"Tweaking" the Tampa-2: What did Jim Caldwell mean?

by BigBlueShoe on Mar 6, 2009 11:49 AM EST in Analysis Comment 18 comments

As I have said since Tony Dungy retired, the Colts are not going to switch to a new defensive scheme. Indy will run the same Tampa-2 defense they have run since 2002. It will rely on pressure from the d-line with the LBers and DBs mostly dropping back into zone coverage. Jim Caldwell has made this clear:

"From a schematic standpoint offensively and defensively we do not anticipate any drastic changes, but here’s the thing you have to understand about football. Every year, we take a total review and take a look at everything that we’ve done and often times there’s little tweaking that goes on because of the fact that maybe the opposition had caught on to a certain phase offensively or defensively or maybe your kicking game, so you have to make some adjustments there."

So, if anyone is crying that the Colts are still going to run a Tampa-2 and not switch to the flavor of the month defense (3-4 Zone Blitz), kindly dry your tears, suck it up, and soldier on. The flavor of the year two years ago was Tampa-2 defense because two teams with Tampa-2s faced each other. A year ago, people saw the Giants 4-3 Blitz destroy Tom Brady and the Patriots and wanted to switch to that. Now, after seeing two Zone Blitz defenses routinely give up big plays in the Super Bowl, people somehow want to switch to that. God knows why.

Like all established defensive schemes, when new coaches step in they like to make tweaks to the system so it fits their personality. Mike Tomlin tweaked Dick Lebeau's Zone Blitz by incorporating smaller, faster linebackers into the fold. There was less emphasis on fooling people and more placed on technique. Indeed, Tomlin is very much a Dungy disciple.

Like Tomlin with Pittsburgh's defense, Jim Caldwell will tweak the well-established defense in Indianapolis. One of the ways he may do this is by inserting larger linebackers into the defense who are less effective at coverage but much better at stopping the run and, perhaps, blitzing. From Pro Football Weekly:

In ’09, the Colts are banking on Philip Wheeler performing as well at outside linebacker as Pollak did at guard. A middle linebacker his last two seasons at Georgia Tech, Wheeler was selected with the understanding that the Colts envisioned him manning an OLB post. Following a rookie campaign that amounted to little more than a glorified redshirt season, Wheeler needs to hit the turf running on the outside in ’09.

One of the reasons Freddie K.O. and Tyjuan Hagler were let go is because the Colts invested a 3rd round pick in Wheeler. Unlike Keiaho and Hagler, Wheeler is 6'2 and weighs in at about 240 pounds. That's a big boy for a Tampa-2 linebacker. In the draft, the Colts may look for similar LBers in an effort to make the run defense more stout.

The draw back is the LBer coverage might suffer. This could put more pressure on the DBs and force them to play more man than Cover-2 or Cover-3. Or we could see a big improvement in Wheeler's coverage skills, giving Indy a big, fast guy who can tackle, hit, and cover. Wheeler is also a very good blitzer. One of the things some Tampa-2 defenses are starting to do is blitz their linebackers more. Another tweak, which was used against the Jaguars in December last year, was standing Raheem Brock up as a DT, and then having him swing around he outside the tackle in order to get pressure.

Regardless of the tweaks, the same basic philosophy wil remain: Three technique defensive line with the MIKE backer dropping straight back into coverage. The DBs will play mostly zone. It will be interesting to see if Indy moves to draft "Wheeler-like" players. Draft prospects like Clay Matthews seem to fit the bill.

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Perish the thought

Indy having…

a big, fast guy who can tackle, hit, and cover

by LovinBlue on Mar 6, 2009 11:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The D

would be so freaking awesome

by metal_militia on Mar 6, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as part of the "tweaking" includes

tightening up the “cushion” we tend to give receivers…ugh.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Mar 6, 2009 12:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm just looking for someone who can tackle

and not give up yards after the initial hit. The number of times we hit someone behind the first down line and then they just pushed their way forward for 2, 3, 4+ yards was Redicules.

by LovinBlue on Mar 6, 2009 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

REDICULES! All of the conversions on the oppositions’ 3rd and longs this year were sooo frustrating!

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Mar 6, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Redicules indeed

(can the mythical hero Redicules become our version of FO’s ROBO-Punter?)

What is worse, hitting a guy at the LOS and thinking “great” only to have him break free, bounce off the next guy, and end up with 7 yards?

Stoning a team on 2 downs repeatedly only to give up an 11.5 yard gain on 3rd and 11… six times in a row?

Hearing us gripe it’s hard to believe we actually had a statistically good scoring D this year and historically great pass D. I’m thinking our standards are pretty high, which is fine.

(up on soap box now) Just ONE MORE STOP on 3rd downs per game and the Offense has 16 more chances to score next season. One measly stop on D should equal about 40 more points (4 TDs and 4 FGs) or an extra 2.5 pts per game. Two stops and our margin of victory jumps by 5. That is mind-boggling because of 18’s efficiency. Maybe more, really, since our D will then be better rested later int he game and get ADDITIONAL stops after that first one or two. These two stops would not break the bank in terms of payroll/cap and would not make us a moster D, just a but more above average. And quite possibly get us to the AFCCG or SB. So if one of those LBs can deliver those 1 or 2 3rd down stops a game, I’ll buy 4 of his jerseys.

sigh.

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Mar 6, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hard to choose..

I would have to say that the most frustrating of the two is the latter. To stuff for two downs and then to FAIL in incredible fashion on the 3rd and extra long is sickening.

I just keep replaying the SD playoff game in my head. Over. and. over. and over again. Sproles running into the endzone for the win…I just KNOW if we would have stopped him on that play, even on the 5, we would have won. AND I have NO DOUBT we would have beaten Balitmore, Pittsburgh, Tenn or whomever. Ok, I’m still working on letting it go…

The D did have some incredible plays last season…the interceptions, forced fumbles, etc…if they could find one guy to make that additional stop per game, I would be thrilled! I would buy four of his jerseys myself.

I REALLY hate the offseason…nothing to do but dream about what could have been and have hopes for what could be. 5 more long, drawn-out months just until preseason….

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Mar 6, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Defense

Both are tough to swallow…which makes continuing to draft on the defensive side of the ball that much more important to me.

For those who think that the defense is not the reason why this team has failed to reach it’s potential for much of this decade, don’t forget…

1. An offense built on timing and rhythm won’t work as well when it is sitting on the sideline for up to 8 minutes at a time, praying for another chance.
2. It is natural for players to lose confidence or faith in each other if they are constantly giving up huge 3rd down conversions after working so hard to stuff the first 2 plays of a series of downs.
3. I believe in the T2, but having smaller than average players at every single position wears on a defense not only throughout the course of a game, but also throughout the course of a season, so they aren’t going to perform at their best when the playoffs come around. That is, if they aren’t injured first.

Basically I agree with a “tweaking” of the D with an emphasis of getting a little bigger, more durable and being able to make sure tackles.

by AceOfSpades on Mar 6, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Redicules

is now a permanent part of the StampedeBlue vernacular, fantastic.

by burc on Mar 6, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clay Matthews

I really like this guy, not only because he brings a blitz dimension to our defense, but he is the fastest of the SC LB’s, is smart, and is a hard worker.

by metal_militia on Mar 6, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I know you are just going to say that size is overrated and all that junk Brad, but the Colts had some serious issues with their linebacking corps, specifically on the WILL side. Keiaho, as good as he was for the short period of time, was getting abused, really really bad in coverage. In my opinion, being 5’10 as a WILL is just asking for trouble. Brackett is 5’11 (whether that’s true or not I don’t know), but he doesn’t play like a guy that’s 5’11. I think the change we are going to see is slightly taller, but nothing over 240 lbs. They are still going to be agile and quick linebackers, but they aren’t going to be monsters. An example? Derrick Brooks. He’s 6’, 235 lbs. That’s basically the mold we are looking for here. I also wouldn’t be opposed to seeing someone like Brian Urlacher either. He’s really tall standing at 6’4, but he’s a little more slender and agile as he only weighs 258 lbs.

I heard an interview that Polian did a while ago on his philosophy behind drafting corners. I’m sure most of us are aware that outside of Jackson and Hayden, they are all shorter than 6’. He said the reason they he often picks up guys that are shorter than 6’ like Ratliff (5’11), Hughes (5’10), Jennings (5’8), Rushing (5’9), is because of their leaping ability to make up the difference between themselves and the taller receiver they are covering. In theory, this makes sense. But if you think about it a little more, it’s a major flaw that can be exploited if the Colts played more teams with tall receivers.

Let’s use Jennings for example (because I don’t like him and he isn’t that good). Let’s say Jennings who is 5’8 is stuck covering someone like Randy Moss who is 6’4. Let’s also assume that Jennings, despite being shorter, can reach the same height as Randy Moss if they were to do a vertical jump. That’s great, because if there is a jump ball, Jennings stands a good chance to defend the pass. So really, this idea doesn’t seem to bad. But what happens now, if Jennings is covering Moss, and there is a pass throw directly over Jennings’ head? Unless Jennings is an uber pimp corner and is either anticipating a pass coming any second, or he said the pass actually coming, he is at a huge disadvantage here. He is basically giving up 8 inches, not including reach, to a guy who is fast, and has great hands. If Jennings doesn’t have a chance to react to the pass, and doesn’t have a chance to use his leaping abilities, he’s toast. Thus, the idea of picking up smaller guys even though they can leap tall buildings in a single bound, is insanely flawed. To be quite honest, I don’t like this philosophy, because it’s the same philosophy (in sorts) that Polian uses when he picks up linebackers.

Granted, I think Session will be a great SAM, but there’s nothing about Wheeler that leads me to believe Polian had anything to do in the drafting of him in the 3rd round.

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.

by KingRichard on Mar 6, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you King

I do want to have taller players so when they do go against someone tall(er) in coverage, they can make a play. However, I still want to stick with the philosophy of having fast, quick players at all positions (im sure you are with me on that, right?). Again im not against on having bigger, taller players, I just dont want to sacrifice speed too much

by metal_militia on Mar 6, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A big 4-3 zone LB?

Aren’t those the guys I’ve been talking about everytime something pops up?

Jason Phillips – 6’1 238, 4.69 40 (5th fastest), 20 reps
College system – 4-2-5 zone
http://www.nfldraftdog.com/2009_NFL_Draft/jason_phillips.htm

Jasper Brinkley – 6’2 252, 4.72 40 (6th fastest), 26 reps, 35.5" vert
College system – T2 first 3 years, 4-2-5 zone this year
Combine wise, he was arguably one of the best all around performers.

By the way, both of them are as fast or faster than our current LBs. Brinkley also dropped about 15 lbs from the end of the season getting in shape. That was the only knock I had on him. It looks like he has a great work ethic to me. And Brinkley puts on HUGE hits and is still decent in coverage. Both of them can play all three positions too.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Mar 6, 2009 1:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I FREAKIN LOVE

Jasper Brinkley!!!! Watching Gamecock football I always enjoyed watching Jasper. He would be a huge steal. Anyone know where he is projected to go?

Please, please draft a big Defensive Tackle. Please?

by skywalker on Mar 6, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Very late, rounds 5-7.

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.

by KingRichard on Mar 6, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We should definitely pick him up.

Please, please draft a big Defensive Tackle. Please?

by skywalker on Mar 6, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dang

“Gil Brandt, of NFL.com, reports Texas Christian LB Jason Phillips (knee) revealed during the school’s Pro Day Friday, March 6, that he has a torn meniscus in his left knee, an injury that he believes he suffered at the NFL Scouting Combine. Phillips, who underwent surgery Wednesday, March 4, is expected to be on crutches for the next eight weeks and in rehabilitation for another four weeks. Phillips should be ready for training camp.”

Well, maybe that means we can get him in the 5th or 6th round now.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Mar 7, 2009 11:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs