Skull session

Sporting News, The, Nov 16, 1998 by Rich Cimini

`Casey' has been a hit for the Jets' defense

When linebacker James Farrior hurt his knee in the Jets' season opener against the 49ers, the coaching staff adjusted on the fly, creating a new/old wrinkle.

Coordinator Bill Belichick, one of the most creative minds in the business, installed a hybrid front--a 3-4 scheme with 4-3 personnel. Since then, the Jets have used it as a change-of-pace defense.

Here's how it works: DT Jason Ferguson moves to the nose, and RDT Ernie Logan shifts to right end. Logan and LDE Rick Lyle line up opposite the offensive tackles, giving the appearance of a 3-4 front. They have two-gap responsibilities.

RDE Anthony Pleasant, playing the "Casey" role, assumes the position of a down-backer, split wide to either side. He can play the strong or weak side. Strongside linebacker Mo Lewis is on the opposite side of Pleasant. The other linebackers also have 3-4 responsibilities, lining up across from the guards.

Belichick and Bill Parcells dusted off this scheme from their days with the Giants. Then, DE Casey Merrill filled Pleasant's role. Thus, the name "Casey."

"It helps utilize our strengths as individuals," Lyle says. "Anthony is a good pass rusher on the edge, and we're able to put him on the corner. I'm a better two-gap player, and that defense allows me to utilize my skills, too." Since the Jets employed a 3-4 defense most of '97, it was an easy transition. They returned to a 4-3 because, in part, they felt Farrior was better suited to a 4-3.

Parcells says he first used "Casey" in 1980, when he was the Patriots' linebackers coach. At the time, he used DE Tony McGee as "Casey" and McGee had 7 1/2 sacks that year.