Pitt's new defense will rely on hybrid positions
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Pitt has several defensive players who have changed positions, although you probably wouldn't recognize it unless you understand the Panthers' new scheme.
Pitt has scrapped the traditional 4-3 base defense and will go to a three-man front. Depending on the down, distance and situation, the second-level number could be anything from two to five. (For example, Pitt will use a 3-3, a 3-4, a 3-5 and even a 3-2.)
To make that work, the Panthers will rely on an unusually high number of hybrid positions, and the coaches will use spring practices to identify players to fit those roles.
Last year, Pitt had two defensive ends in the base defense. This year, the Panthers will have one defensive end and a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker on the other end playing what is called the panther linebacker.
The Panthers also will have a hybrid safety/corner called the bandit safety and a hybrid linebacker/safety called the spur linebacker, who will perform as a traditional linebacker but also may be asked to participate in man-to-man coverage.
Pitt defensive coordinator Keith Patterson said that the hybrid positions will really enable the Panthers to defend different offenses -- particularly spread offenses -- out of the base defense.
"The best way to look at it is that our panther linebacker has to possess the skills of a linebacker as well as a defensive lineman," Patterson said. "I'd say he has to have the skills moreso of a defensive lineman, though, because he has to be able to rush and impact the quarterback but he also has to have the ability to drop back into zone coverages and make plays in space.
"Our spur has the skills of a defensive back and the skills of a linebacker, so I'd say he is 60 percent defensive back and 40 percent linebacker. He's got to be a little more athletic and make plays in space, but he also has to have the physical toughness to play linebacker.
First Published April 6, 2011 12:32 am
