i think people are getting confused because
1. They don't know what type of defense we are actually trying to play. Is it a 4-3 or 3-4?
2. Not sure In the defense where the pressure suppose to come from.
3. What the defense we are trying to play looks like when run successfully.
The defense that Miami, golden and D onofrio run is a 4-3 over/under defense. This defense functions as a hybrid that can can operate with 4 down linemen and 3 down linemen. This defense also uses cover 3 and cover 4 principles that can go man press and press zone.
In understanding what a 4-3 over/under defense is u must know where the guys are suppose to line up, what their job is and also if they are protected.
the 4-3 over/under that we are trying to run is very similar to the Seahawks and basically the same defense Clemson uses under venerables and Florida under muschamp.
Starting with the defensive line u have what is called a Leo or elephant rusher. This player usually lines up on the opposite side of the TE or weak side and is usually a 7 or 9 tech which means he lines up outside shoulder of the OT. It usually at an angle and sometimes a full body away from the tackle. This means if there was a TE next to the tackle he would line up on the outside shoulder of the TE. He is the premier rusher of the team. This guy whose soul purpose is to generate pressure off the edge and get after the QB. They don't have to be big or strong. Usually want them fast and athletic because they will be asked to drop in a zone from time to time. Also in the run game these guys are not called on to seal the edge but to get upfield so as to drive the action back inside.In the defenses mentioned above these guys were Bruce Irvin for Seattle, Vic Beasley for Clemson and Dante fawler for fla. next to them is the 3 tech DT. This guy is another pass rusher that also lines up on the weak side on the outside shoulder of the guard. He is a 1-gap penetrater that also does not have to be the biggest guy. He needs to be quick off the ball and have quick hands as he will see 1 on 1 matches against usually slow guards. For Seattle that was Brandon mebane, fla had sheriff Floyd then Easley and Clemson had Grady jarrett. Next along the line is the NT/0(zero) tech or 1 tech. This guy is your classic run stuffing space eater who has 2-gap responsibilities. His job is to tie up blockers and Control both A gaps. He is not a pass rusher just a big nasty space eater type or that is what u want. For Seattle its tony McDaniel, for Clemson its was Josh Watson( even though he can play the 3 tech too). For Florida it was Omar hunter then Damien Jacobs. Last on the line is the strong side DE. He can play the 4 tech ( rt in front of the tackle) the 4i ( where the ends face mask aligns with the tackles outside shoulder) or the 5 ( where the de's inside shoulder is aligned with the tackles outside shoulder) he is also used as a 2 -gap player where he controls the B gap ( the gap between the guard and tackle) and the C gap ( the gap between the tackle and TE). This is usually a bigger player that does not have much rush responsibities if at all. This player could usually be a DT or 3 tech in a regular 4-3 base defense. These guys are usually in the 270-300 range. For Seattle this was red Bryant and now Michael Bennett. Fla had Easley playing there then johnathan Bullard. Clemson has Corey Crawford.
So as u can see the guys responsible for the most pressure are the RE/Leo/ elephant and the 3 -Tech. Due to recruiting misses and miss steps we had to play guys out of position and before they were ready. For example chick should have been around 255-260 and used as a Leo instead of SDE. We also never had or were able to develop a 3 tech or NT.
Going to the 2nd level we have the backers. Let's start with the will backer. The will backer will appear to line up outside but he is a inside backer to a degree. He lines up behind the 3-tech or he can be in the B gap between the Leo and the 3 tech. He is a protected backer which means he is covered by the Leo and 3 and is free to chase and run. This guy should usually be a team leader in tackles and tackles for loss because he is covered and does not have any " take on " responsibilities. One guy who was highly successful in this role was CJ Mosley for ALA. the mike backer or middle backer is not a protected player. He can either lineup behind the nose or in the A gap between the the NT and SDE. In this defense u usually want your mike to be able to take on guards or centers, control the point of impact and shed. Usually want these guys in the 250-260 range. Def need them in the run game. They are more important in the run game then the pass game. Lastly is the SLB. This backer has dual jobs. U want him to be able rush and cover. He lines up outside the SDE either over the TE or outside the TE. He is another protected player because the SDE controls the B & C gaps. A player who would have been perfect for this position but was a miss was Matthew Thomas.
This defense is real " player" specific. U need a certain type of athletic player or body type to run this defense so u have to be ABLE to recruit to it. A few reasons why Miami has not been successful running this defense is because they were playing players out of position, had recruiting misses/failures and didn't properly develop the players they did have. For example Denzel or his skill set is not a match for mike backer in this defense. He is not a take backer but is a slip backer. This means that Denzel is not one to be able to consistently take on and beat guards and tackles. He looks more to slip or dodge their blocks or slip gaps to make tackles. Denzel should have been used like saban used CJ Mosley as a protected backer. He should have played the inside will behind the Leo and 3. This would have freed Denzel more to do what he does best. Denzel is more vilma and Beason and not Patrick Willis. This is why Miami struggled so much in the Ga tech game and why an adjustment should have been made. Kirby should have been moved to mike and Denzel to will.
Now here is a reason for optimism. In terms of skill set and body type Miami has the players that fit the body types but it's up to the coaches to use them there. AQM, Trent and Jackson fit the Leo. Kamulu and molten are serviceable as 3 techs( even tho there have been misses here too) . Jenkins, wyche, Moore & Calvin fit the Nose and Calvin could even play a 3. Hamilton, kamulu and Chad are fits for the SDE. Grace and gayot are fits for the will( skai Moore would have been a beast here as would James burgess jr). At the mike Kirby is serviceable just like Jimmy Gaines was but u def need juwon young to step up because he is a better fit. Could have used Keith brown but that was another miss. At the SLB tyriq McCord and Owens are both good fits. Owens looks to have the athletiscm to be able to rush and guard TE. The better fit would have been Matthew Thomas or if Miami had skai Moore then grace would be a good fit as well. Remember this position lines up outside almost like a 9 tech DE and is protected by SDE. So hopefully now everybody has a Better understanding of what the defense looks like, who is doing what and where the pressure is coming from. Just to recap the pressure comes from the RE or LEO the 3- tech DT and the SLB who lines up at a 9 - tech DE basically outside the TE. The purpose of this defense is to disguise rushers and be flexible enough to adjust to different offenses due to the HUNH and inability of defenses to get enough subs out there in time. Tomorrow I will cover the secondary. Keep in mind that even though Miami may have the body types to fit the scheme now that may not equate to success because u still need a certain type of player.
1. They don't know what type of defense we are actually trying to play. Is it a 4-3 or 3-4?
2. Not sure In the defense where the pressure suppose to come from.
3. What the defense we are trying to play looks like when run successfully.
The defense that Miami, golden and D onofrio run is a 4-3 over/under defense. This defense functions as a hybrid that can can operate with 4 down linemen and 3 down linemen. This defense also uses cover 3 and cover 4 principles that can go man press and press zone.
In understanding what a 4-3 over/under defense is u must know where the guys are suppose to line up, what their job is and also if they are protected.
the 4-3 over/under that we are trying to run is very similar to the Seahawks and basically the same defense Clemson uses under venerables and Florida under muschamp.
Starting with the defensive line u have what is called a Leo or elephant rusher. This player usually lines up on the opposite side of the TE or weak side and is usually a 7 or 9 tech which means he lines up outside shoulder of the OT. It usually at an angle and sometimes a full body away from the tackle. This means if there was a TE next to the tackle he would line up on the outside shoulder of the TE. He is the premier rusher of the team. This guy whose soul purpose is to generate pressure off the edge and get after the QB. They don't have to be big or strong. Usually want them fast and athletic because they will be asked to drop in a zone from time to time. Also in the run game these guys are not called on to seal the edge but to get upfield so as to drive the action back inside.In the defenses mentioned above these guys were Bruce Irvin for Seattle, Vic Beasley for Clemson and Dante fawler for fla. next to them is the 3 tech DT. This guy is another pass rusher that also lines up on the weak side on the outside shoulder of the guard. He is a 1-gap penetrater that also does not have to be the biggest guy. He needs to be quick off the ball and have quick hands as he will see 1 on 1 matches against usually slow guards. For Seattle that was Brandon mebane, fla had sheriff Floyd then Easley and Clemson had Grady jarrett. Next along the line is the NT/0(zero) tech or 1 tech. This guy is your classic run stuffing space eater who has 2-gap responsibilities. His job is to tie up blockers and Control both A gaps. He is not a pass rusher just a big nasty space eater type or that is what u want. For Seattle its tony McDaniel, for Clemson its was Josh Watson( even though he can play the 3 tech too). For Florida it was Omar hunter then Damien Jacobs. Last on the line is the strong side DE. He can play the 4 tech ( rt in front of the tackle) the 4i ( where the ends face mask aligns with the tackles outside shoulder) or the 5 ( where the de's inside shoulder is aligned with the tackles outside shoulder) he is also used as a 2 -gap player where he controls the B gap ( the gap between the guard and tackle) and the C gap ( the gap between the tackle and TE). This is usually a bigger player that does not have much rush responsibities if at all. This player could usually be a DT or 3 tech in a regular 4-3 base defense. These guys are usually in the 270-300 range. For Seattle this was red Bryant and now Michael Bennett. Fla had Easley playing there then johnathan Bullard. Clemson has Corey Crawford.
So as u can see the guys responsible for the most pressure are the RE/Leo/ elephant and the 3 -Tech. Due to recruiting misses and miss steps we had to play guys out of position and before they were ready. For example chick should have been around 255-260 and used as a Leo instead of SDE. We also never had or were able to develop a 3 tech or NT.
Going to the 2nd level we have the backers. Let's start with the will backer. The will backer will appear to line up outside but he is a inside backer to a degree. He lines up behind the 3-tech or he can be in the B gap between the Leo and the 3 tech. He is a protected backer which means he is covered by the Leo and 3 and is free to chase and run. This guy should usually be a team leader in tackles and tackles for loss because he is covered and does not have any " take on " responsibilities. One guy who was highly successful in this role was CJ Mosley for ALA. the mike backer or middle backer is not a protected player. He can either lineup behind the nose or in the A gap between the the NT and SDE. In this defense u usually want your mike to be able to take on guards or centers, control the point of impact and shed. Usually want these guys in the 250-260 range. Def need them in the run game. They are more important in the run game then the pass game. Lastly is the SLB. This backer has dual jobs. U want him to be able rush and cover. He lines up outside the SDE either over the TE or outside the TE. He is another protected player because the SDE controls the B & C gaps. A player who would have been perfect for this position but was a miss was Matthew Thomas.
This defense is real " player" specific. U need a certain type of athletic player or body type to run this defense so u have to be ABLE to recruit to it. A few reasons why Miami has not been successful running this defense is because they were playing players out of position, had recruiting misses/failures and didn't properly develop the players they did have. For example Denzel or his skill set is not a match for mike backer in this defense. He is not a take backer but is a slip backer. This means that Denzel is not one to be able to consistently take on and beat guards and tackles. He looks more to slip or dodge their blocks or slip gaps to make tackles. Denzel should have been used like saban used CJ Mosley as a protected backer. He should have played the inside will behind the Leo and 3. This would have freed Denzel more to do what he does best. Denzel is more vilma and Beason and not Patrick Willis. This is why Miami struggled so much in the Ga tech game and why an adjustment should have been made. Kirby should have been moved to mike and Denzel to will.
Now here is a reason for optimism. In terms of skill set and body type Miami has the players that fit the body types but it's up to the coaches to use them there. AQM, Trent and Jackson fit the Leo. Kamulu and molten are serviceable as 3 techs( even tho there have been misses here too) . Jenkins, wyche, Moore & Calvin fit the Nose and Calvin could even play a 3. Hamilton, kamulu and Chad are fits for the SDE. Grace and gayot are fits for the will( skai Moore would have been a beast here as would James burgess jr). At the mike Kirby is serviceable just like Jimmy Gaines was but u def need juwon young to step up because he is a better fit. Could have used Keith brown but that was another miss. At the SLB tyriq McCord and Owens are both good fits. Owens looks to have the athletiscm to be able to rush and guard TE. The better fit would have been Matthew Thomas or if Miami had skai Moore then grace would be a good fit as well. Remember this position lines up outside almost like a 9 tech DE and is protected by SDE. So hopefully now everybody has a Better understanding of what the defense looks like, who is doing what and where the pressure is coming from. Just to recap the pressure comes from the RE or LEO the 3- tech DT and the SLB who lines up at a 9 - tech DE basically outside the TE. The purpose of this defense is to disguise rushers and be flexible enough to adjust to different offenses due to the HUNH and inability of defenses to get enough subs out there in time. Tomorrow I will cover the secondary. Keep in mind that even though Miami may have the body types to fit the scheme now that may not equate to success because u still need a certain type of player.
Last edited:
