From the FanPosts   -Primetime

KaloPhoenix's fine articles on the 4-3 Under and the 3-4 and all the discussion that went on then have me thinking that the "hybrid" D is going to be a 3-4 under sort of scheme.

Anyhoo, I went back and looked at Kalo's original posts, and mined a few more explanations and a few already outdated comments. We seem to have a stronger grasp of who'll be where doing what, thanks to TheQ's Redshirt (Defense) and Whiteshirt (Offense) Stock Report postings.

This discussion is all going to be pretty basic. Just the basic alignment and philosophy.

I'm no expert, but I've gathered that "under" means loading up on the weak side. "Over" means shifting the front to the strong side. I'm putting the two diagrams together in one post, so we can maybe talk about 'em, and straighten Mills out.

Here's the basic 3-4 alignment (Diagram 1):

Notice that the NT is head-up on the C. We don't expect to see a lot of that. Instead, see Diagram 2, with the NT lined up in 1-tech. That's where Tank's lining up in practice, right now, at least in the (so-called) base, 1st-down D. Notice also that the RDE is in a 5-tech on the left offensive tackle. Dorsey will be in a 3-tech, by most accounts. That's probably why there's an evil 4-3 under undercurrent in all our discussions.

Here's the basic 4-3 under alignment (Diagram 2):

From OTA reports, the base alignment appears to have Tyler and Dorsey in 1-tech and 3-tech, respectively. This is the same "look" as the 4-3 under, with ?Hali? at WOLB playing the role of RDE. Just change the DE on the right side of diagram 2 with LB and you have the idea, as long as you understand that that DE is going to be upright and possibly a yard or two wider and deeper than is shown. Also, Dorsey will be the DT on the right side of Diagram 2. Just pencil in "DE" in that spot. With Tank slanting towards the C, as we have heard, this alignment seems aimed at blowing up the weak side of the offensive front, and at giving Dorsey better opportunities to penetrate and make plays.

Based on this, the image in my mind is of the defensive front throwing a roundhouse right and pursuing the play from the back side, while the strong side LBs are coming around on the strong side to meet the play from the other side, assuming the offense flows to its strong side. And by overloading the weak side and attacking up the field from that side, that's most likely where offenses will be looking to go, where Jackson is waiting for them, and Vrabel is running to meet them.

There seems to be a difference of opinion about Dorsey's role in all this. Are they freeing him up to make tackles, or, in the tradition of the 3-4, is he going to try to engage linemen, so his LBs can make tackles? My opinion was originally that he'd be expected to clog up the weakside A and B gaps, but it does sound like they're scheming to give him 1-on-1 opportunities.

So what does a schmuck like me do to get a handle on all this? At present, I'm going right down the middle, and projecting that Dorsey's job will vary according to the situation. I think that sometimes the middle-clogging DT role will be the bread and butter and shooting-the-gap will be the changeup. Other times, other games, he might start out lookin' to penetrate, and tying-up two guys might be the changeup.

All in all, a fine body of work by AP contributors. Some really good discussion there. Better than you see 'most anywhere. Just skip over all the hmills110 posts, to save time. I found it rather enlightening to do just that, during this slow time. Kinda cool to read what folks were thinking at that time, and how things have evolved since.