FOXBOROUGH - This morning, a quick perusal of the NFL shows at least 10 teams running some version of the Vic Fangio defense, including Miami, which just so happens to have it run by the original architect, Fangio himself.
As much as we have spent hours upon hours talking and writing about what Bill O’Brien’s addition to New England might mean, the same can be said of the venerable Fangio. He was so in demand after being fired by the Broncos as head coach that the Eagles brought him in as a consultant for the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl last season, all while the Dolphins shelled out $4.5 million per season (!) to bring the 65-year old assistant in to reshape and run their defense, leaving head coach Mike McDaniel to the big picture and his pinky, the offense.
So why is Fangio and his coaching tree so popular? Let’s do a simplified explanation.
Simply put - it’s just a two-high safety look, with its core tenet to eliminate - or severely restrict - big plays. In short, Fangio wants you to throw short, over and over and over again, but also leave you unsure of exactly who is doing what coverage-wise for as long as possible. The look mirrors Cover 4. In doing that, Fangio is attempting to create doubt not only in the quarterback’s mind but the receivers as well. What player is rotating where, essentially. As you know, that extra split can make all the difference in the front getting home or giving that signal caller enough time to decipher and exploit.
“They do a good job of that based on the early film,” said Mac Jones Wednesday, noting what a great job the Dolphins do with disguising their looks. “For me, it’s just playing fast and getting the ball out to the person it’s supposed to go to. Letting those guys play free, regardless of who we’re going against. Just trying to distribute the ball, hand it off, hand it off, or throw it quick, throw it quick really well. If there’s a shot, take the shot.”
While there’s always a need to be in lockstep with the pass catchers on throwing downs, this weekend, it will take added importance because one misread by QB or receiver and the Pats could easily serve one up on a silver platter for the defense.
“It’s huge,” said Hunter Henry. “It's why we try to dissect a lot of film together, communicate well, especially in meeting rooms, so when we’re out there, we’re all on the same page.”
Now, don’t get it twisted. The Dolphins and Fangio aren’t just married to the two-high safety. They will give other looks and present other coverages, but again, it’s about the disguise and rolling into the defense called as late as possible.
Limiting the run is important but not the be-all and end-all. Look at what the Chargers just did to the Dolphins in week one. The defensive linemen aren’t playing two-gap, nor are they playing one. It is somewhere in between. Their general aim is to force or redirect the runner to bounce outside. That allows the defensive backs enough time to react and support and, often, make the tackle after minor damage has been done.
“I think that’s something we can really improve on,” said David Andrews when talking about the Patriots run game in week one. “Miami has a really good front, so it’s going to be a big challenge.”
The Pats mustered just 3.5 yards per carry on 22 attempts against the Eagles, with Rhamondre Stevenson getting 12 rushes for just 25 yards (with a long of 5). Much more will be needed - and should be reached - against this Miami front that gave up more yards rushing (234) than passing (228) to Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
If the Pats plan to slow the game down and limit the number of touches Miami and that offense (15 explosive plays Sunday, most in the league), a good running game is a great way to start, and with this group, it might be where Fangio’s defense is most vulnerable. Of course, we still have no idea if the Pats will have either of their projected week one starters at guard - Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu. Both were seen at the media access portion of practice Wednesday, but Bill Belichick didn’t provide much when asked, saying, “I think they’ll eventually play. We’ll see when that is; just take it day by day.”
If they can’t, that would place another heavy load on the pair of rookies who went wire-to-wire against Philly, Atonio Mafi, and Sidy Sow, who both accumulated many negative plays per Greg Bedard via his film study. The challenge of Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler is another massive one, with Watkins consistently one of the more disruptive interior defensive linemen in the league and Sieler having just been rewarded for his work with a contract extension that included 20 million dollars in guaranteed money. Quite the challenge, both from a personnel and scheme standpoint, but get used to the latter. You’ll see more of Fangio and his clones as the season progresses.