More Aggresive 3-4?

I hope he's right, that would be outstanding. It looks like Sparano's not just a Parcells clone/stooge, he's actually knows what he likes and what works, and is incorporating it into his program. Had a hint of that the other day when a player talked about the offseason workout program being a little bit different than it was at Dallas, apparently, Sparano incorporated things he learned and liked from other coaches as well.

Per se, I've never really liked Parcells that much, and was really afraid that Sparano would end up trying to emulate him in every way, but so far, he doesn't seem to have Parcells attitude of nothing is ever good enough, and eventually leading to being tired of it all and burnt out.

 

This also could be a twist they are putting into the D to compensate for perhaps not having JT, assuming that the light seems to be turning on for Roth ?? Not having JT limits what flexibility we have to move in and out of the 3-4/4-3 hybrid. Changing the two gap base just adds another wrinkle that we didn't have in the past. While the 2-gap 3-4 is the preferred D this regime likes, what has separated them is that they seem to more willing to use the talent they have and adjust the schemes rather than stick to a scheme despite the personnel. It's easier (and ultimately better for the team) to leave Merling and Langford at DE in their rookie campaigns and allow them time to adjust to the NFL before throwing multiple shifts and schemes at them. When a certain package is in, we're likely to see just a certain set of lineups and schemes and when another package is in, we'll see a different set of schemes...

I know what I'm saying is very general (and pretty obvious), but what sticks out to me is that they seem to want to change the schemes to the personnel, rather than fit the personnel. Now that could be because of the personnel we have or don't have or it could be a slight departure from 'the Parcells' tree....Only time will tell us...

 

Thanks alen,

Also there is an interview on miamidolphins.com with holliday during their last practice and he was asked by the interviewer about the defense line lining up head up then at the snap they would take a shoulder or a gap. Vonnie replied saying that there is still a lot of 2gap and said that last year in the 2 gap he was an undersized line man going up against 330 pound offensive lineman. This year the defense allows more movement. It will keep the offensive line guessing as they can't key up on the defense and knock them off the ball. He also said there are a lot of variations. It also allows the defensive line to use their athleticism and eliminates thinking too much and just react.

Sounds like an interesting defense. The players are excited about it and hopefully it all comes together this season. There has been reports that Starks is back starting at DE which could mean Roth might be used as a DE/OLB guy. Others on this board have mentioned that it makes sense to hold on to Torbio who is an undersized DT in a 3-4 defense for when the defense goes to 1gap on occasions. They also said Joey Porter and JT will relish with the new scheme.

I've never been a fan of vanilla schemes. Last year was terrible scheme that didn't fit the personnel we had. I think we tried to fit round pegs in square holes. This year it looks like Sporano is flexible enough to mix things up, keep the opposition guessing, take control, take the game to them and not to us and just dictate the game defensively as they do a bit of both schemes. It will be a strong defense simply because they are using the players to the best of their ability and putting them in the right positions to dominate.