Getting to know the Jim Johnson 4-3

[MaineManPanther]

Kemoatu was a NT, his job was not to get pressure. But to occupy blocks by two lineman to free up the LB's.

[CatMan72]

Jim Johnson bascially ran a zone blitz scheme and all indications are that Rivera intends to do the same.

Like the OP said, the zone blitz scheme attempts to take advantage of some of the same principles a 3-4 scheme does, mainly the idea that you don't know who is blitzing and who is dropping back into coverage on any given play... the idea is to create confusion.

Most teams have a set of zone blitz plays they mostly use to defend 3rd down passing situations, but Jim Johnson's approach was to zone blitz early in the drive and force the opponent into a mistake or at the very least to prevent the opponent from converting a first down. This is the essence of dictating to the opponent with your defense vs. reacting to the opponents offense.

They key components of a successful zone blitz defense are:

1. Defensive ends who can play in space.

2. Athletic linebackers and safeties who can blitiz and beat blockers 1 on 1.

3. Corners and safties who can each cover 1/3 of the field at any given time and can play on an island.

4. DT's who can play effective one-gap technique.

In order for the A and B gap linebacker and safetly blitzes to be effective, the tackles in this defense must be able to play effective one-gap technique, to force the offensive lineman into choosing which side of the gap to protect.

One of the most basic zone blitzes is the 2-deep zone with WLB and DE exchange. In this blitz, the WLB blitzes the weakside A gap while the weakside DE drops off to cover the WLB's portion of the field. In order for the WLB's A gap blitz to be effective, the weakside DT must effectively attack the weakside B gap of the LG while the strongside DT must effectively attack the strongside A gap of the center... this leaves void in the weakside A gap between the center and LG for the WLB to penetrate.

Offensive lineman are taught to block inside-out, so if they see the WLB blitz and choose to defend it they must release the DT's to either the LT or the RG in the case of the example above and then those DT's must be able to beat either the LT or the RG to the QB. There are a few zone blitzes that call upon one of the DT's to play nose tackle and occupy an o-lineman while others blitz past him, but for the most part DT's in this scheme need to be able to play effective one-gap technique and sometimes even drop into coverage themselves.

[mj4life]

Zone defense's for example don't have to be passive if defenders aggressively attack receivers who move into their zone rather than stand around and wait to tackle the receiver after he makes the catch. Very similar to what Kiffin ran in Tampa and Chicago ran when Rivera was there. Now if you mix that with Jim Johnson's blitzing schemes and sprinkle in man and zone coverages, you can develop a very effective defense. Our zone broke down because quarterbacks had too long to throw and receiver could run until they found an opening.

the steelers are also a good example of a team that uses aggressive zone coverages

[frash.exe]

Kemoatu was a NT, his job was not to get pressure. But to occupy blocks by two lineman to free up the LB's.

that's not necessarily a NT's job in every defense, it was just Kemo's assignment when he was here. Fox thought it was a good approach for the Dline and it sort of worked out when Jenkins was still decent at the UT spot in 2006.

That is true. Johnson didn't always have a 335 lb nose tackle over the center. He ran a more traditional 4-3 where the tackles were in the A gaps in a 1 gap attacking style. Guys like Landri are perfect for that as well as Fairley. We might be better off with guys in the 285-300 lb range who are quicker and more mobile. Particularly since at least 2 divisional teams (Atlanta and New Orleans) have attacked us by going to the hurry up offense to keep us from substituting for the nose tackle and putting in guys who can rush the passer. By having guys who can play for several series and can stuff the run as well as rush the passer, we minimize the advantages for the offense and are less one-dimensional on defense. Jordan Carsten was the kind of guy I have in mind. He was solid against the run and could split the gap and get pressure.

Speaking of Carstens, didn't we use a lot more zone blitzing that year he was in there too? That was the year I think we fielded our best defense, third overall. I mean yea in 2002 we made 2nd overall but if you compare the 2 statistically 2005's was better.

I think considering what we've been doing on the line in recent memory, we're better off trying to split the gaps (and getting DTs that can do that) and blitzing to cause havoc in the interior line

[panthers55]

that's not necessarily a NT's job in every defense, it was just Kemo's assignment when he was here. Fox thought it was a good approach for the Dline and it sort of worked out when Jenkins was still decent at the UT spot in 2006.

Speaking of Carstens, didn't we use a lot more zone blitzing that year he was in there too? That was the year I think we fielded our best defense, third overall. I mean yea in 2002 we made 2nd overall but if you compare the 2 statistically 2005's was better.

I think considering what we've been doing on the line in recent memory, we're better off trying to split the gaps (and getting DTs that can do that) and blitzing to cause havoc in the interior line

I think that part of our problem is that we don't use many different kind of line stunts, slants or loops in order to confuse the offensive blocking schemes. And when we blitzed it was usually straight forward with little deception or misdirection.

When we did well in the 2002 to 2005 period it was because we had better talent than the opposition not because we had the better scheme. When those guys left or retired, so did our effectiveness.

[SorthNarolina]

that's not necessarily a NT's job in every defense, it was just Kemo's assignment when he was here. Fox thought it was a good approach for the Dline and it sort of worked out when Jenkins was still decent at the UT spot in 2006.

Speaking of Carstens, didn't we use a lot more zone blitzing that year he was in there too? That was the year I think we fielded our best defense, third overall. I mean yea in 2002 we made 2nd overall but if you compare the 2 statistically 2005's was better.

I think considering what we've been doing on the line in recent memory, we're better off trying to split the gaps (and getting DTs that can do that) and blitzing to cause havoc in the interior line

2005 secondary + 2002 front 7 = sex

[SorthNarolina]

I think that part of our problem is that we don't use many different kind of line stunts, slants or loops in order to confuse the offensive blocking schemes. And when we blitzed it was usually straight forward with little deception or misdirection.

When we did well in the 2002 to 2005 period it was because we had better talent than the opposition not because we had the better scheme. When those guys left or retired, so did our effectiveness.

from the small bits of memory in 2002 and 03 it seemed like Del Rio used more stunts than Trgo. I know Trgo took over in 03 but it felt more like Rio's.

That was so long ago though I can't even remember for meaningful discussion.

[frash.exe]

2005 secondary + 2002 front 7 = sex

[MaineManPanther]

that's not necessarily a NT's job in every defense, it was just Kemo's assignment when he was here. Fox thought it was a good approach for the Dline and it sort of worked out when Jenkins was still decent at the UT spot in 2006.

Correct, but it was his role in this defence. So our lack of middle pressure then should not be blamed on Kemo.

[Mr. Scot]

i agree, although i wouldn't put fox into either category (dictating or reacting). he just did what he wanted to regardless of circumstances and outcome.

Whereas Jim Johnson used to practically salivate when it got to third and long.

[SorthNarolina]

Correct, but it was his role in this defence. So our lack of middle pressure then should not be blamed on Kemo.

the the amount of money he was making he was too one dimensional. He got some penetration occasionally but really he was just a boulder. They said they signed him because of a game he had against lecharles bentley and he rarely if ever looked that good here.

The only reason I miss him is because of the piss poor depth behind him. Losing him and plugging in Nick Hayden is a death sentence.

[Mr. Scot]

Brentson Buckner once said it takes at least a year for a former nose tackle to get out of a 3-4 mindset and start thinking and playing like a 4-3 guy.

(it also takes at least five years to learn the West Coast Offense) :sosp:

[monstercat]

Brentson Buckner once said it takes at least a year for a former nose tackle to get out of a 3-4 mindset and start thinking and playing like a 4-3 guy.

(it also takes at least five years to learn the West Coast Offense) :sosp:

Kemo would be a pretty good example of that. I thought he was just starting to master his job in the 4-3 when he hurt his achilles. Of course, he was never going to be much of a pass rusher though.

[MaineManPanther]

the the amount of money he was making he was too one dimensional. He got some penetration occasionally but really he was just a boulder. They said they signed him because of a game he had against lecharles bentley and he rarely if ever looked that good here.

The only reason I miss him is because of the piss poor depth behind him. Losing him and plugging in Nick Hayden is a death sentence.

He was paid that amount of money to be a NT his job who's job is to take on blocks and stop the run. He did his job.