On Saturday, February 9th, the New Orleans Saints finally concluded who their next defensive coordinator would be. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the team would hire long-time defensive mind, Rob Ryan, for the position.
Saints defense could switch to 3-4 under Rob Ryan
With the hiring of Rob Ryan in New Orleans, the Saints could change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. We discuss the implications of the switch.
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Rob Ryan must be a great interview. None of his last 6 defenses, in Dal+Cle+Oak, ranked better than 14th in yds allowed/13th in pts allowed.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) February 9, 2013
The most significant part of this news is that with the hiring could come a schematic change. The Saints have played with four down linemen but could be making the switch to the 3-4 defense from here on out. Ryan has run this system for the duration of his career and was likely hired to implement it in New Orleans.
There are a number of effective units that run this scheme, including Pittsburgh, Green Bay, San Francisco and Houston. And of those teams, Green Bay and Houston made the switch somewhat recently, and to some success.
The 3-4 could also indicate personnel change and a different point of emphasis in the upcoming draft in April. With the Packers and Texans, they felt comfortably allowing Cullen Jenkins and Mario Williams walk via free agency, respectively. They also added pieces like B.J. Raji and J.J. Watt in the draft, allowing them to beef up in the trenches.
The Indianapolis Colts also made the change under defensive coordinator Greg Manusky in 2012. This was a long-time 4-3 defense that starred Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis on the edges. In Manusky's system, the Colts asked Freeney and Mathis to stand up and provide a rush.
Mathis transitioned a little better than Freeney, which is the reason people expect Freeney to be on his way out in Indianapolis.
Now, as it relates to New Orleans, defensive ends Will Smith and Cameron Jordan would be asked to stand up in Ryan's system. If this is the case, Jordan has an opportunity to see his best numbers yet, while Smith could wash out as Freeney did.
Smith is 6’3”, 282 pounds and is a 9-year veteran playing in the trenches. At first glance, he is too heavy and too late in his career to make the transition. This is a shame because Smith has been their most productive defender in the front seven for the duration of his career.
Meanwhile, Jordan only has two years of NFL experience and is a little leaner than his counterpart. He is in a better position to succeed in Ryan’s defense if and when the change is made. He should be able to stand up and provide an edge rush for the Saints.
This transition could also boost defensive tackle to the top of the Saints’ draft needs in 2013.
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