03-05-2020, 02:14 PM
(03-05-2020, 10:20 AM)Au165 Wrote: This is where things are actually a bit muddy because it's all semantics. Those "5 D linemen" looks were actually just a 3-4 under front. The two widest "D linemen" were standing up so while on the roster they were called defensive linemen they were actually linebackers in those instances. People get too caught up in names and terms and sometimes don't see what is actually occurring. There are tons of teams that do what Lou did the only difference is their website guys list those guys as OLB instead of DE.
As for the term hybrid, a lot of teams in the NFL run hybrid defenses. The patriots for years have run a hybrid defense and all of Belichick's disciples have ran them as well. It's nothing new, but fans like to think of teams being either a 4-3 or a 3-4 and that's not how NFL defenses look at themselves really anymore. Guys like Derwin James and now Isiah Simmons are becoming these highly sought after chess pieces that let coordinators break further out of traditional scheme definitions.
There was never anything wrong with Hubbard dropping into coverage. This also traces back to people getting too caught up on named position versus responsibility and ability.
That is a good breakdown. I do notice though, that on places like Walter Football, they will rate players differently for the 4-3 and 3-4. For instance Benito Jones isnt listed very high as a 4-3 DT but has a little bit higher grade as a 3-4 NT for his skill set. Then in the pro's I wonder if players like TJ Watt, who is an OLB I think, if he would do as well as a 4-3 DE? Love to hear your insight on that type of thing. Obviously the hybrid LB/S type is becoming a big role for the hybrid 3-4, but maybe that is to keep up with the spread type offense taking place.
