Tuck has given some insight into the nickle packages

Fan submission: Who's going to be the breakout, under-the-radar guy for this team this year? "Jay Alford. Listen to our lineup in nickel: Kiwi (Mathias Kiwanuka) at left end, Jay at left tackle, me at right tackle, Osi at right end. Who are they not going to double-team there? (Alford?) Exactly. Plus, he got his eye fixed, so that'll cut his reaction time in half."

I don't see it as that much of a surprise.

Alford is a very good passrusher and the other guys are pretty well established.

I think Canty will end up as the probable starter at NT, splitting time with Cofield

Bernard was brought in as insurance for Robbins at UT; between Robbins, Bernard and Alford, this is really solid

With that said, we will certainly mix it around a little bit personnel wise. Canty and Alford will likely see some reps at DE

Sintim will get time at DE in passing downs and presumably there will be a 4th DE, likely Evans or Henderson

I am alot more concerned for our nickel LBs with Boley hurt. None of the guys we have are really solid in coverage. At this stage Goff, Kehl and Wilkinson look like our best coverage LBs all of whom are adequate at best.


(I still have doubts as to whether Robbins (and Boley for that matter) will be ready to go from the start of the season, they could start the season on PUP)

I agree, Alford is kind of a dark horse in this rotation. He could become important though if Cofield and Robbins don't come back 100%

I'll be really dissapointed if Boley isn't ready to go by the season's beginning. Not like it's his fault or anything. It'll just be dissapointing...that's all.

I like Alford and think he could be coming into his own, I am hoping that Wikinson can do the same at LB.


I am more disappinted in the fact we really haven't addressed LB well enough in recent years and we don't have the quality guys coming through.
Wilkinson has the best potential of the guys we have (other than Sintim), but really needs to stay healthy.