Defensive Line - Xs and Os

5 comments so far May 22, 2007 by Darren K. Carlson

It is “Defensive Line Week” here at Big Red Network. And, it is time to examine some of the “Xs and Os” or defensive line strategies employed by NU. In doing so, it is important to first define some of the very basics of defensive line strategy and terminology. And then, we can examine how NU may use different formations and techniques from last year to maximize the personnel they will likely have on the field.

Define the terms

Before we get rolling in to some of the basics of what NU is trying to do up front, we need to be clear about a couple of terms. For those of you who have watched a lot of football or played any competitive football, the following may sound very simple. And, by no means do I consider myself an expert in football coaching or strategy. I just played a little football (quite poorly) and have read and studied the game quite extensively (for a non-coach). And most coaches who are honest say that football coaching is more akin to checkers than chess. It’s not some great amazing strategy match. You have the things you want to do, more or less. And it boils down to execution. Anyway, here is a real quick summary of some terms for the purposes of this post, and for watching football in general.

4-3 or 3-4: Basically these are short hand for calling basic defensive front. In the 4-3, the “4” refers to the number of down linemen in a defense (those guys with their hand on the ground in a 3-point stance) and the “3” stands for how many linebackers there are. There are three. It’s a 4-3 front. Here is a basic diagram of the 4-3. From that, you can infer what a 3-4 is, too. It has three linemen and four linebackers. Here is what that looks like.

This same naming convention is used for 4-4, 5-2, and 6-2 defensive fronts. You will also hear a 5 man line referred to as a “50” front, or a 6-man being a “60”.

I know that all sounds very simple. But, I remember when NU lost to KSU at home in 2003, and then NU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini changed his defense in the first half to have five defensive linemen and I couldn’t believe it. I said to everyone in my section, “Holy crap, he’s in a 50 front!” and several people just looked at me like I had three heads. So, I’ve stopped assuming people know these things.

A, B, C, and 1, 2 ,3: There are other terms you’ll hear used when discussing defensive line play. You hear “gap control” and “technique” a lot. So, what does that mean?

Simply put, the “gaps” along the defensive line are referred to as the A, B, C and D gaps, moving from the center, outward. The “A gap” is the space between the offensive center and the guard. “The B Gap” is between the guard and tackle, and so on.

Then, there is the basic technique, that is to say – where a defensive linemen lines up relative to an offensive linemen. This is numerical, with 1 to the inside, 2 in the middle and 3 on the outside. Let’s say you are a defensive end, lining up over tight end. When you line up with you outside shoulder in line with his inside shoulder, you are in a “1 technique” on the tight end. When you are head-to-head, that’s a “2 technique” and your inside shoulder against his outside shoulder would be a “3 technique.” Remember what I said – it is checkers, not chess. For a fan, it is as simple as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

Linebacker involvement: Finally, defensive fronts are called in a series of numbers that equate to a total of six, seven or eight players. This is for good reason. It’s really about your “front 7” on defense, and not just the “front 4” or the defensive line. Defensive linemen and linebackers are total collaborators. Everyone must play their role in a team defense. Some of the best defensive linemen don’t get many tackles because they do their job well and protect the gaps for linebackers. And some of the best “sack masters” in history were terrible at playing team defense.

NU in the 4-3 - 2006 versus 2007

NU ran the 4-3 as their primary defense last year. That is commonly known. This means the base defense included four defensive linemen and 3 linebackers. NU does something a bit unique with its defensive ends. This was done primarily because of the personnel they had (read Adam Carriker). They lined up with a "Base" end, (Carriker) and an "Open" end (Jay Moore). They have very different roles. For the Base spot think "immovable object". For the Open spot, it's more about "irresistible force". He's supposed to rush hard around the outside.

As the Base end, Carriker lined up to the extreme inside, at least to the inside of the TE (a "1" on the TE), and quite often shading the offensive tackle or playing him head up ("3" and "2" technique on the OT, respectively). What did this do? It put the most dominant player on our defense in position to defeat the most plays. Many offensive base running plays are predicated on their right tackle blocking, and the tackle-tight end double team. NU inserted Carriker right in to that area to defeat those double-teams, and stuff those plays. Even if he didn't get credit for the tackle, it was all about gap control.

On the inside, the 4-3 uses a Nose Tackle (NT) and a Defensive Tackle (DT). The NT's job is to occupy space and blockers. Basically, his role is to "create a pile" of players and keep the offensive guards from getting to the next level and blocking linebackers. The DT's job is to get "up field" - that is defeat the block of the offensive guard or center, and get to the running back or quarterback. You often here the DT referred to as the “3 technique” tackle by NU coaches.

You are able to identify which is which based on their physical attributes. The NT's are big, stout players, usually 300+ pounds, while DTs are somewhat smaller (usually 275-290 lbs), and play with quickness. Warren Sapp (boo…) is an example of a great DT, while Sam (the keg) Adams is a model NT.

I don’t expect NU to go away from the 4-3 as their base defense in 2007. But when NU is in the 4-3, you'll likely see a shift from last year's alignment. NU's base end - likely Zach Potter - would not be expected to carry such a heavy burden. He would line up in a "2 technique" over the tight end, or basically head up on him, or to the outside of an offensive tackle if there is no tight end. This is a much more traditional alignment for a defensive end, and will cater to what Potter can do best. He may actually be in a position to generate more sacks that Carriker did last year, lining up clear to the inside. But, this will leave much more burden on the strong side linebacker - Bo Ruud - to control that gap. Again, it is about maximizing the personnel you have. It makes sense to rely more on a returning all-conference performer (Ruud) than on a first-time starter like Potter.

The Husker's DT will likely be Steinkuhler and the NT will be Suh. Though, Suh's combination of athleticism and size allows him to play either spot. After those two, you would have a bevy of players vying for time. All told, 12 players on NU's roster list defensive tackle (NT or DT) as their spot. I'm confident that NU will have plenty of bodies for those positions. But, it is the lack of depth at End and Suh's sizable talent that causes things to get interesting, meaning players on the move (Steinkuhler to end) or a shift in alignments, to a 3-4.

So what about the 3-4?

The overarching point of all good coaching is to take advantage of the personnel you have, and to marginalize any position shortcomings. Frankly, NU is long at linebacker and a little short at defensive end. And, the 3-4 front requires a couple of things. First, you need an absolute hoss in the middle of the field, occupying significant double teams at the point of attack. The other requirement are tremendous "multiple" type linebackers who can do many things. The modern New England Patriots are the current model 3-4 defense. Many other NFL and college teams are moving to it as well. That is because football is often a copy-cat game.

Let's see, that is "check" and "check" for NU on the 3-4 prerequisites. They would have the man-child Suh in the middle, and dynamic players like Octavien and Bo Ruud at outside linebacker. Now factor in that DE is the spot where NU is most thin. And it becomes obvious that - based on their personnel alone - playing at least some 3-4 makes sense.

Here’s a question I hear a lot when the topic of a 3-4 comes up – “But, how can you get a pass rush with just 3 down linemen?” Remember that diagram of a 3-4 alignment? What do you see? I saw four guys along the line of scrimmage. The difference is that one is a linebacker. And, frankly, many 3-4 defenses have both outside linebackers with the ability to walk up the line of scrimmage and create a “50” look, or 5-man line.

Now, if that linebacker puts his hand on the ground (like Demorrio Williams often did in 2003) it's more of a traditional 4-3 look. So, while some had a "Bo-gasim" over Bo Pelini's genius in 2003, what Cosgrove could do this year with a 3-4 is really not too different. You have to let your best pass rushers get after the quarterback. It's just that Octavien is a different kind of player and probably won't put his hand on the ground. NU calls this player the "joker", which is a great name.

On the inside, it would be all about Suh. While NU has a dearth of players listed at the two defensive line spots, I don't see any others with Suh's combination of quickness and size. So, that alone dictates that the 3-4 wouldn’t be a "base" formation. Suh can only play so many snaps. The 3-4 will be a change up, if anything.

The outside of NU’s 3-4 alignment would likely be filled out by the more run-stuffing Steinkuhler at one end spot, and Barry Turner at the other end. The same rule applies to Turner as Octavien. You have to have your best up-field rusher in position to do his thing on 3rd down.

In any case, a defensive coordinator is always trying to control the line of scrimmage first. Defense starts by stoning the run, and then getting after the passer. Defense alignments come and go. The 5-2 used to be en vogue, too. In nearly every conceivable formation, you can have anywhere from 3 to 7 guys occupying the line of scrimmage. While much is made about the formation you start in, it is really a matter of personnel, the offensive scheme you are facing, and the down and distance of the play in front of you.

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