Linebacker Roles in Saleh/ Ulbrich 4-3 System

[32EBoozer]

Very interesting read if you have 5 minutes. According to this article Sherwood / Nasirildeen are virtual locks to make roster
 

https://heavy.com/sports/new-york-jets/robert-saleh-ulbrich-linebacker-roles-jets/

Throughout the course of spring and early summer, we’ve scouted this entire New York Jets linebacker core with feature articles for the majority of its personnel. Now it’s time to figure out how it all pieces together in training camp.

To project the roles and usage of each player in this group, we must first understand this 4-3 defense.

This system has storied ties that span back to the legendary Monte Kiffin, and it has a history of developing linebackers and putting them in a position to succeed at mastering their craft.

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Understanding Saleh’s 4-3 SchemeRobert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich stem from the Pete Carroll coaching tree that has its roots tied to the aforementioned Kiffin. When Gus Bradley was Carroll’s defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks, the two new Jets coaches were on their staff.

Kyle Breitkreutz of The 49ers Hub wrote that this defense is unique because it “values speed, instincts and athleticism over size.” Nearly every Joe Douglas draft pick on the defensive side since Saleh joined the organization has fit this mold.

Carroll’s 4-3 was famous for playing Cover-3 on the back-end. The basic Cover-3 drops the two outside cornerbacks into a deep zone along with the free safety who plays centerfield. This system generally rushes four and has the linebackers and strong safety cover both the flats and the “middle hook” zones.

As the league began to catch up to this scheme during Saleh’s time in San Francisco, the Niners’ DC decided to adapt, transforming into what the NFL world refers to as a Cover-3 Buzz.

In this variation of the 4-3, the outside corners show press coverage and either drop back when the ball is snapped or jam at the line and switch into a man-to-man look. One of the two safeties (usually the strong safety) also becomes the “buzz” defender and moves up into the middle of the defense, rather than guarding the flats.

Focusing on the run game, there are usually three go-to formations in Saleh’s system, according to Breitkreutz.

• 4-3 Over; standard look with three linebackers behind a four-man front that is shifted into the strongside gaps of the offensive line.
• 4-3 Under; a pass-rushing front that brings the strongside (SAM) linebacker up to the line of scrimmage on the shoulder of the tight end, alongside a defensive end.
• 4-3 Bear; a run-heavy formation that sometimes calls up two linebackers onto the edge of the defensive front, bringing up the strong safety alongside the remaining linebacker.

More specifically, the positional breakdowns follow these guidelines.

• MIKE; middle LB/captain of the unit and “gap destroyer” against the run, key “read defender” both pre-snap and at the heart of zone coverages.
• SAM; strongside LB that usually matches up with the tight end in the passing game or the “deep hook” zone, assigned gap defender against the run that may also blitz on occasion.
• WILL; the most “athletic” player in this group is generally the weakside LB, known for his elite open-field tackling on cutbacks and his zone coverage ability in the flats.

The Jets have been constructing their linebacker personnel around this scheme, so let’s dive into how this unit might look in 2021.

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Jets Linebacker Personnel

Let’s start with the players, led by returning four-time Pro Bowler C.J. Mosley. So long as Douglas doesn’t make a move for a veteran, nine linebacker possibilities are competing for a job.

• Mosley; MIKE-backer, captain of this linebacker core.
• Jarrad Davis; former first-round pick that flamed out in Detroit, is projected to start at SAM linebacker due to his experience.
• Blake Cashman; the oft-injured 2019 fifth-round pick out of Minnesota.
• Jamien Sherwood; a thumper box safety out of Auburn that could become a prototypical WILL linebacker due to his expert tackling ability.
• Hamsah Nasirildeen; another college safety that was known for his rare physical attributes at Florida State, coming off a torn ACL but supposedly 100%.
• Noah Dawkins; an athletic converted defensive end that has logged over 98% of his NFL snaps on special teams.
• Del’Shawn Phillips; former undrafted prospect with Ulbrich in Atlanta, likely outside linebacker or special teamer if he makes the roster.
• Camilo Eifler; 2021 undrafted free-agent that profiles as a hard-hitting WILL linebacker that could become an asset on special teams.
• Brendon White; 2021 undrafted tweener prospect out of Rutgers that profiled as a box safety in college, still unclear if the Jets consider White as a defensive back or linebacker.

Out of these nine, five or six are likely to make the Week 1 roster. The Jets will have to make some tough decisions after the preseason and I do believe that safety and linebacker combined will make up a total of nine spots, rather than 10.

Gang Green drafted a couple of these tweener-hybrid talents for a reason and I expect Douglas to maximize his 53-man group by dropping one ‘typical’ backup at these five starting roles. That would mean asking one or two players like Sherwood, Nasirildeen or White to learn LB and safety.

You also have to consider that the 4-3 scheme only starts two linebackers a large portion of the time in the modern-day NFL. Anytime the defense shifts to nickel, big-nickel or dime, which would happen most times the opposition fields pass-heavy sets with three or four wide receivers, that third linebacker could drop in favor of an extra safety or nickelback.

Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor determined that Saleh only used a third linebacker an average of 26% of snaps in 2020. In Atlanta, Ulbrich used the third linebacker approximately 31% of snaps.

My guess at what the #Jets' 2021 front-7 rotation could look like

The 2019 Niners defense lays out where these numbers and roles come from  https://t.co/IoxVahVugB pic.twitter.com/qENOxppmrH

— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) July 18, 

Projecting Jets Linebackers

Assuming they stay healthy, Mosley and Davis are the locks to make the roster. I don’t necessarily see Davis as a 95% snap guy like Nania does, but he should get a healthy chunk of playing time behind Mosley.

I could see Davis subbing out for a WILL linebacker on passing downs. Despite a solid coverage grade from Pro Football Focus in 2020, the former Lion has not excelled in this area throughout his career with an atrocious 30.0 grade in 2019 and a 64.5 in 2018. His most consistent strength in Detroit was his ability as a pass-rusher.

I expect that the rookie out of Auburn, Sherwood, becomes the prospect to watch in 2021. He was created to play in this defense and Ulbrich’s praise in practice has really highlighted his intelligence and football IQ.

Cashman is another key player to watch in training camp. Although he’s trying out at WILL, he’s the only real MIKE-backer on the roster outside of Mosley and Davis. I could see the Mike Maccagnan draft pick getting cut if his injury issues persist. I could also see him starting at WILL, or backing up Mosley at MIKE.

The ripple effects of Cashman’s roster chances will certainly affect players like Eifler, Dawkins, Phillips and White. Special teams duties will also play a major role. In the end, here are my unofficial projections for the 2021 Green and White linebacker core.

 

[freestater]

Good read. Thanks for sharing. 

[32EBoozer]

1 minute ago, freestater said:

Good read. Thanks for sharing. 

Needed a break from vaccination discussion. Obviously it appears that it is Sherwood’s job to lose. 40% of snaps at Will and I’m sure he’ll get additional snaps in a 4-2-5 look.

[freestater]

5 minutes ago, 32EBoozer said:

Needed a break from vaccination discussion. Obviously it appears that it is Sherwood’s job to lose. 40% of snaps at Will and I’m sure he’ll get additional snaps in a 4-2-5 look.

LaMarcus Joyner and him in the box could be a very interesting duo. There are some real boom/bust prospects in this middle of the D. I really hope Joyner can get his old form back after the raiders tried to convert him to CB.

[varjet]

I am not worried about Jet LB play really-that will equate to run and short pass defense.  
 

I am worried when the other QB passes more than 10 yards. 

[32EBoozer]

21 minutes ago, varjet said:

I am not worried about Jet LB play really-that will equate to run and short pass defense.  

I am worried when the other QB passes more than 10 yards. 

[92ShaunEllis92]

So the real concern, I see, is that this defense may be vulnerable if a big back (220 lbs.+ like Derrick Henry) breaks into the 2nd level and just runs over the small and inexperienced secondary. 
 

The diminutive size of our LBers and secondary will place a lot of pressure on the DLine to hold opposing running games from reaching that 2nd level. Our best unit will be tested constantly this season as the younger back half of the defense adjusts to a new scheme 

[32EBoozer]

1 minute ago, 92ShaunEllis92 said:

So the real concern, I see, is that this defense may be vulnerable if a big back (220 lbs.+ like Derrick Henry) breaks into the 2nd level and just runs over the small and inexperienced secondary. 
 

The diminutive size of our LBers and secondary will place a lot of pressure on the DLine to hold opposing running games from reaching that 2nd level. Our best unit will be tested constantly this season as the younger back half of the defense adjusts to a new scheme 

 

CASHMAN VS. HENRY!!

[Defense Wins Championships]

2 hours ago, 32EBoozer said:

Needed a break from vaccination discussion. Obviously it appears that it is Sherwood’s job to lose. 40% of snaps at Will and I’m sure he’ll get additional snaps in a 4-2-5 look.

I disagree. 

Hamsah Nasirildeen was the kid who was getting all the 1st team reps during both OTAs and Mini-camp (not Sherwood). 

And the only reason why Nasirildeen didn't go first round was because of his ACL injury (now fully recovered from) and Jamien Sherwood unlike Hamsah Nasirildeen was never considered as a 1st round talent and my dude from FSU in Hamsah Nasirildeen has NCAA football production that completely blows away the statistical production of Jamien Sherwood.

This is Nasirildeen's job to lose. 

[STLuLu]

I wouldn't call Monte Kiffin  legendary. The only reason that corny cover 2 schemed worked was because of a DL beast named Warren Sapp who collapsed the middle of the OL on every play even when doubled teamed...which he was on almost every play. Even he called Kiffin underrated and went as far as to mentioned everyone in his HOF speech, including the waterboy, as a passive aggressive shot at Kiffin to let everyone know he had nothing to do with his success. So it does't matter that much who the Jets' linebackers are in this scheme if the DL can't cause havoc on their own.

[SOJ]

AS long as I do not see a RB on a wheel route running free, I'll be happy, tongue-in-cheek.

[Defense Wins Championships]

12 hours ago, STLuLu said:

I wouldn't call Monte Kiffin  legendary. The only reason that corny cover 2 schemed worked was because of a DL beast named Warren Sapp who collapsed the middle of the OL on every play even when doubled teamed...which he was on almost every play. Even he called Kiffin underrated and went as far as to mentioned everyone in his HOF speech, including the waterboy, as a passive aggressive shot at Kiffin to let everyone know he had nothing to do with his success. So it does't matter that much who the Jets' linebackers are in this scheme if the DL can't cause havoc on their own.

That 2002 Buccaneers defense was more than just Warren Sapp and I know because I live in Tampa Bay and mostly all my friends are Buccaneers fans. 

Sapp had 7.5 sacks and Simeon Rice had 15.5 sacks so let's not forget to mention Rice on the D-Line.

HOF Derrick Brooks was a freak of nature and the greatest Buccaneers player of All-Time and led that defense with 118 tackles. And you'll never find a top 100, top 10 or top 5 TB list without Derrick Brooks #1 on it. 

And their secondary was loaded and led by hard hitting John Lynch and an awesome CB in Ronde Barber and also Superbowl MVP Dexter Jackson. 

The most understand Buccaneers player was MLB Shelton Quarles who made a 2002 Pro Bowl because those Buccaneers fans loved him and he ranked 2nd in team tackles with 113 and then the next 4 seasons combined for 300 tackles etc.

Sapp was A++ awesome but it was more than Sapp who led that great defense to the SB and still to this day you can't go to a TB game without seeing jerseys of Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, Rice, Barber and also Warrick Dunn, Keyshawn and A-Train Mike Alstott.

That 2002 team was super special and I hated it because while my Jets got 2nd round eliminated I had to watch my Buccaneers friends and neighborhood celebrate one of the greatest D's of All-Time and lost a friendly $20 bet against my friend because we made a bet in HS 1999 on which team Jets/Bucs would win the SB and now he's up 2-0 on me.

Sapp was greatness but don't ignore everyone else my dude.

[STLuLu]

3 hours ago, Defense Wins Championships said:

That 2002 Buccaneers defense was more than just Warren Sapp and I know because I live in Tampa Bay and mostly all my friends are Buccaneers fans. 

Sapp had 7.5 sacks and Simeon Rice had 15.5 sacks so let's not forget to mention Rice on the D-Line.

HOF Derrick Brooks was a freak of nature and the greatest Buccaneers player of All-Time and led that defense with 118 tackles. And you'll never find a top 100, top 10 or top 5 TB list without Derrick Brooks #1 on it. 

And their secondary was loaded and led by hard hitting John Lynch and an awesome CB in Ronde Barber and also Superbowl MVP Dexter Jackson. 

The most understand Buccaneers player was MLB Shelton Quarles who made a 2002 Pro Bowl because those Buccaneers fans loved him and he ranked 2nd in team tackles with 113 and then the next 4 seasons combined for 300 tackles etc.

Sapp was A++ awesome but it was more than Sapp who led that great defense to the SB and still to this day you can't go to a TB game without seeing jerseys of Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, Rice, Barber and also Warrick Dunn, Keyshawn and A-Train Mike Alstott.

That 2002 team was super special and I hated it because while my Jets got 2nd round eliminated I had to watch my Buccaneers friends and neighborhood celebrate one of the greatest D's of All-Time and lost a friendly $20 bet against my friend because we made a bet in HS 1999 on which team Jets/Bucs would win the SB and now he's up 2-0 on me.

Sapp was greatness but don't ignore everyone else my dude.

I hear you. Thanks for the rundown but I'm well aware of all those other players. I left them out on purpose for two reasons: first I didn't want a lengthy post, and second none of those players on defense would have had the careers they all had without Sapp. The only reason why Rice had all those sacks was because of Sapp. The only reason Brooks was able to rome around the field doing whatever he wanted to do was because of Sapp. Don't even get me started on Lynch. Every hit he made was illegal so he couldn't play in todays NFL.

[MichaelScott]

I think before anyone forms an opinion in the "sign KJ Wright?" thread, they should really read this article. Great explanation of the LB roles of our new defense and the fact that you'd be paying Wright to fill a position that would have him on the field MAYBE 30% of the time (Not to mention keeping Sherwood or Nas off the field, which is my major issue with a signing like that). Also, I could he wrong, but I thought KJ plays more of Davis role as SAM rather than WILL... 

[MichaelScott]

On 7/25/2021 at 12:43 PM, Defense Wins Championships said:

I disagree. 

Hamsah Nasirildeen was the kid who was getting all the 1st team reps during both OTAs and Mini-camp (not Sherwood). 

And the only reason why Nasirildeen didn't go first round was because of his ACL injury (now fully recovered from) and Jamien Sherwood unlike Hamsah Nasirildeen was never considered as a 1st round talent and my dude from FSU in Hamsah Nasirildeen has NCAA football production that completely blows away the statistical production of Jamien Sherwood.

This is Nasirildeen's job to lose. 

Why do you think the Jets drafted Sherwood first? It looks like they were both drafted to fill the same exact roll/position. If Nas was a 1st round talent, then he was already an insane steal at 5th/146ovr but they drafter Sherwood. Even then they drafted MCII and Pinnock before they took Nas some 40+ picks later in the 6th. 

Not arguing with you re Nas, I'm high on him and excited to see him on the field too. I've also been giving him a lot more attention than Sherwood which is what's made me ask myself the question above. 

I don't think 1 over the other is nearly the lock you're making it to be (just my opinion - I know you'll never change yours lmao). The Jets were clearly higher on Sherwood than Nas, for whatever the reason at the time. If that wasn't true you don't take Sherwood first and you definitely don't wait until the 6th to take a "should have been a 1st rd pick". 

I wouldn't sleep on Sherwood and that's not a knock on Nas at all - That's a very good thing for our D. If both of them become players, the flexibility for our D packages is HUGE. Getting them both on the field at the same time could be tough to play against. I'm imagining some kind of big nickel package where one plays a 3rd safety while the other lines up next to Mosley as the 2nd LB. That could be a great look against NE's 2TE packages. Physical aggressive tacklers that won't leave us overly vulnerable against the run while at the same time being big, quick guys in coverage that (hopefully?) can handle TEs