The Bears, meanwhile, recently promoted Sean Desai to defensive coordinator to replace the retired Chuck Pagano, who had replaced Fangio two years ago. Build your custom FanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis on Chicago Bears and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. But Staley's top three position coaches from his No. Fangio would often switch Smith and Ray McDonald between the 3-tech and 5-tech positions based on match-ups. Four of the seven CBs on the Niners roster last year were 6 foot tall or over and none were shorter than 5’10. Not every play fits every scheme, ... And what if Ejiro Evero wants to bring Vic Fangio’s coverage-disguising 2-man principles and play a bunch of sub-package Cover-4 … “Everything’s complicated because offenses are so complicated. The NT is locked in place but the other two D-lineman need to be able to switch spots, his OLBs need to be able to play stand-up DE, his ILBs need to be able to play OLB at times, and his two starting safeties need to be interchangeable. Vic Fangio . Improvement isn’t going to happen overnight, but at least the Bears now have a legitimate defensive coordinator running the squad. "The first thing about his defense [is that] it's multifaceted, so you're able to do a … Vic’s scheme predicates upon zone coverages and applying pressure to the quarterback without blitzing often. RELATED: Chronology of Broncos' 5-year quarterback search, RELATED: Jurrell, we hardly knew ya: Broncos release defensive lineman Casey. He’s going to try to make you beat yourself. They can teach the boss about the Fangio system. Then Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur, who developed his coaching chops alongside McVay under head coach Mike Shanahan in Washington in the early 2010s, hired Joe Barry away from the Rams to become the Packers’ new defensive coordinator. The Vic Fangio Scheme Before understanding how Desai might put his spin on Fangio’s defense, we first need to understand the defensive philosophy. You have to be smart to know how to play your spot, play your zone, play your position. Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Denver. Desai learned under three different defenses, but grasped onto Fangio’s scheme, which ranked No. In one instant classic, the Rams with what we now know was an ordinary quarterback in Jared Goff won a wild, 54-51 shootout from the Kansas City Chiefs and their sensational quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Rams rebounded quickly to score 31 points against Arizona, 48 against San Francisco, and 30 against the Cowboys in a second-round NFC playoff win. And it takes a while to get adjusted. The inside linebackers do have more coverage responsibility than in a standard 3-4 and are also asked to blitz occasionally. Before I get started on the details of his scheme, it’s important to grasp just how successful Fangio’s 49er defense was while he was at the helm. Occasionally his defense lined up in a traditional 3-4 alignment on obvious run plays, but the majority of the time they ran a 4-3 under scheme. I think that’s why I’ve always like it. Staley did such a good job lifting the Rams from 13th in total defense and 17th in points allowed the year before he got there to No. It’s like you’re playing the Warriors in the NBA. The outside linebackers in Fangio’s scheme have two distinct roles. But Vic’s been successful as a defensive coordinator at different places so you know what he’s done, not only his defense, but the people that he’s had.". He also ran plenty of press coverage and bump-and-run, so at least there will be some variety in the coverage schemes this year. Vic Fangio needs linebackers who can fit his scheme in Denver ... thus setting the wheels in motion for the team looking at free agency to find a linebacker who fits Vic Fangio's scheme. Another massive part of the Fangio defense is the interdependence of limited pass rushers and a complex coverage… Meanwhile, the real McCoy, Denver's D, finished 25th in scoring defense as Fangio was forced from week one, and then on a near weekly basis, to replace his growing list of battered Broncos with defensive players off the street. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A day before Vic Fangio started his first training camp as the head coach of the Denver Broncos, he guided his car down a street near UCHealth Training Center as his daughter posed a question. In the back, Fangio’s system is cornerback friendly in that he has his defensive backs play more zone with vision than pressing man to man. This calls for a calculator. If he can take the Bears pathetic defense and make it just mediocre by next year, Fangio will be considered a miracle worker. Fangio, who respectfully declined to be interviewed for this story, has evolved his defenses as the offenses have. Fangio likes his safeties to be interchangeable. This after the Denver D ranked No. The scheme will look the same on the surface, but based on how he ran the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens defenses, ... Matt Nagy says it's bittersweet to move on from Vic Fangio. In Fangio’s scheme one of the DEs moves inside to the 3-tech DT position. He’s been pretty good at it through the years.”. The Rams’ prolific offense was shockingly held to an anemic two field goals and 214 yards in total offense. If anyone can get the Bears defense back to it’s Monsters of the Midway heyday, it’s Vic Fangio. Here is an example of the LB roles on a standard pass play: The strong-side OLB jams the TE and then drops into a short coverage zone, while the strong-side ILB (Willis or Bowman) covers the TE, the weak-side ILB either covers the RB or blitzes, and the weak-side OLB attacks the QB from the stand-up DE position. Up front, his defensive linemen play heavy on blocks – or take on blockers – which has been the soundest way to defend a running game since Red Grange and Ernie Nevers were the NFL’s biggest stars a century ago. Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio walks the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. … McVay had no answer. In Fangio’s scheme, the NT (#90 above) lines up off the center’s shoulder on the strong-side (same side as TE) and is only responsible for the gap in front of him. 1 defense -- Ejiro Evero (secondary), Eric Henderson (defensive line) and Chris Shula (linebackers) -- return. When McVay employed his three receiver sets, Fangio countered with his 3-4 base defense that featured disguises pre-snap and adjustments post-snap. The Rams, Chargers, Packers, Bears and Fangio’s own Broncos add up to 15 percent of the NFL that is beholden to Sir Vic’s defense that features relatively little blitzing and considerable zone coverage. But are Harris and Wolfe bad fits for coach Vic Fangio's scheme… Jeremiah Ratliff has experience as a 3-4 nose tackle and is also a scheme fit for Fangio. DENVER — There is a new defensive movement spreading across the NFL and the mastermind behind it is Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. Vic Fangio's Defense Scheme If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. That will be hard with the Bears current roster since none of the current safeties are starting-caliber at either position. In 2014 with a 28-year-old McVay in his first year as offensive coordinator, Fangio’s defense prevailed again, sacking RG III five times in a 17-13 San Francisco win. A year later, McVay hired Staley away from the Broncos to run the Fangio defense for the Rams. (AP Photo/Don Wright). For this matchup, Fangio made a brilliant tactical maneuver by moving a safety down to the line of scrimmage for a unique 6-1 front – six players along the defensive line, with one middle linebacker – to take away McVay’s renowned weakside running game. It’s widely perceived that Fangio’s Niners ran a 3-4 scheme, but that’s not entirely accurate. Vic Fangio: Jared Allen can have rebirth in new 3-4 scheme Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is excited about Jared Allen's role in the Bears revamped defense. That’s right. It’s certainly possible that Fangio will ditch his usual scheme for something that better fits the Bears talent, but based on his track record I believe he will implement the scheme he’s had so much success with recently. From when I got in the league, the offenses are completely different.”. He has a lot of different looks he can bring.". The 3rd D-lineman in Fangio’s scheme (#94) is close to a standard 3-4 DE but usually shades the strong-side tackle’s outside shoulder. “When you’ve been in the league as long as Vic has, he’s taking a look at your personnel, he’s taking a look at your scheme, he’s taking a look at your injuries, and he’s going to try to take away what you do best. The Fangio defense has always been stingy in the red zone, and one reason is he usually keeps two inside linebackers on the field in sub, or passing situations. The NT in Fangio’s scheme needs to have the quickness to beat interior lineman off the snap and the strength to hold his ground against double-teams in the run game. Jabril Cox | LSU. The offensive game is way more wide open. They also have inside gap responsibility vs the run and will occasionally switch to OLB in certain alignments, so they need to be elite athletes who can cover, stop the run, and get to the QB. Give McVay considerable credit for exalting the Fangio defense to the NFL universe. “He knows offenses, he knows defenses. 10 in scoring defense in Fangio’s first year as Broncos’ head coach in 2019 and the Bears ranked No. Each player is responsible for the gaps on either side of them. The Fangio scheme plays a lot with what coaches say is “vision to the football,” meaning the safeties are back and have a chance to make more plays on the ball. He is also known for changing his defensive game plan from week to week to counter the opposing team’s strengths. New Broncos DL Stephen touts Fangio, defensive scheme. For reference sake, the 49ers had the 16th ranked defense in the season before Fangio took over as DC. He took a mediocre defense and made it great right away. “You’ve got to be alert for everything,’’ Shanahan said. Every team has good receivers, solid quarterbacks. The Packers will probably be more consistent with their personnel on first and second down and … So, I think Brandon Staley is a very special guy to start with and Vic was the first coach in the NFL who recognized that.". He requires most of his defenders to play multiple positions on all three levels of the defense. The Fangio system has now spread to the Rams, Chargers and Packers. 1 in the NFL in 2018 before Fangio took the head coaching job in Denver. 1 in the NFL in 2018 before Fangio took the head coaching job in Denver. The strong-side OLB (whatever side the TE lines up on) will jam the TE and then drop back into a short zone on pass plays to defend against slants, screens, etc, or maintain the edge on a run play. Justin Smith has handled this role the last few seasons and is a special player who was a key factor in the success of Fangio’s D. It is a stretch to think any DE on the Bears roster has the ability to even be a poor man’s Smith, but a healthy Lamarr Houston has the talent to be effective if he gains weight. Fangio doesn’t ask his OLBs to cover anyone man-to-man which opens up the position to players who would be considered tweeners in standard 4-3 or 3-4 schemes. The weak-side OLB (opposite side of TE) will move up to the line of scrimmage to be a stand-up DE (4th D-lineman) and his role is to rush the QB. At it’s core his scheme is a 4-3 under, but Fangio has made a few modifications that make it unique. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Victor Mick Fangio (born August 22, 1958) is an American football coach who is the head coach of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). For the Broncos and Vic Fangio entering year 2 of their relationship, I am excited about seeing the defensive pieces that have been added. Chicago Bears Hire Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio: Confessions from a 49ers Fan, Adam Gase Hired as Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator, 15 Best Free Agent Acquisitions of All-Time, LA Chargers: 4 possible Norte Dame selections in the 2021 NFL Draft, Report: Rob Pelinka, Lakers finalizing contract to become next general manager, Green Bay Packers finally get Rodgers a top receiver in 7-round mock draft, Why Teddy Bridgewater might not be traded during the draft, Miami Dolphins: Pre-draft look at the team's running back roster. How would you describe the Vic Fangio defense and what is different about it from what they ran last year? ... Fangio is the opposite. How in the name of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania did the Fangio system become the league’s most sought after defense? I will be posting a position-by-position breakdown of how the current Bears fit in his scheme tomorrow, but for now I will cover the specifics of his defensive philosophy. Jokic, Porter lead Nuggets past Rockets for an easy win, Hoskins has 2 HRs, 5 RBIs as Nola, Phillies top Rockies 7-5, Chronology of Broncos' 5-year quarterback search, Jurrell, we hardly knew ya: Broncos release defensive lineman Casey. 477, Chad Jensen is joined by guest host Nick Kendell. There was a rumor a ... Coming from that same coaching tree, there wouldn’t be much turnover scheme-wise in the defense if Morris was hired. Of these three, I … Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, right, greets Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Chicago. Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and defensive end Derek Wolfe were mainstays of the defense that won Super Bowl 50. On early downs Fangio likes to have the strong safety in the box, but he disguises it well and occasionally moves the free safety into the box instead. Fangio and Staley run the same 3-4 scheme and while Evero coached on the offensive side for three of his four years with the 49ers, the defensive scheme used during those years left a big impression on him. The DEs in a 3-4 are normally run-stoppers who focus on occupying two blockers, clogging run lanes, and eventually pressuring QBs if the coverage holds. As the young mind likes of McVay and LaFleur try to capture the Fangio defense for their own teams, there is one aspect that can’t be duplicated – Fangio’s feel for defensive play calling. The Bears won 15-6. Longtime Packers beat writer Tom Silverstein provided depth to the hire by revealing Barry was all about bringing the Fangio defensive system to storied Lambeau Field where Aaron Rodgers’ terrific quarterback play has too often been wasted by Green Bay’s inability to stop them when it counts. This is the complicated nature of his defense. 1 in scoring in 2018, Fangio’s final season as defensive coordinator. I’ll be covering how the Bears current roster fits into Fangio’s scheme in my next post. The 4-3 under has been gaining popularity based on the success of proponents like the Seahawks, Broncos, and of course Fangio’s 49ers. Fangio is great at confusing offenses with disguised coverages and adjusting his schemes on a play-to-play basis. But his defense is pretty complicated and people like that. Denver Broncos headlines, game previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis. 1 in 2020, he was hired by the cross-stadium Los Angeles Chargers to become their new head coach. Vic Fangio Speaks: Mack’s Health, Love for Nichols, Excuses, Scheme, Regrets, More October 25, 2018, by Luis Medina Chicago Bears Vic Fangio’s defense is playing like a top-10 unit for the second straight season, and for the most part, it’s been fun to watch and dissect. This requires a different type of NT as opposed to the classic space-eater used in standard 3-4 schemes. 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