More Talk Of A Potential 3-4
There is also the outside possibility that the Vikings could put together defensive fronts featuring all three linemen, with Pierce at the nose and Richardson and Tomlinson as closed ends in a 3-4 system reminiscent of the ones Richardson and Tomlinson both played in for their respective New York teams. As Richardson pointed out, he even played a little bit of outside linebacker in New York at 330 pounds. Now, at 286 pounds, he’ll be able to leverage his versatility even more.
Coming out of the draft, both Hunter and Anthony Barr were projected as 3-4 outside linebackers, and it certainly seems possible, especially if the Vikings are confident in Nick Vigil, Cameron Smith or Troy Dye to take over an inside linebacker spot for a few downs.
That might not be the most likely option, but the fact remains that the Vikings have given themselves a bit more flexibility this offseason with players capable of playing every spot in every technique along the defensive line. This could also allow them to try out other defensive fronts that have been popular around the league, like the Bear front or Tite front that have been popular in a number of excellent defenses this past decade.
With the Bear front’s emphasis on crowding the middle and the Tite front’s emphasis on overlapping gap control, both provide remarkable opportunities for the run to be handled up front with lighter boxes that allow the rest of the defense more freedom in coverage support. Variations on these fronts have been used to shut down RPOs, wide-zone teams, inside-zone teams and so on, meaning that the team might be able to craft specific defensive fronts to combat large-scale offensive strategies that teams have begun to identify with.
It also allows them to remain dynamic against offenses with versatile threats. When a two-tight end team lines up, it typically used to run the ball. But when the Patriots in the early 2010s audibled to pass plays against run-stuffing fronts and run plays against coverage looks with their two-tight end set, offenses have been chasing that versatility while defenses have been trying to catch up.
When going up against offenses with that kind of range in their personnel, whether it’s the 49ers and the combination of fullback Kyle Juszczyk and tight end George Kittle or the Ravens with their running-threat quarterback and option game, it behooves defenses to be prepared with multiple approaches.
Not only that, but depth has become more important than ever with an extra game added to the season. While defenses have always tried to maintain a steady rotation among their defensive linemen to prevent fatigue, another game on the schedule means more wear and tear — and makes it less likely that players will have the same juice at the end of the year.
“We’ve got a lot of guys out there now, which you just kind of need in this league,” said Smith. “It’s an even longer season now and those reps add up, so having more and more guys come in and get after the passer and cover on the outside — it’s definitely a good recipe.”
The biggest challenge with Richardson is the concern that he was fairly spotty with the Vikings, putting in tremendous performances some weeks and getting washed out in other weeks without much impact on the stat sheet. If he can bring more consistency, like he has for other teams at times, he’ll help out the defense tremendously.
Richardson doesn't have the motor to be a starter, he takes plays off. He'll be perfect as a situational guy and playing less downs. Important piece I think used that way.
He could start opposite Hunter.
More likely, he fills the Tom Johnson role.
Definitely would like to see more 3-4 mixed in to maximize Barr and give OCs something else to be concerned with.
I don't think they have a strong enough linebacker core outside of Kendricks & Barr to run a 3-4 defense...
@"ArizonaViking" said: I don't think they have a strong enough linebacker core outside of Kendricks & Barr to run a 3-4 defense...
Do you forget about Tuf? ;)
Cupboard is pretty bare after Kendricks and Barr, but as a change of pace look, sufficient.
Tite is the new Double A Gap blitz. Love what they are doing with Wonnum.
@"ArizonaViking" said: I don't think they have a strong enough linebacker core outside of Kendricks & Barr to run a 3-4 defense...
In a 3-4, Hunter and another DE (maybe Wonnum?) become the OLBs.
https://zonecoverage.com/2021/minnesota-vikings-news/mike-zimmers-plan-is-beginning-to-take-shape/
@"BarrNone55" said: https://zonecoverage.com/2021/minnesota-vikings-news/mike-zimmers-plan-is-beginning-to-take-shape/
These snippets are interesting:Some other defensive notes from the last several days of camp:
- Patrick Jones II is earning his way into the rotation in run defense. Pre-snap motion and deception, a staple of the ACC, rarely catches him off guard. He has notched plenty of TFLs against zone runs away from his side.
- Janarius Robinson is struggling mightily, looking like one of the worst defenders on the third team, and often struggling to defeat Zack Bailey or Evin Ksiezarczyk.
- Nick Vigil has pulled ahead of Cam Smith in the battle for the third linebacker spot, as evidenced by the recently released unofficial depth chart.
- On that depth chart, Bashaud Breeland is listed as the first corner. That’s a bit of an upset, but it reflects how camp has gone. Dantzler and Peterson are now competing for the second job.
- Peterson has done much better in team drills than in one-on-ones, which highlights how important it is for the Vikings to choose the right role for him.
- Mackensie Alexander’s leadership is more than just lip service from the coaches. The veteran corner has spent plenty of time mentoring young receivers after competitive reps, especially K.J. Osborn.
- The offense has stressed the defense with pre-snap motion tricks throughout camp. The first-team defense has rarely been caught out of position by this, but the second team has struggled.
- Kenny Willekes has spent time as an inside rusher instead of an edge rusher, and James Lynch has lined up at nose tackle. It’s reminiscent of Hercules Mata’afa’s niche nickel rusher role.
- Speaking of, Mata’afa has made quite the case for himself to make a crowded roster on the defensive line.
- Camryn Bynum is by far the third best safety, but Josh Metellus looks very comfortable. Myles Dorn has made a few more splashy plays, but Metellus is less often caught out of position and has swatted down some balls of his own.
Every offseason we talk about, 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, and the Vikings experimenting. Every season, it's a 4-3.
@"medaille" said: Every offseason we talk about, 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, and the Vikings experimenting. Every season, it's a 4-3.
This.
@"medaille" said: Every offseason we talk about, 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, and the Vikings experimenting. Every season, it's a 4-3.
And if we switched to a different D we wouldn't be able to see what barr can finally do lining up with his hand in the dirt at DE like he's been hyped forever.
@"medaille" said: Every offseason we talk about, 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, and the Vikings experimenting. Every season, it's a 4-3.
And we'll continue to be a 4-3. But it sure would make things interesting if the Vikings could change back and forth between 43 and 34 looks without changing personnel.
@"MaroonBells" said:You know Zimmer has something up his sleeve with the 2 bigs in the middle and now Richardson. That has 3-4 look all over it. With that personnel and Wonnum playing some LB, I can imagine there will be some new looks this year.@"medaille" said: Every offseason we talk about, 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, and the Vikings experimenting. Every season, it's a 4-3.
And we'll continue to be a 4-3. But it sure would make things interesting if the Vikings could change back and forth between 43 and 34 looks without changing personnel.
3-4
Tomlinson - Pierce - Richardson
with
Hunter-Barr-Kendricks-Weatherly/Wonnum
is an interesting and long group. Very flexible and can send rushers from all over.
5-2
Hunter-Tomlinson-Pierce-Richardson-Weatherly
with
Barr and Kendricks behind
Also a very interesting formation
I trust in Zim to find what's best and use it wisely.
This will be a top 5 defense this year, maybe the best if we can get pass rush out of another source without blitzing (the middle, the opposite end to Hunter)
@"MaroonBells" said:@"medaille" said: Every offseason we talk about, 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, and the Vikings experimenting. Every season, it's a 4-3.
And we'll continue to be a 4-3. But it sure would make things interesting if the Vikings could change back and forth between 43 and 34 looks without changing personnel.
@"greediron" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
You know Zimmer has something up his sleeve with the 2 bigs in the middle and now Richardson. That has 3-4 look all over it. With that personnel and Wonnum playing some LB, I can imagine there will be some new looks this year.
@"medaille" said:
Every offseason we talk about, 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, and the Vikings experimenting. Every season, it's a 4-3.
And we'll continue to be a 4-3. But it sure would make things interesting if the Vikings could change back and forth between 43 and 34 looks without changing personnel.
I agree that it would be interesting and maybe even
something that would benefit our defense situationally.That said, I’m putting zero stock or thought in it ever
happening, as history has suggested it won’t happen. When I see it in a real game, I’ll consider
it a possibility going forward.
@"medaille" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"medaille" said: Every offseason we talk about, 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, and the Vikings experimenting. Every season, it's a 4-3.
And we'll continue to be a 4-3. But it sure would make things interesting if the Vikings could change back and forth between 43 and 34 looks without changing personnel.
@"greediron" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
You know Zimmer has something up his sleeve with the 2 bigs in the middle and now Richardson. That has 3-4 look all over it. With that personnel and Wonnum playing some LB, I can imagine there will be some new looks this year.
@"medaille" said:
Every offseason we talk about, 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, and the Vikings experimenting. Every season, it's a 4-3.
And we'll continue to be a 4-3. But it sure would make things interesting if the Vikings could change back and forth between 43 and 34 looks without changing personnel.
I agree that it would be interesting and maybe even
something that would benefit our defense situationally.That said, I’m putting zero stock or thought in it ever
happening, as history has suggested it won’t happen. When I see it in a real game, I’ll consider
it a possibility going forward.
This is where I’m at too. I’ll believe it when I see it. Would be kinda cool to show offenses some different looks.
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