Tag: defensive scheme

Raiders new DC Patrick Graham talks his defensive philosophy and ‘illusion of complexity’

Raiders DC is all about ‘sub-defense’ and the ‘illusion of complexity’

The day Josh McDaniels took over as head coach, he had yet to officially name a defensive coordinator. Still, he was asked whether the Raiders would be going with a 4-3 or a 3-4. To which, he said those base defenses don’t really exist anymore in today’s NFL.

At the scouting combine, Josh McDaniels took to the podium for his second press conference, at which point he had hired Patrick Graham as his defensive coordinator. And, of course, he was asked if the Raiders were thinking 4-3 or 3-4 defense. His answer was the same.

Friday Patrick Graham took to the podium for his first press conference since being officially announced as Raiders defensive coordinator. Any guesses as to the first question he got? Yep, he was asked the ol’ 4-3 vs 3-4 question. His answer was not surprising.

“The game is sub-defense. Period, point blank,” said Graham, referring to the lack of a defined 4-3 or 3-4 base defense. “Whether it’s 11-personnel that we’re seeing from teams or the 12-personnel that plays like 11-personnel and the way we combat that a lot of time is playing sub-defense. So, when I say sub-defense, now you’re getting into the 4-2-5 world of it. Whatever the spacing is – four-down, five-down, three-down – however the spacing is, you’re really dealing in a world of five DB’s on the field at once. And four bigger bodies with two linebackers.

“So, to me the 4-3/3-4 discussions is almost like it’s antiquated, to be honest with you. What you’re talking about sub-defense do you have guys that can rush the passer? Yes. Do you have guys that can stop the run? Yes. Do you have guys that can cover, that have shown they can cover in the past? Yes. So, those are the three major things I’m looking for aside from tackling, so, yeah, I’m good with that.”

For those unfamiliar, 11-personnel mean one running back and one tight end. 12-personnel means one running back and two tight ends.

In either instance, the offense is essentially lining up with three and even four receivers. Whether that be two wide receivers and two tight ends or three wide receivers and a receiving tight end.

Those instances being so common forces defenses to line up in a 4-2-5 which mean four defensive linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs — usually two outside cornerbacks, two safeties, and a nickel corner.

Hopefully, that answer will finally dispense with the question of whether the Raiders run a 4-3 or 3-4 once and for all.

As to the three things Graham said he needs in order to make that defense work, he’s a couple of pieces shy at the moment. In particular, he’s one DB shy (cornerback) and at least two big interior run stoppers. The pass rushers is the one thing he has.

Aside from that, Graham discussed his philosophy, which, if I might pull from Raiders’ recent past, basically suggests it will have the appearance of something Paul Guenther might draw up, but actually something closer to what Gus Bradley would draw up.

“We’re all teachers. What we do is develop lesson plans and try and implement what we want to see out there on the field,” said Graham, noting that he isn’t going to be doing anything especially unique. “The complexity… it’s probably more of an *illusion* of complexity because honestly . . . if you think we’re about to do that many coverages and be good at it, that’s going to be real hard. So, it’s the illusion of being complex. What we try to do with our lesson plans is teach the guys conceptual football, teach them situational football, all the stuff Josh [McDaniels] talked about being a smart, tough football, just making sure we getting that stuff down and from there it grows. It evolves more over time than creation. So, we’re trying to evolve the defense as opposed to trying to create new things every week. That’s a big part of what we do and it starts with the conceptual learning early on.”

When you hear players talk about defenses they like the best, they talk about simplicity allowing them to play fast. Guenther’s defense was complex and confusing, causing players to second guess themselves and take too long to think about where they needed to be instead of react quickly.

Complexity is important in the NFL if only because so many of the good quarterbacks are given the autonomy to step up to the line, read the defense, and call audibles based on what they see.

If a team can create confusion through disguises, while behind that is something easy to process for the players, you get the best of both worlds.

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Jags DC Joe Cullen discusses new defensive scheme

Jacksonville’s new defensive coordinator said the team will show alignments in both 3-4 and 4-3 in 2021.

Jacksonville has essentially run a variation of the 4-3 defensive front since the team hired Gus Bradley as its head coach in 2013. Even after Bradley’s dismissal, this defensive style carried over to Doug Marrone’s tenure as he retained defensive coordinator Todd Wash.

However, when new coach Urban Meyer hired Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen as his defensive coordinator, it signaled a stylistic change. Many have assumed that the Jaguars will now run a 3-4 scheme similar to the one Cullen was familiar with in Baltimore.

Although Cullen did confirm that the front will resemble modern 3-4 alignments much more than it did previously, he hesitated to commit to philosophy, saying the team will show multiple looks.

“It’s a hybrid,” Cullen said. “It’s a 3-4 base but we’re going to end up in a lot of 4-3 looks and basically you kind of suit it to your personnel. Now, we have a feel what we’re getting to, but it will be based on what we do and what our personnel can do.

“The best way to describe it is we’re going to be an attacking defense that will have multiple looks of a 3-4 and a 4-3.”

The move to a multiple defense that includes more 3-4 looks should prove beneficial for the team’s second first-round pick in 2020, K’Lavon Chaisson (and many others). He struggled a bit as a rookie playing as a defensive end with his hand in the dirt. At Louisiana State, he ran a lot of 3-4 under then-defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. With the new defensive scheme, he will likely be playing in a much more natural position in 2021.

Though fans may be focusing on what the defense will look like next season, Cullen is much more concerned about something else: effort.

“When you put the tape on, after we play our first opponent – preseason, first game – there are things we’re going to make sure happen,” he said. “No. 1 is relentless effort. Everybody that steps on the field is going to lead the NFL in effort at their position. No. 2 is a team that is physical. When they play the Jacksonville Jaguars, they’re going to know we outhit them and we outworked them.”

The Jags will hope Cullen is the change necessary to help a defense that finished second to last in the league in 2020 in both points and yards allowed.

Mike McCarthy dishes on hiring Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive scheme

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy discussed the defensive leadership under Dan Quinn and the scheme that will be used in 2021.

It’s been a while since Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy had an opportunity to speak to the media. Thursday, with his second season guiding the ship in Dallas on the horizon, McCarthy discussed a lot of topics during his press conference and defense was one of the first items on the list.

The Cowboys gave up a franchise-record 473 points in 2020 which led to the firing of Mike Nolan and the addition of Dan Quinn as the team’s new defensive coordinator. When asked about what went wrong defensively and how the team is looking to improve in that aspect, McCarthy has this to say.

“Well, when you look at our team from 2020 to 2021, the largest change is clearly on defense,” McCarthy said. “That’s something that we felt was needed across the board, but it’s clearly not my vision of the football team and how I see a football team competing to be consistent because consistency puts you in place to win championships. I clearly understand the excitement and the optimism each and every year of every NFL team but the efficiency and consistency of how you operate and how you practice, how you build a 90-man roster, all those things that all plays into being consistent because the only way to get there is to be knocking on the door each and every week, each and every day.”

The Cowboys allowed eight different teams to score 30 or more points in 2020. This led to them finishing 28th in points allowed. Also, they were 31st against the run, with only the Houston Texans being worse in that respect.

McCarthy also mentioned he feels Quinn is the man to turn the Cowboys defense into a respectable one.

“The focus of change will definitely be on the defense,” McCarthy said.

“Obviously, with the change in the coordinator and the coaches, we feel the direction where I see the team needs to go is going to come under the leadership of Dan Quinn. I’ve known Dan for quite some time and having the chance to be in position to hire him is definitely a huge asset to our football operations. Schematically, to the naked eye, or laymen’s terms, I don’t think we’ll see a whole lot because I think it’s important to build off of what we did accomplish the second eight weeks in our ability to take the ball away. There was probably some conceptional things that felt like our players really understood and played fast with which wasn’t evident in the first eight weeks. This isn’t a start-over situation, we are able to build off of some of the things we accomplished last year. That definitely was apart of my thinking. Having the opportunity to hire Dan and I really like the way the staff has come together. The energy, the enthusiasm, the diversity of some of the systems, so it’s an opportunity for improvement and I think we are definitely on the right path there.”

Quinn made his name in the NFL as the defensive coordinator for the infamous “Legion of Boom” with the Seattle Seahawks which produced the league’s top unit in 2013 and 2014 and won a Super Bowl. He implemented some of those same principles with the Atlanta Falcons, but McCarthy sees it being a little different in Dallas.

“Well, if you look at the way they played in Seattle and Atlanta, from my view it is different. So much gets made about the 3-4 and the 4-3, it’s really not about that. It’s more about the techniques that fit the players and their ability to play. We are player over scheme, I’ve always been that way. I think it’s part of my experience of coaching a very young team year in and year out.

“The ability to have the 3-4 components to it and the 4-3 components based on how you view what that is. It’s more about the techniques, the alignments, the assignments in a front that we’ll ask our guys to play. You’ll see both those components where it’s not a whole lot different than what Mike was trying to get to last year. It will be a tighter blend of that.”

The Cowboys have added a few players during free agency that can play in either a 3-4 or a 4-3. Carlos Watkins played defensive end in a 3-4 scheme with the Texans but slid inside on passing downs in a four-man front. Also, Tarell Basham was an outside linebacker in the New York Jets 3-4 scheme but will show his versatility as an edge rusher in a 4-3 adding value to what the Cowboys have in DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory.

It’s no secret the Cowboys are loaded offensively, but if the Cowboys want to bring a sixth Lombardi trophy home the defense will have to be a lot better going forward.

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Cowboys’ Jerry Jones talks defensive regrets and promises change in candid interview

The Cowboys owner admitted he’d like a do-over on the team’s 2020 defense, and promised to do some changing himself after a down year.

Entering the final quarter of a horrendous season has kickstarted a season of serious self-reflection for Cowboys players and coaches. Even owner Jerry Jones is looking around and taking stock of what he sees at team headquarters at the tail end of a disappointing year. And according to comments he made Friday morning on Dallas radio, the 78-year-old billionaire isn’t above also doing a little finger-pointing at the man in the mirror.

Speaking on 105.3 The Fan, Jones made a sobering admission about the team’s historically bad defense, manned up to his own role in the Cowboys’ 2020 failures, and suggested that the offseason would see repercussions coming for some within the organization… with one notable exception.

Jones is well aware that he is catching much of the flak for the Cowboys’ abysmal season, especially after revamping almost the entire coaching staff and overhauling significant chunks of the roster in hopes of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in a quarter-century.

“You think anybody is talking sweet about me right now?” Jones asked hosts Kevin Hageland and Cory Mageors. “The one that should and does get heat in various forms. You don’t get a chance, when you don’t do it right, to touch that Lombardi Trophy. Do y’all have any idea how much I’d write a check for if I knew for sure I could get that Lombardi Trophy?”

Jones says he’s heard the buzz that grew even louder this week about the team’s perceived lack of effort and heart that’s brought them to the brink of being officially eliminated from postseason contention. But he cautions that not every player on the roster should be painted with the same brush, even though their 3-9 record has certainly been a collective letdown.

“When you have ups and downs and you don’t win, you can see people criticizing, quote, ‘Heart, effort.’ You can see that,” Jones said. “You can hear it if you want to listen to it. And that’s fair to say it. But, boy, I see guys trying to work the problem, trying to get better.”

‘I’d like to start again on how we approached our defense’

Normally the first and loudest to spin things in a positive light, Jones then took off the rose-colored glasses and was frank about the catastrophic shortcomings of the Dallas defense in Mike Nolan’s first year as coordinator.

“We’ve got, like anybody, you’ve got a lot of do-overs. I’d like to start again on how we approached our defense this year. I’d like to start that over again. I’m sure everybody else would, too.”

“I’d start right there, the first day,” Jones continued. “I would really make sure that any changes we were making, I would want to make sure that we did it in the same way that we didn’t make changes on offense, because we didn’t think that we had the situation or we had the time to make those changes and [have] it really be effective.”

In other words, the Cowboys offense was left largely intact. Some of that was due simply to the retention of Kellen Moore as coordinator. But little else was altered, thanks to the scrapping of minicamp, the nixing of preseason games, and the virtual nature of offseason work that kept McCarthy and his new staff from even meeting their players face-to-face until the regular season was looming. They didn’t re-invent the wheel because they were already racing the car.

Defensively, however, the team tried a total rebuild. Nolan’s seismic shift in his unit’s core scheme- with minimal time to make the switch- resulted in a Cowboys defense that’s been more porous than any in franchise history.

Everything changed except the players. It’s as if Nolan took over a kitchen stocked with everything he’d need to make wedding cakes. But he insisted on making chicken pot pies instead, using the same ingredients.

‘You’ve got to make changes’

Jones reminisced about a time the team underwent a similar evolution, just before the 2005 draft.

“We went from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. But when we did it, it was very reluctant. Lot of reluctance on making that move by our head coach. His name was Bill Parcells. So he had a tough time buying into drafting DeMarcus Ware. He wanted to draft [Marcus] Spears because Spears fit both ways, 4-3 or a 3-4. DeMarcus Ware was principally going to the 4-3. All we did was turn around and have the greatest draft, probably, we’ve ever had on defense and drafted Spears and Ware and [Jay] Ratliff and [Chris] Canty. And we were able to make the move right then and there. Had we not drafted those guys, that would have been a tough move, and probably, we wouldn’t have gone into it as completely. That’s speculation. But there’s a case. You’ve got to think about the personnel when you talk about changing your scheme.”

The Cowboys didn’t do that. Not really. Sure, they brought in a few hired guns in Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, and HaHa Clinton-Dix to theoretically help make the transition to Nolan’s new plan. McCoy was lost for the season within the first few days of practice. Clinton-Dix was cut before opening day. Poe lasted seven games.

The remaining players have struggled to adapt to the new direction. Dallas is in the bottom ten leaguewide in total yards allowed. They are tied for second-worst in takeaways. They rank dead last in both rushing yards allowed and points allowed.

“We’ve obviously done some things, we’ve changed, and we’re having a hard time getting those in place to be a good defense. You’ve got to make changes,” Jones admitted.

You’ve got to make changes.

That’s a startling and ominous declaration with four games to go. Jones was then asked if that need for change extends to the coaching staff who hasn’t even been in place a full year.

“Every bit of it,” Jones interrupted before the question was fully out. “Every bit of it. And then right past that, go right to your general manager. Right past that, go to your general manager. Because coming through the door, the GM was eye-to-eye hiring the head coach, talking about how we were going to approach when he walks through the door and where he was going to go from there. That’s what you do. That obviously didn’t work for us this year.”

Whoa.

Jones just threw himself under the bus as the team’s general manager. He’s roundly criticized for being too involved in the football operations; many wish he would just be the mysterious man in the luxury box who writes the checks and leaves the Xs and Os to someone else. But as self-appointed GM, too, Jones has nowhere to hide.

‘I will change. I can change.’

Jones has always relished his dual role within the organization. Faced with the reality of a season so bad that the networks are dumping Cowboys games from their primetime slots, though, Jones has no choice but to take a long, hard look at the mess that 2020 has become in Dallas… and fess up to being solely responsible for allowing it to happen.

“There’s nobody in any better shape to take any part of it and use it to try win the ball games,” Jones said on-air. “Not only the selection of the head coach, but the players that are playing the game, and the coaches that are coaching them. All of that has to have my approval. So you start right there. And I accept that.”

It would have been a fine place to end the interview, with Jones solemnly taking his lumps for an organization in disarray. And the K+C Masterpiece hosts tried to end it there. But Jones jumped back in as the jocks were attempting to sign off, making it plain that, just in case any fans actually believed this unmitigated disaster of a season would be some sort of last straw that not even Jones would be able to ignore, he would, in fact, continue to be both owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.

“When you work for yourself, there’s no firing him. You’ve got to change him. And he’s got to change the direction he’s going,” Jones cryptically offered. “I’ve worked all my life for myself, but I’ve had to change direction many times. So I will change. I can change.”

Change is coming to the Cowboys. That much seems assured. Exactly what– and who else– Jones will change remains to be seen.

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Texas Defensive Coordinator Chris Ash among most important hires

New Texas Longhorns defensive coordinator Chris Ash named the sixth-most important hire this offseason by Football Scoop.

Football Scoop writer Zach Barnett is writing a series of the 20 most important hires in college football. At number six he listed new defensive coordinator, Chris Ash. Head coach Tom Herman brought Chris Ash on after relieving Todd Orlando of his duties prior to the Valero Alamo Bowl against Utah. Ironically enough, Orlando made the list of most important hires at number seven.

So why is Ash so important to the success of Texas?

You never want to draw too many conclusions off of one game, particularly a game where the coach we’re talking about didn’t even coach. But let’s examine the 2019 Alamo Bowl.

As the clock (literally) wound down on the worst decade in the program’s modern history, Texas put together one of its best defensive performances of the 2010s. The ‘Horns limited Utah to 3.5 yards per rush, 5.5 yards per pass attempt, collected five sacks, racked up 21 yards in TFLs on rushing downs, won 10 of 14 third downs, permitted just 15 first downs and just generally kicked tail in a 38-10 win.

After playing off the ball all season, rising junior Joseph Ossai generated first-round hype in moving to an edge position in the ‘Horns’ new 4-down front, earning game MVP honors with nine tackles, six TFLs and three sacks.

The Longhorns were in desperate need of a change. The team made the Sugar Bowl the year prior and defeated a very talented Georgia Bulldogs team that was coming off a National Championship appearance the year prior. It was clear that Orlando had worn out his welcome. Following the season, defensive lineman Malcolm Roach claimed that the scheme under Orlando who came over with Herman from Houston actually did the team a disservice.

That style of play didn’t transfer to the NFL and the NFL didn’t understand what type of player this guy was. Or what type of player they would be getting because of the scheme we ran. I just feel 3-4 didn’t let us showcase our abilities the way we wanted to. But we understood why we were running it. I feel the 4-3 will help those guys to show their talents and more people will come out of Texas.”

We have already heard about the changes on the defense with DeMarvion Overshown moving from his safety spot to the weakside linebacker. Joseph Ossai will move from linebacker to more of an edge rusher. In the game against the Utes, Longhorns staff and fans saw just how impactful he can be when getting into the backfield.

For this reason alone, the Ash hire is extremely important. With the offenses in the Big 12, the Longhorns need to find a way to slow them down a bit. With an emphasis on getting to the quarterback this offseason, the Longhorns defense could be a huge difference maker and the man leading that charge will be Chris Ash.

Jaylon Smith excited about Cowboys new scheme, having LB coach as DC

Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith is excited about showing all of his talent in new defensive scheme.

Jaylon Smith has had two consecutive productive seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, going over 120 tackles in each. He did most of this from the middle linebacker spot, although it was suspected he could move to outside linebacker once Leighton Vander Esch was drafted in 2018.

Last month, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported that switching Smith to outside linebacker might be a possibility under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s scheme. Smith would join Jane Slater and Bobby Belt on The ‘Boys and Girl podcast earlier this week to discuss how his role will change in 2020.

“Really just some added tools for myself, man,” Smith said. “Being able to showcase my versatility, you know being able to run sideline-to-sideline, being able to rush the passer. I’m just looking forward to being able to showcase all of my talents. These guys are putting everyone in the right position, so all I can be is thankful.”

When asked how great it is to have a defensive coordinator (Mike Nolan) specializing in linebackers, Smith lit up, discussing having that experience with his DC at Notre Dame. “I was able to really, really learn a lot about my position. It’s exciting man.”

Smith also talked about having to use his Bellaton and a local field in order to keep him in shape over the stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus outbreak.  “Everybody needs to stay safe, and that’s very important. We love the game of football and we want to play. We want to give the fans… some entertainment.

In 2018, Smith’s best season on the pro level, he racked up four sacks rushing in the passer up the middle. Last season, he added 2.5 more so he’s had pretty good success when used in a pass-rushing role. Now, he’ll be able to line up on the edge possibly alongside DeMarcus Lawrence, or move him around and still rush him through the gaps.

With Smith now having the opportunity to attack the line of scrimmage from the outside in both run support and as a blitzer we may see the best of him yet in 2020.

(Full Interview)

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Texas’ Malcolm Roach blasts defensive scheme for lack of production

Former Texas defensive lineman Malcolm Roach believes the new 4-3 scheme under defensive coordinator Chris Ash will be much more successful.

Something continues to prevent Texas’ top 10 recruiting classes from producing on the field. Player development? Scheme? A mixture of both?

Head coach Tom Herman realized the Longhorns had one of the worst defensive units in college football last season, eventually hiring new defensive coordinator Chris Ash to switch to a 4-3 scheme.

Former defensive coordinator Todd Orlando ran a 3-3-5 base that many believed did not contribute to current players strengths. Orlando’s scheme focused on safeties and linebackers rather than defensive lineman.

Former defensive lineman Malcolm Roach didn’t start a single game in 2019, but his play was impressive enough to garner an invite to the 2020 NFL Combine.

Clarence Hill of Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently spoke to Roach, who believes the 4-3 scheme under Ash will benefit defensive lineman Joseph Ossai, Marquez Bimage and Taquon Graham. The Longhorns also have an incoming five-star defensive end arriving to campus this summer, Alfred Collins, who is eager to get to the quarterback.

Roach has confidence that the new defensive scheme will improve the unit as a whole.

“I think it’s a smart move. You have pass rushers out there, Taquon Graham, Marquez Bimage, Joe Ossai — guys that can get after the quarterback. You have to use those guys. That was the biggest thing that we got caught up in, not using our weapons to our full advantage. Now they brought in a new staff, giving those guys the opportunity to rush the passer and show what they have.”

He also feels Orlando’s scheme did not allow the defensive front to unleash their full potential.

“That style of play didn’t transfer to the NFL and the NFL didn’t understand what type of player this guy was. Or what type of player they would be getting because of the scheme we ran. I just feel 3-4 didn’t let us showcase our abilities the way we wanted to. But we understood why we were running it. I feel the 4-3 will help those guys to show their talents and more people will come out of Texas.”

Although it’s too late for Roach to benefit under the new scheme at Texas, he’s clearly excited for his former teammates to finally be able to showcase their strengths.

Texas should significantly improve their sack production in 2020.