Comments on: Bent Gets Serious: Revisiting the Linebacker Roles in a 3-4 Defense

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:43:21 +0000

In recent years the SAM backer has become more of a pass rush threat than has been the case historically. In particular Shaun Phillips at san diego has racked up good numbers from the sam. The beauty of the 3-4 is the ability to disguise where the fourth rusher will come from. If the sam backer is purely a coverage guy i.e. Manny Lawson in sf the defense essentially becomes a 4-3 but weaker against the run.

By: Bent

Bent — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:19:05 +0000

OK, I fixed the intro (I can’t tell you how annoyed with myself I am about that).

I know the Jets have been starting with Pace at ROLB and that Harris has been playing on the weakside at times (although presumably his role is still more “TED like” than Bartons?), but this post was intended to highlight where logic would have certain players playing, assuming the move to a more conventional scheme. If the Jets do something else and it works, then I applaud their creativity (or maybe Nikolas is right and they just don’t know what they’re doing!)

I didn’t realise that about Ellis (I did check some footage from 2006 and you are right – they were occasionally on opposite sides, but on passing downs only) – this only makes Thomas’ position being on the left all the more baffling, but I’m sure there’s a reason. Maybe it’s that one of their best playmakers is Rhodes and therefore whichever side he is on affects the alignment of everyone else? I’m open to suggestions…

Basically, I am sure they’ll continue to mix and match, but I’d be interested to get your observations from tonight.

——–

Off topic:

RK: well, the jealous Aussies have been complaining that most of the golds were in events where you have to sit down (rowing, canoeing, cycling, etc) so we’re obviously good at that! The serious answer is that a lot of money has been invested into UK sport, particularly since we won the right to host in 2012. Get ready for some Olympic hooliganism in four years!

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:51:21 +0000

We still need to show that we can stop the run consistently before our D takes the next step. I’m hoping it will happen sooner rather than waiting until later in the year. This should be a fun year for New York Jets football, and a big year on D. Although the D has made me nervous so far in the preseason.

By: bent

bent — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:54:50 +0000

my bad on that. I had it right through the rest of the article. The intro should refer to the weakside, otherwise it’s correct. Thanks for the catch – will amend later

By: nyckage

nyckage — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:31:29 +0000

Man , i really wanted Harris to break 200 tackles but if it means being a better defense then by all means , i really expect barton to atleats get 130 tackles and pace to get 7 sacks and thomas 8 sacks and gholston about 6 sacks they should atleats be able to do that

By: bilal

bilal — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:18:59 +0000

Good post but correct me if I’m wrong. Ellis did not play the weakside DE last year at all. He is and always will be a strongside DE, in the 4/3 or 3/4. Coleman was definitely the weakside DE because in the 3/4 this position is more like a second tackle. So BT was usually playing on the same side with Ellis.

Gholston seemed to be used in two roles against the skins. Backing up BT at strongside LB or having his hands down as the 4th DE on the weakside.

You made a good point in why Hobson wasn’t used on the inside but it still doesn’t make sense that he was moved over to the weakside so he could deal with the top LT’s. Even in the 4/3 he was a good strongside LB so they should have kept them there, but of course, they probably know alot more about the defense they run than I do.

I’m sure there will be plays where you see Ellis, gholston, BT and Pace all out there at the same time.

By: RK

RK — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:50:06 +0000

And true Harvlis the TE dictates strong side often but it is also the side with the overload of players esp. when there is no TE or there are double TE.

And I have a question Bent. How can such a small island such as England win so many medals in the Olympics?

By: RK

RK — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:47:18 +0000

Nice piece Bent.

While I agree with you in principal I noticed that Pace was covering the right side on most of his plays and B. Thomas was on the left in the Wash game. Also Gholston seemed to get placed on the right and left when in. Probably more plays on the left but I’d bet it was close to even.

Harris, for his added bulk, has great quickness and sped into the backfield to make plays when he read the run during the preseason so far. I personally think he and Barton will alternate rolls to confuse the O.

Also, just to note, Jenkins was very involved in plays that were away from him and he chases the ball like a rabid pitbull. I can’t be happier with that acquisition.

This D looks very versatile and as Greg Buttle mentioned will throw a lot of looks and players at the O so they can’t get into a groove and be comfortable with the abilities of the personnel they face on any given down.

By: reprocity

reprocity — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:11:44 +0000

Technically, Systems differ as to what the strong side is. Some systems play where the O is on the field and the formation as a combo. If the O is on the left hash mark and the TE is on the left (Short side), some systems still consider the right side to be the strong side. The majority of systems do fallow the TE though.

By: Reprocity

Reprocity — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:07:18 +0000

Mixing and matching to say the least! Murrell has ligned up every where. Has anyone seen BT at ILB yet? I dont think they need to show their blits packages in the preseason so I’d expect another vanilla outing. Go JETS!!!!