Getting to know the Jim Johnson 4-3

[FuzzyPanther]

@ OP: Great analysis of Base D!

A couple of questions for you:

1- This is a breakdown of the Base only, and assumes only 2 WR's (or less) on the field, and assumes 1st and 10. Could you find any information on how JJ tended to substitute this scheme against 1 RB/1 TE/3 WR sets that have become more prevalent on first down in the NFL?

2- Since we have a great pairing of smaller LB's (Beason/Davis), wouldn't it make more sense to seek out (or keep) another LB to play the strong side, and simply make line adjustments when facing first down sets with only 2 WR's (or less), rather than try to make a round peg (Beason), fit into a square whole (larger LB who can take on direct blocks from Guards)?

Additionally, one could argue that the JJ defense was built around the larger MLB, so that he could plug A and B gaps primarily, and not have to cover middle and deep middle zones (large area) like a smaller/faster MLB (Beason) is expected to in a Tampa 2, and was not necessarily expected to be able to match RB speed on outside runs. We kind of built a our LB core out of guys to fit a Tampa 2. There's nothing keeping a Tampa 2 D from being aggressive... except the coaching staff...

[prowler2k8]

ya i'm pretty sure you skimped over this part....

fairley isn't a NT. we will still need one.

now here's a nasty scenario...

we draft fairley for the 3 tech and then pick up haynesworth for the NT.

that would be downright obscene. i would love it.

:iagree: This would be my dream scenario solution for our DL as well. These two nasty big bodied DTs would be the motor that runs this aggressive, attack style D. Our D would be sick.

[Snake]

Ngata getting let go ain't difficult to predict. It ain't happening.

Hey he is called a free agent for a reason. He can do whatever he wants. Right now everything is in play. We have a better shot at him imo then trading for Kyle Orton.

[monstercat]

There is a lot of good information in this thread, but do we know for a fact that were are running Jim Johnson's system, or is Rivera gonna dictate the system that he wants McDermott to run? He has already said that he will impliment some 3-4 elements, which could mean that he ultimately wants to run a true 3-4 once he gets the players he wants.

[The Saltman]

honestly none of us have any clue.

[chef17]

honestly none of us have any clue about football.

Fixed

[Cat'sGrowl]

This paragraph here makes me worried for Beason

The Eagles weren't very good against the run up the middle so what Jim Johnson did was utilize Trotter's straight line aggressiveness to his favor with a series of run blitzes. The Eagles would literally run blitz with Trotter for much of the game and that helped to keep him from having to play in space too often and it helped to slow down the opposition's running game. Oh yeah, and he made a Pro-Bowler out of Trotter once again in 2005 and 2006.

Beason is too athletic to be forced into a straight up blitz/run-stop role.

Of course the other option is too move him to the Will, but he just isn't utilized best there either.

I suppose part of me is just being selfish because I wanna see the Beast continue to dominate, but at the same time, Beason is right there with Willis as the best in the league at their respective position, and I'd hate to see his abilities underutilized..

I just hope they can work something out to get the best of out of him.

[KillerKat]

It's not just JJ's system we're gonna see. We're also going to see some Bears D (where Urlacher was beast) and the occasional Chargers D.

[panthers55]

There is a lot of good information in this thread, but do we know for a fact that were are running Jim Johnson's system, or is Rivera gonna dictate the system that he wants McDermott to run? He has already said that he will impliment some 3-4 elements, which could mean that he ultimately wants to run a true 3-4 once he gets the players he wants.

3-4 elements can mean that he will put 3 guys down and keep 1 guy up on passing downs. He may start 6 guys on the line and then pull some back but different guys at different times to confuse the blocking. But using those elements is different from going to a 3-4 as a base look. As for will he transistion to a 3-4 down the road?? Most times it depends on whether he can find the right personnel to make the switch. With more teams going to a 3-4 and many college teams going smaller and faster to deal with all the spread offenses, it may get harder to find the guys to run that scheme.

[scpanther22]

I have no worries about the D. Rivera knows a bit of everything so I am sure he can find something for Beason to do.

Cant wait to see Norwood coming off the blitz.

[monstercat]

3-4 elements can mean that he will put 3 guys down and keep 1 guy up on passing downs. He may start 6 guys on the line and then pull some back but different guys at different times to confuse the blocking. But using those elements is different from going to a 3-4 as a base look. As for will he transistion to a 3-4 down the road?? Most times it depends on whether he can find the right personnel to make the switch. With more teams going to a 3-4 and many college teams going smaller and faster to deal with all the spread offenses, it may get harder to find the guys to run that scheme.

Yeah I know all of that but it doesn't answer the question. We won't really know exactly what kind of defense this is gonna be until we see it for ourselves.

[panthers55]

Yeah I know all of that but it doesn't answer the question. We won't really know exactly what kind of defense this is gonna be until we see it for ourselves.

And there is no guarantee that what he installs initially is what he runs down the road. We have also all asked for a HC who adapts things and makes adjustments as we go. So I would think we would be happy to see him play different looks and fronts against different teams.

[Future of the Funchise]

love the thread... hate the sig.

[monstercat]

And there is no guarantee that what he installs initially is what he runs down the road. We have also all asked for a HC who adapts things and makes adjustments as we go. So I would think we would be happy to see him play different looks and fronts against different teams.

I'll be happy with anything that works. I don't care if it's blitz heavy with lots of bump and run man to man, or more cover two with zone blitzes that don't always look like blitzes. It doesn't matter to me as long as it produces wins.

It just kind of worries me that fans always want to blitz more and think that's the answer to everything. It is only the answer when it works.