2012 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 2012 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, DEN, CLE, OAK, CAR, IND, CHI
*3-4: SD, PIT, DAL, GB, ARI, KC, HOU, SF, WAS
Multiple Front: BAL, NYJ, NO, BUF, NE
TBD: MIN, TB, MIA, JAX, STL
*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 2011 season.
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AFC EAST
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Team
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Head Coach
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Defensive Coordinator
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Defensive Schemes
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Buffalo Bills
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Chan Gailey
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Dave Wannstedt
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4-3
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Miami Dolphins
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Joe Philbin
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Kevin Coyle
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?
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New England Patriots
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Bill Belichick
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Matt Patricia
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Multiple Front
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New York Jets
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Rex Ryan
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Mike Pettine
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Multiple Front
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AFC NORTH
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Team
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Head Coach
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Defensive Coordinator
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Defensive Schemes
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Baltimore Ravens
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John Harbaugh
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Dean Pees
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Multiple Front
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Cincinnati Bengals
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Marvin Lewis
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Mike Zimmer
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4-3
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Cleveland Browns
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Pat Shurmur
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Dick Jauron
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4-3
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Pittsburgh Steelers
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Mike Tomlin
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Dick LeBeau
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3-4
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AFC SOUTH
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Team
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Head Coach
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Defensive Coordinator
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Defensive Schemes
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Houston Texans
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Gary Kubiak
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Wade Phillips |
3-4
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Indianapolis Colts
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Chuck Pagano | Greg Manusky |
3-4
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Jacksonville Jaguars
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Mike Mularkey
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Mel Tucker
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4-3
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Tennessee Titans
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Mike Munchak | Jerry Gray |
4-3
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AFC WEST
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Team
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Head Coach
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Defensive Coordinator
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Defensive Schemes
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Denver Broncos
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Jon Fox | Jack Del Rio |
4-3
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| Kansas City Chiefs | Romeo Crennel | Romeo Crennel | 3-4 |
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Oakland Raiders
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Dennis Allen
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Jason Tarver
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Multiple Front
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San Diego Chargers
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Norv Turner
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John Pagano
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3-4
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NFC EAST
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Team
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Head Coach
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Defensive Coordinator
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Defensive Schemes
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Dallas Cowboys
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Jason Garrett
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Rob Ryan
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3-4
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New York Giants
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Tom Coughlin
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Perry Fewell
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4-3
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Philadelphia Eagles
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Andy Reid
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Juan Castillo
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4-3
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Washington Redskins
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Mike Shanahan
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Jim Haslett
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3-4
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NFC NORTH
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Team
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Head Coach
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Defensive Coordinator
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Defensive Schemes
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Chicago Bears
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Lovie Smith
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Rod Marinelli
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4-3
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Detroit Lions
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Jim Schwartz
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Gunther Cunningham
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4-3
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Green Bay Packers
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Mike McCarthy
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Dom Capers
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3-4
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Minnesota Vikings
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Leslie Frazier
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Alan Williams
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4-3
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NFC SOUTH
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Team
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Head Coach
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Defensive Coordinator
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Defensive Schemes
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Atlanta Falcons
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Mike Smith
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Mike Nolan |
4-3 (hybrid?)
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Carolina Panthers
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Ron Rivera
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Sean McDermott
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4-3
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New Orleans Saints
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Sean Payton
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Steve Spagnuolo |
4-3
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Greg Schiano |
Bill Sheridan
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?
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NFC WEST
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| Team | Head Coach | Defensive Coordinator | Defensive Schemes |
| Arizona Cardinals | Ken Whisenhunt | Ray Horton | 3-4 |
| St. Louis Rams | Jeff Fisher | Gregg Williams | 4-3 (multiple?) |
| San Francisco 49ers | Jim Harbaugh | Vic Fangio | 3-4 |
| Seattle Seahawks | Pete Carroll | Gus Bradley | 4-3 |
Source: Footballguys – IDP Forum
Last Updated: February 17, 2012