3-3-5 Defense

[tm1119]

We’ve seen this alignment from Rod before, but I really think it may very well be the best defensive scheme we can run this year...especially in the early part of the season before our DT’s are back and 100%. But even after that I think it may be the best way to get our best 11 on the field at the same time instead of the traditional nickel.

LB- Jaylon, LVE, Lee
Jaylon as the blitzer/playing close to LOS.

DB’s- Chido, Lewis, Brown, Woods and Jones (line them up however you’d like). Heath/Frazier would play on obvious running downs.

DE- DLaw, Crawford, Taco, and Ward
DT- Collins, Jones, Price
Irving can play both spots if/when he’s back.

Those 11 represent our best and most athletic defenders in my opinion, and would anyone really complain about seeing our 2nd DT less?

Do you think the proposed 3-3-5 would work, especially against the run? And any chance Rod actually tries something different like this on a consistent basis?

 

[speedkilz88]

That's the defense that colleges and the seahawks have used with success against the RPO offenses.

 

[OmerV]

This would mean we are constantly in a pass prevention defense, and wouldn't even be playing safeties except in short yardage situations.

 

[Sydla]

It's a sub package and probably all it should be. I think playing a 3-3-5 on a more consistent basis would open us up to some issues - run game, etc.

Although, who knows going forward as offenses continue to evolve. As someone just said, some teams have used it to try to combat the rise of the RPOs.

I would think if you want to play a 3-3-5 more than we have, you would need a dominant inside DL. A real run plugger type. We don't have that guy.

 

[Prime21]

I believe the 3 Dlinemen dime packages we used were orchestrated by Eberflus who is gone.

I like it but only in 2nd/3rd and long situations. Maybe not even 2nd down all.

It also depends on how much of a thumper LVE proves to be. This defense was possible when RoMac was at his height with us. He was incredibly physical.

 

[Aven8]

I wish more teams would run this defense against us. Zeke might break a record!

 

[glimmerman]

Was that the package used in the playoff game against gb. When rogers beat us on the long pass play? Irving got mugged at the line.

 

[Future]

I think they'll do it if there's any truth to the idea that they want to get Jaylon rushing the passer, but there'd definitely be a hit to the running game.

Depending on alignment, you're going to have two of LVE, Lee and Jaylon taking on OL head-on OR your DL are going to have to play gaps and slow down their rush.

 

[tm1119]

Of course I wasn’t suggesting that this D be run 100% of the time, more like 50-60%. There will obviously still be times when we would need 4 d linemen and there will also be times we need more than 5 DB’s. But I’m just pretty sure having Jaylon on the field over Datone Jones/Jihad Ward is going to be more productive in most cases...at least we all hope.

And given the fact that the D already traditionally let’s up a lot of yards with Rod’s bend but don’t break style I have no problem letting teams run the ball. If a team comes in and runs the ball 25+ times and beats us then good for them. I just don’t see it happening more than a couple times a season, teams are still going to be throwing the ball at least 60% of the time most games.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Power run games eat up 3-3-5. With Ajayi, Guice, and Barkley in the division, I wouldn't do it.

 

[jterrell]

A couple years ago this might have made more sense but given the move back to power football for a number of teams it would be tougher to pull off.

It's a good change up to have versus pass heavy teams though.

I really like Jaylon as a player and athlete but we are so deep at DE I'm not sure I pull on to play Jaylon and LVE together with Sean
I still prefer 4-2-5 as my nickel.
.

 

[OmerV]

I think they'll do it if there's any truth to the idea that they want to get Jaylon rushing the passer, but there'd definitely be a hit to the running game.

Depending on alignment, you're going to have two of LVE, Lee and Jaylon taking on OL head-on OR your DL are going to have to play gaps and slow down their rush.

But they don't have to do this to have Jaylon rush the passer. We have to remember that the idea of using Jaylon to rush the passer isn't that he will be one of the primary pass rushers, the way an OLB would be in a 3-4, it's as an occasional twist to the defense. Accordingly, the Cowboys aren't planning to alter the defensive scheme to allow for it.

 

[StarOfGlory]

Don't want to see too much of this. There are too many good backs in this division alone. While the Skins and Midgets don't have great o-lines, I can't see us stopping a team like Philly, given their o-line, with this defensive alignment. That o-line would eat up a three-man front and seeing as how they have a few guys who are excellent at getting to the second level, it could be a parade of 5-7 yard gains down the field.

 

[T-RO]

We already play 5 DB (or 6) most of the time. So the only difference w/ 3-3-5 is the substitution of a down lineman w/a linebacker. I can see it as a viable option at times.

 

[Future]

But they don't have to do this to have Jaylon rush the passer. We have to remember that the idea of using Jaylon to rush the passer isn't that he will be one of the primary pass rushers, the way an OLB would be in a 3-4, it's as an occasional twist to the defense. Accordingly, the Cowboys aren't planning to alter the defensive scheme to allow for it.

Well I think if they're using him as a "regular" pass rusher, then we have serious problems on the d-line. I have a hard time seeing him get reps at DE (whether he's standing or in a 3-point) in the nickel.

The value in having him rush the passer out of the 3-3-5 is that as a blitzer, he can come from a lot of different spots.

 

[OmerV]

Well I think if they're using him as a "regular" pass rusher, then we have serious problems on the d-line. I have a hard time seeing him get reps at DE (whether he's standing or in a 3-point) in the nickel.

The value in having him rush the passer out of the 3-3-5 is that as a blitzer, he can come from a lot of different spots.

It doesn’t take running a 3-3-5 to use him as a blitzer.

 

[tm1119]

It doesn’t take running a 3-3-5 to use him as a blitzer.

Hard to rush him if he’s not on the field...with 5 DB’s necessary a majority of the time 1 of the LB’s is going to be sitting on the bench nearly 50% of the season.
I brought up 3-3-5 because I think it gets our best 11 on the field. I’d rather see our 3rd LB on the field than whoever our 2nd DT is at the moment.

I’m not nearly as worried about the “power running schemes” that people apparently think are going to take over the division. It’s still going to be a passing league and I’d rather have the athleticism on the field

 

[jrumann59]

A good 3-3-5 needs a guy in the secondary that can come up and play LB and a LB that can come up and play DE. Doing this will allow flexibility to change formations on the fly and adapt to pretty much anything but this defense is weak against a power run offense. Due to having two guys that sort of play two positions with the second postion not bein g the natural one.

 

[OmerV]

Hard to rush him if he’s not on the field...with 5 DB’s necessary a majority of the time 1 of the LB’s is going to be sitting on the bench nearly 50% of the season.
I brought up 3-3-5 because I think it gets our best 11 on the field. I’d rather see our 3rd LB on the field than whoever our 2nd DT is at the moment.

I’m not nearly as worried about the “power running schemes” that people apparently think are going to take over the division. It’s still going to be a passing league and I’d rather have the athleticism on the field

They play a 4-3 plenty, and they can still play 3-3-5 in situations without having to use it as the base defense.

 

[Flamma]

In some passing situations it might be effective as you can send 2 LBs from anywhere along the line. Or at the very least cause the offense to change their blocking scheme just from the threat, like hold the TE at the LOS.