I think I understand the new defense.

[Chris Meck]

Ok.
So, I've been confused like everyone else, but I think I now understand what we're going to be doing defensively and how the personnel will fit.

In what our version of the 3-4 will be:

the left outside linebacker will line up on the outside shoulder of the tackle to head up on the TE . This is more like a classic LDE in terms of responsibilities. Outside containment/pass rush type stuff. This is where Hali fits as an OLB. Basically pretty much the same as his role in the 4-3. He can play a little lighter if he likes, as he won't be singled up on the Tackle pretty much ever because:

the LDE will line up on the outside shoulder of the RG (B gap). His job is to shoot that gap between the guard and tackle, attacking the line of scrimmage, disrupting the blocking scheme. This is where you'd use Glenn Dorsey. The role is very similar to what a penetrating DT in a 4-3 scheme would be doing. This is what Haley said they'd do with Dorsey in the PC yesterday. Magee is probably a rotational player at both DE spots. So no more 'Dorsey is a bad fit at NT' talk. That's not the plan, because:

Ron Edwards and Tank Tyler are your NT. However, they're not going to be traditional NT's in the Ted Washington mold. They too will have one gap responsibility, usually shading to the strong side on the center's outside shoulder, (A gap) but not always. They don't need to be 350 pound space eaters, as they're not playing two gap. Personally, I think Tyler is the most promising guy at this spot physically.

Your RILB would be the player that is basically lined up on the center/LG gap (albeit a few yards off the ball) in what would be nearly identical to a classic MLB role (this is what Zach Thomas meant about playing MLB).

Your LILB (Derrick Johnson's spot) is your 'flow to the ball' playmaker. He's covered by the LOLB outside and the LDE right in front of him. On a running play up the gut, for example, the center would take on ONE of the ILB's, but not likely get both, so this guy will probably rack up a ton of tackles.

Your RDE (Jackson) will be on the LG's outside shoulder, with one gap responsibility there. If the guard can't handle him alone, they're in real trouble, because outside the tackle is the ROLB (or rush-backer). Outside containment responsibilities, yes-and rush the passer. This is what Vrabel fits in. he's only a year removed from double digit sacks, and that's because he was injured. He needs only to require the Tackle's full attention to be successful, because that means the LDE has got a single man to beat. The whole point of a 6-5 295 monster DE with long arms is that you HAVE to double him. So choose your poison.

Safeties will play a more prominent role in run support than they did in cover 2 (at least our version, in which they were basically non-existant) and corners will probably play some man. I'm not worried about our secondary, actually, I feel pretty good about it and not too much is different for them.

I think I'm pretty accurate about the responsibilities and the personnel I named is based on the interviews with Pioli and/or Haley.

Did I get it right?

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

They're going to use parts of it, yes.

Aren't the Pats a 2 gap?

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Makes sense to me but I'm not really well educated X's and O's wise.

How much pass coverage responsibility do the LB's have in this system? Just LILB?

I think it would depend on coverage calls, but I wouldn't think the OLB's would have anything other than maybe swing pass-type responsibilities unless it was some sort of zone blitz. ILB's probably would have more in the short crossing type lanes.

[RJ]

My left or your left?

Excellent post, thanks for sharing.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I thought Pioli said he wanted Jackson on the open side.

He did, or rather Haley did.

[Basileus777]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I thought Pioli said he wanted Jackson on the open side.

You are right, Haley did say that.

[CupidStunt]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Aren't the Pats a 2 gap?

Yes, but only because they managed to get the personnel for it early on. Washington and then Wilfork, Seymour, Warren, etc. KC has Jackson but Dorsey would not dominate as a two-gapper and neither Tank or Edwards are good enough to play head-up over the center.

[Chris Meck]

Yeah, Haley indicated that he wanted Jackson on the weak-side.

I've seen no detailed outline of 'our' defense; I did see the details of the 4-3 under defense that USC runs, and I found it helpful in understanding how it would translate to a 30 front with our personnel if that's what you're referring to...dunno. I am just thinking out loud here, and basing it on the Pioli/Haley interviews with a little common sense thrown in. (i.e.-of course Hali is not going to be covering RB's downfield, that'd be dumb! so what WOULD he be suitable for?)etc.

[Rain Man]

Nice post. I think I get it.

Though I'd be pulling my guards and running left a lot.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Basileus777

You are right, Haley did say that.

Right, so what Meck is describing is not like the 4-3 under. In the 4-3 under, the RDE is lined up outside the LOT. Meck is describing a system where Jackson would be in the B gap between the guard and tackle.

[Chris Meck]

Pats play a 2 gap, Dallas plays basically a one gap, if I remember correctly...as does Arizona basically, in their hybrid-which I think works pretty much like my outline.

again, I could be wrong, this is just what I think they're talking about doing.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Nice post. I think I get it.

Though I'd be pulling my guards and running left a lot.

well, that's where the veteran MLB would be important. If your defense is smart and pursuit oriented, they should be able to string out that sweep. Also, if your RDE gets penetration, it'll clog up any sort of pulling scheme.

It's not flawless, but I think that's the idea.

[jAZ]

Outstanding post. Wish I knew enough to contribute to this discussion, but it's over my head. But it sounds good to me.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

They're going to use parts of it, yes.

I have no idea what KC is going to run. If Dallas plays a 1 gap scheme, and you think KC is going to play a similar scheme, why did Zach Thomas talk about getting away from Dallas' scheme where he wasn't that comfortable.

[Chris Meck]

well, I think it's helpful (maybe even crucial) to stop thinking of people as a position (as in Glenn Dorsey is a DT, and DT=NT or Tamba Hali is a DE, and not suited to be a LB) and think in terms of what they will be asked to DO, since the 3-4 is SO different than the 4-3, and this particular 3-4 is even more so. We're not used to it, since we haven't run it since...when? Cowher? With Saleamua at NT maybe? I forget.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I have no idea what KC is going to run. If Dallas plays a 1 gap scheme, and you think KC is going to play a similar scheme, why did Zach Thomas talk about getting away from Dallas' scheme where he wasn't that comfortable.

I think that Zach was playing the other LB spot, with different responsibilities. I think in THIS hybrid, that spot would look almost exactly like a MLB spot in a 4-3, in that you'd be looking at the center basically uncovered when you line up. Hence, his comments about getting back to playing MLB.

again, this is all just my theory.