1 Gap vs 2 Gap (3-4)

I've decided to post this so that everyone has a full grasp of what we are headed into.

The difference between a Romeo Crennel 3-4 and a Todd Grantham 3-4 are very substantial. Primarily 1 is attacking (Grantham) while the other is read and react (Crennel)

The other main difference is 1-Gapping (Texans) vs 2 Gapping(Chiefs)

Here is a vid of Todd Grantham explaining the difference.


Coach Grantham Explains One-Gap vs. Two-Gap in the 3-4 - YouTube

The two gapping requires bigger lineman...lineman we DON'T have@ the moment. Meaning the transition would take MUCH longer to a 2gap system.


Thus i have quickly become a fan of Todd Grantham for numerous reasons.

1- The 1 gap 3-4 fits our Defense much much better. We only have maybe 2-3 guys on our team that can successfully two gap.
Hicks, Bunkley, Jordan. Thats including backups like Tom Johnson.

2- Its an attacking style defense. 1 of the main problems with Spags D is that it required a lot of read and react...the same as Crennels 3-4. The less guys have to think...the FASTER they play. It appeared a lot of guys were thinking last year. We do not need that.

3- The 2 gap 3-4 is weak against the option. If the NT isn't a threat on a play then why have an extra guy block him? If ur NT isn't tying up 2blockers what is he doing? Nothing. IT basically nullifies the NT and that can cause problems throught the rest of the line. If a guard is free to attack a MLB on the second level then pow..disadvantage.

4- Grantham is coming from the College Ranks. Having played against LSU last year and Florida the past few years he has seen a great amount of the read option. Payton said he didn't know a lot about it and it scares him...well why not bring in a college coach that can give u some better insight. Also a guy that has previous NFL experience but he would also be here for more than 1 year. Spags was looking for another HC job anyway so first chance he got he would have bolted.

5- While he plays the 1 gap system..he was also in Cleveland with Romeo Crennel so he probably picked up on some gameplanning tactics from the Bellichick tree. Namely gameplanning to take away a specific threats. He also seems to use multiple fronts a lot so we wouldn't just be relegated to a 3-4 and some of the weaknesses that come with it.


Now here is a tape of the UGA defense 2011-2012

Georgia Bulldogs Defense 2011-2012 Highlights - YouTube



Im going to try to piece together our Defense as is and show you where everyone SHOULD fit by theory.

We can start on the Line with NT

If u watch this video you will see #6. Thats Jenkins. You'll see him shoot gaps ALOT. For starters ull notice that he doesn't play the 0 tech much. He actually plays teh 1 technique far more often. You know who can play that position???? Akiem Hicks. He can do everything u see Jenkins doing in that video with a motor that runs just as hot..if not more.

The other player im going to call attention to is Alex Ogletree. Martez Wilson looks to fit in that role very well. Don't get me wrong we could very well see him @ LOLB but i think SILB would be the very BEST position for him. HE can cover TE's, use his long arms to keep blockers off him, patrol and clog up lanes in the short middle of the field, and sending him on the A-gap blitz would be down right nasty.


Finally ull notice Bacarri Rambo a lot in this. He basically plays the SS/Rover position. Malcolm Jenkins fits this role to a T. He isn't a straight up FS to cover Centerfield and make plays ont he ball. He can however be our chess Piece. He can blitz, he can match up on TE's, he can cover better than Roman, hes faster, younger, and cheaper. IT would also allow us to see more of IAQ who i think is a much more natural FS.


With That being said lets look@ where our guys fit@ all the positions.


RDE- Cameron Jordan/ - He basically fills the Justin Smith Role. Whomever is the OLB on this side should be kept very clean in theory. He can hold up 2 guys making stunts effective and can also provide interior passrush as most of his sacks this year came from the DT position anyhow.

NT- Akiem Hicks/ draft/bunkley- I like him playing the 1 tech. He can hold up blockers when necessary but can shoot blocks and be a pest in the back field @ a moments notice. We can also potentially draft a NT and play Hicks@ one of the ends.

LDE- Will Smith/Sheldon Richardson/Margus Hunt - Will Smith would actually help with the transition. He is familiar with 3-4 concepts after playing under 3G. He still a good player and capable of putting up 5-6 sacks. If u flank him with speed and remove his responsibilites for containing the edge u begin to play to his strengths. If not we can go Sheldon Richardson or Margus Hunt. Tom Johnson could also play here.

So in Theory running the 1 gap our Line which is very important actually becomes a bit of a strength...especially as it pertains to stopping the run and being disruptive. Now that a guy like will smith/cam jordan aren't asked to be edge rushers/contain the edge this should boost our run defense on 1st and 2nd down.



ROLB- Ezekiel Anasah/Greg Romeous/Braylon Broughton - Ansah would be perfect here. I think it was NoFalcon who mentioned that Ansah is a much better passrusher standing up. However being as big as he is he allows us flexibility to change to a 4-3 front whenever. Ansah when he can't get to the QB also is Great@ getting his hands up in the air. Leading to a lot of batted balls. Romeous and Broughton both have the size to play here.

Jarvis Jones is also a potential draft pick now.


WILB - Curtis Lofton - He is now in a phone booth and can use his short area quickness to his advantage. No more sideline to sideline responsibilities. Let him be the Thumper and have fun.


SILB - Martez Wilson - As mentioned above. He could be used to a nice effect here. IF not then Hawthorne would play here if retained.


LOLB- Junior G - The reason i moved him to LOLB is that he creates more of a matchup problem for RT's than LT's. LT's that can kick slide very well can negate Junyah and his quick first step. He doesn't have a bullrush but being matched up against slower RT's he won't really need to.

CB - Patrick Robinson. Less read and react should help him. He is a cover corner and has speed for days. We need to get a consistent passrush and him some longer cleats(for his slipping problems) and he should be ok.

CB - Jabari Greer Should have a nice comeback. Long offseason to recover.


FS - IAQ He has earned it and is probably our most natural FS. He can play deep center field. HE was excellent in pass coverage but was rated rarely low in run support. However in this 3-4 he won't be asked to come up and play the run that much so it should play to his strengths.

SS/Rover Malcolm Jenkins/- We should see him flourish in this world. He will be all over the field making plays. In this role i think 65 tackles 4 int's 3 sacks and 8 pass breakups and a FF or two are legit #'s for him. Its possible. Even with less INT's u could still qualify that as a playmaker.


Take a look@ the videos and leave comments about where YOU would place players. Just some fun ideas to look@. Enjoy!!



Edit.. For those wondering about the coverage and how our DB's would fit into it then this Article does a good job of explaining it.

http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-huddle-check-with-me-defense.html

Again..Enjoy