How smooth is the transition to a 4-3 scheme?
Indianapolis’ new defensive coordinator comes from the Dallas Cowboys coach staff, where he’s worked with multiple defensive schemes. Most recently, Eberflus served as an assistant under Rod Marinelli’s 4-3 defensive scheme since 2013, the same base alignment that Eberflus is installing in Indianapolis this fall. Eberflus also spent years under Monte Kiffin’s tutelage. Kiffin is known for his Tampa 2 scheme – a version of the Cover 2 defense that asks the Middle Linebacker to play deeper in coverage.
Expect the base 4-3 defense to look like a blend of Kiffin’s Tampa 2 and Marinelli’s Cover 3 style that is reminiscent of Seattle’s scheme. This hybrid is why Eberflus and GM Chris Ballard have emphasized athleticism as a key target this offseason, as the defense moves into a zone-heavy scheme.
The secondary shouldn’t have too much of a problem adapting to the new system. It’s a very, very young unit led by a pair of sophomores in free safety Malik Hooker and cornerback Quincy Wilson, among other promising young DBs. This group is still learning and growing as football players, and a zone-based scheme will fit the secondary’s talent well.
The front seven, however, is in for a world of change. After years under Chuck Pagano’s 3-4 scheme, the Colts’ defensive line and linebackers are tasked to line up in completely different techniques and take on brand new responsibilities.
John Simon is a tweener edge rusher. He lacks the size to be a hand-in-the-dirt every down defensive end and will be asked to adapt his style of play. Terrell Basham, on the other hand, will benefit from the switch after spending his college career as a 4-3 defensive end for Ohio.
At linebacker, Ballard put a focus on finding athleticism for the new scheme. The Colts GM certainly found that on draft night in Darius Leonard. The second-round pick is the prototypical modern-day linebacker. Finding versatile off-ball linebackers is vital in a zone-heavy 4-3 scheme. Look to the best 4-3 zone defenses in recent NFL history and you see athletic linebackers that can fly to ball carriers and are masterful at dropping into zone coverage. Deion Jones in Atlanta is the perfect model for what the Colts defense needs out of Leonard.
It won’t be an easy transition for this unit. Eberflus brings over a completely new scheme to a young and raw group. There’s guaranteed to be plenty of hurdles to jump and a lot of long Sunday afternoons for the Colts defense. The building blocks are in place. All that can be asked from Eberflus’ defense this year is week-over-week improvement.
Next Page: No. 2
