Williams and Spagnuolo: Similar, yet different

Danno · 01-21-2012, 03:50 PM

After reading 11 billion artiles about Spags and Williams I'm noticing something I think is huge.

They both employ agressive attack defenses that blitz a lot. But the main difference is timing. Spags comes from the Jimmy Johnson (RIP) coaching tree and Jimmy Johnson was known for his timing of the blitz moreso than an abundant assortment of extravagant and often complicated blitz packages.

Gregg's blitzes became predictable. Predictable blitzes will get toasted by even mediocre QB's in this league, as we have seen the last few seasons.

I've heard several experts comment that JJ's blitzes weren't all that complicated, but his timing was flawless. His blitz instinct was second to none. He always caught the opposing QB off guard.

I'm hearing a lot of the same things about Spagnuolo and I think Sgagnuolo may bring that instinct with him.

At least thats my hope.

FinSaint · 01-21-2012, 03:59 PM

The thing I'm the most happy about his defensive mentality is that he first and foremost tries to create pressure with just the front 4, and that has been a huge problem for the Saints.

Therefore, if he can improve the efficiency of the Saints' front 4 - be it with largely the guys they have already or by bringing in new guys who can do it better - I'll be ecstatic next season.

...oh, and bring in Karl Dunbar!

Danno · 01-21-2012, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by FinSaint

The thing I'm the most happy about his defensive mentality is that he first and foremost tries to create pressure with just the front 4, and that has been a huge problem for the Saints.

Therefore, if he can improve the efficiency of the Saints' front 4 - be it with largely the guys they have already or by bringing in new guys who can do it better - I'll be ecstatic next season.

...oh, and bring in Karl Dunbar!

I keep hearing that name pop up. I know very little about him. Is he really that good? It sure helps to have the front 4 he had in Minny. Hell, Rick Venturi could succeed with what Dunbar had to work with.

CharityMike · 01-21-2012, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

It sure helps to have the front 4 he had in Minny. Hell, Rick Venturi could succeed with what Dunbar had to work with.

LOL..that's the truth. Must make life a lot easier with an all pro DE and at one point, 2 all pro DT's.

FinSaint · 01-21-2012, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

I keep hearing that name pop up. I know very little about him. Is he really that good? It sure helps to have the front 4 he had in Minny. Hell, Rick Venturi could succeed with what Dunbar had to work with.

Well, he is a LSU graduate and he played for the Saints in 1993... doesn't that cover the important facts about him?!

Danno · 01-21-2012, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by FinSaint

Well, he is a LSU graduate and he played for the Saints in 1993... doesn't that cover the important facts about him?!

I'm sold.

CharityMike · 01-21-2012, 04:13 PM

Here is his wiki page: Karl Dunbar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Playing career

Dunbar played three seasons in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. A second-team All-SEC defensive tackle as a senior at Louisiana State, Dunbar was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the eighth round, 209th overall, of the 1990 NFL Draft.

FinSaint · 01-21-2012, 04:15 PM

Oklahoma states' DL coach
Bears' DL coach
LSU's DL coach
Vikes' DL coach

That's pretty solid in my opinion...

W. Kovacs · 01-21-2012, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

I've heard several experts comment that JJ's blitzes weren't all that complicated, but his timing was flawless. His blitz instinct was second to none. He always caught the opposing QB off guard.

I'm hearing a lot of the same things about Spagnuolo and I think Sgagnuolo may bring that instinct with him.

At least thats my hope.

My hope, too. I grew up a Steelers Fan and really got into football in the early 90's with Dom Capers calling defensive plays for guys like Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd, and Rod Woodson.

Opposing offenses had to keep extra guys in to block all the time because they never knew when the blitz was coming. But since it DIDN'T come all the time, it was pretty tough to burn them on long pass-plays or even big runs.

Danno · 01-21-2012, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by W. Kovacs

My hope, too. I grew up a Steelers Fan and really got into football in the early 90's with Dom Capers calling defensive plays for guys like Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd, and Rod Woodson.

Opposing offenses had to keep extra guys in to block all the time because they never knew when the blitz was coming. But since it DIDN'T come all the time, it was pretty tough to burn them on long pass-plays or even big runs.

And conversely, If you know the blitz is likely, you adjust your playcalling accordingly and you will beat it more often than not.

01-21-2012, 03:50 PM	#1
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,747	Williams and Spagnuolo: Similar, yet different After reading 11 billion artiles about Spags and Williams I'm noticing something I think is huge. They both employ agressive attack defenses that blitz a lot. But the main difference is timing. Spags comes from the Jimmy Johnson (RIP) coaching tree and Jimmy Johnson was known for his timing of the blitz moreso than an abundant assortment of extravagant and often complicated blitz packages. Gregg's blitzes became predictable. Predictable blitzes will get toasted by even mediocre QB's in this league, as we have seen the last few seasons. I've heard several experts comment that JJ's blitzes weren't all that complicated, but his timing was flawless. His blitz instinct was second to none. He always caught the opposing QB off guard. I'm hearing a lot of the same things about Spagnuolo and I think Sgagnuolo may bring that instinct with him. At least thats my hope.

01-21-2012, 04:05 PM	#3
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,747	Originally Posted by FinSaint The thing I'm the most happy about his defensive mentality is that he first and foremost tries to create pressure with just the front 4, and that has been a huge problem for the Saints. Therefore, if he can improve the efficiency of the Saints' front 4 - be it with largely the guys they have already or by bringing in new guys who can do it better - I'll be ecstatic next season. ...oh, and bring in Karl Dunbar! I keep hearing that name pop up. I know very little about him. Is he really that good? It sure helps to have the front 4 he had in Minny. Hell, Rick Venturi could succeed with what Dunbar had to work with.

01-21-2012, 04:11 PM	#4
CharityMike Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mid City, New Orleans Posts: 3,556	Originally Posted by Danno It sure helps to have the front 4 he had in Minny. Hell, Rick Venturi could succeed with what Dunbar had to work with. LOL..that's the truth. Must make life a lot easier with an all pro DE and at one point, 2 all pro DT's.

01-21-2012, 04:11 PM	#5
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,963	Originally Posted by Danno I keep hearing that name pop up. I know very little about him. Is he really that good? It sure helps to have the front 4 he had in Minny. Hell, Rick Venturi could succeed with what Dunbar had to work with. Well, he is a LSU graduate and he played for the Saints in 1993... doesn't that cover the important facts about him?!

01-21-2012, 04:12 PM	#6
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,747	Originally Posted by FinSaint Well, he is a LSU graduate and he played for the Saints in 1993... doesn't that cover the important facts about him?! I'm sold.

01-21-2012, 03:59 PM	#2
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,963	The thing I'm the most happy about his defensive mentality is that he first and foremost tries to create pressure with just the front 4, and that has been a huge problem for the Saints. Therefore, if he can improve the efficiency of the Saints' front 4 - be it with largely the guys they have already or by bringing in new guys who can do it better - I'll be ecstatic next season. ...oh, and bring in Karl Dunbar!

01-21-2012, 04:13 PM	#7
CharityMike Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mid City, New Orleans Posts: 3,556	Here is his wiki page: Karl Dunbar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Playing career Dunbar played three seasons in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. A second-team All-SEC defensive tackle as a senior at Louisiana State, Dunbar was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the eighth round, 209th overall, of the 1990 NFL Draft.

01-21-2012, 04:15 PM	#8
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,963	Oklahoma states' DL coach Bears' DL coach LSU's DL coach Vikes' DL coach That's pretty solid in my opinion...

01-21-2012, 04:19 PM	#9
W. Kovacs 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 514	Originally Posted by Danno I've heard several experts comment that JJ's blitzes weren't all that complicated, but his timing was flawless. His blitz instinct was second to none. He always caught the opposing QB off guard. I'm hearing a lot of the same things about Spagnuolo and I think Sgagnuolo may bring that instinct with him. At least thats my hope. My hope, too. I grew up a Steelers Fan and really got into football in the early 90's with Dom Capers calling defensive plays for guys like Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd, and Rod Woodson. Opposing offenses had to keep extra guys in to block all the time because they never knew when the blitz was coming. But since it DIDN'T come all the time, it was pretty tough to burn them on long pass-plays or even big runs.

01-21-2012, 04:25 PM	#10
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,747	Originally Posted by W. Kovacs My hope, too. I grew up a Steelers Fan and really got into football in the early 90's with Dom Capers calling defensive plays for guys like Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd, and Rod Woodson. Opposing offenses had to keep extra guys in to block all the time because they never knew when the blitz was coming. But since it DIDN'T come all the time, it was pretty tough to burn them on long pass-plays or even big runs. And conversely, If you know the blitz is likely, you adjust your playcalling accordingly and you will beat it more often than not.

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