Positionless Defense

[Southieinnc]

When reviewing prospects, I keep seeing Patriots mentioned with the term, position-less defense.
Look up position-less football. it is almost always discussing offense but I'm seeing it used to describe defense in Patriots discussion.
I first noted it when discussion of why Patriots signed another safety when they need a Cornerback
Interesting article posted below.

"The article lays out that NFL coaches have visited with young Grand View (NAIA - IA) defensive coordinator Travis Johansen to pick his mind on his interesting approach. Coach Johansen is known for putting a bunch of safety-type players on the field that can play run support like a linebacker, and also play man-to-man on a slot receiver in an effort to create confusion for offensive coordinators and quarterbacks on who to read."

"Army's defensive coordinator Jay Bateman is another guy on the cutting edge of recreating defenses, as his unit's near upset of Oklahoma earlier this year proved. In Bateman's defense everyone can be a blitzer, and a player can be a linebacker one play, a defensive end the next, and a safety on another down. He employs six different blitzes from "dozens" of personnel packages, forcing coordinators to spend a ton of time in their preparation for Army's defense. Bateman shares that it creates so much confusion that offenses "start blocking guys that aren’t even rushing, and not block guys who are.”

Is "position-less defense" the future of football?

ESPN did a piece being released in the FUTURE ISSUE of Sports Illustrated highlighting where NFL coaches are going to study innovationive defensive trends in

footballscoop.com

 

[Southieinnc]

"Judge utilized Peppers in a variety of roles on the defense. In 2020, he lined up mainly in the box (383 snaps) and as a slot cornerback (264) to go with free safety (143), defensive line (77) and outside cornerback (44). That was his best season, statistically, when he finished with a career-high 91 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 11 passes defended and an interception. Last year, in six games, Peppers mainly played slot cornerback (107) followed by in the box (60), defensive line (32), outside cornerback (19) and free safety (11).""

 

[Southieinnc]

Patriots appear to be moving toward a positionless defense

The Patriots’ offseason work is reminiscent of another Boston sports team’s recent shift in thinking.

www.patspulpit.com

 

[BigKen]

If the corners, safeties and linebackers are interchangeable and can play the run and pass equally, then it's quite possible that the interior DL and Edges might be able to lay a few licks on the QB and make him a bit uncomfortable.

Curran and Perry were discussing the change in BB's attitude about LBs. He has historically been a supporter of 6'4'-6'6" 250-270 lb big guys who have foot speed. Now he's looking more at 6'3" and and bit but much lighter, 229-245 lb guys who can run sideline to sideline. Strange as it may sound, Duggar and Phillips types who can play safety and yet play like a LB at the line of scrimmage and make tackles on RBs.

 

[Southieinnc]

If the corners, safeties and linebackers are interchangeable and can play the run and pass equally, then it's quite possible that the interior DL and Edges might be able to lay a few licks on the QB and make him a bit uncomfortable.

Curran and Perry were discussing the change in BB's attitude about LBs. He has historically been a supporter of 6'4'-6'6" 250-270 lb big guys who have foot speed. Now he's looking more at 6'3" and and bit but much lighter, 229-245 lb guys who can run sideline to sideline. Strange as it may sound, Duggar and Phillips types who can play safety and yet play like a LB at the line of scrimmage and make tackles on RBs.

I see BB looking at the end of year performance and realizing that his team had become predictable.
Coaching meetings about how to fix it. Looking at Defensive Coordinators and started thinking about this.
Brought back Patrick - who is a rocket scientist.
This is an intriguing scenario and other teams are not really using it yet - though some are plugging in hybrid roles.
What if they're all hybrid and teams instead of knowing what our predictable play, they have no idea what we're about to do?
Remember what we did to the Rams defense in SuperBowl 53?

"The Los Angeles Rams' high-octane offense sputtered all night long and quarterback Jared Goff looked downright confused by the Patriots' defense in a 13-3 loss in Super Bowl 53."

Remember the Rams offense watching the Patriots pre-snap and the Patriots were just hanging around randomly?
When the headsets wwere turned off, Patriots started moving to position but still not showing their hand?

I don't know if I'm right or wrong but it is an interesting concept.

 

[Southieinnc]

not suggesting this pick. Just an example of the thinking

Patriots 2022 Draft Profile: Baylor's Jalen Pitre Fits the Positionless Football Blueprint - Sports Illustrated New England Patriots News, Analysis and More

Jalen Pitre is a heat seeking missile safety and interchangeable defensive chess piece.

www.si.com

 

[Southieinnc]

If the corners, safeties and linebackers are interchangeable and can play the run and pass equally, then it's quite possible that the interior DL and Edges might be able to lay a few licks on the QB and make him a bit uncomfortable.

Curran and Perry were discussing the change in BB's attitude about LBs. He has historically been a supporter of 6'4'-6'6" 250-270 lb big guys who have foot speed. Now he's looking more at 6'3" and and bit but much lighter, 229-245 lb guys who can run sideline to sideline. Strange as it may sound, Duggar and Phillips types who can play safety and yet play like a LB at the line of scrimmage and make tackles on RBs.

I see BB looking at the end of year performance and realizing that his team had become predictable.
Coaching meetings about how to fix it. Looking at Defensive Coordinators and started thinking about this.
Brought back Patrick - who is a rocket scientist.
This is an intriguing scenario and other teams are not really using it yet - though some are plugging in hybrid roles.
What if they're all hybrid and teams instead of knowing what our predictable play, they have no idea what we're about to do?
Remember what we did to the Rams defense in SuperBowl 53?

 

[Southieinnc]

Positionless football is becoming a reality in the Patriots secondary