Lion: running the 3-3-5

[scpanther22]

Do any other teams run this in the NFL?

To say the Lions’ roster has changed over the last four months would be a gross understatement.

Since general manager Martin Mayhew and team president Tom Lewand permanently took over in late December, the specific goal on defense has been to get multidimensional players as well as get bigger and stronger along the line.

Detroit has added numerous starting-caliber players since that philosophy was adopted, some seasoned veterans and some younger players looking to get into their prime.

“They’ve brought in a whole lot of new faces on both sides of the ball,” said linebacker Ernie Sims. “On defense, you’ve got a lot of defensive linemen and some new DBs. They’re just trying to make it real competitive and I’ve got no problem with that because I’ve got no problem competing. They made it so we can push each other, so we’re going to keep coming out here and working hard.”

For Sims, a fourth-year pro drafted ninth-overall by the Lions in 2006, the changes made on the defensive side of the ball – both from a personnel and scheme standpoint – have been positive.

Looking at his position group, Detroit added an experienced veteran in Julian Peterson early in the free agent signing period. Mayhew specifically targeted the 10-year vet in early March, ultimately trading defensive tackle Cory Redding and a fifth-round draft pick to the Seahawks in exchange for Peterson.

“It’s been good. We’ve actually built a good relationship,” said Sims. “He’s been in the league for 10-plus years. He’s seen a lot and been through a lot. Anything that I have problems with, as far something I need help with, he’s always welcome to help me out. It’s always good to have a veteran on your side.”

Having both Peterson and Sims on the outside adds multiple dimensions to the Lions’ defense.

Peterson is a pass-rush threat and the Lions will put him in that position, most likely in third down situations. Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham plans to run plays with only three down linemen, making Peterson one of those outside rushers.

“I have a scheme where there’s only three linemen and three linebackers, five DBs – we call it quarter,” said Cunningham.

Cunningham says a lot of coaches don’t let defenses get that formation on the field because there is so much that can be run out of it. Teams will switch to a hurry-up offense.

That formation will not only allow Peterson to rush the passer, but it will allow Cunningham to blitz a player like Sims. Cunningham isn’t shy regarding his love for the blitz and plans on utilizing his linebackers, corners and safeties.

“To me, it’s about deception and that’s what offenses are doing to the defense with the multiple-formation scheme,” said Cunningham. “It really shows what offenses can do. Well, we’re going to try to counter that and be multiple on defense with different blitzes.”

Thus far, Detroit’s defensive players like the scheme Cunningham and Head Coach Jim Schwartz have put together.

It has the Lions’ defensive ends out wide with the task of funneling the run game inside to the defensive tackles and linebackers. Sims is familiar with that kind of defense, having played something similar to it at Florida State.

Full article here

http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=484561

[panthers55]

Do any other teams run this in the NFL?

Full article here

http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=484561

As a base scheme I doubt it. He is essentially opening up in a nickel look all the time. It will work on passing downs but I think it will susceptible to the run. if he is putting his DEs/DTs at the 9 technique and his nose tackle at the 0 technique he has a huge area between the guards and tackles which will have to be filled by the linebackers. Those guys will be going up against linemen who are 50-70 lbs heavier then they are. Unless they are putting one or two safeties in the box they are going to get run over all day. A team like us would have a field day unless they brought more guys in the box.

[chbright]

lol, i bet if they do the vikings can mark 2 wins down right now. ap and that line would love to get the box full of DBs.

[hdevonxz]

article about the lions=fail

[Squirrel]

WVU uses it as there base defense pretty effective. But the lions are going to gashed by running teams.

[SKULL]

AP = Vikes

Forte= Bears

They will get tested 4 games per season in their division

[thefuzz]

Pats and Chargers use it every once in a while, IIRC, but not as a base.

[scpanther22]

well a lot of people said the spread would never work in the NFL..but teams are geting closer to running it...full time

[AKPantherFan]

i seriously doubt the guy allows his defense to set-up with that formation as a base.

I bet it is an adjustment once the defensive captain see's what offensive look there getting.

i hope

[scpanther22]

i seriously doubt the guy allows his defense to set-up with that formation as a base.

I bet it is an adjustment once the defensive captain see's what offensive look there getting.

i hope

I don’t think it will be there base…but they said they will run extensively from the 3-3-5 not just a couple of plays a game.

[goodlay]

I hope it isn't their base formation, that would be lulz.

[Snake]

I like the 3-3-5 but as said before its not a base but a sub package.

[jramsey4]

I like the 3-3-4 but as said before its not a base but a sub package.

holy crap this formation is so good it only needs 10 players.

[TerriblePizza]

South Carolina ran the 3-3-5 a lot this year.