Wade Phillips and the 46 Defense (READ IT)
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Cowboys Magazine: Wade Phillips and the 46 Defense
by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Jul 2, 2009 10:25 PM
Buddy Ryan's son Rex will try to blitz the Jets back to the playoffs . Buddy's 46 scheme will also be used a lot this year by his former DC Wade Phillips.
[Ed Note]: BTB will be running a series of posts over the next few weeks highlighting some of the articles in the new magazine Maple Street Press Cowboys Annual. I did the editing and Rafael did a lot of the feature writing for the magazine that will go on sale July 21st in outlets around the country. You can pre-order the magazine for delivery by visiting the Maple Street Press website. Besides getting a great magazine with 128-pages of Cowboys goodness complete with plenty of analysis and photos, you'll also be supporting Rafael and I along with BTB. So go pre-order now.
Today's feature article is by Rafael Vela entitled: Who's Your [Football] Daddy? Wade Phillips and his Two Football Fathers. I'll let Rafael do the set-up for the article and tell you more about it.
Wade Phillips dusted off the 46 scheme he learned from Buddy Ryan to rescue his season. Dallas played the 46 close to half the time in the Commanders rematch win and used it a lot down the stretch. Dallas has an improved coverage secondary this year, with a lot more speed at the safety position. For this reason, I expect Phillips to blitz much more heavily this year. With a trusted -- and bigger -- Keith Brooking playing MLB instead of Zach Thomas, I think Wade Philips will unleash the Bear package and its blitzes a lot, lot more this year.
-- rv
[Excerpt from the actual magazine article]:
Dallas limped into its bye having surrendered 439 rushing yards in its previous three games. Good teams were out muscling Dallas's front seven. On the line, only Ratliff played consistently good ball. His backup Tank Johnson, either played very well or hardly at all. The same was true of right end Chris Canty, who could dominate for a series or a quarter, and then disappear for equal amounts of time. Left end Marcus Spears was playing better football, but he lacked big play ability.
Phillips then made a tactical switch, elevating the 46 from a change-up, third down defense to his primary scheme.
Buddy Ryan created the 46 scheme on the philosophy that the defense should dictate play to the offense. It modifies a base 4-3 scheme to maximize interior pass rush, create rush mismatches on the edges, and put eight men within five yards of the line of scrimmage to create numerical edges for the defense against running plays.
The first change involved moving the best pass rusher from end to nose tackle. In Chicago, Ryan lined up Dan Hampton between his defensive tackles. In Philadelphia, Reggie White lined up on the nose. The thinking is to put your best rusher on one of the line's weakest pass blockers one-on-one. Because two defensive tackles are playing over the offensive guards, neither one of them can help the center. On the strong side, the 46 deploys two linebackers, one on each side of the tight end. One or both of them can rush, creating an overload on that edge if the tight end releases on a pass route. On the weak side, the speed rusher lines up wide and gets to duel the tackle in space.
The scheme plays to Dallas's strengths. Dallas's best rushing lineman was already on the nose, but putting two tackles alongside him meant he could not be double teamed. DeMarcus Ware was already playing the Richard Dent/Clyde Simmons role, only from a two point stance instead of with his hand down. Bradie James emerged as a rushing linebacker in 2008 and lining him up next to Greg Ellis gave offensive coordinators headaches. Both of them finished with eight sacks and an opponent could not be sure if one or both of these skilled rushers would attack the quarterback on any given play.
The 46 also covered up the Cowboys rush weakness at inside linebacker. With three defensive linemen parked over the three interior offensive linemen, Dallas could play a smaller, speedier middle linebacker and let him float to the ball. Dallas had such a player in the 227-pound Kevin Burnett. He had excelled in coverage as Dallas's nickel backer but the coaches had been reluctant to play him on first and second downs. The 46 made him an every-down player.
What's more, the Cowboys could shift easily from set to set. They could deploy in their base set and then slide both defensive ends inside. James would then walk from his strongside inside linebacker slot to the gap vacated by the end and the 46 was in place.
by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Jul 2, 2009 10:25 PM
Buddy Ryan's son Rex will try to blitz the Jets back to the playoffs . Buddy's 46 scheme will also be used a lot this year by his former DC Wade Phillips.
[Ed Note]: BTB will be running a series of posts over the next few weeks highlighting some of the articles in the new magazine Maple Street Press Cowboys Annual. I did the editing and Rafael did a lot of the feature writing for the magazine that will go on sale July 21st in outlets around the country. You can pre-order the magazine for delivery by visiting the Maple Street Press website. Besides getting a great magazine with 128-pages of Cowboys goodness complete with plenty of analysis and photos, you'll also be supporting Rafael and I along with BTB. So go pre-order now.
Today's feature article is by Rafael Vela entitled: Who's Your [Football] Daddy? Wade Phillips and his Two Football Fathers. I'll let Rafael do the set-up for the article and tell you more about it.
Wade Phillips dusted off the 46 scheme he learned from Buddy Ryan to rescue his season. Dallas played the 46 close to half the time in the Commanders rematch win and used it a lot down the stretch. Dallas has an improved coverage secondary this year, with a lot more speed at the safety position. For this reason, I expect Phillips to blitz much more heavily this year. With a trusted -- and bigger -- Keith Brooking playing MLB instead of Zach Thomas, I think Wade Philips will unleash the Bear package and its blitzes a lot, lot more this year.
-- rv
[Excerpt from the actual magazine article]:
Dallas limped into its bye having surrendered 439 rushing yards in its previous three games. Good teams were out muscling Dallas's front seven. On the line, only Ratliff played consistently good ball. His backup Tank Johnson, either played very well or hardly at all. The same was true of right end Chris Canty, who could dominate for a series or a quarter, and then disappear for equal amounts of time. Left end Marcus Spears was playing better football, but he lacked big play ability.
Phillips then made a tactical switch, elevating the 46 from a change-up, third down defense to his primary scheme.
Buddy Ryan created the 46 scheme on the philosophy that the defense should dictate play to the offense. It modifies a base 4-3 scheme to maximize interior pass rush, create rush mismatches on the edges, and put eight men within five yards of the line of scrimmage to create numerical edges for the defense against running plays.
The first change involved moving the best pass rusher from end to nose tackle. In Chicago, Ryan lined up Dan Hampton between his defensive tackles. In Philadelphia, Reggie White lined up on the nose. The thinking is to put your best rusher on one of the line's weakest pass blockers one-on-one. Because two defensive tackles are playing over the offensive guards, neither one of them can help the center. On the strong side, the 46 deploys two linebackers, one on each side of the tight end. One or both of them can rush, creating an overload on that edge if the tight end releases on a pass route. On the weak side, the speed rusher lines up wide and gets to duel the tackle in space.
The scheme plays to Dallas's strengths. Dallas's best rushing lineman was already on the nose, but putting two tackles alongside him meant he could not be double teamed. DeMarcus Ware was already playing the Richard Dent/Clyde Simmons role, only from a two point stance instead of with his hand down. Bradie James emerged as a rushing linebacker in 2008 and lining him up next to Greg Ellis gave offensive coordinators headaches. Both of them finished with eight sacks and an opponent could not be sure if one or both of these skilled rushers would attack the quarterback on any given play.
The 46 also covered up the Cowboys rush weakness at inside linebacker. With three defensive linemen parked over the three interior offensive linemen, Dallas could play a smaller, speedier middle linebacker and let him float to the ball. Dallas had such a player in the 227-pound Kevin Burnett. He had excelled in coverage as Dallas's nickel backer but the coaches had been reluctant to play him on first and second downs. The 46 made him an every-down player.
What's more, the Cowboys could shift easily from set to set. They could deploy in their base set and then slide both defensive ends inside. James would then walk from his strongside inside linebacker slot to the gap vacated by the end and the 46 was in place.
Apollo Creed
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Good stuff right there.
I'm pumped about our D next year. With a heavily upgraded secondary Wade will have the freedom to dial up whatever he likes. No more Reeves, Henry, Biscuit, Killa, etc. Pending we stay healthy we will finally be free of consitently targetted liabilities in coverage.
I'm pumped about our D next year. With a heavily upgraded secondary Wade will have the freedom to dial up whatever he likes. No more Reeves, Henry, Biscuit, Killa, etc. Pending we stay healthy we will finally be free of consitently targetted liabilities in coverage.
BrassCowboy
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I really liked Wade's version of the 46 defense when he used it, and with what we have done with our defense in getting a real safety, and new talent at cornerback, this could be something real good.
My favorite part of the game of football, and one i think is the most important aspect of it, is a good defense.
Like we had in the early 90s when several guys targeted the ball carrier and you could see it in the way they carried themselves
My favorite part of the game of football, and one i think is the most important aspect of it, is a good defense.
Like we had in the early 90s when several guys targeted the ball carrier and you could see it in the way they carried themselves
Chocolate Lab
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theogt;2830479 said:
BAT;2830480 said:In short, its the FORTY six, not a FOUR-six. You'd think people would understand that right off since it is never written w/a hyphen, at least by knowledgeable writers.
Thumper said:
Yep, and on the very cover of that magazine they call it the "4-6". :bang2:
Just a pet peeve of mine.
Good article, though. Actually, I'd like to read the entire non-snipped article from the print magazine. Being the DC for Buddy Ryan in Philly is one of the cooler things any coach could put on his resume.
sonnyboy
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I noticed us playing it last year. I've always liked it. However, in today's game it should only be part of your package. You really need to change things up.
What I like best about it for us is the isolation ops it gives Ratliff over the OC. Not only for the obvious reason of unleashing his quickness against an OL handicaped by the snap for half a second, but it also limits the wear of a constant double team your NT gets.
What I like best about it for us is the isolation ops it gives Ratliff over the OC. Not only for the obvious reason of unleashing his quickness against an OL handicaped by the snap for half a second, but it also limits the wear of a constant double team your NT gets.
BAT
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SaltwaterServr;2830504 said:
How you saw anything on that little screen is beyond me. I was just relying on memory when I saw it live on my big screen.
But if there was another DL between Canty and Ware, it makes those 2 runs even more embarassing. From what I saw (and remember), Spencer misses the tackle first (in the backfield), then Zach, Spears is walled off completely, then James can't wrap up, then finally the humiliation bounce off by Hamlin.
BAT
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MONT17;2830809 said:
I agree wholeheartedly. I believe his loss of weight (now under 240 lbs) may have something to do w/it b/c James is definitely improved rushing the passer & amazingly enough, in coverage, but later in the season, he was not as effective when they ran right at him.
Neither he nor Zach Thomas were finishing tackles like they were earlier in the season. I guess you could lump in everyone in the secondary too.
pancakeman
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SaltwaterServr;2830487 said:
And Beuhler can be the secondary.
Bob Sacamano
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BAT;2830824 said:
I can't wait to see Jason Williams get up to speed, he could be lethal in the 4-6
even if he adds weight to better withstand the pounding
pancakeman
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BAT;2830816 said:
How he can bear to go back and watch those plays is beyond me.
mperfection
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BAT;2830461 said:
Agreed 100% Bat. I was thinking the SAME thing about Jason Williams in this defense when I read the article. I didn't even think about Hodge, but I think you are right on the money. Those two players could make our LB's sick in this defense.
I know that there has been a lot of bashing about this year's draft, but I truly believe 10 of the 12 guys we drafted WILL make the team AND have an impact on the team for years to come. Our draft, IMHO, was just that good!
I don't think J. Williams will be ready for that role this year, but give him another 2 years and he will be an absolute monster on our defense.
AsthmaField
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Four;2830923 said:
Or both.
He definately is negative to the point that it is easy to realize he isn't a fan of the Cowboys. In fact, his remarks are ludicrous enough that I think he must be an NFC East rival fan. His hate clearly runs that deep.
Bluefin
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But wouldn't our personnel tip the possibility?
If Zach Thomas was on the field, it was likely a straight 3-4. Any regular down where Kevin Burnett came in, odds favored a shift to the 46 to protect him from offensive linemen.
Are we any better off with Keith Brooking?
I believe he's an upgrade over Thomas on the inside due to his size and familiarity with Wade's scheme. But Brooking isn't a coverage 'backer and I wouldn't want to see him responsible for the middle of the field in our 46 set.
If we have to bring a better cover player on the field to be able to shift looks, it's an automatic tip off on what might be coming to the opposing offense.
That doesn't make the look less dangerous, but it'd be nice to be able to pull it off with our base personnel while not worrying about the middle linebacker getting comepletely exposed in coverage.