Are the Buccaneers going to incorporate some 3-4 looks in 2007? (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

If you haven't been listening to Bloom and Lammey on the Audible as they make their way around the league interviewing beat writers and other media insiders, you should. Plenty of good offensive insights to be heard, but there are some killer IDP nuggets as well.

Such as...

Jim Flynn of the Pewter Report dropping the bomb that the Bucs may well line up in some 3-4 fronts in 2007 after a seemingly innocuous question from Bloom about the prospects of Quincy Black.

Here's the link -- fast forward to the last third of the podcast for the discussion.

Flynn says that both Quincy Black and Barrett Ruud may start inside and speculates that could mean some 3-4 fronts in 2007.

 

[lord_helmet]

If you haven't been listening to Bloom and Lammey on the Audible as they make their way around the league interviewing beat writers and other media insiders, you should. Plenty of good offensive insights to be heard, but there are some killer IDP nuggets as well.

Such as...

Jim Flynn of the Pewter Report dropping the bomb that the Bucs may well line up in some 3-4 fronts in 2007 after a seemingly innocuous question from Bloom about the prospects of Quincy Black.

Here's the link -- fast forward to the last third of the podcast for the discussion.

Flynn says that both Quincy Black and Barrett Ruud may start inside and speculates that could mean some 3-4 fronts in 2007.

Seems reasonable that Ruud would man the signalcaller/moneyspot in such a scenario don't you think ?

 

[QUEZILLA]

Patrick Cakwurah is on my radar. He is a tweener who can play DE or LB in the 3-4.

 

[jgb95]

What does that do to Gaines Adams???

 

[Zoomanji]

Patrick Cakwurah is on my radar. He is a tweener who can play DE or LB in the 3-4.

Patrick Chukwurahlisted in MFL as DE

 

[Jene Bramel]

Both Sig and I were immediately on this one for all kinds of reasons.

1. Monte Kiffin has always been a 4-3 guy. He, along with Tony Dungy, is the main architect of the Tampa-2 derivative of the Cover-2 shell. There's no question that the league is trending toward multiple defensive fronts to challenge the growing athleticism on offense, but this seems a stretch.

2. To adequately run a 3-4, even in sub packages, you have to have a NT. Who plays nose in these packages? Chris Hovan? Ryan Sims? Good luck there.

3. Other than Kevin Carter and Ryan Sims, there isn't a lineman over 280 pounds on this roster right now of any usefulness at all and that's assuming Sims has value, which is questionable.

4. When asked who would play outside linebacker in this scenario during a follow-up email conversation we had with Mr. Flynn, he believed it would be Cato June and Derrick Brooks, not Patrick Chukwurah or Gaines Adams. Either way, this front makes no sense -- we're either benching Brooks and/or June or we're asking Adams to learn both 4-3 and 3-4 concepts as a rookie. I've been intrigued by Chukwurah too this off-season, but there isn't a player on this roster who has established himself as a definite rush OLB. Certainly not Brooks or June.

In the end, Sig and I thought this was a big enough deal to draw more attention to with a separate thread, but this could very well end up being a non-issue for 2007. The current Buc front seven personnel is more ill-suited to the 3-4 than the Raiders three seasons ago and that's saying something.

The main reason we're bringing it to everyone's attention is that the Bucs seem to be interested in changing things up a bit and it's worth being prepared, even if it isn't until 2008 that this becomes a meaningful reality if at all. It could have a big impact on Ruud, Black and Adams in future seasons.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

The main reason we're bringing it to everyone's attention is that the Bucs seem to be interested in changing things up a bit and it's worth being prepared, even if it isn't until 2008 that this becomes a meaningful reality if at all. It could have a big impact on Ruud, Black and Adams in future seasons.

Especially Adams. If he gets to stand up and play some 3-4 OLB a la Jason Taylor, watch out. Adams is plenty agile and athletic enough to play OLB in a 3-4.

 

[Bizkiteer]

I call on this...not the posting of it, but on the thought of them doing it. They do not have the players in right positions to do it. Why Kiffin would go away from what he does best is beyond me too. Let's face it, many of other defenses have mirrored the TB cover 2. Yes, they made a few adjustments for themselves, but it's the basic Tampa 2.

If they do this, Gruden is a bigger idiot than most people already think. Then again, it's Gruden...so anything is possible...

 

[Biabreakable]

I don't see the 3-4 happening at all.

Poor speculation by the guy interviewed imho.

 

[lions327]

I don't see the 3-4 happening at all.Poor speculation by the guy interviewed imho.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

The Pewter Report has more on this:

One of the most interesting elements of Tuesday’s morning practice was the extensive use of the 3-4 defense PewterReport.com has been reporting in its Pewter Insider stories this offseason. The Bucs have had three open OTAs (organized team activities) this offseason that the media has had a chance to view. Today was the first time we got to view the 3-4 defense and how defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin runs it.

The Bucs sprinkled in some 3-4 defense last year in an effort to give quarterbacks a new look and also to get linebacker Jamie Winborn on the field. This year, the Bucs plan on using this scheme more often, especially on passing downs, to generate a pass rush. Tampa Bay will still deploy its base defense – the 4-3 scheme – with great regularity. Just look for more 3-4 this year because of the addition of three talented, fast linebackers – Cato June and rookies Quincy Black and Adam Hayward.

The Bucs did a lot of position switches while running the 3-4. On one play, June and Hayward were on the outside with Winborn and Barrett Ruud on the inside (Brooks barely participated in the mandatory mini-camp today). On another play, Antoine Cash and Sam Olajubutu were inside and Black and Nece were outside. On yet another play, Black and Winborn were outside and Ruud and Hayward were inside.

The defensive linemen moved around, too. Justin Frick played nose tackle in one 3-4 set, flanked by Greg Peterson to the left and Jovan Haye to the right. On another play, Chris Hovan was at nose with Kevin Carter to the left and Greg Spires to the right. Yet another set had Ryan Sims at nose, flanked by Ellis Wyms to the left and Gaines Adams to the right.

At this stage of the offseason, Kiffin and his coaches are just getting a feel for the 3-4 and how the players look playing different positions. We’ll see how this experiment moves from the chalkboard of mini-camp and training camp to the laboratory that is the preseason. The team’s success or lack thereof in August will determine how much the 3-4 scheme is used this season.

The guess is here that it will be used to accent and compliment Kiffin’s 4-3 base defense and be used between 10-20 percent of the time.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Were I an opposing offensive coordinator, I think I'd do whatever I could to get that personnel on the field in that alignment.

 

[TecmoBeast]

This year, the Bucs plan on using this scheme more often, especially on passing downs.

Sounds like a 3rd and long thing only, especially since they don't have the big front for it. This could mean a few more sacks for June. Black might hit the field on passing downs right away. InterestingDerrick Brooks has always been stellar in coverage, but he seems slower at his age now. I wonder if he takes a breather or goes inside in this formation?

 

[Bizkiteer]

It appears that someone has slipped more dummy pills into the coaches vitamin containers!

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Watching TB-NE right now - TB lined up in the 3-4 at least once.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Watching TB-NE right now - TB lined up in the 3-4 at least once.

Personnel changes?Who's where?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Winborn and Nece (WILB) were inside, Black and Hayward (WOLB) outside. Ryan Sims was the NT, Julian Jenkins and Gaines Adams were the ends. Adams got flattened by Mike Elgin on the play.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Gaines Adams is a terrible fit for a DE in a 3-4 set.

 

[The_Hunchback]

Winborn and Nece (WILB) were inside, Black and Hayward (WOLB) outside. Ryan Sims was the NT, Julian Jenkins and Gaines Adams were the ends. Adams got flattened by Mike Elgin on the play.

Nobody worth anything really and Adams getting smacked down as a 3-4 DE is a suprise to nobody. Still good info, thanks.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Winborn and Nece (WILB) were inside, Black and Hayward (WOLB) outside. Ryan Sims was the NT, Julian Jenkins and Gaines Adams were the ends. Adams got flattened by Mike Elgin on the play.

Yeah, this'll work.Monte waits until his second team of marginal vet and rookie undersized backers and ends gets on the field to record a few snaps of the 3-4 getting obliterated to keep the team in his Tampa-2.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Winborn and Nece (WILB) were inside, Black and Hayward (WOLB) outside. Ryan Sims was the NT, Julian Jenkins and Gaines Adams were the ends. Adams got flattened by Mike Elgin on the play.

Yeah, this'll work.Monte waits until his second team of marginal vet and rookie undersized backers and ends gets on the field to record a few snaps of the 3-4 getting obliterated to keep the team in his Tampa-2.

You can't just say you are going to run the 3-4, and expect it to work. A huge change like that takes years of drafting, and FA acquisitions.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Winborn and Nece (WILB) were inside, Black and Hayward (WOLB) outside. Ryan Sims was the NT, Julian Jenkins and Gaines Adams were the ends. Adams got flattened by Mike Elgin on the play.

Thanks Bloom.I'm still shaking off the ill effects of watching the debacle of TEN vs. WASH. Pitiful.

 

[FFCardsFan]

wat kind of season do u guys think june will have?

 

[Jene Bramel]

wat kind of season do u guys think june will have?

Not a very good one statistically. And it may be worse than many of us had already projected if he continues to sit in nickel packages.

 

[taylor99]

How close is the competition between J.Phillips and S.Piscatelli??

i have JP right now, you see SP taking over by opening day?mid-season?? Is he worth keeoing an eye on if he takes the job?

thanks in advance

 

[jgb95]

Sabby owner:

 

[Jene Bramel]

How close is the competition between J.Phillips and S.Piscatelli?? i have JP right now, you see SP taking over by opening day?mid-season?? Is he worth keeoing an eye on if he takes the job?thanks in advance

Not very close. Word from camp observers is that Phillips has tightened up his play with an assist from the new DB coach. Piscitelli has been praised for his athleticism and cover skills but saw out the first preseason game with a minor injury, which won't help him. Phillips was targeted for replacement during 2006 so there's no guarantee he'll keep the job all season. Phillips certainly appears much more likely to start opening weekend than he did during OTAs. Piscitelli probably doesn't have big upside, but is absolutely worth following in dynasty leagues.In other news, Cato June apparently wasn't expected to play much this weekend. Gruden said yesterday that a number of vets, including June, were held out "by design." It's still likely that he'll play in the nickel despite Nece's snaps there last weekend.