DC Matt Eberflus 4-3 Defense AI Overview

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Matt Eberflus, the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, runs a 4-3 defensive front with zone coverage in the back end. He also uses Cover 2, Cover 2 man, and Cover 4 (quarters) coverages.

Explanation
  • Eberflus's scheme is similar to the one used by former Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.

  • He uses two deep safeties in his coverage.

    • He focuses on generating turnovers by pressuring the quarterback.
    • He seeks to stop the run by using "beefier" defensive tackles.
    • He's known for his demanding approach to defense.
    • He's known for stopping the run, causing turnovers, and bending, but not breaking.
Eberflus's defenses have ranked in the top 10 in takeaways in all but one season from 2018 through last season.

Eberflus's defensive philosophy is based on the "HITS" principle, which stands for hustle, intensity, takeaways, and playing smart.
 
Cowboys Coach Tom Landry's "Flex" 4 - 3 Defense's Concepts are used in today's modern 4 - 3 defenses, including the Tampa 2 scheme (which Eberflus uses) and the Seattle Seahawks' defense



Tom Landry's "flex defense," a 4-3 scheme, was designed to counter Vince Lombardi's "run for daylight" strategy, featuring a "flexible" alignment where defensive linemen could shift to attack gaps and disrupt option blocking.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
  • The Context:
    In the 1960s, Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers dominated the NFL with their powerful running game, often referred to as "run for daylight".

  • Landry's Innovation:
    To counter this, Tom Landry, the Dallas Cowboys' coach, developed the "flex defense," a 4-3 scheme that emphasized flexibility and gap control.

  • Key Features:
    • Gap Control: The defense aimed to have a player in every gap, preventing running backs from finding easy holes.

    • Flexibility: Defensive linemen could shift their alignment to attack specific gaps or react to the offensive line's blocking schemes.

    • Defensive Tackle Alignment: In the "flex," one defensive tackle would be aligned flush on the line, while the other would be flexed off the line, creating a "zig-zag" look that was difficult for offensive lines to prepare for.

    • Countering Option Blocking: The flex defense was specifically designed to counter option blocking, where offensive linemen would try to move defensive linemen to one side to create holes for the running back.
  • Impact:
    The flex defense helped the Cowboys become a top-10 defensive team for 16 straight seasons and was a key factor in their success in the 1960s and 1970s.

  • Modern Influence:
    The concepts of "shooting the gap" and "shoot and hold the gap," which were key elements of the flex defense, are still used in modern 4-3 defenses, including the Tampa 2 scheme and the Seattle Seahawks' defense.
 
Yes, Matt Eberflus is known to run a Tampa 2 defense, a scheme he learned and implemented as a disciple of Rod Marinelli, the former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
  • Tampa 2 Origins:
    The Tampa 2 defense is a zone coverage scheme that emphasizes a 4-3 defensive look and a reliance on zone coverage, particularly in the middle of the field.

  • Eberflus's Connection:
    Eberflus spent several years working under Rod Marinelli in Dallas, where he learned and became a proponent of the Tampa 2 scheme.

  • Colts and Bears:
    As the Colts defensive coordinator and later as the Bears head coach, Eberflus has consistently implemented versions of the Tampa 2 defense.

  • Emphasis on 3-technique:
    Similar to Marinelli, Eberflus places a strong emphasis on the 3-technique defensive tackle position, a key element of the Tampa 2 scheme.

  • Modern Adaptations:
    While rooted in the Tampa 2 principles, Eberflus's defenses have evolved and adapted to modern offenses, incorporating elements of other schemes to create a versatile and effective unit.
 
There will be some pushback anytime RodM's name is mentioned, mostly because of Taco but Eberflus's system/scheme has succeeded. We need to make sure he has the players he needs.
 
For the scheme to work— you gotta be able to pressure the QB with 4 and you need fast, physical LBs, and CBs willing to attack the run and tackle.

Our D has a lot of holes in it. We need 2 starting caliber LBs, some serious depth at DT and some CBs that can play zone and can tackle well.

Lots of work to do.
 
Chocolate Lab said:
Any defense can work with good enough players, but I hate this scheme so much.
Click to expand...
Yeah....the "prevent" or "bend, but don't break". Just doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence here. We're going to need a lot better defensive players to have any success. Maybe they're going to get some of these in FA. Who am I kidding....probably not! LOL
 
Hawkeye19 said:
For the scheme to work— you gotta be able to pressure the QB with 4 and you need fast, physical LBs, and CBs willing to attack the run and tackle.

Our D has a lot of holes in it. We need 2 starting caliber LBs, some serious depth at DT and some CBs that can play zone and can tackle well.

Lots of work to do.
Click to expand...
I just don't see us effectively getting pressure with our 4 guys/maybe that changes this year based on who we get, but for now you can't tell me that Parsons, Williams, Kneeland and OSA makes anyone feel good that those 4 can generate enough pressure consistently on 3rd and longs! With Micah being doubled as much as he is, SOMEONE should be getting home on their 1 on 1 matchups, and that doesn't happen often.
 
Majic said:
Not enough.
This system has never worked in the post season and fail to utilise the strengths of Parsons
Click to expand...
Couple things

*** HIS version of the system worked fine for the Colts

Inheriting a defense that finished No. 30 in the NFL in both scoring defense (25.2 points allowed per game) and total defense (367.1 yards allowed per game) in 2017, Eberflus turned the defense around in just one season, to rank No. 10 in scoring defense (21.5 points allowed per game) and No. 11 in total defense (339.4 yards allowed per game) in 2018.

Eberflus's cultural impact and expertise in player development was put on display throughout the 2018 season, achieving the team's defensive heights without preeminent talent. The team's previous coaching staff advocated for cutting linebacker Anthony Walker before the year, but the front office resisted and he was retained.[11] Under Eberflus, Walker became the team's second-leading tackler with 105 on the season (53 solo). Rookie Shaquille Leonard, a 2nd round pick out of South Carolina State, led the NFL with 163 tackles (93 solo), earning First Team All-Pro Honors and making the All-Rookie Team. Eberflus's improved the Colts rushing defense from No. 26 in 2017 (120.4 rushing yards allowed per game) to No. 8 in 2018 (101.6 rushing yards allowed per game). The Colts rushing defense allowed just 3.6 yards per carry, good for 6th in the NFL, and did not allow a single 100-yard rusher all season.[12]

Eberflus also improved the Colts' passing defense from No. 28 in 2017 (246.6 passing yards allowed per game) to No. 16 in 2018 (237.8 passing yards allowed per game), doing so with their number one corner, Pierre Desir, already having been waived by three NFL teams since being drafted in 2014, and Kenny Moore II, who was an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State last season.

** 2nd
How do we know whether or not his system will work with Parsons if they have never worked together? But here's what I do know and this may not count for much but he's NOT here as DC w/o convincing Jerry, Stephen and Schotty Parsons will continue playing at an ALL-PRO level.
 
We ran the Tampa 2 scheme in college in 1992. --It was Jimmy's scheme and Carlos Mainord was a system disciple under Wanny.
Eberflus has updated his scheme a bit but not a lot.

This SHOULD be a good fit for Daron Bland and Trevon Diggs (if he returns). It allows CBs to play zone and break on the ball for INTs.
Not much different from what Zimmer does.
 
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