20 Questions: 14 - what does Eberflus Defense look like

[beware_d-ware]

Fyi

Overview of Cover 6 Defense​

Cover 6 is a popular defensive scheme in football that combines elements of Cover 2 and Cover 4. It is designed to provide balanced coverage against both deep and short passing plays.

Structure of Cover 6​

• Coverage Type: It is often referred to as "quarter, quarter, half" because it divides the field into quarters.
• Field Side: Typically employs Cover 4 principles, with two deep defenders covering the field side.
• Boundary Side: Utilizes Cover 2 principles, where one safety covers half the field and the cornerback plays underneath.

Strengths of Cover 6​

• Versatility: Effective against various offensive formations, especially when the offense has a strong side and a weak side.
• Disguise: Can confuse quarterbacks by altering the appearance of coverage before the snap.
• Deep Coverage: Provides strong support against deep passes, particularly on the field side.

Weaknesses of Cover 6​

• Flat Coverage: The boundary side can be vulnerable to quick flat routes if the cornerback does not react quickly.
• Complexity: Requires precise communication and execution among defenders to avoid coverage breakdowns.

IMO, the Monte Kiffin, Tony Dungy bend-but-don't break defense still rules the NFL roost even 25 years later. It's just had tweaks made to modernize it and patch the known exploits.

Pure Tampa 2's flaws have pretty well been found out at this point. A strong-armed QB can find seams in it deep, it's vulnerable to flood concepts, and it generally asks the boundary CBs to do too little and the Mike backer to do too much. The Pete Carroll cover 3, Saban's pattern-match and bail technique for CBs, quarters defense, and now Cover 6 are just different schematic changes to fix those up.

But the philosophy behind it all has barely changed. BBDB, speed over size, rare blitzing, emphasis on flying to the ball, small and simple playbooks that frequently repeat a few base plays.... that's all barely changed since Lovie Smith and Dungy. Compare it to the other defenses of his day. No one is running 20 Dick LeBeau style disguised zone blitzes per game any more, or drafting 300 lb base DEs in a Bill Parcells mania for gap control.

 

[Parcells4Life]

Watching death by 1,000 paper cuts is the worst to watch as a fan. At some point the defenses spirit breaks. The key is people think human emotion will come in and they’ll get bored and not stick to what’s working.

With AI starting to take part in game planning during the week, you can expect more discipline from OCs, as the computer models will tell offenses to stick with their 5 yards a play that wears down defenses and rests theirs.

 

[quickccc]

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/14-what-does-eberflus-defense-look-like

General consensus - focus on takeaways

"only one time in his career has a defensive unit he's coached finished outside the top 10 in takeaways, and the one time they didn't, the still finished in the top half of the league at 14th. It'll also be a unit that, if all things are going right, will be able to stop the run. Eberflus' defenses have been top 10 units in five of his seven seasons as a defensive play caller"

Some good answers about getting turnovers, the pass rush, and how he plays the DT's, different than Quinn.

- DCs and coaches will always tell you "good answers" ... what coach(es) backs it up in what they preach, is my question.

- Quinn and Zimmer were reputable DCs, Quinn's unit also forced turnovers and were a top unit in sacks, plus DQ did more of a creative job of
moving Parsons around (ala middle gut blitzes vs center) .than i saw from Zimm
What i did not like from Quinn ( besides the total let up vs GB in his last playoff game in Big D) was he preferred " Fast & Furious over Brute Physicality
His unit was far more effective playing with a lead by offense, and too many times teams had success vs run on us ..

- Zimm did not believe in DBs getting INTs, conservative " better safe than sorry " approach I also did not like that Zimm chose to scheme Wilson much more
in deeper coverage than around the line/underneath where he was much more effective in Quinn's 4-2-5 " Hybrid " scheme.
i also had questions with the lack of development with S Juanyeh Thomas - and too late in benching CB Andrew Booth
I questioned if there was a Zimm vs Al Harris indifference in philosophies ..

- Eberflus' from what i've heard is typical Tampa 2 scheme & philosophy . he does Not place an emphasis on blitzing .. that's a a downer with me.
apparently he stresses the front trenches to provide all of pass pressure, while the back seven for far more pass defense.
That makes a " predictable" defense- which is a knock on the Tampa scheme

 

[quickccc]

IMO, the Monte Kiffin, Tony Dungy bend-but-don't break defense still rules the NFL roost even 25 years later. It's just had tweaks made to modernize it and patch the known exploits.

Pure Tampa 2's flaws have pretty well been found out at this point. A strong-armed QB can find seams in it deep, it's vulnerable to flood concepts, and it generally asks the boundary CBs to do too little and the Mike backer to do too much. The Pete Carroll cover 3, Saban's pattern-match and bail technique for CBs, quarters defense, and now Cover 6 are just different schematic changes to fix those up.

But the philosophy behind it all has barely changed. BBDB, speed over size, rare blitzing, emphasis on flying to the ball, small and simple playbooks that frequently repeat a few base plays.... that's all barely changed since Lovie Smith and Dungy. Compare it to the other defenses of his day. No one is running 20 Dick LeBeau style disguised zone blitzes per game any more, or drafting 300 lb base DEs in a Bill Parcells mania for gap control.

Although Old School Pittsburgh Steelers still to this day continuing are running that traditonal 3-4 two gap and 300 lb DEs and 4 LBs
..same ole lead backer pass rusher in a very long trend