definition? Fans are too wrapped up int he idea of a 3-4 defense with this team. If Swearinger can play, which is not a given obviously, he will be getting starter reps on the team. Wade doesn't stick with a set defense throughout a game that features the same personnel. The second ILB, the DT, the OLB, the nickel DB and the third safety all rotate in and out quite a bit in his sets.
Y'all convinced me, I'm good. Hope he can cover the TE, we've been getting smoked by basketball framed TE's for 2 years now.
Dunta Robinson agrees enthusiastically. So enthusiastically that he doesn't get back in position, Peyton Manning quick snaps and throws a TD to the man DRob was supposed to be covering.