… address this. And by ‘someone’ I’m referring to the x’s and o’s gurus who have been breaking down video and posting such excellent stuff here over the last few weeks, much respect.

In Akeem Ayers, I see a tremendous athlete who tends to go a little too fast for his own good, but has demonstrated the ability to make plays when in the right position. Why is he not being sent into the offense’s backfield, like almost all the time?

Run blitzes, blitz up the middle when the linemen stunt, blitz off the end, delayed blitzes? I just think this guy could wreak havoc, and at the same time his tendency to over-pursue might be fixed by a few near misses, making him hungrier to make the play the next time.

I know there’s some risk involved in the defense getting burned with this approach, but is it not better to be aggressive and force the action, make the other team react to you? A couple tackles for loss, some hurried throws, force the QB out of the pocket, force the offense to keep a back in in case he has to block the blitzing LB, or just take on a blocker and afford the opportunity for another guy on the defense to make a play, and in general just forcing the offense to work faster rather than settling into a comfort zone – I can only think those would be overall positives making up for whatever risks are assumed, and would be a whole world different than our current defensive posture, which to me seems almost entirely reactionary.

I realize it might not be prudent to start doing it this week against Locker, but from the theme of this thread, perhaps it is exactly what our defense needs. And I’m thinking overall, doesn’t our defense have the personnel to more often than not force the action?

Back to my question, as I understand it he’s the weak side LB which means he’s generally on the side of the field opposite the tight end, no? What are the responsibilities of his position, that would have to be accounted for on the occasions he were sent upfield? TIA. GO BRUINS!