Defense Scheme ?

MatthewT · 09-19-2007, 07:03 PM

Not by a long shot do I know much about schemes, but I will take a crack at it. From what I gather, the Saints use some type of cover 3 hybrid. Usually in a true cover 3, there are 3 defense backs that are usually responsible for 1/3 of the deep field each. In theory, this should eliminate the big plays but it's very flawed, especially at the pro level. Teams that run the West Coast offense can completely demolish this type of scheme. The cover 3 in theory prevents long passes and is usually good against the run. Short to intermediate passing games usually flourish though. Since the Saints play a lot of man to man it looks like a modified version of cover 3, and even more likely a DB gets burned for a big play. The cover 2 scheme relies more on front 7 speed. Since the Saints lack in the speed defense area this is not likely a solution with the current roster. In a perfect world a cover 3 defense can overcome lack of front 7 speed with great/at least good back 4 speed, especially since usually the SS is going to play more of a LB roll and offer run support. Unfortunately, maybe the Saints DB's have the speed but not necessarily the technique to properly cover. In any event it looks like the Saints need to make adjustments in a big way. An offense that can score points, not turn the ball over, and can at least get the defense in good field position will mask a lot of the weaknesses. Once the Saints can get their offensive issues resolved the defense will look much better.

darstep · 09-20-2007, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by MatthewT

... Once the Saints can get their offensive issues resolved the defense will look much better.

I agree MatT. The defense will improve their look when the offense begins to role. Offensive success along with the confidence that comes with success will carry over to the other side of the ball. I believe a deep zone would improve our results. Man isn't working - we are too slow coupled with poooooooor technique and after getting burned we can't even recover. Zone may give up a few more dinks and possesion type routes, but it would take away the long ball and provide a few more opportunities to make tackles i.e. cause some fumbles...crack some skulls...make receivers look away too quick in order to see who's coming. It's the little things sometimes that don't show up in the stat sheets that might make the difference. We MIGHT even get a pick-or-two out the shear number of times the ball is in the air. The throwing lanes may even mask a linebacker sitting in a blind spot. We've got to try something different than our corners in man coverage.

DeadmaN · 09-20-2007, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by darstep

I agree MatT. The defense will improve their look when the offense begins to role. Offensive success along with the confidence that comes with success will carry over to the other side of the ball. I believe a deep zone would improve our results. Man isn't working - we are too slow coupled with poooooooor technique and after getting burned we can't even recover. Zone may give up a few more dinks and possesion type routes, but it would take away the long ball and provide a few more opportunities to make tackles i.e. cause some fumbles...crack some skulls...make receivers look away too quick in order to see who's coming. It's the little things sometimes that don't show up in the stat sheets that might make the difference. We MIGHT even get a pick-or-two out the shear number of times the ball is in the air. The throwing lanes may even mask a linebacker sitting in a blind spot. We've got to try something different than our corners in man coverage.

you know I like the way you and matt are thinking concerning this subject
and you may be right on the money but the problem still remains that our "D" coordinator I'm sure knows the problems with the D (or I should say I hope he knows) but still runs the same old man D

the question is...

Is he going to change this?

because if not at this point it looks like teams will be scoring on us all season long

09-19-2007, 07:03 PM	#1
MatthewT 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,729	Re: Defense Scheme ? Not by a long shot do I know much about schemes, but I will take a crack at it. From what I gather, the Saints use some type of cover 3 hybrid. Usually in a true cover 3, there are 3 defense backs that are usually responsible for 1/3 of the deep field each. In theory, this should eliminate the big plays but it's very flawed, especially at the pro level. Teams that run the West Coast offense can completely demolish this type of scheme. The cover 3 in theory prevents long passes and is usually good against the run. Short to intermediate passing games usually flourish though. Since the Saints play a lot of man to man it looks like a modified version of cover 3, and even more likely a DB gets burned for a big play. The cover 2 scheme relies more on front 7 speed. Since the Saints lack in the speed defense area this is not likely a solution with the current roster. In a perfect world a cover 3 defense can overcome lack of front 7 speed with great/at least good back 4 speed, especially since usually the SS is going to play more of a LB roll and offer run support. Unfortunately, maybe the Saints DB's have the speed but not necessarily the technique to properly cover. In any event it looks like the Saints need to make adjustments in a big way. An offense that can score points, not turn the ball over, and can at least get the defense in good field position will mask a lot of the weaknesses. Once the Saints can get their offensive issues resolved the defense will look much better.

09-20-2007, 03:14 PM	#2
darstep SaintSince67 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PortCity Posts: 2,044	Re: Defense Scheme ? Originally Posted by MatthewT ... Once the Saints can get their offensive issues resolved the defense will look much better. I agree MatT. The defense will improve their look when the offense begins to role. Offensive success along with the confidence that comes with success will carry over to the other side of the ball. I believe a deep zone would improve our results. Man isn't working - we are too slow coupled with poooooooor technique and after getting burned we can't even recover. Zone may give up a few more dinks and possesion type routes, but it would take away the long ball and provide a few more opportunities to make tackles i.e. cause some fumbles...crack some skulls...make receivers look away too quick in order to see who's coming. It's the little things sometimes that don't show up in the stat sheets that might make the difference. We MIGHT even get a pick-or-two out the shear number of times the ball is in the air. The throwing lanes may even mask a linebacker sitting in a blind spot. We've got to try something different than our corners in man coverage.
	SaintSince67

09-20-2007, 03:29 PM	#3
DeadmaN Saints Junky Join Date: May 2007 Location: Metairie Originally now a Houston transplant Posts: 672	Re: Defense Scheme ? Originally Posted by darstep I agree MatT. The defense will improve their look when the offense begins to role. Offensive success along with the confidence that comes with success will carry over to the other side of the ball. I believe a deep zone would improve our results. Man isn't working - we are too slow coupled with poooooooor technique and after getting burned we can't even recover. Zone may give up a few more dinks and possesion type routes, but it would take away the long ball and provide a few more opportunities to make tackles i.e. cause some fumbles...crack some skulls...make receivers look away too quick in order to see who's coming. It's the little things sometimes that don't show up in the stat sheets that might make the difference. We MIGHT even get a pick-or-two out the shear number of times the ball is in the air. The throwing lanes may even mask a linebacker sitting in a blind spot. We've got to try something different than our corners in man coverage. you know I like the way you and matt are thinking concerning this subject and you may be right on the money but the problem still remains that our "D" coordinator I'm sure knows the problems with the D (or I should say I hope he knows) but still runs the same old man D the question is... Is he going to change this? because if not at this point it looks like teams will be scoring on us all season long