A closer look at the Bills’ new defensive scheme

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, May 30, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

 Buffalo Bills
Thanks to their new coaching staff, the Buffalo Bills have switched their defensive scheme from a 4-3 to a Tampa 2. Although it is a variation of the Cover 2, rarely are any explanations given on how it works and what the players are expected to do. Because of its proven track record, the Tampa 2 is gaining popularity in the NFL, and the Bills...
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CommentsComments: 4
 No.1
Mark Gray		 09:55 AM
05/30/2006
This all sounds great on paper, but where's the "Bills" Simeon Rice..? ...or Warren Sapp ? This is a bit of a stretch with 2nd string players all picked up during 'free-agency', we shall see.
 No.2
Sid Oberacker		 11:46 AM
05/30/2006
Great and informative article. Thank you
 No.3
Hondo		 02:11 PM
05/30/2006
Connor's explanation was pretty good but left some unanswered questions. Maybe I can help.

The Tampa 2 relies on speed and numbers rather than strength. A team needs fast defenders with non-stop motors to successfully play Tampa 2.

On a pass play, the Tampa 2 works like this... The secondary will typically play a zone defense. The two safeties divide the deep field between them, as Connor describes. The two cornerbacks divide the short field. The middle linebacker ("mike") will usually drop back to help the safeties deep. The outside linebackers will cover the flats. The linemen will attempt to shoot a gap or get around the outside. Each lineman is expected to attack the QB with speed. Only one lineman needs to be successful.

Zone defenses like the Tampa 2 have a couple weaknesses. Teams will either attempt to attack the seams (the boundaries of two zones) or flood a zone (run two or more receivers into a zone covered by one defender). It can be difficult to attack the seam of a Tampa 2 defense because the defenders are quick and fast. They can reach their zone boundaries in the time it takes the ball to reach the receiver. If the offense floods a zone, the defender will cover the deepest player within the zone. The safeties are instructed to allow no one beyond them. The Tampa 2 is inherently designed to prevent big plays. It's a bend-but-don't-break approach.

On a run play, the Tampa 2 works like this... Each player is assigned a different gap and attacks that gap aggressively with speed - thus disrupting the play. Interior linemen in a Tampa 2 do not attempt to overpower their blockers. In the history of the Bills, Sam Adams and Ted Washington would sometimes occupy two blockers because of their strength and bulk. This freed other defenders to make plays. In Tampa 2, no one is supposed to occupy blockers. Everyone attacks - each through a different gap.

Often a Tampa 2 team will put 8 men in the box. Obviously it's hard to run when there are so many defenders near the line of scrimmage. If the offense passes, the defense has the speed to drop back into its zone coverage. Even if the defense doesn't choose to put 8 in the box, every player is expected to use his speed to get to the ball carrier quickly. Remember, Tampa 2 defenders are not big and strong. They might not be the most overwhelming tacklers. But they move quickly. Everyone swarms with speed to the ball carrier.

That's why the Bills love safeties like Donte Whitner. He can cover but he can also use his speed to give good run support. And he loves to hit. There's not a lot of difference between a free and strong safety in a Tampa 2. Both need the range to cover deep. Both need to support the run and hit. Linebackers are required to be fast because they are needed in pass coverage. In run support, they are expected to run around blockers rather than bull their way through them. Linemen also must also be fast because each one of them is expected to pressure the quarterback within 3 seconds. The Tampa 2 doesn't specifically want undersized players as Connor seems to suggest. It wants fast players and is willing to give us size for speed.

Hope this helps.
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