Post by Purple Pain on Dec 7, 2023 11:22:44 GMT -6
Matt Fries: Josh Metellus Has Ascended To Stardom In A Unique Role
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- BLITZING
- RUN DEFENSE
- MAN COVERAGE
- ZONE COVERAGE
- HUSTLE
Film study and in-depth analysis at the link above.
Metellus’ ascension has coincided with the defense’s rise to a top-10 unit by DVOA and EPA/play. In many ways, Metellus is the poster boy for Minnesota’s defensive facelift under Brian Flores. Metellus is playing a unique role in a defense that really doesn’t exist elsewhere across the NFL. Metellus’ role is the lynchpin, and he plays at all three levels depending on the specific play that Flores calls. Whether it’s blitzing, run defense, man coverage on tight ends, or a deep or underneath zone, what Metellus does on a specific play shows the Vikings’ intent better than any other player on the defense.
Metellus has played about 93% of the snaps this year, which is fourth on the team. He’s third among Vikings safeties in snaps; Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum have both played over 99% of the defensive snaps. Entering the season, it certainly was possible to predict packages with three safeties based on Flores’ history. That’s how he used Eric Rowe in Miami, where they played with three safeties on over 25% of the snaps in 2021, and Duron Harmon in New England, where they played with three safeties on over 50% of snaps in 2018. Still, using three safeties on over 90% of the snaps is far beyond what anyone could have predicted.
Metellus has played about 93% of the snaps this year, which is fourth on the team. He’s third among Vikings safeties in snaps; Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum have both played over 99% of the defensive snaps. Entering the season, it certainly was possible to predict packages with three safeties based on Flores’ history. That’s how he used Eric Rowe in Miami, where they played with three safeties on over 25% of the snaps in 2021, and Duron Harmon in New England, where they played with three safeties on over 50% of snaps in 2018. Still, using three safeties on over 90% of the snaps is far beyond what anyone could have predicted.
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ORIGINS
In retrospect, Minnesota’s decision to slot Metellus into a versatile role should be no surprise based on the player he was coming out of the University of Michigan. Wolverines DC Don Brown ran an aggressive, blitz-happy defense (sound familiar?). He asked Metellus to play:
Single-high deep safety
Underneath hook zones
Man coverage on TEs
Off of the edge as a blitzer
And run defense in the box
You can see examples of each of those roles in the video below, where he performed well against an Alabama team with four first-round picks at the skill positions:
In retrospect, Minnesota’s decision to slot Metellus into a versatile role should be no surprise based on the player he was coming out of the University of Michigan. Wolverines DC Don Brown ran an aggressive, blitz-happy defense (sound familiar?). He asked Metellus to play:
Single-high deep safety
Underneath hook zones
Man coverage on TEs
Off of the edge as a blitzer
And run defense in the box
You can see examples of each of those roles in the video below, where he performed well against an Alabama team with four first-round picks at the skill positions:
- BLITZING
- RUN DEFENSE
- MAN COVERAGE
- ZONE COVERAGE
- HUSTLE
CONCLUSION
In 2023, Vikings’ safety Josh Metellus has transformed from special teams ace to defensive star. He’s taken on an incredibly versatile role in Brian Flores’ unique defense, and has been able to effect the game on all phases of defense. He has an interception, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 1.5 sacks, and five tackles for loss to go along with his 81 total tackles, which ranks third on the team.
He’s a true three-level player. Metellus can rush the passer, take on blocks and chase down ball carriers in the run game, play deep zone coverage, and also cover TEs in man. His football intelligence and effort have made his high level of performance possible.
Metellus’ unique role may not do him any favors when awards season comes around, because voters may have a hard time judging him against his peers due to the way he is asked to play. But this much is clear: Josh Metellus is the best at what he does in the NFL because what he does is one of one.
In 2023, Vikings’ safety Josh Metellus has transformed from special teams ace to defensive star. He’s taken on an incredibly versatile role in Brian Flores’ unique defense, and has been able to effect the game on all phases of defense. He has an interception, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 1.5 sacks, and five tackles for loss to go along with his 81 total tackles, which ranks third on the team.
He’s a true three-level player. Metellus can rush the passer, take on blocks and chase down ball carriers in the run game, play deep zone coverage, and also cover TEs in man. His football intelligence and effort have made his high level of performance possible.
Metellus’ unique role may not do him any favors when awards season comes around, because voters may have a hard time judging him against his peers due to the way he is asked to play. But this much is clear: Josh Metellus is the best at what he does in the NFL because what he does is one of one.
Film study and in-depth analysis at the link above.