Ellis Henderson - Nickel CB?

[mtgrizrule]

What is this nickel package you speak of? As far as what I've seen, JPK seems to be our nickel.

You must not watch the games very closely. I have seen the D in nickel at least a dozen times in each of the last two games.

That is a good sign then. What about the games before those? All I know is that I see a lot of 3 LB sets out there. Maybe it stands out more because when we get burned it usually near one of our LBs or Tully. Overall though, I feel Tully has improved in his pass coverage this season. As for Henderson in the nickel, I am for it. Especially now that Jones is starting to come into his own at WR. It is a hard choice though.

 

[JayLarson]

Can he Tackle? Yes we might need a little help covering, but we need lots of help in tackling!!!

 

[Will C]

It's not high school football where he can get away with his pure talent and athleticism. When you get to this level you need to focus one aspect of the game. I'm not saying he couldn't do it but to think he can do both regularly and successfully would be asking a lot. I think he should continue to develop his WR and returning skills.

 

[AZGrizFan]

It's not high school football where he can get away with his pure talent and athleticism. When you get to this level you need to focus one aspect of the game. I'm not saying he couldn't do it but to think he can do both regularly and successfully would be asking a lot. I think he should continue to develop his WR and returning skills.

I'll take his "pure talent and athleticism" 6-8 times a game if I never have to see JP attempting to cover a receiver 35 yards downfield again...I still like the EH odds better in that scenario.

 

[smarsh]

Keep in mind this idea would not be having Ellis switch sides of the ball, or be a full time CB in addition to his WR duties. This would be specifically for Nickel or Dime situations when we need ATHLETES on the field to cover down field. Ellis Henderson type athleticism is something our secondary is sorely lacking until Ryan McKinley and Marquin Russel come into their own. I don't think an extra 10 snaps a game on the defensive side of the ball would inhibit Ellis' explosiveness in any phase, offense, defense or special teams. Trumaine was used as a returner, and WR some by Pflu. Playing in all three phases never hurt Deion, Charles Woodson or Patrick Peterson. Personally I would love to see Ellis play some D but realistically It's not going to happen this late in the season unless there was a catastrophic run of injuries to our secondary and he had to fill in on the fly. If anything it's just fun to think about.

That makes sense. Woodson example speaks to me. Wouldn't hurt to try it.

Well it would hurt if Henderson got hurt doing it. I'm sure he'd do a fine job but he's just too valuable to our offense to risk it, IMO.

I would argue that Ellis has a much greater chance of being injured on punt or kick return than playing as a nickel back on a few third and long or hail mary situations.

Alex Bienemann is a key part of the defensive line, but he is now playing both ways as a blocking back in short yardage or goal line situations. What if he got hurt?

what i'm taking away from this is that we should drop alex back into nickel coverage and put ellis on the d-line. now THAT would be something they didn't expect.

 

[StumptownGriz]

FACT: Ellis Henderson would've provided much better coverage than Hermy on that TD. WOW.

 

[Cannoncocker]

What is this nickel package you speak of? As far as what I've seen, JPK seems to be our nickel.

You must not watch the games very closely. I have seen the D in nickel at least a dozen times in each of the last two games.

I do watch closely, but we rarely match personnel. How often are we trying to cover 3-4 WR sets with our 4-3D on the field. Why are we only in Nickel or Dime maybe, maaaybe, a dozen times a game against teams like EWU that live in the spread?

 

[StumptownGriz]

Anybody think Ellis can't tackle after that hit??? WOW!

 

[AZGrizFan]

UCLA is laying the wood to U of A tonight...UCLA's starting LB has 7 tackles on defense...and 120 yards rushing on offense....he just scored on a 66 yard TD run. Wonder if they worry about him getting hurt while they're pounding U of A into the ground?

 

[StumptownGriz]

UCLA is laying the wood to U of A tonight...UCLA's starting LB has 7 tackles on defense...and 120 yards rushing on offense....he just scored on a 66 yard TD run. Wonder if they worry about him getting hurt while they're pounding U of A into the ground?

Hmmmmmm very interesting. Hendo not only has a huge highlight reel of catches and returns but now he has the hit of the year on that block de-cleating 2 guys. I think that proved that he is physical enough to play both ways.

 

[goyotes]

I would prefer that Henderson play strictly defense. Maybe give a little bit of time on offense, if needed. But please keep him off the kickoff return team, especially against a team that is foolish enough to kick the ball to him.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I would prefer that Henderson play strictly defense. Maybe give a little bit of time on offense, if needed. But please keep him off the kickoff return team, especially against a team that is foolish enough to kick the ball to him.

:lol: :lol:

That's a brutal way to lose a game, man. Interesting game throughout....looked like it was going to be a track meet at the beginning, and yet the two offenses combined for only 3 points in the 2nd half. Weird.

 

['68griz]

I would prefer that Henderson play strictly defense. Maybe give a little bit of time on offense, if needed. But please keep him off the kickoff return team, especially against a team that is foolish enough to kick the ball to him.