Louis Nix III

[hawaiiansteel]

1(15) Pittsburgh Steelers: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame

The Steelers could use some young talent for their defensive line. Casey Hampton was let go after many good years in the middle of the Pittsburgh defense. Ziggy Hood is entering free agency and may not be worth re-signing in the long term, while Brett Keisel is 35. If the Steelers draft Nix, Steve McLendon could move to end.

Nix (6-3, 340) was a stud in 2012. He was a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage, and his stats don't illustrate how much he dominated interior offensive linemen. The havoc Nix caused helped Stephon Tuitt and Manti Te'o to make plays. Nix totaled 50 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, five passes batted and one forced fumble for the season.

In 2013, Nix recorded 27 tackles with two tackles for a loss. He played well against Michigan, totaling four tackles and a tackle for a loss, and was very disruptive at the point of attack. Nix started slowly against USC before playing well in the final three quarters. His contribution to the pass rush was greater than the numbers indicate. Nix's season ended early after choosing to undergo knee surgery. He had been playing with a torn meniscus and went to Dr. James Andrews to have the knee fixed.

[URL]http://walterfootball.com/draft2014charlie.php[/URL]

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

interesting stat on the NT snap totals... but I have to wonder if those would change if we had a true NT. What were Hampton's snap totals?

That is a real good number for comparison Feltdizz...Let me see if could find it.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

The Steelers had their NT on the field 375 snaps out of 1,070 and everyone thinks having a True NT would have helped the 21st rank run defense? The Steelers gave up 65% of the rushing yards against nickel & dime. The reason the Steelers were in Nickel & Dime was because the teams forced the Steelers to go to sub with 12 personnel.

Were the Steelers out of the base so much because of the opponent's personnel, or was it because they realized that the man playing NT was a liability? I am going with what my eyes told me. McLendon got no push at the nose and they pulled him off the field. First, they gave a late round rookie ILB many of his snaps. That is not scheme, that is a benching. Once they saw this was not the answer they spread the snaps out to the little guys. Shark, Gay/Allen, Will Allen all saw the field more. Later on they then worked Woods into the mix. I'd say that was more about McLendon than what the other team was doing. After all, we all know that our DC cannot make adjustments based on what the other team does. It must have been something going on with his own D that caused the changes.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I put something together for My Steeler Brothers. Interesting Defensive stats. You can see the "Big Play" is what killed us this year. I personally am more concerned with the 46 (+20) & 12 (+40) big plays in the passing game. I'm not discounting the 5 +40 rushes...But those "chunk plays" in rushing are more on missed tackles & bad ankles with the LBs & DBs. You want to hear something even more sickening? The 5 +40 yard rushing plays (Peterson 60 yds, Forte 55 yds, Pryor 93 yds, Tannehill 48 yds, & D Thomas 55 yds) are the difference between the Steelers rushing defense ranking 21st & 5th. Take away those 5 plays...The Steelers are a Top 5 rushing defense.

The Stat that should be most meaningful is the first column I put up. Scoring! Big Plays = Scoring. When the Steelers are Tops in points allowed....They make the playoffs. (Records & Notes on right).

That last thing I will mention is a trend. Notice how 3,447 yards passing allowed in 2009 was ranked 16th in the NFL but 3,546 yards passing allowed is ranked 9th best in 2013. Evolution. 9th place last 5 years starting '13-'09 (3,546, 3,470, 3,385, 3,352, & 3,316). Doesn't sound like much but over the last 5 years...passing TDs have increased by 94. Passing TDs per year starting '13-'09 (804, 757, 745, 751, & 710).

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Were the Steelers out of the base so much because of the opponent's personnel, or was it because they realized that the man playing NT was a liability? I am going with what my eyes told me. McLendon got no push at the nose and they pulled him off the field. First, they gave a late round rookie ILB many of his snaps. That is not scheme, that is a benching. Once they saw this was not the answer they spread the snaps out to the little guys. Shark, Gay/Allen, Will Allen all saw the field more. Later on they then worked Woods into the mix. I'd say that was more about McLendon than what the other team was doing. After all, we all know that our DC cannot make adjustments based on what the other team does. It must have been something going on with his own D that caused the changes.

Don't believe your eyes without the football behind it. "Were the Steelers out of the base so much because of the opponent's personnel" is exactly what I told you. When the offense gave the Steelers 12 personnel the Steelers had to go to their Big Nickel because the couldn't go cover 0 or cover 1 on the back end to stay in base. That has nothing to do with the NT. The Steelers Big Nickel was 2 DLs, 3 Lbs, & 6 Dbs. Troy would play the Nickel LB. The DL would be Heyward & Hood/Keisel. They are better at rushing the QB. That leaves 6 in the box (2 DL, 3 LBs, & Troy). With a traditional drop back passing QB that is a Red read. Your offense is now + 2 in the box for the run. If you have a running QB...You are + 3 in the box against the run. The Safeties have to set the edge. You want to see the ugly side of that scenario watch the Dolphins game. You want to see the ugly side of the other side of the coin where the Steelers tried to go cover 1 with a single high safety (Troy) against 12 personnel...Watch the Pats game.

That's good you said "McLendon got no push at the nose" because that is not his job as a 3-4 NT in run or pass. He is a 2 gap player. His responsibility is to control the OL & read. Either flow to the play or hold his ground & come off if they run A Gap. If he gets combo blocked...Try & hold up the other OL to keep LB free. If he gets caught on the field in PA...He still has the responsibility of a 2 gapper. He is to collapse the pocket but still control his gaps so the QB can't step up. If the QB steps up & crosses his face...Make the tackle. Everyone has a job. He can't lose gap discipline in pass because the 3-4 OLB job is to set the edge & pressure him forward. The NT job against the pass is to protect his gaps &squeeze the pocket. Many of you on here are ready to discard a player because he isn't sacking the QB or getting TFL. The DL in a 3-4 front have a JOB to do 1st. The STATS should be piled up by the LBs. If they can do their job & fall off and make a tackle...That's a big plus.


Defensive Football is really simple to understand if you want to. Rushing defense is about gap discipline. Everyone has a gap responsibility. There are 8 gaps that need to be controlled. The 3 DL in a 3-4 account for 4 gaps. The object of the 3-4 is to make 5 OL block 3 down lineman. That is accomplished by alignment. The reason why the NT is so important is he has 2 gaps. If he requires a double team or a combo block...That makes it difficult for 2nd level blocker coming off combo playside trying to get to the LB. In most cases in the 3-4 against a sweep, the backside LB is running free because the backside G can't get to him IF he reads the play quickly. If the playside LB gets a little help from the NT by holding up the combo block, he is also running free. The OLB sets the edge & turns it back inside...ILBs make the stop. All 3 DLs control & flow to close off their gaps & come off if they can to make play. If you have an average NT...The struggles will show with runs between the tackles if your ILB can't shed & play through trash. Early on the Steelers were exposed her because of loosing Foote & Williams being forced to take his spot. McClendon did a good job but Williams struggled shedding & coming off blocks in the holes to make tackles. He improved with snaps which was a good sign.

That all being said...That "Base" scenario only logged 35% of the snaps. The bulk of the rushing was coming against Allen & Clark setting the edge (The OLB's job in base) and Troy trying to take on & shed OL & TE/RB on iso blocks in the hole & make tackles. That was just a bad scenario to be in. The Steelers were in it because they feared the matchups of the DBs & LBs against WRs & TEs in giving up big plays...So they went Big Nickel against 12 personnel. By what we saw when they didn't...They were 100% right. It's on tape...It's on paper...The DC have their gamplan. It won't change with Taylor, Allen, Troy, & Clark on the field in '14. It will be the same if Nix is at NT...That won't change it with that back end. Nix won't fix what is broken. Now...get someone opposite Allen at CB and a Safety that could play Cover 1...Combine that with a LB opposite Timmons who could could cover a RB/TE....We could stay in base against personnel groupings. "THEN"...A NIX will be a big part of the defense. Then...The OC won't be dictating our packages because of our weakness.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Don't believe your eyes without the football behind it. "Were the Steelers out of the base so much because of the opponent's personnel" is exactly what I told you. When the offense gave the Steelers 12 personnel the Steelers had to go to their Big Nickel because the couldn't go cover 0 or cover 1 on the back end to stay in base. That has nothing to do with the NT. The Steelers Big Nickel was 2 DLs, 3 Lbs, & 6 Dbs. Troy would play the Nickel LB. The DL would be Heyward & Hood/Keisel. They are better at rushing the QB. That leaves 6 in the box (2 DL, 3 LBs, & Troy). With a traditional drop back passing QB that is a Red read. Your offense is now + 2 in the box for the run. If you have a running QB...You are + 3 in the box against the run. The Safeties have to set the edge. You want to see the ugly side of that scenario watch the Dolphins game. You want to see the ugly side of the other side of the coin where the Steelers tried to go cover 1 with a single high safety (Troy) against 12 personnel...Watch the Pats game.

That's good you said "McLendon got no push at the nose" because that is not his job as a 3-4 NT in run or pass. He is a 2 gap player. His responsibility is to control the OL & read. Either flow to the play or hold his ground & come off if they run A Gap. If he gets combo blocked...Try & hold up the other OL to keep LB free. If he gets caught on the field in PA...He still has the responsibility of a 2 gapper. He is to collapse the pocket but still control his gaps so the QB can't step up. If the QB steps up & crosses his face...Make the tackle. Everyone has a job. He can't lose gap discipline in pass because the 3-4 OLB job is to set the edge & pressure him forward. The NT job against the pass is to protect his gaps &squeeze the pocket. Many of you on here are ready to discard a player because he isn't sacking the QB or getting TFL. The DL in a 3-4 front have a JOB to do 1st. The STATS should be piled up by the LBs. If they can do their job & fall off and make a tackle...That's a big plus.


Defensive Football is really simple to understand if you want to. Rushing defense is about gap discipline. Everyone has a gap responsibility. There are 8 gaps that need to be controlled. The 3 DL in a 3-4 account for 4 gaps. The object of the 3-4 is to make 5 OL block 3 down lineman. That is accomplished by alignment. The reason why the NT is so important is he has 2 gaps. If he requires a double team or a combo block...That makes it difficult for 2nd level blocker coming off combo playside trying to get to the LB. In most cases in the 3-4 against a sweep, the backside LB is running free because the backside G can't get to him IF he reads the play quickly. If the playside LB gets a little help from the NT by holding up the combo block, he is also running free. The OLB sets the edge & turns it back inside...ILBs make the stop. All 3 DLs control & flow to close off their gaps & come off if they can to make play. If you have an average NT...The struggles will show with runs between the tackles if your ILB can't shed & play through trash. Early on the Steelers were exposed her because of loosing Foote & Williams being forced to take his spot. McClendon did a good job but Williams struggled shedding & coming off blocks in the holes to make tackles. He improved with snaps which was a good sign.

That all being said...That "Base" scenario only logged 35% of the snaps. The bulk of the rushing was coming against Allen & Clark setting the edge (The OLB's job in base) and Troy trying to take on & shed OL & TE/RB on iso blocks in the hole & make tackles. That was just a bad scenario to be in. The Steelers were in it because they feared the matchups of the DBs & LBs against WRs & TEs in giving up big plays...So they went Big Nickel against 12 personnel. By what we saw when they didn't...They were 100% right. It's on tape...It's on paper...The DC have their gamplan. It won't change with Taylor, Allen, Troy, & Clark on the field in '14. It will be the same if Nix is at NT...That won't change it with that back end. Nix won't fix what is broken. Now...get someone opposite Allen at CB and a Safety that could play Cover 1...Combine that with a LB opposite Timmons who could could cover a RB/TE....We could stay in base against personnel groupings. "THEN"...A NIX will be a big part of the defense. Then...The OC won't be dictating our packages because of our weakness.

I hear ya JPN, and I understand the point, but I still believe that if this D had a Hampton in his prime, then there is no way that he sits 65% of the snaps. He goes out, takes on two linemen, makes the pocket a little smaller so that the QB does not have a clear field of vision, instead he is forced to look over his own two linemen. The Steelers started the season thinking that McLendon would be a two down lineman, instead he became a spot player. This is not the first time that teams put multiple receivers on the field the past 10 years, but in the mid 2000's when teams like NE and Oakland did it, Hamp wasn't sent to the bench.

My point is, I would not shy away from drafting Nix because the position is a 35% position. If you don't see Nix playing up to the expectation then that is one thing, however, if Nix is good enough then NT is no longer a limited role.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I hear ya JPN, and I understand the point, but I still believe that if this D had a Hampton in his prime, then there is no way that he sits 65% of the snaps. He goes out, takes on two linemen, makes the pocket a little smaller so that the QB does not have a clear field of vision, instead he is forced to look over his own two linemen. The Steelers started the season thinking that McLendon would be a two down lineman, instead he became a spot player. This is not the first time that teams put multiple receivers on the field the past 10 years, but in the mid 2000's when teams like NE and Oakland did it, Hamp wasn't sent to the bench.

Hampton in his prime playing in 2013 would have been on the sideline too. He wouldn't get the nod over Heyward & Keisel/Hood in sub. The Steelers would still be in sub against 12 personnel. Hampton wouldn't change that.

The Pats team you talk about that put Hampton on the bench is a similar personnel group what 20+ teams in the NFL are running. Back them it was 11 personnel for the Pats. Today...It revolves around the 2 TE sets with more athletic TEs or 12 personnel. Being a 2 TE set...Running is a bigger part of it. The personnel packages are centered around one thing. Creating a coverage mismatch with base. The position on the field that is swapped out is a DL. That's not going to change. You give me Hampton in his most athletic productive form...He is still coming off the field if he was on this team in '13. The weakness in the back end is what dictated the sub package..Not the play of the NT.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

JPN, I'm curious about your mock with Benjamin in the first. I know he's big, strong and fast, but he didn't even seem like Jameis Winston's go to guy on the FSU team. Winston seemed to look to Green(e) first and then Benjamin, although, they did call his number on the goal line to win the game.

Pappy

Missed this Pap...Sorry. FSU ended up with 3 players with over 1,000 receiving. Greene ended up leading in cathes & yards. KB ended up leading in TDs & YPC. Greene looks like he will be a good one too...I'm not taking anything from him. KB has one thing that NFL boys notice today. He poseses the unique ability of not being being covered 1 on 1. With a good QB...He is always open. The one reason BB wanted a big WR for the longest time is when he reads man with cover 0 or cover 1 with the blitz coming...He always knows where he can get the ball out. If it is cover 1..He could choose his matchup between AB & KB...Look the safety off...And get it out. If it is cover 0...God help them. What's the best way to keep BB upright & keep him clean? Just give him an uncovered WR so he could avoid the hit. Wallace brought that in a different way. Just throw it as far as you can. Either he will catch it or nobody will. They don't have that on the roster. To be honest...With Sanders leaving & even if they retain Cotchery...There are some concerns at WR.

In the Championship game...Winston was overwhelmed early. He was trying to get the ball out on his first reads. KB had a big drop. He turned his head up field on that slant before he secured the catch. But he tried to hand it not let it into his body. That one would have been a 20-30 yard completion. It's KB so a broken tackle of a DB...He was off. Concentration lapse on that. Another target he had to grow 6 more feet. The other two targets broken up...I don't completely not fault him. Winston has to throw him open better..Bad location. Actually may have completed both with better ball location if he used KB's cathing radius. The sideline route was a little hard to come back to. Winston puts that on his outside shoulder...The Db isn't breaking it up. It would have been a little difficult for KB to redirect himself and come back & shield the DB from the ball given the pattern. The one in the middle of the field for the 1st down...I would like to see better awareness on KB. He didn't leave himself enough room to come back. It looked like he was sitting down on the chains. Again..Bad location by Winston. Throw it sideline shoudler away from the defender sitting in zone. Use you Wrs radius & body. Throw him open. But...KB should have felt that defender and sacrificed 2 yards to come back inside the defenders break...then try to get back to the 1st down. He wa ssitting down so he could of redirected himself. Really all coachable stuff & things that won't happen ofeten with a BB throwing you the ball.


KB came on this year but he did the things you want to see. He learned to use his physical advantages. he high pointed with his hands & used his body to shield. He has mamouth hands & he used them this year. That is a HUGE boost in his grading. In comparison, Patterson didn't "tape" that last year & he had questions coming out. Another guy with them this year...And this will make some people mad...Is Allen Robinson. I'm a PSU guy & you guys know me. Lots of body catches when he needs his hands & ball away from body. When KB does the cathing drill across the field at the combine...that may be the drill that eliminates my trade back scenario because he will be a Top 20 guy. That's a drill Robinson needs to nail to erase some questions. KB can run in the 4.5's or low 4.6's & not hurt his stock. The only hurdle I see for him right now is his interviews. I like what I have been reading in quotes & interviews all year. The kid finally gets it & understands working as a unit. He worked hard all year away from the ball & that was something he needed to answer. One of his other strengths he showed this year is he really is an imposing blocker in the open field against DBs. I like him in this offense.

Mnay are raving about the steps he made in maturity this year. There were reports he was crying after the TD catch...It may have come full circle. I would bet looking at his little girl cleared the fog...And then BOOM!

[Oviedo]

Hampton in his prime playing in 2013 would have been on the sideline too. He wouldn't get the nod over Heyward & Keisel/Hood in sub. The Steelers would still be in sub against 12 personnel. Hampton wouldn't change that.

The Pats team you talk about that put Hampton on the bench is a similar personnel group what 20+ teams in the NFL are running. Back them it was 11 personnel for the Pats. Today...It revolves around the 2 TE sets with more athletic TEs or 12 personnel. Being a 2 TE set...Running is a bigger part of it. The personnel packages are centered around one thing. Creating a coverage mismatch with base. The position on the field that is swapped out is a DL. That's not going to change. You give me Hampton in his most athletic productive form...He is still coming off the field if he was on this team in '13. The weakness in the back end is what dictated the sub package..Not the play of the NT.

Which is why you have to seriously question why you would spend the #15 on a Nose Tackle.

[Ernie]

Which is why you have to seriously question why you would spend the #15 on a Nose Tackle.

So it's settled.... we draft the top DB remaining at pick 15...and another between rounds 2-5.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Just to "insure" that exist going into camp...I would sign a CB in free agency. Still draft one early. If Taylor is here in '14...It won't be for much longer after that. We haven't see anything to think there is anything behind Taylor, Allen, & Gay. If their plans are to move Taylor to FS...Then I would sign FA & draft one early & late.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

That is a real good number for comparison Feltdizz...Let me see if could find it.

I can't find anything back past 2012 Felt. In 2012, Hampton played 50% of the defensive snaps. 495 out of 995. Our highest % DE played about 87% (Kiesiel) of the snaps. Keisel, Hood, Heyward played the bulk of the snaps at DE. Our nickel back was on the field when Hampton was off. If I take C Allen snaps who was our nickel & minus his three starts but add in Victorian, Golden, & Brown snaps in those games...The nickel back comes in a little over 50% of the snaps. They didn't have Troy for half the year but that was the best Top 3 CB combination we had over recent years in Taylor, Lewis, & C Allen. Taylor looked ageless..But that changed quickly this year. So I would say "Best Case Scenario" if the Steelers secondary was revamped for '14....The most the NT would be on the field is 50% of the defensive snaps...BEST CASE. I would say the average would be more like somewhere between the 50% & 35% of 2013. That 50% scenario isn't reachable with 2 DL staying in sub & Heyward is not coming off the field. Many are down on Hood but he is pretty good inside in sub. I think they will make him an offer & Keisel would be the fall back plan. Interesting enough...If I take EVERY single snap by McClendon, Woods, & Fango...It still comes to 53% of the defensive snaps in 2013. They would be the only ones playing NT in base & those are real numbers.

[Shoe]

Hampton in his prime playing in 2013 would have been on the sideline too. He wouldn't get the nod over Heyward & Keisel/Hood in sub. The Steelers would still be in sub against 12 personnel. Hampton wouldn't change that.

The Pats team you talk about that put Hampton on the bench is a similar personnel group what 20+ teams in the NFL are running. Back them it was 11 personnel for the Pats. Today...It revolves around the 2 TE sets with more athletic TEs or 12 personnel. Being a 2 TE set...Running is a bigger part of it. The personnel packages are centered around one thing. Creating a coverage mismatch with base. The position on the field that is swapped out is a DL. That's not going to change. You give me Hampton in his most athletic productive form...He is still coming off the field if he was on this team in '13. The weakness in the back end is what dictated the sub package..Not the play of the NT.

Hampton doesn't come off the field though, because he's a NT. If Ndamukong Suh was our NT, he's stay in whichever personnel grouping. Hampton came off, because he couldn't rush the passer, and stamina issues. IMO, a guy like Nix could do it. His conditioning would have to improve, but he doesn't have the loaf that most 350 lb. guys have... the guy hustles.

The reason I've cooled on Nix, is because I'm driving the Timmy Jernigan bandwagon for the Steelers. It is disconcerting that no one talks about him here, but this guy would be an every-down NT. He doesn't even have to be NT. He could surely step in at DE, if a bum like Ziggy Hood can play there. In whichever case, Jernigan is a unique talent, in his physical ability. If he doesn't "fit the system", you adjust the system to accomodate him. Because pairing him with Heyward on the D-line, would be a nightmare for offensive lines to deal with.

[Oviedo]

Hampton doesn't come off the field though, because he's a NT. If Ndamukong Suh was our NT, he's stay in whichever personnel grouping. Hampton came off, because he couldn't rush the passer, and stamina issues. IMO, a guy like Nix could do it. His conditioning would have to improve, but he doesn't have the loaf that most 350 lb. guys have... the guy hustles.

The reason I've cooled on Nix, is because I'm driving the Timmy Jernigan bandwagon for the Steelers. It is disconcerting that no one talks about him here, but this guy would be an every-down NT. He doesn't even have to be NT. He could surely step in at DE, if a bum like Ziggy Hood can play there. In whichever case, Jernigan is a unique talent, in his physical ability. If he doesn't "fit the system", you adjust the system to accomodate him. Because pairing him with Heyward on the D-line, would be a nightmare for offensive lines to deal with.

Playing someone like Suh at Nose Tackle would be a crime and a tremendous waste of talent.

Really...adjust the system to fit your players? What kind of crazy talk is that? You have systems to keep the coordinators comfortable and not to force change upon them. You know, just like Haley...oh wait he did adjust! Guess he didn't have enough tenure

[feltdizz]

Hampton doesn't come off the field though, because he's a NT. If Ndamukong Suh was our NT, he's stay in whichever personnel grouping. Hampton came off, because he couldn't rush the passer, and stamina issues. IMO, a guy like Nix could do it. His conditioning would have to improve, but he doesn't have the loaf that most 350 lb. guys have... the guy hustles.

The reason I've cooled on Nix, is because I'm driving the Timmy Jernigan bandwagon for the Steelers. It is disconcerting that no one talks about him here, but this guy would be an every-down NT. He doesn't even have to be NT. He could surely step in at DE, if a bum like Ziggy Hood can play there. In whichever case, Jernigan is a unique talent, in his physical ability. If he doesn't "fit the system", you adjust the system to accomodate him. Because pairing him with Heyward on the D-line, would be a nightmare for offensive lines to deal with.

The reason you dont hear more about Jernigan is because we "just" found out about him. Be honest... did you know about him before the BCS game? I watched a good 5 FSU games and never knew he was on the team until the BCS game. He definitely increased his stock and I would love to have him in the second if he is available.