Remember “Big Snack” Casey Hampton vs the Bills last week? Not trying….getting winded…coming in and out of the game every other play…stalemated at the line of scrimmage on most downs?
Take a look at screens we took of Hampton last week:
Behind the line of scrimmage and not much of a factor at all. Just floating through the play…..
Well, Casey Hampton is back, people.
Hampton makes a tackle in the backfield. This is the type of disrupting force he needs to be each and every Sunday for this 3-4 defense.
Big Snack getting up in the QB's grill.
More Pressure.
Big Hamp' is feeling so quick and agile these days he gets to drop back into zone coverage and lock up AP.
I have total confidence in Hampton, he shows above weight every season and evry season he get the job done…
If it was up to me he could eat how much snacks, sugar and fat he want…
I noticed a couple of those plays. This is the kind of stuff we didn’t see last year. If Hampton and Smith both stay healthy this year, people are going to wonder why we were all complaining about the DL. Teams won’t be able to get away with single teaming him, which could really help Timmons (if he starts) and Farrior be as productive as they can be. Maybe Hampton will actually earn his Pro-Bowl selection this year.
I have to give a lot of credit to Tomlin for really lighting the fire. I doubt embarassing one of the most respected veterans would have been a successful strategy for him coming in last year, but now it’s giving me faith that he could be a great coach in the making.
If Hampton and Smith both stay healthy this year, people are going to wonder why we were all complaining about the DL.
The problem isn’t performance when healthy, the problem is the huge drop off when they aren’t healthy. If they happen to stay healthy, that’s fantastic, but injuries are a part of the game.
I’ll agree, but last year Hampton was having a lousy year, so after Smith went down, there was no one on the line that could defeat a single block with any regularity. If both Smith and Hampton have monster years, we’ll be much better equipped to deal with an injury on the DL if one should occur.
Granted we have to stay healthy along the D-line but thats absolutely true of everyone including the Giants who just lost their linchpin. Suddenly they look very good instead of all universe.
I am chomping at the bit to see the speed injected at LB with Woodley and Timmons. I really think the DL will be energized to do better when you have some people with speed to finish the plays off. Farrior and Foote provide all the vet leadership you need and James Harrison IS the silverback.
No one liked to overreact to preseason but this unit looks to be ready for a monster year.