Gervon Dexter's Overlooked Progress Against the Titans
The Chicago Bears had several standouts in their preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. Players like Trevis Gipson, Zacch Pickens, and Tyrique Stevenson all made notable contributions, shining on the defensive side of the ball. Yet, amidst these remarkable performances, Gervon Dexter's progress may have been overlooked by many.
Dexter's statistical contributions might not immediately jump off the page - he ended the day with three tackles, two of which were for minimal gains. But a closer look at his gameplay reveals noteworthy improvements in his pass-rushing ability. Dexter has long been criticized for his slow get-off, often being the last one out of his stance on snaps. However, his recent performance against the Titans showed significant improvement in this area, thanks to the coaching staff's excellent work. Apart from one snap, Dexter was timing his get-offs much better throughout the game.
Swifty Sports Network highlighted these improvements in a YouTube video, noting that Dexter's get-off problem appears to be solved. However, the next step for the young defensive lineman is to work on his pad level. He still tends to stand up too straight, allowing blockers to easily get their hands into his chest and preventing him from effectively pushing the pocket. At 6'6" and 315 lbs, Dexter doesn't have the advantage of natural leverage, so he needs to create it himself.
In college, Dexter primarily focused on stacking blockers to stop the run, so maintaining a low pad level wasn't a high priority. But in the NFL, he needs to marry his improved get-off with a lower pad level to maximize his athletic abilities. This transition might take some time, but Dexter is receiving valuable lessons from veteran Yannick Ngakoue on how to use his hands more effectively.
Keep an eye on Gervon Dexter as the season progresses. As he continues to hone his skills and work on his technique, don't be surprised if he starts making a significant impact around the midway point of the season.
| POLL | ||
16 AOUT | 27 ANSWERS Gervon Dexter's Overlooked Progress Against the Titans Will Gervon Dexter start for the Bears in week 1? | ||
| Yes | 15 | 55.6 % |
| No | 12 | 44.4 % |
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