Last season, would it be accurate to say that we essentially ran a 4-3 on passing downs with Aldon and Justin as DEs? Our linebackers were then Willis, Bowman, and Brooks, right? What I did notice, is that Willis and Bowman played more inside than a typical 4-3 alignment, with Brooks really lined up as an OLB. I think that was possible with Willis and Bowman's speed.
This season, Aldon is slated to convert to a true OLB in the 3-4. BUT, do you think it makes any sense to continue going with the 4-3 alignment above on 3rd down? Or do you think they will stay with Aldon as a stand up OLB on 3rd down?
Obviously, they'll mix it up both ways to keep offenses off balance, but in general, how do you think they'll play it?
There are 249 users in the forums
Defensive Front 7 w/ Full Time Aldon?
- 1 2
May 2, 2012 at 3:22 PM
- HearstFan
- Veteran
- Posts: 1,530
May 2, 2012 at 3:25 PM
- jreff22
- Veteran
- Posts: 65,482
Pretty sure we went into the nickel on passing downs
May 2, 2012 at 4:01 PM
- Ninefan56
- Member
- Posts: 5,106
Originally posted by HearstFan:
Last season, would it be accurate to say that we essentially ran a 4-3 on passing downs with Aldon and Justin as DEs? Our linebackers were then Willis, Bowman, and Brooks, right? What I did notice, is that Willis and Bowman played more inside than a typical 4-3 alignment, with Brooks really lined up as an OLB. I think that was possible with Willis and Bowman's speed.
This season, Aldon is slated to convert to a true OLB in the 3-4. BUT, do you think it makes any sense to continue going with the 4-3 alignment above on 3rd down? Or do you think they will stay with Aldon as a stand up OLB on 3rd down?
Obviously, they'll mix it up both ways to keep offenses off balance, but in general, how do you think they'll play it?
That is one of the beauties of the 3-4 you can move back and forth easily and disguise the passing rushing lanes. We are a 3-4 team.
May 2, 2012 at 5:15 PM
- NCommand
- Hall of Fame
- Posts: 123,319
Originally posted by HearstFan:
Last season, would it be accurate to say that we essentially ran a 4-3 on passing downs with Aldon and Justin as DEs? Our linebackers were then Willis, Bowman, and Brooks, right? What I did notice, is that Willis and Bowman played more inside than a typical 4-3 alignment, with Brooks really lined up as an OLB. I think that was possible with Willis and Bowman's speed.
This season, Aldon is slated to convert to a true OLB in the 3-4. BUT, do you think it makes any sense to continue going with the 4-3 alignment above on 3rd down? Or do you think they will stay with Aldon as a stand up OLB on 3rd down?
Obviously, they'll mix it up both ways to keep offenses off balance, but in general, how do you think they'll play it?
That's a really good question. Yeah, initially, Aldon would come in and line up at the LOS outside of Justin. Brooks would either rush from the outside of McDonald or drop back in zone. BUT, as the year progressed, I saw a little flip flopping of the WILL & SAM spots. I saw more inside stunts and one of my favorites was Brooks (SAM) and Aldon (TED) lined up next to each other and rushing (very successful). My point? Vic, like Rogers alluded too, hasn't even opened up phase 2 of the playbook yet. So, now that Aldon is slated to be an every down WILL, I'm expecting (and hoping) we start rushing all four LBers more and take Willis/Bowman out of coverage more and play down hill and exploit OL weaknesses. The SAM & WILL are very interchangeable as well.
Sooooo, I'm hoping with all the attention the DL will get, the back 4 will be creatively used and absolutely destroy an OL by keeping them and the QB completely off kilter. Overall, I expect Aldon's sack numbers to DECREASE next year d/t playing every snap like Brooks last year BUT I expect him to end up being a better overall OLB and used a lot like how GB uses Matthews (lining him up all over the field). Don't forget, Brooks can play both OLB positions, DE and even inside LB. With the versatility of these two alone, coupled with our DL and speed with Bowman/Willis, Vic will have no excuses but to open this playbook WIDE OPEN!
Add an offense to this mix and sustained great ST's (and TO's) and watch this defense become more and more dominant and wide open!
[ Edited by NCommand on May 2, 2012 at 5:17 PM ]
May 2, 2012 at 5:18 PM
- Dr_Bill_Walsh
- Veteran
- Posts: 20,125
Death cometh to the NFL...
May 2, 2012 at 7:08 PM
- Young2Rice
- Veteran
- Posts: 69,959
This guy is dangerous anywhere. With him pn the field next year, opposing teams must concentrate on where he will be. He was estonishingly dominant as a 22 year old. When the season starts, he will still be one of the youngest players on the niners.
Watch out. The two Smiths are going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Both are unblockable 1 vs. 1. Pick your poison.
Watch out. The two Smiths are going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Both are unblockable 1 vs. 1. Pick your poison.
[ Edited by Young2Rice on May 2, 2012 at 7:08 PM ]
May 2, 2012 at 7:31 PM
- Sinsation
- Veteran
- Posts: 803
Originally posted by jreff22:
Pretty sure we went into the nickel on passing downs
this.
[ Edited by Sinsation on May 2, 2012 at 7:33 PM ]
May 2, 2012 at 7:40 PM
- NinerBuff
- The Election Dude
- Posts: 21,443
Originally posted by Sinsation:
Originally posted by jreff22:
Pretty sure we went into the nickel on passing downs
this.
I would call that 2-4-5 (aka the Nickle). 2 down lineman, 2 upright rushing LB, 2 inside LB, 3 CB, 2 S. It just seems confusing because there are 3 receivers on the right side. We are running zone here so they natural line up against them in a staggered formation. For all intents and purposes, the play call is very similar to the 3-4, the difference is that a MLB has been swapped for another CB.
[ Edited by NinerBuff on May 2, 2012 at 7:41 PM ]
May 2, 2012 at 9:21 PM
- JustinNiner
- Veteran
- Posts: 6,715
Originally posted by Ninefan56:gotta love that 3-4
Originally posted by HearstFan:
Last season, would it be accurate to say that we essentially ran a 4-3 on passing downs with Aldon and Justin as DEs? Our linebackers were then Willis, Bowman, and Brooks, right? What I did notice, is that Willis and Bowman played more inside than a typical 4-3 alignment, with Brooks really lined up as an OLB. I think that was possible with Willis and Bowman's speed.
This season, Aldon is slated to convert to a true OLB in the 3-4. BUT, do you think it makes any sense to continue going with the 4-3 alignment above on 3rd down? Or do you think they will stay with Aldon as a stand up OLB on 3rd down?
Obviously, they'll mix it up both ways to keep offenses off balance, but in general, how do you think they'll play it?
That is one of the beauties of the 3-4 you can move back and forth easily and disguise the passing rushing lanes. We are a 3-4 team.
May 2, 2012 at 9:31 PM
- tohara3
- Veteran
- Posts: 28,604
Originally posted by JustinNiner:
Originally posted by Ninefan56:gotta love that 3-4
Originally posted by HearstFan:
Last season, would it be accurate to say that we essentially ran a 4-3 on passing downs with Aldon and Justin as DEs? Our linebackers were then Willis, Bowman, and Brooks, right? What I did notice, is that Willis and Bowman played more inside than a typical 4-3 alignment, with Brooks really lined up as an OLB. I think that was possible with Willis and Bowman's speed.
This season, Aldon is slated to convert to a true OLB in the 3-4. BUT, do you think it makes any sense to continue going with the 4-3 alignment above on 3rd down? Or do you think they will stay with Aldon as a stand up OLB on 3rd down?
Obviously, they'll mix it up both ways to keep offenses off balance, but in general, how do you think they'll play it?
That is one of the beauties of the 3-4 you can move back and forth easily and disguise the passing rushing lanes. We are a 3-4 team.
Think we will see many more looks and formations this season for sure.
May 2, 2012 at 9:44 PM
- I-U-Porta-Poties
- Veteran
- Posts: 163
Originally posted by NCommand:
Originally posted by HearstFan:
Last season, would it be accurate to say that we essentially ran a 4-3 on passing downs with Aldon and Justin as DEs? Our linebackers were then Willis, Bowman, and Brooks, right? What I did notice, is that Willis and Bowman played more inside than a typical 4-3 alignment, with Brooks really lined up as an OLB. I think that was possible with Willis and Bowman's speed.
This season, Aldon is slated to convert to a true OLB in the 3-4. BUT, do you think it makes any sense to continue going with the 4-3 alignment above on 3rd down? Or do you think they will stay with Aldon as a stand up OLB on 3rd down?
Obviously, they'll mix it up both ways to keep offenses off balance, but in general, how do you think they'll play it?
That's a really good question. Yeah, initially, Aldon would come in and line up at the LOS outside of Justin. Brooks would either rush from the outside of McDonald or drop back in zone. BUT, as the year progressed, I saw a little flip flopping of the WILL & SAM spots. I saw more inside stunts and one of my favorites was Brooks (SAM) and Aldon (TED) lined up next to each other and rushing (very successful). My point? Vic, like Rogers alluded too, hasn't even opened up phase 2 of the playbook yet. So, now that Aldon is slated to be an every down WILL, I'm expecting (and hoping) we start rushing all four LBers more and take Willis/Bowman out of coverage more and play down hill and exploit OL weaknesses. The SAM & WILL are very interchangeable as well.
Sooooo, I'm hoping with all the attention the DL will get, the back 4 will be creatively used and absolutely destroy an OL by keeping them and the QB completely off kilter. Overall, I expect Aldon's sack numbers to DECREASE next year d/t playing every snap like Brooks last year BUT I expect him to end up being a better overall OLB and used a lot like how GB uses Matthews (lining him up all over the field). Don't forget, Brooks can play both OLB positions, DE and even inside LB. With the versatility of these two alone, coupled with our DL and speed with Bowman/Willis, Vic will have no excuses but to open this playbook WIDE OPEN!
Add an offense to this mix and sustained great ST's (and TO's) and watch this defense become more and more dominant and wide open!
I love Brooks and Aldon coming off of the same side. It's just exciting to watch Fangio mix it up consistently and keep the opposing O guessing. I am interested to see what he does with the DBs this year. I remember reading somewhere that there could be more DB/S blitzes in the game plan.
May 2, 2012 at 9:45 PM
- DaDivaRecieva15
- Veteran
- Posts: 37,744
LOL @ I-U-Porta-Poties
May 2, 2012 at 9:45 PM
- ItsKapTime
- Veteran
- Posts: 1,021
Pretty sure we won't give up a point all year.
May 3, 2012 at 9:57 AM
- NCommand
- Hall of Fame
- Posts: 123,319
Originally posted by I-U-Porta-Poties:
I love Brooks and Aldon coming off of the same side. It's just exciting to watch Fangio mix it up consistently and keep the opposing O guessing. I am interested to see what he does with the DBs this year. I remember reading somewhere that there could be more DB/S blitzes in the game plan.
For sure! And I hope more S blitzes with Whitner and Goldson. Both Bowman/Willis can blitz inside successfully...then you add an occasional S and/or CB blitz to the mix? Awesome! Teams will already be 100% focused on the outside pass rush and where Willis/Aldon line up. Too many weapons to account for. And don't forget the consistent pressure from Justin Smith and Ray McDonald either!
May 3, 2012 at 11:11 AM
- jreff22
- Veteran
- Posts: 65,482
Originally posted by NinerBuff:
Originally posted by Sinsation:
Originally posted by jreff22:
Pretty sure we went into the nickel on passing downs
this.
I would call that 2-4-5 (aka the Nickle). 2 down lineman, 2 upright rushing LB, 2 inside LB, 3 CB, 2 S. It just seems confusing because there are 3 receivers on the right side. We are running zone here so they natural line up against them in a staggered formation. For all intents and purposes, the play call is very similar to the 3-4, the difference is that a MLB has been swapped for another CB.
The OP said we go to a 4-3, we don't. Aldon and Brooks at times had their hand in the dirt, going to a 4-2-5 from the 3-4 is accurate.
- 1 2