Football 101 Reading List: Bill Arnsparger and a potential Barry Odom hire

Again, no news on Barry Odom or any other DC candidates. However, given the discussion about the system he ran at Missouri, and the confusion over the labeling of the system (called a 4-2-5, looks like a 3-4 and a 4-3 at times, etc.) I would recommend reading the following article about the late Bill Arnsparger. Arnsparger built the terrific Miami Dolphins defenses in the 70s and is credited with inventing the zone blitz. Going back and looking at tape of those teams, they used a similar alignment to a 3-4, with a hybrid DE/LB flexed out to the boundary and his hand on the ground. This gave them a wide angle to rush the passer without opening up a giant bubble in the C gap with the alignment. Arnsparger called this the "53" defense. The 53 wasn't referring to an alignment. It was the number of the DE playing the hybrid role (Bob Matheson), much like the 46 defense was named for Bears safety Gary Fencik.

Later, the 1980s Forty Niners used a similar concept, with a fast stunting nose in Michael Carter, and the hybrid edge position. The post was manned initially by Fred Dean, and then Charles Haley, who was elite off the edge to the tune of six Super Bowl rings. Later, one dimensional speed rushing outside linebackers who were on the downside of their career thrived in the role, with former Saint Ricky Jackson, former Packer Tim Harris, former Viking Chris Doleman, and vagabon Kevin Greene all thriving in the role.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2526034-bill-arnsparger-remembering-...

This is a good read.