LA Rams new DC Brandon Staley’s defense stumped McVay, so he hired him

Fangio Factor

The difference for a Fangio-schemed defense is the looks applied on running downs or opposing offenses 2 tight end set formations.  On those downs,  the three down linemen play two-gap assignments, the inside linebackers cover the bare offensive linemen, and the outside linebackers play one gap assignments to the outside of the tight ends. In passing downs, the OLBs will simply drop back in coverage.

For running downs, the same outside linebackers are critical to turning plays inwards.  So in the Fangio scheme, the design for plays becomes a little more run-focused than that of Phillips’ scheme, while not sacrificing the pressure applied on the quarterback.  If anything, the biggest impact falls upon the defensive backs whose responsibility falls more to defending the pass.

Of course, no defense works without the right personnel. Despite the similar category of 3-4, the new defensive scheme will mean players must now learn new keys, and react in vastly different ways to what develops in front of them.  That happens with every new defensive coordinator.  Thankfully, the Rams will not convert to a 4-3, which is far more difficult to accomplish because it requires entirely different types of players to succeed.

Which bring us to a valid question. Which players will likely succeed in the new defensive scheme?