Defensive Play of the Week: Chandler puts the Hammer Down

[mabrowndog]

 
Joe Cullen, a UMass grad and Tampa Bay’s defensive line coach, once said that “the greatest play in defensive football is the sack-forced fumble.”
 
Also called a strip-sack, it can leave the opponents’ signal caller in a crumpled heap, exposing their offensive linemen as unworthy protectors. Part home invasion and part smash-and-grab, it happens in an instant – like a Nile crocodile clamping its jaws on an unsuspecting wildebeest at the watering hole. The ensuing change of possession often manifests itself as a major momentum swing.
 
Indeed, the strip-sack has produced some monstrous, intimidating, and game-changing plays. Yesterday at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones added himself to the highlight reel in SoSH Football Central’s Defensive Play of the Week.

 

 
More here

 

[RedOctober3829]

I loved the Jamie Collins INT.  He completely baited Orton into throwing over the middle and snagged it.  What a play.

 

[MainerInExile]

This was an incredibly good breakdown, 'dog.  I love the gifs.  You can really see the anatomy of the play.

 

[mabrowndog]

I loved the Jamie Collins INT.  He completely baited Orton into throwing over the middle and snagged it.  What a play.

 
I was originally going to write on that one, but (a) there was no video available of that play, and (b) Jones' first-step explosiveness just amazes me.
 
And he exploded three times on that play: Once off the line, again to pull away from Glenn, and finally when going horizontal on Orton.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
I was originally going to write on that one, but (a) there was no video available of that play, and (b) Jones' first-step explosiveness just amazes me.
 
And he exploded three times on that play: Once off the line, again to pull away from Glenn, and finally when going horizontal on Orton.

FWIW, I don't think Jones' first step is one of the strong suits of his game, at least not compared to the elite edge rushers. How many of his sacks involve blowing past the tackle with speed and hitting the QB virtually untouched, in around 2 seconds? Not many that I can think of. More of them are like this (as you detailed) - good leverage and technique, with a great finish. I wouldn't call this a coverage sack, but at the same time Orton had enough time to throw if his first read had been open.