A Little Bit More To This Story
I'm pretty sure I haven't already written about this, but if I have, apologies. Not always easy to remember.
Story today about how Jim Johnson is starting Sheldon Brown but using Joselio Hanson, Lito Sheppard and Asante Samuel in his nickel package. It includes the following:
Hanson played a lot last year when Sheppard was hurt, starting four games and contributing 45 tackles and a sack.
He started this year against the Seahawks when the Eagles opened in nickel. He also started three games for the 49ers in 2004.
“It's a good opportunity for me,” Hanson said.
Fans at home may recall that was coincidentally also the game that started with the 90-yard touchdown pass to Koren Robinson. No, Hanson wasn't covering him, but the interesting thing about that play is that the Seahawks actually opened by sending out a base personnel package, so Sheldon was on the field. Then they ran a third wide receiver into the huddle, so Brown and Gocong went off and Hanson and Sheppard came in.
Crappy way to break your 4+ year streak of starting games, is I guess what I'm saying.
I remember watching that play and going, WTF - Gocong and Sheldon are getting pulled? Then...
TD.
Hanson almost ran down Robinson (right?), but was wiped out at the last minute.
Earlier in the season, Sheldon was playing the deep middle on some downs - I'd really like to see more of that. Put Dawk up in the box and Sheldon as the FS.
He was back there on that play where he blew up Steven Jackson...
Posted by: | November 21, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Do you think the move to put Hanson in the slot over Brown is a reaction to strong play by slot WRs against us? I know this has been an issue against the Pats, but I generally don't understand why Brown is coming off of the field.
Posted by: shlynch | November 21, 2008 at 01:32 PM
I think it's groundwork for next season when Lito is gone. JJ wants to find out what he has with Hanson.
Just a guess. I don't think it's a Sheldon performance issue.
Posted by: Derek | November 21, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Eagles are best in the league this year at covering 3rd, 4th and 5th WRs:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef
Posted by: Derek | November 21, 2008 at 02:29 PM