Good observation, though I would say it's not quite accurate to call this a 3-4 defense. While the SAM and LEO are both playing standing up outside the tackle/tight end and Red Byrant is playing head-to-head on the right tackle at the right end spot (much like a 3-4 DE), the defensive tackles are both still aligned in your tradition 4-3 positions at the 1 & 3 technique, as opposed to a NT at the 0-technique and another DE/DT playing the 5-technique on the left end spot.
Perhaps the biggest questions I had coming into this week’s game was Carroll’s/Quinn’s new defense. Not being able to attend TC practices or watch them live, the preseason game against the Chargers was my first look at the changes.
After a game even the coaches describe as “basic” and where many of the starters are wearing their sideline attire, it’s wise to take what we’ve seen with a grain of salt. However, I think it’s safe to say that there are some noticeable differences between 2012 and 2013’s defense. The most obvious difference from last year is the LEO/SAM role which I’m guessing many probably recognized right away. Throughout the off-season, Pete Carroll has talked about the LEO/SAM role and how the two roles are viewed as similar player types. It wasn’t until watching this game that I really see what he meant.
Here's some other observations I had on the defense against the Chargers:
-With both the Sam and LEO both standing up on the line outside the tackles and tight ends, it seems this defense is set up where the two positions rely on close to the exact same type of player. As so, their responsibilities theoretically be interchangeable even during a play, allowing for this defense to be extremely flexible in its scheme and how they disguise it. Once Clemons, Avril, and Irvin are back on the field together, this defense could become revolutionary like CanHawk mentioned above with all the different looks they can give opposing offenses.
-On one play early in the game, Malcolm Smith substituted and played the SAM spot in the more traditional role as a coverage linebacker 4 yards off the line. This caught my eye as it was the first look of a more coverage base defense. It’s possible this is a scheme they might reveal more with the starting defense as preseason goes on
-Beginning in the 2nd quarter, only then did the defense mix in plays with the LEO’s hand in the dirt and the SAM in coverage. IIRCC, they also moved Jaye Howard a bit more outside the right tackle than right over him as Big Red was playing. Given that Howard is less a run-stuffer and more a pass rusher then Red, this makes sense, but I'm interested to see if they play him more like Red, just to see if he can handle the backup 5-tech duty.
- When both were on the field together, neither the LEO or SAM dropped much in coverage from their rush position. They were majority of the time blitzing on pass plays resulting in a lot of 5 man rushes. Twice in the first half did I see both Sam and LEO drop back. In both cases, the distance to go was over 15 yards.
- Seattle tested its nickel defense a lot this game (which still has two standing rushers on the outside), even in running situations (1st & 10). With Jordan Hill playing the 1-tech, Bennett (or Jaye Howard) playing the 3, and Winfield playing close to the line, I could see a ton of nickel defense this year.
