Sicilian

Ok, so I'm working on Memorial Day, and the office is slow so I thought I'd try something. Let's see who can come up with the craziest defensive formation, but actually find a way to make it work... or at least sound like it could work

Here's my idea:

The 5-3 Defense

Key components: An elite safety with tremendous speed, agility, and instincts, as well as two CBs strong in one on one coverage.

How it works: 5 down linemen, with three DT over the center and guards of the offense. Two DE are set out wide, shading to the outside of the OT.

Three DTs two gap, while the DEs rush. Three linebackers are there to shoot the gaps or cover underneath. CBs play man, while the safety plays the deep middle, shading at the beginning of the play towards whatever side of the field has more eligible receivers lined up.

The theory would be, get to the QB before the WR can get deep enough to require two deep safeties. The safety would really be the key here, as he would need to be able to cover A LOT of ground in a pinch.

Might also be vulnerable to runs between the OG and OT, if the DE are spaced too far outside.

Thoughts? Anyone have any ideas of their own for creative defenses?

Wretch

Didn't Arizona try something like this when they had Eric Swann in the early to mid 90s?

maverick4

That 3rd DT doesn't really help a pass rush at all though.

TripleOption

The 5-3 is run at every level from Youth up to the NFL. It is the core of the 3-5 Stack defense used at West Virginia.

__________________
"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

--Robert J. Hanlon

upstater1

Randy Moss's eyes would bug out if anyone tried that defense when he was on the field.

Sicilian

Alright, so my quick idea isn't that crazy. Still interested in anything other people come up with, just trying to stir something up.

As for the third DT not being too useful in pass rush, my theory would be if the gaps are controlled by them, it frees up the DEs and LBs to put the pressure on.

In reality, it probably has no benefit that a 3-4 with two big, rushing OLBs would also have, but it was just an example to get the ball rolling. I'm clearly not a football coach

TripleOption

The 5-3 is a brutal run defense in HS but it is weak in the Flat area and cannot match up against Spread type sets.

There really is no "new wacky defense"...the general rule is that if you come up with it, someone else did too, and maybe 30 years ago.

__________________
"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

--Robert J. Hanlon

TripleOption

The 5-3 isn't a 2 Gap defense, it is an 8 man pressure front. You can 2 Gap the nose however. The DT's are slanting quicker types.

__________________
"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

--Robert J. Hanlon

Sicilian

I agree that's likely. But that's no reason to try to stop innovating. IMO, one of the things that makes Belichick successful is he's always willing to listen to ideas from his coordinators, new ways to look at things, etc.

I'm willing to bet that BB knows more about football than his entire staff combined, but he maintains an open mind for that tiny chance that someone's going to come up with something unique, even if it's only a tiny thing.

Now, that being said, clearly my idea ISN'T one of those things, but maybe someone else's is... who knows?

TripleOption

Belichick is the consummate football historian. I guarantee that if you tried to credit him with some of his "innovations", he would laugh and tell you how the Colts did it when he first got into the league etc...

The relaxing of the pass rules has allowed for some pretty neat passing stuff and therefore advances in pass defense...but the fronts are pretty much variations of what we've seen for decades.

__________________
"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

--Robert J. Hanlon