I’ve decided to add a new category to Football Perspective, as this thought experiment idea is here to stay. Here’s today’s thought experiment:
It’s 4th and 1, at the 50-yard line, with 1:30 to go. You’re the defensive coordinator and your team is trailing by 1 and out of timeouts. The other team looks like they’re going to go for it — they had 3 WRs, 1 TE and 1 RB in the huddle, and now all 5 players are split out wide (with 3 on the wide side of the field). The quarterback is under center, not in shotgun.
What type of players do you want on the field (i.e., number of defensive tackles, ends, inside/outside linebackers, corners/safeties)?
Assume as DC you can control the minds of each of your defensive plays. How do you align them pre-snap? What do you coach your players to do?