How good is this defense?

[ukcolt]

I like what i am seeing generally, but we did face a fairly easy schedule, and played some of the weakest QB's i could imagine throughout an entire season. So might need to temper expectations in these playoffs and next season.

Week 1 Andy Dalton - Joe Mixon
Week 2 Alex Smith - Adrian Peterson
Week 3 Carson Wentz making his seasons debut coming back from serious injury - Josh Adams
Week 4 DeShaun Watson - Lamar Miller
Week 5 Tom Brady - James White
Week 6 Sam Darnold - Isaiah Crowell
Week 7 Derek Anderson - LeSean McCoy
Week 8 Derek Carr - Doug Martin
Week 9 Bye
Week 10 Blake Bortles - Leonard Fournette
Week 11 Marcus Mariota/Blaine Gabbert - Derrick Henry
Week 12 Ryan Tannehill - Frank Gore
Week 13 Cody Kessler - Carlos Hyde
Week 14 DeShaun Watson - Lamar Miller
Week 15 Dak Prescott - Ezekiel Elliott
Week 16 Eli Manning - Saquon Barkley
Week 17 Blaine Gabbert - Derrick Henry

We managed to avoid most of the seasons leading passers in Roethlisberger, Mahomes, Ryan, Goff, Rodgers, Rivers, Cousins. I don't think i would consider any of the QB's whom we faced this season to have been pro bowl worthy.

Against the run throughout the entire season we have been very good, and we have faced some of the leagues best here.

I think we have a very nice platform to build from, but this defense is far from the finished article and would be ripped apart in my opinion by some of the better offenses/QB's in the league as it stands now.

Thankfully we are also playing well on offense, so who knows, maybe we can play ball with the top teams in these playoffs, fingers crossed that's the case.

[rcubed]

agree. even though, we are much further along than anyone imagined at the beginning of the season. it might not be great yet but its good and has done especially well shutting down some of the better running games in the league. another off season and some added talent and we could have something special. things are trending well for this team.

[omahacolt]

The defense has definitely been helped out by inept offenses. They have been much better than I thought they would be

[Dam8610]

This team still needs a pass rush and DL depth. Half of this DL or more will need to be replaced within 2-3 seasons, and this defense needs an elite pass rusher.

[Luck4Reich]

I guess we will see in the playoffs if we get past Texans and play very good to elite QB. I think Rivers and Mahomes might light this D up for 45+. I hope I would be wrong.

[Chromeburn]

You can only play the schedule you're given. In the second half of the season, the defense has played very well and has been top ten ranked. They shut out a hot Cowboys team. They have shut down some of the best runners in the league.

That said, for this scheme to be really effective they need to be able to pressure with just the front four. The Bears defense is the ideal model. We probably won't find a Khalil Mack, but we do need better interior and outside pass rush. Everything will improve if that does.

I will say that a lot of the players are growing and getting better. Kenny Moore has been growing by leaps and bounds.

[DragonTails]

I like what i am seeing generally, but we did face a fairly easy schedule, and played some of the weakest QB's i could imagine throughout an entire season. So might need to temper expectations in these playoffs and next season.

Week 1 Andy Dalton - Joe Mixon
Week 2 Alex Smith - Adrian Peterson
Week 3 Carson Wentz making his seasons debut coming back from serious injury - Josh Adams
Week 4 DeShaun Watson - Lamar Miller
Week 5 Tom Brady - James White
Week 6 Sam Darnold - Isaiah Crowell
Week 7 Derek Anderson - LeSean McCoy
Week 8 Derek Carr - Doug Martin
Week 9 Bye
Week 10 Blake Bortles - Leonard Fournette
Week 11 Marcus Mariota/Blaine Gabbert - Derrick Henry
Week 12 Ryan Tannehill - Frank Gore
Week 13 Cody Kessler - Carlos Hyde
Week 14 DeShaun Watson - Lamar Miller
Week 15 Dak Prescott - Ezekiel Elliott
Week 16 Eli Manning - Saquon Barkley
Week 17 Blaine Gabbert - Derrick Henry

We managed to avoid most of the seasons leading passers in Roethlisberger, Mahomes, Ryan, Goff, Rodgers, Rivers, Cousins. I don't think i would consider any of the QB's whom we faced this season to have been pro bowl worthy.

Against the run throughout the entire season we have been very good, and we have faced some of the leagues best here.

I think we have a very nice platform to build from, but this defense is far from the finished article and would be ripped apart in my opinion by some of the better offenses/QB's in the league as it stands now.

Thankfully we are also playing well on offense, so who knows, maybe we can play ball with the top teams in these playoffs, fingers crossed that's the case.

We'll I guess we'll find out next year when we play a bunch of those - on the road too.

[FatDT]

Agree that they’ve feasted on some bad QBs. That isn’t their fault obviously.

I think there are some obvious problems. They still vacate and concede the middle of the field too often which can lead to long drives. They still play too far off the receiver on 3rd down at times. They’ve done well without a premier pass rusher but as someone else said, adding one of those would help the entire defense significantly. An improved NT would help as well.

Overall I’m impressed with the job Eberflus has done.

[Oldcolt]

This defense kind of reminds me of the Miami no name defenses of 1972. The sum seems much better than the individual parts, ie they play as a team. I don’t think they are as good as Miami but what the hell do I know. I never in my wildest dreams thought that they would be as good as they are now. I’m beginning to believe. If Kelly can come back I think it makes our offensive line dominant and maybe, just maybe the football gods will take us to Atlanta

[HoosierinFL]

Well the browns have put in a request to interview Eberflus.


Fuck.

[HoosierinFL]

Here is a good visualization of how good Darius Leonard has been this year:

https://m.imgur.com/a/9S4Ddrx

[NJColtsFan]

Good enough to beat Houston again.

[sherck]

Here is a good visualization of how good Darius Leonard has been this year:



https://m.imgur.com/a/9S4DdrxHoly crud, that is amazing.

Leads all LBs in sacks, FF and tackles and is at least tied for second in INTs, PDs and Tackle For Losses.

That is amazing. The rook is killing it.

Walk Worthy,

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Dam8610]

I guess we will see in the playoffs if we get past Texans and play very good to elite QB. I think Rivers and Mahomes might light this D up for 45+. I hope I would be wrong.

I doubt Leonard would let that happen. I do believe he is that special.

[omahacolt]

I doubt Leonard would let that happen. I do believe he is that special.

The jets put up over 40. Did he allow that?

Dumb post

[Dam8610]

The jets put up over 40. Did he allow that?

Dumb post

Well I suppose if the offense gives up a TD and puts the other team in FG range to start the drive 3 other times, essentially giving up 16 points themselves, then there might be nothing Leonard can do about it. That said, since that game, the Colts have allowed the fewest points in the NFL both overall and on a per game basis.

[HoosierinFL]

Here is the same graph but with the other DROY candidates
https://m.imgur.com/k9Eggca

[omahacolt]

Well I suppose if the offense gives up a TD and puts the other team in FG range to start the drive 3 other times, essentially giving up 16 points themselves, then there might be nothing Leonard can do about it. That said, since that game, the Colts have allowed the fewest points in the NFL both overall and on a per game basis.

Leonard is one player. He only has so much of an impact.


The colts defense has been largely helped out by playing trash offenses.

[Chromeburn]

Holy crud, that is amazing.

Leads all LBs in sacks, FF and tackles and is at least tied for second in INTs, PDs and Tackle For Losses.

That is amazing. The rook is killing it.

Walk Worthy,

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Too bad he isn't pro bowl worthy

[Spike]

Too bad he isn't pro bowl worthy

Pro Bowl is shit, but he definitely should have made it. And Rivers and Brady over Luck is total bullshit.

[DrSpaceman]

This defense is good enough to consistently stop bad, mediocre to above average QBs.

Still don't think its good enough to stop Good to great QBs.

[Dam8610]

Leonard is one player. He only has so much of an impact.


The colts defense has been largely helped out by playing trash offenses.

One player can sometimes have a very big impact.

The Colts can only play their schedule. Plus some of these "trash offenses" dropped some pretty big numbers on some of the best scoring defenses in the league.

[DrSpaceman]

I don't think the Colts played "trash" offenses this year.

But they played few of the top ones, at least in terms of QBs

I would say most would agree the list of top 10 QBs includes, no particular order, and we will exclude Luck :

1. Brees
2. Rodgers, though GB had an off year
3. Brady, grudgingly admitted
4. Raper-burger
5. Rivers this year was great, most years I would not put him on this list
6. Matt Ryan
7. Mahommes, new to the list this season
8. Brees
9. Russell Wilson
10. Jared Goff to round it out, especially given how good the offense has been

You may agree/disagree on a few, but 8/10 or so I would say most would agree on.

Colts have played exactly one of those 10 so far, and they lost, to brady.

now that was a strike shortened week and without Leonard and Walker too I think at LB, but still, a loss

Haven't faced any of the other 10 so far this year

After that there is a large group of middling to good, or up and coming QBs. Watson, Trubisky, Stafford, Wentz when healthy (and he is not), Cam Newton when healthy (again, not now), Dak Prescott, Eli, Kirk Cousins, some others. They have faced some of those and had success

Out of the top 10 or so for the year, besides Luck, though, did not have to face them this season, except Brady

[Chromeburn]

Pro Bowl is shit, but he definitely should have made it. And Rivers and Brady over Luck is total bullshit.

So I found this hilarious in Peter King's projections

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/01/nfl-awards-2018-mvp-brees-mahomes-rookie-year-barkley-baker-coach-year?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=themmqb

Leonard finishes 7th in DPOY on here. The only rookie on the list.

BUT, he finishes 3rd in DROY voting. How the fuck does that work?

[Butter]

So I found this hilarious in Peter King's projections

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/01/nfl-awards-2018-mvp-brees-mahomes-rookie-year-barkley-baker-coach-year?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=themmqb

Leonard finishes 7th in DPOY on here. The only rookie on the list.

BUT, he finishes 3rd in DROY voting. How the fuck does that work?

Weird mental gymnastics. I sometimes wonder if King really even follows the game or if he justs mines his years of contacts.

[Chaka]

Weird mental gymnastics. I sometimes wonder if King really even follows the game or if he justs mines his years of contacts.

That article isn't Peter King's - he left SI and is now at NBC.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/12/31/nfl-fmia-week-17-wild-card-playoffs-black-monday-peter-king/

[Chromeburn]

That article isn't Peter King's - he left SI and is now at NBC.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/12/31/nfl-fmia-week-17-wild-card-playoffs-black-monday-peter-king/

Yup, forgot about that. Run by albert Breer now? Still, doesn't make sense though.

[omahacolt]

So I found this hilarious in Peter King's projections

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/01/nfl-awards-2018-mvp-brees-mahomes-rookie-year-barkley-baker-coach-year?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=themmqb

Leonard finishes 7th in DPOY on here. The only rookie on the list.

BUT, he finishes 3rd in DROY voting. How the fuck does that work?

It doesn’t work. It is moronic

[Dam8610]

So I found this hilarious in Peter King's projections

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/01/nfl-awards-2018-mvp-brees-mahomes-rookie-year-barkley-baker-coach-year?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=themmqb

Leonard finishes 7th in DPOY on here. The only rookie on the list.

BUT, he finishes 3rd in DROY voting. How the fuck does that work?

Multiple people voting with a few that really like Leonard and the rest that are dumb.

[Chromeburn]

Leonard's reaction when he hears 40 tackles are impossible

https://www.instagram.com/p/Brk8s26liU8/

[Racehorse]

I don't think the Colts played "trash" offenses this year.

But they played few of the top ones, at least in terms of QBs

I would say most would agree the list of top 10 QBs includes, no particular order, and we will exclude Luck :

1. Brees
2. Rodgers, though GB had an off year
3. Brady, grudgingly admitted
4. Raper-burger
5. Rivers this year was great, most years I would not put him on this list
6. Matt Ryan
7. Mahommes, new to the list this season
8. Brees
9. Russell Wilson
10. Jared Goff to round it out, especially given how good the offense has been

You may agree/disagree on a few, but 8/10 or so I would say most would agree on.

Colts have played exactly one of those 10 so far, and they lost, to brady.

now that was a strike shortened week and without Leonard and Walker too I think at LB, but still, a loss

Haven't faced any of the other 10 so far this year

After that there is a large group of middling to good, or up and coming QBs. Watson, Trubisky, Stafford, Wentz when healthy (and he is not), Cam Newton when healthy (again, not now), Dak Prescott, Eli, Kirk Cousins, some others. They have faced some of those and had success

Out of the top 10 or so for the year, besides Luck, though, did not have to face them this season, except Brady
This got me curious, so I went to see how each QB we played fared against us compared with their season. I will show details later, but it seems like just Brady, Eli and Darnold were much better against us when you consider yards and TDs. The Jets game was atrocious for our offense, so that explains that one. Brady DID throw two INTs against us, compared to 11 for the year. Then you see how we held Prescott and Watsonin check, for the most part. Looks like our defense is a little better than the top half, possibly 12th?

[Maniac]

Leonard was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 17.

[albany ed]

IMO, this defense is pretty strong vs. the run and pretty weak vs the pass. Shoring up the pass defense for next year should be the #1 priority.

We need a better pass rush, stronger CB play and some help at LBer pass defense. At least the first 2 draft choices should be for the D. Depth for the OL would be good as well.

[Racehorse]

IMO, this defense is pretty strong vs. the run and pretty weak vs the pass. Shoring up the pass defense for next year should be the #1 priority.

We need a better pass rush, stronger CB play and some help at LBer pass defense. At least the first 2 draft choices should be for the D. Depth for the OL would be good as well.

I didn't even look to see how we did for RBs versus their average, since we held every RB we faced under 100 yards. That list includes Fournette, Zeke, Saquon, Henry, and probably another that I am missing.

Now, that could be because teams can pass on us pretty well, but to be able to stuff third and short as often as we have bodes well for the playoffs.

[YDFL Commish]

I can't remember the last time the Colts did not allow a 100 yd rusher through an entire regular season?

Maybe the '95 team?

[Colts And Orioles]

I can't remember the last time the Colts did not allow a 100 yd rusher through an entire regular season?

Maybe the '95 team?



o


Very close.

Bernie Parmalee had 102 yards when the Colts played the Dolphins, and Curtis Martin had 103 yards in the season finale against the Patriots.


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199511260clt.htm


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199512230clt.htm

o

[Chromeburn]

IMO, this defense is pretty strong vs. the run and pretty weak vs the pass. Shoring up the pass defense for next year should be the #1 priority.

We need a better pass rush, stronger CB play and some help at LBer pass defense. At least the first 2 draft choices should be for the D. Depth for the OL would be good as well.

Our secondary has improved a lot over the course of the season. Improved interior and exterior pass rush will make them even better and cause more turnovers. Add some pieces to the dline. Maybe another vet for the secondary. Another weapon or two on offense and I think this team will be very well rounded.

[southside asshole]

Our secondary has improved a lot over the course of the season. Improved interior and exterior pass rush will make them even better and cause more turnovers. Add some pieces to the dline. Maybe another vet for the secondary. Another weapon or two on offense and I think this team will be very well rounded.

I mostly agree.

I think the most glaring need for the defense is a good nose tackle type. You add a big nasty NT who requires consistent double-teams to the D-line, and we can start generating pressure rushing 4 out of our base cover zone, and actually cover some of that underneath stuff on 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations. As is it, we allow teams to convert on 3rd and long way too often over the middle of the field, because we have send LBs and DBs after the quarterback.

On offense, I'd like to see another consistent deep threat at WR. If we had another guy like Hilton who could pose a decision for opposing defenses on who to double-cover, with the line we have, this offense becomes almost impossible to stop.

[Chromeburn]

I mostly agree.

I think the most glaring need for the defense is a good nose tackle type. You add a big nasty NT who requires consistent double-teams to the D-line, and we can start generating pressure rushing 4 out of our base cover zone, and actually cover some of that underneath stuff on 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations. As is it, we allow teams to convert on 3rd and long way too often over the middle of the field, because we have send LBs and DBs after the quarterback.

On offense, I'd like to see another consistent deep threat at WR. If we had another guy like Hilton who could pose a decision for opposing defenses on who to double-cover, with the line we have, this offense becomes almost impossible to stop.

Dexter Lawrence of Clemson is a 350lb man who moves like a 280lb one. He will be a NT at the next level but can also give you some pass rush and athleticism. Most nose tackles are not going to rush the passer much and are there to discourage the run. On passing downs, they still might have to double him. He might be around when we pick, that's a big might. For DT myself I like OSU's Dra'Mont Jones. A little undersized but very advanced technique-wise for a college DT and was well coached. Can play all over the line. And seems made for a Tampa-2 defense.

This WR class kind scares me. I think there is some fools gold in it. I want to see combine results before I really start making judgments. But Hollywood Brown of OK, Parris Cambell of OSU, Riley Ridley of Georgia are all projected to do well on the 40. I like those guys a little better than some of the bigger receivers in this draft.

[DrSpaceman]

I mostly agree.

I think the most glaring need for the defense is a good nose tackle type. You add a big nasty NT who requires consistent double-teams to the D-line, and we can start generating pressure rushing 4 out of our base cover zone, and actually cover some of that underneath stuff on 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations. As is it, we allow teams to convert on 3rd and long way too often over the middle of the field, because we have send LBs and DBs after the quarterback.

On offense, I'd like to see another consistent deep threat at WR. If we had another guy like Hilton who could pose a decision for opposing defenses on who to double-cover, with the line we have, this offense becomes almost impossible to stop.

How about Antonio Brown?

They are even old friends

That would be awesome, though I know its not likely to happen

[YDFL Commish]

I mostly agree.

I think the most glaring need for the defense is a good nose tackle type. You add a big nasty NT who requires consistent double-teams to the D-line, and we can start generating pressure rushing 4 out of our base cover zone, and actually cover some of that underneath stuff on 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations. As is it, we allow teams to convert on 3rd and long way too often over the middle of the field, because we have send LBs and DBs after the quarterback.

On offense, I'd like to see another consistent deep threat at WR. If we had another guy like Hilton who could pose a decision for opposing defenses on who to double-cover, with the line we have, this offense becomes almost impossible to stop.

I've gotta disagree. The interior pass rush has been the strength. We have gotten virtually nothing from the EDGE rush. Also the plan is, to eventually move Lewis inside.

However, the strength of the draft is inside rushers.

I'm fine with whatever Ballard decides to do. We need help on all levels of the defense and at WR.

[omahacolt]

I mostly agree.

I think the most glaring need for the defense is a good nose tackle type. You add a big nasty NT who requires consistent double-teams to the D-line, and we can start generating pressure rushing 4 out of our base cover zone, and actually cover some of that underneath stuff on 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations. As is it, we allow teams to convert on 3rd and long way too often over the middle of the field, because we have send LBs and DBs after the quarterback.

On offense, I'd like to see another consistent deep threat at WR. If we had another guy like Hilton who could pose a decision for opposing defenses on who to double-cover, with the line we have, this offense becomes almost impossible to stop.
I think a dominating 3 tech is always better than the nt.

[FatDT]

I would take a Ngata in his prime over most 3 techs but he was a rare player.

[Butter]

How about Antonio Brown?

They are even old friends

That would be awesome, though I know its not likely to happen

No! dude fucking went awol and walked out on his team. Fuck that Diva BS.

[Pez]

I mostly agree.



I think the most glaring need for the defense is a good nose tackle type. You add a big nasty NT who requires consistent double-teams to the D-line, and we can start generating pressure rushing 4 out of our base cover zone, and actually cover some of that underneath stuff on 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations. As is it, we allow teams to convert on 3rd and long way too often over the middle of the field, because we have send LBs and DBs after the quarterback.



On offense, I'd like to see another consistent deep threat at WR. If we had another guy like Hilton who could pose a decision for opposing defenses on who to double-cover, with the line we have, this offense becomes almost impossible to stop.I'm probably going to get roasted for something stupid, but in a 4-3 there are just two tackles and two ends. I thought nt was a 3-4 kind of thing that lines up over center, or on the a gap to his shoulders?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Pez]

No! dude fucking went awol and walked out on his team. Fuck that Diva BS.Agree... after two superstars pull what appears to be diva shit, you have to wonder if Tomlin or Roethlisberger are the real divas, and everyone is just sick of their shit.

How would we feel if marvin and edgerrin sat out on purpose?

They are both acting like Josh McDaniels

[Dam8610]

I'm probably going to get roasted for something stupid, but in a 4-3 there are just two tackles and two ends. I thought nt was a 3-4 kind of thing that lines up over center, or on the a gap to his shoulders?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

4-3 defenses have NTs, they're just typically not as big and more athletic than 3-4 NTs, and they typically aren't asked to 2 gap as much.

[YDFL Commish]

4-3 defenses have NTs, they're just typically not as big and more athletic than 3-4 NTs, and they typically aren't asked to 2 gap as much.

Technically wrong. They are often asked to 2-gap. But the theory is that they are quick enough and stout enough to to split the gap, therefor requiring two blockers.

Hunt's numbers have gone down playing the NT, but anyone who watches him play can see how disruptive he is as splitting the gap.

[Dam8610]

Technically wrong. They are often asked to 2-gap. But the theory is that they are quick enough and stout enough to to split the gap, therefor requiring two blockers.

Hunt's numbers have gone down playing the NT, but anyone who watches him play can see how disruptive he is as splitting the gap.

A 3-4 NT is asked to 2 gap much more than a 4-3 NT, unless the 3-4 is coached by Wade Phillips.

[Chromeburn]

a 3-4 NT is asked to control the gap which means taking on double teams consistently, usually watching both A gaps. But they are looking to keep blockers off their LB's. They are space eaters and that is about it.

A tampa-2 NT is asked to split the gap. There is a difference. He is working upfield to disrupt the play and get into the backfield much. Omaha is correct your better and probably more important DT in this defense is the 3-tech. But you can have good DT's at both positions. Booger played the NT role for the Bucs a lot. There is a difference. But lots of 3-techs in this draft at the top, we should try to grab one considering the age of quality of our DT's. Your NT in this D wants to get upfield and also maintain gap integrity, meaning you don't want to allow lanes for the RB to squeak through.

[omahacolt]

I'm probably going to get roasted for something stupid, but in a 4-3 there are just two tackles and two ends. I thought nt was a 3-4 kind of thing that lines up over center, or on the a gap to his shoulders?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

4-3 uses a nt. Although it is kind of generic. Dlineman seem more creative in where they line up than say 15 years ago. Or maybe I just pay more attention.

Regardless, a 4-3 team uses a nt shaded off the center but is generally used in a more attacking fashion than a 3-4 nt.

[YDFL Commish]

a 3-4 NT is asked to control the gap which means taking on double teams consistently, usually watching both A gaps. But they are looking to keep blockers off their LB's. They are space eaters and that is about it.

A tampa-2 NT is asked to split the gap. There is a difference. He is working upfield to disrupt the play and get into the backfield much. Omaha is correct your better and probably more important DT in this defense is the 3-tech. But you can have good DT's at both positions. Booger played the NT role for the Bucs a lot. There is a difference. But lots of 3-techs in this draft at the top, we should try to grab one considering the age of quality of our DT's. Your NT in this D wants to get upfield and also maintain gap integrity, meaning you don't want to allow lanes for the RB to squeak through.


Hence, 3-technique vs 1-technique.

[southside asshole]

I've gotta disagree. The interior pass rush has been the strength. We have gotten virtually nothing from the EDGE rush. Also the plan is, to eventually move Lewis inside.


We're getting interior rush by moving more prototypical edge rush types inside. If we had a dedicated starting NT (or 3-tech DT, as others have pointed out), it would open up more possibilities to move guys like Autry and Hunt around and scheme pressure from the front 4 more consistently. That's my thinking, but I could be an idiot.

[FatDT]

To make this more complicated, Eberflus comes from Dallas, where Marinelli's DL are a bit more unconventional than your standard base package 4-3 DL. In 2017 none of the starters weighed over 300 lbs. The strongside DE and 3 tech DT were, and I think still are, somewhat interchangeable.

We have differences. Al Woods and Grover Stewart are more traditional 1 tech NTs. But as mentioned sometimes Hunt plays NT, sometimes 3T, sometimes base end. There's a lot of variability based on context.

I think Eberflus has preferences, but is going to tailor the attack toward what his players can do.

[rcubed]

In the tacks game, they announcers referenced our interior DL lining up a in the A gaps which was disrupting the run game a lot and was A-typical in a 4-3. I admittedly dont know a ton about DL positioning, but it seems to go towards what you guys are saying in that Eberflus doesnt stick to the "old norms"

[Pez]

This is why I come to this site....

[Chromeburn]

Hence, 3-technique vs 1-technique.

Yes, but not everyone knows the difference.

[Dam8610]

a 3-4 NT is asked to control the gap which means taking on double teams consistently, usually watching both A gaps. But they are looking to keep blockers off their LB's. They are space eaters and that is about it.

A tampa-2 NT is asked to split the gap. There is a difference. He is working upfield to disrupt the play and get into the backfield much. Omaha is correct your better and probably more important DT in this defense is the 3-tech. But you can have good DT's at both positions. Booger played the NT role for the Bucs a lot. There is a difference. But lots of 3-techs in this draft at the top, we should try to grab one considering the age of quality of our DT's. Your NT in this D wants to get upfield and also maintain gap integrity, meaning you don't want to allow lanes for the RB to squeak through.

A much more eloquent way to put what I was trying to communicate quickly.

In the tacks game, they announcers referenced our interior DL lining up a in the A gaps which was disrupting the run game a lot and was A-typical in a 4-3. I admittedly dont know a ton about DL positioning, but it seems to go towards what you guys are saying in that Eberflus doesnt stick to the "old norms"

When they reference "gaps", they're referencing the space between OLs (or in some cases, a OL and a TE). What the announcer was pointing out by saying that the DTs were lining up in both A gaps was that the DTs were lining up on either side of the Center in the space between the Center and Guard (which is the "A gap" on either side).

Yes, but not everyone knows the difference.

I once found a really great article that really broke gaps and techniques down fantastically, but it doesn't seem to exist anymore. If someone could draw the diagrams for me, I could definitely do a similar thing at the very least explaining what the gaps and techniques are, and maybe even what defenses would use them and why, maybe even some pros and cons to each role.

[rcubed]

When they reference "gaps", they're referencing the space between OLs (or in some cases, a OL and a TE). What the announcer was pointing out by saying that the DTs were lining up in both A gaps was that the DTs were lining up on either side of the Center in the space between the Center and Guard (which is the "A gap" on either side).

I know what the A gap is. the point was that they were saying the way we line up our front 4 isnt typical of how a "normal" front 4 lines up. I dont know how true that is, just going by what they were saying.

[falloutboy14]

Typically the NT lines up on one side of the center, typically between the center and LG. The DT (3-tech) lines up on the outside of the RG. This gives the 3T better pash rushing options. The downside is the gap between the two DTs creates a running lane that has to be covered by the LBs.

In the Titans game, we weren't concerned about pass rush (Gabbert), and wanted to focus on Henry. By bringing both DTs inside, it made inside running very difficult, and kept blockers off our LBs. This forced them to run outside and our faster LBs to run him down.

[HoosierinFL]

I know what the A gap is. the point was that they were saying the way we line up our front 4 isnt typical of how a "normal" front 4 lines up. I dont know how true that is, just going by what they were saying.

In a typical 4-3 front, there is a 1 technique DT (aka NT/overtackle) who lines up in one of the A gaps between Center and Guard. And then a 3 technique DT (aka undertackle) who lines up in the B gap between Guard and Tackle. The DEs play 5 technique outside the tackle.
So by putting both DTs in the A gaps, that is a little different. Though I'm not sure exactly how it changes things for the o-line and their blocking assignments, it apparently worked for us. I think to some extent it clogs and collapses the middle of the line and forces runs to the outside, where a speedy LB like Leonard can make plays.

[Dam8610]

I know what the A gap is. the point was that they were saying the way we line up our front 4 isnt typical of how a "normal" front 4 lines up. I dont know how true that is, just going by what they were saying.

It is unusual, because it essentially means both DTs were playing 1 technique, which is an unusual way for a defense to line up, but also achieved the goal the defense had to prevent inside runs and force them more to the outside, where the speed of the LBs and secondary could help more. The usual way a 4-3 DL lines up is with a 1 technique NT in the A gap, a 3 technique UT in the B gap between one of the OGs and OTs, a 5-7 technique DE lining up either square with the tackle or to his outside shoulder in the C gap on the NT side and a 7-9 technique lining up anywhere from the C gap (between the OT and TE if there is a TE) to the D gap (to the outside shoulder of the TE if there is a TE) on the UT side. This alignment can be altered by back 7 personnel and their positioning, which can alter the positioning of the DEs (i.e. a LB near the line might turn a 7 technique into a 5 technique) and which side of the line the NT and UT are on typically. Both DTs playing one technique takes away the A gaps, but forces the DEs or LBs to cover the B and C gaps. That was the point, they were trying to force the Titans into outside runs if they were going to run with Henry.

[Dam8610]

In a typical 4-3 front, there is a 1 technique DT (aka NT/overtackle) who lines up in one of the A gaps between Center and Guard. And then a 3 technique DT (aka undertackle) who lines up in the B gap between Guard and Tackle. The DEs play 5 technique outside the tackle.
So by putting both DTs in the A gaps, that is a little different. Though I'm not sure exactly how it changes things for the o-line and their blocking assignments, it apparently worked for us. I think to some extent it clogs and collapses the middle of the line and forces runs to the outside, where a speedy LB like Leonard can make plays.

It makes traps and other inside zone runs more difficult to execute, because there's no 3 technique to trap, which is what the announcers commented on in the broadcast.

[FatDT]

I don't think it's totally unheard-of. The two Williams DTs that played for the Vikings would line up that way at times if I remember right.

[Racehorse]

I could be an idiot.

Well, you have the D and the A in your name, but you are missing the M.

[omahacolt]

We do all different kids of things with dline alignments. We overload one side of the center at times, double a gap the d’s Like was mentioned, bring backers at the a gap and widen 3 tech the dts. We drop the nt a few times a game it seems.

I encourage everyone to quickly scan the lineup before snap.