Mentioned it in the GDT but we could see a decent amount of Diamond / 5 over 5 looks bc of the abundance of rushers we have. We used it before and had it turned on us. You'll probably remember Houston running it to get Mercilus or Clowney 1 on 1 against Andrews.
This is a great way to ensure 1 on 1's across the line and is really useful when running stunts. Usually you'll line one of, if not your best athlete head up / directly over the C. It's nice to want to take advantage of matchups but the diamond front really helps create space / lanes for your athletes to do that. Giving guys like Uche and Judon space to really capitalize over guards & centers.
It also messes with protection rules. Remember in most cases they'll use "BOB" / Big on Big , Back (RB) on Backer (LB). In other words, big dudes pick up big dudes. Small guys pick up small guys. Depending on what the offense is in and what the defense has planned it really makes it tough. Especially if you drop one of the 5 on the line and send a DB. Now you have an OL'm blocking no one for a second or two while the D is still swamping the los.
From Bill ...
“When I was with the
Giants [in the 1980s] we ran five-man out of a 3–4 [defense]. When I went to Cleveland [in the early ’90s] we played a four-man D-line in nickel schemes, but we built a package with a linebacker, Clay Matthews, over the center. We could stem in and out with the linebacker—we could be in five-down, then walk [Matthews] out and be in a 4–2, then back in a 5–1, then in a 4–2. . . .” In the passing game, “five-man changes a lot of protection rules, particularly for the back and the quarterback, especially if you have players on the line of scrimmage who can drop into coverage. If an offensive tackle goes out to block [one of those five players], but then the defender drops into coverage and you blitz up the middle, you create some mismatches.”
Again it's great as sort of a NASCAR where you can just send your best 5 or get a little creative as Bill likes to do. Typically on stunts you want to target guys who leave their space/gap or turn their head/body. Coaches are very much targeting certain players. Looking for work is great but can get you in trouble if your awareness isn't on point.
Here Butler, HT & Collins are the penetrators and do a great job taking up blockers & space. As I mentioned you'll certainly target certain players but design and technique can ruin a QB's day as well. Here our penetrators do a really great job getting vertical to ensure bodies would move with them, while the ends meet in the middle. OL had no choice but turn & move. Butler in particular has a great rep here. By the end of it he's got a hand on multiple players, basically walling off 3 guys. He probably could have made a play himself but obviously stuck to the plan. Those guys made this play happen opening up a ton of space for the loopers.
One of the reasons I want to keep Wino is for packages like this on 3rd & long. Him and Uche have a tremendous speed rush and almost mirror each other. Explosive get off, swipe / almost touch & go before flattening out. Those two guys put immediate pressure on the edge. Personally I'd love to get Judon 1 on 1 over the C. He's very athletic, really comfortable moving laterally and is our most savvy rusher. Add in Wise & Barmore and you have 5 legit rushers to handle. I'm sure we'll see a lot if Judon and Uche over G/C. Those two can really move laterally. Great hesi moves and can flatten out.
I'm really, really excited about Barmore. I've heard nothing but good things about him so far over the summer. Like he's been one of our best defensive players so far. Standing out and flashing most days. Easily our best UT (under tackle - guard under tackle) His upside & ceiling are pretty high. Bc of his size (almost identical) and movements you kind of get Chris Jones vibes. Jones might be the closest thing to Aaron Donald today which speaks volumes in of itself as Donald is one of the best defenders ever.
We should hold onto our expectations though. He only had one year playing full-time, mostly against the pass/taken out against run at times - less than 300 snaps - obviously left school early. Doesn't happen often with players that talented under Saban so hopefully Bill has better luck cultivating and maintaining a relationship. He finished strong though. If he continues his upward trajectory we could have a BIG hit, big *if* but the raw talent is pretty sweet.
- nicely proportioned, big frame. Long, thick body/trunk. Carries his weight very well. Get stronger in his lower half, keep filling out naturally. Lots of potential there.
- first couple steps are explosive and he plays hips first before feet which = power. Hips move before feet. First two steps are legit. Inconsistent leverage but you see more good than bad and he's almost 6'6. I might be a little harsh here he does a good job but could definitely improve. Knack for knifing gaps, first step helps a lot but he knows just which crease to grease. Works his angles and 1/2 man like a Edge Rusher.
- Inconsistent footwork. At times very efficient rushing the passer. Gains ground moving laterally on stunts. Clean, efficient in space sniffing out misdirection. You'll see missteps in the run game. Lots of room to grow here.
- powerful hands, looks to have decent grip strength.
- uses rip move as a foundation. Swim/Arm over might be his favorite / go-to. Push/pull. Fluid, clean movements, easy mover. Effective bull rush. Has so much room for improvement here.
- Has to develop a plan vs pass & patience vs run. Needs more patience, experience in vs run. Too often will take himself out of a play. Freestyles too often in both areas bc he has natural instincts but needs to come correct next level.
- should be a beast on stunts bc of lateral movements. strength for 2 gap but needs technique. tries to swat down passes if he can't get to the QB.
Displays ability to rush 1/2 man (attack one side of a big guy instead of right down the middle where his power is). @ 23 you see a misstep but talent takes over. Gifted athlete if it comes together.
Yea will be talking about Bear/Tite - 3 inside tackle next. Seems Bill has been working towards this with staff & personnel moves. Could see a more this year.
Basically some version of this ...
KVN - Edge
Guy - 3
Davis/God - 0 (over)/Shade (tilted)
Barmore - 3
Judon - Edge
HT - LB
Dugger - LB
Phillips - Saf
DMC - Saf
Gilly - CB
JC - CB
I think Bill runs more 3 - 0 - 3 looks but has run 4i - 0 - 4i. Barmore slanted a lot at Bama so I'm curious where/how we use him.
