Defensive changes/personnel

[*Synric*]

(8 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. 

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. 

[*rfaulk34*]

(8 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. 

That site i just linked is apparently having issues now but i think it said in there that the Bengals dropped DEs the most in the NFL last year. 

[J24]

I don't see much changing except for (maybe) more man coverage this year. I might be wrong but I don't there was a team in college that played more man coverage than Notre Dame last season (particularly cover one).

[Joelist]

Golden already said he will be using 3 LB more than Lou did.

[*bfine32*]

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

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.

[*bfine32*]

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

Hell, i use 3 LB more than Lou 

[THE PISTONS]

It's pretty telling that as the guys Lou played a lot got injured, the defense got better. That says a lot.

[Yogo]

(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

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.

[*pally*]

It seems by the way they drafted that they also believe that improving linebacker play is essential to the dbs performance

[Luvnit2]

(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.

Maybe you should do some reseach as Stewart had best RAS score of any DE/Edge in the draft.

Shemar Stewart dominates at NFL Combine, posts projected 10.00 RAS

It started with Stewart’s historic broad jump of 10’11” that landed him first among all defensive linemen at this year’s showcase in Indianapolis and fifth all-time among defensive ends ever at the NFL Combine.

Stewart followed that up quickly with a vertical leap of 40 inches that landed him second among this year’s defensive linemen and just an inch and a half short of the best vertical leap ever by a defensive lineman.

https://texags.com/s/65576/shemar-stewart-dominates-at-nfl-combine-posts-projected-1000-ras

For reference, Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown had the same vertical at only 223 pounds. That is 44 pounds lighter than what Stewart is testing at.


Just for show, Stewart ran an impressive 4.59 40-yard dash (fastest among prospects over 260 pounds) with an insane 1.58 10-yard split, which was tied for first among all DL.


https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/7/24379887/2025-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-james-pearce-jr-edge-tennessee-scouting-report-ny-giants



Pierce weighedin at 245 lbs or over 20 lbs lighter, he has a RAS score of 9.34 

[Whatever]

I would take the 4-3 talk with a grain of salt. Yes, I to think he will use it more, but defensive personnel is dictated by offensive personnel. If you keep throwing a base 4-3 out there consistently against 11 personnel, you'll get eaten alive. I do think he will use 4-3 more against the other AFCN teams, especially the Ravens who run a good deal of 12 personnel.

As for the Viper, perhaps he sees Stewart in that role? While I don't think he was asked to do much of it alin college, he definitely has the traits of a player that can rush the QB one play and run with a TE the next.

[Soonerpeace]

I’ve said this many times. The scouting department and Duke rely heavily on the DC in the draft. It’d be stupid to force players on the staff. But I’m convinced some of the players drafted that haven’t panned out are on Lou. Also a comment by Duke that we need players to contribute right away was a reference to Lou. I like what I’m hearing from Al on the consistency and seems likely a different approach to OTA’s and camp. I’d expect they’ve not let the defense be very aggressive in order to protect the offense. I’m no X and O guy but I know several coaches ( many retired) in both college and NFL. Many say offensive minded coaches restrict the defense in practice. Likewise defensive minded head coaches are brutal in practice. Sounds like Al is ramping it up and the slow starts has Zac on board.

Another thing important is identifying and playing the right player. Coaches get prejudiced for a lot of different reasons and dig in. Saban, Parcells, and Belichick were the best at no bias. The bottom line is the drafts recently and free agency lack luster recently. The slow starts glaringly bad. The OL poor. Now the defense poor. A lot to fix. But the offense looks strong. Gesicki and Isovias are going to take a step up. The defense if it can improve could get us back into the hunt.

[Joelist]

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.

[Soonerpeace]

(57 minutes 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.

Goldens family never moved to South Bend. You’re right about his complex schemes and developing players.