Vikings Expected Defensive Scheme

I will be creating a page specifically for the Vikings Defensive Scheme, but until we know for sure what that is, I'm going to surmise in a blog post.

The Vikings have and will continue to run a base 4-3 defense. In it's very basic that means there are four down lineman (down meaning they have their hands on the ground) and three linebackers. See the image below.

from: bleacherreport.com

For many years the Vikings had run a cover two 4-3 defense, which meant that the four down lineman were relied upon to provide the pass rush while the linebackers were in pass coverage and run support. On a run play, each player of the defensive line and each linebacker would be in charge of a specific gap, such as between the guard and center or between the tackle and tight end (the image above examples this very nicely. For more information, you'll have to go to bleacherreport.com). We fared well with that when we had Pat and Kevin Williams and Jared Allen. With the loss of Pat Williams, though, we didn't have the big run stuffing nose tackle to go along with the 3 technique pass rushing defensive tackle of Kevin Williams. Now, before the 2014 season, the cover two is gone, replaced by Mike Zimmer's more aggressive, bringing-pressure-from-other-positions 4-3. Finally. We need this.

 While I am not completely sure what Zimmer is going to do with our defense, I can surmise based on personnel, what he's said, and what he's done in the past. Defensive Coordinator George Edwards should help a bunch as well, as he has extensive experience on the defensive side of the ball. 

Based on personnel, we will be putting Linval Joseph at the nose guard position. He will line up between the center and guard most often and be expected to take on double teams. He'll shift from side to side based on where the tight end lines up if there's a tight end. Shariff Floyd will play the 3-technique, lined up opposite Joseph but between the guard and tackle for most base sets. He'll be leaned upon for interior pass rush and run support. Then we have Everson Griffin and Brian Robison. Plan for Griffin to play the right defensive end spot to replace Jared Allen. In his first full season as a starter, Griffin will be relied upon to bring a lot of pressure from the typical pass-rushing end spot (I hope to be seeing a lot of the below image from Griffin). Brian Robison will play the left end spot, where he's been solid ever since we chose not to resign Ray Edwards in 2011. Robison doesn't usually put up flashy numbers, but he's always been solid against the pass and the run.

from: bleacherreport.com

The linebackers are much more of a mystery. Chad Greenway will definitely be starting at one position, but whether that's on the left side or the right side remains to be seen. Anthony Barr, the Vikings first, first round draft pick will most likely get the start on the other side. However, I can see him and Greenway being shifted around based on the opposing personnel and situation. Don't expect Barr to be in pass coverage very often, though with his athletic ability, I hope that gets better quickly (see my breakdown on his skillset: http://theinconsistentviking.blogspot.com/2014/05/first-round-analysis-anthony-barr.html). He was drafted for his athletic ability and potential, but the best way he can contribute immediately is with his pass rushing skills. The middle linebacker is more of a mystery. Typically in a cover two the linebackers would be smaller and quicker, able to get to a running back but also to cover a specific zone on the field. Expect that to change a bunch in Zimmer's scheme. In the past Zimmer has run more man coverage. With our corners being put into man coverage more often, our linebackers will be free to blitz. Expect Anthony Barr to be blitzing at least sixty percent of the time during his rookie season. Greenway could see some blitzing as well, as will our middle linebacker, but the pass rush from the linebacker position should focus on Barr.

If we're comparing what to expect to what was in the past, Barr would play a similar position to what James Harrison played for the Bengals. Harrison, however, was a situational pass rusher and didn't play often. The Vikings want Barr to play much more than that. Zimmer has already said he envisions Barr in a similar role to the one Von Miller plays for the Broncos. Miller is a superstar, rushing the passer from the linebacker position in some sets and from the defensive end position in other sets. One thing we could see coming is shifting Barr down to the right defensive end spot, taking Linval Joseph off the field, and sliding Everson Griffin into the defensive tackle spot. That gets four great pass rushers on the field at once. I'm seeing the Giants NASCAR set, where they would have their four best pass rushers down on the line, oftentimes that being four defensive ends. It's a thought that gives me chills. And the air conditioning isn't even running. They could also play only three down lineman and play Barr as a linebacker up against the line of scrimmage, like James Harrison is doing in the image below.

from: cincyjungle.com

Greenway could play a spot more similar to Vontaze Burfict of the Bengals. Granted, their skillsets are much different. Greenway is no longer the athlete he used to be, but he is still the Vikings smartest defender by a long shot. He should still break triple digits in tackles, meaning he may often be playing mop up duty. I'm very comfortable with that role for him. As to the middle linebacker, that's harder to predict. For the Bengals, Rey Maualuga was the starter for the last few years. He's big, able to dish out huge hits, but slow. They also had Emmanuel Lamur, who played a lot on passing downs as he was smaller and much faster than Maualuga. Who could play those roles for the Vikings. Well, returning from a year stint with the Cardinals is Jasper Brinkley. He's good in run defense but that's it. He's not fast and he's terrible in pass coverage. Then we have Audie Cole, seen below, who could be very solid, though he's not nearly the athlete that Lamur is. Cole has very little experience, yet what he does have has been very promising. We also have Michael Mauti, and Gerald Hodges will need to find a position somewhere. I really have no idea what could happen (though honestly, I'd prefer if Jasper Brinkley was our third or fourth option).

from: thevikingage.com

Obviously, a major part of this defense working is our secondary's ability to switch to man coverage. One thing we have going for us is that Xavier Rhodes should actually be more comfortable in man than in zone. The Vikings are relying heavily on the second year corner to guard the likes of Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Jordy Nelson. Captain Munnerlyn is a good addition in this aspect. He and Josh Robinson should compete for covering the slot corner. From what I've seen (and I will be shocked if I'm actually right), Josh Robinson has been better on the outside even with his blazing speed. That will allow Munnerlyn to play in the slot, where he should be very good. With Harrison Smith playing amazing-typical-we do still need a little help from the other side. Jamarca Sanford has not been great-about average at best, which is better than not even close to average-and his time may be coming to a close. Antone Exum may be a long shot for the other safety spot-he's only a year removed from a severe lower body injury-but his experience working out of the corner could translate nicely to what the Vikings may be doing. Give him a year or two to bounce back from the injury and learn the defense, then plug him beside Harrison Smith. Giving him some reps this year, even three or four snaps a game, could go a long way towards his development.

Just as our offense will benefit from a complete overhaul, our defense is going to benefit from the shift from the traditional cover two to a more aggressive, more man coverage dominated 4-3. Expectations are always high this time of year. I know the Jaguars and Raiders are super psyched about their rosters and their chances. They should be. No one has played a game yet. But the Vikings were long overdue for this change. With most defenses today throwing in exotic sets and blitz packages, and seeing the success that many of them have had (see Jets, Patriots, Bengals, Broncos, Seahawks), it was time the Vikings start doing something more unpredictable. What? You mean all three of our linebackers are going to drop into zone coverage again? I really didn't expect that. How shall they ever combat the four down lineman blitzing straight ahead like they have for the last eight games of the season? I'm very excited to see how our new defense fairs. Even if we aren't great this year, I see great things for the future. But we will be great. I mean, come one. We're undefeated so far this season. We're practically the best team in the league.