Is Chinn a STAR hybrid?

[Santee_Panther]

Admittedly I’m a UNC fan, and last night watching the game heard a lot of talk about the Star hybrid LB position.

It sounds a lot like Chinn, as a hybrid safety, LB, nickel corner.

So I dug into some old articles and it sounds like a staple of the Saban, Kirby Smart defenses, founded in principles from Bilicheck. 
 

Some snipets from an old article about UGA:

Instead of playing a true nickel defense, however, and replacing that linebacker with a fifth defensive back, who might be a weak link against the run, the STAR position is utilized. The STAR should have the quickness to cover the slot, sound tackling ability and can rush the passer when needed.
 

This is part of the reason the STAR position is important for the Bulldogs; it isn’t one that players can simply be taught how to play. Because of the demanding nature of the position, whoever plays STAR has to possess a unique set of natural qualities that aren’t too common.

Players who have the speed of a safety, the tackling ability of a linebacker and can cover like a nickel back are coveted prospects on the recruiting trail. A program like Alabama can sell elite prospects on the success other well-known players had at that position. That is an advantage that Smart is hoping to gain at Georgia.

Article from 2017:

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/georgia-football/star-position-important-for-georgia-spring-practice/
 

And another article with quotes from Saban talking about Bilicheck’s system, specifically the star:

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2012/08/alabama_defense_101_nickel_sta.html

[rayzor]

I seem to remember some other poster talking about this a few times.

We'll have to wait and see, but yes I'd say it's very likely.

[pantherj]

Chinn is a physical freak of nature. He's just a gifted athlete with height, leanness, speed, and good strength for this size. The problem is that he's a tweener. He doesn't fit at OLB because he's too small, and he's not exactly right for ILB in that he's just better suited elsewhere. I think we can play him at ILB, but why not allow him to cover more territory? That puts him out into the secondary, but certainly not CB or even slot CB imo. 

So we're going to do these weird hybrid formations and we'll utilize Chinn how we should of course. Ultimately I'd play Chinn at the ILB spot because I love how he plays LB. It might be under-utilization of his physical traits, but watching him close out on a RB or WR with a good angle of pursuit coming downhill and just using those long arms to take the guy down like an octopus or something is wonderful to watch. So for my personal entertainment this season I want to see Chinn at ILB. He's like an octopus fired out of a cannon when he leaps horizontally to take a guy down. You can't help but love watching that. 

Edited September 4, 2023 by pantherj

[therealmjl]

Jack of all trades master at none

[csx]

Sounds like there are a lot of terms for the concept.

[Thorrez]

Sounds a lot like a very good way utilize a player that is a superior athlete. Really great in high school, great in college but rarely works in the pros as the difference even between a freak like Chinn and a JAG is simply not large enough.

I think Chinn's greatest value is to neutralize teams that can switch between run heavy and pass heavy sets without changing personal (usually done with a great tight end that can block and play outside).

[Santee_Panther]

3 hours ago, therealmjl said:

Jack of all trades master at none

I hear you on this. And this is the key point. But if you watch a video on what it is people think have made Belicheck great at building defenses, it is taking tweeners that can be a multi-tool player. And then completely overhaul the game plan every week. Specifically based on their opponents’ weaknesses.
 

Think about how different that is to a coach like Rivera or Fox that have their game plan and make sure the players can fit the plan. 

Tweener players offen are a lot less expensive. Granted you will always need a lockdown corner, nothing hybrid about that. But these DE/LB hybrids and LB/S hybrids if used properly can really be dynamic. Hopefully we have the right coaches to game plan!

[DanteNoHall]

He reminds me of another Jeremy... Jeremy Cash