5 refreshing insights from LA Rams DC Brandon Staley’s perspective

IV – Vic Fangio coaching tree

The fourth fresh take away is the first-person perspective from Brandon Staley in describing his time working with, for, and around Vic Fangio.  If you are not aware, Vic Fangio is one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL today.

How has Fangio earned such a stellar reputation in the league? He coaches a basic 3-4 defense, like many defensive coordinators. His reputation was not built upon what his defense does, but in how well his defense disguises what he will do.  Surprising quarterbacks gives the defense a huge advantage. Offenses strive to move the ball with precision planning, moving both offensive and defensive players with such precise choreographed moves that the quarterback knows exactly where the ball must be on each play.

Disguised defenses disrupt that timing, that well-rehearsed choreography. Disruption forces offenses to innovate, create, and try to turn busted plays into positive yards.  While some quarterbacks can do so on a limited basis, the advantage falls heavily upon the defense when that happens.

Of course, once a defense is disguised a certain way, video footage enables the next opponent to interpret that disguise. So the defense must morph continuously, always changing looks posed to the opposing quarterback to create new confusion and throw off the timing once more.

Now Staley will employ that same “hit them where they ain’t looking” defensive mindset. No more lining up in vanilla sets and daring offenses to baffle them.  Now it will be the defense aiming to confuse and to change what they do to neutralize what the opposing offense will try to do.