The Bucks’ offseason message to Logan Hall was simple. 2 In his second season, he had to go big to make a bigger leap in terms of playing time and production.
And that’s exactly what he did this spring.
According to defensive line coach Casey Rogers, Hall added 12 pounds to his massive frame and is nearing 300 pounds.
“I just spoke with him and he’s around 296[lbs]now,” said Rodgers. “He’s getting bigger and stronger. We like where he’s going.”
Hall, the team’s first draft pick last year and top of the second round, checked into Tampa Bay at 6 feet and 6,283 pounds. Too light to play all the downs, the Houston product was relegated to backup duty as a rookie. He played just 403 snaps and produced 17 tackles, 10 hurries, 4 QB hits, and 2.5 sacks in limited work.
Hall was originally drafted to play the 3 technique defensive tackle spot played by Ndamukong Suh in 2019-21 for his quickness and athleticism.But the Bucks are just their 2023 first-round pick Karidja Kansi, At 6-foot-1, 281 pounds, the diminutive defensive tackle is faster and more athletic than Hall. Instead, Kancey will take over his 3-Technique role and go head-to-head with his guard to take advantage of his elite traits.
Logan Hall Takes Over Will Golston’s Backs Defense Role
Bucs DL Logan Hall – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
With veterans Akiem Hicks and Will Golston out of contract, current plans call for the 6-foot-6-inch, 300-pound Golston to take on the role of the 4i-technical defensive lineman he’s played in Todd Bowles’ defense for years. Logan Hall is supposed to play more.
Rogers said Hall and Golston were “very similar measurements.” “At the time, if a group of them were there, we would see Logan play this part, Kancy play that part, and Vita play his part. It’s very similar to what you brought.”
Golston was the Bucks’ Kieran stuffer, but he wasn’t your average pass rusher either. Hall capitalized on his athletic prowess to record 2.5 of his sacks last year, but Golston won his quarterback once in 2022.
But Hall will need to make progress in run defense to replace Goulston, and that’s where his extra size and strength will be needed. was recorded, but Dropped to 15th place last year That’s because the unit increased from 91.6 yards per game in 2021 to 121.1 yards per game in 2022.
Rogers said of Tampa Bay’s run defense, “It’s the first thing we’re going to tackle when we come back as a whole, and we’re all going to be ready for mini-camp. We’re all sitting there.” I promise we’ll be working on it, we’ll look back and evaluate it, but first we need to get back to the tech and the basics.
“Overall, when the run defense is really good, the pass defense suffers. [past] Pass defense went up and pass defense down this year. And if you look at the people we played with, they played six or eight of the top rush offenses. They are paid too. But stopping the run gives you a chance to win. ”
Bucks wanted to be faster, faster up front with Logan Hall, Karija Kansi
Bucs DT Logan Hall – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucks have seen faster, faster defensive linemen like Logan Hall and Caridja Kansi do more behind the line of scrimmage that big, slower D linemen like Hicks and Golston couldn’t do a year ago. I hope to be able to play.
“We want to offset the positives [run] Faster guys and more TFL[tack on loss]make a profit,” Rodgers said. “I really felt like I had to be faster on defense. You’re talking about a man when we rate [Kancey]was really, really explosive.
“For the last few years we’ve been really big and powerful. Produces a lot of matchups that are worth playing I often play bare front with very limited ways to protect [against] that. If you have very limited options for placing and securing your Vita in a specific location [against] that. Therefore, we pursue even more explosiveness and quickness. ”
For Hall and Cuncy, they can move around like chess pieces in Bowles’ defense, creating certain disagreements up front. But more importantly, Tampa Bay scrimmages with his six defenders on his line to play more bare in front of him, with Hall and Cuncy saying he’s staying in one position and making it. It’s about having the chance to master it.
“I used to play with four more people. [technique] and 3 [technique], left and right, this and that. With these different parts, Logan can always stay in one position and never have to move around. Kancey can always be in one position. Vita in one [spot]We have played musical chairs in many different ways. ”
#Bucs DL coach and co-DC Casey Rogers said Logan Hall and Karija Kansi each played one position, allowing them to focus on that particular spot. pic.twitter.com/a8EfygnFEZ
— Pewter Report 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) May 3, 2023
Bucks expect Logan Hall to make big strides in 2022
Bucks DT Logan Hall and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
In a bigger year than expected for Hall, getting big enough to compete against NFL double teams was a top priority this offseason. Very good so far.
“Just let it grow,” Rogers said. “Now the great thing about him is that I spoke with the strength coach and he’s been here every day and he’s grown. He’s just maturing as a young player.
“Last year he stepped in and did a really good job. It’s probably creditable that we didn’t put him out more, but some of the guys we had were more experienced and I thought I’d let him go.” Really, hindsight is 20/20. I should have put him out there more, but he jumps.I have high hopes for Logan this year.”
