Phillips 46

[thule]

Get to know the Phillips 46 Defense.

Buddy Ryan original 46 defense looked like this.
http://gra.midco.net/airplaneparts/base46.png

Wade Phillips Version Defense
http://gra.midco.net/airplaneparts/phillips46.jpg

S- Stud (strong-side end)
N- Nose
E- End
B- Bandit (strong-side LB)
M- Mike
W- Will
D- Dog (CB/WILB)
R- Rover
FS- Free Safety
C- Corners

Wade Phillips Base Defense in Dallas
http://gra.midco.net/airplaneparts/base.jpg

S- Canty
N- Ratliff/Johnson
E- Spears
B- Ellis
M- James
W- Ware
D- Ayodele
SS- Williams
FS- Hamlin
C- Newman/Henry

Wade Phillips Dime Defense in Dallas
http://gra.midco.net/airplaneparts/dime.jpg

W- Ware
N- Ratliff
E- Ellis
B- Spencer
M- Burnett
D- Reeves
R- Williams
FS- Watkins
S- Hamlin
C- Newman/Henry

[D-Unit]

I'm confused on your letters in the Phillips Dime... LOL.

[thule]

Ok, I just thought it was time to break down some stuff we see.

Basically Wade could run a 46...but we don't. With the Westcoast offense everywhere today...the 46 just isn't as effective as it was back in the good ole days. But you will see it from time to time. Basically it all comes down to who is the Dog.

If we look at Wade Phillips 46...have we seen it before? The answer is yes...
* S- Greg Ellis
* N- Jay Ratliff
* E- Jason Hatcher
* B- Anthony Spencer
* M- Bobby Carpenter
* W- Demarcus Ware
* D- Nate Jones
* R- Roy Williams
* FS- Ken Hamlin
* C- Newman/Reeves

We showed that defense before and it resulted in a rushed incomplete pass. Why have we only seen it once or twice this year? Because we haven't faced a lot of play action teams. But nowadays if QB's see this coverage they'll audible into something that can give them a quick out...but in the 80's the cowboys would have a deadly 46.

Our base defense is a bit different basically the Dog becomes a WILB...aka Ayodele. Sometimes you'll see the SS play as the 8th man...we are able to do that because of our Bandit. Remember Spencer saying the hardest part of his game was to figure out of the TE was blocking or not...well that is because as the Bandit you are responsible in some cases to jam the TE and make sure he doesn't get a clean release on a drag route...because this now becomes the SS responsibility. But if the TE runs to the flats he is yours most of the time. Watch carefully when Ellis is out there...he'll jam and if the TE releases on a fly or flat...more often than not it is his responsibility...if it is an inside release it becomes another players responsibility more often than not the SS. Which means if the TE leaks out to the flats the SS is responsible for filling the alley the bandit just got rid of.

[thule]

I'm confused on your letters in the Phillips Dime... LOL.

I tried to keep the letters the same but there was one change. The SS now becomes a rover...which is a completely different position. The Stud(strongside DE) aka Chris Canty is subbed off the field for Patrick Watkins. Hamlin moves to the SS position. Does that explain it better?

[thule]

The hardest part of the letters thing is the "D" and the only reason for that is because the Dog isn't just one player. For instance in our base defense it is Akin Ayodele but in the nickel packages it is Terrence Newman.

[thule]

BBD mentioned in another post he saw us running a lot of zone but not cover two...so I want to elaborate on that.

* Mismatches with offensive personnel.
With one of your starting CB's out you are forced to play more zone because you don't want your weaker CB's being exposed.
* Completions usually mean longer gains.
Why you saw the cowboys playing Reeves 8-10 yards off the LOS most games.
* Interceptions are less likely because defenders have their backs to the ball.
When your team thrives on turnovers..this is a factor
* Scrambling quarterbacks are harmful because defenders have their backs turned.
We were indeed worried about McNabb running on us.
* Play-action passes may present a conflict between run/pass responsibilities.
One reason why our run defense was better.
* Man coverage busts are more costly than zone busts.
Resulting in TD's rather than first downs.

The ability to stunt and play zone allows the defense to pressure the quarterback and enjoy the benefits of zone coverage, i.e.
* Offers better run support.
* Allows defenders to better see the ball and break when the ball is thrown.
* Defenders don't have their backs to a scrambling quarterback.
* Gang tackling is more conducive in zone than man.
* Less talented players can be used.
Reeves and Jones are a prime example
* Zone defenses handle crossing rotes, picks, and rub-offs better than man coverage.

[D-Unit]

I tried to keep the letters the same but there was one change. The SS now becomes a rover...which is a completely different position. The Stud(strongside DE) aka Chris Canty is subbed off the field for Patrick Watkins. Hamlin moves to the SS position. Does that explain it better?
I still don't get the S in the Dime. Previously you have S as Greg Ellis.

[thule]

I still don't get the S in the Dime. Previously you have S as Greg Ellis.

No Greg Ellis is the Bandit..B
I should have noted that wasn't our base d...that was just one of the few times we saw a true 46 out of Phillips
Chris Canty is the Stud in the base defense...aka S
When we switch to the dime Canty subs for Watkins...who then becomes the FS.
Yes I should have changed the Text to SS for Hamlin in the dime...but i figured it was close enough...would changing it really help that much>?

[thule]

I think I made it more clear now.

[D-Unit]

I can't wait to see Tank on the field. Especially after he's had a few games under his belt.

[thule]

I can't wait to see Tank on the field. Especially after he's had a few games under his belt.

I'm not going to get hyped up about him. I think he'll just be a steady player who will be an upgrade from Remi Ayodele. I don't think he'll be an impact player. I think he'll contribute on a Marcus Spears level...it's not a bad thing...especially with what we signed him for...but thats about it.

[D-Unit]

I'm not going to get hyped up about him. I think he'll just be a steady player who will be an upgrade from Remi Ayodele. I don't think he'll be an impact player. I think he'll contribute on a Marcus Spears level...it's not a bad thing...especially with what we signed him for...but thats about it.
Well we'll have a good enough amount of games left to see. I'm the bus driver for his hype machine baby! Let's roll!

[LonghornsLegend]

Well we'll have a good enough amount of games left to see. I'm the bus driver for his hype machine baby! Let's roll!

How much should we expect to see him play this first week?? Guess it depends on his shape and how well he knows the system

[HEISMANHERSCHEL]

I think he will play, but I also do not see a huge factor. I think he will be a bigger boost just as a rotational guy, but not an impact player.

I am excited, though.

[cowboysforever]

I would be very excited to see this team come out with the following on passing downs --- I think it could make for an elite pass rush in nickel:

Spencer - Ratliff - Johnson - Ellis
Ware - Burnett
Henry - Reeves - Watkins - Hamlin - TNew

[bigbluedefense]

If I recall correctly, we've really seen these packages mostly on 3rd and long, or obvious passing downs right Thule?

And did you buy that playbook? Its a great find for 10 bucks. I bought Buddy Ryan's 46 playbook during his time with the Eagles, but for 100 bucks 2 years ago. But I lost the damn thing :(

It really does help you understand how detailed these defenses really are when you get the playbook in front of you.

[Modano]

I would be very excited to see this team come out with the following on passing downs --- I think it could make for an elite pass rush in nickel:

Spencer - Ratliff - Johnson - Ellis
Ware - Burnett
Henry - Reeves - Watkins - Hamlin - TNew

Even if Ware is very good in coverage, is best asset is pass rushing. There's no way he's not rushing on nickel and dime situations...

[thule]

If I recall correctly, we've really seen these packages mostly on 3rd and long, or obvious passing downs right Thule?

And did you buy that playbook? Its a great find for 10 bucks. I bought Buddy Ryan's 46 playbook during his time with the Eagles, but for 100 bucks 2 years ago. But I lost the damn thing :(

It really does help you understand how detailed these defenses really are when you get the playbook in front of you.

The third image is the base defense...

* S- Canty
* N- Ratliff/Johnson
* E- Spears
* B- Ellis
* M- James
* W- Ware
* D- Ayodele
* SS- Williams
* FS- Hamlin
* C- Newman/Henry


I didn't buy the playbook, but at 10 dollars it is really really tempting.

Obviously this would help for terminology for us to use. So this is our base defense on most 1st and 2nd downs.

The more I think about it tho...I think Ware is our Bandit...since the roles are reversed in Phillips scheme which would make sense since wade doesn't run a will and sam together persay. But since I don't have it infront of me obviously I can't tell for sure.

[bigbluedefense]

The third image is the base defense...

* S- Canty
* N- Ratliff/Johnson
* E- Spears
* B- Ellis
* M- James
* W- Ware
* D- Ayodele
* SS- Williams
* FS- Hamlin
* C- Newman/Henry


I didn't buy the playbook, but at 10 dollars it is really really tempting.

Obviously this would help for terminology for us to use. So this is our base defense on most 1st and 2nd downs.

The more I think about it tho...I think Ware is our Bandit...since the roles are reversed in Phillips scheme which would make sense since wade doesn't run a will and sam together persay. But since I don't have it infront of me obviously I can't tell for sure.

If you have some free time on your hands, it would be a great read. I bought the Philly playbook, and planned on digesting it slowly bc it takes a while to sift through, but in the process of moving, lost the damn thing.

Ryan was a mad scientist. So much Cover 1/0. And while it was a heavily man coverage based system, the assignments changed depending on the offense, and you had to know how to change up your role based on what they threw at you, so it got complex.

Thats why people praise Singletary so much. He was a maestro running that 46 and lining up guys in the right spots.

Im sure theres more to it, but i never got to really going into detail of the scheme. I skimmed it for the most part. For 10 bucks, thats a steal.

[thule]

This definitely needs a bump.

Take a look at the first two images on the page. Does this not make a ton of sense to you guys.

We have been looking at a ton of OLB/DE in this draft and taking a look at the 46 you see that really they use 3....whether you call it a DE or a OLB it's virtually the same.

All this OLB talk really confuses me and makes me think ok...we could be shopping Ellis...but still would you look at more OLBs then any other position?

This also makes sense to me on the Scandrick moving thoughts....he'd basically be the FS or dog depending on the offenses package.

Definitely something for us to break down. Anyone wanna mock up a defense filling in the blanks of the package?

[UTPATS]

Get to know the Phillips 46 Defense.

(Pre Draft)Wade Phillips Version Defense
http://gra.midco.net/airplaneparts/phillips46.jpg

S- Igor (strong-side end)
N- Ratliff
E- Spears
B- Ellis (strong-side LB)
M- James
W- Ware
D- Scandrick (CB/WILB)
R- Sensabaugh
FS- Hamlin
C- Newman/Jenkins

Wade Phillips Base Defense in Dallas
http://gra.midco.net/airplaneparts/base.jpg
2-Deep

S- Igor/Bowen
N- Ratliff/Saivii
E- Spears/Hatcher
B- Ellis/Spencer
M- James/Carpenter
W- Ware/Rogers
D- Brooking/Carpenter
SS- Sensabaugh/Watkins
FS- Hamlin/Brown
C- Newman/Jenkins/Scandrick


(Post Draft)Wade Phillips Version Defense
http://gra.midco.net/airplaneparts/phillips46.jpg
2-Deep

S- Igor/(Jarron Gilbert-R2)
N- Ratliff/(Terrence Taylor-R6)
E- Spears/Hatcher
B- Ellis/Spencer
M- James/(Jason Williams-R5)
W- Ware/Rogers
D- Scandrick/Brown
R- Sensabaugh/Watkins
FS- Hamlin/(Chris Clemmons-R4)
C- Newman/Jenkins

Wade Phillips Base Defense in Dallas
http://gra.midco.net/airplaneparts/base.jpg
2-Deep

S- Igor/(Jarron Gilbert)
N- Ratliff/(Terrence Taylor)
E- Spears/Hatcher
B- Ellis/Spencer
M- James/Carpenter
W- Ware/Rogers
D- Brooking/(Jason Williams)
SS- Sensabaugh/Watkins
FS- Hamlin/(Chris Clemmons)
C- Newman/Jenkins/Scandrick





My initial thoughts...

[thule]

I wouldn't be surprised if the dog position was a rusher in base packages occasionally. I think we'll work to get more rushers on the field this year.

[UTPATS]

When you are referring to RUSHERS for the Dog position, do you mean Ware/Spencer type rushers, Safety type rushers or Corner guys who can make plays blitzing?

[thule]

When you are referring to RUSHERS for the Dog position, do you mean Ware/Spencer type rushers, Safety type rushers or Corner guys who can make plays blitzing?

I was referring to DE/OLBs but depending on scheme and package and situation it could also be blitzed at from a DB as well.