Side Question about the Chargers

[D-Unit]

I noticed the Chargers forum is not too active so I thought I'd ask a more open forum.

Does anybody know if Ron Rivera still runs the Phillips 3-4 defense or is it some other form?

[YAYareaRB]

Originally Posted by D-Unit

I noticed the Chargers forum is not too active so I thought I'd ask a more open forum.

Does anybody know if Ron Rivera still runs the Phillips 3-4 defense or is it some other form?

From what I seen on Monday, they run a variation of both. At times the OLB will put his hand down thus forming a 4-3 look. But I also seen alot of 3 down 4 up type formations.

[D-Unit]

Originally Posted by YAYareaRB

From what I seen on Monday, they run a variation of both. At times the OLB will put his hand down thus forming a 4-3 look. But I also seen alot of 3 down 4 up type formations.

Unlike Parcells' and LeBeau's 2 gap 34 scheme, Phillips' 34 is a lot like the 4-3 in that it's a 1 gap penetrating scheme, except he subs a LB instead of a DL in the package. So that's probably what you noticed. I guess that answers it. Does anybody know if Ron Rivera has plans to change it to a more traditional 4-3 like what he had in Chicago? It just seems a little weird to me on how/why they chose him as their DC, yet kept the Phillips' 34. I mean, I'm not calling Rivera an idiot...and that he can't run it.... it's just usually guys coach what they've had the most experience and success running. Maybe I'm missing something? Did Rivera coach the 3-4 someplace credible?

[YAYareaRB]

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Unlike Parcells' and LeBeau's 2 gap 34 scheme, Phillips' 34 is a lot like the 4-3 in that it's a 1 gap penetrating scheme, except he subs a LB instead of a DL in the package. So that's probably what you noticed. I guess that answers it. Does anybody know if Ron Rivera has plans to change it to a more traditional 4-3 like what he had in Chicago? It just seems a little weird to me on how/why they chose him as their DC, yet kept the Phillips' 34. I mean, I'm not calling Rivera an idiot...and that he can't run it.... it's just usually guys coach what they've had the most experience and success running. Maybe I'm missing something? Did Rivera coach the 3-4 someplace credible?

I think that year he spent as the Charger's LB coach gave him good experience in the 3-4.

[M.O.T.H.]

It's not really the same anymore. Ted Cottrell was Wade's replacement. Why? Because, he was very familiar with the scheme, working under Wade in Buffalo. Rivera, a cover two guy, went to the Chargers to learn the 34 under Cottrell, when he couldnt land a HC job. He was their LB coach until the firing. But anyway, last year they pretty much ran a less aggressive Phillips 34 copy. But this year I know he re-tooled everything to better suit his style better, but still in a 34. He's amped up the aggressiveness and added some of his own wrinkles to it, I'm not so sure on the specifics, though. So, while it may look like a Phillips 34 at the surface, it really isnt anymore. I wasnt paying good enough attention to the Oakland game to give you all the specifics. Something to keep an eye on this week

[Xenos]

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Unlike Parcells' and LeBeau's 2 gap 34 scheme, Phillips' 34 is a lot like the 4-3 in that it's a 1 gap penetrating scheme, except he subs a LB instead of a DL in the package. So that's probably what you noticed. I guess that answers it. Does anybody know if Ron Rivera has plans to change it to a more traditional 4-3 like what he had in Chicago? It just seems a little weird to me on how/why they chose him as their DC, yet kept the Phillips' 34. I mean, I'm not calling Rivera an idiot...and that he can't run it.... it's just usually guys coach what they've had the most experience and success running. Maybe I'm missing something? Did Rivera coach the 3-4 someplace credible?

Probably because they don't have the pieces to run a 4-3 yet. Additionally, Rivera has a lot of experiences in different defenses from Jimmy Johnson's attacking 4-3 to the Tampa 2 of Lovie to the 3-4 of Wade and Cottrell. He's bringing his variation on all of those to SD.