[BobCarl]

@ramsman34 and defensive minded fans .... I'm asking for help in learning Defense 101 as it pertains to our team.

Are the 1st Down Defensive Alignments listed below valid with regards to what the Rams actually do? (I don't trust AI's)

Also, is the NIckel vs Big Nickel hype a bunch of bullshit?

________________________________________
Most Common 1st-Down Defensive Alignments (by AI Nate Kessler)

1. Base Defense (3-4 or 4-3)
o Used when expecting a run.
o Example: Rams use a 3-4 base under Chris Shula, but with multiple hybrid elements.
o Includes 3 DL, 4 LBs, 4 DBs — or vice versa.

2. Nickel Defense (4-2-5 or 3-3-5)
o Becoming the true default even on 1st down.
o Substitutes a LB for a 5th DB.
o Used when offense shows 3 WRs (which is over 60% of 1st-down formations league-wide).

3. Big Nickel (4-2-5 with 3 safeties)
o Hybrid look vs. run/pass balance.
o Effective against 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs).
o Adds flexibility in coverage vs. tight ends.

4. Penny or Dime (6 DBs)
o Rare on 1st down but used against spread-heavy teams.
o Light box, used when DC expects RPO or screens.

5. Bear Front / Tight Front
o 5-man front to clog interior gaps.
o Increasingly used vs. wide-zone teams like SF, Miami.

6. Odd/Even Front Variants (3-3-5 Stack, Tite, Mint)
o More modern alignments designed to disguise gaps and control edges.
o Often use "simulated pressure" or zone bluffing on early downs.
________________________________________
Trends (1st Down Only) % Usage (League Avg)
Nickel (4-2-5) 55–60%
Base (3-4 or 4-3) 20–25%
Big Nickel 10–15%
Dime / Penny <5%
Other (Bear, Mint) Situational / sub-5%
________________________________________
Summary:
• NFL teams don’t stick with just one “1st down” look — they tailor it week-to-week.
• 3-5 different alignments are typically in regular rotation, even on early downs.
• Pre-snap disguises and post-snap shifts make some alignments appear similar, but responsibilities change dramatically.


=========================================================
Nickel and Big Nickel look almost identical in alignment diagrams: both have 4 defensive linemen, 2 linebackers, and 5 defensive backs. But their personnel, matchup intent, and coverage flexibility are very different. Here’s what you should keep in mind when distinguishing them — especially for how the Rams might apply each:
________________________________________
Nickel (4-2-5)
• Personnel: 2 CBs, 1 Nickel CB, 2 Safeties
• Usage: Versus 3-WR sets, shotgun formations, or obvious passing situations
• Strength:
o More agile; better matchup against slot WRs
o Allows for man-match or match-zone coverage
• Liability: Can be vulnerable to the run if slot corner isn't physical enough
• Example Application (vs 49ers):
o Used on 3rd & medium if Deebo, Aiyuk, and a 3rd WR are on the field
o Nickel DB is responsible for inside leverage or motion tracking
🧠 Think of Nickel as:
“Our best chance to defend 3 WRs with speed, not size.”
________________________________________
Big Nickel (4-2-5 w/ 3 Safeties)
• Personnel: 2 CBs, 3 Safeties (no true Nickel corner)
• Usage: Against 12 personnel, TE-heavy sets, big slots (like Deebo)
• Strength:
o More physical than Nickel; good against run/pass balance
o 3rd safety gives flexibility to rotate, disguise coverages, and handle tight ends
• Liability: Slightly less agile in pure pass coverage against quick slot WRs
• Example Application (vs 49ers):
o Used on 1st & 10 or 2nd & short, when 49ers show run or motion
o Safety may spin down pre-snap to the strong side to account for motion or blocking TE
🧠 Think of Big Nickel as:
“A hybrid look — physical like Base, flexible like Nickel. Built for teams that mess with your eyes.”


Rams Nickel Defense (4-2-5)
"Standard 3-corner, 2-safety set — built for speed vs 3+ WR looks."

Likely Defensive Backs:
CB1 Derion Kendrick Physical outside CB, better vs boundary WRs
CB2 Kamren Curl (converted Safety) or Tre Tomlinson Versatile; Curl may play corner in some packages
Nickel CB Cobie Durant Explosive, twitchy; Rams love him vs slot WRs
FS Kamren Curl (if not CB) or Russ Yeast Curl is the rangy playmaker; Yeast the backup/rotator
SS Quentin Lake Smart, aggressive; plays closer to box than true deep half
🧩 Durant is the constant in Nickel. The outside CBs may rotate depending on size/speed matchups.

Rams Big Nickel (4-2-5, 3 Safeties)"Physical hybrid look — counters 2-TE sets, big-slot WRs, or misdirection-heavy teams like SF."

Likely Defensive Backs:
CB1 Derion Kendrick Stays on the field as primary boundary CB
CB2 Tre Tomlinson Slightly better tackler than Durant; more outside matchup-ready
SS Quentin Lake May rotate down into the box to replace a LB
FS Kamren Curl Anchors the deep half; high football IQ
Hybrid S Russ Yeast or Jason Taylor II The "third safety" who plays slot or mid-zone.

🧩In this alignment, Cobie Durant often comes off the field, because the Rams want more size and physicality against the run and motion-heavy packages (like the 49ers, Ravens, or Eagles use).

[Joe Pendleton]

i like the DB's listed (i'd throw Ramseys name in there too tho)

[ramsman34]

The Rams run a lot of Big Nickel with the Star position a featured/joker player. It always depends on down/distance/field position and what the offensive personnel grouping is.

That breakdown is fairly accurate, league wide. Shula, like many quality DCs. Look for tendencies and the matchups he can create to get his star players 1 on 1 matchups. Especially against the pass. And he does that on all 3 levels of the D. Getting the best match up on the front, at ILB and in the secondary.