Wherever Bo Pelini has gone the defense has flourished and has become a constantly commended coach for his defensive genius building top rated units and sideline behavior has drawn the admiration of media and Nebraska fans (I believe his sweatshirts are selling more than Bill Belichick’s). Recent history has proven his status and placed him amongst a few of the best and most noted in the country. How does he do it? Let’s break it down in Husker Hype’s first Coaches’ Clinic!Zone defense, pattern matching, and the “Peso” have been the hot topic attempting to dissect “The Bo Pelini Defense”. I would consider it more of a rich man’s buffet with players that contribute speed, intelligence and what we all love: hard hitting and tackling. Pattern matching is something only a few great Defensive Coordinators incorporate because it requires a lot of film review and practice. What it is comprised of is basically a set of rules that help zone defenders look like man coverage and on some occasions play a coverage that will not look like the original call (if that makes sense)– team “mates” and trust are imperative terms.
- The first two steps on any given play is foot placement and release – there are a few pre-snap reads that can be picked up – (hello, Offensive Guards) but that comes with game time experience, film and an offense. Everyone on defense is watching is the initial release of a specific receiver or two. Back in the day the fullback and running back’s hands were giveaways.
Let’s assume these are the players Nebraska will have on the field:
- Generally, a receiver’s release can be classified as vertical or a cutting route across the middle. All players have tendencies such that the combination of the release, hand placement and even the feet will alert defenders to the routes run and will actually give away the play they are running. Smart defenders with experience eat this up creating many opportunities for busted plays resulting in sacks, interceptions and 3rd down stops.
- Know the receiver alignment given down and distance. The defense will usually number the receivers 1 to 3 or 4, starting with the widest/playmaker Z and moving in for each side of the formation. The Seams and stretch route. Good offensive coordinators look to do more than put their receivers in good one-on-one matchups, they look to outnumber the defensive zones – breaking a threat of zone coverage – hence the importance of having a quarterback that can stroke that 8-15 yard out route. Offensive coordinators strive to get the top guys- 2 receivers vs. 1 defender, 3 receivers vs. 2 defenders, thus eliminating the amount of turf for check downs and the ability to strike quick – Florida did this extremely well with Danny Wuerffel.
SDE – Pierre Allen
WDE – Cameron Meridith
DT – Baker Steinkuhler
DT – Jared Crick
LB – Will Compton / Eric Martin / LaVonte David
CB – Prince Amukamara
CB – Alfonzo Dennard
SS – Eric Hagg
FS – P.J. Smith
Rover – Dejon Gomes
Rover – Anthony West / LaVonte David
Generically, let’s assume our opponent is running a 2RB, 1TE, 2WR pro set. Our defense on this play will look like a traditional Cover-3 zone. Given that we already know what the front four, the Base” will look like, let’s take a gander at some of the other positions and options.
The Hot Positions (The ones that Nebraska Fans watch)
Strong side CB – Prince Amukamara – DeJon Gomes
Prince’s prime responsibility is playing the Number 1 receiver. Eyes, experience and footwork are essential in determining if the route is a vertical run or split, but either way he stays with #1. In the deep, this is one of the positions that has one man and one responsibility. With DeJon Gomes…how can you not be excited about the play of this guy? (Texas anyone) He offers an outstanding option in a few different spots but his “home” is CB.
Strong Safety – PJ Smith – Eric Hagg
The Strong Safety’s priority is the seam on his side of the field. Being vocal and trust between SS and the SAM is critical as any missed assignment will cost big plays. Given the lockdown corner in Prince, the SS will attempt to jam or press the X WR getting in between the lanes/seam and make him change routes thus throwing off any timing and QB check reads.
Sam Linebacker – Sean Fisher
The Sam is responsible for taking away any underneath route and following the ball given any rush. If the second WR releases outside, then he’s responsible for covering any receiver in the running the middle.
Mike Linebacker – Will Compton – Eric Martin – LaVonte David
Mike is the center fielder on D. Run first and watch any slot / shift action out of the backfield. Sideline to sideline speed is essential and the love to crush any RB is critical. Bo & Company have to love this as there is a wide range of attitude and physical abilities at this spot. Nebraska will always have a “safetyesque” LB in the middle.
Will Linebacker – Matt May
I foresee few and far between true sets here as I think we run with the hybrids playing. Matt May brings a tenacity most Husker fans adore but the opportunities will be limited in my opinion. Essentially, the duty is taking away any underneath routes and hold position until he is crossed by a second – again zone read. This is why the play of the SS is essential so that we don’t have any over the top pass play breakdowns.
Weak (Free) Safety – Eric Hagg – PJ Smith – Austin Cassidy
Free Safety by all definition plays the deep center of the field. This is the key man on the field when an offense has a TE that can stretch the field. Otherwise he’s looking to play one of the WRs that got pushed off route.
Weakside CB – Alfonzo Dennard – Anthony West
Same responsibilities as Prince but playing the No. 2 WR. Watch for the breaks and play your man.
4-3 DEFENSE
Sorry folks – this is Nebraska’s base defense. The 4-man has been a staple for years now and in my opinion, a great defense that allows the flexibility to make some simple changes in coverage. We lost our true Defensive Lineman in Suh, but luckily Nebraska has ample athletes to fill that void and in the long run make the diversity of the depth chart better.
Defensive Ends are lined up outside the end last man on the line, either an Offensive Tackle or a Tight End. They should be rushing hard and this year with the speed Cameron brings on the Weak side getting inside mayhem will turn plays inside and make opposing QBs think more quickly to get rid of any pass they intended. These guys are the linebackers on the defensive line this year. I’m excited to see how Bo lets them loose.
Mike Linebacker – easily identified as he’s the middle man playing between the DTs, two-gapping the weak side B-Gap and the strong side A-Gap. In Nebraska’s Peso – Mike will be of a true form LB and I foresee the
“Rover/hybrid” – playing in tandem much like the safeties. Any coverage, any offense, any blitz package, bring it on. Speed and personnel skills make this an exciting Defense and allows Bo/Carl/Sanders & Co. to really play around with it. We definitely have plenty of options and what a better recruiting tool for the future to promote then the flexibility that will soon be demonstrated.
4-2-5 DEFENSE
I see many similarities in our system of this and probably a certain reason why our defense went from crap to gold in such a short time. You take a new staff with young assistants instilling promise to the players, dissecting who brings speed, the ability to tackle and some versatility. In a short amount of time, you have a great defense. Really nothing can be simpler and will garner results.
You have the advantages of the four down linemen; again, we’ll just call it a base, with the option to plug in fast pass rushers off the edge. Linebacker play is easier to manage as you have people behind you – play and hit whatever crosses your pass and watch the flats – again, sideline to sideline speed is crucial. This is where I see Compton and Lavonte David being key, heck DeJon Gomes would be an interesting twist.
The only noticeable change is where Pierre lines up – more than likely inside shoulder of the TE to handle the inside gap, this gives more freedom for Cameron to showcase what we all hope: SACKS!
I swear everything from defenses to the offenses we’ll be facing are in some sort situational and hybrid – call it West Coast, Spread, Wing or Double Wing or Wildcat. I know we saw a lot of sets later in the year with 6 or 7 “DB”s on the field but you can’t dispute the results or the flexibility. You can use a wide variety of blitzes, as well as any coverage under the sun (though I’d still base out of Cover 3, but that’s me).
Cover 3
Basically and very vanilla Cover 3 employs a run and pass balance. It’s kind of a Prevent Defense providing where the opponent is lined up along with down and distance. Pretty simple – assignments are given for 3 guys deep – Cornerbacks left and right and Free Safety, 3 linebacker types. Hagg, Compton and this is where I think Bo Pelini was hoping Sean Fisher would grow into last year given his range, these guys are in the middle and all have zone assignments that are 1/3 of the field. They ideally make it more difficult for Offensive Coordinators to adjust rapidly and more importantly a young QB in the Big XII. This defense is a blanket approach for both the run and pass.
This is a “safe” defensive set for a couple reasons: 1.) It makes the rushing attack have to make more considerations given that a “Safety” moves into the box. Second, three deep in coverage – Dennard and Prince are the lock down Corners and this is where P.J. Smith could become valuable at ball-hawking taking away anything underneath. The short slants and quick outs to the flats will expose this D – but I think we have players that can mitigate damage.
Conclusion
This is why I continue to say that our “Base” is a 4 man front – with the skills to man up inside and the ability to speed rush we will be a four. What’s behind the defensive line is where the chess pieces come into play. Nebraska’s cupboards are stocked with talent and I’m sure Bo & Co. are salivating for this fall (provided the now infamous claims for D). I believe Bo’s mastermind scheme is a combination of all of these with Terrell Farley, Michael Booker, Jamel and Demorrio Williams types of players. We’ve got a lot to be excited about come the season…can we just start it now?
LINK
How to attack an offense...Bo Pelini style
- Thread starter Nexus
- Start date
druski_2k5
Five-Star Recruit
Great read. I love how this defense is not only physical, but smart as well, you have to be smart to play in this style of defense. You've got to watch so much film to know what route the receiver is running before he has a chance to get open.
I also think there is some disguising going on, where we show a Zone look, but it ends up being man coverage, and vice versa. I know Bo doesn't like to give a lot away, but this is a good breakdown of how good our defense is and why it will continue to be successful. NFL defenses use the same ideology as well for reading offenses. Cover 3 is a safe defense deep, and also takes away some short outside routes as well as the Mike covering the middle. With each guy knowing his assignment to reading the offenses routes, it makes it even better.
Oh and I forgot, we won't have Suh making every single tackle this year, as we all know, according to other fan bases and most of the media, he was the ONLY member on defense last year. He made our 10 other guys look good. No one else on defense did anything besides Suh. :facepalm:
P.S., I'd LOVE to run a 4-2-5 defense, I remember in 2008 against Texas Tech we ran it against them, and we gave up some points to them, but we held our own and I love what it brings to the table, still have our 4 down linemen and extra speed subtracting a linebacker, it's almost like our 4-3 with the Peso, almost.
I also think there is some disguising going on, where we show a Zone look, but it ends up being man coverage, and vice versa. I know Bo doesn't like to give a lot away, but this is a good breakdown of how good our defense is and why it will continue to be successful. NFL defenses use the same ideology as well for reading offenses. Cover 3 is a safe defense deep, and also takes away some short outside routes as well as the Mike covering the middle. With each guy knowing his assignment to reading the offenses routes, it makes it even better.
Oh and I forgot, we won't have Suh making every single tackle this year, as we all know, according to other fan bases and most of the media, he was the ONLY member on defense last year. He made our 10 other guys look good. No one else on defense did anything besides Suh. :facepalm:
P.S., I'd LOVE to run a 4-2-5 defense, I remember in 2008 against Texas Tech we ran it against them, and we gave up some points to them, but we held our own and I love what it brings to the table, still have our 4 down linemen and extra speed subtracting a linebacker, it's almost like our 4-3 with the Peso, almost.
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huskerscott
Starter
Great find Nexus, we should put a sticky on it.
zoogs
Assistant Coach
Good article.
Interesting he talks a lot about Prince and Dennard's primary man-to-man responsibilities, and then goes into detail about defenses where they play zone coverage. In a Cover 3 where the corners get zone deep, are they asked to be 'lockdown' guys, or just to play their zone? I thought lockdown usually meant shutting down your man in m2m.
Interesting he talks a lot about Prince and Dennard's primary man-to-man responsibilities, and then goes into detail about defenses where they play zone coverage. In a Cover 3 where the corners get zone deep, are they asked to be 'lockdown' guys, or just to play their zone? I thought lockdown usually meant shutting down your man in m2m.
hack
All-Conference
