For those who don’t know already, I used to be thrilled to listen to the information of James Daniels signing in Pittsburgh. The #1 man on my free company wishlist, I’ve already talked about his recreation there and you need to click on that hyperlink and skim my pre-free company ideas there.
However Daniels’ truly signing is worthy of a full article devoted to it. I’ll break this text down into three components: evaluating his run blocking, cross safety, and why he matches what new o-line coach Pat Meyer values. Let’s dig in.
James Daniels’ Run-Blocking
Daniels will not be probably the most physically-imposing presence at round 310 kilos. He lacks the thick decrease half of different guards who have been in the marketplace just like the 49ers’ Laken Tomlinson. Daniels seems higher fitted to a zone-blocking system that will get guys on the transfer. He’s a plus athlete with good snap off the ball that is ready to attain and cutoff on the bottom of blocks. He does a pleasant job setting his hips as effectively, creating lanes for the working again.
Whereas Daniels isn’t the most important man, his size and energy nonetheless stick out. He has lengthy, practically 34 inch arms, and he runs his toes on contact, displaying the power to uncoil his hips and create motion on the level of assault. He has the torque to drive defenders off the ball and is an asset on combo blocks widespread with inside zone runs. General, he creates motion within the run recreation.
Some cut-ups of what I’m speaking about. In all of the examples of this text, Daniels is the RG, #68.
General, he’s a balanced, coordinated blocker who is never on the bottom. He performs with a nasty, bodily demeanor and appears to complete his blocks. Daniels enjoys placing defenders into the bottom and can match effectively into the tradition the Steelers are attempting to create of athletic, ill-tempered (in the very best method) dudes because the constructing blocks of their offensive line.
I didn’t see too many negatives with him as a run blocker. He’s fast and capable of attain the second-level, working to linebackers in area. However he struggles to constantly stick on contact, typically taking part in with ahead lean on his punch and falling off. He also can work on his angles, too, with linebackers having the ability to duck underneath/by him, although it may be onerous to hit these guys completely in area.
Daniels can be an efficient puller. He didn’t do it too typically on the tape I watched, the Bears had extra of a zone-based run recreation, asking their again to choose the lane, however Daniels can sq. pull and throw blocks out in area. Daniels is a formidable run-blocker and can assist enhance issues up entrance, one thing the Steelers have desperately wanted the final two seasons.
James Daniels’ Move Blocking
Daniels is a hand-fighter who works onerous to maintain his base. Like within the run recreation, he’s coordinated and barely will get too tall or doubles over. He bends on the waist and knees and is ready to mirror faster cross rushes whereas additionally displaying the grip power to lock onto the block.
Within the first instance of this multi-clip cutup, watch him snatch and entice the 3T and knock him off-balanced. Actually good rep.
Daniels is a good-IQ participant with plus stunt recognition and skill to cross off/decide up defenders as they crash and loop. Pittsburgh was merely overwhelmed by inside/Mug blitzes final season so hopefully Daniels – together with the remainder of this line being one other yr skilled and wiser – will assist on the market too.
He might be overwhelmed by bull and energy rushes. He isn’t probably the most naturally sturdy participant on the earth and his general lack of bulk does harm him right here. Energy rushers are going to be extra of an issue for him than faster, finesse rushes and rushers.
James Daniels’ Scheme Match
I devoted rather less above to Daniels’ in cross safety as a result of I wished to speak about it extra right here. Weeks in the past, I went by all of latest o-line coach Pat Meyer’s beliefs and general philosophy of cross safety. For those who haven’t learn it or desire a refresher, test it out by clicking that hyperlink.
A lot of what Meyer preaches is what I noticed Daniels do on tape. In two key areas. One, his aggressive nature in his cross units and two, his skill to “hop step” in opposition to these bull rushes he (and numerous linemen) battle in opposition to.
As I wrote in that linked article, the #1 precept Meyer preaches is to be aggressive. Each likelihood you get, be aggressive. And once you make a mistake, Meyer says, go be extra aggressive. That’s not simply cliched coach-speak of “hit somebody” but it surely particularly factors to the way you set a cross rusher. Meyer has and can in Pittsburgh encourage his guys to take shorter units within the cross recreation once they’re capable of. As he tells it, the tackles set the width of the pocket, the inside linemen set its depth. Which means, don’t give floor when you don’t should.
Let me put it to the tape. Watch Daniels’ units in these clips. Not giving floor, being the attacker when the middle is sliding away. When he’s 1v1 and lined up with a defender “on his physique,” a time period Meyer makes use of, Daniels reveals the will to be the aggressor and make preliminary contact. Meyer calls it being the primary to “make vital contact.” He believes if a lineman can try this, he’ll win nearly each single rep.
I’m positive a few of what we’re seeing right here from Daniels is what he was taught in Chicago. However he has the expertise to do it and people teachings will carry over effectively in Pittsburgh.
In that Meyer clinic I went over, he went by a pair situations the place the lineman is shedding. As a result of it gained’t at all times go excellent for a lineman, that’s simply the character of the most effective. Meyer outlined what gamers ought to do if they’re getting bullrushed into the pocket. Like numerous coaches, Meyer teaches the “hop step,” that you could see under with the Chargers’ left sort out.
Meyer’s quip is to “hop, hop, cease” as a result of it typically takes two hops to stall out a bull rush. An preliminary hop to reset your self and a second to really cease the push. However when you can cease it in a single, even higher. The pocket gained’t be as collapsed.
Daniels reveals the identical efficient method on tape. And there have been occasions I watched him stall a bull rush in only one hop, displaying the practical power that he has. Test it out.
Remaining Ideas
Clearly, Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, and Artwork Rooney II are the decision-makers right here. They’re those who received Daniels’ signed. However I feel Meyer’s philosophy made this an excellent higher match than Daniels’ spectacular standalone recreation. He’s a very good expertise taking part in his greatest soccer whereas nonetheless enhancing and checks the bins Meyer seems for: lengthy, athletic, aggressive.
With the signing, Daniels immediately turns into the Steelers’ greatest offensive lineman. The purpose and hope can be for different younger guys to develop and develop: Dan Moore, Kevin Dotson, and Kendrick Greene (even when he doesn’t find yourself a starter). Pittsburgh’s line nonetheless has work to do. These younger guys should develop and the unit has to play as a collective 5, a sum of its components, one thing that was a problem final season given their inexperience to the league and to the staff.
However Daniels is a good signing for an inexpensive amount of cash. It’s the massive swing I hoped the staff would take.
