The Jamal Adams expertise has been up and down thus far for the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle sacrificed two first-round picks and a third-rounder to amass the three-time All Professional security and a fourth-round decide, which changed into Coby Bryant. Adams’ first season with the Seahawks continued to solidify his case as being one of many league’s premier defenders. He posted a profession excessive 9.5 sacks which led the group, completed third on the group with 83 tackles and was named an All-Professional for the third consecutive yr everywhere in the course of 12 video games. Nonetheless, 2021 was a special story because the fifth-year professional registered 0 sacks, 4 tackles for a loss (which was 7 fewer than the prior season) and he didn’t power a fumble for the primary time in his profession. He did document a few interceptions, his solely two thus far with Seattle, however had his season minimize quick on account of harm in early December. So, what went flawed for the three time All-Professional security final season and the way can Seattle get one of the best out of him in 2022?
Reviewing his 2021 season
As highlighted above Adams took a step again final season in a number of areas. The previous LSU Tiger solely posted 2 QB hits, which was 12 fewer than final season, registered 6 pressures which was 20 fewer than his profession excessive from 2020, and logged a single QB knockdown, 5 lower than his 2020 complete. He did enhance in cross protection as his completion share (per Pro Football Reference) towards was 58.8 % which was 19 % decrease than 2020 mark and his passer ranking towards was 93.8 which was 10.9 factors decrease than his 2020 complete. Each numbers are increased than what he posted in his last two seasons with the Jets, however they’re nonetheless areas of enchancment, nonetheless. When reviewing Adams’ 2021 stats although there are two numbers that stick out to me greater than any. His blitzes went from 98 in 2020 all the best way right down to 44 in 2021. A drop-off of that dimension is borderline inexcusable from a play calling standpoint.
One among, if not one of the best attribute for Adams is attending to the quarterback. To have him do what he’s greatest at; at a charge of three.6 instances a sport is puzzling to say the least. The opposite quantity that jumped out was his defensive common depth of goal of 8.2 yards which was 1.6 yards increased than his 2019 mark which was his profession greatest protection season. That season he allowed a passer ranking of 75.2 which was 54th amongst certified defenders with 25 or extra targets towards. Moreover, his yards allowed per goal amongst certified defenders was eighth within the league at 4.9. This previous season his allowed passer ranking was 93.8, which ranked 138th and his yards allowed per goal of seven.8 was tied for 172nd.
How can Seattle get Jamal Adams again to his pre 2021 kind?
As a blitzer
On the road of scrimmage as an edge
On these two performs Seattle does a extremely good job of forcing the offense right into a mismatch in blocking Adams. By crowding the road of scrimmage and having each defender on Adams’ aspect of the road blitz, as an alternative of dropping into protection the offensive deal with can not slide out to him and so they as an alternative must take the defender lined up over them. Consequently, this forces the offense to dam Adams with a operating again or tight finish which as highlighted within the first video is a somewhat giant mismatch. Jamal Adams with a full head of velocity is a borderline not possible blitz pickup for any non-offensive lineman.
An alignment with Adams on the sting additionally forces confusion for the offense as proven on the second play. Atlanta anticipates that the double mug linebackers are each going to blitz up the A spot, which forces Todd Gurley to step up on the play. Nonetheless, Ok.J. Wright drops again into protection, however with Todd Gurley already stepping as much as the A spot to choose up the anticipated further blitzer Jamal Adams is supplied with a free run at Matt Ryan which ends up in a sack.
Delayed blitzes
Jamal Adams is a great soccer participant who can do an amazing job at disguising what he’s going to do on the play. On this play we see him take one aspect step to defend a fast throw. He then slowly comes up as if he was overlaying the operating again on the play after which as soon as the again clears into his route Adams comes downhill with a full head of steam. The stress utilized by Ok.J. Wright on the play compelled Carson Wentz to step up into the pocket and proper into Adams’ lap. If the previous Jet confirmed his hand too early, Wentz would possibly’ve acknowledged him as a blitzer and as an alternative of attempting to evade Wright by stepping up he would possibly’ve tried to scramble to his left.
Slot blitzes
Regardless of being shut I contemplate Adams to be within the slot somewhat than on the road of scrimmage and within the field on this play. Utilizing him as a slot blitzer is arguably the easiest way to make the most of Adams’ athleticism. He has a fast first step and as mentioned above does a extremely good job of disguising what he’s going to do on the play. Because of his play velocity he can wait till the final second earlier than the snap to return down hill on a blitz. Adams can be capable of keep his velocity all through the play together with when he’s navigating site visitors. This implies if he has to get round a good finish by dipping them, he’s going to take action with out dropping a step as evidenced within the play above.
In protection
Adams just isn’t an amazing cowl security when taking part in deep half or third protection. Nonetheless, he could be greater than trusted in hook zones in each man and zone protection the place he can come up and punish gamers within the fast passing sport. Adams additionally has the athletic profile to the place he ought to be capable of comfortably erase opposing tight ends which was a status he held throughout his time with the Jets.
As a spy
This yr’s schedule sees the Seahawks play Kyler Murray, Trey Lance, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson, all of whom are quarterbacks that may punish you with their mobility. Herbert doesn’t have the status of being an elite cell quarterback, however should you blitz him with regularity, he’ll make you remorse it as seen in his Sunday Evening Soccer sport towards the Steelers final season, when he collected 90 speeding yards on 9 carries. Consequently, Seattle goes to wish somebody who can include these quarterbacks who make up roughly 35% of their schedule. With the likelihood Adams can be used extra typically across the line of scrimmage paired along with his total athleticism as highlighted within the first play of the video above, he is an ideal candidate to be the Seahawks QB spy this season.
Within the operating sport
Jamal Adams within the field towards the run is a nightmare for opposing defenses as proven within the two performs above. The primary play does an amazing job of highlighting his freakish athleticism in addition to his nice pursuit. He had no enterprise making a deal with on this play as he was at the least 4 to 5 yards away from Darrell Henderson when he first acquired the ball. And but, he was capable of keep his velocity proper down the road of scrimmage, navigate site visitors and make a landing saving deal with on the play. On the second play proven we will see the three-time Professional Bowler keep sq. to the road of scrimmage as soon as he acknowledges that it’s a pitch/possibility play. Then as soon as he sees Cam Newton toss the ball the previous LSU Tiger comes downhill to make the deal with. He’s positively aided by the dangerous pitch from Newton, however he nonetheless performs it precisely how it’s speculated to be executed. If Adams was to instantly come down hill earlier than the pitch was made, he would’ve taken himself fully out of place no matter whether or not or not it was a foul pitch.
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