Eberflus' Scheme

Simpleton

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I don't have anything better to do so I watched some all-22 of the Bears defense last year just to get a refresher on what sort of defense to expect under Eberflus. It took me a minute to think back to what our defenses were like circa 2014-16 because that's about 4 DC's ago at this point, but it's pretty apparent that Eberflus came up under a Tampa-2 guy like Marinelli.

A few takeaways:

-There isn't much in way of disguise with the pre-snap alignment, you almost always have your down 4 rushing with a few stunts/twists mixed in, with some variation of zone behind it (Cover-2, Cover-3, Cover-4 primarily, although there is some mixing and matching post-snap). He does like to mix in some man, especially on 3rd down, but usually you're getting some variation of zone.

-The blitzes are pretty simplistic, usually a LB just triggering straight downhill with the DL adjusting accordingly or a CB blitzing out of the slot. You rarely ever see anything like the dynamic blitzes and shifts that Zimmer would put together to manipulate protection schemes, with Eberflus it seems you usually have guys in relatively static positions in the back 7 and you'll get a random blitzer every now and again. It's not my preference exactly but it does seem to catch offenses off guard, almost like they're lulled into assuming that you'll only get 4 rushing.

-I think the scheme is pretty similar to what you get out of a guy like Fangio who relies on the front 4 to attack downhill while playing shell coverage behind it. Given how the blitzes usually come from the LB spot I think there's space for Overshown to excel if he can recover from his injury, but the scheme is going to rely heavily on the DL getting home, so I'd hope that the jackasses running the team realize the importance of re-signing a few of our DL free agents while also investing one of our top 2-3 picks in the unit.

-I don't think this is a great scheme fit for Jalon Walker, who really needs to be in a more exotic defense that mixes up alignments and allows guys to kind of float around a bit. Given that we already have one very undersized edge rusher in Parsons I think Walker would only be a "designated pass rusher" who plays maybe 30% or so of the snaps. There's obviously value in that but probably not enough to justify at 12. The only way he'd get on the field in this scheme 60-70% of the time would be if he played significant snaps at "off ball" LB, which i think would be a bit of a disservice to him given how the scheme operates.

-There are a couple interesting guys either out of a contract for the Bears, or in the last year of the deal who may be cut that I'd be interested in (and who would fit into how our cheap ass organization approaches FA). TJ Edwards and DeMarcus Walker both have 1 year left on their deals and Darrell Taylor is a UFA, I'd be interested in all of them with Edwards as a replacement for Kendricks and Walker/Taylor being rotational guys on the DL.

Here are some stats comparing alignments and blitz rates of Zimmer last year, the Bears last year, and Eberflus' last two years with the Colts, you can see how religiously Eberflus sticks to 4 down linemen compared to Zimmer who mixes it up a bit more:

Zimmer in 2024 - 67% 4-2-5, 20% 4-3-4, 8% 3-3-5, 5% other 3-man line, 23% blitz rate
Bears in 2024 - 75% 4-2-5, 20% 4-3-4, 5% other 3-man line, 22% blitz rate
Colts in 2021 (Eberflus last year as DC) - 77% 4-2-5, 21% 4-3-4, 15% blitz rate
Colts in 2020 - 79% 4-2-5, 20% 4-3-4, 14% blitz rate
 
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Good stuff, man.

This is why I don't like the hire. Not that it can't work -- of course any plan can work if you have good enough players and execute well. I just hate the philosophy.

Our front is going to need a huge upgrade for this to work, and I don't know how we do it with all the needs we have.
 

Cowboysrock55

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I'd be curious to see what he did with the Colts. It was a little while ago, but that's when his main focus was on the defense and not being a head coach.
 

Simpleton

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Good stuff, man.

This is why I don't like the hire. Not that it can't work -- of course any plan can work if you have good enough players and execute well. I just hate the philosophy.

Our front is going to need a huge upgrade for this to work, and I don't know how we do it with all the needs we have.
I don't know about a huge upgrade, Parsons is special and can elevate average talent, while Odighizuwa put up stats last year similar to Jalen Carter. He's not quite as good of course but he's a legitimate borderline Pro Bowler if he can continue at that level.

Bring him back, add in an early draft pick and I think we're good there. I have high hopes for Kneeland and think he will develop into a very good starter either this coming year or next.

I'd prefer a more exotic blitz scheme but Eberflus is basically running similar stuff as Fangio and they've been one of the better defenses in the league this year.
 

Cowboysrock55

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I'd prefer a more exotic blitz scheme but Eberflus is basically running similar stuff as Fangio and they've been one of the better defenses in the league this year.
Exotic blitzes aren't a big thing to me. I think exotic blitzes often lead to bad run defense. Guys get out of position and assignments get messed up. Or guys are late to their assignment because of the exotic blitz.

The only thing I'm worried about are the coverages. It was my biggest beef with Zimmer. Everything was soft. Corners easily 10 yards off the line of scrimmage, free releases and it's just begging for these short and quick attacks. Slants also seem pretty automatic. I want corners being aggressive. What did you see out of the secondary looks?
 

Simpleton

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Exotic blitzes aren't a big thing to me. I think exotic blitzes often lead to bad run defense. Guys get out of position and assignments get messed up. Or guys are late to their assignment because of the exotic blitz.

The only thing I'm worried about are the coverages. It was my biggest beef with Zimmer. Everything was soft. Corners easily 10 yards off the line of scrimmage, free releases and it's just begging for these short and quick attacks. Slants also seem pretty automatic. I want corners being aggressive. What did you see out of the secondary looks?
From the tape last year the CB's were mostly in off coverage, not a lot of press, but they weren't usually off by 10+ yards or anything. I'm going to watch a game or two of the Colts in 2020 later tonight to kind of compare.
 

boozeman

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From the tape last year the CB's were mostly in off coverage, not a lot of press, but they weren't usually off by 10+ yards or anything. I'm going to watch a game or two of the Colts in 2020 later tonight to kind of compare.
This changes the mindset dramatically in terms of the depth at all three layers, most significantly the secondary. There are guys that really suck at zone.
 

Cowboysrock55

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What choice did he have, given the talent in the room most of the year? We had a 5th round rookie starting out there. Bland and Diggs almost never played together fully healhty
He did it with Diggs when he was out there. He did it with Bland when he was out there.

It's how Zimmer runs coverages, it's not a new talent specific thing to him. But I agree from the perspective that I think those off coverages can help you survive with subpar corners not named Andrew Boothe.

But I also think getting physical up at the line of scrimmage can make things easier for a corner as well. Throw off the timing of the route. Prevent separation right from the start as opposed to giving an automatic 10 yards of separation. The Legion of Boom was one of the best at it. They didn't have the high first round picks with 4.3 speed out there. They had big dudes with long arms that were great at disrupting the routes before they ever started.
 

Cowboysrock55

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This changes the mindset dramatically in terms of the depth at all three layers, most significantly the secondary. There are guys that really suck at zone.
The good news is zone corners are way cheaper and easier to find than the dudes with elite man skills.
 

Simpleton

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This changes the mindset dramatically in terms of the depth at all three layers, most significantly the secondary. There are guys that really suck at zone.
Yea although I don't think it will change how they approach the position too dramatically this offseason.

Lewis was brought in under Eberflus, I assume he'll stay. Bland is good in zone, Diggs is probably fine also given his vision and his propensity for wanting to watch the ball.

I think what is more likely now is taking a guy like Will Johnson if he falls to 12. Eberflus seems to love bigger CB's who don't quite have elite speed or COD like Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson (I think Diggs fits this description also), Will Johnson fits that mold and could easily be the BPA if available.
 

ravidubey

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Yeah, I would only add that it’s a lot harder to put in a brand new scheme midseason vs in OTA’s.

Not knowing your depth or talent level, a tight press corner scheme might not be the wisest course, especially without an bunch of rangy and long-armed dudes or proven pass rush like the LOB had
 

Simpleton

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This isn't even a full list but it's clear Eberflus likes tall DT's (Buckner and Gervon Dexter). He doesn't seem to think that massive 330-340 lb. NT's are needed but most of the guys seem to be around 300-315 (Andrew Billings, etc.).
 

Simpleton

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Cowboys could thrive under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. But first, they must answer a major question about their best defender, Micah Parsons.

There are some interesting nuggets here:

-Eberflus’ system will bring a 4-3 defensive front with philosophical similarities to former Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s system, Jones said. He’ll seek “beefier” defensive tackles to stop the run, a category Jones expected 2023 first-round draft pick Mazi Smith to fill well. The Cowboys will also look to extend free-agent-to-be defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, a homegrown talent whom Jones characterizes as a “priority” in their free-agent course of business, pending Eberflus’ evaluation.

-The Cowboys view stopping the run and creating a run game as crucial areas of improvement in 2025. Under Schottenheimer, they plan to hire an offensive coordinator who will oversee the run game and protections, Jones said.

It's nice to hear that they're supposedly prioritizing Odighizuwa, re-sign him, either Lawrence or Golston (or maybe someone like Darrell Taylor or DeMarcus Walker from the Bears), draft a guy with one of our top 2-3 picks and I think the DL will be in solid shape.
 

Bill Shatner

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Sounds like a system where Tiny Parsons will be at DE most of the time. Dude will be a worn down shell of himself by 30
 
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Sounds like a system where Tiny Parsons will be at DE most of the time. Dude will be a worn down shell of himself by 30
That's what I like least about this. Just have to hope he'll be more creative with a unique weapon like Micah.
 

Cowboysrock55

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It's definitely interesting. Certainly does not look like he wants the 330 pound plugger types. Although I think Mazi is pretty athletic for his size.

I've always been a fan of taller DT's so I'd welcome some of that. But I also think Osa would be a perfect fit for the scheme. So I really hope they prioritize him. Wouldn't shock me to see him have season best pass rushing stats in this defense.
 

boozeman

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Sounds like a system where Tiny Parsons will be at DE most of the time. Dude will be a worn down shell of himself by 30
Which is why they should consider that before backing up the Brink’s truck and marrying him. I have a feeling he will break down every year just like last season in a scheme like this if all they do is flop sides with him.
 

Cowboysrock55

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Sounds like a system where Tiny Parsons will be at DE most of the time. Dude will be a worn down shell of himself by 30
Shaq Leonard had 7 sacks as a rookie. So I'm sure there will be some plans at using him as a LBer to rush the passer. Let's face it, Parson's is a little more physically talented than Shaq Leonard.
 
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