LOREN MEADOWS: Who’s That Creeping Around My Window? Breaking Down the Gators New Look Defense
Toney is a student of the “Creeper” defense made popular by retired NFL assistant coach Dean Peas, former, college assistant Joe Lee Dunn and current Baylor defensive coordinator Ron Roberts.
PART 1 OF A SERIES ON GATOR FOOTBALL
By LOREN MEADOWS
GatorBait.com Football Analyst
For the 2022 Gator football season, no one could be under more scrutiny than new Gators defensive coordinator Patrick Toney. He replaces Todd Grantham, whose brash and aggressive style of defense did not hold up well in Gainesville for the long run. Grantham spent the better part of his last two seasons under scrutiny for defensive calls and alignments that seemed to confuse his own side of the ball more than the opponents.
Many times, the Florida defense under Grantham showed a lack of discipline, technique and understanding. In many cases defensive alignments and calls to the front of the defense seemed to rarely match what was being called in the secondary, causing gaps and areas to be ignored in defending both the run and the pass.
Toney is a student of the “Creeper” defense made popular by retired NFL assistant coach Dean Peas, former, college assistant Joe Lee Dunn and current Baylor defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. Falling under what coordinators would call “safe pressures” this defense however is not as much as a “package” but more of a “part.”
The term “Creepers” involves bringing what would be identified as a non-traditional pass rusher (linebacker, defensive back) to rush the quarterback while dropping a traditional pass rusher (defensive tackle or end) into coverage. Couple that with “simulated pressures,” which simulate the “overload” or “all out” blitz while disguising which defenders are rushing. And you have a defense that can make -- as Toney puts it-- “different things look the same” and “same things look different.”
Ultimately this means that while the presentation is to bring more defenders than the offense can account four in essence you are rushing the quarterback with no more than five defenders as to not sacrifice coverage. The flexibility of the defense to utilize both three and four down linemen will give the Gators the option to utilize their personnel based upon their strengths in certain situations.
In any plan -- particularly in the game of football -- putting theory into practice can be a daunting task. With that said, we will look at the pros and cons of the “Creeper” and the major players that will bring this plan to reality this season.
Pros of the Florida Defense:
Post Snap Confusion: With offenses lining up quickly a defense can be forced to tip its hand while allowing the offensive coaches to call the perfect play based on pre-snap alignment. By shifting after the snap, the pressure is now on the quarterback to process information quickly while facing a pass rush.
Offensive Line Difficulties: While offenses utilize zone schemes to manage stunts and blitzes of defensive fronts. Many offenses utilize similar approaches to protect the quarterback. Both creepers and simulated pressures can give the illusion of more defenders rushing than offenses have blockers. This will cause lines to slide to an anticipated side while the free rusher could come from a gap or side of the formation not anticipated by the protection.
Safe Coverage: In most cases you will see less blitzes that allow for free receivers running through open areas vacated by a blitzing defender. In Toney’s defense a second level rusher (Creeper) will most certainly be replaced by a first level defender. This will allow Florida to play coverage behind the pressure taking away the ability of the quarterback to release the ball quickly or step up and complete a pass for a big play. While Florida will play both man and zone behind simulated pressures, in theory areas vacated by rushers will be replaced by others based on down, distance and offensive tendencies.
No Mo RPO’s: The Run-Pass-Option has become the “in” things for many of today’s college offenses. The quarterback identifies and reads a defender and chooses his next steps based upon whether that defender rushes or drops. With “Creepers” and “simulated pressures” the mystery of either who is rushing or that rusher being replaced by a defender will put immense pressure on the signal-caller to process information on a consistent basis over 55-70 snaps when an offense relies on this philosophy. This could disrupt timing in both the running and passing game.
Cons of the Florida Defense:
Versatility and Depth Is Key: While Florida’s roster features several players who fit the hybrid mold of defenders who fit Patrick Toney’s system, many have found themselves moved around or underutilized during their time under the previous staff. The Florida defense will put even more pressure on certain defenders to rush the passer as well as effectively play in space and cover. While these players exist there are many players on the roster that are unproven and Toney’s defenses in the past have utilized anywhere from 10-12 different combinations up front so the development of depth will be key.
Have Time Will Travel: While this defensive style can cause confusion it is also vulnerable to the fact that in most cases regardless of personnel the defense is only rushing four defenders. A capable experienced offensive line with a solid quarterback can put together a game plan to minimize confusion by using a back out of the backfield or multiple receivers to spread the defense and identify rushers more efficiently. With time to throw any offense can be effective and create problems for the defense.
Up Front Push: Florida’s defense was plagued last season by an inability to get a solid push in the middle of the defense. In both the run and pass game opponents were able to dictate their plan with the ability to get blockers to the second level and quarterback easily stepping up to avoid pressure. As Florida looks to create confusion with “Creepers” and “simulated pressures” it will be the job of the defensive tackles to push the pocket and eliminate escape routes for the quarterback. Once again while the system can create post-snap confusion, in many cases it is still a four-man pressure.
Defending Dynamic Playmakers: With most offensives moving to multiple personnel sets and formations, Florida’s defense could struggle as teams counter by putting their best players in space against defenders that may not be as accustomed to playing in space. Hybrid tight ends and slot receivers who are nightmares for linebackers can be extremely effective if the defense in unable to get hands on and disrupt the patterns of elite playmakers.
Who Will be Creeping?
Gervon Dexter, Defensive Line--Dexter will be counted on to provide the push to allow the “creepers” the opportunity to disrupt the quarterbacks thought process. The ability to win one on one matchups in the running game particularly will be key on early downs to put opposing offenses in situations that make these pressures most effective.
Brenton Cox Jr., Outside Linebacker--Possibly Florida’s best all-around defender. Cox possesses elite pass rush skills, along with the ability to cover in space when dropping. Look for him to dictate how imaginative Patrick Toney can be with his defensive packages.
Amari Burney, Linebacker--Burney has played Jack backer, Star, safety, and inside linebacker during his time at Florida. One of Florida’s smartest defenders, he could be used in several different positions and situations.
Ventrell Miller, Linebacker--Miller played in only six quarters of the 2021 Football Season due to injury. For that, the run defense suffered immensely. While limited in pass coverage, Miller gives Florida a solid run stopper and leader of the defense as a new system is installed.
Diwun Black, Linebacker--Like Burney, Black is a versatile athletic defender who spent the spring at inside linebacker after playing star (nickel) in 2021. Possibly the best athlete on the team, look for Black to lineup all over the field and be a major part of the “Creeper” calls.
Trey Dean III, Safety--Patrick Toney has vowed to eliminate the pre-snap confusion that sometime plagued Florida last season. Dean has expressed how simple Toney’s defense can be, but how hard the Gators can make it for opposing offenses. The communication from the sideline to the back half of the defense will depend a lot on the relationship between the two. Dean will look for a standout year after turning down an invite to the NFL Combine.
Jason Marshall, Cornerback--The Florida defense will use a number of analytic strategies to take away what opposing offenses want to do most. Many will look to get the ball to their best receiver. Marshall could be asked to “travel’ with that player and eliminate the ability for him to dictate the game on the perimeter.
Tre’Vez Johnson, Nickelback--Possibly the most important player in the defense. The Nickelback or star can be the key to the mirage presented by the defense. Johnson will be asked to rush, cover, and disguise on most of the defensive calls of 2022. His ability to play with poise and focus could determine the success of the defense on a weekly basis.
Well-known Ohio high school football assistant Ken Amblin once said, “You don’t practice defense, you play defense.” The Florida Gators will go into every game with a plan that is sound, efficient and effective on paper. What is yet to be seen is the ability to take that plan and apply it to plays on the field. Early test against three of the nation’s top QB’s will give an early indication to what impact Toney and the other defensive assistants will have had on this unit.
Comments