The Evolution of defense.

I was listening to the Joe Noobo show, and they were talking about stopping Lamar Jackson. Noobo does a Ravens podcast, for those unfamiliar. I messaged in to find out if anyone ran a Heavy Safety- light Linebacker defense against.

The hosts said the Chargers did, but most teams don't have the personal. Apparently the Chargers ran seven safeties against the the Ravens. Obviously, not every team has that many safeties on the roster.

I have been saying to stop the Chiefs' offenses, and now ravens, that the league must adapt to a new defense. Only a few teams at the moment have the minds capable to run it. The Chargers, Patriots, and Ravens. 

The defense is fifty-six, and it involves hybrid players. It's very close to a 3-2-6 dime. Meaning teams have to be on their scouting game when building their defense.

The formation starts with a true nose guard, this is the anchor. If a team does not have this, offenses will run right through the defense. The nose guard wont be expected to get sacks but to disrupt the pocket and clog holes.

Next to the nose guard are two athletic defensive tackles. These are guys who can play a 43 DT or 34 end. Guys who could set the edge, but also clog the middle. Players who can be moved around. Richard Seymour, Nick Coe type players.

On the outside there are two edge rushers. These guys are 43 ends 34 OLBs. They can get after the run,  pass rush, or drop back into coverage. Chase Winovich, Rob Ninkovich type players. This base formation is going to have their fingers in the dirt.

This formation has two standard corners. Preferably ball hawks that can also play zone. Then a free safety playing deep zone who can come up and play man if need be. 

The three strong safeties will also need to be able to play linebacker, kinda like a Cam Chancellor or Kyle Dugger. Basically, undersized linebackers who are a little big for strong safety. Guys that can come up and stop the run, blitz the quarterback and cover pass catchers. 

On passing downs there are so many options of which front five guys can be pulled for extra pass coverage. On running downs, teams can pull one or more strong safeties if need be for bigger bodied defenders.

The thing about this defense is it makes it hard for running quarterbacks to get by. The safeties are too fast. The strong safeties are also big and strong enough to take on backs and tight ends, while athletic enough to cover a 3rd receiver.

With the athleticsm of the front five, they can easily be disguised into coverage. Which will make attacking this defense even harder. It doesn't hold true to the normal defensive mind set, and teams won't know who's rushing the quarterback and who's dropping into coverage.

Many teams are running Nickle defenses more now to keep up with modern offenses. This formation is the evolution of defense. Once teams catch on, the playing field between offense and defense will return to a balance. Hopefully, it catches on.