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Sparano-Nolan meeting results in new hybrid defense

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by cobrajet, Aug 1, 2010.

  1. cobrajet

    cobrajet Mr. Ross - sell the team!

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    Dolphins coach Tony Sparano met with defensive coordinator Mike Nolan in January. And, together, they came up with a new, more creative defensive system.

    "No longer is Miami steering itself toward the pure 3-4 defense of the past two seasons. And although Sparano contends last season's unit employed more than just the strict 3-4 scheme, there's a belief among the players that they're about to get far more creative. More attacking. More athletic. More diverse."

    http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/31/1755790/dolphins-coach-tony-sparano-met.html :chuckle:

    Enjoy!
    -Cobrajet

     
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  2. emocomputerjock

    emocomputerjock Senior Member

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    I get the sense that Pasqualoni was not a popular guy after reading that piece.
     
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  3. Killerphins

    Killerphins The Finger

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    Great.... Channing Crowder is the player spokesperson for the new hybrid scheme. Guy is dumber than a box of rocks.
    He talks about cover two over man. Has he watched film at all. The cover two has been exposed in this league. Please god don't let us run that coverage. That is worse than the quarters zone garbage.
     
  4. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    I don't know what you have against Crowder. He's a pretty bright guy. I also don't see where he says anything about us running Cover 2. He mentions it but nothing in relation to the upcoming season.
     
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  5. Agua

    Agua Reality: Try It!

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    The performance of this D will make or break the season.

    As a much despised coach once said, paraphrasing here, "history is the best indicator of the future".

    Nolan's history suggests he's a gambler: big play defense that gives up big plays. I suppose we had the same thing last year without the big play defense.

    The big question - will the D be more like Jimmy Johnson's or Jerry Glanville's.
     
  6. jason8er

    jason8er Luxury Box Luxury Box

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    Well, one thing is for sure....there is no doubt that this is Tony Sparano's team, and he's trying to squeeze every ounce of juice out of it.

    A tad OT, but here is another example of it from another article regarding Brandon Marshall.

    http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=capress-fbn_dolphins_marshall-4091032

     
    gunn34 likes this.
  7. CrunchTime

    CrunchTime Administrator Retired Administrator

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    It sounds a bit like Nick Saban's hybrid defense except he didnt blitz as much.
     
  8. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Hmm, I have a different take on this.

    This is not so much Sparano collaborating with Mike Nolan on a new defensive scheme, though the article suggest it, this is Sparano working with Nolan to make sure he is on the SparanoPhin Reservation so to speak.

    McDaniels fired Nolan because he wanted certain things from Nolan's scheme, Sparano is trying to preempt that via working with Nolan before the Defense is even installed.

    In Sparano's presser yesterday he mentioned a couple of things about Nolan:

    -played against him
    -liked his scheme because he found ways to outnumber blocking schemes
    -"Mike has been a guy who where ever he went he was able to use what he had already there to build his defense"

    As for Crowder..last yr at this time he was calling Pasqualoni a "genius"..take what he says with a grain of salt folks.
     
  9. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    That's a good point by Sparano IMO. If you watch Nolan against Pittsburgh, there was a play where he basically put a hat on a hat. Almost like a Gap 8 front but his defensive lineman were head up.
     
  10. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I thought last year's defense was a 3-4 version of the Wanny defenses we used to run. By that I mean there was no scheming, it relied only on individuals beating other individuals. I still remember Zach Thomas' comment at one of the pro bowl games after being told about the rules in that game that kept the defense vanilla, ie. no blitzes, etc. ZT quipped, "that's what we play in Miami every game". I complained about our vanilla schemes just about every week. That is one area where I thought the NYJ were clearly better last year. Nolan and Ryan worked together and I see some similarities in their philosophies. I'm hoping this will be the year that all the talk about having a more attacking defense actually translates to on the field results.

    I think the tweaks that we'll see in this defense will reflect the fact that it has become more of a passing game. I think we're seeing the switch to smaller, quicker DTs/NTs b/c they can get pressure up the middle even though it may give up a bit against the run. I also think the pressure up the middle is far more effective than outside pressure. Last year we relied less on pass pressure from our OLBs than a true 3-4 usually does. I think that trend will continue and even accelerate. I also am not a fan of the quarters coverage we used last year. I expect that we'll see a bit more man-free this year. I heard Sparano say how Clemons had to understand his last line of defense duties after Marshall got deep on that first day of practice. To me that implies that he is going to be used as a true FS more often. I also think we may see the corners play a soft-man and a cover-2 on occasion. I don't agree that it's been exposed. I just think any coverage is easy to beat if you know it's coming. Many teams just got too predictable in their use of it so good QBs took advantage. I also wonder if we'll see the CBs blitz as much as Nolan has in the past. I don't know if we have any great CB blitzers on the team or not. Davis is such a phenomenal athlete that he might be good at it. He has always played better when he is moving towards the LOS.
     
  11. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    I think its being exposed. Cover 2 is one of the main reasons why tight ends are having such great success IMO.

    Regarding Nolan's blitzes, mostly coming from ILB and SS IMO.
     
  12. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I think the TE success is a result of the increasing restrictions on coverage players. TE's are match-up problems for everybody. I think that having enough players that create match-up problems should be one of the GM's top goals.
     
  13. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    That is what Crowder mentioned in his WQAM interview, we were going to be in the traditional 3-4 100% of the time, with Nolan that would be mixed up into percentages such as 3-4..30% of the time..hybrid "X" number of times.



    Will Allen was a fabulously effective Cb blitzer, Nate Jones was also good at it.

    Remains to be seen with Vontae, I suspect Will Allen when covering the slot will remain a threat to blitz.
     
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  14. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    That's part of the problem. The other part is that teams are still running Cover 2 a significant amount of time IMO.
     
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  15. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I think the factor that hurts the cover-2 is predictability. If a good QB knows what zone he is facing then it's easy to pick apart.
     
  16. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I thought Jones was the best CB blitzer we ever had. I do agree that Allen was good (and hopefully still is) and will be a threat to blitz from the slot.
     
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  17. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    That and the expense of drafting/signing/developing a effective 4 man defensive line that can consistently pressure the Qb is very difficult to assemble and keep together.

    That is why I'm hyped over Soliai's light coming on, if Starks can move back to DE, our passrush will be really effective, if Charles Grant has recovered from the injuries along with Cam Wake and Odrick, we may see the crown jewel of defensive schemes, pressure from a 4 man line with virtually any coverage package a possibility behind that passrush.
     
  18. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    While I'm glad to hear that Soliai has impressed, I really don't want Starks to move back out to end. I think he'll create more havoc from the middle. In fact, while Starks impressed me with his play all year, I thought he was at his best when he moved inside. I'd prefer to keep Starks and Soliai fresh inside and have Odrick, Langford, Douglas and Grant outside (or inside when we go to a 4-man for nickel or dime).
     
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  19. cobrajet

    cobrajet Mr. Ross - sell the team!

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    I just wanted to take a minute and thank everyone. I have never been "thanked" that many times on a thread that I have posted. I search very hard to find good articles to share and I am glad you liked this one so much.


    :thanx:
     
  20. cobrajet

    cobrajet Mr. Ross - sell the team!

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    My pleasure, I always look forward to what you find out there. We have many great posters but you make the site pretty interesting. Keep up the good work.
     
  21. cobrajet

    cobrajet Mr. Ross - sell the team!

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    You are very welcome Cobrajet!

    This article explains a great deal and lends hints to what it doesn't directly explain. No wonder they are grabbing so much defensive talent with both hands. This defense they are working on must really be something.
     
  22. cobrajet

    cobrajet Mr. Ross - sell the team!

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    I betcha what they are cooking up will be just as unique to the Defense as the Wildcat was to the Offense. I think Tony Sporano is the hardest working coach in the NFL and we should be very happy to have (and keep) him
     
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  23. cobrajet

    cobrajet Mr. Ross - sell the team!

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    I think this speaks volumes.....

    ``You can call it a hybrid 3-4 or a multiple 3-4,'' Nolan said. ``But the biggest key is, you go through the process and identify your guys. Whatever best suits them, that's what you go with.''


     
  24. VA_Dolfan

    VA_Dolfan New Member

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    man our D this year is going to rape opposing QB's. I cant wait to see Sanchez and Brady get smacked over and over again(noone cares about edwards)
     
  25. JerryD

    JerryD New Member

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    We're all up for a good scheme ... but good talent can make any scheme work.

    I didn't care much for the D-Coordinator Pasq, but he had a tough job with the players he was given. They couldn't always call & get in the right defense early in the year.

    Year before last we looked alot better & went 11-5. I still don't know why we let so many decent DBs go to save a little money. I think the FO would now admit that was a mistake.

    We still need talent at several positions before we will have a good D, and need some depth ... cripes we're forced to start rookies to survive. Nolan has his work cut out!!
     
  26. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

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    He isn't talking about basing the D around the Cover 2, but all good defenses sprinkle stuff like that and other zone coverages if they are a base man D... just to give the QB something different here and there and make them think.

    If the QB comes out of the huddle knowing exactly what coverage he's going to see, he knows where he's going with the ball before the ball is ever snapped.

    That's really hard to defend at that point... and leaves your DBs out to dry. Vontae and Smith were definitely baptized by fire last year. Good thing is that they seemed to fight back. As Parcells has always said about rookies... "If they don't bite as puppies, they'll never bite."

    Smith nipped, and Vontae chomped... hopefully they keep chewing...
     
  27. Ozzy

    Ozzy Premium Member Luxury Box

    Cover 2 works fine with a very good pass rush. Schemes just go thru phases though
     
  28. HULKFish

    HULKFish Artist and Scribe

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    I agree though not about against the run... I see our DE's getting bigger.

    Also, what I think Crowder meant with the Cover2 crack was that they wouldn't be playing as much man in passing downs but would employ more help over the top. Or that the Offense wouldn't be able to assume it would be man coverage in passing situations. Makes sense to me and I LOVED what Dom was doing in 06. We've got a much deeper roster now though!
     
  29. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    This would suggest not as much Wildcat....it is still be there, but I dont see it as much as the past 2 years...I can see the cat being a wrinkle in the offense and not a main stay as it has been the past 2 years....

    remember Henning/Tony said they were desperate to do something to move the ball, I dont think that is the case anymore.
     
  30. mbmonk

    mbmonk I have no clue

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    I think Crowder was just saying using zone more often to switch it up. I don't think he was suggesting making cover two our base/staple defense.

    In my mind every defense has been exposed in the NFL. You only have 11 defenders there is no magic defense that covers everything. You have to leave something undefended. Just the nature of the game. Cover 2, cover 3, quarters, all those have weaknesses. So I am not sure cover 2 is inherently worse than any other coverage call.
     
  31. mbmonk

    mbmonk I have no clue

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    Are we talking about cover 2 zone ( 2 deep 5 underneath ) or are we talking about Tampa Cover 2 zone ( which is really Cover 3 - 3 deep, 4 underneath )?

    Nice nugget. Thanks Alen1
     
  32. Killerphins

    Killerphins The Finger

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    My point being Tampa perfected it and since then teams have been able to exploit it with either a TE in the middle of the field or any receiver in the seam or play action which is a big neutralizer for the cover 2. When they talk about running a 4-3 and the channing mentions cover 2 it makes me very nervous. If it happens we better get constant pressure on the QB or we are going to get carved.
     
  33. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    Cover 2 Zone. The deep middle.

    No problem. All can be found here and here.
     
  34. mbmonk

    mbmonk I have no clue

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    I am printing those posts out to read damn it!!!

    I agree that pressure on the QB is key regardless of whether you are playing zone or man.

    I am not arguing that Tampa 2 doesn't have flaws or holes. My point is EVERY defense coverage has flaws and holes. So to call out Tampa 2 for it seems a bit unfair.. to Tony Dungee I guess :lol:. Cover 3 gets destroyed by 4 verticals. Cover 2 zone ( 2 deep 5 underneath) has a hole in the deep middle. Every coverage call has it's strengths and weaknesses.

    Come on Killer be fair to Tony Dungee!!! :lol::lol:
     
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  35. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    TBH, I'd rather run a cover 2 that we have the players to run, then a different scheme where the players are out of position to often.

    You can run a Cover-2, the players have to perform in it first and foremost, I'd take a slow FS who can tackle, knows his assignments, and can read routes, over a wonderfully athletic FS who is marginal on the field.

    That's why ancient Safeties like Harrison and Sharper managed to play at a high level into their mid 30's, they know what they are doing out on the field.

    Heck, any coverage scheme will work as long as the Qb is running for their life..

    In all of the years I've watched Football, the most important defensive quality isn't speed or athleticism, it is solid tackling and being in position, eliminate RAC and YAC and EVERY offense sputters.

    90% of big plays involve an opportunity to tackle the offensive player that is just whiffed on.

    That is what made da Gerbil such a disaster in Miami, dude couldn't tackle well..period.
     
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  36. Killerphins

    Killerphins The Finger

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    Dungy himself will tell you that the key to the cover 2 is to have speed and athleticism. In fact it is one of the key ingredients. Lovie Smith has the very same philosophy. You have to have S that can run and make up ground quickly.
     
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  37. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    The tight end wasn't the biggest issue for Tampa 2 IMO. It was the fact that teams started running 4 verticals against them. For Cover 2, I think it was the same thing, except tight ends were more involved.
     
  38. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    IMO the best coverage you can run is Man-Free. You can defend anything against it. You also completely take away the middle of the field passing as well as the inside run game. You force everything and you play picket(sp?) defense. If the cornerbacks play by the Divider then you don't have a lot of room for errors on offense and you have to make great throws IMO. The only downfall of it is that it doesn't really create many turnovers due to the fact that the players are not facing the ball and going downhill.
     
  39. Killerphins

    Killerphins The Finger

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    I understand that. I said when teams started exploiting the scheme that was how it was done. Please read the post. I said Tampa perfected it and through the years teams figured out ways to expose it.
     
  40. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    I read your post, just misunderstood it because you went from Tampa 2 to Cover 2 in the same sentence. Those aren't the same thing, so I assumed you were talking about the Tampa 2. Forgive me.

    Tampa 2 teams run mostly Cover 1 on the first two downs.
     

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