Wilfork#75
In the Starting Line-Up
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Recently I’ve been trying to look at how to improve the defense, but instead of just looking at drafting or signing the most talented players, I’ve been looking at which scheme would best suit the team and what additions we need to run that scheme. I think we should try and copy Seattle’s version of the 4-3 Under defense because it suits our personnel and the style of defense I would like to play. It’s characterized by a big, physical defensive line that both stops the run and creates pressure through favourable matchups, and a big, physical secondary that plays tough man coverage and presses at the line.
The basic positions:
5 Tech DE:
Big, physical and athletic DE that two gaps the strong side. Needs to be a strong run stuffer that can control the B&C gaps on his side but also have the lateral agility to set the edge on the outside if the defense tries to stretch the C-gap. This is the Red Bryant role in Seattle and a hugely important part of the success of the defense. Currently our best fit for this is Vince Wilfork, but he has another position in this formation.
1 Tech NT:
Another big hoss in the middle that plays the 1 Tech to the strong side. He needs to command and hold up against a double team from the C and OG so he needs the size and power to anchor at the point of attack. This is ideal for Vince Wilfork.
3 Tech DT:
With the 5-Tech and the NT commanding double teams and occupying the C, OG and OT on the strong side, this leaves the weak side 3-Tech DT 1 on 1 with the other OG. The 3-tech DT is the team’s best interior pass rusher and should be able to not only take advantage of the 1 on 1 matchup with the single OG, but be strong enough to defend the run. I think this is the role Armond Armstead is built for in this defense where he can use his length and athleticism.
Leo/Elephant:
This is the weak side DE, and like the 3-Tech DT, unless an offense plays two TE sets, he will be matched up 1 on 1 with the OT. He needs to be a premier pass rusher to take advantage of the matchup as well as have the length and anchor to set the edge. Luckily we have a 6’5” beast on the edge with a great length, strong anchor and good hand usage to disengage to make plays. Chandler Jones is perfect in this role similar to Chris Clemons.
SLB:
This guy plays on his feet near the line and is virtually a 5th defensive lineman. He needs to be strong enough and stout enough to set the edge, physical enough to hit TE’s at the line and have the necessary athleticism to occasionally drop into coverage against TE’s. They also have to be strong pass rushers to take advantage of matchups against TE’s and RB’s. To me this role is best suited to be shared between Hightower and Ninko depending on the matchup. Against strong running teams and less athletic TE’s I think Hightower is ideal because of his physicality and pass rush ability. Against more athletic TE’s and stronger passing teams I think Ninko would be better suited dropping into coverage. Either way, having two guys that can both play the position at a high level would be a huge benefit.
MLB:
Like most Mike LBer’s, in this scheme the MLB needs to be intelligent and instinctive to help make play calls for the defense. He needs to be able to take on and crush fullbacks as well as be able to break up short crossing patterns. Brandon Spikes is a solid fit here, although he does lack some athleticism and feel in coverage.
WLB:
This guy needs to be the fastest and best coverage LBer. With both lineman in front of him likely having 1 on 1 matchups, he needs to be able to play in space and react quickly. Mayo should be well suited for this role.
SS:
This is the Kam Chancellor role for the Seahawks and one that requires both the size and strength to play close to the line and match up with TE’s, but also the speed and lateral agility to play the deep CF role when the FS moves down over the slot. He needs to be a strong tackler because he will play almost as a 4th LBer at times as an in the box safety. This is a role that will need to be filled because we currently don’t have any one with the skillset to do so.
FS:
This is the standard cover 1 deep CF Safety that gives over the top help to his CBs. He needs to have great range to play the entire field, make good decisions and be instinctive. Ideally he would also have the skillset to drop down over smaller slot WR which the SS would struggle against. I think McCourty is ideal for this role and would excel given a full Training Camp.
CB:
This is generally a cover 1 system so you need strong man to man CB’s who are big, physical and can press at the line. Seattle has the blueprint with Browner and Sherman, so the Pats need their own pair of physical corners on the outside. Dennard is ideal for this, but he needs a partner in crime on the other side, whether that be Talib, another Free Agent or a Draft pick.
Obviously things change in sub packages, but this is the general idea of the base package. The main benefits of this is that it is strong against the run, but also allows for good pressure by creating favorable match-ups for your best players. Chandler Jones should wreak havoc 1 on 1 against OT’s and if Armstead can live up to the hype he could be disruptive inside. Personnel wise I think there are 3 key pieces missing; the monster 5-tech that can two gap the strong side, a big, physical SS that can play close to the line and match up with TE’s and another physical man to man cover CB. If we can add them I think this would be an ideal defensive scheme to run.
4-3 Under Defensive Line Alignment
Seahawks 4-3 Under Base Defense: DL (pressure)
Here we can see the aim of the defensive line alignment is to create favorable match-ups for its best pass rushers while still being strong against the run. With two big, long and athletic players at the 3-tech (Armstead) and the Leo (Jones), we should have the personnel to be potentially dominant.
Seattle's 4-3 Under Alignment
NFL Draft 2013: T.J. McDonald scouting report - Big Cat Country
Here we can see Seattle's basic alignment. #51 is the MLB, #56 is the WLB and #31 is Kam Chancellor the SS who is playing as an in the box safety, almost as another linebacker. #29 is Earl Thomas the FS in the deep CF role.
The basic positions:
5 Tech DE:
Big, physical and athletic DE that two gaps the strong side. Needs to be a strong run stuffer that can control the B&C gaps on his side but also have the lateral agility to set the edge on the outside if the defense tries to stretch the C-gap. This is the Red Bryant role in Seattle and a hugely important part of the success of the defense. Currently our best fit for this is Vince Wilfork, but he has another position in this formation.
1 Tech NT:
Another big hoss in the middle that plays the 1 Tech to the strong side. He needs to command and hold up against a double team from the C and OG so he needs the size and power to anchor at the point of attack. This is ideal for Vince Wilfork.
3 Tech DT:
With the 5-Tech and the NT commanding double teams and occupying the C, OG and OT on the strong side, this leaves the weak side 3-Tech DT 1 on 1 with the other OG. The 3-tech DT is the team’s best interior pass rusher and should be able to not only take advantage of the 1 on 1 matchup with the single OG, but be strong enough to defend the run. I think this is the role Armond Armstead is built for in this defense where he can use his length and athleticism.
Leo/Elephant:
This is the weak side DE, and like the 3-Tech DT, unless an offense plays two TE sets, he will be matched up 1 on 1 with the OT. He needs to be a premier pass rusher to take advantage of the matchup as well as have the length and anchor to set the edge. Luckily we have a 6’5” beast on the edge with a great length, strong anchor and good hand usage to disengage to make plays. Chandler Jones is perfect in this role similar to Chris Clemons.
SLB:
This guy plays on his feet near the line and is virtually a 5th defensive lineman. He needs to be strong enough and stout enough to set the edge, physical enough to hit TE’s at the line and have the necessary athleticism to occasionally drop into coverage against TE’s. They also have to be strong pass rushers to take advantage of matchups against TE’s and RB’s. To me this role is best suited to be shared between Hightower and Ninko depending on the matchup. Against strong running teams and less athletic TE’s I think Hightower is ideal because of his physicality and pass rush ability. Against more athletic TE’s and stronger passing teams I think Ninko would be better suited dropping into coverage. Either way, having two guys that can both play the position at a high level would be a huge benefit.
MLB:
Like most Mike LBer’s, in this scheme the MLB needs to be intelligent and instinctive to help make play calls for the defense. He needs to be able to take on and crush fullbacks as well as be able to break up short crossing patterns. Brandon Spikes is a solid fit here, although he does lack some athleticism and feel in coverage.
WLB:
This guy needs to be the fastest and best coverage LBer. With both lineman in front of him likely having 1 on 1 matchups, he needs to be able to play in space and react quickly. Mayo should be well suited for this role.
SS:
This is the Kam Chancellor role for the Seahawks and one that requires both the size and strength to play close to the line and match up with TE’s, but also the speed and lateral agility to play the deep CF role when the FS moves down over the slot. He needs to be a strong tackler because he will play almost as a 4th LBer at times as an in the box safety. This is a role that will need to be filled because we currently don’t have any one with the skillset to do so.
FS:
This is the standard cover 1 deep CF Safety that gives over the top help to his CBs. He needs to have great range to play the entire field, make good decisions and be instinctive. Ideally he would also have the skillset to drop down over smaller slot WR which the SS would struggle against. I think McCourty is ideal for this role and would excel given a full Training Camp.
CB:
This is generally a cover 1 system so you need strong man to man CB’s who are big, physical and can press at the line. Seattle has the blueprint with Browner and Sherman, so the Pats need their own pair of physical corners on the outside. Dennard is ideal for this, but he needs a partner in crime on the other side, whether that be Talib, another Free Agent or a Draft pick.
Obviously things change in sub packages, but this is the general idea of the base package. The main benefits of this is that it is strong against the run, but also allows for good pressure by creating favorable match-ups for your best players. Chandler Jones should wreak havoc 1 on 1 against OT’s and if Armstead can live up to the hype he could be disruptive inside. Personnel wise I think there are 3 key pieces missing; the monster 5-tech that can two gap the strong side, a big, physical SS that can play close to the line and match up with TE’s and another physical man to man cover CB. If we can add them I think this would be an ideal defensive scheme to run.
4-3 Under Defensive Line Alignment
Seahawks 4-3 Under Base Defense: DL (pressure)
Here we can see the aim of the defensive line alignment is to create favorable match-ups for its best pass rushers while still being strong against the run. With two big, long and athletic players at the 3-tech (Armstead) and the Leo (Jones), we should have the personnel to be potentially dominant.
Seattle's 4-3 Under Alignment
NFL Draft 2013: T.J. McDonald scouting report - Big Cat Country
Here we can see Seattle's basic alignment. #51 is the MLB, #56 is the WLB and #31 is Kam Chancellor the SS who is playing as an in the box safety, almost as another linebacker. #29 is Earl Thomas the FS in the deep CF role.
