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You be the DC

Rymanofthenorth

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Now allowing for differences in the levels of knowledge, we are all still fans of football and most of us have the basic knowledge necessary to discuss this.

use whatever language you want, but if YOU had the resources what style of defence would you run. now keep in mind you still wouldnt be able to have a probowler at every spot, but you would have access to draft, FA and a rich owner willing to spend.

This is actually from my working playbook.

My basic Defencive philosophy is simple, I like size in the middle and speed on the outside. The base front is a 4-3 under/over but it can change drastically depending on matchups.

We play a lot of combination man/zone and We prefer to get pressure from our front that way when we blitz the added pressure is a bonus and takes teams off guard. as a DC I keep things relatively simple, very simple terminology so its easy to get comfortable quickly. I like my guys to attack the offence and if they make a mistake its often covered up by them going a hundred miles an hour. (football is not like driving lol)

I would run a variable front scheme, not too unlike Gregg Williams, only I would place more emphasis on the front 4 than he does as I dont like blitzing DBs to get pressure. In my variable fronts the responsabilities are often the same or not very different despite different looks, that way it puts more pressure on the Oline to react than it does on my guys to learn. Its really a one gap read on the run type system but it does utilise one two gapping DT who will help protect my MLB and WOLB.

Versatility would be the key, I dont like having one dimensional players, I would rather have a good pass rusher who plays the run than an amazing pass rusher who doesnt. at every position except NT I want two way guys, at the nose I want a space eater who demands doubles on every play but doesnt over extend.

the reason I believe in versatility so much is that in todays game you WILL have to go through streaks of injuries and versatile players can fill in anywhere.

This defence would be relatively easy to build as most teams already have most of the pieces, admittedly a NT is not easy to find, nor are two way ends and 3 tech tackles, but its easier to find them than it is to find outstanding 3-4 OLBs who can play run and pass. the bonus being if you do find one you can use his skills as well. because its such a hybrid animal you can fit widely varying pieces into it making drafts easier as well.

It also makes it easier to cover deficiencies, for instance if you have a small mobile MLB you can protect him with the NT, ditto for a small fast wolb. if you dont have a space eating NT you can twist your Dts a lot more and swap alignments.

the two players who will make this defence work or not would be your interior line, it simply wont work as well without a good 3 tech and nose combo. you can get away with solid to decent linebackers but your front four had better be able to bring heat.

how it works-
the interior linemen will pretty much force the other team to use at least 3, probably 4 players to block them, both guards, the center and a running back, this is done by alignment and technique, the NT lines up in a 1 on either the strong or weak side and attacks the center while reading the block of the guard and then fighting the pressure. The 3 tech lines up in a 3 (outside shoulder of the guard) which makes it almost impossible to double team him with the center who will be occupied, leaving only a tackle or Runningback in position to help, this is a double edged sword, if the tackle jams down, the end on that side will have an easy path to the QB or will have a TE or Fb as his primary blocker, if they use the Fb as a chip block or the Rb, then its usually not tough to beat and still leaves the DE in a one on one block with the DE.

the Des are in a wide alignment, you need to keep contain as your Dts will be pushing the pocket, your Olbs are aligned fairly tightly as their check step helps freeze the OT and they mostly play man to man except in some of the combo zones. this also removes the threat of the off tackle except in draws.

this would change depending on opponent.

I learned something a long time ago at a football camp, the 1985 bears often wouldnt target the opposing teams worst Olineman, they would attack the opposing teams best Olineman with stunts and twists and blitzes, and they would do it early and often would shellshock them. this resonated with me and for that reason my teams do the same. when a team does something well, rather than prevent everything, we try to remove their best play, then we do the same for their next most effective play etc etc. now this scheme does require aggression so we would need our guys to be motivated.
 
Very simple answer:

Whatever defense fits my personnel. Use terminology and begin teaching whatever system I want to advance to in the future, but you can't switch without the personnel to do so. A good coach uses whatever is at their disposal and makes it work. A bad coach tries to fit a square peg in a round hole.
 
that was a great defence but it wouldnt work today because teams will pass short far more and negate the rush with one step drops. but some of the principles still apply. Gregg williams is from that tree I believe.

Rex Ryan is still using a lot of it successfully with the Jets. Granted, they just got pounded by NE but they are still 9-4 and those losses are more the fault of the offense then the defense.
 
Rex Ryan is still using a lot of it successfully with the Jets. Granted, they just got pounded by NE but they are still 9-4 and those losses are more the fault of the offense then the defense.


Yup Rex and Rob, both use several of the principles but rex uses a modified front 3-4 to implement them.
 
Very simple answer:

Whatever defense fits my personnel. Use terminology and begin teaching whatever system I want to advance to in the future, but you can't switch without the personnel to do so. A good coach uses whatever is at their disposal and makes it work. A bad coach tries to fit a square peg in a round hole.


so Dawg...how do you transition? Dallas did it. others have. what's the tipping point?
 
so Dawg...how do you transition? Dallas did it. others have. what's the tipping point?

Until you have a nose, going to a strict 2-gap is nearly impossible. Our defensive line, as a whole, also doesn't fit the 2-gap or the 1-gap.

First, when beginning the transition, you have to have a defensive line. If there's no defensive line you introduce the concepts of the 1-gap scheme without going strict 3-4. Use a defensive end (Perhaps Carter) and play a 4-3 1-gap while introducing 3-4 concepts... Blitzes you may use... Occassionally have Carter drop back into a zone just to keep teams aware.

Use the 4-4 defense as a transition piece as well. Landry in the box with a 4-front. Blitz him on occasion, man to man on the slot or a tight end sometimes, drop back at times.

Keep that 1-gap seed planted... Run a SMALL amount of 2-gap plays.

Next year, when you have a better 3-4 defensive line, start using more 3-4 1-gap sets, but keep that 4-3/4-4 look in place. Start introducing a little bit more of the 2-gap scheme. Evaluate. Are the players beginning to understand 2-gap. Can you move on to a full time 2-gap? If not, stick with the 1-gap 3-4... If you don't believe you have the pieces at this point to run the 3-4 you need to make a decision in year two. Do I run this or not?

If yes, year three becomes the full transition to the 3-4... With whatever concept you have the personnel for.

But this is all assuming you're gathering the necessary pieces. If you're not, you stay in transition year 1 until you get more... Specifically, you need a nose.
 

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