He's evolved his defense with every stop he's had. Tampa 2, 4-3 front with Quinn in Atlanta, Fangio 3-4 Rams.
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Nope, it's not a misprint. After trading up to the #3 pick from #12, the 49ers have put themselves in a position to select their franch... -
The San Francisco 49ers are 20-6 when the Three Amigos are on the field together. If they stay healthy you can forget about a "rebuil... -
The postseason is a year away. Win or lose the only thing they're playing for today is pride. Another opportunity to advertise your wo...
Some moving parts —With Raheem Morris in as 49ers DC, market is moving on Gus Bradley. Either the Titans or Cardinals could hire him as DC, with Arizona having the edge of making him play-caller. If Tennessee misses on Bradley, Atlanta's Mike Rutenberg is a name to watch.
ReplyDeleteEvolution of Raheem Morris' Defensive Systems (2002–2026)
ReplyDelete* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002–2011): The Tampa 2 Roots
System: Traditional 4-3 "Tampa 2."
Focus: Morris began his career as a defensive quality control coach for the historic 2002 Buccaneers defense. This system relied on a four-man rush and a middle linebacker dropping deep to create a three-deep look in Cover 2.
Roles: Defensive Backs coach (2007–2008) and Head Coach (2009–2011). In 2007, his pass defense ranked 1st in the NFL.
* Washington & Atlanta (2012–2020): Offensive Integration & 4-3/Cover 3
System: 4-3 Under with heavy Cover 3 influences.
Focus: While coaching DBs in Washington and multiple roles in Atlanta (including a stint as Wide Receivers coach), Morris integrated offensive insights into his defensive philosophy.
* 2020 Falcons (DC/Interim HC): He introduced more two-high safety looks and emphasized turnovers, helping the defense jump from last in the NFL to 2nd in takeaways during the second half of the season.
* Los Angeles Rams (2021–2023): The 3-4 "Staley" Hybrid
System: 3-4 Base with "Light Box" sub-packages (4-2-5 or 5-1).
Focus: Inheriting Brandon Staley’s system, Morris utilized a 3-4 base but increasingly moved toward traditional 4-3 concepts as personnel changed.
Innovations: He used simulated pressures (rushing four but from non-traditional spots) and heavy use of "Star" roles for versatile DBs like Jalen Ramsey. This culminated in a Super Bowl LVI victory.
Atlanta Falcons (2024–2025) & SF 49ers (2026): Aggressive Multiple Fronts
System: Gap-splitting even fronts with two-high safeties.
Focus: As Falcons HC, he shifted toward a more aggressive, athletic unit that prioritized dictating the game rather than reacting. In 2025, his defense rushed more than four defenders 34% of the time.
49ers Outlook: Expected to transition the 49ers from their traditional "Wide 9" 4-3 base to a more creative, blitz-heavy 3-4/4-3 hybrid system.
It'll be a 4-man front without a shadow of a doubt.
ReplyDeleteYep. Personnel dictates it. Maybe over time, if he sticks around, it may evolve. But for 2026 it will be 4-man front.
DeleteGoing to be interesting to see though what style of DL and DBs he looks to bring in. I think the DBs they have are largely aligned with what Morris wants/ does, but not sure about the DL.
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ReplyDeleteRazor
ReplyDeleteA 4-2 nickel front?
That's what I'm thinking.
DeleteArizona State OT Max Iheanachor Last Season:
ReplyDelete🔱 484 Pass Block Snaps
🔱 Zero Sacks Allowed
Western Michigan EDGE Nadame Tucker in 2025:
ReplyDelete😤 14.5 sacks
😤 21 tackles for loss
😤 61 pressures
😤 21 QB hits
😤 20.6% pressure rate
😤 4 forced fumbles
😤 86.2 PFSN EDGE Impact grade (5th in FBS)
If Morris leans more toward a 3-4 alignment do the 49ers have the right players in place to make that change. Is Bryce Huff gone? Can Bosa transition to a 3-4 LB from a 4-3 DE. I see the base being NT CJ West DE/DT M. Williams and DE/DT Collins. Who fills the two outside LB roles? I wish that if they were going to change defenses they had done it before the 25 draft where they drafted a number of players who fit the 4-3. Is this the end of Nick Martin. He is too light to play inside and not big enough to play outside in a 3-4. The one player celebrating this move is Evan Anderson he fits the NT spot perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThey don't have the right personnel, which is why Morris will run a 4-3.
DeleteScooter / Razor
DeleteWhat's you take on Zane Durant, DT Penn St. in 4th Rd.?
He's 6’1” X 290, with 4.66 40. A penetrating 3T that showed a he could win with power, quickness, and well-executed swipe move on day one in Mobile.
He was used across the D-line at Penn St., from nose tackle to 5T. He's best suited for penetrating.
Depends on what they're after. If they want to prioritise penetration up front, he's very interesting. Sort of athlete you bank on in that role. But you likely have to accept he will have trouble holding gaps.
DeleteFor mine, putting it in 49er player comparison terms, he's a more athletic version of Givens or Davis. 49ers obviously like having those sorts of guys, so he's a guy I imagine they'll have on their board.
Personally I would prefer bringing in another 1T/ 3T type, so Collins can focus more on being the 3T they envisioned when they drafted him.
I dont think it matters much. Teams are in Nickel or Dime defenses far more often than in base across the league its close to 80 percent of the time... so the 4-3 wide 9 front is really just a subpackage.
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