Cardinals Switch to 1 Gap system?

[EndZone]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0612cardsnb0612.html

The Cardinals are hoping a change in philosophy will allow their defensive front four to become more disruptive than in recent years.

Since Vince Tobin took over as head coach in 1996, the front four has been asked to lock up with offensive linemen, read their blocks and then react. Their main task was to control the gaps on each side of them and keep offensive linemen from reaching the linebackers.

This year, however, defensive linemen are being asked more often simply to beat the man in front of them off the ball. That might free the offensive lineman to get to a linebacker, "but it also means they have to deal with us," tackle Marcus Bell said.

It's a welcome change for the front four, which has been maligned in recent years for its lack of pass rush. The Cardinals have finished last in the league in sacks the past two years, totaling just 40.

No defensive lineman has had more than four sacks in either of the past two seasons.

"We're working a lot more on penetrating and getting into the backfield," end Kyle Vanden Bosch said. "It's not so much reading and gap control as it is hitting your gap and making them (the offensive players) adjust.

"The way we're playing it now gives us the opportunity to make a lot more things happen in the backfield, make them commit a lot quicker."

 

[Cardiac]

This may be the best news of the entire offseason. I can see Bryant and Bell benefiting from this new system a great deal. Since we don't have many/any real pluggers on the D-line this philosophy was long over due and at least hits, hurries and pressures will increase this year as well as the sack total.

A concern would be if our LB's have the ability to fight through blocks to make the tackle when the RB pops through the line of scrimmage. At least our Safeties have range and are solid at playing the run if need be.

 

[EndZone]

Originally posted by Cardiac
This may be the best news of the entire offseason. I can see Bryant and Bell benefiting from this new system a great deal. Since we don't have many/any real pluggers on the D-line this philosophy was long over due and at least hits, hurries and pressures will increase this year as well as the sack total.

A concern would be if our LB's have the ability to fight through blocks to make the tackle when the RB pops through the line of scrimmage. At least our Safeties have range and are solid at playing the run if need be.

Maybe that is why we brought in and drafted a couple LB'rs

 

[Cardiac]

I agree that this explains the sudden infusion of LB's when this may have been the teams deepest position on defense. We just need some of them prove they can handle the new scheme. I will say that I'm encouraged by the scheme and look forward to some big plays from the front 7.

 

[BIGDADDY_REDBIRD]

That's outstanding!!!!! We have to have been the only team in the league that employed that weak defensive scheme. This puts aggression back in our Defensive strategy. I can't wait to see Marcus Bell & co, wreak havok in opposing teams backfields all Day. Finally some good ol fashioned "Get after their @sses" Defense. Long over-due I don't think that the players will have to prove they can handle the new scheme, because this scheme is basic football. Make the O-linemen work to block you.(refuse to be blocked) All our Draft picks played this style of football in pop warner, high school, & at the collegiate level. Playing this scheme is exactly what got them drafted...

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by bigdaddy_redbird
That's outstanding!!!!! We have to have been the only team in the league that employed that weak scheme. This puts aggression back in our Defensive strategy. I can't wait to see Marcus Bell & co, wreak havok in opposing teams backfields all Day. Finally some good ol fashioned "Get after their @sses" Defense. Long over-due

Very true!

I think any fan of this team would agree that the 2 gap hampered our defense considerably!

 

[Wildfire]

It's about time. The Cards and the "Read & React" scheme just didn't work.

It's also time that the other team's OL will really have to work for a living against an aggresive DL that's bringing the game to the trenches.

 

[EndZone]

Originally posted by Wildfire
It's about time. The Cards and the "Read & React" scheme just didn't work.

It's also time that the other team's OL will really have to work for a living against an aggresive DL that's bringing the game to the trenches.

Flower Mound..where at? I have a couple friends that live there...they are Cowboys fans though. I moved from Arlington about 3 years ago.

 

[40yearfan]

Are we sure we're talking about our Cardinals team? The Arizona Cardinals? All these changes in just one year? I don't know what's happening to this team, but a whole new philosophy is emerging. Changes offensively and defensively in schemes. Ridding themselves of outmoded ideas and trying new (to them) methods of attack to outwit and confuse their opponents. Having only players on their team who want to play for this team, who are committed to the team concept, and who are willing to put team above I. Serious veterans with Superbowl rings leading a group of motivated youngsters by example. <p>The winds of change are blowing high and hard this year and they are blowing in the Cardinals direction. There's a new game in town. If you're going to ride this bandwagon, you'd better hang on because it's gonna be one wild ride!!!

 

[SECTION 11]

This is outstanding.
Was this Mac's call? Or Marmie's?

 

[BIGDADDY_REDBIRD]

Just a guess but , Maybe the new DE coach came in & said " What the Hell"???? "no wonder you're only getting 20 sacks out of this unit per year" Your scheme Sucks, you can't play effective defense like that!!!! Mac & Maramie both have sat on their thumbs for 2 years now, Lacking to make one notable adjustment for the good of the defense. Maybe Rod Graves told them, that free agents have told him they don't want to come play in some Mickey Mouse scheme, in which they appear at times not to be football players executive decision...strait from Graves.......change it!!!!!

 

[JeffGollin]

Talk is Cheap.

I want to see 'em do it consistently in game situations. (No more of that "rush 3 linemen stuff on passing downs).

But I'll concede that if you want to change things, talking about it a lot usually helps get it done.

 

[RedStorm]

I, for one, am glad to see that we are shaking up the DL. What we were playing did not work. About time we tried something different.

This could help our pass rush and that is what I am in favor of seeing happen to this team.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Yes!

Defense should be aggressive! And this scheme lets our DL become more of an attacking position than a blocking position.

 

[CardinalChris]

Didn't MCGinnis say this last year also? Did we revert back to a two gap scheme during the season? Or is this an article we'll read each training camp?

 

[SECTION 11]

Originally posted by CardinalChris
Didn't MCGinnis say this last year also? Did we revert back to a two gap scheme during the season? Or is this an article we'll read each training camp?

Did he? I don't remember that. But that doesn't really mean much...

Either way, I'm glad to see a new scheme.

 

[Wildfire]

Hey, someone esle that knows about Flower Mound, TX.

FYI, I live real close to Marcus High School, which is on Morriss Rd.

I know I'm surrounded by cowfelon fans, but I'll die a Cardinal fan. My son and grandson are both Cardinal fans, so there is still hope for a growing fan base here in TX

 

[Goldfield]

Originally posted by CardinalChris
Didn't MCGinnis say this last year also? Did we revert back to a two gap scheme during the season? Or is this an article we'll read each training camp?

Actully, last year they freed up the LB's so they could "roam" the field more... Sounds kinda similar to this, but I hope this is true...

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by JeffGollin
Talk is Cheap.

I want to see 'em do it consistently in game situations. (No more of that "rush 3 linemen stuff on passing downs).

But I'll concede that if you want to change things, talking about it a lot usually helps get it done.

Agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Snakester]

Best news i've heard all off season. Now if our CBs will just jam WRs at the line at the same time we might have a real defense this year.

 

[vince56]

FINALLY!!!!!

It's about godddamn time! The 2 gap read-and-get-runover defense has always been McGinnis's Achille's Heel, IMO. If we're truly running a 1 gap scheme, that means he has confidence in his linemen to cut through the line and confidence in his LBs to shed blockers. I'm excited and truly hope this leads to a more agressive defense with bodies flying through the line and playing the run on the way to the pass. Only thing it leaves open is the screen pass, and if our OLBs are smart enough to see those coming, our defense is going to be MUCH improved.

This move get's 3 thumbs up




(don't ask where that 3rd thumb came from, hahaa)

 

[SECTION 11]

Originally posted by vince56
(don't ask where that 3rd thumb came from, hahaa)

eeeeeewwwwww.


never heard it called the third thumb before...

 

[vince56]

Sicko! How do you know I don't have a third hand protruding from my abdomen? huh? That's why I said DON'T ASK!!

 

[football24/7]

Isnt the old saying if you need to think first then react, your dead. That might explain our crappy defense somewhat
. Yes lets get back to blowing up the line of scrimmage, and let the offense react to us instead of the other way around.

 

[jf-08]

Originally posted by football24/7
Isnt the old saying if you need to think first then react, your dead. That might explain our crappy defense somewhat
. Yes lets get back to blowing up the line of scrimmage, and let the offense react to us instead of the other way around.

great post!

Time to cause the Offense to react to the Cards D-Line!