I have been thinking about the different defensive schemes lately and I really don't buy into this Tampa 2 hype. I think it is way too laid back. I like the Pats 3-4 scheme, I like to see a lot of blitzing and an aggressive attacking defense.
Everyone seems so terrified of letting CB's play one on one these days, everyone needs help. Maybe I'm old school but I remember the good old days like when the Raiders played the Redskins in 83. They had Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes out on an island with those superstar Redskin WR's and shut them down.
What has happened over the years that every CB needs help from the safeties? In my mind they should be playing the run or knocking the **** out of slot receivers and TE's coming over the middle not playing deep centerfield.
I'd like to see someone bring back the 46 defense as well.
Tampa 2, Cover 2, or umbrella defense are some of the names of the defense that Tony Dungy invented. The system is flawed and can easily be picked apart as shown by Peyton Manning on Sunday and by Tom Brady in the AFCCG. It is designed to take away the big play and makes average corners look good because of consistant safety help. The scheme of the Tampa 2 makes vunerable to the run as well. They hardly ever bltiz and rely heavily on their front 4 to generate pressure on the opposing QB. However, Dungy had way more talent in Tampa then he does with Indy on defense. Dungy says that his defense or any defense starts with the defensive tackles, or "building from the ground up". In my opinion, the Tampa 2 is not a defense I would run as a head coach.
As we know, the Pats run a 3-4, but their scheme is boring. Their philosophy used is the "bend but don't break", which I think is because of the lack of talent in the seconday and linebacker. They don't blitz often and when they do, their LB's have a hard time getting to the QB. This is probably do to the lack of speed at LB. It's seems like they play similar to a cover 2 in the secondary because their safeties are helping their corners a lot.
The team that runs the 3-4 the best is the Pittsburgh Steelers. **** Labaeu really brought back the term "blitzburgh" and I'm sure it's difficult for any team to pick up their scheme. They blitz from all angles and yards come tough against this unit. They had the perfect game plan against Manning in the divisional round in '05.
The defense that every team should take a look at is the Baltimore Ravens. They run the 4-3, 4-6 and 3-4! This is a defense that generates hell for opposing QB's, takes the ball away a lot and scores. I watched some of their games this year and their formations are confusing as hell. You don't know who is rushing the passer, they all just stand or walk around until the opposing offense is getting ready to set. I really like their style. However, the are loaded with talent at every position so that explains why they are so good. I give Rex Ryan some credit too, whatever he did, he's doing it right. In fact, their defense played great against Manning, holding the Colts to 15 points. It's a shame that Baltimore's offense is pathetic and couldn't score more than 15 points.
