Originally posted by thl408:
Originally posted by NCommand:
Robert Saleh in 2020...hold my beer.
If you can't see, Seattle played base 69% last year. 2nd was the Cards at 38%. NFL average is 27%.
It does not account for big S-Nickel packages. 
We also need to consider K'Waun Williams will be a FA next year and he's not going to be cheap.
I can't see Saleh using base personnel in obvious passing downs. Even though the SAM (Kwon or Dre) is athletic enough to not look silly covering a slot WR, the better matchup is putting KWilliams on the field in place of the SAM imo. Trying to man cover with a LB vs a slot WR is usually a mismatch. Perhaps 1st/2nd down when there is a threat to of the run, Saleh can use base versus 3WR.
CKupp/LFitzgerald/TLockette vs a LB in man coverage is a win for the offense. The defense last season was so zone dominant that perhaps they don't care the QB knows he is about to see a zone coverage (base vs 3WR).
I don't know how much this will increase but I think Kwon's injuries definitely skewed it more towards nickel with Williams and because we had a coach in Woods who knew how to coach them up and call it.
2 downs is 66%. I don't see it being extreme like Seattle but I have a sneaky suspicion we might end up closer to the Cards around 40%.
It's impossible to predict run-pass downs anymore. I believe the new data shows teams pass more on first downs?
If everyone is healthy and with Woods gone, it wouldn't surprise me to see a shift here since Saleh will have 3 LB's and a SS who can cover and 3 of those guys have worn the green dot on their helmet...I also don't think Saleh is well versed in more exotic coverages so he might stick to what he knows best. LB-centric. More base.
But it'll be fun to keep tabs on.
As to the winner of the WILL, always follow the money and draft positions first. It'll be Kwon with Greenlaw at SAM.
[ Edited by NCommand on May 24, 2020 at 6:34 AM ]