• April 23, 2024

Davis Hiring Confirms Shift To 3-4 Defense

Arizona Cardinals 2007 HeadshotsThe Philadelphia Eagles have answered one of the biggest questions looming around the new coaching staff: Who will lead the defense? Billy Davis, who most recently served as the Browns linebackers coach, is going to be the man.

Billy Davis has been a defensive coach since 1992 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and primarily made his name as a position coach with the linebackers with the Panthers, Browns, Falcons, Giants, and Cardinals. Davis has held two defensive coordinator positions, with the 49ers in 2005 and 2006 and with the Cardinals in 2009 and 2010.

In both of those instances, Davis utilized the 3-4 defense. This could be the answer to another question pertaining to the Eagles 2013 season. Many signs pointed to a switch from the base 4-3 that the Eagles have run for years to a 3-4 style that has been used by half of the top ten defenses from the 2012 season.

With a defensive coordinator now in place, most of the coaching staff is filled. Pat Shurmur will lead the offensive side of the ball (although it is likely that he will have little power and Chip Kelly will call most of the plays).

Now that it is assumed that the Eagles will be moving to a 3-4 defense, it makes the direction in which the team will draft in April a little bit clearer. Georgia’s Jarvis Jones will fit as a 3-4 linebacker perfectly and Utah’s Star Lotulelei could be available at the number four draft slot if the Eagles wish to fill the nose tackle position.

The Eagles can now start looking toward the 2013 season. The schemes are in place and the coaching staff can start dissecting the players that could be available in their draft position. Don’t expect any hints from this staff though; Chip Kelly’s style seems to be very secretive when he’s hiring assistants.

Follow Brenden on Twitter @BrendenP2011 or email him at BPeddigree2011@gmail.com.

Brenden Peddigree

Read Previous

Eagles Hire Billy Davis As New Defensive Coordinator

Read Next

Davis Hire Reflects Flawed Approach By The Eagles’ Front Office

0 0 votes
Article Rating
12 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
lewdoggie20
lewdoggie20
February 7, 2013 4:11 pm

Does this make us officially the browns? Rookie coach and browns with the DC andOC positions. Tell me it’s going to be a good year…

IrishEagle
IrishEagle
February 7, 2013 4:22 pm

I don’t think Jarvis Jones will be top 5 pick. He has medical issues. He’s not ideal size. He has short arms… I don’t like him.

paulman
paulman
February 7, 2013 5:52 pm
Reply to  IrishEagle

He has some sort of Spinal Condition,
I would stay away from him and look at DaMontre Moore or Barkevious Mingo as a pass-Rushing OLB over Jarvis Jones..

DCar
DCar
February 8, 2013 3:14 am
Reply to  paulman

Spinal Stenosis. Same thing that plagued & finally retired OT Marcus McNeil. Nothing to sneeze about! JJ will drop in the draft.

Butch007
Butch007
February 7, 2013 4:37 pm

Uh….This doesn’t sound good. This dude hasn’t had any significant success anywhere at any point. I was kind of ok with the Donatelle hiring if that was what it was going to be because at least he was in the 49ers organization now while it’s at the top of the heap. At least the guy already has a playbook and he’s already made calls during real games, but damn.

Butch007
Butch007
February 7, 2013 4:37 pm

I am thinking this officially makes us the 2012 Browns.

mryan
mryan
February 7, 2013 4:57 pm

Come on..two straight articles guys? Davis did NOT utilize a 3-4 in Arizona. He utilized a 4-3 Under Hybrid D. There is a difference as it pertains to personnel, stop with the cookie cutter crap Do your homework.

CT
CT
February 7, 2013 5:24 pm

All this bitchin and moaning and we don’t even know shit about the guys. We CANNOT go just based on his resume. Look at some of those “great” coaches with great success in the past in the league. Jim Washburn, Bobby April, Howard Mudd? Worked out GREAT right fellas? C’mon Man. Look at some of the great DC’S in the league. Someone like Vic Fangio who a lot of o people are fond of, ever hear of him having great success before he landed the 49ers gig? Who did Davis have on those bum ass teams he coached back then? He’s literally never coached a defensive with a great supporting cast of players. Who know’s? Maybe this guy will surprise a lot of people.

Last time I checked the browns had a top 5 defense 2 years ago, and actually were a pretty rock solid defense last year..

Give the dude a chance.

Rocko
Rocko
February 7, 2013 5:49 pm

Lookin kinda shitty so far.

pdiddy
pdiddy
February 7, 2013 5:59 pm

, short and to the point LOL I totally agree my man totally dam.

jott1972
jott1972
February 8, 2013 9:37 am

you cand find rush linebackers and DL for the 3-4 in rounds 2-5…..at #4, take Joeckel or Fisher to solidy the OL

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
February 8, 2013 10:10 am
Reply to  jott1972

which side of the street are you on? ( cand) you can find rush linebackers and DL or you can’t ( cand) find? I’m confused