Different Defensive Packages Used Last Year

[panther4life]

I noticed a lot more variations of defensive packages under Rivera last year than we ever saw out of John Fox. Everyone knows we employed the 3-4 at times but we also had a few other looks that intrigued me as well.

The "Buffalo Nickel" Much like your standard "nickel" defenses this package uses 5 defensives backs but instead of the typical 3rd corner substituting in for a linebacker we used a third safety, mainly Jordan Pugh. The Giants apparently used this formation more than anyone else. The benefits of this package in theory are you have a better run defender in who can help stuff the line or drop back in coverage if need be.

2 offseason additions should make this package better next year, Reggie Smith or Nakumara could help out here. Anything we can do to get pugh on the field less will certainly help.

The "Nascar package" This was still a base 4-3 set but we would shift Hardy or another defensive end in to play tackle to increase the pass rush by adding more speed. He is not the only one we did that with but it seems he played that role more than anyone else and seemed to be pretty good at it. The Giants have the perfect personnel for this package, they are also the ones who gave it that name. They like to slide Tuck and Umenyiora inside while having Pierre-Pual and Kiawanuka man the the defensive end spots. It did not necessarily add to our sack count but I do believe this package was effective in obvious 3rd down passing situations.

Should be interesting to who we incorporate into this package next year. The 5 defensive ends most likely to make the roster at this point are Johnson,Hardy,Applewhite,Alexander and Keiser.

The "Meatlovers package" Okay I made that name up as I have not heard one coined for it yet. But I did notice in an effort to beef up our run D against Atlanta we we used two typical "nose tackles" side by side (in this instance it was Fua and Fields). We probably used it against other teams as well but in going back and watching the games in chronological order this was the first time I noticed a heavy dose of it but we didn't add or incorporate Shirley or Kearse in until later in the season.

Edwards will def. upgrade this look once he returns.

I also think we will def. see more hybrid looks the year where we incorporate the 3-4 more. When we decided it to use it last year we tried just about anyone everywhere as we kind of tested the waters on 3-4 looks last year. Now that we have a better idea of who can do what effectively it should provide better results. Edwards(3-4 NT) and Applewhite(3-4 OLB) are the only front 7 players on the roster who have experience in these roles full time. My only request is that we never have to endure Norwood out there again, much like I never want to see Pugh again unless they both miraculously improve this offseason.

Who would you like to see used in the different packages and 3-4 looks next season?(yes I know its extremely premature debate at this point)

For me in the 3-4

NT-Edwards

End-Johnson, Hardy

ILB-Beason,Kuechly

OLB-Applewhite,Alexander

Buffalo Nickel back

any combo that does not include Pugh but i'm thinking it our top 3 safeties will be.

Godfrey,Martin and Smith

Nascar Package

END-Applewhite/Alexander

DT-Hardy and Johnson

Meatlover -pick 2 big run stuffing DT'S

Edwards and Shirley are my picks right now

*yes I know Shirley may not be on the roster next year but I am basing this off last years production.

Here are couple decent articles that go into more detail about each package and how the Giants used them.

Buffalo Nickel: http://www.nytimes.c...l/19giants.html

Nascar Package: http://www.denverpos...cos/ci_19896176

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Nice right up, unfortunately the Buffalo Nickel package still didn't do sh*t to help our run game because are third safety wasn't good enough.

This may be another reason we signed Reggie Smith and Haruki Nakamura

[SuperMan]

I for-see great improvement in our defense, top 15 overall and 45+ sacks.

[Peppers90 NC]

do u know if we ran any of the nickel packages with 4 lbr's and two down lineman(possibly hardy and johnson)? the olb may even get into a 3pt stance

[Ivan The Awesome]

I honestly believe Edwards will help out more than people give him credit for.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I honestly believe Edwards will help out more than people give him credit for.

He will but it will be interesting to see how a man of his age returns from an injury as severe as his.

The good news is Kearse, Shirley, and Neblett looked promising in the latter end of the season last year. One can only hope that OTA's, mini-camp, and training camp will greatly benefit McClain and Fua this year.

[pantherclaw]

Hardy would not line up as end, in a 34.

Linemen in a 34 are primarily used as space eaters, taking up blockers, allowing your outside linebackers to rush the passer and set the edge.

You also want your olb to be bigger in a 34.

Hardy and Applewhite would be good as olbs in the 34.

[DaCityKats]

i also think CJ would be a decent 3-4 LB he has the skill set and size similar to Tambi of the KC Chiefs. the 3-4 DE would be Neblett, McClain and Shirley guys who can offer a pass rush but also take on blockers in the running game and be responsiable for 2 holes. Kearse and Fua would also be NT.

[La Pantera]

I also think we will see some 4-4-3 this season.

[Ivan The Awesome]

He will but it will be interesting to see how a man of his age returns from an injury as severe as his.

The good news is Kearse, Shirley, and Neblett looked promising in the latter end of the season last year. One can only hope that OTA's, mini-camp, and training camp will greatly benefit McClain and Fua this year.

True, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. If he goes down again, it's probably the last chance he would have gotten. Especially with Kearse,Shirley, Neblett behind him waiting to get in there and start.

[panthers55]

Much of what we did last year was in response to the plethora of injuries as much as planned packages. We often put the best guys on the field regardless of position because that is who we had. I can't say that I want to run specific packages until I see what we have and we institute our base scheme this year. I expect us to try different things but it would be crazy to make too much out of what we did last year. We were in crisis mode and struggled to put the same guys on the field 2 weeks in a row.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Well going into the season, the Panthers had already said they were going to use the "Buffalo Nickel" package which is why I suggested that adding Reggie Smith and Nakamura would only sure up that defensive scheme along with getting all the injured players back, I think the "Buffalo Nickel" package might be a good defensive scheme for the Panthers in 2012.

[SuperMan]

I see improvemnt too. We get Beason back, with Kuech TD and a new squad of DBs. This defense is on the way up. Rivera has built better defenses than Fox has.

My point exactly, we couldn't run our Jim Johnson blitz schemes without our LB's.