http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__f3IWoNuqk

Rob Ninkovich Defensive Cut Up: Patriots vs. Ravens

Yup, we’re still dropping Ninko-bombs today as well. Yesterday’s mega Ninko article used this Ravens game as an example of the potential that Nink possesses. Thanks to reader MRM for this cut up of the game so you can see for yourself what I was talking about.

Ninkovich played more in this game than any other in his NFL career and I think it’s pretty clear why.

A couple disclaimers:

• Nink plays both the right and left outside linebacker spots so keep in mind that he changes sides pretty frequently in this game.
• Possibly the biggest responsibility of the outside linebacker in the run game is to force the runner back into the middle of the field. The cardinal sin is to lose contain and allow the running back to gain the edge for a big gain. It took me until two plays into overtime before I saw Nink lose contain.
• He was not used as a designated pass rusher in this game, but the Patriots were in their base 3-4 defense for 75% of the snaps. So he came off the field when the Pats went to sub, but that wasn’t very often.

Mike D. Notes – Thanks to Rich Hill for pointing out that the Patriots do go into subpackage at 3:58 mark. It’s 3rd and 17 and they have 2 defensive lineman, 5 linebackers (2 rushing, 3 dropping), and the standard 4 defensive backs. This is an interesting package, and it seems to me like the Pats were expecting an underneath pass or dump off the Ray Rice. The physicality of the linebackers ensured the tackle would be made before the first down rather than if you had Wilhite and Butler back in coverage.