Star Position

#3
#3
It’s a safety because Shambuger is playing both safety and Star where is currently the starter.
 
#4
#4
Isn't it a different position in a different defense? Just saying equating it is an in exact science. Most of our analysis is what player is playing the position and what they were previously.

I think we just have a body type for now, but I thought it would be the thicker TKjr role. He was a little big for safety a couple years back, but faster than a typical MLB. So that's kind of a nickel minus the speed.
 
#5
#5
It’s a third safety... more of a nickel/safety hybrid postion... $ is the dime back in this defense in a 4-1, and the mac is the true linebacker postion in a 4-1... although the $ can be played by a lighter linebacker so it is a linebacker/DB hybrid...
The positions do have guidelines but those guidelines are subject to situations.
 
#7
#7
It’s a third safety... more of a nickel/safety hybrid postion... $ is the dime back in this defense in a 4-1, and the mac is the true linebacker postion in a 4-1... although the $ can be played by a lighter linebacker so it is a linebacker/DB hybrid...
The positions do have guidelines but those guidelines are subject to situations.
Ok. I just thought Doug was off by continually referring to the Strongside OLB as the Star.
 
#8
#8
Isn't it a different position in a different defense? Just saying equating it is an in exact science. Most of our analysis is what player is playing the position and what they were previously.

I think we just have a body type for now, but I thought it would be the thicker TKjr role. He was a little big for safety a couple years back, but faster than a typical MLB. So that's kind of a nickel minus the speed.

The Star is Fifth DB on the field. Usually in a 4-2-5 or a 3-3-5 alignment.
 
#11
#11
Yes, what people have posted is right.

Pattern matching zone lets you slide your defense to match receiver routes so you maintain leverage.
Most teams run some variation of a spread offense, so the Star position, like a nickel, is a way to get a fifth defensive back
on the field in place of a linebacker who can act as a rover on the strong side of the passing formation while the safety rotates on the weak side away from the star. Different routes have different coverage assignments with the option to call an under for coverage of routes under five yards (like a hitch) that the star can help defend.

When Saban worked with Belichick, they used a cover 3 zone that wasn't initially adequate against 4 receivers running vertical routes.

So they made adjustments with a pattern matching cover 3 zone defense that adjusts assignments based on routes receivers show so that there is adequate coverage with man to man coverage for receivers running deep routes and cover 3 zone to match middle of the field hook zone (routes that are at least ten yards out and 2 yards within the hashes). There are advantages and disadvantages, but with the pattern matching zone, the defense's previous weakness against 4 verticals was mitigated and provides more flexibility to make them throw it short to beat you. If they keep throwing it short, you can call an under to leverage position.

Here are two videos of Nick Saban teaching defensive principles of how to adjust coverage and technique (inside or outside) to match the pattern in both middle of the field coverage and split safeties coverage.





(For example, corners squeeze on the 1 man to man unless 2 is running the seam. Both hook players (robot) run and roll to the spot where the tight end will be to cut him off. In cover 2, the corners cover whoever's in the flat. Will covers first crosser. Mike will match the 3 and robot the y shallow. On the boot, weak side defender takes the guy in the flat. If he runs vertical or inside, you run with him or else cut the 1.)


This video on the Star position is helpful:


This article has detailed diagrams and videos:
How to understand Nick Saban's pattern match cover-3 defense

This article on the Star is decent too:
https://www.flofootball.com/articles/6158127-the-sam-linebacker-is-dead-long-live-the-nickelback

This video is an overview with detailed explanations and shows an example of the pattern matching zones in action.
 
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