Article 2024 5th round LB Jaylan Ford may be an underrated gem in new Saints defense (94 Viewers)

[TalleyHo1]

My apologies if this post needs to be merged with another one. Wasn't sure there was one that fit except for maybe the one about Brandon Staley..anyway, found this article from Bob Rose of SI.com an interesting read about Jaylan Ford.

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/new-orleans-saints/jaylan-ford-underrated-key-saints-defense

 

[OzzieSaint]

I have a question, and hopefully someone can help answer it.
Demario Davis is a MLB in a 4-3 system, what are the differences in a 3-4 system. Wouldn't you just technically have two MLB? Why is that such a difference for the MLB in each system? I would think it would almost help, no?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Fiyo]

The stronger, larger linebacker who plays on the strong side - the Mike position. The Mike takes on blockers so the Will can flow to the ball.

And the more athletic linebacker who plays on the weak side - The Will position. The Will can blitz, drop into coverage, and play the run.

 

[TruSaint]

I have a question, and hopefully someone can help answer it.
Demario Davis is a MLB in a 4-3 system, what are the differences in a 3-4 system. Wouldn't you just technically have two MLB? Why is that such a difference for the MLB in each system? I would think it would almost help, no?

Thank you in advance.

Depends on the type of 3-4 scheme. If it’s an old school 2 gapping 3-4 your 2 inside backers have to be giant powerful run stuffing freaks like Ray Lewis, in a 3-4 attacking scheme there isn’t much of a difference.

 

[3ParStillDriver]

I have a question, and hopefully someone can help answer it.
Demario Davis is a MLB in a 4-3 system, what are the differences in a 3-4 system. Wouldn't you just technically have two MLB? Why is that such a difference for the MLB in each system? I would think it would almost help, no?

Thank you in advance.

It really depends on the type of 3-4. But just so you know, Staley's defense still uses a MIKE, which is what Demario Davis is and has always played in a 4-3. The differences are minimal so long as you have 3 guys up front who don't get shoved backwards in the run game.

 

[TruSaint]

The stronger, larger linebacker who plays on the strong side - the Mike position. The Mike takes on blockers so the Will can flow to the ball.

And the more athletic linebacker who plays on the weak side - The Will position. The Will can blitz, drop into coverage, and play the run.

Well in the 3-4 under usually the strong side inside backer has outside gap responsibility and the weak side has to cover the weak side A gap by himself, think this is maybe why they think Ford would be a great fit. He’s a big athletic banger.

 

[TruSaint]

We’re fine at ILB for the new scheme. What we really need is a 1 tech DT, and an edge SOLB

 

[saintmike23]

I have a question, and hopefully someone can help answer it.
Demario Davis is a MLB in a 4-3 system, what are the differences in a 3-4 system. Wouldn't you just technically have two MLB? Why is that such a difference for the MLB in each system? I would think it would almost help, no?

Thank you in advance.

Demario can play any LB position in a 3-4. He has skills to rush the passer, hold the edge, and defend the pass.

There’s really not much difference it’s just the preference and personnel.

Right now we don’t have the personnel for a 3-4 base defense. We need more LBs, a NT unless we trust Ridgeway but still need a backup. An interior DE. And another edge rusher.

You could argue that we don’t have the personnel for a 4-3 either because our players are old and underperforming.

But the difference between the two defenses is gap assignments and leverage of the d line. You can ask the two interior DEs to maintain outside leverage while the nose tackle 2 gaps or 1.5 gaps.

The goal of either the 3-4 or the 4-3 is to prevent the guards (and/or a FB) from climbing to the second level where they can attack the linebackers. And allow the linebackers to penetrate the line and/or scrape across the line to make tackles.

Dennis Allen switched to a more attacking line strategy in 2024 and the results were bad. Essentially the linemen would jump into gaps instead of holding leverage to restrict the flow of linemen.

With better coaching i suspect we will have better run defense no matter the scheme but I’m excited about switching to a 3-4 and shake up the personnel and scheme!

 

[saintmike23]

We’re fine at ILB for the new scheme. What we really need is a 1 tech DT, and an edge SOLB

We need one or two DEs also. Demario can play OLB and move Pete inside. But yeah add more linebackers bc this could be the last year for Demario and Pete is in a contract year.

Too many needs.

 

[OzzieSaint]

Thank you everyone for your input.... so, Mason Graham with pick 9 if he's there (I doubt it)

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

I have a question, and hopefully someone can help answer it.
Demario Davis is a MLB in a 4-3 system, what are the differences in a 3-4 system. Wouldn't you just technically have two MLB? Why is that such a difference for the MLB in each system? I would think it would almost help, no?

Thank you in advance.

3-4 / 4-3 is being vastly overblown.

Majority of defenses play nickel.

 

[TruSaint]

We need one or two DEs also. Demario can play OLB and move Pete inside. But yeah add more linebackers bc this could be the last year for Demario and Pete is in a contract year.

Too many needs.

I don’t think Davis does too well as a 3-4 OLB edge. Yes he can rush the passer but his ability in that aspect is from his speed, ability to slip thru traffic, etc, not really a pass rusher. I mean I could possibly see him playing SOLB in the base then off ball in the nickel but I don’t think with DD getting older they want him constantly banging at the line of scrimmage, plus the benefit of the 3-4 is not knowing which OLB they’re blitzing, with DD it would take that aspect away, DD isn’t beating tackles on the regular. Not saying it couldn’t work, just saying it isn’t optimal.

 

[TruSaint]

biggest needs are by far, 1 tech and SOLB, here I’ll show you.

1 tech - Saunders
3 tech - Bresee
5 tech - cam
WOLB 9 tech - Granderson
SOLB 6/7 tech - Foskey
SILB - DD
WILB - Werner

There’s two glaring needs

 

[Fiyo]

Thank you everyone for your input.... so, Mason Graham with pick 9 if he's there (I doubt it)

That would be a dream pick if he's available. Unfortunately, you're right in that we'd have to just plain get lucky if he is

 

[St. Widge]

3-4 / 4-3 is being vastly overblown.

Majority of defenses play nickel.

No doubt teams don't play much base anymore. But, their Nickel can be 3-3-5, 2-4-5, or 4-2-5. In the past Staley used 3-3-5, 2-4-5, and 4-2-5, but his 2-4-5 looks a lot like a 4-2-5 because the 2 OLBs usually stand up in the spot that a normal 4-2-5 DE would have his hand in the dirt. Hard to know exactly what version of the Nickel he will use here but he may start off in more of a 4-2-5. But, in the end I think/hope it will be multiple depending on the team we are playing and game state.