Ayodele's switch to inside LB key for defense
-Jacques Taylor: Ayodele's switch to inside LB key for defense
OXNARD, Calif. – Akin Ayodele has spent the first four seasons of his pro football career playing defensive end or outside linebacker in the 4-3 defense.
Now, he's playing inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense.
Although only a few feet on the field separate an outside linebacker from an inside linebacker, there is a world of difference in the positions.
How Ayodele handles the shift will determine, in some ways, just how good the Cowboys' defense is this season.
So far, so good.
"I'm getting a pretty good feel for it, but it's different," Ayodele said. "The way you see things unfold within the play are different, and guys are coming at you from different angles.
"I've had to spend a lot of time studying film and understanding what my keys are on certain plays because one false step and it's over – I'm out of the play. The key, for me, is getting a good pre-snap read."
The game also looks different from a linebacker's two-point stance than a defensive end's three-point stance because you can see more at the snap.
When he played defensive end in the 4-3, Ayodele usually lined up on the tackle's outside shoulder, making himself more difficult to block and allowing the 6-2, 250-pounder to take full advantage of his speed. When he played linebacker, a defensive end usually protected him.
That's not the case in the 3-4, where he's not protected by a defensive lineman and will spend much of the game battling 330-pound guards who he must defeat in head-on collisions.
His best friend on the defense should probably be nose tackle Jason Ferguson. If Ferguson commands a double-team, as he should on most plays, then the opposing guard won't get a clear run at Ayodele because he'll have to block Ferguson first.
Bradie James, an outside linebacker for much of his career at LSU, moved inside as a senior and has played inside linebacker with the Cowboys. He's tried to brief Ayodele on the difference in positions because the action happens faster since there are more players in a congested area and bodies are flying.
But the Cowboys have put Ayodele, who always lines up on the side opposite the tight end, in position to be an impact player.
"The good thing for him is that the offense rarely goes weakside, so he'll be able to flow to the ball and make a lot of plays on the backside," James said. "I've talked to Akin about the physical aspects of the job because it's demanding. He's not going to have the guards covered up by defensive tackles, and you have to get used to being banged by those guards."
To do so, Ayodele knows he must continue to refine his technique.
Ayodele has been dedicated to strength training since high school, so he's used to having a strength advantage over his opponents.
"It's all about leverage and getting good pad level and delivering the blow," Ayodele said. "You don't want to absorb too many blows from those big guys. I've always been naturally strong. But being blocked by guys so much bigger, you have to play with perfect technique."
OXNARD, Calif. – Akin Ayodele has spent the first four seasons of his pro football career playing defensive end or outside linebacker in the 4-3 defense.
Now, he's playing inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense.
Although only a few feet on the field separate an outside linebacker from an inside linebacker, there is a world of difference in the positions.
How Ayodele handles the shift will determine, in some ways, just how good the Cowboys' defense is this season.
So far, so good.
"I'm getting a pretty good feel for it, but it's different," Ayodele said. "The way you see things unfold within the play are different, and guys are coming at you from different angles.
"I've had to spend a lot of time studying film and understanding what my keys are on certain plays because one false step and it's over – I'm out of the play. The key, for me, is getting a good pre-snap read."
The game also looks different from a linebacker's two-point stance than a defensive end's three-point stance because you can see more at the snap.
When he played defensive end in the 4-3, Ayodele usually lined up on the tackle's outside shoulder, making himself more difficult to block and allowing the 6-2, 250-pounder to take full advantage of his speed. When he played linebacker, a defensive end usually protected him.
That's not the case in the 3-4, where he's not protected by a defensive lineman and will spend much of the game battling 330-pound guards who he must defeat in head-on collisions.
His best friend on the defense should probably be nose tackle Jason Ferguson. If Ferguson commands a double-team, as he should on most plays, then the opposing guard won't get a clear run at Ayodele because he'll have to block Ferguson first.
Bradie James, an outside linebacker for much of his career at LSU, moved inside as a senior and has played inside linebacker with the Cowboys. He's tried to brief Ayodele on the difference in positions because the action happens faster since there are more players in a congested area and bodies are flying.
But the Cowboys have put Ayodele, who always lines up on the side opposite the tight end, in position to be an impact player.
"The good thing for him is that the offense rarely goes weakside, so he'll be able to flow to the ball and make a lot of plays on the backside," James said. "I've talked to Akin about the physical aspects of the job because it's demanding. He's not going to have the guards covered up by defensive tackles, and you have to get used to being banged by those guards."
To do so, Ayodele knows he must continue to refine his technique.
Ayodele has been dedicated to strength training since high school, so he's used to having a strength advantage over his opponents.
"It's all about leverage and getting good pad level and delivering the blow," Ayodele said. "You don't want to absorb too many blows from those big guys. I've always been naturally strong. But being blocked by guys so much bigger, you have to play with perfect technique."
posted by The Gryphon at 11:11 AM
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