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The Cardinals’ Hybrid 3-3-5 Rock and Rolle Defense
July 29, 2007 by Walter Mitchell
Clancy Pendergast is an innovator. He loves to surprise opposing offenses with his defensive wrinkles…wrinkles that will have the opposing players and coaches scratching their heads and scurrying to the sideline photos. Pendergast also loves to put his players in roles that cater specifically to their strengths. In the past, Pendy has played around on a limited basis with a 3-3-5 type hybrid defense. This year will be its true unveiling and you may be surprised at the players’ roles, or should I say “Rolles!”
The Front Three
First, let’s talk about where these three down linemen will likely be positioned versus typical pro sets. Terminology: (1) The alignment of the TE, even if he is away from the two receiver side (slot) dictates the “strong-side”; (2) The A gaps are the center/guard gaps; (3) The B Gaps are the guard/tackle gaps; and (4) The C gap is the tackle/TE gap.
Jumbo personnel: ST-Branch; NT-Watson; WT-Dockett.
If Pendy is concerned about the opponents’ ability to run the ball versus this hybrid, he is likley to employ his jumbo package up front, which would mean lining Gabe Watson up in the strong-side A gap, Alan Branch head up on the strong-side tackle, and Darnell Dockett (or Antonio Smith, Chris Cooper or Rodney Bailey) in the weak-side B gap.
What this alignment is meant to do is occupy the center, both guards and both tackles, thus protecting the three linebackers and monster man (Adrian Wilson), which will allow those players free shots at the fullback and the running back. Branch is occupying the strong side tackle (and the TE–if there is a double team) and has two gap (B and C)responsibility. Watson is occupying the strong-side guard and the center, and has A gap responsibility. And Dockett is occupying the weak-side guard and the weak-side tackle and has B gap responsibility.
Rush Hour personnel: ST-Cooper, NT-Branch/Dockett, WT-Berry
If Pendy is anticipating the opponent to pass against this hybrid and therefore wants to generate a quicker pass rush, he can slide Branch or Dockett down to the middle and run in Cooper and Berry.
The Three Linebackers
Typically the strong-side LB will line up on the outside eye of the TE. The MLB will be smack dab in the middle and the weak-side LB will either line up “tight” on the outside shoulder of the weak-side tackle or “flexed” out toward the slot. When the WLB lines up “tight”, the defense needs to account for the slot WR and can do so three basic ways: (1) by shifting the monster man (Adrian Wilson) over to the slot; (2) by making a weak-side zone rotation call by having the WCB (Green) sneak up to cover the flat and the WFS (Holt) fill the WCB’s deep third; (3) sneak the WFS up to the slot and pick up man or slide into the flat zone, where the WCB picks up the deep third.
Rock and Rolle personnel: Rock (Monster)- Wilson; SLB-Rolle; MLB-Hayes; WLB-Dansby;
This defense is made to order for Antrel Rolle…because as we will discover this year, this kid–with his size, toughness and tackling ability–can flat-out excel in the box. His key for stopping the run is simple…if the TE blocks down, he fills and fills like he’s been shot out of a cannon. If the TE blocks out on him, he keeps his outside shoulder free and establishes contain–so as to turn the RB into the inside where the traffic and MLB (Gerald Hayes) are filling. If the RB attempts to go wide, Rolle sheds the block of the TE and gets upfield to the RB.
Rolle’s coverage responsibilities are simple as well. If the defense is locking down in a man-to-man, he’s got the TE. If the defense is in zone, he angles back for the flat, or if it’s a strong-side rotation zone (SCB to flat–SFS deep), Rolle backpedals into the hook zone (seam).
We will also be delirious to learn this year that Rolle is another swift and tenacious ADUB-type blitzer, which will enable Pendy to call Rolle’s number on the blitz and fill for him in coverage with the SFS (Francisco).
The Monster Man…a.k.a….The Rock: ADUB
Pendy’s ability to move Adrian Wilson around this defense to create havoc and confusion for the offense is what makes this defense so special. One little piece of trickery that Pendy will likely use is “x-blitzing” Wilson when he lines up over the slot—by sneaking Wilson on a timing blitz and having the WLB drop into coverage.
There are three other gaps that Pendy can readily exploit with AW blitzes: (1) The weak-side A gap…the center has to be concerned about the strong-side A gap with NT Watson sitting there, and the weak-side guard has WT Dockett in his B gap; (2) the weak-side C gap…the edge is wide open there and the tackle has WT Dockett sitting in his B gap; (3) the strong-side B gap…on an “x-blitz” where the ST (Branch) slants into the C gap, thus influencing the tackle in that direction while AW sneaks inside and fires the B gap.
The Twin Free Safety Secondary: LCB-Hood; SFS-Francisco; WFS-Holt; RCB-Green.
Having two free safeties for Pendy to play with is one of the keys to this defense because, as was previously described about coverage rotations, each one of the safeties will be required to do one of five things: (1) slide up and play man-to man-on the slot (or inside-two receiver side) receiver; (2) slide up to play the weak or strong-side flat in an inverted rotation zone; (3) slide over to cover the deep third if the rotation is to his side; (4) slide to the middle to play centerfield if the rotation is away; (5) play the deep halves in a standard zone.
This is one of the major reasons why the Cardinals signed free agent Terrence Holt after having re-signed Aaron Francisco. Using them both on the field at the same time will be a significant asset for the team…and will give Pendy the flexibility and the creativity he desires.
Playing Roderick Hood and Eric Green at the corners will also be an upgrade for the Cardinals in this package. Hood has the moxie and aggressiveness in coverage that the team has lacked in recent years, and Green is a budding talent who needs to drink from Hood’s gatorade bottle. In other words, once Green gains his confidence…this kid is going to emerge as a tough, aggressive, play-making cover corner.
Because the Cardinals and Clancy Pendergast may fall in love with this 3-3-5 defense, don’t be surprised to see the Cardinals keep a third free safety on the roster…one of the reasons perhaps why Matt Ware has been moved there. But, Ware may have his hands full taking on undrafted rookie Brandon Keeler…who may well be one of the real sleepers in this camp. Will Gulley is another young talented safety prospect, but may be more suited to play the traditional strong safety spot.
As the song goes: “Rock and Rolle is Here to Stay!”
The Cardinals’ Hybrid 3-3-5 Rock and Rolle Defense
July 29, 2007 by Walter Mitchell
Clancy Pendergast is an innovator. He loves to surprise opposing offenses with his defensive wrinkles…wrinkles that will have the opposing players and coaches scratching their heads and scurrying to the sideline photos. Pendergast also loves to put his players in roles that cater specifically to their strengths. In the past, Pendy has played around on a limited basis with a 3-3-5 type hybrid defense. This year will be its true unveiling and you may be surprised at the players’ roles, or should I say “Rolles!”
The Front Three
First, let’s talk about where these three down linemen will likely be positioned versus typical pro sets. Terminology: (1) The alignment of the TE, even if he is away from the two receiver side (slot) dictates the “strong-side”; (2) The A gaps are the center/guard gaps; (3) The B Gaps are the guard/tackle gaps; and (4) The C gap is the tackle/TE gap.
Jumbo personnel: ST-Branch; NT-Watson; WT-Dockett.
If Pendy is concerned about the opponents’ ability to run the ball versus this hybrid, he is likley to employ his jumbo package up front, which would mean lining Gabe Watson up in the strong-side A gap, Alan Branch head up on the strong-side tackle, and Darnell Dockett (or Antonio Smith, Chris Cooper or Rodney Bailey) in the weak-side B gap.
What this alignment is meant to do is occupy the center, both guards and both tackles, thus protecting the three linebackers and monster man (Adrian Wilson), which will allow those players free shots at the fullback and the running back. Branch is occupying the strong side tackle (and the TE–if there is a double team) and has two gap (B and C)responsibility. Watson is occupying the strong-side guard and the center, and has A gap responsibility. And Dockett is occupying the weak-side guard and the weak-side tackle and has B gap responsibility.
Rush Hour personnel: ST-Cooper, NT-Branch/Dockett, WT-Berry
If Pendy is anticipating the opponent to pass against this hybrid and therefore wants to generate a quicker pass rush, he can slide Branch or Dockett down to the middle and run in Cooper and Berry.
The Three Linebackers
Typically the strong-side LB will line up on the outside eye of the TE. The MLB will be smack dab in the middle and the weak-side LB will either line up “tight” on the outside shoulder of the weak-side tackle or “flexed” out toward the slot. When the WLB lines up “tight”, the defense needs to account for the slot WR and can do so three basic ways: (1) by shifting the monster man (Adrian Wilson) over to the slot; (2) by making a weak-side zone rotation call by having the WCB (Green) sneak up to cover the flat and the WFS (Holt) fill the WCB’s deep third; (3) sneak the WFS up to the slot and pick up man or slide into the flat zone, where the WCB picks up the deep third.
Rock and Rolle personnel: Rock (Monster)- Wilson; SLB-Rolle; MLB-Hayes; WLB-Dansby;
This defense is made to order for Antrel Rolle…because as we will discover this year, this kid–with his size, toughness and tackling ability–can flat-out excel in the box. His key for stopping the run is simple…if the TE blocks down, he fills and fills like he’s been shot out of a cannon. If the TE blocks out on him, he keeps his outside shoulder free and establishes contain–so as to turn the RB into the inside where the traffic and MLB (Gerald Hayes) are filling. If the RB attempts to go wide, Rolle sheds the block of the TE and gets upfield to the RB.
Rolle’s coverage responsibilities are simple as well. If the defense is locking down in a man-to-man, he’s got the TE. If the defense is in zone, he angles back for the flat, or if it’s a strong-side rotation zone (SCB to flat–SFS deep), Rolle backpedals into the hook zone (seam).
We will also be delirious to learn this year that Rolle is another swift and tenacious ADUB-type blitzer, which will enable Pendy to call Rolle’s number on the blitz and fill for him in coverage with the SFS (Francisco).
The Monster Man…a.k.a….The Rock: ADUB
Pendy’s ability to move Adrian Wilson around this defense to create havoc and confusion for the offense is what makes this defense so special. One little piece of trickery that Pendy will likely use is “x-blitzing” Wilson when he lines up over the slot—by sneaking Wilson on a timing blitz and having the WLB drop into coverage.
There are three other gaps that Pendy can readily exploit with AW blitzes: (1) The weak-side A gap…the center has to be concerned about the strong-side A gap with NT Watson sitting there, and the weak-side guard has WT Dockett in his B gap; (2) the weak-side C gap…the edge is wide open there and the tackle has WT Dockett sitting in his B gap; (3) the strong-side B gap…on an “x-blitz” where the ST (Branch) slants into the C gap, thus influencing the tackle in that direction while AW sneaks inside and fires the B gap.
The Twin Free Safety Secondary: LCB-Hood; SFS-Francisco; WFS-Holt; RCB-Green.
Having two free safeties for Pendy to play with is one of the keys to this defense because, as was previously described about coverage rotations, each one of the safeties will be required to do one of five things: (1) slide up and play man-to man-on the slot (or inside-two receiver side) receiver; (2) slide up to play the weak or strong-side flat in an inverted rotation zone; (3) slide over to cover the deep third if the rotation is to his side; (4) slide to the middle to play centerfield if the rotation is away; (5) play the deep halves in a standard zone.
This is one of the major reasons why the Cardinals signed free agent Terrence Holt after having re-signed Aaron Francisco. Using them both on the field at the same time will be a significant asset for the team…and will give Pendy the flexibility and the creativity he desires.
Playing Roderick Hood and Eric Green at the corners will also be an upgrade for the Cardinals in this package. Hood has the moxie and aggressiveness in coverage that the team has lacked in recent years, and Green is a budding talent who needs to drink from Hood’s gatorade bottle. In other words, once Green gains his confidence…this kid is going to emerge as a tough, aggressive, play-making cover corner.
Because the Cardinals and Clancy Pendergast may fall in love with this 3-3-5 defense, don’t be surprised to see the Cardinals keep a third free safety on the roster…one of the reasons perhaps why Matt Ware has been moved there. But, Ware may have his hands full taking on undrafted rookie Brandon Keeler…who may well be one of the real sleepers in this camp. Will Gulley is another young talented safety prospect, but may be more suited to play the traditional strong safety spot.
As the song goes: “Rock and Rolle is Here to Stay!”
