Film Study: Don't overlook Marquis Haynes at Ole Miss

In an effort to generate an uber-star in our beloved Southeastern Conference, I wholeheartedly believe we’d step over a dollar to get to a dime, in a figurative sense, of course.

As it pertains to the University of Mississippi defense, and its much-hyped, former No. 1-overall defensive lineman recruit Robert Nkemdiche, his success in his first two seasons in Oxford has been met with a bit of puffery from fans and pundits alike.

Now understand this, as a writer, on-air host, former player and overall ambassador for those wanting to learn the nuances of this complex game, I too can be lumped in with the crowd of people heaping undue praise on one Mr. Nkemdiche.

And before some of you Rebel fans get all bent out of shape about one man’s opinion, take into account this one fact: I was one of the first writers to proclaim that Ole Miss had the most talented defense in the conference last season.

In fact, despite the loss of some of the better talent in the country — safety Cody Prewitt and cornerback Senquez Golson immediately come to mind — I think the Rebel’s defense will once again be the pacesetter for the SEC.

Meaning, the Rebels are in possession of some of the best talent the country has to offer — especially along the defensive line.

And while some may try to spin it as Nkemdiche freeing up others to make plays, which is true to a certain extent, Ole Miss has a ton of standout players who deserve to be recognized from their own abilities.

When you play on a team with Marquis Haynes, Isaac Gross, C.J. Johnson, Woody Hamilton, Channing Ward and Fadol Brown, you know you’re surrounded by enough talent to get the job done in any shape, form or fashion.

And moreover, the eye in the sky doesn’t lie; let’s dispel some of things people say about Nkemdiche and his lack of production.

Is Nkemdiche Always Being Doubled?

To truly understand the role of each particular player, you really need a keen understanding of the philosophy at its schematic core.

Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack, who’s one of the very best in the business, has implemented a multiplicative defense designed at matching today’s hurry-up, no-huddle offenses by being able to stay in base personnel — at all times — due to the amount of speed on the field.

While other notable defenses, such at the one Nick Saban trots out at the University of Alabama, use size and power as a way to compete, the Rebels would rather rally to the ball and shut down high-powered passing attacks.

The same could be said for the defensive line as it’s an even-front outfit with odd-front principles. Meaning each spot has a definitive role designed at freeing up the guy next to them or the second-level defenders.

The 1-technique is the player who’s usually lined up in a gap to occupy multiple offensive linemen; that player is normally Gross.

That’s not to say that Nkemdiche doesn’t run into the occasional double, as most interior linemen will, but anyone who says he’s constantly doubled-teamed is uninformed. This defense is schemed up so good that ample opportunity is provided to cause havoc by way of the two man game: end-tackle stunts and twists.

Some of it designed at actually freeing up Nkemdiche.

Here we see a T/E exchange where Nkemdiche gets the benefit of a hard inside move from a 7-technique end, which in turn leaves him with a free rush.

This highlights a couple of things: How great Wommack is as a DC and how diverse Haynes is.

Yes. Haynes.

Look at how the 6’3″, 220-pound Haynes walked a potential early-round draft pick in Cedric Ogbuehi back into the backfield from his right end spot. He then proceeded to get the sack that was designed for Nkemdiche off sheer hustle, while Nkemdiche simply was shaken off.

Here’s an example of Nkemdiche actually creating an opportunity for a teammate, Haynes, on another end-tackle twist. However, he couldn’t take advantage of the QB being flushed to his side and Haynes ended up still collecting the sack as intended.

Just as I’ve noticed with film studies on Nkemdiche throughout the season, somebody else usually pops off the screen.

And it’s no so much an indictment on Nkemdiche as much as it highlights the type of talent that’s in Oxford.

Especially with Haynes.

Haynes And The Crew

It’s clear from the above sequence that Haynes is on another level from most. Coming in a recruiting class that included both Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett and the University of Tennessee’s Derek Barnett, Haynes’ seven sacks didn’t quite register on a national level like those two collecting 12.5 and 11, respectively.

But when you factor in that Haynes was a situational pass-rusher who simply made the most of his limited opportunity, you can plainly see why he needs to be mentioned with those other two future superstars.

And you can make a serious case that Haynes is playing out of position as a defensive end in a four-man front weighing only 220 pounds. But there’s one thing that can’t be substituted for in edge-play: quickness.

Haynes may have the quickest get-off move I’ve ever seen. Or, at the very least, it’s on par with Von Miller and Vic Beasley, two players with very similar freak athleticism. However, both work best as off-the-ball linebackers or edge-players in an odd-man front.

Here’s a play that stood out to me from the season. With only former interior lineman Bryon Bennett receiving a double, Haynes, Nkemdiche and Johnson were the beneficiaries of solo blocking.

While Nkemdiche was the victim of a nice anchor from the left guard, Haynes ran the arc and flat-out destroyed the left tackle on his way to, yet, another splash play. While generating pressure is nothing to sneeze at, as many credit Nkemdiche with often doing, there’s no substitute for actually getting a signal-caller on the ground.

I’ve played against QBs who seemed like they played better under pressure, but none of those same QBs completed a pass after being taken to the turf.

Sacks aren’t everything; a complete lineman needs to be equally adept in the run game. And while I initially thought Nkemdiche would excel at that element of the game, that hasn’t necessarily been the case.

I’ve noticed a lot of improper run fits and, at times, poor tackling habits. He does possess a high motor, though, and that’s something he should be praised for.

On the other hand Haynes looks every bit like a budding superstar and has a ton of versatility in his game, but he’s not generating the type of publicity that goes with those type of results.

And that’s a shame.

Not a Scheme-specific Fit? 

One of the most overlooked aspects of personnel development has to do with schematic fit. While most will spin it as good players being a fit for any scheme, those that do probably never remotely strapped on football pads at any level as that’s not necessarily the case.

I’ve written about it numerous times, I had the benefit of watching Nkemdiche play his entire prep career as we both hail from Gwinnett County Ga., where a great deal of college football stars reside.

At 6’4″, weighing in at a shredded 285 pounds, I wholeheartedly believed that Nkemdiche’s best fit would be in a 3-4-based scheme where he could play multiple roles from a 5-technique alignment.

While he’s a freakish athlete, he’s not quite “twitchy” enough to play at a 6- or 7-technique and consistently cause havoc like Haynes. Conversely, he needs a little bit more room to operate than your normal 3-technique in an even-front outfit.

Those are the two positions he’s played as a freshman and sophomore, respectively. After generating only 11 solo tackles and just two sacks in his sophomore season, it’s becoming painfully evident that he’s having trouble finding a role in Wommack’s scheme.

While athleticism is his No. 1 attribute, if he were able to do more two-gapping, ala 5-technique uber-star J.J. Watt, it would allow him to dominate in the run game while building up his pass-rush repertoire as he won’t be known as a pure one-gap penetrator.

But something tells me Nkemdiche may figure it all out this season and have his production match his hype.

But with players like Haynes, Gross and Johnson seemingly exceeding their value, so to speak, it’s time for the entire defense to be recognized as, perhaps, the most solid unit in all of football.