4-3 Defensive terminology and duties

[Chopper0080]

3 technique DT - This is your defensive tackle who generally lines up in the B gap on the strong side (guard/tackle gap to the strong side), and whose job is to penetrate the line of scrimmage and provide interior disruption.

1 technique DT - This is your defensive tackle who generally lines up in the A gap on the weak side (center/guard gap to the weak side), and whose job is to command a double team from the center and weak side guard by pushing that gap back towards the QB.

Base DE - This is your defensive end who generally lines up outside eye or head up over the tight end. His job is to set the edge on exterior runs, and jam the TE off the ball prior to rushing the QB.

Rush DE - This is your defensive end who generally lines up outside eye or just outside of the offensive tackle away from the TE. This gives him a shorter path to the QB. Outside contain on rush plays changes between the Rush DE and the Will LB.

Mike LB - This is your middle LB who is responsible for everything between the two offensive guards. Needs to be instinctive and be able to dip around offensive linemen to get to the back.

Sam LB - This is your strong side LB who generally lines up over the TE but off the ball. Has significant coverage responsibilities, and has cutback or outside contain on outside runs (most often cutback). This LB rarely rushes the passer.

Will LB - This is your weak side LB who generally lines up over the guard and tackle gap (B Gap) but off the ball. This LB generally works as an additional pass rusher for overload blitz packages from the weak side, will also rush outside via tackle/end stunts, and can rush if the rush DE drops in zone. This LB will cover the RB out of the backfield on pass routes to the weak side.

 

[Lagerfilled]

Based on your descriptions, here's what I see with our personnel:

3 DT = Nkemdiche / Pierre
1 DT = Peters / Gunter
Base DE = Golden / TBD
Rush DE = Jones / TBD
MIKE = TBD / Bynes
SAM = Reddick / TBD
WILL = Bucannon / TBD

I think this is a pretty good front 7. The only thing about this that gives me pause is potentially taking Reddick out of the pass rush, where he can be dynamic AND Bucannon hasn't proven to be effective with any pass coverage responsibilities. To me the MIKE is absolutely key and I'm not sure Bynes can be trusted longer term. We need a stud MLB in the worst way if we want to be Top 5.

1) Roquan Smith - R1
2) Leighton Vander Esch - R1/R2
3) Rashaan Evans - R1/R2

 

[Chopper0080]

My guess is this

3 DT =Pierre
1 DT = Peters
Base DE = Golden
Rush DE = Jones
MIKE = Bynes
SAM = Bucannon
WILL = Reddick

I pointed this out on another thread, and Thomas Davis has very similar measurables to Haason Reddick, and Davis runs out of the WILL position for Carolina. It does make a bunch of sense as it adds pass rush duties. I'm guessing they give Bucannon the "old show it or see ya" treatment.

Oh, and I think K9 hit the Roquan Smith in round 1 projection on the head.

 

[JeffGollin]

((Sorry for any dupes - bb is acting funky).

Thanks for much needed info.

Understand that traditional MIKE role has evolved. Care to explain what MLB prototype was and how it has changed?

 

[Chopper0080]

The MIKE position for years was your large, thumper ILB in a 4-3. He had G-C-G coverage and that was pretty much it. He was expected to stuff large fullbacks in the hole, and would leave the field in passing situations. Normally he was the leader of the defense, and would call the plays but there would be a secondary signal caller in passing situations.

In the present game, with the phasing out of the fullback, the increased utilization of the RB in the passing game, and the increase in the quick passing game (3 step drops) traditional MIKE LBs are a liability. Your MIKE LB needs to be able to cover RBs out of the backfield and then pass rush from the interior of the offensive line more than they need to take on fullbacks. This makes a MIKE LBs ability to dip and avoid a guard or full back a needed ability because they will generally not have the size to just take on blockers. More than that, your MIKE LB also may have to carry a TE down the field in nickle packages. Today's MLB generally stays on the field for all three downs because they will have the green dot on the helmet, and with the increase in the no huddle, it is too tough to try and rotate between signal callers for a defense.

 

[Morty]

The MIKE position for years was your large, thumper ILB in a 4-3. He had G-C-G coverage and that was pretty much it. He was expected to stuff large fullbacks in the hole, and would leave the field in passing situations. Normally he was the leader of the defense, and would call the plays but there would be a secondary signal caller in passing situations.

In the present game, with the phasing out of the fullback, the increased utilization of the RB in the passing game, and the increase in the quick passing game (3 step drops) traditional MIKE LBs are a liability. Your MIKE LB needs to be able to cover RBs out of the backfield and then pass rush from the interior of the offensive line more than they need to take on fullbacks. This makes a MIKE LBs ability to dip and avoid a guard or full back a needed ability because they will generally not have the size to just take on blockers. More than that, your MIKE LB also may have to carry a TE down the field in nickle packages. Today's MLB generally stays on the field for all three downs because they will have the green dot on the helmet, and with the increase in the no huddle, it is too tough to try and rotate between signal callers for a defense.

Awesome explanation!

 

[pinetopred]

I think the Rams made defensive changes better then we will. Let things play out for a year with the pieces in place then start to make the transition to what you really want to run the following year. Draft guys with that in mind, but us going to a 4-3 this year IMO will expose Golden and a lack of a true 4-3 mike and make those positions of need to draft this year.

 

[Ronin]

'There's no gray' in Cardinals' new, simpler defensive scheme

The Arizona Cardinals have undergone big changes in the offseason. Among those changes are a new defensive system and scheme. Gone is the complex system that former defensive coordinator James Bettcher ran from a 3-4 base. Instead, the Cardinals are transitioning to a 4-3 and a scheme that apparently is simpler for players to execute.

“Everything we do is gap integrity, so I think it takes a lot of the thinking out,” head coach Steve Wilks told reporters last week after practice. “I was talking to Patrick Peterson, and the one thing he emphasized was, ‘Coach, there’s no gray in what we’re doing. There’s a lot of clarity.'”

https://cardswire.usatoday.com/2018...defense-simpler-theres-no-gray-in-new-scheme/

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Cool thread, I had the Sam position and the Will position mixed up. I though the strong side rushed the passer more, and the weak side was more coverage.

Also, not sure where the the idea that Marcus Golden cannot play DE is coming from, but we shall see.

 

[juza76]

In the 4/3 defense the Ilb is the qb of our defense, thats why we still need a top rated ilb, kendricks and even bowman could add value

 

[Ronin]

In the 4/3 defense the Ilb is the qb of our defense, thats why we still need a top rated ilb, kendricks and even bowman could add value

Bow is a shell of himself.
I don’t even think that he was the qb of that 49ers defense (Willis was).
We bring bow in to this team, we would be bringing in a name only, not the player that he is now.

 

[Ronin]

With Wilks implementing a 4-3, there are new opportunities Peterson’s defense didn’t have while playing in a different system.

“When you’re in a 3-4 you have to do so many exotic looks to get to the quarterback,” Peterson said, emphasizing that a simplified approach will allow less thinking and more natural reactions for defenders.

What won’t be changing for Peterson, though, is the lack of throws in his direction. Of the least-challenged cornerbacks every year, the combination of Peterson being one of the best corners in the league and the lack of a go-to corner on the other side of the field brings a lack of action his way.

http://arizonasports.com/story/1557...traveling-around-the-world-wilks-new-defense/

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

Patrick Peterson getting back to “my playmaking ways”
Based on what he saw during offseason work, Peterson thinks that head coach Steve Wilks and defensive coordinator Al Holcomb have come up with an approach that will make it easier for him to impact games.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...-peterson-getting-back-to-my-playmaking-ways/

 

[AZCrazy]

I hope everyone appreciates him. Lack of stats for a corner is a sign of greatness. Fitz is deserving of his adulation, but we may have another all timer here right now as well.