Trench Warfare
It all starts in the "trenches" in football, at the line of scrimmage where behemoths weighting near three bills collide play after play, wearing each other down for that one snap that could mean the difference between defeat and victory.
We're looking at the Defensive Tackle position today on Football Film Fight!
Don't Sweat the Technique
Back when I was kid before things like the internet, smart phones and political correctness, we didn't have 5 Techniques or 1 Techniques, we had Nose Guards and Defensive Tackles. Despite the change in nomenclature, the bottom line is who is effective. We will look at Defensive Linemen as ranked by Bleacher Reports' Matt Miller as posted on Fanspeak.com.
Groundrules
Football Film Fight is simple. We take the #14 and #15 players listed on the rankings and select 3 games to view (with the intent of getting footage over the last 2 seasons, if possible). Based on that viewing ONLY, one player will be deemed winner of that round with the other being dismissed. From there, we will pull video of the #13 player and continue until we have a winner. Sound simple? It is! So let's get it started, shall we?
Round 1: #15 Bledsoe vs #14 Dogbe
Bledsoe vs. West Virginia 2018, TCU 2018 and Alabama 2018 - Lack of desire or ability to separate from blockers. Marginal impact on the game, at best.
Dogbe vs. Maryland 2018, UCF 2018 and - A bit lighter than you would expect to play in the middle but quick, keeps eyes in the backfield and makes plays after shedding blocks. Does not give up on plays. Will take on a double team and make them work. Dude is bundle of energy late in the 4th. Big strong and quick.
Decision: Dogbe- Not as impactful vs UCF's top tier team, Dogbe's work is still very solid and, given where his draft position is projected, will be a steal for his new team.
Round 2: #14 Dogbe vs. #13 Sanders
Sanders vs. NDSU 2018, Youngstown State 2018 and Illinois 2018 - THEY PUT HIM ON THE EDGE AND HE FINESSED A SACK!!! Powerful. Fights through the double teams. Great stamina through 4th quarter. Eyes always in the backfield. Quick feet, hands and very agile. Easily sheds blocks.
Decision: Sanders - Big, strong, agile. What you want in a DT.
Round 3: #13 Sanders vs. #12 Alexander
Alexander vs. Georgia 2018 - Georgia did not need to use a lot of double teams on him. If he could use more active hands, he would have better success shedding blocks.
Decision: Sanders - Not a lot of footage on Alexander but clear difference in ability.
Round 4: #13 Sanders vs. #11 Buggs
Buggs vs. Georgia 2017, Ole Miss 2018 and Texas A&M 2018 - Violent hands. Victim to several cut blocks. Moved up and down the line in 2017, kept him wide in 2018. Hopefully focusing on conditioning for the Combine.
Decision: Sanders - If Buggs can improve his shedding skills and stamina, he can make a lot of noise in the NFL.
Round 5: #13 Sanders vs #10 Beckner Jr.
Beckner Jr. vs. Vanderbilt 2017, Florida 2018 and Kentucky 2018 - Singled up most of the time. Got cut...has to vault those. Can get skinny and penetrate. Could maintain better space and not get enveloped by OL. Stamina?
Decision: Sanders - Beckner Jr. can write a book on getting skinny and splitting blockers, but he may want to work on getting off blocks, avoiding cuts.
Round 6: #13 Sanders vs. #9 Willis
Willis vs. LSU 2018, Boston College 2018, Florida State 2018 - Fast feet, fast hands, eyes in the backfield. Powerful... will push or toss aside OL. Stamina? Gets cut a lot. Singled up.
Decision: Sanders - I really am surprised by this one. Sanders just had better game tape.
Round 7: #13 Sanders vs. #8 Lawrence
Lawrence vs. Auburn 2017, Duke 2018 and Syracuse 2018 - Stamina? Singled up most of the time. Seems to be moving backwards a lot. Fatigue seems to be a big issue.
Decision: Sanders - Lawrence had flashes but not consistency. Definitely will want to focus on conditioning for success at the next level.
Round 8: #13 Sanders vs. # 7 Jones
Jones vs. Oklahoma 2017, TCU 2018 vs Washington 2019 - Lot of energy. Good feet. Must find ways to use his hands. Singled up a lot. Nifty spin move. Eyes in the backfield. Challenged to hold up to doubles.
Decision: Sanders - Surprising turn of events continues.
Decision: Sanders - Surprising turn of events continues.
Round 9: #13 Sanders vs. #6 Tillery
Tillery vs. Boston College 2017, Stanford 2018 and Michigan 2018 - Not always gets to the spot he wants. Lots of energy. Flashes. Stamina through all 4 quarters.
Decision: Sanders - Tillery dominated at the end of one game during garbage time when he faded away the rest of the time viewed. If he can perform at that high level for the full 60 minutes, he's a clear top DT.
Round 10: #13 Sanders vs. #5 Wilkins
Wilkins vs. Auburn 2017, Texas A&M 2018 and Alabama 2018 - Needs consistency with shedding. Inconsistent collapsing the pocket even when singled up. Played with good energy all game. Nice job to get free on goal line for stops. Very solid on goal line D.
Decision: Sanders - It's all about the games watched...Wilkins was solid on goal line but otherwise, Sanders had more impact.
Round 11: #13 Sanders vs. #4 Simmons
Simmons vs. LSU 2017, Florida 2018 and Iowa 2018 - Fires off the line. Holds his position well vs double teams. Strong. Sheds with long arms and quick hands. Eyes in the backfield. Big energy.
Decision: Simmons - Occupies double and triple teams freeing up teammates. Constant effort. Total package.
Round 12: #4 Simmons vs. #3 Oliver
Oliver vs. Arizona 2017, Texas Tech 2018 and Navy 2018 - Quick and very fast. Iffy eyes in the backfield. Blew up several double teams. Collapses pocket through 4th quarter. Chased down running backs. Susceptible to cuts.
Decision: Simmons - Oliver is a handful but Simmons has more consistent impact.
Round 13: #4 Simmons vs. #2 Gary
Gary vs. Wisconsin 2017, Penn State 2018 and Ohio State 2018 - Plays smaller so primary played 5 Tech vs. Wisc where he was absorbed by much larger OLs. Functioned as a DE vs. PSU. Seemed undersized even then. Also DE vs OSU. Neutralized by TEs.Decision: Simmons - Really baffled by this position placing, but even if viewed as a DE, there are many areas of focus pre-Draft he would have to address to be competitive in that position group.
Round 14: #4 Simmons vs. #1 Williams
Williams vs. Georgia 2017, Ole Miss 2018 vs. Clemson 2019 - Quick off the ball. Fast hands, eyes in the back field. Good at getting skinny to get through gaps. Should use hands more. Brings blockers into his body. Singled up and when doubled did not hold ground.
Decision: Simmons - Williams has a nice foundation to build upon at the next level, but Simmons is clearly the choice.
DT "Draftable"List
Based on the Film Fight results, here are the players who would be on the Boombear Big Board. They have game performance tendencies that resulted in the best results. In evaluation, I place significant weight into non-game videos. They are fairly important to gain insight into the "why" of each player and gauge how successful a player might be despite adversity. These tend to provide validation of the current prospect's work ethic, character and motivation.
Jeffery Simmons
Khalen Sanders
Ed Oliver
Jerry Tillery
Michael Dogbe
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