Build the Saints' 3-4 Defense (48 Viewers)

[TruSaint]

So let's say Moore is the new head coach and has a say so in the new defensive coordinator and wants to run the 3-4 like the Eagles. Let's look about how we would need to construct it. First off, the Eagles do not run a typical 3-4 2 gap system, they basically run a 3-4 under 1 gap. For this you don't absolutely need a gigantic NT, but you still want a stout one to run the 1tech. The eagles run it was Carter as their 3 tech, Bresee would play here and a hybrid linebacker/edge in nolan smith as their strong outside linebacker at the 7 tech lined up outside the tight end. The only person I could see here is Foskey, who I don't have much faith in as a pass rusher let alone occasionally dropping into coverage. A lot of 3-4 will play cover 1 man rushing all front 5 or usually some zone blitzes so the OLB's arent manned up and just playing underneath. And usually have their best edge rusher at weak outside linebacker playing the 6 tech, granderson would be fine here. Our lineup would look like this. And before anyone says we run the majority of our snaps out of the nickel, about 66% I know, but that still leaves a lot of downs in the base formation.

SOLB - Foskey (Would much rather someone Like Pearce from Tennessee here)
SILB - Davis
WILB - Werner
WOLB - Granderson
5 tech - Tanoh, Cam, and Bresee could all play here, only way I put Bresee here though is if we draft a permier 3 tech like Graham.
3 tech - Bresee
1 tech - Saunders, Shepherd (This could also use an upgrade, (Walter Nolan, Kenneth Grant, Tyliek Williams, Deone Walker would all be great fits)

 

[Elvis]

So let's say Moore is the new head coach and has a say so in the new defensive coordinator and wants to run the 3-4 like the Eagles. Let's look about how we would need to construct it. First off, the Eagles do not run a typical 3-4 2 gap system, they basically run a 3-4 under 1 gap. For this you don't absolutely need a gigantic NT, but you still want a stout one to run the 1tech. The eagles run it was Carter as their 3 tech, Bresee would play here and a hybrid linebacker/edge in nolan smith as their strong outside linebacker at the 7 tech lined up outside the tight end. The only person I could see here is Foskey, who I don't have much faith in as a pass rusher let alone occasionally dropping into coverage. A lot of 3-4 will play cover 1 man rushing all front 5 or usually some zone blitzes so the OLB's arent manned up and just playing underneath. And usually have their best edge rusher at weak outside linebacker playing the 6 tech, granderson would be fine here. Our lineup would look like this. And before anyone says we run the majority of our snaps out of the nickel, about 66% I know, but that still leaves a lot of downs in the base formation.

SOLB - Foskey (Would much rather someone Like Pearce from Tennessee here)
SILB - Davis
WILB - Werner
WOLB - Granderson
5 tech - Tanoh, Cam, and Bresee could all play here, only way I put Bresee here though is if we draft a permier 3 tech like Graham.
3 tech - Bresee
1 tech - Saunders, Shepherd (This could also use an upgrade, (Walter Nolan, Kenneth Grant, Tyliek Williams, Deone Walker would all be great fits)

I'm down with whatever a coach can do to maximize the talent we have. This sounds pretty reasonable and if the draft holds pieces that better suit this scheme, then all the better. We definitely need to draft a big DT if we're going to go this way though.

One correction on your list, Tanoh is a free agent this year and I doubt he'll be back.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

So let's say Moore is the new head coach and has a say so in the new defensive coordinator and wants to run the 3-4 like the Eagles. Let's look about how we would need to construct it. First off, the Eagles do not run a typical 3-4 2 gap system, they basically run a 3-4 under 1 gap. For this you don't absolutely need a gigantic NT, but you still want a stout one to run the 1tech. The eagles run it was Carter as their 3 tech, Bresee would play here and a hybrid linebacker/edge in nolan smith as their strong outside linebacker at the 7 tech lined up outside the tight end. The only person I could see here is Foskey, who I don't have much faith in as a pass rusher let alone occasionally dropping into coverage. A lot of 3-4 will play cover 1 man rushing all front 5 or usually some zone blitzes so the OLB's arent manned up and just playing underneath. And usually have their best edge rusher at weak outside linebacker playing the 6 tech, granderson would be fine here. Our lineup would look like this. And before anyone says we run the majority of our snaps out of the nickel, about 66% I know, but that still leaves a lot of downs in the base formation.

SOLB - Foskey (Would much rather someone Like Pearce from Tennessee here)
SILB - Davis
WILB - Werner
WOLB - Granderson
5 tech - Tanoh, Cam, and Bresee could all play here, only way I put Bresee here though is if we draft a permier 3 tech like Graham.
3 tech - Bresee
1 tech - Saunders, Shepherd (This could also use an upgrade, (Walter Nolan, Kenneth Grant, Tyliek Williams, Deone Walker would all be great fits)

If we're moving to a 3-4 one of our first two picks needs to be a SOLB.

Green, Pierce, Ezeiruaku, or Umanmielen being my favorite.

 

[TruSaint]

If we're moving to a 3-4 one of our first two picks needs to be a SOLB.

Green, Pierce, Ezeiruaku, or Umanmielen being my favorite.

Agreed, the interesting thing is, the common belief is the 3-4 is more effective vs the pass and weak vs the run, but i saw a study done in 2023 in the NFL that these 1 gap 3-4 schemes were not only much better vs the pass, but actually also slightly better at stopping the run. The 1 gap system gives u gap integrity but the 3-4 alignment puts more bodies on the line. And I agree, SOLB is a must.

 

[Stalwart385]

I really don't like our personnel for a 3-4. Our 0-1 tech is really weak and they will consistently take double teams. Our lb's aren't hybrid, they are just DE's. Masking the rush will put them in bad coverage positions. May as well be a 5-2, yet we are highlighting one of the weakest units on the team. Just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[meily]

Let it go, nobody runs a 3-4 anymore not even the Steelers.

This is a passing league, you see more 4-2-5 defenses now or the hybrid 4-3 like the Ravens run where the rushers are stand up edge rushers who can cover the flat or have the flexibility to put their hand in the ground when you run a 4-2-5 scheme.

I hope that he brings the versatility that was lost when we started shipping all of are versatile talent out (CGJ, Baun, Ellis, etc) and never replaced them and we went from a defense with a lot of bite to a toothless defense.

 

[TruSaint]

I really don't like our personnel for a 3-4. Our 0-1 tech is really weak and they will consistently take double teams. Our lb's aren't hybrid, they are just DE's. Masking the rush will put them in bad coverage positions. May as well be a 5-2, yet we are highlighting one of the weakest units on the team. Just doesn't make sense to me.

Your 1 tech in a 3-4 or 4-3 is gonna take the same amount of double teams, 1 gap is 1 gap

 

[TruSaint]

Let it go, nobody runs a 3-4 anymore not even the Steelers.

This is a passing league, you see more 4-2-5 defenses now or the hybrid 4-3 like the Ravens run where the rushers are stand up edge rushers who can cover the flat or have the flexibility to put their hand in the ground when you run a 4-2-5 scheme.

I hope that he brings the versatility that was lost when we started shipping all of are versatile talent out (CGJ, Baun, Ellis, etc) and never replaced them and we went from a defense with a lot of bite to a toothless defense.

Steelers absolutely still run a 3-4, as do the eagles, rams, jaguars, chargers, etc.

Hell both teams in the superbowl run a 3-4 I believe.

Yeah the 4-2-5 is cool and all but go run that vs a 2 tight end set and get obliterated.

You need a good base defense regardless of if it’s a passing league or not. You running a nickel defense vs 3rd and short or 3rd and goal?

You should absolutely put more talent on your nickel D since you're in it for the majority, but you also have to have a good base defense, no question about it.

 

[60minutes]

More than likely, Brandon Staley will be Kellen's DC. Aspects of his scheme have been influenced by Vic Fangio so you're bound to see some similarities.

 

[TruSaint]

More than likely, Brandon Staley will be Kellen's DC. Aspects of his scheme have been influenced by Vic Fangio.

And what kind of scheme does he favor?

 

[meily]

Steelers absolutely still run a 3-4, as do the eagles, rams, chargers, etc.

Yeah the 4-2-5 is cool and all but go run that vs a 2 tight end set and get obliterated.

You need a good base defense regardless of if it’s a passing league or not. You running a nickel defense vs 3rd and short or 3rd and goal?

You should absolutely put more talent on your nickel D since you're in it for the majority, but you also have to have a good base defense, no question about it.

The Steelers run a hybrid 3-4, that's why I mentioned the Ravens as an example of executing a similar scheme with standup rushers who have the flexibility to put their hands in the ground.

 

[TruSaint]

The Steelers run a hybrid 3-4, that's why I mentioned the Ravens as an example of executing a similar scheme with standup rushers who have the flexibility to put their hands in the ground.

You mean exactly like what I recommended? 3-4 under 1 gap hybrid with granderson playing weak side outside linebacker with his hand in the dirt?

 

[60minutes]

And what kind of scheme does he favor?

Very zone-heavy, lot of coverages based on how the offense aligns/distributes its receivers. Mix 3/4 and 4/3 concepts, though the base might look more like 3-4.

 

[TruSaint]

Very zone-heavy, lot of coverages based on how the offense aligns/distributes its receivers. Mix 3/4 and 4/3 concepts, though the base might look more like 3-4.

Figured, a lot of teams who run the 3-4 but dont have adequate coverage OLB's will run a ton of zone blitzes from it. Great find, thank you 60minutes.

 

[Geldo]

3-4 always reminds me of the heady days of the Dome Patrol...I'll take a punt on that