Is Sutton transitioning to a 1-gap scheme?

[planetdoc]

I wonder if sutton is transitioning to a penetrating 1-gap defensive line.

Originally Posted by wikipedia

Very few teams use purely one or two gap systems in today's NFL. However, the majority of teams, such as the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers primarily use the two-gap 3–4. The Houston Texans and Denver Broncos primarily use the one gap 3–4. The New York Jets use a versatile, hybrid defense combining one and two gap looks.link

Romeo Crennel runs a read and react 2-gap 3-4 defense. That is what Poe was drafted for. Since Sutton has been with the chiefs, the team has brought in penetrating defensive lineman like Rakeem Nunez-Roches

Originally Posted by nfl draft profile

Nunez-Roches is a one-dimensional penetrating tackle

Jaye Howard

Originally Posted by nfl draft profile

He is at his best when used on the move and could develop into a disruptive three-technique....He is very quick off the ball for his size

and Chris Jones

Originally Posted by nfl draft profile

Uses quick feet and shoulder turn to leverage him into gaps for disruption. Flashes some occasional "quick win" hand work as pass rusher. Posted 34 quarterback pressures and 11.5 run stuffs.

though to their credit, Howard and Jones can probably play 1 or 2 gap, and play every position on the line in a 3-4.

2-down space eaters like Alameda Ta’amu are less valuable.

Qbs are releasing the ball faster then ever. Against the chiefs in the playoffs, Tom Brady got rid of the ball on average between 1.9-2.18 seconds.

"If he's getting the ball off in 1.9 seconds, nobody is ever going to get to him," [Ware] admitted. "You can see that from the Kansas City game, in which they had Tamba Hali and they had (Justin) Houston and they still couldn't get there. You have to be able to have those corners to buy you just a little more time to get to him."

Qbs with the fastest releases in 2015:
1. Andy Dalton, 2.2 seconds
2. Tom Brady, 2.26 seconds
3. Peyton Manning, 2.27 seconds
4. Ryan Fitzpatrick, 2.31 seconds
5. Alex Smith, 2.32 seconds

Leaguewide, quarterbacks took 2.48 seconds to get rid of the ball in 2015. That number has gone down for four consecutive years. And there does appear to be the makings of a trend. Twenty quarterbacks were at 2.5 seconds or quicker last season; only seven hit that mark 2012.

What does this all mean? Players who can get to the QB quickly will have more value, and it is faster to get to the QB from a straight line than an arc. Thus lineman who can consistently generate pressure from penetrating the A gaps will become very valuable (even more than edge rushers, IMO).

Chris Jones and Jaye Howard have the speed to generate pressure from the interior, and the length to disrupt passing lanes. It is a passing league afterall.

What does this mean for Dontari Poe? He has flashed the ability to quickly penetrate. His ability to consistently do that will determine whether he gets a big future contract.