Sanders Fired

[ND72]

ND, you think Poop could play inside in the 34?

I think he might be best at beating the TE to a pulp in a 4-3 under.

Funny thing, I just remembered that Poop played a type of 3-4 OLB as a DE at BYU. I think he was considered a DE there, but was a stand up DE, so depending on the coordinator he could be an OLB. BUT, generally in a 3-4 defense, the MLB are "bigger" so poop probably would fit that mold a bit more.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Anybody else think that McCarthy might wait to see what happens with Jim Haslett before deciding? If Moss or Haslett go to St. Louis, McCarthy hires the other guy as DC. I'm intrigued by Haslett. He led New Orleans to a pretty good defensive ranking in 1996, and his Pittsburgh defenses from 1997-1999 were pretty good too. Like Moss, sounds like he has experience in both a 3-4 and a 4-3.

[Partial]

Obviously for the first year or two we will have to go through some growing pains with reshaping the roster and getting players into the right position.

I think Popp could play inside in the 3-4. He's a marginal player in my mind, but he's a leader on the squad now and an intense guy, so you've almost got to find a spot for him.

[Joemailman]

I didn't know that. BTW, Seymour is at 210 according to ESPN and Kamp is at 265. Didn't Kamp used to play at 280?

What about that rookie end. The Wake Forest guy. Where would he fit? He'd almost have to be an OLB. Jason Hunter could play the OLB, or maybe even DE. He's up to 280 I believe I read on JSO or heard on WSSP.

You mean Aaron Curry? He's a LB. http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/...ron_curry.html

Or are you thinking of Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech?

[KYPack]

Largely, if we wanted to go 3-4, I'm concerned as to whether we have the NT that scheme needs. Maybe if they draft Raji he could be that guy, but I don't know if Pickett can (or has) played 3-4 NT. It's a different position than 4-3 DT and not everybody can do both.

While I don't disagree with that, Pickett plays the NT position in our 4-3 defense. Jolly plays the "3-Tech" DT, over or outside the Guard. Pickett plays in the Center/Guard gap....where he'd play in a 3-4 NT position.

ND, good to see you on here. Now that football is over, maybe you can post more.

That said, I need to argue with you, McGinn, & some others. We don't play 4-3 over. We play 95% 4-3 under with both DT's in a 3 technique with 2 gap responsibility. That's my main criticism of Sanders. His inflexibility. he stayed in that base shell WAY too much. It was such an easy read. My main beef was with the linebackers. They'd play the DT's in a 3, the ends wide and the LB's sheltered, 6-7 yards deep. If we tried to do anything else, like blitz, it was too obvious.

We've got experienced guys that would be well and able to play a lot of varied schemes. But Sanders was stuck in what he knew.

We could mix in some 3-4. Pop and Chillar could be on the field at the same time and be effective. We could also play some cover 3 with Rouse or Bigby playing the robber spot. they both peek WAY too much, take their weakness and mke 'em spies. They'd be better at that spot anyway.

Take all our talent and put 'em spots to make plays. That's what a D Coordinator does anyhow.

[Partial]

I didn't know that. BTW, Seymour is at 210 according to ESPN and Kamp is at 265. Didn't Kamp used to play at 280?

What about that rookie end. The Wake Forest guy. Where would he fit? He'd almost have to be an OLB. Jason Hunter could play the OLB, or maybe even DE. He's up to 280 I believe I read on JSO or heard on WSSP.

You mean Aaron Curry? He's a LB. http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/...ron_curry.html

Or are you thinking of Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech?

Our guy, Jeremy Thompson. I had a mind blank when typing.

[ND72]

3-4 or 4-3...honestly, I don't care. I just want something NEW. Holmgren's defenses were 4-3, and in general were pretty vanilla as well...mostly cause of the 4 guys up front. But, they had many different wrinkles. They did things, they didn't just sit in their vanilla coverages. I don't know I guess...I know Fritz was an amazing coordinator, but man, I am just hoping for something exciting ot happen. We have a ton of athletes now on Defense, which we really haven't had in a long time. Lets do somethign with this.

[Lurker64]

I didn't know that. BTW, Seymour is at 210 according to ESPN and Kamp is at 265. Didn't Kamp used to play at 280?

What about that rookie end. The Wake Forest guy. Where would he fit? He'd almost have to be an OLB. Jason Hunter could play the OLB, or maybe even DE. He's up to 280 I believe I read on JSO or heard on WSSP.

You mean Aaron Curry? He's a LB. http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/...ron_curry.html

Or are you thinking of Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech?

I think he's thinking of Jeremy Thompson, DE Wake who we drafted last year. As I understand, he played up a fair bit at Wake.

[ND72]

Largely, if we wanted to go 3-4, I'm concerned as to whether we have the NT that scheme needs. Maybe if they draft Raji he could be that guy, but I don't know if Pickett can (or has) played 3-4 NT. It's a different position than 4-3 DT and not everybody can do both.

While I don't disagree with that, Pickett plays the NT position in our 4-3 defense. Jolly plays the "3-Tech" DT, over or outside the Guard. Pickett plays in the Center/Guard gap....where he'd play in a 3-4 NT position.

ND, good to see you on here. Now that football is over, maybe you can post more.

That said, I need to argue with you, McGinn, & some others. We don't play 4-3 over. We play 95% 4-3 under with both DT's in a 3 technique with 2 gap responsibility. That's my main criticism of Sanders. His inflexibility. he stayed in that base shell WAY too much. It was such an easy read. My main beef was with the linebackers. They'd play the DT's in a 3, the ends wide and the LB's sheltered, 6-7 yards deep. If we tried to do anything else, like blitz, it was too obvious.

We've got experienced guys that would be well and able to play a lot of varied schemes. But Sanders was stuck in what he knew.

We could mix in some 3-4. Pop and Chillar could be on the field at the same time and be effective. We could also play some cover 3 with Rouse or Bigby playing the robber spot. they both peek WAY too much, take their weakness and mke 'em spies. They'd be better at that spot anyway.

Take all our talent and put 'em spots to make plays. That's what a D Coordinator does anyhow.

I wish I could say I'd be on here more, but I'm about to hit hard now with basketball...15 games in 8 weeks. My fiance may want a divorce before we get married

I agree with much of what you said though. The 3-4 intreges me...honestly, maybe because it'd be really NEW to us, and all I've wanted for the year is just to have something new happen with our Defense.

[Partial]

One thing is for sure that I look for in a coordinator is someone that can maximize the unique skill sets of Aaron Rouse and Bigby. Bigby reminds me a LOT of Bob Sanders (2007-2008 defensive player of the year). Perhaps its the hair and the big hits, but I think it goes further with their limitations in coverage, excellent instincts in the box, etc.

Rouse has such a unique skill set because he is HUGE and has really good linear speed (ran what a 4.5ish at the combine). I want to see Rouse used as a rover and to use him in Blitzing a lot. I've seen a few momentum where he shoots out like a harpoon and Bill Goldberg spears a mofo in the backfield. I want more of this off the edge!!!

[KYPack]

Largely, if we wanted to go 3-4, I'm concerned as to whether we have the NT that scheme needs. Maybe if they draft Raji he could be that guy, but I don't know if Pickett can (or has) played 3-4 NT. It's a different position than 4-3 DT and not everybody can do both.

While I don't disagree with that, Pickett plays the NT position in our 4-3 defense. Jolly plays the "3-Tech" DT, over or outside the Guard. Pickett plays in the Center/Guard gap....where he'd play in a 3-4 NT position.

Doesn't NT line up directly over center in the 3-4 traditionally?

NO...at least not in the Pittsburgh, New England, or Cleveland 3-4 Defense's that I've seen. They will traditionally put the NT in the 1 gap to the strong side call, and try to tie both play side inside players.

Pitt, SD and Cleve play the NT on the nose generally. Williams moved a lot yesterday, when merriman was there, he played 0 technique all the time.

I love Pitt's 3-4. It's a 4-3 style 3-4. Those two buck linebacker play just like extra DE's on the run and alternate covering on passes. 1 of 'em storms on almost every pass play.

NE?

good luck! the NT can play any one of 3 techniques.

[pbmax]

That said, I need to argue with you, McGinn, & some others. We don't play 4-3 over. We play 95% 4-3 under with both DT's in a 3 technique with 2 gap responsibility. That's my main criticism of Sanders. His inflexibility. he stayed in that base shell WAY too much. It was such an easy read. My main beef was with the linebackers. They'd play the DT's in a 3, the ends wide and the LB's sheltered, 6-7 yards deep. If we tried to do anything else, like blitz, it was too obvious.

I thought both DTs in a 3 technique WAS part of the 4-3 over? To keep a guard from getting his mitts on the Mike?

I have seen Pickett slide over to the center's shoulder to a more traditional nose tackle spot, but that seemed, to me to be the exception.

[Bretsky]

One thing is for sure that I look for in a coordinator is someone that can maximize the unique skill sets of Aaron Rouse and Bigby. Bigby reminds me a LOT of Bob Sanders (2007-2008 defensive player of the year). Perhaps its the hair and the big hits, but I think it goes further with their limitations in coverage, excellent instincts in the box, etc.

Rouse has such a unique skill set because he is HUGE and has really good linear speed (ran what a 4.5ish at the combine). I want to see Rouse used as a rover and to use him in Blitzing a lot. I've seen a few momentum where he shoots out like a harpoon and Bill Goldberg spears a mofo in the backfield. I want more of this off the edge!!!

I hope you are right; I don't see a Bob Sanders in Bigby. Not even close for me

I see Chuck Cecil.

[pbmax]

3-4 or 4-3...honestly, I don't care. I just want something NEW. Holmgren's defenses were 4-3, and in general were pretty vanilla as well...mostly cause of the 4 guys up front. But, they had many different wrinkles. They did things, they didn't just sit in their vanilla coverages. I don't know I guess...I know Fritz was an amazing coordinator, but man, I am just hoping for something exciting ot happen. We have a ton of athletes now on Defense, which we really haven't had in a long time. Lets do somethign with this.

Agreed, completely.

[pbmax]

We could mix in some 3-4. Pop and Chillar could be on the field at the same time and be effective. We could also play some cover 3 with Rouse or Bigby playing the robber spot. they both peek WAY too much, take their weakness and mke 'em spies. They'd be better at that spot anyway.

Take all our talent and put 'em spots to make plays. That's what a D Coordinator does anyhow.

The mention of 3-4 and Cover 1 robber gives me a great excuse to link to one of the best articles on football I have read in a very long time. Its about Saban and his discipleship of Belicheck. Also a mention of Bob Stoops.

Nick Saban's Defense and Cover 1 Robber