Who is the brains behind Baltimore's current defensive scheme

Submitted by Bo Harbaugh on January 20th, 2024 at 8:00 PM

I don't watch much NFL, but it's quite obvious and many have already stated how much UM took from the Baltimore Ravens defensive scheme and strategy.

I know that Bill Walsh is often credited with the origins of the west-coast offense like Buddy Ryan is often credited with the creation of the Chicago Bears "46 defense" - the Super Bowl winning 1985 Bears version of a 4-3 base.

Other innovators like Rich Rod have been credited with the creation of a run spread option.  

Obviously, every innovative offensive or defensive scheme is generally the result of multiple iterations, an evolution of game theory and strategy, and many coaches and minds - but ultimately, quite often, one or 2 individuals stand out as the creators or executors of the scheme.

That said, curious who would be considered the "father" of the Ravens current defensive structure that MacDonald and Minter have used so effectively at Baltimore and UM? Also, for those more football savvy, from what base is this Baltimore defense derived?  Is it a 4-3 man concept, zone concept? 

Appreciate the explanation

 

 

MGoBoard
Football

gopoohgo

January 20th, 2024 at 8:29 PM ^

Martindale has a blitz heavy defense from different areas.  

MacDonald relies on pressure from the front 4, infrequent disguised blitzes, and a lot of disguised coverages with at least 2 deep DBs to take away explosive plays.  

Note how Stroud had few if any deep plays available tonight 

 

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JonnyHintz

January 20th, 2024 at 8:44 PM ^

But that’s just MacDonald’s spin on the general defensive scheme created by Martindale, which MacDonald learned under. 
 

Martindale created the amoeba defensive concept/personnel/scheme that has been used by MacDonald/Minter. Every DC is going to make tweaks and alterations to the defensive scheme they use. 

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Clarence Boddicker

January 21st, 2024 at 10:42 AM ^

Ah, The Newlywed Game...

Question: "What's the strangest place you've ever made whoopee?"

Answer: "In the butt?"

Hilarity ensues. I was just a kid then, but, damn, I miss the 70s. Hot tubs, fondue, disco, sugar bowls full of cocaine at parties, everyone asking you what your 'sign' is: the adults really seemed to enjoy themselves back then.

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BKBlue94

January 21st, 2024 at 2:45 AM ^

Dick LeBeau is the father of the entire zone blitz scheme - designed to confuse offenses about where rushers are coming from whether it's 4 or more coming. The greater ability to move around and drop potential rushers into coverage needed for this is one of the main reasons 3 man lines became more popular in the first place. Of course everyone puts their own spin on it and adopts it as the game changes. Current iterations seem to be less blitz focused, and Michigan blitzes a lot less than the Ravens do even today

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LeCheezus

January 21st, 2024 at 7:13 AM ^

This has been the consistent answer from MGoBlog and TMI, so I’d say it’s mostly right.  Defenses change over time though, so every disciples’ spin will be a little different.  

For instance, Mike McDonald ran very little of the amoeba blitz part of it at Michigan after realizing we had the two best DE’s in the country.  We ended up just playing a ton of Cover 2 and some Cover 3 in the big games down the stretch.

I would also say the constant 6 man boxes on first down is something Minter built in more in the last two years with our deep  and talented group of DT’s.  He brought out more blitz concepts on passing downs, particularly in 2022 because our DE’s were very much B to B- players.  
 

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989.Wolverine

January 20th, 2024 at 8:12 PM ^

I think Mike McDonald and Jesse Minter have found a ton of creative options for the defense that don’t rely on blitzing as often is their unique spin. The base amoeba hybrid package is the same, but they run a lot of creative and confusing coverages behind it to mess with passing oriented attacks.

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989.Wolverine

January 20th, 2024 at 8:09 PM ^

Stealing from Seth’s Neck Sharpies in 2022. LINK

 

This is not original. It's the thing Jerry Sandusky was most known for before the other thing. It's what Dick LeBeau made his Hall of Fame career on. It's what Michigan ran as its base defense the last time we imported a Ravens defensive assistant in 2011-'12. Bob Davie is credited with coming up with it when trying to counter the Run 'n Shoot. Even without the talent disparity, the Amoeba's origins made it particularly well-suited to combat an Air Raid run by Hal Mumme's son in Game 1, let alone a Run 'n Shoot coached by a June Jones quarterback (who until last year was coaching under Hal Mumme's son) in Game 2.

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badjuju81

January 20th, 2024 at 8:14 PM ^

Michigan and Baltimore run mostly a zone, but switch up to man-to-man at times.  It's tough to categorize the front.  They call it amoeba.  You never know who's rushing or how many.  D-line often drop to coverage and D-backs often rush the passer.  Usually, one of the LBs is replaced by a nickel back - usually someone who can cover like a corner (typically over the slot), or drop to safety, or play the run like an LB.  You should watch all the YouTube videos by The Michigan Insider with Vance Bedford, former Michigan D-backs coach.  You'll learn a LOT!

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1VaBlue1

January 20th, 2024 at 8:20 PM ^

Pretty sure it was Wink Martindale that first operated the base of this defense.  But both MacDonald and Minter have adjusted it to their own strengths.  They both do a really good job of teaching how it works together.  You don't see as many busts because the players know teammates will be in the right position - because they know what the defense writ large is trying to accomplish.

They're great DC's, and it'll suck if Minter goes elsewhere next year.

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BasementDweller2018

January 20th, 2024 at 9:00 PM ^

I think the scheme is great but it's getting too much credit based on:

1. Don Brown's scheme was horrible, especially against OSU. Michigan could have beaten OSU sooner had they just employed a more conservative and sound Iowa type defense. 

2. We've had great D lines the last few years. Lots of schemes look great when you can get pressure with 4. Would have loved to have seen Rashan Gary on one of these teams. 

3. Overall defensive talent is historic. The number of NFL players on this year's defense is probably unmatched. 

 

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Vote_Crisler_1937

January 20th, 2024 at 9:14 PM ^

I don’t know if it’s getting too much credit. It’s the dominant defense in both college and the NFL right now. Certainly the overwhelming talent deserves a lot of credit too. Also worth mentioning that it requires a lot of checks and adjustments by both the coordinator and the players on the field. I believe Vance Bedford when he says not many coaching staffs can really teach it and not many players can learn it fast enough for college. 

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Carcajou

January 20th, 2024 at 11:56 PM ^

I believe Vance Bedford when he says not many coaching staffs can really teach it and not many players can learn it fast enough for college. 

I would like to believe that Michigan players are a bit smarter than your average Div 1 athlete, and can handle more. So attempting to keep the schemes too simple (as Rich Rod, etc. may have done) in order to rely on superior athleticism to try to win most of Michigan's games was selling them short and made them too easy to scheme against.

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