The Future of Defense?

[jramsey4]

With our D being absolutely torched the last half of the season last year, and this year not looking much better, I think it is time we made a switch at defense formation. While most want the new trendy defense, the 3-4, why not skip it and take it to the next level? But before I discuss my new base formation lets discuss why the NFL is progressing to the 3-4.

There are 2 main reasons. One it creates more confusing looks for the offense. As there are only 3 down lineman there is one rusher (on average) that could be coming from anywhere. This makes it harder for the Oline to pick them up and it sometimes can make the QB rush his throws. This rusher is usually a OLB and with the unreal stats of D. Ware last year its easy to see that this lets the athletic pass-rushing abilities of the OLB shine.

The second reason is that the NFL is becoming progressively more a passing league, teams need more men in coverage. This is especially true the last couple of years because of the success of the spread formation. In the 4-3 you only had on average at most 7 men in coverage where in the 3-4 there could be 8.

I introduce the 2-5 defense.

In this formation there are only two down linemen and 5 LB's. There are two OLB, two ILB (interior linebackers) and one MLB. Now to explain the skill set each position would require.

At the two DT or down lineman positions, the players need to be big (think NT) and must be able to absorb multiple blockers to free up the LB's. Although we would be hard to find this in this years roster, next year we have back both Kemo and Leonard (who looked great Sunday). And if Ra' Shon Harris can live up to the hype of the Steelers Boards he would be perfect here.

The OLB's would both be in the mould of what the rush OLB in a 3-4 needs to be successful. Good strength, Pass Rushing skills, and a must have average coverage skills. Pep would be unreal in this Defense and Brown has the potential to be. This position on most plays would simple rush.

The ILB's would be the most important position (next to the DT's) in this defense. They must be good all around players. They must be able to stop the run and drop into coverage. They must also be able to pass rush on occasion. Thomas Davis and Beason come to mind as a perfect fit here.

The MLB position needs the opposite of what the OLB's need, they need to be great run stoppers and decent in coverage and pass rushing. Connor would be a good fit here.

All in All if you want to know the future on D this might be it. I just hope we can do what we have yet to do before, start a trend instead of joining one.

[AKPantherFan]

ummmmmm no....

how in the hell do you cross your tackles #1 without screwing everything up from the start, then on the flip side you will give up 7 yards a carry on every down.

[John Fox]

wow

a good rb would destroy that defense

[jramsey4]

ummmmmm no....

how in the hell do you cross your tackles #1 without screwing everything up from the start, then on the flip side you will give up 7 yards a carry on every down.

There not supposed to cross but the software didnt allow much flexibility. And that was just one play they don't always have to do that. Usually they would just be focusing on absorbing as many blockers as they can. That was just to create confusion not intended to be a mainstay.

[jramsey4]

wow

a good rb would destroy that defense

I don't remember talking about our Cover 2 defense.

[Peppers90 NC]

It's basically just having your DE's standing up. Don't get your hopes up on this idea, and I guess the two DT's would try to occupy both G's and the C. This is not a base defense to begin with, perhaps an alternate look.

[jramsey4]

It's basically just having your DE's standing up. Don't get your hopes up on this idea, and I guess the two DT's would try to occupy both G's and the C. This is not a base defense to begin with, perhaps an alternate look.

In the best case scenario the DT would each take up two blockers. So 2 G, the C, and a T. Now it would take a very good DT to take up 2 blockers constantly but if you could find them this defense would be unreal. And to the doubters I want you take a look back at our sports history. It wasn't 50 years ago that the 5-2 was common place, not 10 years ago that the 4-3 was the most used formation. Now the 3-4 is. Do you see a progression? I'm just connecting the dots.

[Guild]

Reminds me somewhat of "The Dolphin Look."

I give you props for posting this JRamsey and thanks for giving me something to think about.

[Fiz]

run off guard.

Center and Guard take the DT, TE to OLB, Blocking back to Mike, nothing but a safety between the running back and endzone

[panther4life]

wow

a good rb would destroy that defense

thats the reason that defense wouldnt work, otherwise it could be beastly

[Fiz]

you would have to have two two gap nose tackles to pull this off, plus basically two troy polamalus

[Peppers90 NC]

you would have to have two two gap nose tackles to pull this off, plus basically two troy polamalus

I was gonna say even the Williams Wall would be extremely exhausted by the 3rd Q trying to occupy two guys every play. It's a very real formation on passing downs, more likely an CB or S rather than the fifth LB.

[jramsey4]

you would have to have two two gap nose tackles to pull this off, plus basically two troy polamalus

I think with just the two NT this D would be nasty. I think you all are missing the main benefit of running this D, confusion. You keep the O guessing by not knowing who is coming. Most thought the 3-4 wouldn't succeed for the reason you are giving, that it wouldn't work against the run for the same reasons. Those concerns turned out to be unfounded. You might be right but at this point our defense couldn't look much worse (I know someone will say otherwise).

[Fiz]

yeah it's real confusing until a slot receiver breaks the single game receptions record