Defensive line
DEFENSIVE LINE SNAPS | |||
Player | Week 7 | Week 8 | Chg |
G. Scruggs | 20% | 48% | 28% |
O. Schofield | 16% | 40% | 24% |
T. McDaniel | 61% | 38% | -23% |
K. Williams | 53% | 40% | -13% |
B. Mebane | 76% | 63% | -13% |
M. Bennett | 90% | 82% | -8% |
Cliff Avril, played slightly more against the Panthers (72%) than he did against the Rams (69%), so his rotation was largely unaffected. Bruce Irvin played slightly less versus Carolina (83%) than he did against St. Louis (86%), so he was also not as much a part of this.
Some of this variance could be attributed to the gameplan against this opponent. We will need to see these patterns over a few games to know how much is opponent-independent.
Secondary
SECONDARY SNAPS | |||
Player | Week 7 | Week 8 | Chg |
T. Simon | 39% | 97% | 58% |
M. Burley | 76% | 35% | -41% |
Simon played nearly every snap, and Burley played a lot less. With Byron Maxwell and Jeremy Lane due back in the next two weeks, this snap allotment should continue to be in flux.
Receivers
RECEIVERS SNAPS | |||
Player | Week 7 | Week 8 | Chg |
D. Baldwin | 82% | 95% | 13% |
R. Lockette | 4% | 16% | 12% |
P. Richardson | 59% | 69% | 10% |
K. Norwood | 11% | 18% | 7% |
C. Helfet | 83% | 23% | -60% |
Jermaine Kearse saw his snaps largely remain unchanged (92% this week vs. 90% in week seven), so he and Doug Baldwin are the clear starters who will be on the field in almost all situations. Ricardo Lockette got the snaps from Walters, and played well. Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood saw their snaps increase, and at least some of that came from using more three or four receiver sets.
Cooper Helfet lost most of his snaps with Willson returning, but that does not account for all of the change, especially when you factor in RaShaun Allen going from 20% of the offensive snaps last week to off the roster this week.
It may not be a given that a healthy Walters will be active on game day.
Running backs
RB SNAPS | |||
Player | Week 7 | Week 8 | Chg |
C. Michael | 10% | 15% | 5% |
R. Turbin | 42% | 23% | -19% |
M. Lynch | 75% | 66% | -9% |
This also reflects in a shift toward more three receiver sets and fewer two-back sets. The way to get more Norwood and Richardson is to steal snaps from a fullback and tight end. The team is learning what they can do in a fullback-free offense. Turbin is getting some fullback snaps, as are some tight ends, but it is not quite the same. Michael’s increased reps are important as the team evaluates where they are at that position ahead of Lynch’s eventual departure next season.