Quote:
Originally Posted by MTK
Sounds like you've got Hood starting over Ioannidis? I definitely don't see that happening. Allen, Payne, Ioannidis are the starters. Lanier and Settle coming off the bench. 6th spot up for grabs, maybe Hood? Possible they could keep 7.
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I could certainly see Ioannidis beating Hood for the starting End spot opposite Jonathan Allen but I can't see him being anywhere close to the roster bubble. Tomsula likes him a ton.
I could easily see the rotation being Hood starting at end in the base defense, and Ioannidis starting next to Allen in the nickel formation. Which let's be honest, the nickel formation is used much more often.
I could also see it being Ioannidis starting at end in the base, and Hood becoming a rotational guy. But in such a scenario, Hood becomes the top sub for the end spots, for sure.
Lanier has rush skills but dismal against the run, so he becomes the depth guy for the nickel rush package. Settle will be a rotational run stuffer but he won't see the field in the nickel pass rush package. Hood played out of position at NT last year and didn't perform well but the coaches will say they like him tons better as an end. I think he'll show enough quickness and enough ability at the point of attack to be considered a versatile enough player to start in base.
Remember, Ioannidis was not starting last year in the base defense. He was coming in as the nickel rush specialist alongside Allen.