First off, I want to say that this is based off a very small sample size,(one team/player) so it probably wouldn't work for Dallas...however, I think that it could be an interesting idea.....
Now alot of people are saying that We need to move Ratliff to DE, and while I am not opposed to the idea, I want to take the idea a step further. Move Ware. Wait don't we already move him around? yes but He primarily lines up against the LT. I am saying move him to the Other side, primarily. Follow me past the jump.
First off I want to show you All something:
In his Rookie Season, Aldon Smith (playing primarily in Ware's spot has the Following Stats:
CAREER STATSMORE | |||||||||||||||
Season | Team | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
G | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sck | SFTY | PDef | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs | FF | ||
2011 | San Francisco 49ers | 16 | 0 | 37 | 31 | 6 | 14.0 | 1 | 4 | -- | -- | 0.0 | -- | -- | 2 |
TOTAL | 37 | 31 | 6 | 14.0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -- | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Compare that to Demarcus Ware:
CAREER STATSMORE | |||||||||||||||
Season | Team | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
G | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sck | SFTY | PDef | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs | FF | ||
2011 | Dallas Cowboys | 16 | 16 | 58 | 47 | 11 | 19.5 | -- | 2 | -- | -- | 0.0 | -- | -- | 2 |
So as a Rookie Smith has 21 less tackles(combined) and 5.5 less sacks....Not bad. as We all know Demarcus Ware is an athletic freak, so his sack and Tackle totals are what we would expect....but what about Aldon Smith?
Here you are:
Combine Results | Pro Day Results | ||
Combine Invite: Yes Height: 6042 Weight: 263 40 Yrd Dash: 4.74 20 Yrd Dash: 2.70 10 Yrd Dash: 1.66 |
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 20 Vertical Jump: 34 Broad Jump: 09'10" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.50 3-Cone Drill: 7.19 4.60/4.69/4.79 40 range before Combine - C |
Dates: 03/17/11 Height: 6042 Weight: 263 40 Yrd Dash: 20 Yrd Dash: 10 Yrd Dash: |
225 Lb. Bench Reps: Vertical Jump: 34 1/2 Broad Jump: 09'09" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 3-Cone Drill: |
Hmmm it seems that I have seen Numbers similar to these:
Combine Results | Pro Day Results | ||
Combine Invite: Yes Height: 6027 Weight: 261 40 Yrd Dash: 4.70 20 Yrd Dash: 2.74 10 Yrd Dash: 1.64 |
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 30 Vertical Jump: 32 1/2 Broad Jump: 09'04" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.43 3-Cone Drill: 7.14 |
Dates: 03/09/07 Height: 6027 Weight: 261 40 Yrd Dash: 4.69 20 Yrd Dash: 2.76 10 Yrd Dash: 1.56 |
225 Lb. Bench Reps: Vertical Jump: Broad Jump: 20 Yrd Shuttle: 3-Cone Drill: |
You know who these numbers belong to? Dallas own Anthony Spencer....yep the much maligned "Almost" Anthony Spencer.
So Wait are you saying that Anthony could play in Ware's spot?...Yes I am. We have all seen that Ware is effective rushing from either side of the line. And Is one of the better run stopping OLBs in the league. So why not? Well there is a slight issue with this.
The Defensive line...In San Fran you have a Defensive line that has combined for 13 sacks between Justin Smith(7.5) and Ray McDonald(5.5)....Dallas on the Other hand has a Line that has combined for 9.5 sacks with the two highest being, Jason Hatcher(4.5) and Sean Lissmore/Jay Ratliff(2.0)
So Here is what I propose:
If Anthony accepts a reasonable Contract(I am thinking a Marcus Spears type, 5 years 20 million) then I would run this Lineup (POV, Facing the Offense):
ROLB- Spencer
RDE- Ratliff
NT-Lissemore/Josh Brent
LDE- Hatcher
LOLB- Ware
What this does is Ratliff becomes out Justin Smith. What will Happen is that Ratliff will pull the LT Down, thus freeing Spencer up to run Delayed Blitzes from the Blind side. With Ware on the other side that magnifies his effect of Pulling blockers that way. So instead of this:
Ware-LT
Hatcher-LG
Ratliff- C/RG
Coleman- RT
You Now have this:
Ratliff- LT
Lissmore-LG/C
Hatcher-RG
Ware-RT
Notice how it is much more difficult to "Double" both Ware and Ratliff and still maintain protection. If you Move your LG to Ratliff, that causes a Chain Reaction that leaves ware unblocked. Or you Now have Lissemore against the Center one on one. I would Imagine this is how Smith was able to get 14 sacks on the year as a rookie. and Ware vs a RT all game? There is a way to remove a TE from the Secondary, thus allowing Bruce Carter and Sean Lee to roam around in run Support/ Coverage.
Now Will Dallas do This I doubt it... but still...