Could Mike Vrabel actually be cooking up a defensive surprise for the Seattle Seahawks?
Great coaches play to their strengths and put their players in the best position to win. So, you have to wonder if Vrabel and his defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr might have something special for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
Why might he shift personnel?
Look at how the factors have aligned.
It was Kenneth Walker on the ground, not Sam Darnold through the air, that keyed the Super Bowl win.
New England’s strength up front on defense is its interior playmakers and depth.
The Patriots are so very thin at the two traditional edge spots, with only Dre’Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder and Gabe Jacas in the rotation.
Seattle expects a front with Christian Barmore and Milton Williams inside, two off-ball linebackers – likely Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss – and the two edge pieces.
How to adjust up front
The thought here is to add one more interior lineman, say maybe Cory Durden on the nose, and play bigger with just one of those edge rushers on the field in a much heavier 4-2-5 look.
Durden becomes a key. He’s enjoyed a huge preseason in his second season with the Patriots and might be ready for a breakthrough after bouncing around on four different teams in three pro seasons.
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
A clue to his plan
Vrabel hinted at the possibility on Saturday when asked about the progress of Barmore and Durden.
“I noticed the second day, in Philly joint practice, an impact, and I felt Milt, Cory, the energy and Christian working. I felt them,” Vrabel said.
“So, that has to continue to translate. We understand that the defensive line and our offensive line, they have to be the identity soldiers for this football team, and they have to carry that style of play and that demeanor, and hopefully they’ll continue to do that.”
Shades of the ‘dynasty’ Patriots
Going with a “bigger three” plus a guy like Jones on one edge is a defense that Vrabel himself played in and prospered in.
Bill Belichick employed a hefty line with Richard Seymour, Keith Traylor (later Vince Wilfork) and Ty Warren on what many consider to be one of the great defenses and teams of all time, the 2004 Patriots.
The pressure generated by Williams playing over the offensive tackle might help kick-start what has not been much of a pass rush in New England.
