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[Tatupu_64]

When Pete Carroll came to Seattle, talk instantly turned to the defense he ran at USC. Similar to Ohio State’s, it is famous for the Elephant position, which we call the LEO. During Carroll’s time at USC both Brian Cushing and then later Clay Mathews manned it. Now the role was not identical to what it is now, but I believe that’s mainly due to the personnel he had playing the position. Matthews and especially Cushing were more adept at dropping into coverage. However, Clemons is a great fit for the role and Irvin will slide in nicely in the future.

Perhaps just as important to the LEO position is the 5 technique that balances the LEO. When Carroll got here he and the DL coach made an unusual and genius move by placing Red Bryant at 5tech. Over Bryant’s 3 years at the position, he’s done an overall great job against the run (though he’s lacked a little this year comparatively) and been all but non-existent in the pass rushing game. That is neither here nor there however.



I believe there is a misconception about what the 5tech is required of in Carroll’s defense. I believe that Red Bryant’s massive stature combined with Carroll saying he runs a 4-3 with 3-4 personnel has lead us to believe we need a true 3-4 DE type at Red’s spot. Well, I don’t think that’s really the case. I decided to go back and look at the LEO and 5T (I’m going to abbreviate 5 tech for ease) over the latter part of Carroll’s time at USC.
2005
DE- Lawrence Jackson (6-5, 265, So) 10 sacks
DE- Frostee Rucker (6-3, 260, Sr) 6.5 sacks

2006
LE- Lawrence Jackson (6-5, 265, Jr)
RE- Kyle Moore (6-7, 265, So)
Or
RE- Jeff Schweiger (6-4, 260, Jr)
SLB- Cushing/Matthews
None of the starting DE’s had sacks… Cushings had 5, LB Sartz had 7. Sedrick Ellis had about 5 in both 05 and 06.

2007
LE- Lawrence Jackson (6-5, 265, Sr) 10.5 Sacks
RE- Kyle Moore (6-6, 260, Jr) 2 sacks
Or
RE- Everson Griffen (6-5, 260, Fr) 5.5 Sacks
SLB- Brian Cushing (6-4, 240, Jr) 1 Sack
Or
SLB - Clay Matthews (6-4, 240, SJ) 0 sacks
I will note that if memory serves me correctly, Cushing moved into a LEO role due to someone’s injury.

2008
5T- Kyle Moore (6-6, 275, Sr) 5 Sacks
LEO- Everson Griffen (6-3, 265, So) 4.5 Sacks
Or
LEO- Clay Matthews (6-4, 240, Sr) 4.5 Sacks
SLB- Brian Cushing (6-4, 240, Sr) 3 Sacks
The first year we see a true LEO look. Griffen was, and is, a pretty great athlete himself even though he is more of a pure DE.
Sedrick Ellis had 8.5 sacks.

2009
LE- Armond Armstead (6-5, 290, So)
LEO- Everson Griffen (6-3, 265, Jr) 8 sacks
OR
Nick Perry (6-3, 240, Fr) 8 sacks
Mid-year it appears Griffen took over the 5T more and Perry the LEO spot.


What’s the point of all of this? Here are a couple key points.
-Every year a DT accounted for at least 4.5 sacks.
-The use of the LEO position was actually fairly new. I
-The 5T was never truly 3-4 End sized until Carroll’s final year at USC.
-Some of Carroll’s 5T really didn’t generate that much pressure.
-SLB was used heavily as a blitzer it would seem.

Now, sacks are not even close to the only measure of QB pressure. We all know that. However, I think this says a couple things for the Seahawks.
-Red Bryant is an anomaly. Our next 5T, even by NFL standards, should be in the 275-300 range. In fact, I’d say Justin Tuck in his prime would have been fine playing Carroll’s 5T.
-DT needs to be a greater source of pass rush for us.
-Ideally, our SLB needs to be talented at rushing the passer. We’ve harped on this before, but we need to figure out if KJ Wright is that guy. If he isn’t, he either needs to be moved to WLB or we need to figure out how to more creatively use our personnel.



Really, the point of all of this was to say that we need to broaden our scope when we are talking about a 5T in Carroll’s system. JJ Watt is the prototype, but we don’t need a true 3-4 2 gap DE. Carroll has consistently adapted to the talent he has, and will continue to adapt the defense to his best players.
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<Rammy

#1 ET Supporter

[hawksman81]

Great write up Tats. I love in depth info like this!

I did not know there was that large of a range of size of players that could play our 5t, which really opens up a lot possibilities in the draft.

For the SLB, I really think that if Jarvis Jones is medically cleared Pete would want to trade up to get him. Being that he went to USC but didn’t get medically cleared, shows that he is a fit for our slb.
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[Tatupu_64]

[sirensong]

Very interesting read. Pushes me even more towards being done with Red as a 5tech. If he's not a monster stopping the run he hurts us badly.
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L.O.B.- D!CK, BOOM BOOM, ET, BB.

[union hawk fan]

I'd rather give Red another year before just getting rid of him, he has been playing with a foot injury most of the year. Would love to have Jarvis Jones but if he's healthy there's no way he makes it out of the top 10. Would rather trade up for a pass rushing D tackle if we can't sign Melton in free agency.

[Tatupu_64]

A true 5T is a pass rushing DT IMO
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<Rammy

#1 ET Supporter

[Selkiesxx]

Quick question: (Might be a laugher)

Is there any other prospects that you see as ideal fits at SLB for you guys? Say for example, Damontre Moore or Dion Jordan? I'd assume Kyle Van Noy would make a good fit but he's returning for his senior year at BYU.
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Bears :: White Sox :: Blackhawks :: Bulls

@michaelsbodam (Twitter)

[chpjns15]

Great write up!

[Tatupu_64]

[SaveourSonics]

[Tatupu_64]

Would we have gotten compensation if the Pats had signed Red?
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<Rammy

#1 ET Supporter

[chpjns15]

[SaveourSonics]

[Tatupu_64]

[chpjns15]