Gang Green Nation: Sheldon Richardson and the Nickel Defense

We run a lot of 3-2-6 dime and even 1-3-7 sometimes. We used a "Big Nickel" 3-3-5 vs NE with success last yr, with 3 safeties instead of 3 CBs. I'm concerned the loss of Bell without a replacement will hinder our Big Nickel capabilities. The Big Nickel is a must vs NEs two TE sets.

I think Richardson/Wilk/Coples will all see time at 3-4 DE. These guys will be all over the place, the amount of different looks we will show teams will be unheard of. The 46 should be fun as well. Young QBs will not fare well against our defense.

I like the article but that 2-4-5 we run in the example still has converted 43 DEs at the DE spot. It's essentially a 4-2-5, as our 34 OLBs are 43 DEs.

 

1-3-7 is what you run when trying like hell not to let anyone score on you. It's the most extreme version of prevent. I don't even know why anyone would bring it up, because it is an embarrassing personnel grouping.

I like how Sheldon will fit into this defense, though. Wilk and Coples both have the ability to play head-up and in-gap in a number of formations, so it makes the 3-down and 4-down sets pretty fluid.

Add the speed of Barnes and maybe even Davis on the outsides...

That's a lot to work with. And it keeps the pressure off our safeties.

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1193999-new-york-jets-why-rex-ryans-defense-is-not-a-3-4

We use this alignment in a 'prowl' formation in more than Hail Mary situations. RR likes to blitz DBs. Embarassing.

 

New York Jets – Stop With 3-4 Labels (I suggest clicking link for pictures)

The New York Jets are generally referred to as a “3-4″ defense. This description leads to people attempting to fit all their personnel into pre-conceived roles that lack flexibility. Once somebody is a defensive tackle, they have to be a space-eating two-gap player. Once somebody is an outside linebacker, they have to be in a 2-point stance, frequently lining up at the second level and consistently dropping into coverage.

This is of course a misconception and something we are going to dig into over the next few weeks here at Turn On The Jets. Using a combination of film breakdown and playbook access, our staff is going to explain the Jets defense to the best of our ability. We are going to go through the different personnel groups frequently used by Rex Ryan, discuss how certain players will be moved around, explain the different fronts, coverages and blitz packages and work to answer any questions you will have.

Rex Ryan’s defense is far from a traditional 3-4, mixing in heavy use of the 4-3, 46, 3-3-5, 4-2 nickel slide and things that don’t even really have a name.

The previously mentioned 4-2 slide nickel was a particular favorite of Rex Ryan last year, shown below against Seattle. A linebacker was frequently removed for an extra defensive back who would then flex out over the slot receiver. Calvin Pace was most commonly used as the fourth down lineman in this personnel.

The regular use of four man fronts makes more sense of the Sheldon Richardson selection. As staff writer Mike Nolan discussed in the previously linked piece, Richardson will get plenty of opportunities to be a penetrating 3 technique in four man fronts. He also has the ability to be a major factor when the Jets move to their 46 alignments.

There has been a recent minor uproar about Quinton Coples moving to outside linebacker on the Jets defense, with many people seemingly picturing him constantly dropping into coverage and being forced to excessively play in space. Jets defensive line coach Karl Dunbar has said Coples will be in the “rush” position on the Jets defense, which we saw Coples play at heavily towards the end of last season. Both of the below images are examples of Coples coming off the edge from a 2 point stance in passing situations. This will be an even more frequent occurrence for the Jets this season.

Will Coples be asked to drop into coverage at times? Yes. But there were actually times last year he dropped into coverage from a defensive lineman spot. There is an immense amount of flexibility in Rex Ryan’s front seven and at some point next season you will see Coples at every different spot upfront.

Ryan is going to get his best players on the field for the maximum amount of reps. A player like Calvin Pace or Antwan Barnes could be a de factor “starter” but play 35-45% snaps in a given week because of the game plan and personnel packages. Rex won’t sacrifice repetitions to a talented, deep defensive line rotation to give more playing time to a weak group of linebackers.

You can call Coples whatever position you want but he is primarily going to be rushing the passer. You could technically call the Jets third safety or third corner a linebacker this season with how much they will probably be on the field at certain times. Yet, don’t get yourself so wrapped up in assigning spots or preconceived roles to anybody in Rex Ryan’s defense.​

 

QB's have learned to pick apart defenses by going to the line of scrimmage, and recognizing what system is being used, then calling an audible to exploit its weaknesses. That's one of the reasons why numbers have exploded in favor of the offense in modern times - a guy like Peyton Manning is a perfect example.

So if instead of playing one formation every snap, you mix six or seven different formations on defense, and disguise who is doing what role, it makes it for more confusing for the QB and he can't pick the team apart. Now if you do that using a talented defensive line and excellent CB's, it makes for an outstanding defense.

Looking forward to seeing it in action next fall... the foundations are in place.

 

Great read. The further we get from the draft the more excited I am about what Idzik managed to do. I've come around on the Sheldon Richardson pick because I just don't see who we could of taken at 13 that would of been more useful. Jarvis Jones was just another slow LB with injury problems, Eifart would have been a luxury pick, and this crop of WR after Tavon Austin were good but not great.

I'm getting more excited for this season as the days and weeks go by. But what I'm really excited for is the 2014 draft where I think we'll really do some damage.

 

Front 7 of Rex's D looks mighty good right now. Really excited to see a return to aggressive defense & to watch these blue chip DLers dominate.

Richardson still needs to put his pads on & learn a thing or 2. That said, I think his talent is a good compliment to Wilk's.

Wilk's gonna hurt you w/ power,wing span & counters off the anchor.Meanwhile Richardson uses quickness off the snap, hip flex & strong hands to penetrate.

Could be a thing of beauty.

 

It's a shame this doesn't translate to offense...

I am appreciative of Rex's innovative ways to counteract the new era offenses' advantage in recognizing defensive alignments. It's better to be proactive. But, you have to wonder how much of it is square peg, round hole type thing with some of these personnel. I'd like to envision that the confusion this creates far outweighs the negatives that come with players having responsibilities that don't fit with the strongest aspect of their skillset. At some point, you have to just beat the guy in front of you and make the play.