Tag: base defense

Seahawks considering using Marquise Blair in nickel packages

The Seattle Seahawks are going to let Marquise Blair compete for snaps at nickel cornerback, a package they plan to use more in 2020.

The Seattle Seahawks, much to the chagrin of many fans and football analysts, stubbornly stuck with their base 4-3 defensive format nearly 70% of the time in 2019, far more than any other team in the league.

While Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Mychal Kendricks was an elite trio of linebackers, the base defense forced them into pass coverage far too often, and allowed opposing offenses to move the ball efficiently in short yardage situations.

Now, with Kendricks out of the picture and Ugo Amadi more prepared to handle regular duty at the nickel corner position, it appears the Seahawks might be willing to move away from the base defense at such a high clip in 2020.

In fact, coach Pete Carroll not only implied exactly that on a recent conference call with Seattle media members, he discussed the possibility of using safety Marquise Blair in nickel packages as well.

“He’s a guy that we’re very interested in finding a role for him,” Carroll said. “We’ve already mapped that out. He’s got some real special talent that we want to find a spot for him…In the nickel package he is going to get a lot of consideration to contribute in some additional ways, because he’s unique and he’s got some special stuff.”

Blair appeared in 14 games during his rookie season, making three starts and totaling 32 combined tackles, two forced fumbles and one pass defended while playing primarily on the special teams – especially after the midseason acquisition of Quandre Diggs.

Now, while he’s still in the mix at either free or strong safety, the opportunity to compete for snaps with Amadi at nickel corner further adds to his versatility, and gives the Seahawks more confidence in their nickel package, a move that should help the defense on the whole in 2020.

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Joe Woods envisions his Browns defense playing dime package as a base

New defensive coordinator Joe Woods envisions his Browns playing dime package as a base, with 6 DBs and 1 LB on the field

The Cleveland Browns rarely deployed more than two linebackers in 2019 in then-coordinator Steve Wilks. Under new defensive coordinator Joe Woods, it might be rare to see more than one.

Woods told reporters in a press teleconference on Thursday that he envisions the dime package (4 DL, 1 LB, 6 DB) being his base defense in Cleveland. He knows that such a radical transition cannot happen overnight, though.

“I would like to transition into a dime system, but it is going to be something that is going to take time to get into, just because of getting their reps,” Woods said. “Eventually, I would like to have a nickel package, where we have two linebackers on the field, but also, just to create better matchups and be a little bit more diverse in our scheme, I would like to get to a dime package, where we are putting an extra safety on the field.”

Playing a base defense with three CBs and three safeties is something Woods’ defense did in San Francisco. It was aided in part by having a dominant defensive line. The Eagles and Chargers have also used base dime at times lately.

The key to making it work is having versatile safeties, guys who are comfortable and effective playing as a de facto LB. The Browns drafted LSU’s Grant Delpit in the second round with that potential in mind. Veteran Karl Joseph can also fill that role.

Woods seems content to roll with a nickel defense as his base to start, though he’s not exactly sure how the LBs will sort out just yet. Speaking about the linebacking corps that includes B.J. Goodson, Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki and rookie Jacob Phillips, Woods offered this,

“This is going to be a situation where once we get on the field and we start running our defense, it is going to be how well they fit in a specific position. Are they capable of making plays, based on the scheme? It is going to be something we are going to have to feel out once we get back for training camp. I will tell you what, all of those guys in the meetings really have been doing a good job so I know mentally they can handle it. It is just physically, what are they capable of doing?”

 

Analysis on Seattle’s selection of Jordyn Brooks in 1st round of draft

The Seattle Seahawks kept their original first round pick for the first time since 2011, selecting Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

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The Seattle Seahawks shocked the world in the 2020 NFL draft, electing not to trade down and keeping their original first-round pick for the first time since 2011.

Seattle used the pick to take Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

Brooks is an elite tackler, leading the Red Raiders in tackles in three of his four collegiate seasons, finishing seventh in school history in total tackles.

His numbers were absolutely jaw-dropping in 2019, as the weakside linebacker recorded 108 total tackles, including a BIG-12 leading 20 tackles for loss. In fact, Brooks’ skill set has drawn comparisons to a linebacker Seahawks fans will be familiar with – Bobby Wagner.

However, Brooks doesn’t immediately fill a need on this roster. K.J. Wright is still under contract and coming off a renaissance season in 2019, and with Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven on hand as reserves, it’s hard to imagine where Brooks will fit in at least right away.

Additionally, while Brooks excels in run coverage, he’s a liability in pass protection – an issue that plagued Seattle’s linebacker group last season as they stubbornly stayed with their base 4-3 defense, which forces the linebackers to play more in pass coverage.

With LSU star linebacker Patrick Queen still on the board, and with most projecting Brooks to go later in the second round, it’s hard to fathom why Seattle did not trade back to take Brooks with a later pick.

Of course, that option may not have presented itself, and the Seahawks may have a different idea of what they plan to do with Brooks in the short and/or long term.

Seattle will have plenty more picks to make on Friday and Saturday, with things kicking off Friday, April 24 at 4:00 p.m. PT.

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Defensive coaching hires indicate more of a traditional 4-3 base scheme for the Browns

Defensive coaching hires indicate more of a traditional 4-3 base scheme for the Browns

Just when everyone finally came to the realization that the Cleveland Browns ran a base 4-2 defense in 2019, the coaching scheme changes once again. This time around it won’t be as radical as going from Mike Pettine’s reactive 3-4 to Gregg Williams and his hyper-aggressive 4-3, but there will still be some alterations from Steve Wilks’ defense in 2019 to the scheme under new coordinator Joe Woods.

Like Williams in 2017-2018, Wilks loved to bring extra rushers. His Browns blitzed on over 38 percent of opposing pass plays, the fifth-most in the NFL. But he did so from a front that featured four linemen and just two LBs on the vast majority of snaps; the Browns didn’t have more than two LBs on the field for over 90 percent of the defensive snaps prior to Week 12.

That will not be replicated under Woods. While the new coordinator has roots with both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts in his stops, he comes from a 49ers defense that rushed four linemen — and only those four linemen — more than just about any other team. Under coordinator Robert Saleh, the 49ers blitzed just 20.8 percent of the time, the fourth-lowest total in 2019.

That fits the Browns defensive personnel with ends Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon, plus tackles Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi. It also fits the history of new DL coach Chris Kiffin, who has joined Woods in leaving San Francisco for Cleveland.

Kiffin is the son of Monte Kiffin, the longtime NFL defensive mastermind who is the creator of the Tampa-2 defense. In that scheme, four attacking linemen would rush, with three swift LBs playing in zone coverage behind them, with safeties also in a zone. Woods has some history coaching defenses who deployed it, too.

While the Tampa-2 has faded from its heyday in the early 2000s, the underlying principles it relied upon do still have a place in the modern NFL. And with the linemen and swift LBs like Mack Wilson and Joe Schobert (if he’s brought back in free agency) already in place, Woods has the personnel to run his adaptation of it.

Other than needing to find a third LB, or keeping high-priced Christian Kirksey to run there (if he’s healthy), the Browns don’t need to dump players who are schematic misfits. The primary players all fit. It will require at least one safety upgrade and a more physical presence at outside CB than Greedy Williams, but the base 4-3 shouldn’t need much tinkering at all.

Of course, Woods also learned under the tutelage of Wade Philips and his 3-4 front. Philips’ defenses often relied on four rushers and heavier defensive ends to attack the weaker tackle. That’s something Garrett and Richardson have both proven they can do quite well. A blend of that style from a base 4-3 would be an exciting experiment from Woods and his assistants.

Inconsistent defense will undergo adjustments this offseason

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reported the defense will undergo adjustments this offseason, but wouldn’t comment on coaching changes.

Perhaps the biggest staple of the Pete Carroll era for the Seattle Seahawks has been their defense.

Built upon strong linebacker play and elite, long defensive backs, made famous by the Legion of Boom, the Seahawks pride themselves on thumping opposing offenses all over the field.

2019 was a very different story. The absence of the LOB was felt in a major way, and the team’s complete lack of a pass rush, over reliance on their 4-3 base defense and inferior play in the secondary led to perhaps the worst defensive season in recent Seahawks history.

Carroll is more than aware of the deficiencies put forward by this unit last year, and he is not afraid to report that changes are coming.

“We were not consistent,” Carroll said on Monday. “Too many explosive plays of various natures. For the most part, we had problems on the edge. We had containment issues. We found that the offenses really put the ball on the perimeter against us a lot. That does challenge us in some ways. You’ll see some things be adjusted in the course of the offseason for that. Just the style of offense that we were up against was a little bit different than it’s been.”

Carroll wouldn’t confirm anything specifically, of course, saying folks will have to wait and see – particularly when asked about Seattle’s reliance on the base 4-3 defense.

“Some of it will be going back to things we’ve done, some of the things will be moving forward,” Carroll continued. “I’m really excited to go about it. It’s difficult to adjust some things in the middle of the year. It was interesting, we played a lot of base defense versus three wide receivers and we didn’t see very much of it. It kind of went away. That was an interesting turn. We weren’t sure how that was going to turn out.”

Carroll’s base defense forced his linebacker group to play more pass coverage, which is not their strength. It often led to team’s using short, quick passing attacks that proved extremely successful.

Carroll didn’t specify that any of the incoming changes will involve his coaching staff, but after such an ugly season on the defensive side of the ball it’s fair to assume some of the defensive coaches, including defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr, are on the hot seat.

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Cody Barton, Ugo Amadi both benefit if Mychal Kendricks is out

If the Seattle Seahawks are without Mychal Kendricks on Sunday night, expect to see rookies Cody Barton and Ugo Amadi a lot more.

The Seattle Seahawks listed SAM linebacker Mychal Kendricks as doubtful for their Week 14 matchup with the Rams in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Seattle’s reliance on the 4-3 base defense is in part thanks to their faith in Kendricks’ ability in pass coverage and as a blitzer. If they are without him, coach Pete Carroll admitted the team will probably rely more on their nickel package.

While he would not say which player would be employed in that role, it’s expected that rookie Ugo Amadi will get a chance against LA’s speedy slot receiver, Cooper Kupp.

However, the Seahawks will still run a hefty amount of their base defense, meaning rookie Cody Barton could get a big opportunity to show what he is capable of in Kendricks’ absence.

“Cody’s a good player and we’re anxious to see him contribute,” Carroll said on Friday. “He played quite a bit last week, more than he has been. He’s ready to go.”

Barton was a third round pick out of Utah in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was a middle linebacker in college, but has worked hard to learn all three linebacker spots in Seattle, so that he can serve as a valuable backup at any spot when called upon.

“Cody is a particularly diligent worker,” Carroll continued. “Smart kid. Plays all three spots. He’s as well versed a guy coming in as you can hope for, for a young guy. We really don’t have any hesitation in trusting that he can play.”

So while the Seahawks will likely rely on the nickel package, fans will still get a healthy dose of Barton on Sunday night – assuming Kendricks gets the night off.

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