Tag: 3-4 defense

Seahawks should expect more 3-4 fronts under new DC Clint Hurtt

Hurtt also seems to prefer the 3-4 system up front.

One of the reasons why the Seahawks haven’t been back to the Super Bowl since the 2014 season is a defensive scheme that has gone to pot. Early in his tenure as Seattle’s head coach, Pete Carroll enjoyed exceptional success running a heavy 4-3 system with almost exclusive single-high formations – mostly cover 3 but also some cover 1 thrown in.

It worked at first, but over the years as the team’s defensive talent began to bleed out and opponents started catching on, the scheme became less and less effective until finally it bottomed out under former defensive coordinator Kris Richard. Over the last four years with Ken Norton Jr. there were some changes – including bear fronts and more two-high looks, but too often he relied on the same stale concepts and was too slow to adjust – particularly early in the 2021 season. To his credit, Norton began mixing things up a lot more in October, but the damage had already been done and the Seahawks couldn’t climb out and make the playoffs.

Good news: under newly promoted defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt the Seahawks are expected to accelerate their shift away from cover 3 and continue adjusting as needed. Fans should expect to see more two safety formations, more disguises and more varied looks. Hurtt also seems to prefer the 3-4 system up front. Here’s what he said about it in a recent interview with ESPN 710 Seattle.

“You know, when you’re in a 4-3 structure, sometimes it’s really hard to disguise coverages the way you would like to. I’m not saying you can’t, but you’re gonna give the good quarterbacks tells. So get into that system, of being in a 3-4 structure, and the ability to hide coverage, pressures, and things of that nature was really impactful.” 

Changing things up schematically will help get this Seahawks defense back to a respectable level. Hurtt will need some new personnel as well, though – beginning with an impactful 3-4 edge rusher. Two of the top options about to hit free agency include Chandler Jones and Von Miller.

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Josh Allen on Jags’ new defensive scheme: ‘I feel like we’re playing back to what got us here’

With the Jags implementing 3-4 looks on defense, Josh Allen can return to the position he played in college as an edge-rushing linebacker.

Jacksonville’s front seven needs to improve significantly in 2021. It was one of the worst units in the league last year, finishing 30th against the run and 31st in sacks. That fact isn’t lost on Josh Allen, the third-year edge rusher expected to develop into a leader of the group, alongside linebacker Myles Jack.

“Last year was last year,” Allen said on Tuesday after organized team activities. “We have a whole new different group, we have a whole new different scheme, we have a whole new different coaching staff that’s going to help us get to where we need. Game one, we’re going to get right and we’re going to apply a lot more pressure.

“We’re all going to get better for that, and I can’t wait.”

At the center of the expected improvement is the new system being implemented by defensive coordinator Joe Cullen. Previously, Jacksonville ran almost exclusively 4-3 packages, with Allen and 2020 first-round pick K’Lavon Chaisson largely playing with their hand in the dirt.

But now, the team will implement more 3-4 looks, allowing Allen and Chaisson to play as a standup, rushing outside linebackers. That’s the position both played in college, and it should be more natural than what they were previously asked to do.

Allen said the pair is excited to be back to playing the position that made them so productive at the college level.

“We’re playing what got us here, so going back to those habits, going back to those traits, I feel like it’s a good sign for both of us – [] Smoot as well,” Allen said. “I’m just excited to see us put pads on so we can really put that to use and make a lot of plays.

“We’re all making plays so as long as we all continue to do that, no matter who we have out there, we’ll be straight.”

Both Allen and Chaisson are looking for bounce-back seasons, as the former was limited to just eight games with injury and the latter failed to make much of an impact as a rookie. With the new scheme, expectations are high for both.