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The departure of Junior Galette may have marked the end of the New Orleans Saints as a 3-4 defense.

That's not to say that the team's alignment will change dramatically in 2015. But with Galette being replaced by Cam Jordan as in the edge-rushing role, it's increasingly difficult to pretend that the Saints run a base set with four linebackers.

In theory, the Saints' base defense in 2014 included a nose tackle, two ends and Galette, who was called an outside linebacker. The 3-4 defense describes a unit with three linemen and four linebackers.
That label only works in 2015 if you count Jordan as an outside linebacker, not an end.

The early evidence suggests that it makes far more sense to label Jordan as an end. He lines up on the line and puts his hand on the dirt. Oh yeah, he's also 6-foot-4 and 287 pounds.

In response to a question this week, he referred to himself as a "Jack" linebacker. But in a follow-up, he agreed that it makes more sense for him to be labeled as a defensive end.

"I call it an end," Jordan said. "My hand's still in the dirt. You call it what you want. Call it what you want."

If Jordan is an end, the Saints are a 4-3 base defense.

Early practices suggest that the team is using Jordan as the rush end, John Jenkins and Kevin Williams as interior tackles and Akiem Hicks as the other end.

In nickel sets, Kasim Edebali has been the No. 1 edge rusher, with Jordan and Hicks moving inside to roles similar to the ones they had in 2014.

Cam Jordan on his new role: 'I call it an end; you call it what you want' | NOLA.com

hagan714

i stopped thinking of defenses in the traditional sense of 34 or 43 sets way back when SS were no longer thought of as a SS and more of a FS that can drop into the box and hold his own. that is why Kenny never really appealed to me as a modern day SS.

you watch any NFL game and the idea of traditional sets will be played at the most 30% of the time.

The saints love this stuff but their draft pics have not shown to fit what they are running. at draft time they seem to be stuck in the old 34 or 43 mind set. not drafting players that have that hybrid label.

So I agree with cam. he is just like Jr, a DE/OLB hybrid. Pass coverage is not a huge job requirement. stuff the run and pass rush. I think once Cam get into his new shape for the role we will fine.

contain within the pocket and crush it from all sides. this will be a huge improvement this year for the position. So much rides on the NT play this year. have to get push up the middle and get those hands up.

The sacks totals may drop but the QB containment neutralize guys like Cam. That is where you want QBs like him. Quarter back rating plummet. If all goes well I am looking for hurries and QB hits to greatly improve this year. By the fourth you want them flinching and fearing the next hit. pound them to submission.


let the second level deal with the rest.

I miss the days when safeties could lay claim to the middle field by laying WR out with clean hit. Pound them till they hear foot steps and fear hits that are nothing more than ghosts in the back of their minds of the last hits in quarters past.

so many games are won with intimidation and instilling fear. this is what we have lacked the past few years. Getting into a players head is a huge victory.

Cam should enjoy his new role

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

jeanpierre

When we selected Kenny Vaccaro out of Texas, understanding was we were getting a Free Safety and it'd allow Malcom Jenkins to move to Strong Safety which I thought Jenkins would be better suited...

Like the idea of what the Saints had during the late 80's, early 90's (of course, who wouldn't want that defense); but specifically, having three massive defensive linemen occupying five offensive linemen so that we could free up a faster pass rushing linebacker, or two, and having them randomly attack, zone blitz from different positions, angles...

Plus, provided you have the personnel, you'd have a faster defense in that you'd have a linebacker instead of a linemen...

When even adequately staffed, the 3-4 defenses seemed to perform better (Pittsburgh, Baltimore, San Francisco) in today's passing league...

What I really don't like is scheming for Cam, probably to justify his contract after two really bad ones in Galette and Byrd...

To me, it'd seem easier to select, draft, sign, five really strong, massive types for the defensive line than five athletic big men...

And that flows to cap management and restocking talent...

So it's not so much what we call our defense - whether a 34, 43, 52 or Bears 46 front - it's the personnel and scheme that seems advantageous and best suited for today's NFL's passing game...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

hagan714

Kenny is a bit off topic but i never once considered him a FS. not once. I saw it as an attempt to let Harper walk.

Cam is expected to be the leader. That is what that contract was all about.

Scheming for it? I have to agree, bad idea. Scheming I do not think was the issue with Jr out the picture. I think Jr was SP and front office ( probably some Ryan too) dispute that finally blew up every ones face. If the earlier rumors of SP wanting Jr out are even partly true, SP now has a "See I warned you" feather in his cap to use at a later date. This also could be reasons for some, not all the friction we saw at camp between Ryan and SP. I want to see this play out.

Cam is forced into the role. I do not see a player on the roster that can set the edge against the run on the first two downs, just yet. Cam really is our only option at this time.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

jeanpierre

During the process leading up to the draft, Vaccaro was being compared to Earl Thomas...

Discussion was Jenkins would move up against TEs as the SS...

Harper, older, and soon to be more expensive, would be allowed to walk...

Either way, his inconsistency last season was disturbing; and he seemed to always be out of position last season...

hagan714

Maybe for Kenny getting rid of Jr and replacing him with Cam is a solution that will help him. Cam should be the better defender against the run. Pass rush wise, going for a contained rush vs a looping speed rush could keep thing simple at the second level on the first two downs. Knowing the QB is probably not going to be able to scramble out of the pocket as much could be huge for him

yeah i remember the KV hype and I was LMAO at the FS and player comparison statements by so many. No one listened to his position coach or much less thought of looking at the way he used in college and think to themselves this is what he is good at and nothing more.

He is the ideal 3rd safety in today's NFL. A pest that can play up front and drive players nuts. I am hoping the Cam move lets him do his thing. If the bench steps up and fill in more at the SS also would also help free KV up. IMO

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

blackangold

As I said in other posts.

We shouldn't get worked up about Cam being the Jack, because we aren't going to run the 3-4.

Base defense will be the 4-3 under just as it has been for the last 2 years. When was the last time you saw JR without his hand in the dirt, or saw him dropping back in coverage? Never, the truth is we have always run a 4-3 under base defense and that isn't going to change.

QBREES9

I just call it get the job done!!!!

Cruize

I say let his big self line up at SS and take off running towards the C/QB. Whatever happens happens.

ChrisXVI

Haha I needed that thanks man! What a funny visual.