An explanation of Jonathan Gannon's scheme

Frankly, I'm not even sweating the scheme dynamics or details. I think it's about whom is coordinator or the messenger..is the teacher. I don't care if we run a 2 man front lol...as long as we win. I think the messenger matters alot more than the scheme. Plus, we gotta just go find better players.Good players that are smart, can be good in almost any scheme. Just hope we keep it simple.
 
Cardinals 2025 defense 29th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed just the type of improvement we need! I'm sure there's things to like about Gannon, but the fact the Cardinals haven't had good defenses under him and comes from the coaching trees of 2 defensive coordinators we just jettisoned would make me really skeptical of this hire.
Gannon worries me. We need a young dude with the ability to reach players. Not a accountant.
 
https://www.matchquarters.com/p/arizona-cardinals-unique-defense-scheme-2025

The scheme for the Cardinals is unique to them. Jonathan Gannon transitioned to a Fangio-adjacent system when he took over as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in 2021. One of his key departures from Fango himself was the use of Quarters instead of the Cover 6 (Stuff)/8 system preferred by Fangio.
Gannon worked for Mike Zimmer in Minnesota and then Matt Eberflus (Cowboys DC) in Indianapolis before moving to Philadelphia. Neither one of those coaches is seen as a split-field coach.
Zimmer is multiple, but static, and is known more for his double A-gap pressure package. Eberflus is a traditional 4-3 Cover 3/Tampa coach, again, nothing even close to resembling what the Cardinals are doing now.
The past two years have been defined by the high use of Quarters while utilizing a five-man front. In 2023, the Cardinals led the league in Quarters usage at just over 30%. The defense used the extreme talents of All-Pro Safety Budda Baker, moving him around and placing him in their three-high structure as the Middle Safety. Nickel Garrett Williams' hybrid ability allowed him to morph into a box overhang or deep Safety, depending on the call.
Schematically, the Cardinals were still using their unique three-safety alignment, but were adding more pressure and more disguises. 2024 saw the Cardinals jump to seventh in Blitz Rate (31.8%) and fourth in coverage disguise.
Not NO, but Heck No!!! They were awful.
 
game-over-return-of-ganon.png
 
https://www.matchquarters.com/p/arizona-cardinals-unique-defense-scheme-2025

The scheme for the Cardinals is unique to them. Jonathan Gannon transitioned to a Fangio-adjacent system when he took over as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in 2021. One of his key departures from Fango himself was the use of Quarters instead of the Cover 6 (Stuff)/8 system preferred by Fangio.
Gannon worked for Mike Zimmer in Minnesota and then Matt Eberflus (Cowboys DC) in Indianapolis before moving to Philadelphia. Neither one of those coaches is seen as a split-field coach.
Zimmer is multiple, but static, and is known more for his double A-gap pressure package. Eberflus is a traditional 4-3 Cover 3/Tampa coach, again, nothing even close to resembling what the Cardinals are doing now.
The past two years have been defined by the high use of Quarters while utilizing a five-man front. In 2023, the Cardinals led the league in Quarters usage at just over 30%. The defense used the extreme talents of All-Pro Safety Budda Baker, moving him around and placing him in their three-high structure as the Middle Safety. Nickel Garrett Williams' hybrid ability allowed him to morph into a box overhang or deep Safety, depending on the call.
Schematically, the Cardinals were still using their unique three-safety alignment, but were adding more pressure and more disguises. 2024 saw the Cardinals jump to seventh in Blitz Rate (31.8%) and fourth in coverage disguise.
Gannon and his quarters is very effective vs the run and has been everywhere he has coached. The problem is that the NFL is now moving back to more run game for balance. The quarters is now behind the new trend, and Gannon’s defenses have been pretty bad in all metrics vs the run because his scheme creates light 6-man boxes more often than not.

I would only hire him if he’s committed to tweaking his scheme to at least balance effectiveness vs the run on early downs.
 
I want no part of this guy.
:thumbdown:

This would be nothing more than a repeat of Eberflus.
 
Not too sure about anything else, but I know against the Cowboys, Calais Campbell and the rest of their d line had their way in the trenches and won that game.
 
If they want to run more quarters coverage they really need to focus on upgrading the secondary this offseason, especially the safety spots. Quarters can be very effective but is tough as you’re often playing man to man but giving the receivers running starts.
I’d love to know how they feel about their secondary. I think they believe they need one starting corner. I wonder his they still feel about Revel and Carson.
 
Cardinals 2025 defense 29th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed just the type of improvement we need! I'm sure there's things to like about Gannon, but the fact the Cardinals haven't had good defenses under him and comes from the coaching trees of 2 defensive coordinators we just jettisoned would make me really skeptical of this hire.
While I’m not a fan let’s be honest what players do they have? They have even less talent then us there. And they were hurt. It’s like Buddha Baker and some young guys who were hurt.
 
Jerry will love Gannon if he sees him as a "yes man." That's what scares me most. :omg:
 
Last edited:
Back
Top