Pro Football Focus: Hyping the Hybrids

A great look at how Von Miller could be used in Dennis Allen's new attacking style "4-3" defense.

10 months ago Eyecore13 7 comments 3 recs |

Comments

Great article, thanks for sharing

They list a few different ways to use players in a dual role, but this diagram I stole from the article is the one I’ve expected to see him in when he lines up as a DE. Now, I’m not so sure though.

The key to success in the ‘4-3 Under’ is two pieces: Your nose tackle and your SAM. With Miller, we certainly have the SAM part covered in that he’s a great edge rusher. But IMO, this formation is really predicated even moreso on having a NT that can command a double team.

The idea behind this is that you force the center and the guard to team up on the NT, so as to isolate your SAM on the edge going one on one with the TE (and Doom one-on-one with the LT). But again, if your NT in the middle of this lineup is occupying both the OC and the RG, then the RG is free to help out against Von Miller.

Do we have a nose guard that can consistently command double teams on passing downs? Honestly, I’m not sure. Our new starting D-Linemen are very good run-stuffers, great even, but Bunkley isn’t much of a pass rusher and is likely to be rotated out with Vickerson or Jarmon. Ty Warren has shown the ability in the past, albeit from a 3-4, and probably gives us our best chance.

So I guess the way I see it, now that Big Vick has become Little Vick, it’s probably up to Ty Warren. If he can’t command a double team in the middle, then Von is going to get the double teams (and less sacks) in this look – a look that Dennis Allen once admitted we’ll be using a lot.

I’m ecstatic about our new run-stuffing starters on the interior, but I can’t help but wanna kick Little Vick in the nuts. At 330 pounds, he, IMO, was supposed to be the nose guard.

OK, so Brian and The Johns really did very well at the Defensive Tackle position, especially considering the limited cash budget they likely had to work with. I no longer hear laughter from opposing RBs in my nightmares!!!

by Rodney A on Aug 3, 2011 8:39 AM MDT reply actions

Wasn't the 5/2 designed by a Colorado coach to counter Nebraska's solid running game?

My thinking is Allen will create a lot of ‘stunts’ and disquises where it looks like a 4/3 alignment and then it transforms into something different right around the set mark. Confusion and player assignments moving into a 3/4 or 5/2 from the original with possibily a DT move out to cover and a LBer (Haggan) taking his place. We saw a lot of different alignments with Mike Nolan when he was here and I liked what I saw for the most part. Never really telling your opponent your intent until the last second. It will be hard to get everybody onboard with such a short notice because it would require players knowing their specific jobs… I would love to see it though.

by bfree2bronc on Aug 3, 2011 3:57 PM MDT up reply actions

Nice find

I wrote something on this for MHR a while ago

Pretty much everyone uses a hybrid at one time or another these days.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Aug 3, 2011 8:54 AM MDT reply actions

I recall that

It was one of the best fanposts we’ve had here. Time for a reprint.

******* George Santayana described fanaticism as -- "redoubling your effort after you've forgotten your aim"

by Colinski on Aug 3, 2011 9:42 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

Excellent article

I’ve always been wary of the “defined roles” in football. I believe hybrid defenses, and even offenses, can be more of a threat than traditional schemes. As much as I don’t like Rex Ryan as a person, the guy is a genius when it comes to his progressive style of defense. Anyways, thanks for the read.

by danielsanchez06 on Aug 3, 2011 9:01 AM MDT reply actions

Josh McDaniels had the right idea, "hybred" personnel. He was just high on theory and short on maturity.

"Peace, a journey without distance to a place we have never left."

by BroncoCUbuffs on Aug 3, 2011 9:25 AM MDT reply actions

I think Nolan was the hybrid guy

It’s interesting that while Nolan was running the defense thye were used in a variety of ways and were effective for the most part. But as he and McD had their falling out the defense grew progressively worse. Not sure which was cause and which was effect, but 2010 would indicate that McD didn’t know as much about coaching defense as he thought he did.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Aug 3, 2011 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions