Could someone explain (in detail) Miami's defensive scheme? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Could someone explain (in detail) Miami's defensive scheme?

colmax

colmax

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What's up Finheaven-ers!


I was wondering if anyone could give an explanation on the scheme Dom Capers runs with Miami. I sort of understand it, but would like it in a little more detail. A history lesson on where Capers came about this scheme would be great, too, if anyone has that.

I basically know this:

- 3-4 hybrid with a big body in the middle
- Capers likes the blitz

From there, I am kind of lost. Like, what type of coverage do the DBs display, etc.


More than anything, I would like to know the scheme to understand why Miami goes for certain players to fit the scheme. I understand that in a perfect world, the scheme would demand for a certain type of player at each perspective position, but Capers has to work with what he has.



Any and all info is much appreciated. Please feel free to go into as much detail as possible. No info is too much!

Thanks!!!
 
colmax said:
What's up Finheaven-ers!


I was wondering if anyone could give an explanation on the scheme Dom Capers runs with Miami. I sort of understand it, but would like it in a little more detail. A history lesson on where Capers came about this scheme would be great, too, if anyone has that.

I basically know this:

- 3-4 hybrid with a big body in the middle
- Capers likes the blitz

From there, I am kind of lost. Like, what type of coverage do the DBs display, etc.


More than anything, I would like to know the scheme to understand why Miami goes for certain players to fit the scheme. I understand that in a perfect world, the scheme would demand for a certain type of player at each perspective position, but Capers has to work with what he has.



Any and all info is much appreciated. Please feel free to go into as much detail as possible. No info is too much!

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

Somebody send him the playbook. :goof:
 
colmax said:
What's up Finheaven-ers!


I was wondering if anyone could give an explanation on the scheme Dom Capers runs with Miami. I sort of understand it, but would like it in a little more detail. A history lesson on where Capers came about this scheme would be great, too, if anyone has that.

I basically know this:

- 3-4 hybrid with a big body in the middle
- Capers likes the blitz

From there, I am kind of lost. Like, what type of coverage do the DBs display, etc.


More than anything, I would like to know the scheme to understand why Miami goes for certain players to fit the scheme. I understand that in a perfect world, the scheme would demand for a certain type of player at each perspective position, but Capers has to work with what he has.



Any and all info is much appreciated. Please feel free to go into as much detail as possible. No info is too much!

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

Dom Capers is responsible for the creation of the Pittsburgh steel-curtain-like defense. It utilizes the 3-4 alignment with 4 roaming linebackers.

Meaning each linebacker can play the run, pass or blitz. You can disguise blitz and coverage giving the offensive coordinator problems as well as the quarterback. For example you can have 2 linebackers rushing in the outside, 1 linebacker spying on the qb and another helping aid in the outside and the middle.

Zack Thomas in this defense is an inside linebacker. He is an inside linebacker because of his lack of speed and inability to work in the outside. It might be misleading because we have seen Zack thomas play the pass very well but an ordinary linebacker will have trouble. Other duties of an inside linebacker can be to spy the qb, heavy run support. An inside linebacker doesn't need to be really athletic but the usual athletic linebackers play outside.

You have Joey Porter, very fast linebacker that can run with some wide receivers and is fast enough to blitz through the outside and cause disruption. He is an outside linebacker in Dom Capers defense.

Those are two examples of an inside and outside linebacker in this defense. Now, Dom Capers made a name of himself for his very creative blitzes in his 3-4 scheme. Making him an innovator or Defensive Gurus in Nfl History. Through the years many people have adopted his style as you can see that many teams have shifted to the 3-4 scheme.

Now Dom Capers has had many forms of his Hybrid. The 4-3 to 3-4 Hybrid and many of you have also seen the dime hybrid. The middle linebacker moves to the right outside rush spot and the right linebacker moves to the the left linebacker position with two down linemen between them. The left linebacker moves to the middle linebacker position. A Corner and a safety are near the line of scrimmage, in the slot positions. Any or all of them can blitz or cover depending on the assignment.

Let me add on more to this. Basically Dom Capers defense revolves around heavy blitzing and hiding the coverage properly. He likes to use his corners a lot during blitzes and spread his men in coverage. Just watch some games from last season and you will understand everything. He uses a lot of movement to fool his opponents.
 
colmax said:
What's up Finheaven-ers!


I was wondering if anyone could give an explanation on the scheme Dom Capers runs with Miami. I sort of understand it, but would like it in a little more detail. A history lesson on where Capers came about this scheme would be great, too, if anyone has that.

I basically know this:

- 3-4 hybrid with a big body in the middle
- Capers likes the blitz

From there, I am kind of lost. Like, what type of coverage do the DBs display, etc.


More than anything, I would like to know the scheme to understand why Miami goes for certain players to fit the scheme. I understand that in a perfect world, the scheme would demand for a certain type of player at each perspective position, but Capers has to work with what he has.



Any and all info is much appreciated. Please feel free to go into as much detail as possible. No info is too much!

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Capers needs versatility to run this Defense..IE JT has to play OLB and 4-3 DE.. Vonnie needs to be able to play 3-4 DE and 4-3 DT..Traylor needs to be able to play NG and 4-3 DT..Roth needs to be able to play 3-4 DE and 4-3 DE etc etc etc. the front and responsibilities can change at will so all of the front 7 need to be versatile.


As far as coverage last year the Fins seemed to run every imaginable type cover 2-3 Man etc etc.
 
colmax said:
What's up Finheaven-ers!


I was wondering if anyone could give an explanation on the scheme Dom Capers runs with Miami. I sort of understand it, but would like it in a little more detail. A history lesson on where Capers came about this scheme would be great, too, if anyone has that.

I basically know this:

- 3-4 hybrid with a big body in the middle
- Capers likes the blitz

From there, I am kind of lost. Like, what type of coverage do the DBs display, etc.


More than anything, I would like to know the scheme to understand why Miami goes for certain players to fit the scheme. I understand that in a perfect world, the scheme would demand for a certain type of player at each perspective position, but Capers has to work with what he has.



Any and all info is much appreciated. Please feel free to go into as much detail as possible. No info is too much!

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

Hmm. This is complicated but here goes. In the early 90's with Pittsburgh (aka blitzburgh) Dick Lebeau was the author of the "zone blitz", Dom capers took it over from him and refined it. Everyone does it now a days, but back then, it was quite new. Basically, the concept is that a defensive end or someone unexpected would drop back into coverage thus confusing the offense as to who was blitzing and who was covering potential receivers, thus allowing for all sorts of possible combinations of blitzers as well as disguising what a defense is going to do. The main thing this accomplished was that it confused the offense and the QB with regards to blocking assignments, and QB's if they weren't getting sacked were throwing interceptions to defensive ends who they expected to be rushing them as opposed to dropping back into coverage.

For example, Adalius Thomas, (formerly of the Ravens, now of the pats) is an OLB, 6-2, 270, but he has the athleticism to play safety, and has lined up to do that. Imagine the versatility and confusion that can cause. Of course, Bellichick also runs a 3-4 with all sorts of odd fronts and blitzes.

What we do, is we run a combination of a 3-4 and a 4-3 with several "odd fronts" to disguise both coverages and blitzes. I'm sure you're familiar with the 4-3 defense and the personnel required to run that defense. With a 3-4 defense, typically the personnel requirements that differ in the 3-4 is that you need a large body to play nose tackle, and your linebackers are typically bigger than what is required in a 4-3, this to be able to play the run effectively. JT is special because he can play as a dominant 4-3 DE as well as a dominant 4-3 OLB.

As far as coverages, that's going to be partially dictated by the opposing offensive personnel packages and formations as well as the score. If we have a lead, then we will have more aggressive man coverages and we'll pin our ears back and blitz more frequently. It also depends upon how well our secondary matches up with the oppositions receivers, whether someone will require help. With Saban, we didn't have a free and strong saftey, we simply had a safety who would cover the left half of the field and a safety who would cover the right half of the field both of whom were expected to be able to both help out with the run as well as prevent the deep play. We still also have nickel and dime formations where we substitute one or more linebackers for additional defensive backs. So the answer with regards to our defensive backs, is that we play a variety of coverages from man to man to various zones, and we also play in formations where we have 4 DBs to formations where we have 5 and 6 DBs depending upon the situation.

I hope that helps?
 
juniorseau55 said:
Dom Capers is responsible for the creation of the Pittsburgh steel-curtain-like defense. It utilizes the 3-4 alignment with 4 roaming linebackers.

Meaning each linebacker can play the run, pass or blitz. You can disguise blitz and coverage giving the offensive coordinator problems as well as the quarterback. For example you can have 2 linebackers rushing in the outside, 1 linebacker spying on the qb and another helping aid in the outside and the middle.

Zack Thomas in this defense is an inside linebacker. He is an inside linebacker because of his lack of speed and inability to work in the outside. It might be misleading because we have seen Zack thomas play the pass very well but an ordinary linebacker will have trouble. Other duties of an inside linebacker can be to spy the qb, heavy run support. An inside linebacker doesn't need to be really athletic but the usual athletic linebackers play outside.

You have Joey Porter, very fast linebacker that can run with some wide receivers and is fast enough to blitz through the outside and cause disruption. He is an outside linebacker in Dom Capers defense.

Those are two examples of an inside and outside linebacker in this defense. Now, Dom Capers made a name of himself for his very creative blitzes in his 3-4 scheme. Making him an innovator or Defensive Gurus in Nfl History. Through the years many people have adopted his style as you can see that many teams have shifted to the 3-4 scheme.

Now Dom Capers has had many forms of his Hybrid. The 4-3 to 3-4 Hybrid and many of you have also seen the dime hybrid. The middle linebacker moves to the right outside rush spot and the right linebacker moves to the the left linebacker position with two down linemen between them. The left linebacker moves to the middle linebacker position. A Corner and a safety are near the line of scrimmage, in the slot positions. Any or all of them can blitz or cover depending on the assignment.

Let me add on more to this. Basically Dom Capers defense revolves around heavy blitzing and hiding the coverage properly. He likes to use his corners a lot during blitzes and spread his men in coverage. Just watch some games from last season and you will understand everything. He uses a lot of movement to fool his opponents.
Click to expand...


Thanks Seau!

I have noticed, though, that Miami has had issues with blitzing from ILBs. If I remember correctly, I think between Zach and Crowder, there have been 4 or 5 sacks between them the last couple of years. I am wondering why this has not been as effective as from blitzing outside? Are they choosing the wrong lanes? I know that Zach gets overpowered at times, and Channing, though strong, is a little heavy-footed. Outside blitzing seems not to be an issue with Miami. I especially like when Yeremiah comes in. He's one helluva blitzer, but I am also wary when he blitzes because it takes one of Miami's playmakers away from a potential deep throw. I guess that's the problem with blitzing, too. You may have to eat one every now and again.....
 
Here it goes...... Tackle the guy with the ball before he gets into the endzone. Actually, the posts prior to mine are very informative and thanks to all for the info, enjoyed reading it. Just wanted to weigh in on it. :)Great thread!
 
Kyndig said:
Hmm. This is complicated but here goes. In the early 90's with Pittsburgh (aka blitzburgh) Dick Lebeau was the author of the "zone blitz", Dom capers took it over from him and refined it. Everyone does it now a days, but back then, it was quite new. Basically, the concept is that a defensive end or someone unexpected would drop back into coverage thus confusing the offense as to who was blitzing and who was covering potential receivers, thus allowing for all sorts of possible combinations of blitzers as well as disguising what a defense is going to do. The main thing this accomplished was that it confused the offense and the QB with regards to blocking assignments, and QB's if they weren't getting sacked were throwing interceptions to defensive ends who they expected to be rushing them as opposed to dropping back into coverage.

For example, Adalius Thomas, (formerly of the Ravens, now of the pats) is an OLB, 6-2, 270, but he has the athleticism to play safety, and has lined up to do that. Imagine the versatility and confusion that can cause. Of course, Bellichick also runs a 3-4 with all sorts of odd fronts and blitzes.

What we do, is we run a combination of a 3-4 and a 4-3 with several "odd fronts" to disguise both coverages and blitzes. I'm sure you're familiar with the 4-3 defense and the personnel required to run that defense. With a 3-4 defense, typically the personnel requirements that differ in the 3-4 is that you need a large body to play nose tackle, and your linebackers are typically bigger than what is required in a 4-3, this to be able to play the run effectively. JT is special because he can play as a dominant 4-3 DE as well as a dominant 4-3 OLB.

As far as coverages, that's going to be partially dictated by the opposing offensive personnel packages and formations as well as the score. If we have a lead, then we will have more aggressive man coverages and we'll pin our ears back and blitz more frequently. It also depends upon how well our secondary matches up with the oppositions receivers, whether someone will require help. With Saban, we didn't have a free and strong saftey, we simply had a safety who would cover the left half of the field and a safety who would cover the right half of the field both of whom were expected to be able to both help out with the run as well as prevent the deep play. We still also have nickel and dime formations where we substitute one or more linebackers for additional defensive backs. So the answer with regards to our defensive backs, is that we play a variety of coverages from man to man to various zones, and we also play in formations where we have 4 DBs to formations where we have 5 and 6 DBs depending upon the situation.

I hope that helps?
Click to expand...


Oh yeah, that definitely helped. Thanks!

(Reply to what's in bold)

So this is why we have seen JT out in the flats at times? I remember one game (vs. Buffalo?) when JT was supposed to cover a WR (Evans?) in the end zone and looked totally lost. Was a little embarrassing. I do not know if this was last year or in '06. Regardless, we all know what happened last year and how JT totally took over games. I hope he continues along the same path this year.
 
How prospects stack up from a 3-4 perspective

colmax said:
What's up Finheaven-ers!


I was wondering if anyone could give an explanation on the scheme Dom Capers runs with Miami. I sort of understand it, but would like it in a little more detail. A history lesson on where Capers came about this scheme would be great, too, if anyone has that.

I basically know this:

- 3-4 hybrid with a big body in the middle
- Capers likes the blitz

From there, I am kind of lost. Like, what type of coverage do the DBs display, etc.


More than anything, I would like to know the scheme to understand why Miami goes for certain players to fit the scheme. I understand that in a perfect world, the scheme would demand for a certain type of player at each perspective position, but Capers has to work with what he has.



Any and all info is much appreciated. Please feel free to go into as much detail as possible. No info is too much!

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

I think this article by Pat Kirwan might help to explain this better than most of us can.

There are really two basic 3-4 packages being played in the NFL today. For the lack of a better way of describing them, I will classify one package as the Charger 3-4 and the other as the Patriot 3-4.

San Diego loves to slant its defensive ends almost every play and bring at least one outside linebacker to create a four-man front after the ball is snapped. Because the ends are usually moving on the snap, they put more of a premium on quickness than the other 3-4 teams. The Patriot 3-4 calls for some movement, but will play more of a two-gap style from the defensive ends, so bulk and height are critical.
Click to expand...
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/10066679
 
We have a multiple front and multiple coverage disguised system.

Capers likes to blitz w/ a cover 3. The high priority is to stop the run on first down and create a negative down and distance problem for the offense.
 
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