Jacksonville Jaguars to Move Tyson Alualu from DT to DE

David Nelson — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:35:42 -0400

According to both the Associated Press and Jaguars.com writer John Oehser, Jaguars coach Gus Bradley is planning on making a move that many thought to be necessary since he was drafted.

Tyson Alualu is moving from defensive tackle to defensive end for Bradley's 4-3/3-4 hybrid scheme that will allow him to move outside and play a position he is seemingly more suitable for. Alualu was a projected 3-4 DE coming out of college.

As Mark Long added, Alualu will be playing the 6-technique on the strong side and the 4-technique on the weak side.

Alualu has been mediocre at best since coming into the NFL, but that may be in large part because of his position and usage since Gene Smith selected him.

At 6'3" and around 300 pounds, Alualu has very good speed and athleticism for a player his size. Running a 4.87 40 out of college, he should fit very nicely in Bradley's scheme.

It is likely that Alualu and Jeremy Mincey will play end opposite of Jason Babin and Andre Branch, who will see their time as the Leo in the hybrid defense. The Leo is basically an undersized defensive end that plays as the edge-rusher while standing up, looking more like a linebacker.

Newcomers Roy Miller and Sen'Derrick Marks are likely to start at defensive tackle, which will give this defensive line a whole new look despite not making any major personnel changes at defensive end.

Russell Allen and Paul Posluszny will remain starters, and free agent signing Geno Hayes is expected to start at OLB.

Dwayne Gratz is expected to begin the year starting outside at cornerback. Alan Ball could possibly start opposite of Gratz, but with four months to go before the start of the year, Ball will need to battle off Demetrius McCray, Kevin Rutland, Jeremy Harris and possibly Marcus Trufant.

Marcus Trufant and Mike Harris are going to battle throughout camp for the team's starting nickel back position.

Safety is pretty much penciled in with Dwight Lowery and Johnathan Cyprien as the team's starters, backed up by Josh Evans and Chris Prosinski.

The Jaguars defense is going to have a very different look to it from last season, but every change is a very close resemblance to the Seattle Seahawks defense. The question will be whether or not the personnel can play similarly.

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Jacksonville Jaguars to Move Tyson Alualu from DT to DE