(9 hours ago)rfaulk34 Wrote: Hmm. I was under the belief that it was a versatile player that could rush, drop and perform the usual duties of a LB. 

If you ask me, it's kinda stupid to give a cool name to a guy that's basically an ED that drops into coverage every now and then...

It's also funny that went you look it up, it gives you 2 different explanations depending on how you spell it. 

(9 hours ago)Synric Wrote: Trey and Sam dropped in coverage alot last year. It was like at the 5th & 6th highest rate of any edge defenders in the NFL. 

Quote:The “viper” position is most closely connected to former Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown, who deployed linebacker/nickel/safety types in Jabrill Peppers and Josh Metellus at this hybrid position.

Golden borrowed from that at Notre Dame but put his own spin on it.

Similar to Michigan’s viper position, Golden’s viper was a do-it-all chess piece. He rushed the passer around the edge, dropped back in coverage and lined up in a lot of different players. But while Brown’s vipers were closer to defensive backs, Golden’s vipers were closer to defensive ends. They typically were about 6-foot-4 and around 250 pounds, and they were typically Golden’s most productive sack guys.

The viper was a part of Golden’s base defense, and the role highlighted the best athlete at the line of scrimmage.

“How dynamic would that be if we had that guy in our defense that can rush the passer on the first third down but on the next third down we’re in a different look and he’s moving around and we can blitz?” Golden said.

That was the idea.

The viper still did a fair share of dropping back in coverage, and viper Boubacar Traore had a pick six last season on a play where he simulated a pressure, dropped back and kept his eyes on the quarterback.

The size and speed of Golden’s vipers, “rovers” (another speciality position) and all of his defensive end/outside linebackers pops off the tape. In position battles, he seemed to prioritize those traits over experience.

Traore was Notre Dame’s best pass rusher before he got hurt, and he was a freshman. Bryce Young, who’s 6-foot-7, burst onto the scene during the second half of the season. Sophomore Jaylen Sneed also brought some impressive athleticism to the line of scrimmage.

(9 hours ago)Joelist Wrote: Golden already said he will be using 3 LB more than Lou did.

(7 hours ago)bfine32 Wrote: A good read about Golden's Defensive philosophy. I've quoted the Viper that's currently being discussed, but all of it explains his vision.

https://charlieschalkboard.substack.com/p/a-crash-course-in-al-goldens-system?utm_medium=web

(6 hours ago)Yogo Wrote: Which is why I was shocked that we weren't aiming for Pearce, Cambell, Carson, and Walker to fit as a viper.  Getting Stewart is more like another Trey.  Feel like we gonna do a lot more basic standard 4-3-4 with man and cover 1.

(1 hour ago)Joelist Wrote: Golden is the one who said he plans to use both more 3 LB looks and more 4-3. It makes sense as under Lou we were running out our 2 LB looks even against offenses running 12. Hence the double LB dip and signing a free agent LB - we're going to likely carry more LB than in the Lou era. As to who the Viper is, he has choices. Stewart is one definitely. I also expect Golden is going to tailor his defense to be something his players can execute at full speed - especially after seeing the defense struggle to execute Lou's complex alignments and calls the last couple of seasons.

Lou is a good DC make no mistake. But he needs savvy veterans to execute his scheme and does not seem to be super good at coaching up youngsters in it. Hence the coming of Golden, who I assume as part of how they got him away from Notre Dame and other pro teams was likely promised a lot of control over player selection on defense.