Dion Dawkins technique

[Motorin']

5 hours ago, JerseyBills said:

Ya, widest split according to ESPN of any LT, approximately 2 yards. 

 

Dion has evolved into to 1 of the best if not the best LT in the game, his contract is amazing 

 

They must not be counting the 2-3 yards the Chiefs LT gets by starting a few seconds before the snap every passing down. 

[Richard Noggin]

Aside from the LAME and probably incorrect call on Allen's scrambling shove-pass to Kincaid last week (Dawkins called for illegal formation innit?), I've noticed his splits often being unusually wide and moreover his alignment being unusually tight to the LOS, like tighter to the line than the LG a number of times. That's a weird look, traditionally. 

 

But then I think of Kromer's novel gameplan for Jordan Mills (at RT) against JJ Watt way back when: Mills consistently lined up tight to the line and then stepped UP to engage Watt on majority of pass pro snaps. And it worked. I forget the specific game. But I remember the unusual and ballsy gameplan that helped a mediocre but aggressive RT mostly neutralize one of the game's most disruptive D-linemen at the time. 

[That's No Moon]

6 hours ago, Rubes said:

 

Seems that way, but weren't the officials supposed to be coming down on that this year?

 

They will call it once or twice a game on the most egregious offenders <COUGH> taylor <COUGH> but you can get away with it a ton.

4 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

Aside from the LAME and probably incorrect call on Allen's scrambling shove-pass to Kincaid last week (Dawkins called for illegal formation innit?),

They called a hold on Edwards when Josh stepped through the B gap.

[Richard Noggin]

7 minutes ago, That&#x27;s No Moon said:

They will call it once or twice a game on the most egregious offenders <COUGH> taylor <COUGH> but you can get away with it a ton.

They called a hold on Edwards when Josh stepped through the B gap.

 

Hmm really thought that was the Dawkins formation call (but not surprised I'm wrong). We were pretty rowdy as we watched last week in my buddy's basement bar. Have to maximize my away game viewing fun before it's back to OP.

[Beck Water]

9 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

https://www.instagram.com/jerzeystar/reel/DCABPYyylMJ/

 

This is a Dawkins special and unfortunately he's been called for a penalty a few times but this is pure raw technique 

 

Using the defensive ends momentum and shopping their hands and their body right out from underneath them 

 

This is one of his better moves and high level technique

 

It's inexplicable to me that is called a hold.  It's like the officials are "DLman wound up on the ground, must have been holding"

[Beck Water]

7 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

Hmm really thought that was the Dawkins formation call (but not surprised I'm wrong). We were pretty rowdy as we watched last week in my buddy's basement bar. Have to maximize my away game viewing fun before it's back to OP.

 

No, they called a hold on Edwards which, to be honest, I think it was was - the DLman tried to reach for Josh and couldn't move sideways to get him, which, I think is not going to happen if the OL doesn't have a firm hold. 

But part of what drew the ref's eye was defenders toppling over behind him, which is Josh able to move in ways which sends defenders running into each other pursuing a QB body that is no longer there.  OLmen hold like that on almost every play and it's seldom called except when it is.

[shane nelson]

18 hours ago, Andrew Son said:

I wonder…. How many more years at this level of play before we start to hear HOF whispers?

needs a ring or two

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

'Dion Dawkins technique'

*
He 'stops short'? 🤔

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

20 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

Out of curiosity for those that are o-line experts, why don’t defenses load up in that gap, and rush it hard, to try to force Dawkins over more? Or even fake guys in that gap? 

 

Lets force allen to his... right?  That doesn't seem right... 

[Beck Water]

15 hours ago, Motorin&#x27; said:

 

They must not be counting the 2-3 yards the Chiefs LT gets by starting a few seconds before the snap every passing down. 

 

Oh, Jesu, that drives me mad.

[Buffalo716]

6 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

It's inexplicable to me that is called a hold.  It's like the officials are "DLman wound up on the ground, must have been holding"

It's even better when Dawkins finishes his hand chop with the opponent on the ground and he finishes the block and lands on top of them 

 

That's the finishing move

[rajinka]

2 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

'Dion Dawkins technique'

*
He 'stops short'? 🤔

 

[Beck Water]

1 hour ago, Buffalo716 said:

It's even better when Dawkins finishes his hand chop with the opponent on the ground and he finishes the block and lands on top of them 

 

That's the finishing move

 

I think when he lands on top of them, he has to be careful how long he stays, is that correct?

[Buffalo716]

17 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

I think when he lands on top of them, he has to be careful how long he stays, is that correct?

Yeah he's not allowed to lay on top of them like a blanket but he's allowed to punish them

[WideNine]

On 12/19/2024 at 3:25 PM, Buffalo716 said:

 

 

No more are the days where the bills are behind times... 

 

we are constantly ahead of the curve... And pushing boundaries 

 

Look at the splits Dion Dawkins is lining up with.. he's been doing it all seas

 

Easily the widest split from a left tackle throughout a season in a decade.. he plays on an island has world class technique and is now a dominant Force ahead of the curve

 

 

 

That is interesting.

 

There were times we used wider splits when running the ball back in Daboll's days when we were in spread to create more room for our pretty vanilla inside zone runs.

 

But just having Dion with the wider split is a bit different and he also does not line up as far back from the LOS as other LTs in the league.

 

There was a time when OTs would line up fairly deep from the LOS so they could better contain that outside rush from gaining the edge.

 

NE OL used to remind me of a phalanx of Canadian geese.

 

The NFL cracked down on that in the off season as they are supposed to be lined up on the LOS, but they allow for some leeway now and probably more subjectivity than any of us like as to when they will flag an infraction.

 

Supposedly OTs must have their helmet aligned with at least the belt line of the center to avoid being flagged.

 

First Dion has to be very light on his feet to make this work. I know he likes to get his hands on defensive lineman and engage as soon as possible.

 

Perhaps the wider split would make it harder for defensive lineman to create as much confusion with protections when running stunts and twists.

 

Maybe just a personal preference... (Why Dion why??) 😁

 

 

[boyst]

10 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

No, they called a hold on Edwards which, to be honest, I think it was was - the DLman tried to reach for Josh and couldn't move sideways to get him, which, I think is not going to happen if the OL doesn't have a firm hold. 

But part of what drew the ref's eye was defenders toppling over behind him, which is Josh able to move in ways which sends defenders running into each other pursuing a QB body that is no longer there.  OLmen hold like that on almost every play and it's seldom called except when it is.

The hold players get is tricky. Good ones when they slide your hands on your chest in getting contact can establish and maintain that contact. Edwards plays an older school style OG position, I've noticed. He really gets in their on some blocks and doesn't allow space or leverage easily. Once in there with his hands you sort of punch your hands as you push up to give you a little more force. You're literally ending up holding inside/under the chest pads to leverage and hold the player which is fine as long as you maintain control over him. Think sumo wrestling, except the bottom or butt of your hand is at the bottom of the shoulder pads and the fingers are pinching above creating just a little ledge to hold. 

 

The problem arises when balance is off, generally feet slow down or the other player has a better angle, feet, or just sometimes skill. This is where you see the player fall with/on the defender they are holding. 

 

The open hands under the shoulder pad is one of the most basics techniques.

[Buffalo716]

3 hours ago, WideNine said:

 

That is interesting.

 

There were times we used wider splits when running the ball back in Daboll's days when we were in spread to create more room for our pretty vanilla inside zone runs.

 

But just having Dion with the wider split is a bit different and he also does not line up as far back from the LOS as other LTs in the league.

 

There was a time when OTs would line up fairly deep from the LOS so they could better contain that outside rush from gaining the edge.

 

NE OL used to remind me of a phalanx of Canadian geese.

 

The NFL cracked down on that in the off season as they are supposed to be lined up on the LOS, but they allow for some leeway now and probably more subjectivity than any of us like as to when they will flag an infraction.

 

Supposedly OTs must have their helmet aligned with at least the belt line of the center to avoid being flagged.

 

First Dion has to be very light on his feet to make this work. I know he likes to get his hands on defensive lineman and engage as soon as possible.

 

Perhaps the wider split would make it harder for defensive lineman to create as much confusion with protections when running stunts and twists.

 

Maybe just a personal preference... (Why Dion why??) 😁

 

Exactly as you said.. it spreads the line making it harder to disguise at the los

 Making easier reads for Dawkins and the rest of the line.. and letting dion have angle advantage 

 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

On 12/19/2024 at 6:40 PM, GunnerBill said:

Dion has been in the league 8 years and in terms of consistency from the let tackle position over that period it is a really small elite group. 

 

I don't think he gets as much love as he should at times because he isn't as physically dominant as some left tackles but his technique is and always has been impeccable. And he is a leader and a grest locker room presence.

 

That 2017 draft... Tre White, Dion Dawkins, Matt Milano.  They were the first 3 pieces of turning this around and it was a great draft. 

Would really like to know if and how much these were  Whaley's picks

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Dawkins has been very good this year. Perhaps as good as he has ever played. He's been a good LT but he has had some consistency issues. 

I may have my seasons mixed up but I think it was 2020. He was not playing well for the first 10 or so games. Then all of a sudden he played the final 5 or 6 and the playoff stretch at an incredibly high level. 

The following year he got hit with COVID and took a long time to recover.

Last year like the entire team he seemed up and down in his play. 

 

He is not a HOF talent. 

 

I do think he is approaching Wall of Fame status. 

 

[NickelCity]

14 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

It's inexplicable to me that is called a hold.  It's like the officials are "DLman wound up on the ground, must have been holding"

 

It wasn't a hold. I'll be pissed about that call for ages.