2013/2014/2015 Defensive Depth Chart

[Mikie2times]

With a consensus toward players not being used correctly and so much discussion on the defensive line I wanted to review the last 3 years player groupings with a focus on who is currently on the roster. This is a period in which we ran a very similar version to Rex Ryan's defense in 2013, switched to a 4-3 in 2014, and back to the 3-4 led by Ryan in 2015. First things first, let's do a quick review of the staples of each philosophy and what you look for in players.

 

4-3: Typically has both DT's lined up in the gaps, but you will see some head on fronts. DT's that excel tend to have equal parts power and quickness. DE's tend to line up on the Tackles or TE's, some very head on/outside shoulder. DE's that excel in a 4-3 are better pass rushers vs run defenders. DE's in a 4-3 scheme are the players who have the largest responsibility for providing a pass rush. OLB's in a 4-3 scheme tend to be more geared toward pass defense than pass rushing. Often times teams will have one OLB who is more of a primary pass defender as strong suit and one who is primarily a run defender as a strong suit. It's not very common for teams to covet elite pass rushing OLB's in a 4-3 defense.

 

3-4: NT lines up straight on the center and it's his job to eat up as many blockers as possible. The best NT's are impossible to move. Massive size and strength. DE's in a 3-4 are similar to DT's in 4-3. Few 3-4 Ends have dominated as pass rushers and run defenders, those that have are considered elite. Most 3-4 ends are more man eaters, much bigger than a 4-3 DE, much more geared toward run defense than pass rush. OLB's in a 3-4 need to be able to rush the passer. They're the same as DE's in a 4-3 as far as having that be a huge responsibility. The best ones are elite pass rushers but also capable of occasionally dropping into coverage. The 3-4 concept is designed to create more confusion as either OLB can rush by themselves and create a 4-3 look or together creating a 5-2 look. It can get pretty extravagant in this system based on the combinations of pressure you can bring

 

9-Wide: Is a variation of the 4-3 in which the DE's line up a decent amount on the outside shoulder of the T or TE. They angle positioning inward to take a direct line to the QB. This defense has been under fire for creating large rushing lanes but has received praise as far as it's pass rushing capability.

 

 

2013

NT- M. Dareus

DT- K. Williams

 

OLB- J. Hughes

OLB- M. Williams

OLB- M. Lawson

OLB- N. Bradham

 

Observations: Both Williams and Dareus are very rare in the sense that they can play NT or DT. In 2013 Dareus played NT and recorded 7.5 sacks which is insane for a NT. Williams, while listed as a DT, played DE. 4 starting players posted as OLB's that year. Hughes and Williams can play DE/4-3 or OLB 3-4, however neither are the best fit for 3-4 DE. Lawson joins them as more of a traditional pass rushing OLB. Bradham strengths are in pass coverage not pass rushing, so he's sort of a round peg in this system. This was the year Kiko legend was born and the Bills finished the year 4th in Football Outsiders DVOA on defense.

 

2014

DE: J. Hughes

DE: M. Williams

DT: K. Williams

DT: M. Dareus

 

OLB: N. Bradham

OLB: P. Brown

 

Observations: The Wide 9 version of the 4-3 is installed. Hughes and Williams, whose best strengths are pass rushing are plugged into traditional DE's. Dareus is no longer plugged into "body eating" role at NT, but is now allowed to penetrate more. Kyle Williams moves from an outside position as 3-4 end to the interior. Bradham plays the coverage linebacker you like to see in a 4-3 while Brown plays more of the Run Stopping OLB you like to see. This defense finished 2nd in the NFL in DVOA on Pro Football Outsiders.

 

2015

DE: M. Williams

DE: J. Hughes

NT: M. Dareus

DT: K. Williams

 

OLB. M. Lawson

MLB: P. Brown

OLB. N. Bradham

 

 

If you look at 2013, we had a very good defense. The player groupings did not fit perfectly, but we have some diverse players. M. Williams and J. Hughes can be DE's in a 4-3 or OLB's in a 3-4. Both DT's can be NT's or DT's or 3-4 DE's. We can play a 3-4 and we did a good job of it in 2013. 2014 was a breakout year. I don't think Jim Schwartz was a genius, but this groups talent is best suited for a 4-3. Mario and Hughes pass rushing, two very rare DT's capable of penetrating or also eating up blockers. Perfect 4-3 DT'. Two very complimentary OLB's. Throw in the Wide 9 variation and the system is built for this roster. Our DT's held down the massive gaps and collapsed the pocket while our widened edge rushers closed down any form of retreat. Few teams could run this system without getting killed on the ground, we probably have the best roster in the NFL for it.

 

Moving onto this season it's a return of 2013. That said, if you look at the 2015 depth chart it shows like a 4-3 team. This is also the depth chart they show to open games. Unless you move Mario to 3-4 End this line up can't work. While Mario can play 3-4 end, it's not as natural of a pass rushing position. Bryant is likely getting a lot of snaps in this spot. So now you move Mario to 3-4 OLB (or Hughes). Now both players will have some pass responsibility. Bradham, as he was in 2013, does not fit. Dareus, is now being asked again to anchor and a lot of the same can be said about K. Williams.

 

In 2013 the 3-4 was not the right fit for us, but we have unique talent that can make it work. 2014 we ran a system that was literally built for this team and it's gazillion dollar DL. 2015 we went back to a system that isn't the right fit and I imagine we complicated it ten fold compared to the 2013 system. Keep in mind last year, with the Wide 9, it was free lance city for this DL. Now it's all responsibility, assignment based football which is often times taking the strengths of the roster away. I do expect us to play better as our problems are compounded by the complexity of the system. Will we reach 2014 standards? Absolutely not. That was the defense we should be running until the end of time and Ryan is not dumping his defense for another even if it's to the detriment of the team. I think our best hope is he can simplify and get us back to a 2013 trajectory.

Edited October 19, 2015 by KzooMike