Why isn’t Vic Beasley making the impact that’s expected?

No. 3: Lack of a consistently effective speed rush

One of the biggest draws from Vic Beasley coming out of college was his speed and bend off of the edge.However, Beasley isn’t using his speed enough coming off the edge for the tackles to truly respect it. The Atlanta Falcons head coach, Dan Quinn, has  decided to put Beasley as LDE in nickel sets to better utilize his speed against Right tackles.  In most nickel sets, Beasley is

The Atlanta Falcons head coach, Dan Quinn, has  decided to put Beasley at left defensive end in nickel sets to better utilize his speed against right tackles. In most nickel sets, Beasley is in the wide-nine technique which should give him the advantage because of his speed. However, on most snaps, the tackles are able to kick-slide, get set in their stances and punch him to take him completely out of the play.

All too often Beasley will get a good jump on the snap to hesitate just enough to allow the tackles to recover and stay on their technique. In other words, his hesitation allows a tackle enough time to get prepared for his rush.

Then the tackles will attempt to bend the edge as Beasley’s already out of the play.

If Beasley wants to become more productive, he will need to utilize his speed. Ultimately, the former Clemson defender needs to perfect his speed rush before thinking about moving to other moves in the repertoire.