Robert Saleh - Head Coach - Tennessee Titans

Originally posted by SofaKing:
I'm not sure about each and every player, but definitely the majority of them have been in a 3-4 most of their careers, college and pro. This looks mostly accurate. I know Brooks played MLB in a 4-3 for a year or two while in Cincy.

There will be some flexibility in this defense to let guys do what they do best. Along the d-line, you have guys who will one-gap and two-gap. You have a 1, 3, and 5, tech. The LEO seems like he'll be a 7 or maybe even in wide-9 alignment. There's a lot of versatility there.

Totally forgot about Brooks. Good call!

Originally posted by NCommand:

Yabethca!

Haskins, Kirkpatrick, Zach Brown, Timmons?

Also, I envisioned Buckner playing next to the Leo cause he'd be able to play more down hill. Wouldn't Dial(Don't sleep on Dorsey getting re-signed as a cheaper run defender) be better playing between AA and Buck controlling two gaps and crashing/stuffing the middle?

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by PacTiger:
I hope we can get enough talent to push dial out.

Dial is decent, but nothing special. Right now I see him at NT in this scheme, he's probably good enough to fill that role adequately. I'd love to get a Brandon Mebane type player for that role like Seattle had. Short, stubby run defender who was also disruptive in the backfield. It's a shame Ian Williams couldn't stay healthy, because I think he would have been perfect for it.

Problem is...a lot of our players looked "decent" bc they were asked to play a style that doesn't suit them.

Dial
Armstead
Buckner
Blair
Lynch
Carradine
Dorsey

Are all attack minded players...they do better when they're asked to just get up the field and create havoc. That's the part of Fangio's defense that made the previous squad so successful because he allowed them to use their aggression to their advantage. Saleh bringing that style will do the same for these guys.

Making this scheme switch will reveal this team doesn't need AS MUCH as previously stated. Many guys who were playing out of position are now in better spots to use their talent. I think the alignment will go something like this:

DL:
Lynch (Leo/Elephant)
Armstead
Dial
Buckner

LBs:
Harold (SLB/Otto)
Bowman
Armstrong (or draft choice)

DBs:
Robinson
Redmond or Johnson
Ward (single high)
Tartt (Robber)

Originally posted by reasonable1:
Problem is...a lot of our players looked "decent" bc they were asked to play a style that doesn't suit them.

Dial
Armstead
Buckner
Blair
Lynch
Carradine
Dorsey

Are all attack minded players...they do better when they're asked to just get up the field and create havoc. That's the part of Fangio's defense that made the previous squad so successful because he allowed them to use their aggression to their advantage. Saleh bringing that style will do the same for these guys.

Making this scheme switch will reveal this team doesn't need AS MUCH as previously stated. Many guys who were playing out of position are now in better spots to use their talent. I think the alignment will go something like this:

DL:
Lynch (Leo/Elephant)
Armstead
Dial
Buckner

LBs:
Harold (SLB/Otto)
Bowman
Armstrong (or draft choice)

DBs:
Robinson
Redmond or Johnson
Ward (single high)
Tartt (Robber)

Agree with the premise. Focusing on being an attack style defense, rather than a read and react one, will benefit some guys. Especially a guy like Armstead. I think thats why when healthy he was effective as a a situational interior rusher in 2015. No as much thinking, just attack your gap and let the athletic talents take over.

Originally posted by reasonable1:
Problem is...a lot of our players looked "decent" bc they were asked to play a style that doesn't suit them.

Are all attack minded players...they do better when they're asked to just get up the field and create havoc. That's the part of Fangio's defense that made the previous squad so successful because he allowed them to use their aggression to their advantage. Saleh bringing that style will do the same for these guys.

Making this scheme switch will reveal this team doesn't need AS MUCH as previously stated. Many guys who were playing out of position are now in better spots to use their talent. I think the alignment will go something like this:

All good points! It's like putting a cover DB in zone or vice versa. Besides that, aggression is a natural part of football that makes most players better. That's why it's often difficult to find players who can play the patient ILB who can wait and then react rather than just charge ahead. Willis and Bowman were once the very best duo at read and react. Reid is a good read and react safety. Justin Smith was such an elite player that he could play any scheme...but those guys are rare.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by reasonable1:

Problem is...a lot of our players looked "decent" bc they were asked to play a style that doesn't suit them.

Dial
Armstead
Buckner
Blair
Lynch
Carradine
Dorsey

Are all attack minded players...they do better when they're asked to just get up the field and create havoc. That's the part of Fangio's defense that made the previous squad so successful because he allowed them to use their aggression to their advantage. Saleh bringing that style will do the same for these guys.

Making this scheme switch will reveal this team doesn't need AS MUCH as previously stated. Many guys who were playing out of position are now in better spots to use their talent. I think the alignment will go something like this:

DL:
Lynch (Leo/Elephant)
Armstead
Dial
Buckner

LBs:
Harold (SLB/Otto)
Bowman
Armstrong (or draft choice)

DBs:
Robinson
Redmond or Johnson
Ward (single high)
Tartt (Robber)

Agree with the premise. Focusing on being an attack style defense, rather than a read and react one, will benefit some guys. Especially a guy like Armstead. I think thats why when healthy he was effective as a a situational interior rusher in 2015. No as much thinking, just attack your gap and let the athletic talents take over.

Agreed. I think most of these guys will play much better attacking & playing downhill from all angles on defense

Originally posted by thl408:

The more I'm reading about it the more I get confused. It's a Sam backer to me. I couldn't find the article that stated that Saleh was not in charge of coaching the Otto. So who knows what he'll call the Sam in the 49ers defense. Like you said, JBrack, just terminology.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/8/5/12385658/jaguars-otto-room-meets-separately-from-the-linebackers
The role is so different from the rest of the linebacker group, that Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash has separated the OTTO group into their own meeting room, apart from the rest of the linebackers.
"It's totally different," Wash told reporters when asked about separating the two groups. "When you look at our stack 'backers, they're behind the ball. They have all of these things we call hook issues and stuff like that, where our OTTOs never have any of that."

The OTTO is kind of like a combo position, where the team would like the player to also operate like a defensive end at times, which is why players like Dan Skuta, Ryan Davis and even potentially Tyrone Holmes will get looks there. The three have the ability to do the linebacker duties asked of it, as well as the ability to come off the edge and get into the backfield.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/6/28/12050916/what-is-the-jaguars-otto-linebacker-position
What is a strongside linebacker?
Before we look at what the OTTO is, we should look at what an SLB is in a 4-3 front, because the OTTO is a spin off of that position. The SLB is often referred to as the "SAM" in football jargon lines up on the strongside of the offensive line. The strongside of the offensive line is typically the side the tight end lines up, because it's stronger since it has an additional blocker/body on the line. It's really that simple. Typically the SAM backer will be responsible for tackling the runningback, shedding and withstanding blocks against tight ends, fullbacks and sometimes offensive lineman. Their responsibility in coverage is typically the flats (line of scrimmage area) and short zones under 10 yards. At times, they'll also be called to bring pressure on the quarterback.

What is the OTTO linebacker?
The OTTO linebacker is an extension of the SAM linebacker role, but the Jaguars like to place that player on the line of scrimmage with the defensive line, standing up. The OTTO is not going to be limited to the strongside, however, as when it was introduced Gus Bradley said the OTTO will line up on both the strongside and the weakside. The OTTO will also have some "LEO" qualities in rushing the passer in certain situations. It's more similar to an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme than a traditional 4-3 SAM linebacker. That's why you're seeing guys who are kind of DE/LB tweeners like Dan Skuta, Tyrone Holmes and Ryan Davis playing that position. They need to be able to hold the point of attack and beat offensive lineman in the pass rush when necessary.

Then Wash (Jags DC) says this:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/sports/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/jaguars-news-and-notes-the-otto-position-todd-wash-houston-texans-defense-nathaniel-hackett-injury/370826584
"To be honest with you, it's the SAM position with an OTTO name," defensive coordinator Todd Wash said. "That's all it is, to be honest with you. We have a SAM backer, it's called the OTTO. It's the same thing. We called it the SAM in Seattle. We just named it the OTTO here. When they get into the little people, we're going nickel. You just get really good matchups on the field. It doesn't matter if you want to call it the SAM or the OTTO. They're going to play the same amount of reps."

Good read, thanks for the info.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Niner4ever:

Potential talent indeed...less to think about in this scheme so hopefully, with some health, we finally start to see some players playing more and thinking less (reveal true talent level). We'll see. Overall, I think this was a wise defensive scheme move (and I'm a big fan of the 3-4).
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Good point...They have to play the young guys to see if they actually can play and create competition at every spot.

And certainly, many already have a lot of history in the 4-3 and others will have to sink or swim. I can't wait to see who sticks/thrives and who doesn't.

Agreed. Going to be a very interesting off-season. I'm sure they are going to have guys drop weight to get smaller & faster in this defense also, which is the opposite of what Baalke had us doing.

Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Yabethca!

Haskins, Kirkpatrick, Zach Brown, Timmons?

Also, I envisioned Buckner playing next to the Leo cause he'd be able to play more down hill. Wouldn't Dial(Don't sleep on Dorsey getting re-signed as a cheaper run defender) be better playing between AA and Buck controlling two gaps and crashing/stuffing the middle?

I'm not sure. But I'm willing to bet Dial/Dorsey would be basically 2-gap run stuffers with both AA (wide 9) and Buckner 1-gapping. They could be next to each other or mixed up depending on the DL assignments.

Originally posted by tohara3:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Niner4ever:

Potential talent indeed...less to think about in this scheme so hopefully, with some health, we finally start to see some players playing more and thinking less (reveal true talent level). We'll see. Overall, I think this was a wise defensive scheme move (and I'm a big fan of the 3-4).
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Good point...They have to play the young guys to see if they actually can play and create competition at every spot.

And certainly, many already have a lot of history in the 4-3 and others will have to sink or swim. I can't wait to see who sticks/thrives and who doesn't.

Agreed. Going to be a very interesting off-season. I'm sure they are going to have guys drop weight to get smaller & faster in this defense also, which is the opposite of what Baalke had us doing.

That's a very good point. Good call about an emphasis on speed, dropping weight, etc.

Pick up Dion Jordan in free agency to compete for the Sam backer role. he would be a monster

So he still hasn't signed his contract?

Originally posted by NYniner85:

So he still hasn't signed his contract?

I wonder if theyre working on terminology of being able to have an option after one year or what?

Originally posted by NYniner85:
So he still hasn't signed his contract?

http://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/103661-barrows-speculates-robert-salehs-future-49ers/

He's in the building but still no contract. I think Barrows is right, something ain't right.

Originally posted by swoosh6996:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

So he still hasn't signed his contract?

http://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/103661-barrows-speculates-robert-salehs-future-49ers/

He's in the building but still no contract. I think Barrows is right, something ain't right.

Yeah just read that hmmmmm