2011 Defensive Coordinators and Schemes

This article will be updated throughout the off-season and contains valuable information pertaining to NFL defensive schemes and coaching changes for the 2011 Season. When selecting an IDP, it is important to not only know what position he plays, but also the defensive scheme he plays in as well. For example, having a SLB in a 4-3 defense is typically not a favorable fantasy situation since they have to get through an extra blocker to get to the ball and consequently have lower tackle numbers.

Here are the current situations around the NFL:

BASE DEFENSES
4-3:
CIN, TEN, NYG, PHI, SEA, ATL, DET, JAX, DEN, CLE, OAK, CAR, IND, CHI, TB, MIN, STL
*3-4: SD, PIT, DAL, MIA, GB, ARI, KC, HOU, SF, WAS
Multiple Front: BAL, NYJ, NO, BUF, NE

*1-gap/2-gap notations on the 3-4 teams are the favored front, most teams are using a lot of 1-gap now


Note: Anything listed in RED is a change from the 2010 season.

AFC Logo

AFC EAST
Team
Head Coach
Defensive Coordinator
Defensive Schemes
Buffalo Bills
Chan Gailey
George Edwards
Multiple Front
Miami Dolphins
Tony Sparano
Mike Nolan
3-4
New England Patriots
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick

Multiple Front
New York Jets
Rex Ryan
Mike Pettine
Multiple Front

AFC NORTH
Team
Head Coach
Defensive Coordinator
Defensive Schemes
Baltimore Ravens
John Harbaugh
Chuck Pagano
Multiple Front
Cincinnati Bengals
Marvin Lewis
Mike Zimmer
4-3
Cleveland Browns
Pat Shumur
Dick Jauron
4-3
Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin
Dick LeBeau
3-4

AFC SOUTH
Team
Head Coach
Defensive Coordinator
Defensive Schemes
Houston Texans
Gary Kubiak
Wade Phillips
3-4
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Caldwell
Larry Coyer
4-3
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jack Del Rio
Mel Tucker
4-3
Tennessee Titans
Mike Munchak
Jerry Gray
4-3

AFC WEST
Team
Head Coach
Defensive Coordinator
Defensive Schemes
Denver Broncos
Jon Fox
Dennis Allen
4-3
Kansas City Chiefs Todd Haley Romeo Crennel 3-4
Oakland Raiders
Hue Jackson
Chuck Bresnahan
4-3
San Diego Chargers
Norv Turner
Greg Manusky
3-4


NFC Logo

NFC EAST
Team
Head Coach
Defensive Coordinator
Defensive Schemes
Dallas Cowboys
Jason Garrett
Rob Ryan
3-4
New York Giants
Tom Coughlin
Perry Fewell
4-3
Philadelphia Eagles
Andy Reid
Juan Castillo
4-3
Washington Redskins
Mike Shanahan
Jim Haslett
3-4

NFC NORTH
Team
Head Coach
Defensive Coordinator
Defensive Schemes
Chicago Bears
Lovie Smith
Rod Marinelli
4-3
Detroit Lions
Jim Schwartz
Gunther Cunningham
4-3
Green Bay Packers
Mike McCarthy
Dom Capers
3-4
Minnesota Vikings
Leslie Frazier
Fred Pagac
4-3

NFC SOUTH
Team
Head Coach
Defensive Coordinator
Defensive Schemes
Atlanta Falcons
Mike Smith
Brian VanGorder
4-3
Carolina Panthers
Ron Rivera
Sean McDermott
4-3
New Orleans Saints
Sean Payton
Gregg Williams
Multiple Front
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raheem Morris
Raheem Morris
4-3

NFC WEST
Team Head Coach Defensive Coordinator Defensive Schemes
Arizona Cardinals Ken Whisenhunt Ray Horton 3-4
St. Louis Rams Steve Spagnuolo Ken Flajole 4-3
San Francisco 49ers Jim Harbaugh Vic Fangio 3-4
Seattle Seahawks Pete Carroll Gus Bradley 4-3

Source: Footballguys – IDP Forum

Last Updated: March 6, 2011