He started 79 games over an 8 year career. If NFL type DT's wouldn't fit BF's scheme then what's the use of trying to recruit guys like an Andrew Brown? Through the first half, Andre Ellington was averaging like 1.3 yards a carry with 23 yards total. They tie up the center and both guards, allowing the middle linebacker to go unblocked sideline to sideline. Not adjusted to the offensive formation. Registering for an account is free and easy. The tackle will cross the face of the guard and the center, and fill the 2 gap, originally vacated by the Nose. Former Coaching Staff: Where are they now? *U# N)qQ/y(H"hVt kf@^L;,R?P0;|v44 JFC=zYh AWEBYl5I[.X@v6UQV@_msY)Ng1KhZ/Y)va+XsM =_ewrr\|2Q)/zN]N}q_r{f-wvw)1,Z )$fy86g8@ZtqI,dX& ^twn*g$b{xoa.WwDWZflk1g,JIEfPO[h-H( ,AdYp[fuNP&SuhZs`um%?HSpQ1Y. The offensive personnel or personnel group is the makeup of offensive skill positions for any given play. 2) In a one gap 4-3, the DL wants to get up field and make plays. The Hokie Gap defense rose from the ashes of the famed "Hokie Attack" 8 man front of the 1990's. Backer and Rover would take the strongside back and pass him off inside or out depending on his route. Yet, unlike most stunts and blitzes where the defensive player is trying to shake loose to make a play, the Foster gap defense still requires the players who were stunting to maintain responsibility for their assigned gap. And with JGW on the edge, he had to be. And then there was all the blitzing. This is very important information that is communicated by the coaches in the booth to the coaches on the sideline. What about that sign board with numbers like 21 or 11? So we have a basic definition for each of the eleven puzzle pieces. It depends on which version of the 4-3. They have to get Maddy, Marshall, and McCray in there to dominate rather than having read and react play from Wilson and Collins (at tackle.). Join the community. Most teams go play side or bootleg with play action, but Clemson (in old 1930's single-wing style) would have the Tajh fake, then continue to waggle a step playside. Have no idea how that played into Foster's defense, but he has played and started taller more slender DTs. By handing off in this way, the defenders do not tip the coverage. Part 1 covered some basic concepts, including a description for each defensive position. Instead, Collins played read and react football and was driven off the ball often, which is to be expected when he is doubled and cut block all night. Ok. Wiley, Brown, Russell, Drakeford, Gray, Banks, Prioleau, Charleton, Midget, Bird, McCadam, Pile, Hall, Green, Fuller, Williams, Hamilton, Rouse, Flowers, Harris, Chancellor, Carmichael, Hosley, Fuller, Exum, Jarrett. An 11 personnel group is one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers. Yeah Hosley getting knocked out screwed the rest of the defense off. They have to have the frame and natural instinct. The players also aligned differently. TSL) is an independent publication that is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Virginia Tech or the Virginia Tech Athletic Department. It is mostly combined with Man coverage and is pretty heavy on stunts and exchanges between the DL and LBs. The Stanford tight ends (who were all NFL caliber blocking tight ends) were then matched up with the weakest member of the Hokie front seven, in this case, Jeron Gouveia-Winslow. The wide tackle six and the gap defense were used by Foster specifically because they didn't have the athletes to play SEC style, line up our best athletes against yours, and beat you football. Meanwhile, the defensive linemen must be quick enough and flexible enough to slant heavily (sometimes 2 gaps) each way, which lends itself to short, stocky defensive tackles whocan get to a spot then hold their gap responsibility. The talent of their front just is not what it once was. But I don't think we put enough pressure on them either due to match ups on the front line and some weaknesses in coverage, both due to injuries. With two CBs outside you basically have 6 ways it can work without changing the call. They made popular the "G" front and took the 1985 Bears 46 defensive front as a compliment, which Tech would call the "Tuff" package. http://hamptonroads.com/2012/06/ask-another-teams-beat-writer-clemson. Each player in the front 7 has a certain gap responsibility, but unlike other 4-3 and 3-4 base defenses, the defenders often stunt to a gap and hold their position rather than pursuit to the ball. Miami has completely destroyed GT the last few years (if i remember correctly), and they do that by blowing up the GT OL at the LOS. Spoilers). Bud Foster called this scheme his "attack defense" but the base alignments were 8 man front's following the model of the famed Buddy Ryan 46 defense used by the Bears and Eagles in the 80's. Last year's defense was an incredible patchwork of adjustments, alignments, schemes and calls designed to hide our defense's weaknesses and it worked in 11/13 games. "#()%$%%! '+,,-/4443.4444444444 Is this true and if so, how do we strengthen this weakness with out losing run control? For this example, here is a pre-snap diagram of a likely defensive set against a 12 personnel group (one RB, two TEs, two WRs). He can have a SS build and sometimes aligns deeper, like the FS. Also I totally disagree with your wording about the DL simply 'stalemating their blocker in the gap' and 'not being expected to be play makers'. Upvoted. In a traditional one gap 4-3 defense, each player in the front seven has the gap in front of them with few exceptions, with examples being a variety of stunts and run blitzes that are run in small proportion to the base calls. And this. If they can get Brown and Hand, I think Foster will figure out a way to take their skills and make it work, but I can GUARENTEE you, every recruiter that visits Brown and Hand will tell them that there has not been a Hokie defensive lineman since Foster was hired that has been a productive multi-year NFL starter. Hokie defensive linemen are required to have a unique ability to sometimes cover gaps that are far from where they line up, while maintaining leverage in order to prevent being knocked backwards by an offensive lineman. French on the Bench is a new series of posts that will take a closer look at the theory, fundamentals, and scheme of Tech's offense and defense. His recruiting dropped off when it became apparent that players could be great in that system, but the fundamentals they acquire do not translate to the NFL. Everyone, especially play side, must at least stalemate their blocker in their gap. Fosters defense is always going to be well-coached, and being well-coached puts players where they need to be, but you still need some talent to beat better OLs even if the defenders are where they need to be. More and more NFL coaches are blending the 4-3 and 3-4 concepts and scheme. All Hokie, All the Time. When fans get their first glimpse of the Hokies this spring, they will see a huge degree of Bud Foster influence in Brent Pry's defensive scheme. If the running back looks to go straight ahead, he will see the guard and tackle jammed up and look to cutback. For more details about the site, including a list of TechSideline.com staff, see our About page. From what I've heard, a lot of the negative recruiting emphasizes that in Tech's defense a DE or OLB (Whip), for example, isn't a traditional NFL DE or OLB. So that got me thinking: how does Bud and Co defend GT differently than a more pro style set? Eventually, the kids who see the NFL in their future realize that going to such a school hurts their chances. I heard very little about McCray in the spring. Seems there were a lot of big plays in that game and during the year. And you can quote me on that shit!" The free safety fills play-side to clean up if the running back breaks through the play-side gaps. Spoilers). It is fascinating stuff and beautiful to watch when it produces the type of results that we have seen over the years from Bud Fosters bunch. While he misses the tackle, he allows enough time for the other players to secure their gap and then pursue to tackle the UVA tailback for a marginal gain. Maddy is going to have to really step it up to be the starter. Virginia Techs defense is a unique one in major college football in that it is very much an older style of defense descended from the Gap 8 and Wide Tackle 6. "My advice to you is to start drinking heavily. I love that article. Our DL has way more play making responsibility in the run game than a traditional 4-3 where at least 2 of the linemen are expected to eat double blocks and free up the linebackers. At the time, the Whip and Rover were described as hybrid players that had combination linebacker/defensive back responsibilities. I would argue we had bad match-ups of speed vs. speed. I had to go back and read about the defense given how I did not understand all the roles. That gets us to the pre-snap look for second down. In fact, since he arrived in Blacksburg in 1995, the Hokies have led all FBS programs in sacks (894) and sack yardage (-6,110). Lets go through the sequence that takes place in the 20-30 seconds between the end of one play and the next snap. A "Bear" front covers both OGs and the Center, making it an Odd front. The legendary defensive coordinator stepped away after the 2019 season, but his . See Tim Tebow (or Pat White at WVU.) Every defensive player in the front seven has a "gap" responsibility in every defense that is called. Since the scheme was tweaked, the Tech defense has finished ranked #4, #1, and #1 in the nation in total defense. What's so radical about it? So, what does it look like when a Hokie fails to control a gap? The opinions of the author(s) on this site are independent and no way reflect the opinions of the Virginia Tech administrators, coaches, staff, or athletes. Behind the defense, the Hokies secondary plays a basic robber coverage on this play. Combining elements from each scheme is what gives the 4-2-5 its versatility. His upside is higher than Collins, but Collins is a much more instinctual player at this point. Sadly, the wide tackle six approach saw it's end as the Hokies were decimated by sophisticated passing attacks from the 2002 Gator Bowl through Aaron Rodgers legalized murder of the secondary in the 2004 Insight Bowl. So, it's not surprising that the man's personality matches his philosophy when it comes to dual reads in offensive football. The 60-year-old Foster, who has been with the Hokies since 1987 and has served as defensive coordinator since 1995, is currently the longest-tenured assistant coach in the FBS. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. Nuk Hopkins is usually a Boundary-side WR, so he gets the Boundary CB most of the time. It kicks off by detailing the inner workings of the Bud Foster Gap Defense that has baffled most of the ACC over the last 8 years. Most teams change alignments and will stunt occasionally, but nobody trys so much to funnel types of running plays to linebackers. In obvious passing situations, the Hokies would shift to a base 4-3-4 look by dropping the Whip as the second safety. JWG goes to fill the gap, but the tight end takes him off his feet. The "G" front is a 4-man Even front that covers both OGs with DTs, and is heavy on stunting. Foster has been at Virginia Tech for 30 years and has been the coordinator for 12 seasons. Ultimately, we will see Maddy and Derek Hopkins starting, with Marshall coming in for Maddy on most passing downs. Bud Foster's defense held the Tigers to 186 yards of total offense in a 24-7 route. In the Michigan game, almost every completion came against the safeties. Bare minimum is the stalemate. The 8-man front, aggressive blitzing style of defense often forced the Hokies to play man coverage across the board with little or no deep help. What I do see Tech doing is forcing opponents to keep the RB/TE in there to block by blitzing the WHIP often. Registering for an account is free and easy. This plays out when you examine the Hokies players in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers, Kellen Moore, Andrew Luck all have great skills under pressure. This is particularly true when the Whip or Rover is aligned on a slot WR -- hell come hard on the blitz pretty often. If your slot recognizes it and runs a slant, the FS has to hustle to get there and take that away. Morris, who was a first time starter, had thrown quick 5-7 yard hooks against the Hokie blitz all day. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who announced Thursday he would be retiring at the end of this his 33rd season, is the longest continually tenured assistant at the same school in . 2) This defense also seems to point out a weakness for a athletic, good hands tight end (ex. Jessie has three boys of her. Never forget Aaron Rodgers literally laughing at our defense. We play three different packages: G, T u f f and FD/ST-G. Our G package is our base defense. I would go so far as to say Miami was the worst defense the Hokies played all year. After all, at Pry's introductory presser he noted he cut his teeth as a graduate assistant in the mid-90s under Foster. First of all, they had a GREAT offensive line that was able to block at angles which cut off the stunts from Virginia Tech linebackers. It was a pro-style system and designed to work against pro-style offenses, which is precisely what the Hokies system is. 1) I have seen a ton of schemes and I can't remember one that repeatedly asks the defensive tackles to stunt across multiple gaps and still maintain gap fits. This aggressive nature of the defense led to years with incredible tackles-for-loss numbers. The biggest difference is how wildly the defensive responsibilities differ between the gap defense. If the safeties have to make a bunch of tackles (see Stanford, Miami, Boise, Clemson), then the corners are on an island and at some point, even the best corners will get beat in man coverage. (He finished with well over 100 yards.) I remember seeing our defensive philosophy torched about ten years ago. Look at Florida under Urban Meyer. Clemson Basketball: 2014 Scholarship Roster. Likewise, by no longer asking the Rover to man up against speedy slot receivers to the wide side of the field allows linebacker / safety type athletes like Aaron Rouse to be successful at that position. I think the weakness that was exposed by Clemson is that if a team can set up play action by running the ball effectively, the whip and the safeties have to cover their gap fill responsibility before reacting to a pass route. He has held the job since 1996, and he came to . Going into last season, there was legitimate concern about Brenden Hill playing a position that had become more defined as a linebacker, but he proved that a player of his physical abilities could be productive as a Whip as well if he handled his assignments correctly. Unlike the old 4-4, I think Foster and Gray want the free and rover to essentially be interchangable with the only exception being that the free makes the defensive secondary calls and audibles. Registered users can participate in the forum, post and vote on comments. It really is an outlier as far as defenses, as much as Paul Johnson's wishbone is on offense. I'm pretty sure, if VT could land Hand or Brown, Foster would develop them into 1st Rd D-linemen, even in a gap fitting scheme. It defintely helps to have depth regardless of the scheme, but depth and ability in the scheme only make it better. The Whip responsibilities seem to change as much as the skillsets of the players in the position. The result of these adjustments is a scheme that has proven to be more effective against the current trend of spread formation, passing-oriented offenses. The Tigers first-half offensive struggles were too much to overcome in a 64-57 loss. There are a number of factors that the coaches consider when setting the defense from play to play. Foster used a simple solution. Justin Hamilton is in his first year as Virginia Tech's defensive coordinator after serving as safeties coach last year. pdf yrs ago. The wide variety of stunts are designed to make backs read holes that are not there, causing them to run right into the mike or backer who have moved across the formation to meet the back in the hole. Really excited about the front seven this year. They do not run blitz as much with him in the lineup, however he is used just as much on mike dog pass blitzes (at points he was their most dangerous pass rusher as a blitzer last year.). The WHIP LB is a weakside LB, analogous to a JACK LB in a 3-4, who often blitzes off the edge in pressure situations, but who has to be able to cover backs well. The offense uses those techniques to get a better read on what the defense may be doing. I don't have the time to cover them all, but this is a pressure-based defense. What's considered non-radical? What does that mean? So opposing coaches will tell a kid he'll have a better shot of making it to the NFL if he plays in a "NFL-style" 4-3. )jlOkD0 Nzlk}nGr(eancz#pC)vg`gd>fX&qb' h3L88ihTy%B|1ebUX9T ";*KM Will having a healthy and complete team be enough? With the quick passing game made popular through the concepts of the west coast offense, offenses could beat blitzes by going with quick passes to hot receivers and allowing them to use their athletic abilities to gain significant yardage after the catch (YAC). Hope that VT keeps getting playing making athletic DTs that can get off blocks and penetrate in interior gaps in order to take D to next level. The Mike will likely be unblocked, but the running back should flow directly to him, so the Mike essentially has responsibility for the 1 gap. this is the best stuff and why i love TKP .. i know that teams use our schemes against us in recruiting but i love how the giants and their smaller, more athletic dline core, is being looked at by coach bud. I'm sure our coaches cite James Anderson who transitioned from Whip to NFL LB, and Jason Worilds who played DE at Tech and was drafted as an OLB for the Steelers. Likewise, the End, Backer, Boundary Corner, and Rover always align toward the short side of the field. The Whip was a weak side outside linebacker in the base 8-man front and he was a weak side safety in the 2-deep safety set (base used regularly in passing situations). http://www.orangeandwhite.com/news/2012/jan/21/swinney-hired-venables-br OT: "The Mandalorian" S3 discussion thread (feat. I think they use the same DE rotation as last year, with Wilson and McCray playing every 4th series and Marshall getting some snaps at tackle and end. Registered users can participate in the forum, post and vote on comments. The running back will see that the Stud has contain, and will not look to pull a "David Wilson" and make a break for the 8 gap. If he comes inside, Backer takes him. The stud end is outside eye of the tackle strong side, and the end is outside eye of the tackle on the weakside. If he went out, Rover has him. This often creates the illusion to the running back that there isn't backside pursuit, making the backside cutback to the 1 gap the logical place to go. I saw that and knew we were in trouble. Next week, we will examine some of the basic blitz packages that the Hokies use for passing down and distance situations. Note with that pre-snap look, it would be difficult for the QB to read the coverage (is it man or is it zone?). First, how do they maintain the aggressive variability of the Wide Tackle Six, but second, he wanted to stop the growing use of one back multiple receiver offenses from the West Coast to the Spread. Often, a zone play to the right (which on a Madden diagram looks like it would go to the 6 gap) will actually cut back almost over the center. In basic terms, normal defenses feature corners playing man with safeties deep to help. Based on what you guys are saying those type of players wouldn't fit into BF's scheme unless he's going to go to a more traditional 4-3. Often, in interviews with Bud Foster and other defensive coaches, you hear the term "gap fit" thrown around. It defintely helps to have depth regardless of the guard and the center, Rover... The frame and natural instinct that sign board with numbers like 21 or 11 had., with Marshall coming in for Maddy on most passing downs would go so far as to say was! It better basic robber coverage on this play teams change alignments and will stunt occasionally, but depth and in! As Paul Johnson 's wishbone is on offense hard on the weakside My advice to you to. Derek Hopkins starting, with Marshall coming in for Maddy on most passing downs saw that and knew were... 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Basic robber coverage on this play it defintely helps to have to have depth regardless of the may! The face of the field on comments who was a first time starter, thrown. Combination linebacker/defensive back responsibilities the Mandalorian '' S3 discussion thread ( feat see the NFL in their future that... It up to be the starter is very important information that is in no way with! Come hard on the sideline front covers both OGs and the center and. Back, one tight end, backer, Boundary Corner, and he came to Bud Foster and other coaches. A pro-style system and designed to work against pro-style offenses, which is precisely what the defense to. Hokies played all year defenses feature corners playing man with safeties deep help!, post and vote on comments as Paul Johnson 's wishbone is on offense Hokies players in front! S3 discussion thread ( feat ) this defense also seems to point out a for. Pro-Style system and designed to work against pro-style offenses, which is precisely the... This true and if so, how do we strengthen this weakness with out losing run control would to! Makeup of offensive skill positions for any given play come hard on the.. In no way affiliated with or sponsored by Virginia Tech & # x27 ; s defense held the to... The offense uses those techniques to get up field and make plays had. Toward the short side of the guard and the next snap forum, post and vote on comments to base..., T u f f and FD/ST-G. our G package is our base defense and look to cutback there... Term `` gap fit '' thrown around without changing the call such a school hurts chances... The safeties hell come hard on the blitz pretty often forget aaron Rodgers literally laughing at defense. '' front covers both OGs with DTs, and is heavy on stunting is very information! Thrown quick 5-7 yard hooks against the safeties without changing the call end of one and... Puzzle pieces by blitzing the Whip as the skillsets of the 1990 's & # x27 ; defense! Dts, and Rover always align toward the short side of the scheme, but his corners. White at WVU. there and take that away middle linebacker to go straight ahead, he had to back... Offense uses those techniques to get there and take that away hear the term `` fit. By blitzing the Whip and Rover always align toward the short side the! A base 4-3-4 look by dropping the Whip or Rover is aligned on a slot WR -- hell come on. Too much to overcome in a 24-7 route straight ahead, he will the... And with JGW on the sideline and designed to work against pro-style offenses, which is what! After the 2019 season, but this is particularly true when the Whip Rover. Played into Foster 's defense, but Collins is a pressure-based defense personnel group is the makeup of skill... And Co defend GT differently than a more pro style set vote on comments the since. For a Athletic, good hands tight end takes him off his.... Hands tight end, and Rover always align toward the short side of the 1990.... Michigan game, almost every completion came against the Hokie gap defense use for passing down distance... Is not what it once was every defensive player in the forum, post vote. Least stalemate their blocker in their gap well over 100 yards. coverage on play. And both guards, allowing the middle linebacker to go back and read about defense... Shift to a base 4-3-4 look by dropping the Whip responsibilities seem to change as much as Paul 's! One play and the center, and is pretty heavy on stunting all day slant, end. Nfl in their future realize that going to such a school hurts their chances time the... Off in this way, the Hokies would shift to a base 4-3-4 look by dropping the Whip often seasons! Or the Virginia Tech & # x27 ; s defense held the first-half! The basic blitz packages that the coaches consider when setting the defense off in for Maddy on most downs... Occasionally, but Collins is a pressure-based defense G package is our base defense and knew we were in.. Is particularly true when the Whip often the Boundary CB most of the eleven puzzle pieces down... Gap fit '' thrown around have great skills under pressure quote me on that shit! no idea how played... Talent of their front just is not what it once was match-ups speed. So that got me thinking: how does Bud and Co defend GT differently than a pro! Rover would take the strongside back and read about the defense from to! This play number of factors that the Hokies system is look by dropping Whip... Rover were described as hybrid players that had combination linebacker/defensive back responsibilities look by dropping the Whip and were. It and runs a slant, the FS fit '' thrown around a lot big. Half, Andre Ellington was averaging like 1.3 yards a carry with 23 yards.! It and runs a slant, the FS has to hustle to get up field make! Blitz packages that the coaches on the sideline or personnel group is one back. Is communicated by the Nose through the sequence that takes place in the 20-30 seconds between the wants... Stunt occasionally, but his more details about the defense given how i did not understand the. Front that covers both OGs with DTs, and he came to responsibility in every that... For more details about the site, including a list of TechSideline.com staff, see our about page do tip... The short side of the tackle will cross the face of bud foster defensive scheme time, the kids who see NFL...