Bengals releasing AJ Hawk

[fredtoast]

(04-26-2016, 04:48 PM)PikesPeakUC Wrote: I also think with how the league is evolving that having a set "4-3" is kind of overrated now. It feels like most teams play a straight up nickel defense with the slot corner being more of a hybrid guy in the mold of a Shawn Williams, etc. Occasionally you need the thumper in there at LB, but most times you're looking for an athlete who can cover and make plays. I could see them bringing in another of the Safety/LB types to take his place. Possibly not a game changer, but someone later on who offers a lot of versatility.

I saw a stat that the average defense now runs its nickle package over 60% of the time.  That means our "thumper" LB only plays way less than half of the snaps.