Just as I Thought: The Stillers and Ryan Shazier
Special Commentary by PalmerSucks
Word out of Pittsburgh is that rookie Ryan Shazier has been impressive in shorts; so much so he may threaten to break that honored Stillers tradition of not playing the new guys.
The Trib-Review reported on Shazier’s progress in an article you can read here: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/6253366-74/shazier-steelers-defense#ixzz34O8M7Z2a
There’s one key section, however, I’d like you to read now:
“Shazier also can cover a lot of ground in a little bit of time, one reason why, on a day the Steelers began opening up the bag of tricks that their newly acquired players provided them, Shazier was a younger version of Troy Polamalu — lining up everywhere and anywhere.”
Yes, just as I thought, the Stillers had a vision when they drafted Shazier, one that caused them to pick him despite of all the reach talk. It’s a vision of Shazier flying all over the field, from all different spots. As I wrote immediately after they drafted him in my “Speed Kills” review:
“Football’s become a passing game, and not only that, it’s become a lateral one. These days, offenses run more bubble screens and all sorts of side-line to side-line stuff. Teams like Seattle counter this with speed defenders like Bruce Irvin, the big LB who runs a 4.4. That’s what makes the dominant Seahawks defense go: fast, versatile players who can line up at different positions (emphasis mine), in unusually wide alignments.” http://www.stillers.com/Article/View/d82786b1-8315-4858-b1cb-424d8a59b9f9#sthash.hfGptGy0.dpuf
Continuing from the Trib article:
“Shazier also can cover a lot of ground in a little bit of time, one reason why, on a day the Steelers began opening up the bag of tricks that their newly acquired players provided them, Shazier was a younger version of Troy Polamalu — lining up everywhere and anywhere.”
Got that? Fast, lateral movement – “covering a lot of ground in a little bit of time.” “Lining up everywhere and anywhere.” (Just like Seattle does with their guys.) Doing the same thing with Shazier at LB they’ve done with Polamalu at safety.
As everybody reported, the Stillers drafted Shazier for his speed; but that’s just half the story. They looked at that speed in terms of it translating into something: versatility. In this case, the ability to line up at multiple positions.
Shazier’s listed at inside, but he’ll see plenty of outside duties as I predicted. He may even play DB in certain packages, just as Troy Pola sometimes functions as a linebacker.
Football’s a copycat league, as they say. Just as teams once mimicked the Stillers zone-blitz, the Stillers now have taken a page from teams like the Seahawks. Teams who draft quick, speedy defenders who can line up at multiple positions, favoring speed and versatility above all else. (Ironically, hilariously, Shazier’s been chosen to wear Larry Foote’s old number. How’s that for a symbol of change?)
Again, I, like many others had my questions about drafting Shazier, but I know why the Stillers drafted him. There’s no question about that.
Imagine you’re a QB lining up before the snap and calling out signals: “Number fifty is the Will! No wait he’s the Mike! No wait he’s the Sam! No wait a minute… holy shit I think he’s the fuckin’ SAFETY!”
Think I’m kidding? Here’s one last line from the Trib:
“Once, he was assigned outside coverage on Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown.”
Imagine Larry Foote trying to do that.
This is why you come to Stillers.com. While the “professional” sports media are busy reporting what’s happened, we’re busy predicting it. Whether that’s telling you the deal about Woodley while the local paper’s still fawning all over him, or what the Stillers were really thinking when they drafted Shazier, you can be sure of one thing: you’ll get nothing but the unfiltered truth here. Instead of all the public relations and politics that come with the mainstream sports press.
Now here’s one more prediction: Shazier will be used as an outside rusher, sure, but he’ll also play some Buck. In the Stillers’ system, the Buck is the equivalent of the Mike (middle) LB, responsible for playcalling and short-to-intermediate coverage over the middle. His speed will make him ideal to handle that part of his duties. (Think Brian Urlacher, a player converted to LB from DB to utilize his speed.)
Playing Buck, however, Shazier will also have to be able to shed blocks, as he’ll be the ‘backer called on to fill gaps in run defense. His ability to do that is my one concern. Should he show he can handle that challenge, I predict he’ll be a big success. If not, he could turn out to be the next Bruce Davis.
R.I.P. Charles Henry Noll, 1932-2014