Saints toying w/ 3-4 Defense

[Dpantherman]

Posted by Evan Silva on June 5, 2010 3:48 PM ET

Organized Team Activities are a time for experimentation. The Saints are capitalizing by installing a 3-4 defense during the two-a-day workouts.

According to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, usual defensive end Bobby McCray is lining up at outside linebacker in the new look. Sedrick Ellis and Remi Ayodele are working at nose tackle. Ellis, normally an interior lineman, also took reps at defensive end along with Anthony Hargrove.

If the new alignment becomes a staple in the Saints' playbook, end Will Smith would presumably line up across from McCray at outside 'backer. Jonathan Vilma, who has experience in the 3-4, would stay at inside 'backer next to Scott Shanle or JoLonn Dunbar. Clint Ingram would probably back up Smith and McCray.

The 3-4 seems unlikely to become New Orleans' base defense, but it gives aggressive coordinator Gregg Williams options. The Saints do not lack the personnel to pull it off on a situational basis.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/05/saints-toying-with-3-4-defensive-look/

[pantherclaw]

They don't even have enough good linebackers for their 4-3.

But, yeah, as a situation thing, it be interesting. Would love to see the panthers gash them.

[Peppers90 NC]

yea make mccray and will smith have drop in coverage, williams and rosario/barnidge should be able to take care of that. I think it would be a good idea in run support, but would get torched on passing plays, would assume both olb's would be blitzing

[Rhys]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d8181cd04/Top-Ten-Snakebit-Franchises-New-Orleans-Saints

[Saint J]

i'm not sure why this is being presented as news. the saints installed the 3-4 last year during camp and it was pretty sucessful b/c of ellis. our LBs aren't great but when he is back as a 3-4 NT like at USC he literally wrecks shop.

[Maxie]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d8181cd04/Top-Ten-Snakebit-Franchises-New-Orleans-Saints

When I saw snakebitten, I thought sure they were gonna show this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Od9C2dKiCI

They should have done a little more homework, this IS snakebitten.

and yes, the Saints mixed in some 3-4 last year. Vilma and M. Mitchell played inside backers. They used it mostly for more elaborate blitz packages. It wasn't a staple of the defense for sure.

[Ohio]

They dont have a good enough NT to anchor the 3-4

[YourMomsLover]

Too bad Peppers didn't know this...he would've loved to be an Aint

[Saint J]

They dont have a good enough NT to anchor the 3-4

Uh...what? Ellis is at his best when he's playing the NT.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

Would make sense for them to mix it up more. Doesn't mean much to me though because it'll just be 8 or 9 stuffed in the box when they play the Panthers just like any other team.

[Ohio]

Uh...what? Ellis is at his best when he's playing the NT.

Uhh what, that horrific run defense the Saints had last year??? Beast what?

[Sandy Claws]

Uh...what? Ellis is at his best when he's playing the NT.

:smilielol5:

[Saint J]

Uhh what, that horrific run defense the Saints had last year??? Beast what?

i said best retard

[Ohio]

And your an idiot for thinking Ellis plays his best when playing the 3-4. Tell me, when was the last time he played in a 3-4