I think Slowik has changed defensive assignments two much, creating too many mental mistakes, and taking players out of what they do best.  This has led to inconsistency, big plays, and not having any defensive strength to play off of.  It has also slowed the development of our young players, like Moss and Crowder.

We have run straight 4-3, with backers back; 4-3 with the SAM up on the edge; 3-4 with backers up and back, various nickel and dime packages (3-2-6, 4-2-5, 3-3-5).  And others to boot.  And in all thes intial alignments, we have changed up in multiple ways the gap responsibilities and coverage responsibilites of players.  So what happened to the pre-season talk about his one gap defense simplifying things so players can just play?  Even though all these defenses have been one gap, there have been too many variations for the consistency we need, and it takes us out of certain player strengths.

So, what are our strengths?  Linebacker speed, corner coverage (when aligned properly), and a couple of high motor lineman like Dumervil, and I believe Moss, if given a chance.  So here is the defense I think we should run most of the time.

Secondary:

I agree with HT that we need to play cover 2 zone, with man under technique.  Champ and Bly need to play aggressive underneath man.  If they know they have deep help, then they can be aggressive and make the interceptions we have seen in year's past.  I also agree with others, that Champ needs to man up with the #1 WR, Bly on the #2, and Jack Williams on the #3.  This is the primary defense the Raiders play, and their results are much better than anything we have done the last couple of years.  And Bly and Champ and Jack Williams are just as good as their top 3 CBs.  Also, if we stick to a simple cover two deep assignment for our safeties, then I think we can and should try playing Barrett at safety, as he has the best speed and size.

Front Seven:

Has anyone else noticed how fast DJ can get in the backfield, when he is lined up on the edge and told to fly to the ball?  Has anyone noticed last year, how well Dumervil can get to the passer, when he is blocked man to man, and he is focused simply on the pass rush?  Anyone else notice that Boss Bailey gets on the back and TE coverage when in tight coverage versus when he has to read and react in a zone drop?  Here is the unorhodox but best answer.

A five man front, with 3 DT types on the interior (or at least with Crowder or Ekuban as power ends on one end, with 2 DTs inside), with Dumervil outside technique on the TE side, and with DJ lined up on the edge on the weakside.  Both DJ and Dumervil are to crash to the RB or QB, or read and react to dump passes to RBs on the edge.  The 3 interior lineman play run, bull rush, and stop draws and middle screens.  Our Inside LB plays in the middle and flows to the TB for tackle or coverage.  Boss plays man to man on the TE, and follows him in motion wherever he goes. 

With five on the line of scrimmage, Dumervil will have man on man blocks, DJ can use his speed to crash and chase from behind, and our interior is plugged with 3 DTs.  Also with, our CBs tighter and safeties deep, we can send corner blitzes.  We can also run a safety down at the snap to cover the TE or fill the middle, and allow Boss or  Webster to blitz.

We may have seen a similar basid defense defensive alignment when DJ blew up that 3rd and short at the end of the N.O.'s game, but I think we should run this defense most plays (except for goal line and 3rd and really long).  And while it would not be perfect, we would create a lot more negative plays and big plays, and we would play into our own personel strengths.