Who Dat Say Dey Gonna Run 3-4?

Preseason is so close, I can smell it. I thought I would give my fellow Who Dats another does of local flavor. The New Orleans Saints, under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, will be transitioning from a traditional 4-3 scheme, to a 3-4. The 3-4 capitalizes on intensive linebacker blitzing and tackling. Grown up Saints fans may recall that the Saints employed a 3-4 defense under former Head Coach Jim Mora, Sr. during the "Dome Patrol" years in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the golden age of Saints football prior to the arrival of current Head Coach Sean Payton.

Whether or not Ryan can duplicate the success enjoyed with the Dome Patrol - Hall of Fame linebacker Rickey Jackson, perennial Pro Bowler Pat Swilling, former Pro Bowler Vaughn Johnson, and the late Pro Bowler and former NFL assistant coach Sam Mills - remains to be seen.

Special thanks to Dan Delaney of Saints Stuff for producing this piece. The original piece can be found at saintsstuff.com.

3-4 Scheme is Coming Along.

So far the biggest change is Will Smith moving from Defensive End to Outside Linebacker.

3-4 Defense's new outside linebacker.

 This is what SI.com has to say; 

The New Orleans Saints highlighted last week one of the reasons teams often are hesitant to undertake scheme shifts on defense. Saints GM Mickey Loomis said, according to Larry Holder of NOLA.com, that Will Smith will open camp competing for an outside linebacker spot in the team’s new 3-4 defense.

That’s 6-foot-3, 280-pound Will Smith, a player who has spent his entire nine-year NFL career playing as a defensive end in New Orleans’ former 4-3 look. Despite 67.5 career sacks, Smith’s roster spot suddenly looks unsafe, despite him taking a massive pay cut this offseason (from $9 million in 2013 to $3 million) in an effort to stick around.

This is one of the challenges when a coaching staff opts for a new attack — the players on the roster don’t always fit.

Keep reading on SI.com

Akiem Hicks will be the starting defensive end. Here is what nbcsports.com has to say;

3-4 Defense has Akiem Hicks as defensive end.

 

With new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan taking control of the New Orleans Saints defense, there were bound to be some changes to scheme and personnel as the Saints attempt to overhaul a defense that ranked dead last in the league last season.
One of those moves will be shifting a player to a new spot on the defensive line.

Keep reading on nbcsports.com

Cam  Jordan is moving back to the position he thrived in back in college. Here is what Nola.com has to say;

The Saints’ Cam Jordan may be one of a select few defenders from 2012 who can say he improved last season. Now Jordan is moving back to a 3-4 defense, a scheme he played in college at California.

Keep reading on Nola.com

3-4 should facilitate improved play from Cam Jordan.

The last change has more to do with Rob Ryan then the scheme itself. Here is what Sports Illustrated had to say;

The 3-4 captain.

Rob Ryan figures his firing in Dallas will only help him relate to a Saints defense humbled by a historically bad season.
“I don’t like getting fired,” Ryan said Thursday during his first meeting with reporters since Sean Payton hired him in February to revamp New Orleans’ last-ranked defense. “I know I got my feelings hurt and so did our players. We’re looking to do something about it.”
The Saints gave up 7,042 yards in 2012, the most ever in a single season in the NFL. Payton has said that performance forced him to make a change at defensive coordinator, even though he felt bad letting Steve Spagnuolo go after only one highly unusual season.
Spagnuolo never got to coach with Payton, who was suspended all of last season in connection with the NFL’s bounty probe. Yet shortly after Payton was reinstated, the relatively calm, analytical Spagnuolo, who favored a read-and-react 4-3 defense, was replaced by Ryan, who runs a pressure-heavy 3-4 scheme (three down linemen, four linebackers).
Ryan also has been known to exhibit a brash demeanor more akin to that of Gregg Williams, the Saints’ defensive coordinator from 2009 to 2011

Keep reading at sportsillustrated.com

What this all says to me is we will go from having a dead last defense to a top 10 defense. When you combine that with our offense that easily make us Superbowl contenders.

Free Speech - Epic FAIL - July 22, 2011

After watching certain patterns repeat themselves, the only time I am surprised, during successive occurrences, is when others are surprised. In a world of the Internet, social media, and the 24 hour news cycle, hearing someone (anyone) of any significance to the public say something ill-advised, often downright stupid, is periodically expected.


In any given week, much of the public has become conditioned to think about, not “if”, but when will someone in the world of sports do or say something that he would regret quickly. This week, University of Southern California running back Marc Tyler, son of former San Francisco 49ers running back Super Bowl champion Wendell Tyler, jokingly said that USC paid better than the NFL. Unfortunately, his comment was made directly into a camera and his remarks appeared on gossip website TMZ.com.

As many of you are aware, USC had the hammer brought down upon its football program for violations that took place in 2004 and 2005, including paying former running back and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. Of all institutions, USC is among the last that needs any insinuation, even in jest, that there are inappropriate practices occurring in its athletic department.

So, once again, The Daily Hat Trick is bringing you a collection of examples, past and present, in which the free speech of sports figures came at a price.

 Marc Tyler, USC running back (2011):

TMZ cameraman: Do Trojan football players make more money from the school or in the pros?

Tyler: “USC! They breakin’ bread!”

Result: Tyler was suspended for the 2011 opening game against Minnesota.


USC, they're smacking their heads! 1



Clinton Portis, former Washington Redskins running back (2007):

Situation: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Mike Vick was being investigated by the federal government for his role in a (then) alleged dog fighting ring. Portis was being interviewed by a local Virginia television station, WAVY-TV.

What was said: "I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, it's his dog. If that's what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business," When told that dog fighting is a felony, Portis replied, "It can't be too bad of a crime."

“You want to hunt down Mike Vick over fighting some dogs? I think people should mind their own business."

"I know a lot of back roads that have the dog fighting if you want to go see it."

Later in the day…"In the recent interview I gave concerning dog fighting, I want to make it clear I do not take part in dog fighting or condone dog fighting in any manner."

Way to smooth it over, Mr. Portis!

Result: In terms of substantial consequences, nothing…. In the court of public opinion, it was the latest in a string of dubious quotables throughout Portis’ career. He will not be remembered as one of the NFL’s all-time eloquent statesmen or deep thinkers.



Mike Vick: "Hey, Clinton! Don't do me any more favors, okay buddy? You've helped me (and my image) out enough!" 2

 Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA Analyst Charles Barkley (1994):

The situation: The Round Mound of Rebound was noteworthy for shooting his mouth off during his 16 seasons in the NBA. But Sir Charles would also come to learn, the hard way, that free speech is not always free. After a game in 1994, Barkley was extremely critical of the game officials in a post game press conference.

What was said: After a valiant effort, I was unable to locate the exact quote on the World Wide Web, perhaps indicative of how many times Barkley has served up a memorable soundbite to the press. What I remember, however, in response to being asked if he was concerned about being fined for his criticism, is that Barkely said that he could not be controlled with money and that he had more money than everyone in the room. If anyone reading this piece could locate the exact quote and email the link to me, I would be appreciative.

The Result: NBA Commissioner David Stern dished out what was then a record fine and multiple game suspension. Barkely never quite repeated a post game tirade with the same level of volatility. I guess he could be controlled with money.

If you want to play a cool drinking game, try something that involves finding a picture of Barkley with his mouth closed. 3

Former Indianapolis Colts Coach Jim Mora, Sr. (2001):

The situation: Chances are, if you are old enough to drink, I need not provide much, if any preamble to the classic post game rant. Mora’s Colts were in the midst of a losing skid and quickly falling out of the playoff race. After a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, in which Colts quarterback Peyton Manning threw several interceptions, Mora expressed his disapproval with his QB and his team.

What was said: Why tell you, when I can show you (and 9 out of 10 of you probably know exactly what was said, anyway)?

 There are only a handful of NFL moments I'll remember vividly in 50 years, God willing, and this is one of them. 4 

The result: The soundbite went viral in an age where roughly half of U.S. households did not have Internet access* and You Tube did not exist. The word “PLAYOFFS?!?!”, when said in a high-pitched, incredulous tone, became a punchline. Mora may have that word in his epitaph.

So remember, Hat Trick readers, in the spirit of this month, in which we celebrated America's 235th birthday, free speech is not always free (far from it)!

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

* source: census.gov

1) Image from TMZ.com via webpronews.com

2) Image from statesman.com

3) Image from baldcelebrity.com

4) Video from YouTube.com

Peyton Manning, Josh McDaniels, and Fat Albert - Confused, Dumb, and Dumber

Yours truly was away from civilization for a week, making The Daily Hat Trick a little less than “daily”. To borrow a catch phrase from sportstalk host Jim Rome, “I took so much vacation because I got so much vacation,”

Now I am back home sweet home and you, the reader, get your daily dose of the Hat Trick back. I hope that is a good thing.

There have been so many occurrences in the world of sports over the past 10 days or so, that I could not pick one topic to feature for the first day back in publication, so I thought I would just pitch in my two cents on some issues that jumped to the center of my NFL dashboard in the last week.

Peyton Manning

What is going on in Indianapolis? Nobody is perfect and even the most elite athletes have slumps, but Peyton Manning has not struggled as badly as he has in recent weeks since his rookie season in 1998. Consider the following quote from Peyton Manning’s coach:

“Well, I'll start off by saying this: do not blame that game on the defense, OK? I don't care who you play, whether it's a high school team, a junior college team, a college team, much less an NFL team; when you turn the ball over five times -- four interceptions, one for a touchdown, three others in field position to set up touchdowns -- you ain't going to beat anybody I just talked about. Anybody. All right? And that was a disgraceful performance, in my opinion. We threw that game. We gave it away by doing that. We gave 'em the friggin' game. In my opinion, that sucked. Ah. You know? You can't turn the ball over five times like that. Holy crap! I don't know who the hell we think we are when we do something like that! Unbelievable...five turnovers. One of them for -- We've thrown four interceptions for touchdowns this year. That might be an NFL record! And we've still got six games left, so there's no telling how many we'll have. That's pitiful! I mean, it's absolutely pitiful to perform like that. Pitiful!” 1

If you are like me and live, breathe, and sleep sports, you probably know exactly where I am going with this and had a slight chuckle, unless you live in Indianapolis. If you are a causal fan (or under the age of 20), it seems like something Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell could say, given the mediocrity of his team and his quarterback. Here is the rest of the quote:

“What's that? Ah -- Playoffs? Don't talk about -- playoffs?! You kidding me?! Playoffs?! I just hope we can win a game! Another game!” 2

Unless you go out of your way to avoid every commercial during NFL games, you know that those were the words of Peyton Manning’s and the Colts’ former coach (and one of my favorite all-time NFL personalities), Jim Mora, Sr. Those words were spoken in the midst of a Colts tailspin in 2001, the last time the Colts had a losing record and the last time they missed the playoffs.

That would also be Mora’s last year as an NFL head coach. At the moment, history appears to be dangerously close to repeating itself in Indianapolis. Jim Caldwell may follow Mora’s footsteps if he runs the ship of the defending AFC champs into the ground much further. Manning is turning the ball over at an alarming rate that would cause Brett Favre to raise an eyebrow.


2001 - "PLAYOFFS?!?"   6

DeLorean with Flux Capacitor 7

2010 - "Hey, y'all. Watch this!"  8

Just what is wrong with Manning? I have had friends make clever suggestions about sibling rivalry pressure and one suggestion (from a chick) that maybe Peyton and wife Ashley Manning, er, um, have not been practicing the motions to make a little Manning. At that point, I thought I had heard everything.

It is true that Manning is missing many of his weapons: Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Joseph Addai (or anything resembling a competent running game), and a defense that leaves him much room for error. But, as University of Texas coaching legend Darrell Royal once said, when you throw the ball, three things can happen, and two of them are bad. Manning, in the opinion of many, may be the greatest quarterback (if not greatest player) ever to play the game. If so, he needs to do a better job of taking care of the football.

Josh McDaniels

Good riddance to bad rubbish! Being a blogger and not a journalist, I am not bound by the journalistic pillar of being unbiased and therefore am free to voice my personal opinion on newsworthy people. I cannot think of a head coach that I have liked less in the past 10 years than Josh McDaniels. Those who know me personally know the depth of loathing that I have for Bill Belichick and his era of Patriots, but the man has won three Super Bowls. If Sean Payton, coach of my New Orleans Saints, decided to suddenly retire and The Hoodie were hired as the next coach, I would welcome him with open arms. McDaniels is a horse (or a Bronco) of another color, though.

"You've got a lot to learn, son." 5

It requires a truly special brand of stupidity and sophomoric hubris to ruin a franchise that, until this season, was considered a legitimate threat to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl almost every season. It requires a rare lack of people skills, a lack which dwarfs the lack possessed by computer geeks and Dungeons & Dragons players, to run off your franchise quarterback before your first draft by losing his trust because you were not forthright with him about your attempt to use him as trade bait for greener grass. It takes an unprecedented failure to prepare in order to allow an Oakland Raiders franchise – bankrupt of an identity in its offensive backfield – to come into your stadium, historically one of the roughest places for visitors in the history of the NFL, and bitch-slap you by hanging 59 points on you. And it takes a complete failure to grasp concepts instilled into most of us as children, such as, “Do as I say and not as I do,” to watch your mentor, Belichick, and your team have their reputations tarnished and their pockets lightened by the Spygate controversy, then do the same stupid (and unethical) thing when your coaching future is already on rocky ground and give the media the gift of the label, “Spygate II”

It sickens me to see any professional sports franchise drug down by stupidity. Arrogance dragging down a team (a team I do not like)…amusing. Stupidity? Annoying...! GOOD RIDDANCE!

Albert Haynesworth

Hey hey hey! No more Fat Albert! Who did not see this coming? It only cost the Redskins $40 million and what feels like a lost season! Albert Haynesworth displayed a level of professionalism that could cause Randy Moss to give him a tongue lashing. Based on reports I have read and heard on sports radio, Haynesworth, apparently, refused to speak to Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan at team headquarters, asking the General Manager, Bruce Allen, to relay the message. Hey Albert: eighth grade called and it wants its conflict resolution methods back! REALLY, Albert? REALLY? “Tell Coach I’m not speaking to him.,”??? What is next? He takes his ball and goes home?

Hey hey hey! Can you tell the difference? 3

The Redskins took care of that for Fat Albert, suspending him for the remaining four games of the regular season and signaling that his offseason release is all but immanent. There are bad free agent moves and free agent busts in the NFL every year, whether caused by injury, system incompatibility, decreased motivation, aging, or otherwise. Daniel Snyder may be the KING of throwing away money on the wrong free agents. The stench of the Albert Haynesworth signing stinks so badly that those in the State of Denmark during the time of Shakespeare’s Hamlet would faint.

"Peeee-youuuuu" 4

1, 2) Source: Wikipedia

3) Image from grudge-match.com

4) Image from sportsfanlive.com

5) Image from ozelink.com.au

6) Image from starvalleyindependent.com

7) Image from gadzooki.com

8) Image from coltzilla.com