Daniel McCullers' Position

[Il Principo]

In the quotes after practice yesterday, Coach Stripling referred to McCullers as a three-technique defensive lineman. This means he'll be playing across from the offensive guard's outside shoulder, as illustrated here:

Anyone have any thoughts on what they're trying to do schematically by having our biggest lineman a little farther from the middle of the line than usual? Is this to make it harder to double team him? I'm assuming that Maurice Couch will be playing a 1-technique as the other defensive tackle as well.

 

[YorkVol]

I thought the 3 tech was standard for the DTs in the 4-3?

 

[OrangeWayOfLife]

Will probably play 3 technique on string side. 2 on weak side. Just a thought

 

[TVA]

My uneducated guess would be to get him double teamed by the guard and tackle to give the DE more opportunity.

 

[Nashvol2]

In the quotes after practice yesterday, Coach Stripling referred to McCullers as a three-technique defensive lineman. This means he'll be playing across from the offensive guard's outside shoulder, as illustrated here:

Anyone have any thoughts on what they're trying to do schematically by having our biggest lineman a little farther from the middle of the line than usual? Is this to make it harder to double team him? I'm assuming that Maurice Couch will be playing a 1-technique as the other defensive tackle as well.

Your exactly right. This was mentioned in one of the interviews. Their trying to limit double teams and give him more opportunity to move around and make plays.

 

[omghulkhands]

My assumption is they are trying to put him in a position to make plays and blow up the O-line. Nose tackle kind of just takes up space, which he is obviously good at, but maybe they see potential beyond that.

 

[RockyTopRockin]

Just think...with McCullers and Couch out there at the same time...that's almost 700 pounds of man. They won't be able to double-team him every time IMO. I think our DT's will have a good yr up front for us.

GO VOLS!:rock:

 

[orangeluvr]

I would have Big Dan tearing up the center's ass every down, that's where every play begins. :aggressive:

 

[Il Principo]

I thought the 3 tech was standard for the DTs in the 4-3?

I know it is for at least one of them, my understanding was that the other plays a more inside role, sometimes even taking up blockers like a 3-4 nose tackle. I guess it's dependent on the coach.

 

[Il Principo]

Thanks for the responses everybody, it sounds like the coaching staff must like Big Dan's potential to make plays and want him being disruptive in the backfield and at the line of scrimmage. That's certainly a more exciting prospect than just watching him eat up space like last year (which he did pretty well).

 

[OddFuture]

Big Dan will play 3 tech to limit double teams while Grizzly Dan plays 1 tech to take on the doubles. That is mainly on non-passing downs

 

[cgbtn]

In KNS article "Vols Plan to 'Wreak Havoc' With Pass Rush" says Smith thinks McCullers can occupy two defenders freeing up the others. Sounds like they want him double-teamed.

 

[SCvol333]

I know it is for at least one of them, my understanding was that the other plays a more inside role, sometimes even taking up blockers like a 3-4 nose tackle. I guess it's dependent on the coach.

I believe you are correct - we talked about this in a thread a few days ago and my takeaway was we would use Hood to try and take on the double team and then let mccullers and couch try and beat the single they would get from the guard

if the tackle helps then that DE would have a 1 on 1 with a TE

 

[Vol8188]

I thought the 3 tech was standard for the DTs in the 4-3?

Most 4-3 teams play a 3 strong a 1 or a 2i weak.

Normally the 1 is the bigger run stuffer, and the 3 is normally the quick penetrating Dt.

However your best Dt is almost always your 3 technique. So he probably there because of that.

Also in our under front defense, with a quick WE(Leo) on that weak side, we may want a bigger run stuffing 3 technique over their with him. Probably helps balance things out, and makes it harder to double Leo on passing downs.

 

[Thump]

Most 4-3 teams play a 3 strong a 1 or a 2i weak.

Normally the 1 is the bigger run stuffer, and the 3 is normally the quick penetrating Dt.

However your best Dt is almost always your 3 technique. So he probably there because of that.

Also in our under front defense, with a quick WE(Leo) on that weak side, we may want a bigger run stuffing 3 technique over their with him. Probably helps balance things out, and makes it harder to double Leo on passing downs.

Not sure if the Leo is on the Weak side or strong side (I thought I heard Strong). However, the 3 technique is on the strong side so if the Leo is on the Weak side then they would be opposites. Other than that last paragraph I agree with your post though.

 

[MountaineerVol]

I would have Big Dan tearing up the center's ass every down, that's where every play begins. :aggressive:

Unfortunate choice of words IMO :-/

 

[Vol8188]

Not sure if the Leo is on the Weak side or strong side (I thought I heard Strong). However, the 3 technique is on the strong side so if the Leo is on the Weak side then they would be opposites.

And under front means you shift the dline weak. It looks like a 5-2. So you put your 3 technique weak side.

My understanding is that we will be in an under front alot this season.

 

[ItsAllVols]

It also creates lanes if the offense opps to double for DE and Linebacker curls

 

[Thump]

And under front means you shift the dline weak. It looks like a 5-2. So you put your 3 technique weak side.

My understanding is that we will be in an under front alot this season.

Which makes sense. I haven't watched Cincy's film much or seen any of our practice film to know, other than highlights. I was wondering why they would make the Leo strong side... Still not sure why they would have a DT in a 3 and the DE on the same side a 5... But thats why I sit on the couch on Saturdays...

 

[terrypedigo]

That big word if the injury bug dont hit us to hard, this Defence might be alot better than we thought , if big Dan is in good football shape and stays healthy we just might have something for some of these so called elite team.

 

[terrypedigo]

It also creates lanes if the offense opps to double for DE and Linebacker curls

If you are a Backer behind big Dan should get plenty of action, but we got to make the play no miss tackles, missed tackles have killed us the last few years, and a coach cant tackle for you, he can put you in the right place, but cant make the tackle.:ermm:

 

[gardners_51609]

According to the depth chart it appeared we have a DT listed as NT and one as DT. So I would be that we will as a "run stopper/gap clogger" and the other as a more disruptive interior Lineman.

 

[rickyb712]

My uneducated guess would be to get him double teamed by the guard and tackle to give the DE more opportunity.

agree believe we will have a end with 8 to 10 sacks this year or a blitzing AJ Johnson

 

[livefaith]

Love the thread OP. Interesting to learn a little more @ what's happening out there on each play.

 

[KnoxVegas]

And under front means you shift the dline weak. It looks like a 5-2. So you put your 3 technique weak side.

My understanding is that we will be in an under front alot this season.

Carroll at USC ran the 4-3 under so ppl could YouTube and see this visually.

WLB will get tested with Dan lining up in the 3 tech...