Questioning the actual defensive scheme

[1%er]

Hi fellow members I'm looking for some feedback on what are actual defensive scheme is. A lot has been made that we've become a 4-3 defense but I don't see it.

Watching games and tape I see the only difference being that we no longer use 3 bigs at once.

I see are fronts being interchangeable depending the opponents formation, example being,

LOLB (Rush LB) Ninkovich
LDE Deaderick
NT Wilfork
RDE Jones

OR

LDE Ninkovich
NT Wilfork
RDE Deaderick
ROLB Jones

I also noticed that Hightower will always shift to play SLB to the side that has the hybrid playing the 5 technique.

All feedback is welcome because I maybe way off.

 

[mayoclinic]

BB's never really been a schematic purist, and he's mixed and matched elements. As discussed in an article last year, the defense has blended 4-3 and 3-4 elements on the same play, all revolving around Vince Wilfork:

Bill Belichick, Vince Wilfork, and the New England Patriots defense - Grantland

BB has pretty much stated that the Pats will continue to be "mutliple", to use his favorite buzzword, using different schemes and blending different elements.

 

[1%er]

BB's never really been a schematic purist, and he's mixed and matched elements. As discussed in an article last year, the defense has blended 4-3 and 3-4 elements on the same play, all revolving around Vince Wilfork:

Bill Belichick, Vince Wilfork, and the New England Patriots defense - Grantland

BB has pretty much stated that the Pats will continue to be "mutliple", to use his favorite buzzword, using different schemes and blending different elements.

Thanks awesome article!

 

[ALP]

First time I see that article. Great find thanks

 

[mayoclinic]

First time I see that article. Great find thanks

The OP described it beautifully. And as the front 7 allow BB to do more, and the back end coverage allows him to get more creative, we'll probably see more sophistication. Nice stuff. People with an interest in defensive scheme and particular BB's schematic evolution might also consider the following discusison and the articles referenced:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...d/10/918347-evolution-belichick-defense.html

 

[TomPatriot]

It doesn't matter whether you run a 3-4 or 4-3 or a 5-2 or whatever. It's the responsibilities, like gap coverage, that matter.