Want A Nickel from 2016? How Keith Butler Can use the 2016 Draft Class Defenders

Hello fellow members of TSF. AskQuestionsLater here; discussing with you the first three picks of the 2016 draft class and how this can ultimately complete Pittsburgh's quest to form the modern variation of a unique defensive formation known as the "Big Nickel." With that done, let us get started.



"Nickel Back" The new 3-4:


Obviously.... with the release of Dick LeBeau, a new leaf was turning for the defensive side of the ball. "Maybe more rookies will play this time as opposed to sit and wait..." This was the common hope and thought on many. To the surprise of few if no one at that, Keith Butler turned the young guns loose and let them play to their strengths in contrast to a finite systemic approach to confuse the opposing team. As a result.. Pittsburgh's defense saw an increase in production on many fronts. However, one thing to note is the fact that Butler was also using more of the Nickel defense than the tried and true 3-4 defense due to the emergence of 11 (1 RB 1 TE) and 12( 1 RB 2 TE) personnel looks across the NFL. In fact, Butler used the Nickel 65.8% of the time in 2015. As such, switching to the Nickel was the best counter for these types of offenses. However, even with the right defensive scheme, it is the players how make the difference. Pittsburgh did have a quality front seven, but were relegated to using the 3-3-5 due to the lack of an interior penetrator. Daniel McCullers, despite his abilities, was more suited towards a space eating/pocket pushing role. As a result, this is one of the big reasons that Pittsburgb would end up 30th on pass defense; lack of pedigree in the secondary being the primary factor. However, with the draft complete, Keith Butler can now cement his stamp on this defense. As a starting bonus, nabbing one of the steals in the draft was not a bad idea. Speaking of which....



Enter "Grave Digger":


Javon Hargreave... a player, that, for whatever reason conjured up stories of what Joe Greene did in his days in North Texas State, was widely reputed to be a top 50 to even late 1st round choice in some circles. Getting him in round 3 is absolute value and a classic "Steel" on Colbert's behalf. Hargreave's skill set is bent on disruption, pocket dismantling (albeit a smaller scale than "Shade Tree") and penetration. A lower thick body provides absolute explosive acceleration to further augment his destructive one gapping abilities. His talent for getting to the quarterback is something that only Sheldon Rankins was as good if not better at doing. While I do wish Javon was longer (31 inch. arms are going to get you into trouble in the trenches) there really is not anything else I can complain about. The biggest reason however Javon is considered a steal is what he can provide for Butler. Never mind spelling Daniel McCullers breaks, Hargreave's abilities now usher in a new age defensive setup: The "Big" Nickel.


Go "Big" Or Go Home:



Bud Dupree, Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargreave, Daniel McCullers, Jarvis Jones, Travis Feeney, Anthony Chickillo, and even Sean Davis..... all these names are the primary catalyst for what Butler could use in the "Big" Nickel. Essentially a 4-2-5, the "Big" Nickel has been around for a while. However, as stated previously, 11 and 12 sets are the new normal. As such, there needs to be a counter measure to ensure balance. The solution? Hybrid defenders. Deone Buccanon is often credited with the new age philosophy for the hybrid defender for stopping the athletic tight ends of the current NFL era. While some state this is where Ryan Shazier comes in, not so fast. Sean Davis is essentially an in the box safety but has exceptional range and length. As such, for Butler's needs, he fills a role known as the "Big Nickel Defensive Back" position. This position is extremely mallable and requires a multi array skill set; a skill set something only Davis possess currently on the roster. Not only is Davis strong enough to handle these new age tight ends, his coverage skills (in time) will allow him to cover slot based players, thus possibly making this Butler's bread and butter formation when dealing with such threats. As for the front seven, Jarvis, Cameron, Stephon, Bud, Anthony, Travis, Daniel and Javon cover the front and using Ryan, Lawrence, or Vince covers the middle. For a better perspective, here are some options on how Butler could set this up.


Barebones Nickel Set :

Right Defensive End: Stephon Tuitt/Anthony Chickillo

Right Defensive Tackle: Javon Hargreave/Daniel McCullers

Left Defensive Tackle: Cameron Heyward/Javon Hargreave

Left Defensive End: Bud Dupree/Travis Feeney

Linebacker: Ryan Shazier

Linebacker: Lawrence Timmons

Cornerback: Ross Cockrell

Cornerback: William Gay

"Big" Nickel Defensive Back: Sean Davis

Safety: Robert Golden

Safety: Mike Mitchell


This set is as basic as it gets. Sean should have his coverage abilities tuned a bit for slot/TE duty and balance out Tuitt and Heyward along the front seven.



Interior Assualt Nickel Set:


Right Defensive End: Bud Dupree/Anthony Chickillo

Right Defensive Tackle: Stephon Tuitt/Daniel McCullers

Left Defensive Tackle: Cameron Heyward/Javon Hargreave

Left Defensive End: Jarvis Jones/Travis Feeney

Linebacker: Ryan Shazier

Linebacker: Lawrence Timmons

Cornerback: Ross Cockrell

Cornerback: William Gay

"Big" Nickel DB: Sean Davis

Safety: Robert Golden

Safety: Mike Mitchell


This sets purpose is wreaking havoc inside. Running plays will not be an issue here. In addition, both Tuitt and Heywards abilities to push and collapse the pocket will provide easier sacks for Bud and Jarvis.


Tower Defense Nickel Set:


Right Defensive End: Stephon Tuitt/Bud Dupree

Right Defensive Tackle: Daniel McCullers/Javon Hargreave

Left Defensive Tackle: Cameron Heyward/Javon Hargreave

Left Defensive End: Jarvis Jones/Anthony Chickillo

Linebacker: Ryan Shazier

Linebacker: Lawrence Timmons

Cornerback: Ross Cockrell

Cornerback: Artie Burns

"Big" Nickel Defensive Back: Robert Golden

Safety: Sean Davis

Safety: Mike Mitchell


In this set, our goal is to limit the big plays. Both Cokrell and Burns have the speed to keep up with many of the burners. Robert Golden can handle the slot/underneath and Sean can provide range or deliver tempo setting hits.


There are more sets to make from this, but the key of it all is to use Javon Hargreave, Artie Burns and Sean Davis' abilities to their maximum. Considering that Butler has his players play to their strengths, it is no coincidence now that why all three picks were made; a culmination of the completion of Butler's usage of the Nickel defense. In addition, this also solves the Andrew Billings question as well; Pittsburgh already having an "Andrew Billings" in Daniel McCullers and needing more of an "Aaron Donald" defensive tackle. Regardless, should the 2016 draft class learn sooner rather than later.... there is no reason to say why Pittsburgh cannot field a top 10 defense when 2016 is in the books.


That does it for my view on what Butler's options could be. What are your favorite options out of the three? Do you have any you would like to share? How often do you believe Butler will have his defense in the Nickel defense? As always, thanks for reading and as always...

.. If you cannot remember, you can always "AskQuestionsLater"

 

I'm not sure Chickillo will be going back to DE. He was played at OLB for a reason - the likelihood is he's not big enough to compete at DE in the NFL.
I know some have been touting Dupree to make some plays from the DE area, but Dupree's strengths are not lining up head to head against a Tackle.

Still, I like the ideas, AQL. For me, I don't think we should put too much expectation on Hargrave, and ideally we would see more depth at that position in order to make it the core point of the defense.

 

Regard

What the bolded states is true. However, I do have Chickillo at DE as a reserve option and not the go to. In addition, keep in mind that Chickillo showed that he was capable of holding down the edge (albeit in small capacity.


Regarding Dupree, his strength is also good for holding down the edge as well. One key factor though is his explosive power. Dupree has shown to have a better get off than his opposition. The core issue for me is which step he uses to obtain that maximum power. His outside foot should be the one to generate power.... not the inside.



Either way, Javon, Artie, and Sean all have the potential to cement Butler's own "Renegade" style of defense.

 

Hence

Hence why playing Chickillo in said formation will ultimately unleash all of his talents at once. Losing 20lbs. was just icing on the cake for him.

Even as an EDGE option, considering that Left Tackles are more finesse than their Right Tackle counterparts, having Travis Feeney as a Right Defensive End does not sound all that crazy every now and then.


Butler is going to cement that this is his defense now by using the Nickel and its variants. The question remains which of the 2016 draft class can make the most impact?

 

For what it is worth, when I focused on Chick at home games, he was not playing DE.

 

You should swap Heyward and Tuitt in the big nickel. What you're really going for is a Seattle like under front.

5Tech DE - Heyward
3Tech UT - Tuitt/Hargrave
1Tech NT - McCullers/Hargrave
9Tech LE - Dupree

 

Valid assumptions... I can't wait

 

Keep attacking and watch the W's grow.

 

I understand the logic of putting Heyward into the 5 tech.. but Heyward is position flexible and can be used elsewhere; hence my three example sets?


Either way though, like your assessment and order for the front four. May I ask what the rest of your defense looks like?

 

True

True. However, he did show, in that little time, he could set and hold the edge. Much of maintaining edge control has the same amount of technique as it does power. Chickillo has both and I do not believe losing 20 lbs. is that devastating for such a task as others believe.

 

Id continue being multiple:

if build a 43 Under/Over front that could easily transition to Nickel, but could also augment to the Okie 34 as well.

I'd like to see more of:

Under front base
9T/LEO/1gap- Dupree / Harrison / Moats
3T/UT/1gap - Hargrave / Tuitt
1T/NT/2gap - Tuitt / McCullers
5T/DE/2gap - Heyward / Tuitt
WILL - Shazier
MIKE - Timmons / Williams
SAM - Jarvis / Williams

It's a strong attacking under front, that could also shift easily to the Okie 34 by sliding Jarvis down and having Hargrave 2 gap. It allows us to be multiple and disguise our sets.

For nickel version swap SAM Jarvis out NB Golson in.

Even front nickel
9T/LEO/1gap- Dupree/Moats
3T/UT/1gap - Tuitt/Hargrave
1T/NT/1gap - Heyward/Hargrave
7T/DE/1gap - Harrison/Jarvis/Moats
WILL - Shazier
MIKE - Timmons
NB - Golson

hybrid okie
45T/DE/2gap - Heyward / Walton
01T/NT/2gap - McCullers / Hargrave
45T/DE/2gap - Tuitt / Walton
OLB - Dupree/Moats
Mack - Shazer
Buck - Timmons
OLB - Harrison/Jarvis

I'm not going to comment too much on the secondary, since there are many camp battles to be had. All I'll say is that I think a healthy Golson wins the nickelback job, and Golden will be the starting SS.

 

Fair enough on the defensive backs. Am intrigued you went with the Okie as opposed to the Eagle for the 3-4 sets. Then again, having Dupree two gap does not help him as much as people believe.

 

I would never have Dupree 2 gap

 

Can someone post a screen shot of the Steelers in a 3-3-5 formation? I recall seeing a 3-4-4, and a 2-4-5, and a 2-3-6 (Golden in for Timmons), but I can't recall seeing a formation with the same number of d-lineman as linebackers. Also, why, if the defense is trying to match the number of skill position players, would they use 4 defensive linemen, even if one of them is a linebacker playing DE?

As the NFL evolves into flag football more and more, with teams like the Patriots passing the ball 60 times a game, and the Steelers loading up their defense with speed, I would not be surprised to see a 1 defensive lineman, 3 linebacker and 7 defensive back formation with nobody putting a hand in the dirt.

 

The exciting thing going forward is seeing Tomlin and Butler continue to evolve and stamp this hybrid defense.

They are going to use 30 and 40 fronts and the subsequent nickel formations you get off those fronts.

I think you've got the evolution of the game backwards. As the passing game hits its peak, we've seen a trend away from the disguise of 30 fronts and back to the attack of 40 fronts.

 

Some believe it would... but that really restrains Dupree's maximum abilities.

 

Said sentence is entirely accurate. The passing game has reached its highest point. As we now know.. the only way for the passing game to go is down. Within 3-5 years we will see the return of the ground n pound based offensive attacks and less of the air raid until a new method will countermeasure the "Richard Sherman" effect.

 

I think some guys write things as if they've just come from a coaches' meeting on the South Side, but they were really in their mom's basement. This happened on another board I remember. Threads would then devolve into challenges like, "who here has ever played the game?" answered with sundry responses from "we would have won state if coach had put me in," to "I played a little " by someone with a house of cards reputation as an expert.

 

Cool story. I'll keep a look out for the trend towards a single DL.

 

I am not too sure. While I do not think that we will see the 70s level of ground n pound again, I do see I greater degree of the run game being utilizied.


Now.... is the passing game dying? Absolutely not. I just believe that team building in the case of the Rams, Seahawks, Titans (whatever "exotic smashmouth, is seems more of a glorified usage of 21 and 22 personnel sets to me), Ravens (believe it or not), Falcons, and the Cowboys are more bent on setting up the run then using the pass as opposed to teams like the Saints who do the exact opposite.


Now if you have a balanced team like the Steelers or Cardinals do, you can mix and match based upon the opposing team rather than your limitations (i.e. Bengals cannot stop the run, Browns cannot do anything, etc., etc.).


My point is that the running game will return to prominence... but not in the way of the 70s and more akin to that of the 90s.

 

Only 3 teams passed the ball less than 52% of the time

Only 7 teams less than 55%

And over half the league passed 60% of the time or more

All those figures continue to trend in the direction of more passing

There is not statistical trend toward more running

 

i think the trend will depend on personnel. RB's like bell for the steelers can do so many things. not every team has that. not every team has a franchise QB that can play the 60+% passing game. some don't have the TE that is a field stretcher. some don't have the complete WR corp that can rip another team week in and week out. diversity will become the new norm i think for defenses. depending on who you are playing and their strengths on offense. we have an O that should be a nightmare to face since we have all of the above.