Everyone is always looking to gain an edge when it comes to fantasy football. One of the best ways to do that is to understand the schemes that teams use both on offense and on defense. Astute fantasy owners know that the Jets are a running team and thusly downgrade players in the Jets passing game. Knowing what defensive scheme a team runs can go a long way to give fantasy owners an edge. Below is a chart that lists the base scheme for each team as well as its current Defensive Coordinator, notes on the DC and a list of key individual defensive players.
| Team |
Scheme |
Defensive Coordinator |
Notes |
KEY IDPs |
| ARI |
3-4 |
Bill Davis |
San Francisco Defensive Coordinator in 05 & 06 |
DT: Darnell Dockett |
| ATL |
4-3 |
Brian VanGorder |
2nd season as Falcons Defensive Coordinator.
Previous coaching experience:
2005 Jaguars LB coach
2007 Falcons LB coach |
LB: Curtis Lofton |
| BAL |
3-4
4-3 |
Greg Mattison |
38 yrs coaching, 2010 will be his 3rd in NFL |
DL: Terrell Suggs
LB: Ray Lewis |
| BUF |
3-4 |
George Edwards |
1st year as Bills Defensive Coordinator.
In 2002, Edwards was the Assistant Defensive Coordinator for the Redskins. In 2002, all three of the Redskins starting linebackers recorded at least 90 combined tackles (Armstead: 99, Arrington: 92 & Trotter: 91). |
LB: Paul Posluszny |
| CAR |
4-3 |
Ron Meeks |
2nd season as Panthers Defensive Coordinator.
Former Colts Defensive Coordinator.
Coaching career started in 1991 with the Cowboys. |
LB: Jon Beason
CB: Richard Marshall |
| CHI |
Tampa-2 |
Rod Marinelli |
1st year Defensive Coordinator for Bears & 1st DC position since 1975 (Rosemead High School).
Former Head Coach of Detroit Lions (06-08) |
DE: Julius Peppers
LB: Lance Briggs
CB: Zachary Bowman |
| CIN |
4-3 |
Mike Zimmer |
3rd year as Bengals Defensive Coordinator.
Previously a DC for Falcons and Cowboys. |
DE: Antwan Odom |
| CLE |
3-4 |
Rob Ryan |
2nd year as Browns Defensive Coordinator.
Has been a DC in NFL since 2004 (Raiders: 2004-2008) & was LB coach in NE from 2000-2003. |
LB: D’Qwell Jackson** |
| DAL |
3-4 |
Wade Phillips* |
2nd year heading up the Dallas defense.
Has been a Head Coach or Defensive Coordinator in NFL since 1981. |
LB: Bradie James |
| DEN |
3-4 |
Don Martindale |
1st time Defensive Coordinator (promoted from Broncos LB coach) and Broncos 5th DC in 5 years.
Martindale’s 1st NFL coaching job was in Oakland where he was the LB coach(2004-2008) |
LB: DJ Williams
S: Brian Dawkins |
| DET |
4-3 |
Gunther Cunningham |
1st year as Lions Defensive Coordinator.
Worked with current Lions HC, Jim Swartz in Tennessee back in 2001 thru 2003.
While DC in KC the Chiefs compiled a record of 42-22 |
DE: Kyle Vanden Bosch
LB: DeAndre Levy
S: Louis Delmas |
| GBP |
3-4 |
Dom Capers |
2nd season as Packers Defensive Coordinator.
1st DC position was with the Steelers back in 1992-1994.
Was a defensive backs coach in the USFL. |
LB: Nick Barnett |
| HOU |
4-3 |
Frank Bush |
2nd season as a Defensive Coordinator.
1st NFL coaching experience was as LB coach for the Oilers (1992). |
DE: Mario Williams
LB: DeMeco Ryans
DB: Bernard Pollard |
| IND |
Tampa-2 |
Larry Coyer |
2nd year as the Colts Defensive Coordinator.
Has been in coaching since 1965. |
DE: Robert Mathis
LB: Gary Brackett
S: Antoine Bethea |
| JAC |
4-3 |
Mel Tucker |
2nd year as Jaguars Defensive Coordinator.
Is a former DC for the Browns. |
DE: Derrick Harvey
LB: Kirk Morrison |
| KCC |
3-4 |
Romeo Crennel |
1st year as the Chiefs Defensive Coordinator.
Former HC of the Browns (2005-2008) and DC of the Patriots (2001-2004).
Has 5 Super Bowl rings. |
S: Eric Berry
CB: Brandon Flowers |
| MIA |
3-4 |
Mike Nolan |
1st year as Dolphins Defensive Coordinator.
Previously the DC for Broncos and Niners where he coached top 10 linebackers: DJ Williams and Patrick Willis. |
LB: Karlos Dansby |
| MIN |
4-3
Tampa-2 |
Leslie Frazier |
4th year as Vikings Defensive Coordinator.
1st DC job was with Bengals (2003). |
DE: Jared Allen
LB: EJ Henderson
LB: Chad Greenway
S: Antoine Winfield |
| NEP |
3-4 |
Bill Belichick*
& D-Staff |
Belichick said, “He (Corwin Brown) has stepped in well with Josh Boyer, Matt Patricia, Pepper Johnson, Pat Grahamand myself, and as a group we are committed to putting a competitive defense on the field. This is the best course for us to move forward in 2010.” |
LB: Jerod Mayo
S: Patrick Chung |
| NOS |
4-3 |
Gregg Williams |
2nd year as Defensive Coordinator for the Saints after stints in Washington and Jacksonville. |
DE: Will Smith
DE: Alex Brown
LB: Jonathan Vilma
S: Roman Harper |
| NYG |
4-3 |
Perry Fewell |
1st year Defensive Coordinator for the Giants who in 2009 was the Bills DC and then interim HC. Fewell worked with Giants HC, Tom Coughlin when both were with the Jaguars. |
DE: Justin Tuck
LB: Michael Boley |
| NYJ |
3-4 |
Mike Pettine |
2nd year as Jets Defensive Coordinator. |
LB: David Harris
LB: Bart Scott |
| OAK |
4-3 |
John Marshall |
2nd year as Raiders Defensive Coordinator.
Has been in the NFL in one capacity or another since 1985. |
LB: Rolondo McClain
S: Tyvon Branch |
| PHL |
4-3 |
Sean McDermott |
2nd year as the Eagles Defensive Coordinator.
Disciple of the late Jim Johnson. |
DE: Trent Cole
LB: Stewart Bradley
S: Quintin Mikell |
| PIT |
3-4 |
Dick LeBeau |
7th year as Steelers Defensive Coordinator and 1st as a HOF inductee.
Has been in the NFL since 1959 (coaching & playing). |
LB: Lawrence Timmons
S: Troy Polamalu |
| SDC |
3-4 |
Ron Rivera |
Entering 3rd season as Chargers Defensive Coordinator. |
S: Eric Weddle |
| SEA |
4-3 |
Gus Bradley |
New Head Coach Pete Carroll is keeping Bradley around for his 2nd season as the Seahawks Defensive Coordinator. |
LB: Lofa Tatupu |
| SFO |
3-4 |
Greg Manusky |
4th year as Defensive Coordinator for the Niners. |
LB: Patrick Willis |
| STL |
4-3 |
Ken Flajole |
2nd season as the Rams Defensive Coordinator.
Flajole should get plenty of defensive support from the Rams defensive minded HC, Steve Spagnuolo. |
DE: Chris Long
LB: James Laurinaitis
S: OJ Oshiomogho |
| TBB |
Tampa-2 |
Raheem Morris* |
Took over role as Defensive Coordinator after a week 11 thrashing at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl Champion Saints. |
LB: Barrett Ruud
LB: Geno Hayes |
| TEN |
4-3 |
Chuck Cecil |
2nd year as the Titans Defensive Coordinator.
Entire NFL coaching career (2001-present) has been spent with the Titans. |
DE: Derrick Morgan
LB: Stephen Tulloch
CB: Cortland Finnegan |
| WAS |
3-4 |
Jim Haslett |
1st season in Washington as Defensive Coordinator.
Implementing the 3-4 & dealing with a disgruntled Albert Haynesworth. |
LB: London Fletcher
S: LaRon Landry |
* Head Coach that also doubles as Defensive Coordinator.
** Currently injured.
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