I disagree with that a bit because the 2-4 nickel basically is a 4-2 as the DTs are on the inside and the OLBers move very close to the line and work like stand up 4-2 DEs. And when they want to run a 4-3, like they did against the Eagles in the playoffs, they just move Woodson to a LB type position, which they had him at to help chase down Vick.
Originally Posted by: beast
It's "basically" the same, but that alignment is just a part of the tradition 3-4 scheme, so one can't call it a hybrid with a 4-3, really. I mean, defense is defense and everyone runs similar things. But when a team has two OLB's standing, it is quite a bit different in terms of technique of rushing the passer and personnel. The outside rushers technique will be that of a 3-4 scheme and not a 4-3. That's fine, it doesn't matter to me. It's just I thought at times with Kampman they should have allowed him to rush from his traditional technique sometimes rather than forcing him to adjust his technique 100%. The differences may not be monumental, but they are still significant. I think it would help Perry to slowly transition to the technique of a 3-4 OLB rather than forcing him to adjust his game all at once.
But to my point about hybrid defense, I do remember Capers running a 5 defensive linemen package at times . . . but I think that was in 2010 against the likes of the Falcons? I appreciate that type of creativity. I think it'd be neat to see some nickle packages with both Clay and Perry's hands on the ground, even if only occasionally (or at least one of them). It just mixes things up more and makes the offense and especially the offensive line think about even more techniques to attempt to counter. Specifically, Baltimore and the Patriots have done this type of thing often. For athletes like CM3 and Perry, dropping into short zones from the 3-point stance should be no problem. Several 4-3 teams run those types of zone-blitzes every week. I think doing everything possible to take advantage of specific mathup's is key. It will be an interesting season defensively as Caper's will have more freedom to be creative.