A lot of you have probably seen that Oregon has implemented a new — to them — defensive position this year. I’ve heard it called a Rover, and I’m sure Oregon has their own name for it, but it is a third safety playing as a deep middle linebacker.

It’s a Jim Knowles staple. Probably something Oregon picked up on last season, and something they may see in a couple of weeks.

Have to give our DL credit for allowing us to have different personnel packages at DB. Take a great athlete, and use their intelligence, and abilities, to wreak havoc.

I will go back a few years and say a player like Troy Dye would probably have excelled in the position. A thorough knowledge of the opposing offense, good sideline to sideline speed, great tackler, and was a cruise missile coming up to stop the run.

Playing a safety up closer to the box, (in the middle) allows Dillion Thieneman to crash in run-support, and yet help out in the mid-zones in pass defense. It makes sense against a run-heavy B1G conference, and we had it implemented on us in the Rose Bowl...so we know it works!

It morphs into a Tampa-2 kind of defense for passes, but I think it takes a very savvy safety, (such as Dillon) to make this work. Although...I believe Kingston Lopa was playing this spot in relief, and he sure brought the wood on some running plays.

Thanks for pointing this our Eric, and we look forward to more of your thoughts on this and other elements of the team!

Kingston Lopa

Cool look.

Is this changing how the Ducks use the "star" position? It was my understanding that they were using a safety as a hybrid safety and linebacker.

19 minutes ago, David Marsh said:

Cool look.

Is this changing how the Ducks use the "star" position? It was my understanding that they were using a safety as a hybrid safety and linebacker.

I'm not going to tell you that I know for sure. But as a former collegiate (Div 3) footballer, I think so.

I believe that OBD have instructed the LBs to line up wider (more over the tackles) and have the third safety 6-7 yds deep in the middle. I believe this formation helps creates confusion with the OL on who to block. The OL are often taught to look for the LBS and the safety (who is a little farther from the LOS than most OL are comfortable) is then free to attach the LOS and make a tackle in run support.

My $0.02. Your mileage may vary.

50 minutes ago, David Marsh said:

Cool look.

Is this changing how the Ducks use the "star" position? It was my understanding that they were using a safety as a hybrid safety and linebacker.

No, I would say that’s not the case. It’s just another alignment/personnel package in the tool box. It’ll be used for specific offensive looks.

Jadon Canady is the starter at the star/nickel in the base 4-2-5.

54 minutes ago, David Marsh said:

Cool look.

Is this changing how the Ducks use the "star" position? It was my understanding that they were using a safety as a hybrid safety and linebacker.

Boy, I don't know because the designated "Star" is Jaden Canady, the transfer from Ole Miss, and he has been all over the field as that fifth defensive back.

First, with five defensive backs....if the Free Safety, (Dillon) is up closer, then we still have four DBs to combat the passing attack of our opposition.

And...I cannot help but think this was brought about because of the unique talents of Thieneman?

24 minutes ago, Charles Fischer said:

And...I cannot help but think this was brought about because of the unique talents of Thieneman?

Probably a mixture of Lanning wanting to change the scheme a little bit and having Thieneman who was able to accomplish this as well. Perhaps this is what they recruited Thieneman for from the portal was to do just this.