Build the Saints' 3-4 Defense (10 Viewers)

[Mr. Coach Klein]

As it stands based on the way Philly lined up.

LDE - Bresee
RDE - Nathan Shepherd
NT - Bink
WLB - ?
RILB - Werner
LILB - Davis
Sam - ?

Josh Sweat (LOLB according to EPSN) dropped in coverage 34 times.
Nolan Smith(ROLB according to ESPN) dropped in coverage 45 times.

PFF has them reversed but either way the scheme doesn't drop (coverage snaps) it's LB's much, only as a changeup. Granderson dropped 32 times last year so he technically played as a rush OLB. Though he saw an uptick in OT(over tackle) snaps and I think that number should come down. Young dropped (20) times last year and Cam dropped (8)

By those #'s Cam Jordan shouldn't be starting at LOLB or ROLB and instead should be primarly used on 3rd downs because you don't want him playing in reverse. I'd argue having him in a Brandon Graham role, but if not you'd have him as whichever LB drops fewest in the scheme. So for that he'd be the SLB and Granderson would be your WLB.

I think if we're drafting today you need some else at Edge and you need someone at DT. I thought Bink outplayed Shepherd last year but he may be a casualty and we may bring back Ridgeway who is bigger and longer than Bink. Passing on NT might not be the worst thing even though I know guys are big on some of the names there it's also a position that plays maybe 20% of the snaps a game. Those resources could go elsewhere.

1st year NT's also don't make a huge impact. The scheme also isn't a heavy blitz scheme, though it does send 5 as a regular changeup. More importatnly because it's a match zone scheme it puts a premium on having guys who can effect the passer. I don't know that we have enough firepower there and someone like Mykel Williams could be an Aldon Smith type player for us.

IMO:

Bresee would play the Carter role, Shep/Saunders the Davis Role, Granderson=Sweat, missing the other OLB (Foskey ), Turner/Cam/Tanoh(if retained) the Milton role. Swap out the NT role, Shep/Saunders on passing downs or use them as a 3 and put Bresee at the 5 on those.

Base:

LOLB: Granderson
0/1: Saunders/Shep
4/5: Cam
3: Bresee
ROLB: Foskey/turner/warm body

Nickel:

LOLB: Granderson
2/3: Shep/upgrade/cam/Turner
3: Bresee
ROLB: Cam/Turner/Foskey/warm body

 

[Mr. Coach Klein]

Foskey would actually be ideal at one of the OLB spots. He’s fast (4.58 40), shifty (decent 3 cone time of 7.2), and pretty explosive with a 1.66 10 yard split. He’s been played out of position trying to make him a DE IMO, and he could be unlocked by putting him at what should be his natural position.

All he needs to do is learn to play . Joking aside, he's got all of the tools. My confidence is low on him though. Change of coaching/scheme can't hurt at this point.

 

[TruSaint]

IMO:

Bresee would play the Carter role, Shep/Saunders the Davis Role, Granderson=Sweat, missing the other OLB (Foskey ), Turner/Cam/Tanoh(if retained) the Milton role. Swap out the NT role, Shep/Saunders on passing downs or use them as a 3 and put Bresee at the 5 on those.

Base:

LOLB: Granderson
0/1: Saunders/Shep
4/5: Cam
3: Bresee
ROLB: Foskey/turner/warm body

Nickel:

LOLB: Granderson
2/3: Shep/upgrade/cam/Turner
3: Bresee
ROLB: Cam/Turner/Foskey/warm body

This. Hopefully we find a nice SOLB to start over Foskey and move Foskey to granderson backup. He played stand out weakside defensive end in college. Maybe it’ll work.

 

[Mr. Coach Klein]

This. Hopefully we find a nice SOLB to start over Foskey and move Foskey to granderson backup. He played stand out weakside defensive end in college. Maybe it’ll work.

Can't hurt his development at this point lol. It's got to be a mental block. He has all of the tools and accolades.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Ridgeway is under contract for 2025 and a UFA in 2026.

John Ridgeway | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

John Ridgeway signed a 4 year, $3,902,552 contract with the Dallas Cowboys, including $242,552 signing bonus, $242,552 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $975,638. In 2025, Ridgeway will earn a base salary of $1,100,000, while carrying a cap hit of $1,100,000.

www.spotrac.com

Very nice to hear