Originally posted by jonesadrian:
Originally posted by thl408:is it out of the realm of possibility that he is used that way strictly on obvious passing downs with no threat of the run?
Accidentally posted this in the AA thread:
We should state the difference between a guy that hits hard, and a guy that is ready to transition to ILB. Just because Tartt can lay the wood, it doesn't mean he can move to ILB in a nickel package where there is only one true LB, and offenses will try to exploit by running the ball. All ILBs love to hit, but not all guys that love to hit can play ILB.
Going from getting his keys (where to look) from the WR/TE to getting his keys from the OLinemen is a big adjustment. Safeties key the WR/TE to determine what to do as their first movement after the ball is snapped (depending on the playcall). ILBs will key the OL/TE/RB depending on the defensive playcall. Reading 'low hat' or 'high hat' (level of the Oline's helmets) isn't as easy as it sounds, and having a hesitant ILB would be a huge weakness.
Then there's the whole taking on Guards issue that would be the biggest adjustment for a DB moving to ILB. Tartt is big, but he's still a DB that isn't used to taking on Olinemen. Wilhoite played multiple positions in college, but he was at 240. So he was out of place as a safety and never projected as a DB past college. Tartt will have to make a significant adjustment or he will be out of place as an ILB. Us saying he will play ILB is just speculation on our part (unless I missed a Baalke/Tomsula interview stating Tartt would move to ILB).
Not to make him a ILB converted but to strictly be in on passing downs only and his responsibilities are either coverage of the tight end (graham) or a zone lurk look so he'll never have to do those things a true ILB has to do?
just curious
What you described is very possible. What you're describing is using a dime defense (6 DBs) to combat a 3 WR set. I can see a sub package including Tartt (3CBs/3safeties) versus a 3WR set, but if the offense goes 4 WR, a 4th CB must be used instead of Tartt.

Nickel package with one true LB?
Nevermind I see what you meant after reading again
