DT v. DE in Rivera's Scheme

[Stroupe-a-loop]

I'm very interested to see his blitzing packages. One thing is for sure and its is that Rivera's defenses are fun to watch.

His defenses have a reputation for giving good quarterbacks bad days. I hope that trend continues for Ryan, Brees, and Freeman twice a year.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

I'll be honest, I haven't exactly watched many games where the defenses were coach by either Rivera or McDermott. That being said, it is imperative that our DTs get a push and can collapse the pocket from the center of the defensive line. When the middle of the field is in disarray, it benefits the ends and allows them to use a variety of moves to get to the opposing teams QB. Rather than having to run around the tackles each time, it will be nice to see Hardy, Brown, and hopefully CJ be able to change course and go inside. Keeping that offensive line out of sync is imperative to success on defense.

If I had to choose, I guess I would say that the DT position is not just more vital to the lines success, but the entire defense as well. If our young DTs and hopefully an impact FA pickup can disrupt the pocket front and center, it will flush a QB out of the pocket forcing him to throw on the run and allowing our athletic DEs to run him down. Also, keeping our LBs free from blocks will allow Beason and co. to blow some running backs up in the backfield. Without a push in the middle, even the best DEs are forced to try and run around an OT while the QB just simply steps up in the pocket and makes a play. I saw that far too many times last year.

Regardless, I am really looking forward to watching our defense this year. I think we are just a couple FA acquisitions away from being a top 10 defense year in and year out. No more of that bend but don't break, play not to lose garbage. I am pumped to watch an aggressive defense that gets the ball back for our offense quickly. Football is a game of field position. Hopefully our defense can have more than 1 or 2 sets of downs to get a breather too!

[SevenSixes]

but something's missing...

I'd Hit it..

Since that ring around her necklace is the one I gave her..

[nosuchthingasapanther]

but something's missing...

how the fug this thread is attempting to get back on track after this is beyond me.

[weymouthst]

I would say edge rushers will be more important. Our division has quarterbacks that need to get sacked. DE's are (supposedly) the guys to do it.

Look at the Colts. Two awesome DE's that get to the quarterback. Mathis consistently gets sacks every year, and has 74 total sacks. Freeney has 94. They get to the quarterback. That is a crap ton of sacks, and helps the Colts win games. The Colts consistently win their division.

NFC South has Brees, Ryan, and Freeman. Franchise QB's that make plays. We need those edge rushers to put pressure on them. DT's are important, but I think DE's are more important.

[panthers55]

Here is how you put the threads together.

Both DEs and DTs are important in his scheme. With all the blitzing schemes both the DTs and DEs have to be able to get pressure, be stout against the run as well as be able to back out and play some short zone coverage when the linebackers are sent on a blitz. His system requires good players at both positions and without them, the defense won't get pressure which exposes the linebackers and secondary. If you look at the eagles last year, McDermott got fired because the linebackers and secondary weren't solid against the run or great in pass coverage. They gave up too many big plays and didn't force enough 3 and outs. The scheme is aggressive but that means we can't have a ton of missed assignments across the board or it leaves gaps and holes in the defense which are easily exploited.

[weymouthst]

how the f**k this thread is attempting to get back on track after this is beyond me.

Yeah, sometimes I don't go to the 2nd page to post a reply, haha. Otherwise I would have just let it go on its merry way.

[panthers55]

Actually I like threads that have some relevance to the team and discuss football topics like strategy, schemes and personnel. I don't know why people want to derail them or sink them. These kind of threads are why I put up with the inane ones. I'm more of a butt man myself. I like melding the two.

[pantherj]

The DT position is more important. Why? Because I SAID so! Now eat your vegetables!

[Peppers90 NC]

I'm interested in knowing what his scheme is. He ran Lovie's scheme in Chicago, obviously the cover 2, and ran what SD had already established with the 3-4. To me, it appears he can adapt to multiple systems using the current personnel. I know he used the word aggressive a lot so I would expect blitzes and physical play in the secondary and of course as mentioned, multiple looks in the front 7.

[davos]

Here is how you put the threads together.

Both DEs and DTs are important in his scheme. With all the blitzing schemes both the DTs and DEs have to be able to get pressure, be stout against the run as well as be able to back out and play some short zone coverage when the linebackers are sent on a blitz. His system requires good players at both positions and without them, the defense won't get pressure which exposes the linebackers and secondary. If you look at the eagles last year, McDermott got fired because the linebackers and secondary weren't solid against the run or great in pass coverage. They gave up too many big plays and didn't force enough 3 and outs. The scheme is aggressive but that means we can't have a ton of missed assignments across the board or it leaves gaps and holes in the defense which are easily exploited.

Good points. That shows that self-discipline will be a major part of our young players development. That's why it will be very interesting to see how guys like Gamble, Godfrey, and Brown do under Rivera & McDermott.

About the d-line: If we don't manage to get Cofield or Mebane, I think Stephen Bowen could be an interesting DT prospect. I'm also hopeful that Fua can learn quick but its Terrell McClain who I think will surprise us. Even though he is 6-2, he plays very quick, elusive, and strong. I can see him starting next to whoever we get at DT in a potentially 1-2 week long FA spree.

So with our #1 priority being CJ, I can see a D-line looking like this:

Johnson - FA(Cofield, Mebane, Bowen) - McClain - Hardy

*But of course we would be rotating in Fua, Big Ed, & Brown at their respective spots...and maybe will scoop up another DE/DT

...and if the LBs need to remain consistent against the run in this D, that's a reason to re-sign Anderson even though he's not a top priority. Then we can utilize Connor and Norwood on our 3-4-esque packages.

Just some things to consider, but correct me if you think I'm wrong anywhere

[bleys]

Actually I like threads that have some relevance to the team and discuss football topics like strategy, schemes and personnel. I don't know why people want to derail them or sink them. These kind of threads are why I put up with the inane ones. I'm more of a butt man myself. I like melding the two.

ignorance is bliss.. except for those who actually want to talk about football.

[panthers55]

I'm interested in knowing what his scheme is. He ran Lovie's scheme in Chicago, obviously the cover 2, and ran what SD had already established with the 3-4. To me, it appears he can adapt to multiple systems using the current personnel. I know he used the word aggressive a lot so I would expect blitzes and physical play in the secondary and of course as mentioned, multiple looks in the front 7.

The scheme he will run here is primarily the 4-3 under with lots of zone blitzes especially on second and third and long. He has run both a 3-4 and a 4-3 but the one he will implement is what he learned from Jim Johnson in Philadelphia where he was on staff. That is also the scheme that McDermott ran at Philly after being on Jim Johnson's staff most of his career. It is an aggressive scheme simlar to what 3-4 defenses do except we will run it out of a 4-3. Behind the line we will mostly run zone and will run cover 2, cover 3, cover 5, etc. The aggressive part is how we will disguise the line blitzes to confuse the offense (totally new concept around here I know). That scheme also uses a lot of run blitzes on first and second down as well. The goal is to get as many negative yardage plays as possible and dictate what the offense can do rather than react to the offense as most systems preach. That way you limit their possibilities and can better plan how to counteract them.

[panthers55]

Good points. That shows that self-discipline will be a major part of our young players development. That's why it will be very interesting to see how guys like Gamble, Godfrey, and Brown do under Rivera & McDermott.

About the d-line: If we don't manage to get Cofield or Mebane, I think Stephen Bowen could be an interesting DT prospect. I'm also hopeful that Fua can learn quick but its Terrell McClain who I think will surprise us. Even though he is 6-2, he plays very quick, elusive, and strong. I can see him starting next to whoever we get at DT in a potentially 1-2 week long FA spree.

So with our #1 priority being CJ, I can see a D-line looking like this:

Johnson - FA(Cofield, Mebane, Bowen) - McClain - Hardy

*But of course we would be rotating in Fua, Big Ed, & Brown at their respective spots...and maybe will scoop up another DE/DT

...and if the LBs need to remain consistent against the run in this D, that's a reason to re-sign Anderson even though he's not a top priority. Then we can utilize Connor and Norwood on our 3-4-esque packages.

Just some things to consider, but correct me if you think I'm wrong anywhere

I agree with you. I think that we will be bringing a DT free agent and Cofield or Mebane will be a great place to start. On the other hand I am not down on some of our guys notable Landri and yes I said it, Hayden. I know that folks have said a lot of great things about Fua but I agree with you, I like McClain quite a bit. It will take him 7 or 8 games at least to develop better hand and foot work, but once he learns the tricks, he will be a load. Ed Johnson is a big guy but he seems to not have a high motor and seems injury prone.

I don't think we will bring in a DE if we can resign Charles Johnson. He is the lynchpin to the defense this year. With Brown, Hardy, Johnson, Brayton, Norwood and Taylor we should be set.

As for linebackers we will try to sign Davis and Anderson and retain our core group. I don't know how much it will take to sign them this year, though. We surely have the money. Beason, Davis, and Anderson are all athletic and fast which is necessary in this defense so I expect we will not want to lose any of them.