Who is the brains behind Baltimore's current defensive scheme

Submitted by Bo Harbaugh on January 20th, 2024 at 8:00 PM

I don't watch much NFL, but it's quite obvious and many have already stated how much UM took from the Baltimore Ravens defensive scheme and strategy.

I know that Bill Walsh is often credited with the origins of the west-coast offense like Buddy Ryan is often credited with the creation of the Chicago Bears "46 defense" - the Super Bowl winning 1985 Bears version of a 4-3 base.

Other innovators like Rich Rod have been credited with the creation of a run spread option.  

Obviously, every innovative offensive or defensive scheme is generally the result of multiple iterations, an evolution of game theory and strategy, and many coaches and minds - but ultimately, quite often, one or 2 individuals stand out as the creators or executors of the scheme.

That said, curious who would be considered the "father" of the Ravens current defensive structure that MacDonald and Minter have used so effectively at Baltimore and UM? Also, for those more football savvy, from what base is this Baltimore defense derived?  Is it a 4-3 man concept, zone concept? 

Appreciate the explanation

 

 

MGoBoard
Football

LeCheezus

January 21st, 2024 at 7:25 AM ^

IMO he could have been an all timer at 3T if he’d gained 30 lbs in college instead of losing 30lbs.  He doesn’t have the natural bend to be a pure pass rusher, and he consistently ended up getting too far upfield when speed rushing.

I know he’s been well above average in the NFL as an OLB, but it just strikes me as such a round peg/square hole fit for such a talented guy.  How many other 6’5” 300 lb five star defensive tackles have you heard of to go in to play OLB in the NFL?

Joined: 06/11/2017

MGoPoints: 9866

MichiganFootball

January 20th, 2024 at 10:05 PM ^

Don Brown had a good scheme for what Ohio State was doing in 2016 to 2017.  But when they shifted to a pro style spread we didn’t have the players to hang with them under Don Brown’s scheme.

In 2018 we had a huge weakness at nickel back and Ohio State attacked it relentlessly (I still wonder to this day why we didn’t play Ambry Thomas there to this day).  In 2019 we were weak at defensive tackle and Ohio State once again was able to attack that relentlessly.

I think the big thing with the new scheme is it made it harder for Ohio State to attack our weaknesses in areas where they had a clear personnel advantage.  We were asking our corners to go man coverage with their receivers anymore.  This year’s defense also really had no weak links (I thought it was John Wallace but can’t say that given he held up against Ohio State, Alabama, and Washington).

I think we’re also in Ryan Day’s head a bit at this point and Ohio State seems unsure about its identity offensively and Day seems particularly focused on proving their toughness at the detriment of running their stuff.

Joined: 11/02/2008

MGoPoints: 1282

Carcajou

January 21st, 2024 at 12:02 AM ^

Yeah, the second half of the season we all dreaded the day that a team with multiple talented receivers burned Josh Wallace - PSU, Maryland(?), OSU, Alabama, Washington - and it never happened. He held up (like Michigan's OTs versus OSU and Bama's supposedly frightening edge rushers), and as much as anything else, I think those were the keys to winning the National Championship.

Joined: 02/26/2009

MGoPoints: 5795